BBC AMERICA ANNOUNCES START OF PRODUCTION ON SEASON TWO OF ORIGINAL SERIES "RICHARD HAMMOND'S CRASH COURSE"

Hammond faces the challenge of his life as Crash Course begins filming next week in Texas

New York - Friday, June 29, 2012 - BBC AMERICA today announced start of production on season two of the original series Richard Hammond's Crash Course. The (8 x 60) series, produced by BBC Worldwide Productions for BBC AMERICA, takes Hammond out of his comfort zone to face some of the biggest challenges of his life. Tod Mesirow executive produces the series set to air later this year. Elli Hakami, Jane Tranter, Tim Pastore and Courtney Conte are executive producers for BBC Worldwide Productions. The production begins shooting next week in Texas.

Season one saw Hammond traverse the US, joining various job sites to master America's largest and most dangerous vehicles. From operating an army tank and maneuvering a two-ton wrecking ball, to driving one of a kind cars on the iconic Top Gear series, Richard Hammond has proven he's a master in the auto-world. This season, we're pulling Richard out of his comfort zone and putting him through the ultimate crash course. Hammond will immerse himself in uniquely American - often terrifying - vocations. In each episode of season two, he will tackle new, and at times frightening challenges, with less than five days to master each job. Can he conquer his fear of heights and jump from the top of a bridge as a Hollywood stuntman? Will he lose his grip (and suffer a venomous bite) when he takes on the role of a snake handler? From the true grit of a Texas cattle ranch to a barber shop in Harlem, NY, viewers will see Richard Hammond absorb the advice of mentors and attempt to master skills that often take years to learn.

Season two of Richard Hammond's Crash Course continues BBC AMERICA's stable of all-new original programming, joining Chef Race: UK vs U.S., debuting Fall 2012, five new specials of Chris Hardwick's The Nerdist premiering throughout July and August, and the August 19 world premiere of BBC AMERICA's Copper, the channel's first scripted original series.

BBC AMERICA delivers US audiences high-quality, innovative and intelligent programming. Established in 1998, it has been the launch pad for talent embraced by American mainstream pop culture, including Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Graham Norton, and successful programming formats including ground-breaking non-scripted television like Top Gear and top-rated science-fiction like Doctor Who. Owned by BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, BBC AMERICA has attracted both critical acclaim and major awards including an Emmy(R), five Golden Globes(R) and ten Peabody Awards. The channel attracts one of cable's most affluent and educated audiences and is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 79.5 million homes. It broadcasts in both standard and high-definition, with content available On Demand across all major digital platforms. Online, www.bbcamerica.com is the place to go to dig deeper into pop culture with a British twist.

About BBC Worldwide Productions

BBC Worldwide Productions is one of five core businesses under BBC Worldwide America, the U.S. division of the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), BBC Worldwide. Led by Jane Tranter, BBC Worldwide Productions is based in Los Angeles and develops and produces scripted and non-scripted projects for U.S. cable and broadcast networks, as well as digital platforms. The production company is responsible for the smash hit Dancing with the Stars (ABC), as well as Breaking Pointe (CW), Top Gear (HISTORY), Richard Hammond's Crash Course (BBC AMERICA), What Not to Wear (TLC), The Next Big Thing (Oxygen), Lives on Fire (OWN), Torchwood: Miracle Day (Starz), and the upcoming titles Da Vinci's Demons (Starz), The Week the Women Went (Lifetime), and Lovetown, USA (OWN), among others.