It looks like that Top Gear rival motoring show could still go ahead on ITV, after Jeremy Clarkson found a loophole in his broadcasting ban.
A “non compete” clause in Clarkson’s BBC contract reportedly prevents him from creating rival content with another UK broadcaster until 2017.
However, according to the Mirror, the 55-year-old may be able to get around the issue by developing the show with a U.S production company who would then sell the rights to broadcasters around the world, including ITV.
A source said:
It has been a battle with all the legal complications, but after some solid advice Jeremy believes they’ll successfully get around the issues despite the BBC making desperate efforts to stop them.
The news means that fans may see Clarkson reunited with Richard Hammond and James May on a new motoring show, after all, and the trio’s lawyers are reportedly confident that there would be no issue with using an overseas company in this way.
The other option under consideration is a deal with Netflix for the new show.
Given previous reports that ITV hopes to run the potential new show head-to-head against the new Chris Evans fronted Top Gear, this latest development is probably driving the BBC mad!
