'Top Gear' gets an online spinoff called 'Extra Gear'
It'll be hosted by 'Top Gear' presenter Rory Reid and live on BBC Three.
Later this year, there'll be two brand new motoring shows on our screens: Top Gear, led by Chris Evans, and an original Amazon series fronted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. That would normally be enough for any pertrolhead, but the BBC has found a little more room for some extra programming. Today, the Beeb announced that it will launch an online-only spinoff called Extra Gear, which will be hosted by Top Gear presenter Rory Reid and feature behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and "specially-recorded films" that aren't in the main show.
Extra Gear will live on BBC Three, via the web-based channel and its companion website, and will go live immediately after Top Gear finishes on BBC Two. It's a massive boost for the channel, which went online-only in mid-February, and the format is likely to suit presenter Rory Reid, who made his name making motoring videos for car websites like Recombu.
There's some good news for Top Gear fans outside of the UK, too. The BBC says it plans to distribute the Extra Gear to international broadcasters -- including BBC America and BBC Brit -- and it will air alongside the main show when it premieres in May. With Clarkson and co. also launching a new online motoring community called DriveTribe, motoring fanatics will soon be spoilt for choice. Is it possible for BBC's and Amazon's shows to live side-by-side? We'll have to wait and see.
