or


[01/15/08 - 10:29 AM]
Start Your Engines! NBC Orders Pilot for International Hit Series 'Top Gear' from BBC Worldwide America
"'Top Gear' is a proven international hit which fits perfectly into NBC's line-up of programming with male appeal, including 'Sunday Night Football' and 'American Gladiators,'" said NBC topper Ben Silverman.
[via press release from BBC]

START YOUR ENGINES! NBC ORDERS PILOT FOR INTERNATIONAL HIT SERIES 'TOP GEAR' FROM BBC WORLDWIDE AMERICA

BURBANK � January 15, 2008 � NBC has ordered a pilot for the international hit series "Top Gear" from BBC Worldwide America it was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. The world's leading car series franchise features unique celebrity guest participation and high-adrenaline action entertainment.

" 'Top Gear' is a proven international hit which fits perfectly into NBC's line-up of programming with male appeal, including 'Sunday Night Football' and 'American Gladiators,'" said Silverman. "We're always looking for innovative ways to partner with our advertisers and this show offers a great platform for the latest in car culture."

"We've had our eye on 'Top Gear' for a while now and think this show can really click with viewers," added Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment. "The concept taps into America's obsession with cars and is unlike anything else on television."

"Since its revival over five years ago, the UK show has been a phenomenal success. The bar has been set so high, that replicating it will be the challenge � one we truly relish," said Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President Content and Production for BBC Worldwide Americas. "Casting is well underway and we are confident that Americans will fall in love with the attitude and irreverent spirit of 'Top Gear.'"

One of the UK's most popular all-time television franchises, "Top Gear" will feature super-cars, extreme stunts and challenges, time trials and road tests, and assess the performance of some of the most ordinary and extraordinary cars on the planet.

The series, which premiered in the UK in 1977, is consistently BBC TWO's most-watched program in the UK. "Top Gear" also reaches over 150 million households globally and made its stateside debut on BBC America in 2007.

"Top Gear" has been the recipient of various awards including National Television Awards, BAFTAs, Broadcast Award, Royal Television Society Awards and an International Emmy Award. Top celebrity guests have included Helen Mirren, Hugh Grant, Simon Cowell, Ewan McGregor and Gordon Ramsay.

BBC Worldwide America recently wrapped "Clash of the Choirs," a successful four-night live event for NBC. The company is currently producing the first season of "Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann" and will begin the sixth season of "Dancing with the Stars" in March.

About BBC Worldwide America:

BBC Worldwide America has headquarters in New York and Los Angeles, and brings together all of BBC Worldwide's businesses in the U.S. BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximize the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the UK license payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has six core businesses: Global Channels, Global TV Sales, Content & Production, Home Entertainment, Digital Media and Magazines.





  [january 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· CLASH OF THE CHOIRS (NBC)
· DANCE WAR: BRUNO VS. CARRIE ANN (ABC)
· DANCING WITH THE STARS (ABC)
· TOP GEAR (NBC)
· TOP GEAR (BBC AMERICA)




[10/30/20 - 01:00 PM]
"Country Strong 2020: Countdown to the CMA Awards" Airs Tuesday, Nov. 10, on ABC
The hour-long special includes interviews and appearances by some of country music's biggest stars.
[10/30/20 - 11:30 AM]
Holiday Cheer Is Right Around the Corner as ABC Announces Its Seasonal Programming Lineup
Highlights include fresh installments of "The Great Christmas Light Fight" and "The Disney Holiday Singalong."
[10/30/20 - 11:02 AM]
Spectrum Originals, AMC Networks and Platform One Media Turn on the Light for "Beacon 23"
After a nine-month exclusive run for Spectrum, the series will be an AMC original with a second window across AMC Networks platforms.

[10/30/20 - 10:30 AM]
FOX Makes First New Series Commitment for 2021-22 Season with Pick-Up of Docu-Com "This Country," from Jenny Bicks and Paul Feig
In the half-hour series, a documentary crew goes to a small town to study young adults and their current concerns.
[10/30/20 - 10:04 AM]
"Chappelle's Show," "Inside Amy Schumer," "Key & Peele," "Nathan for You" and "Reno 911" Available for Streaming November 1 on HBO Max as Part of Non-Exclusive Licensing Deal with Comedy Central
HBO Max has licensed non-exclusive streaming rights to five award-winning series from Comedy Central's vast library, further expanding the platform's curated portfolio.
[10/30/20 - 09:01 AM]
Showtime(R) Offers the Premiere Episode of New Comedy Series "Moonbase 8" for Free
Simultaneously, all episodes of the series will release for on-demand streaming or download on the Showtime and Showtime Anytime(R) apps and partner on-demand platforms for Showtime subscribers.
[10/30/20 - 09:00 AM]
HBO's "Transhood" Debuts November 12
Filmed over the course of five years in Kansas City, the documentary is an inspiring chronicle of the lives of four young people and their families as they each navigate growing up transgender in America's heartland.
[10/30/20 - 08:09 AM]
Thursday's Broadcast Ratings: FOX Claims Top Honors with "Thursday Night Football"
The network's NFL franchise once again leads the night in total viewers and adults 18-49.
[10/30/20 - 08:02 AM]
ESPN Unveils 35-Game College Football Bowl Season Schedule for 2020-21
The schedule features the College Football Playoff Semifinals (Friday, January 1) and the entire New Year's Six, culminating with the College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T (Monday, January 11) from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
[10/30/20 - 07:31 AM]
HGTV Taps Eleven Superstar Property and Design Experts to Judge Renovated Spaces in Hit Competition Series "Rock the Block"
The rotating judges panel will include house-flipping phenom Tarek El Moussa and his real estate agent fiancée, Heather Rae Young, who together will decide which competitive duo creates the ideal kitchen for a potential buyer.
[10/30/20 - 07:25 AM]
Peacock Surprise Drop: "Sketchy Times with Lilly Singh" Late-Night Special - Available Now
In a one-woman, late-night special shot entirely from her home during quarantine, comedian and host Lilly Singh plays a wide variety of new and returning characters, satirizing how we're all adjusting to the new normal.
[10/30/20 - 06:41 AM]
iHeartMedia Rings in the Holiday Season with the 2020 "iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Presented by Capital One"
The CW will broadcast the event as an exclusive nationwide television special on Monday, December 14 at 8:00/7:00c.
[10/29/20 - 11:24 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, October 29
Updates include: Steve Agee joins John Cena in HBO Max's "Peacemaker"; Laura Benanti cast in "Gossip Girl" revival series; and Lil Yachty's "Public Figures" finds a new home at HBO Max.
[10/29/20 - 03:02 PM]
Video: "A Closer Look" with Ralph Tresvant - Official Trailer (HD) - UMC
The music documentary series profiles R&B, Soul, and Hip-Hop artists whose song(s) have and continues to top the billboard charts and re-shape the music industry.
[10/29/20 - 02:01 PM]
Video: Showtime(R) Releases Trailer and Poster Art for "My Psychedelic Love Story" from Oscar(R) Winning Director Errol Morris
The film is a psychedelic head trip crossed with a possible CIA conspiracy and wrapped in a fascinating love story told by the late Joanna Harcourt-Smith about her time with Timothy Leary.