Today, Amazon announced that it had made a deal with the trio to make a new automobile show, and it’s reportedly worth quite a bit of money. The news was revealed on Amazon Instant Video UK’s website.
The online retail giant, which has been trying in recent years to compete with Netflix as a web streaming service, reportedly signed the three men for $250 million over 36 episodes of the new show, according to Business Insider. The show will premiere in 2016 for Amazon Prime subscribers.
The TV show will be produced by Andrew Wilman, who was the executive producer of Top Gear for many years. Wilman left Top Gear and the BBC after Clarkson was dismissed.
Back in March, the BBC stated that it would not renew its contract with popular Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson after he punched a producer in the face. Clarkson’s co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond then quit the show following Clarkson’s dismissal.
Speaking about the deal, Jeremy Clarkson said, “I feel like I’ve climbed out of a bi-plane and into a spaceship.” He also posted on Twitter, “Amazon Instant Video now saying I can’t be their chief drone pilot. Apparently they want us to make a car show.”
This deal follows months of rumors that the trio would be picked up by Netflix or BBC competitor ITV. In addition, Top Gear is going forward this year with a new cast. In June, the BBC announced that British producer and presenter Chris Evans would be leading the next season of Top Gear.
Amazon Prime costs $99 a year. It includes free two-day shipping, access to Amazon Instant Video, Prime’s music streaming service, and other perks. Amazon hasn’t yet announced the name or structure of the Top Gear trio’s new show.
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