The popular cars-and-stuffing-about show is coming to the world’s biggest social network, with specials to rent in Australia from today. The question is, will viewers really like it?
The BBC has announced that it’s going to rent Top Gear specials via Facebook, using a custom VOD player and Facebook Credits to handle the transactions. It’s launching today with the Polar Special, with the US Road Trip coming on the 28th of August and the Vietnam Road Trip on the 4th of September.
On the one hand, it’s another way for the BBC (a publicly funded broadcaster, and undeniably one of the top production centres for TV in the world, even if some of its content is externally produced) to generate revenue, and that’s fair enough.
I’m still struck by the thought that Top Gear is — at least from the statements of the editor of Top Gear Magazine, Michael Harvey — the most pirated show in the world. Will consumers come flocking to the Facebook page to pay, or will they just continue to illegally grab it for nothing?
[TopGear]
Mr Campbell
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 12:20 PMI can’t be bothered with paying for something that shows on TV.
EckyThump
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 12:22 PMI watched this show for a while when it first came here, it was pretty good back then,.. then slowly at first but steadily quicker it turned into an immature pile crap ran by three immature wankers!
Ollie
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 12:37 PMErrrr wut? That’s kinda the whole point beardy.
Top Gear isn’t designed to be serious, they do absolutely batshit crazy things that no common person would be able to afford to do.
If you read any of Jeremy Clarkson’s books you’ll realise he’s not an imbecile at all, he just gets bored easily, and bored with anoraks like yourself twice as quick.
EckyThump
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 12:52 PMMate if you want to watch this puerile drivel that’s your deal! I however have chosen not to watch it, which is my choice! As for calling me names, you don’t know me, you’ve never met me, and if you did I’d assume you wouldn’t have the guts to open your mouth! So stop being a retard and post your own opinion. I’m sure all your puerile mates will enjoy that!!
Rubix
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 1:09 PMWho’s name calling now..
Tim H
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 1:29 PMDid you not notice that your own first comment was to call the shows presenters “immature wankers”? I’m pretty sure you don’t know them and probably haven’t met them either. All you see is the characters they play on a TV show.
EckyThump
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 2:03 PMSeriously?…Were talking about the difference between the actions of a television show and their very public antics and a personal attack! You can’t seriously think that one is the same as the other? Can you?
Matt
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 12:25 PMThe show is free to air, so what is the issue with downloading an episode you’ve missed?
Ignoring the fact that you can download it, I don’t think I’d pay to see episodes I’ve seen on TV several times. Good to have the option, though.
Sicarius123
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 1:57 PMThe Brit’s don’t have “free to air”, they pay for a TV licence which funds the BBC.
Dan Miller
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 1:04 PMJust because a tv show is free to watch on tv dose not mean it’s free to get by other means just because you missed an episode. I my self would not watch it on Facebook but rather by the episodes on iTunes and watch then through my Apple tv.
DarthDVD
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 1:40 PM/quote-Clarkson “Some say he has…… no face”. /unquote-Clarkson.
so therefore he cant be on “facebook” ;)
Sicarius123
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 1:50 PMI’d happily pay for BBC iView as an international user if I could view it on my TV easily, like through my PS3.
Why would I pay to rent anything through facebook to watch on my tiny computer screen though?
lulz
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 2:18 PMBBC iPlayer is coming to international audiences, just that, at the minute, they’re only doing it as a ‘trial’ and only on a f-ing iPad.
Prashi
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 7:04 PMIn my top 3 favorite shows of all time. I am not going to pay for Top Gear unless the seasons start coming out on BR.