Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May officially announced that their new car show will be broadcast on Amazon.
Producer Andy Wilman will also be joining the trio, meaning the entire creative force behind Top Gear will be part of the new series.
According to UK newspaper The Guardian, they signed a contract for three series, with the first one starting production soon and with a 2016 release date.
Amazon announced the news on their Instagram page, showing a photo of the trio with their signatures:
The signing ends moths of speculation as to where the former Top Gear presenters will land after Clarkson’s now-infamous fracas with producer Oison Tymon, where Clarkson allegedly punched Tymon in the face because of a dispute over a hot dinner.
After Clarkson’s contract wasn’t renewed, some speculated that Hammond and May would continue without him, but after they both declined to sign new contracts, it became apparent that wherever Clarkson went, the others would follow.
The most likely suitor for a new car show was Netflix, with UK broadcaster ITV ruled out because of a non-compete clause in the trio’s BBC contracts. Amazon was mentioned, but most reports indicated Netflix as the odds-on favorite.
This isn’t the first time that Amazon signed BBC cast-offs. They picked up the BBC drama Ripper Street after it was dropped by the Beeb.
The new car show, which hasn’t yet been named, will stream on Amazon’s Prime service. The BBC will continue making Top Gear with new host Chris Evans.
I'm very excited to announce that Hammond, May and I have signed a deal with .@AmazonVideo
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 30, 2015
I've got a job I've got a job I've got a job.
Haircut, clean jeans and practice driving again. Forrrrwaaaaaaaard!!
— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) July 30, 2015
Good news! I've got a job with @AmazonVideoUK. Bad news! So have the other two. #AmazonPrime #ItSaysHere
— James May (@MrJamesMay) July 30, 2015
