Jeremy Clarkson suspended over "fracas" with producer

Probably an equally significant number who would argue it is in the licence fee payers interests to keep Clarkson off screen.

It's no secret Top Gear is a BBC Worldwide product rather than BBC, so of course it's in their interests for presenters not to go and create a rival show - and ultimately finanically at least in the licence fee payers interests for Top Gear to get itself back on the international market before any rival show can steal their thunder.

It's not a Worldwide production though is it? Presumably their contracts weren't with Worldwide either all seems a bit of a grey area.

I don't think BBC Worldwide have any real production capacity in the UK though do they? They almost always invest in existing BBC Productions, rather than making stuff themselves. Their whole raison d'être is to put money into BBC Productions.

There are BBC WW production arms to ensure formats are produced consistently and there is a production arm in the US that makes shows like DWTS.

Could Clarkson set up a company to buy any part(s) of his TG format back from the BBC, and take it to whichever rival broadcaster (or online streaming service) signs up the former TG trio ... and force Chris Evans to do a total reboot for his version of the show?

That's assuming the BBC would be a willing seller, which given their declared plans to continue the show they probably wouldn't be.

Why would the BBC sell to Clarkson? That doesn't make any sense.

It's obviously all speculation but surely if this was a result of the sale to BBC Worldwide, the contract would prohibit Clarkson from creating a rival format in any territory that Top Gear is present/prominent?

If enough money was offered, the BBC would likely be a willing seller, especially with the Corporation currently
under attack by the goverment and facing more cutbacks. While it's true the BBC has declared its intention to continue with a new Top Gear series next year, how much of the Clarkson TG format is it likely to retain with Chris Evans at the helm as Executive Producer, as well as the new main host? The "Star In A Reasonably Priced Car" segment, reviewing expensive supercars then putting them on the test track, would most likely be the only parts retained from the Clarkson era. There's no guarantee The Stig would be part of the new TG either.

Despite the enforced BBC cutbacks, if any part of the BBC was going to sell any of Clarkson's TG format back to Clarkson, surely it'd be its commercial sales subsidiary, BBC Worldwide rather than the main Corporation..


One word ... money. If Clarkson were to make a rival show for ITV or Netflix or whoever, with most of his TG format on it, albeit slightly rejigged, the BBC would have a case for legal action while they still own Clarkson's old format. Let's face it ... what exactly has Clarkson got for a new show on another channel with Hammond and May if they can't use any of his old format? A comedy travelogue type show with recycled material that just so happens to feature cars, and probably won't last beyond the first series.

I saw Clarkson's 2011 DVD/download "Powered Up" which is basically the more serious car testing part of TG, made by an indie and without Andy Wilman as exec although The Stig was there and Hammond and May were mentioned.

It was a bit rubbish to be honest, as just a car show, the entertainment and pratting around is what makes it.

Top Gear returns a considerable profit to the BBC via Worldwide. It would make no sense for the BBC to sell a format which they moved over time to protect.

Don't confuse sense with BBC management decisions. Internal politics led to the downfall of Clarkson in the end, the punch up scenario was just the trigger. The Cohen empire looks less and less stable these days - and with a management shake up... well what would anyone do in Tony Halls shoes especially if, as alleged, your head of television was briefing against you?

Clarkson led to the downfall of Clarkson - nobody else.