Top Gear Ramps Up Digital Offerings in North America

LONDON, October 23: BBC
Worldwide has launched a new website in North America for its hit motoring
series Top Gear, which just
made its world premiere on iTunes, with season ten available immediately for
download.

TopGear.com includes
classic video clips, a Top Gear America blog, community and contributions from
British hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and executive
producer Andy Wilman. The site also has an ongoing original editorial feature,
“Made in America,” which this week looks at a car and school bus demolition
derby. Next week, TopGear.com will launch Legend of Top Gear, a mini-site
featuring the history and 24 best-ever moments of the program.

Until November 4, users
can go to TopGear.com and click the iTunes download button on the homepage to
receive the first episode from season ten of the series for free.

The new North American
website comes on the heels of the relaunch of the show’s U.K. web portal, which
now features improved functionality and new content. An Australian version is
planned to debut later this year.

“Top Gear is an international phenomenon with a passionate
and loyal following in North America,” said Miranda Treffry, the VP of business
development and digital media for BBC Worldwide America. “This is the first in
a series of BBC Worldwide sites that will deliver highly engaging content and a
community experience developed specifically for U.S. and Canadian audiences.”

“We’re excited about
offering American and Canadian fans a daily fill of all things Top Gear,” added Jared A. Holstein, the executive producer
and editor of TopGear.com America. “Hundreds of exclusive video clips, reviews
of exotic machinery, regular contributions from Jeremy, James and Richard and
the rest of the U.K. Top Gear
gang are complimented by content baked up fresh in the U.S.A.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski