BBC Studios Signs Licensing Deal With Viacom18 For Top Gear

BBC Studios has announced a licensing deal with Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd, which will see the latest series of Top Gear air on the Indian entertainment network’s premium English entertainment channel, Colors Infinity.

The deal for one of the world’s most-watched series, was revealed at Showcase, BBC Studios’ spectacular trade event held in Liverpool each year. This multi-platform deal with Viacom18 will make series 27 of Top Gear available to Indian viewers that are looking forward to watch their favorite motoring show.The deal highlights Top Gear’s enduring international appeal and how the new presenting line up has increased interest in the show. To date BBC Studios have secured broadcast deals for the latest series throughout the Asia Pacific region. The Nine Network’s long-standing commitment to the series continues and the Australian broadcaster will premiere series 27 and 28 this year. TVNZ have secured the premiere rights for series 27 and 28 in New Zealand, recently launching series 28 on Duke.

Top Gear is the world’s biggest and longest-running motoring entertainment show which has had a huge global following across 200+ territories, making it one of the world’s most widely watched factual TV programmes. The much-loved series features gruelling challenges, epic adventures and state-of-the-art supercars with a hint of mayhem, humour and mischief.

Series 27 introduces a shiny new presenter line up with comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness and cricketing legend Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff joining motoring journalist Chris Harris. Also back in the driving seat is the enigmatic white-suited professional driver known across the globe as The Stig.

From the brutal heat of the Ethiopian desert to the sweltering Borneo rainforest, from the wilds of Iceland to the pedestrianised shopping district of a British market town, Top Gear is bigger than ever. The team tackle the fastest, hottest, toughest challenges to date, pushing their cars and themselves to the limits. At the world-famous Top Gear test track, a fresh batch of celebrities demonstrate their driving prowess (or lack thereof) and face challenges set by the presenters.

The new presenting line up has been a hit with fans and their debut series on BBC Two in June last year was particularly well received in the UK, with an average consolidated audience of 3.8 million. Following the success of their first series together, the trio have recently returned to UK screens with even higher audience ratings, with the new series permiere opening to a consolidated audience of more than 4.3 million, the highest in over four years. In between series, they also filmed the Top Gear Nepal Special, which saw Freddie, Paddy and Chris embark on an epic high-altitude voyage from Kathmandu to the Forbidden City of Lo Manthang, thrilling UK audiences when it aired in December.

Stanley Fernandes, Vice President, Distribution for BBC Studios South Asia, says, “We’re thrilled to partner with Viacom18 to bring the latest series of Top Gear to India. Audiences are going love the new trio taking control of the wheel and taking the series to another level. Expect plenty of thrills, spills and laughs.”

Ferzad Palia, Head – VOOT Select, Youth, Music & English Entertainment, Viacom18 says, “Indian viewers are big fans of fast-paced and adrenaline-pumping automotive content. Globally, Top Gear is recognised as the most popular motoring entertainment show, and we’re thrilled to showcase series 27 of this iconic show to viewers in India. Adding another genre to our bouquet of offering, Viacom18 continues to deliver the best of English entertainment to its audience.” BCS Bureau