A much-awaited "bombshell" by fans is set to go off as Jeremy Clarkson's new show will be unveiled in the following weeks. As of now, three broadcasters are reportedly vying to sign up the former "Top Gear" presenter.
"ITV and US on-demand services Netflix and Amazon are understood to be the frontrunners to sign Clarkson, who was axed from the BBC2 show earlier this year after punching one of its producers," The Guardian wrote.
Clarkson will reportedly be joined by former co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May. According to an industry source, the trio already have offers and "are close to making a decision about what they want to do."
Also joining them is former "Top Gear" executive producer and a long-time friend of Clarkson, Andy Wilman.
Reportedly, ITV could use more male-oriented shows after it lost the rights to UEFA Champions League coverage. Netflix has 60 million subscribers from around the world with two million of them from the UK. On the other hand, Amazon has taken to original programming.
Whichever broadcaster could get the Jeremy Clarkson new show would benefit from "Top Gear's" 350 million strong fan base. Although the brand itself is owned by the BBC and thus can't be used, the motoring show has reportedly become synonymous to Clarkson, Hammond and May.
A title has not been announced but when the show premieres, it is set to compete against BBC's "Top Gear."
ITV, Netflix and Amazon have all declined to comment on the matter.
And although Clarkson is set to return with a new show, the 55-year-old presenter won't be lending his voice to the upcoming "Forza 6" racing game.
"Jeremy will not be in [the game]," the game's creative director Bill Giese said as reported by The Verge. As for Hammond and May's involvement, he said they will be "part of [their] influencers." The "Top Gear" test track will still be part of "Forza 6" though.
As of this writing, Jeremy Clarkson new show has no release date yet.
