BBC Worldwide in talks over Top Gear US edition

LONDON - BBC Worldwide is in talks with major US broadcasters about screening an US edition of hit car series 'Top Gear'.

The broadcaster confirmed it was holding "exploratory conversations" with American networks about an US edition of 'Top Gear', with a view to making presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond major stars in North America.

The show, which is currently only available stateside on the Discovery Channel, would have an almost identical format to the UK version, retaining Clarkson, Hammond and James May as lead presenters, but focusing on the US car market.

A spokesperson for the corporation, said: "BBC Worldwide has held exploratory conversations with the US networks to bring a local version of 'Top Gear' to the US, but there is not yet a deal on the table."

The ninth series of 'Top Gear', which began in January, has been a Sunday night ratings success for BBC Two, averaging 6m viewers an episode. However, Clarkson hinted in his column in The Sun newspaper in March that the current season could be the last.

The BBC has since reassured fans that the show will be returning after this summer, with BBC Worldwide keen to unlock the show's massive potential in the US market.

The BBC hope that 'Top Gear' can follow 'The Office' in becoming a successful export in the US.

'Top Gear' has slowly been building its US-centric content in recent times. A February episode featured Clarkson, Hammond and May driving $1000 (£507) US manufactured cars from Miami to New Orleans.

The US 'Top Gear' programme was notable for attracting a series of complaints for Clarkson and May putting a dead cow on top of a Chevrolet Camaro, and the presenter's painting inflammatory statements on cars, including "Country and Western is rubbish" and "Nascar sucks".

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