And on that bombshell: Top Gear’s Clarkson to reappear on Amazon

In 2013, BBC cancelled “Ripper Street“, but then Amazon swooped in and resurrected the series for a third season, which premiered on Amazon UK Prime Instant Video in 2014.

As a reminder, in March 2015, the BBC didn’t renew Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson’s contract following an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack”.

Amazon said the new show, to be overseen by the trio’s long-time executive producer Andy Wilman, will be available on its subscription streaming service Amazon Prime next year and will run for three seasons.

“We have become part of the new age of smart TV, ironic, isn’t it?” And the rumors were right as Amazon signed a deal to produce an original show as soon as possible.

“Our approach is to give program-makers creative freedom to be innovative and make the shows they want to make”, said Jay Marine, VP of Amazon Prime Video EU. In the early 2000s, Wilman and Clarkson discussed how the “new” Top Gear would be formatted and produced during a conversation in a pub 15 years ago.

Hammond seemed thrilled to have a new job until he learned the Clarkson and May would starring in it as well. I’ve already been there.

BBC is keeping the Top Gear brand.

Hammond celebrated on Twitter, writing: “I’ve got a job I’ve got a job I’ve got a job”.

Hammond added: “Amazon? Oh yes”.

Fans are undoubtedly looking forward to seeing the ex-Top Gear trio return to their screens, although they’ll have to sign up to Amazon Prime to do so. “Bad news! So have the other two”, May said. Each internet giant has seen how popular “Top Gear” is with its audience, and using data on the behavior of viewers, can position itself to make much stronger wagers on what types of new programming will be successful.

The hot-tempered host was fired from the BBC show after punching a producer during a shoot.