Top Gear format motors to Italy

An Italian broadcaster is remaking BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) motoring format Top Gear, marking the first sale of the show since the UK version was axed after one of its presenters hit a producer.

Top Gear Italia is being produced by Sony Pictures Television’s Toro Media for pay TV network Sky Uno and has been slated to air in 2016.

It will be presented by motoring journalist Guido Meda and restaurant entrepreneur and TV personality Joe Bastianich, with a third host yet to be confirmed.

Andrea Scrosati, Sky Italia’s exec VP, said the format “brings together great entertainment with passion and competence for cars and speed, a perfect mix for our subs, that I am confident will be even more successful thanks to the talent of Joe and Guido.”

The show has already been remade around the world including in France, Australia, China, Russia, South Korea and the US, while the BBC’s UK version has been licensed to more than 230 territories.

The remake comes after the original UK version was cut short following presenter Jeremy Clarkson’s “fracas” with a producer.

Clarkson has now left the show after the BBC chose not to extend his contract, while his two co-presenters have also exited, leading global broadcasters of the UK version to express concern over its future popularity.

BBC2 controller Kim Shillinglaw is now working on a revamped UK version, with radio presenter Chris Evans brought in as lead presenter.