Top Gear Gets Companion Series

LONDON: BBC Three and BBC Worldwide have co-commissioned the new series Extra Gear, serving as a companion show with behind-the-scenes extras for Top Gear.

The series will be presented by Top Gear host Rory Reid. It will be filmed at the Top Gear studio and promises fans exclusive new footage, interviews, specially recorded films and bonus behind-the-scenes material. Extra Gear will be available on BBC Three’s live page and BBC Three on iPlayer immediately following Top Gear episodes on BBC Two.

BBC Worldwide will distribute Extra Gear to international broadcasters, including BBC America and BBC Brit, where it will air alongside the new series in May.

Reid said: “Extra Gear is hugely exciting. The Top Gear fans are some of the keenest in the world and with this show I’m giving them a chance to really get a peek behind the curtain. I’m looking forward to showing them how the show is made and what goes on behind the scenes, giving viewers a different perspective on some of the coolest cars on the planet.”

Damian Kavanagh, controller of BBC Three, added: “Top Gear has always been a favorite with BBC Three fans so I’m delighted we can give them something new and innovative from BBC Three. BBC Three will allow fans to get closer to the Top Gear action and feel part of the show.”

Adam Waddell, the global director of Top Gear at BBC Worldwide, commented: “For the first time ever we are able to bring our fans around the world more access to the world of Top Gear than they have ever had and realize a long-held ambition to offer more original content from this globally successful show.”