"Top Gear" is dead. Long live "Top Gear." The BBC announced on Wednesday that Jeremy Clarkson will not have his contract renewed. In translation, after a career that began all the way back in 1988, Clarkson will no longer be a presenter on the "Top Gear" program. BBC Director-General Tony Hall released this statement on Wednesday:
“It is with great regret that I have told Jeremy Clarkson today that the BBC will not be renewing his contract. It is not a decision I have taken lightly. I have done so only after a very careful consideration of the facts and after personally meeting both Jeremy and Oisin Tymon," explained Tony Hall.
More importantly, Hall also discussed the future of Jeremy Clarkson as well as the future of the "Top Gear" program. No doubt, "Top Gear" fans worldwide were concerned that the departure of Jeremy Clarkson will spell the end of the best motoring television program in the world.
“The BBC must now look to renew Top Gear for 2016," said Hall. "This will be a big challenge and there is no point in pretending otherwise. I have asked Kim Shillinglaw to look at how best we might take this forward over the coming months. I have also asked her to look at how we put out the last programmes in the current series.”
Despite the scandal and controversy, Hall also used the official statement as an opportunity to thank Jeremy Clarkson for his decades of contribution to the "Top Gear" franchise:
“Obviously none of us wanted to find ourselves in this position. This decision should in no way detract from the extraordinary contribution that Jeremy Clarkson has made to the BBC. I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear. Jeremy is a huge talent. He may be leaving the BBC but I am sure he will continue to entertain, challenge and amuse audiences for many years to come."
However, where exactly will Jeremy Clarkson go? Although the official BBC statement of Jeremy Clarkson's termination was only issued yesterday, rumors of Clarkson's next move is already generating a massive amount of buzz. The most interesing reports so far suggests that Jeremy Clarkson may find a new home at Netflix, an American internet-media network that has garnered an impressive global subscription over the past several years.
Depending on which news outlet you have been reading, Jeremy Clarkson reportedly received offers from broadcasting stations including Sky and ITV. However, according to The Independent, Netflix offered Jeremy Clarkson a proposal that will grant him "full control" over a brand new motoring show format.
Finally, what will become of follow Top Gear presenters James May and Richard Hammond? In a tweet, Richard Hammond described the departure of Jeremy Clarkson as "the end of an era" for Top Gear. James May was also adamant that the "Top Gear" trio "came as a package." According to WorldCarFans, reports suggest May and Hammond will refuse to renew their BBC contracts as well, which means the current "Top Gear" format may potentially completely dissolve.
Stay tuned as we continue to learn more about Jeremy Clarkon and the future of "Top Gear" in the weeks ahead.
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