Top Gear returns 2 November
Also known as The big and shiny pre Top Gear series 12 post.
Can I just say, before I go ANY further ‘TOP GEAR IS NEARLY BACK’ WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO
OK I appreciate your patience in letting me get that out of my system. Now lets get on with the post and talk about Top Gear instead of screaming in anticipation.
Series 12 (Sunday 2 November 2008)
I do have a full and detailed post planned that will look at some of the things we know will be in the next series of Top Gear – will include lots of fan love and man crushing and will hopefully be very exciting and informative.
I’ll even post about the new website when it launches later this week AND the fact that you can now buy Top Gear series 10 on iTunes – but only in the US and in a cut down form with different music.
While you’re waiting why not check out the Transmission blog on topgear.com or the Final Gear forums – that’s where I’ll source my info from anyway.
In the meantime here is the trail that’s been doing the rounds on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three for the past few days.
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Launching new for Vision
As you may know – assuming you’ve read my blog more than once – I regularly post screen grabs and details of new BBC website launches.
Although it is mainly sites in the new wide format that I’ve been linking to and writing about – you can see a list of some of the new BBC pages grouped on my BBC Wide Pages page.
Although it doesn’t contain all of them as they seem to be launching at such a rate I can’t keep track (not with an election to cover anyway).
Well now you don’t have to wait for me to write about them or even wait until somebody on the TV Forum (where I get a lot of my info) to notice and post about them.
Dan Taylor (of BBC Vision) has launched a new and VERY simple blog that just has a screen grab and a link for new BBC Vision related site launches – this is basically anything on TV or TV related.
You can read a little more about it on his Fabric of Folly Blog or just visit it at .
This is a great idea and the site works REALLY well – it makes it very easy to find out whats launched and when it launched – interesting to see 22 launches in September (including the /tv and network launches).
I’m working on an article about Eurovision but it isn’t about the site – more about the insane idea – as well as a more generic article on the use of video trails and introductions on new BBC sites.
Oh and Dan – when are we going to see a new bbc.co.uk/topgear? I created a mock in June if thats any help? 
Further milking of the cash cow
Christmas is coming and the Stig is getting stuffed. Actually its just a doll version but the message is still very much the same.
I’m still not 100% certain of the timing of the start of series 12 of Top Gear – it’s either at the end of this month or the very start of next – either way it will finish near Christmas.
On the flip side the timing of a new licensing partnership between BBC Worldwide and Wow! Stuff that will see a range of new TopGear toys released by Autumn 09 – is well planned.
The deal will see a doll of the The Stig made as well as other toys, gifts and gadgets for the already very well milked hit show.
But I would rather this than advertising. It’s better that the BBC fill any funding gap, and help keep the licence fee low by selling fringe marketing materials for its hit shows – than demand to carry advertising or go subscription based.
Initial product line plans include remote control cars, novelty gifts, desk top toys and a hotly anticipated doll of the Stig – all due to hit retailers in Autumn 2009.
Other new deals include a toy and game range for Marks & Spencer licensing to Peter Black Holdings, which will hit shops this October.
Apparently there is also a deal with Kinnerton Confectionary that will include celebration cakes (from January 2009) and childrens lunch bags/water bottles.
What this really proves though – other than the fact that JC has clearly and obviously just signed a new deal giving him more of the TG Wordlwide profits – is how many kids actually watch the show.
I know I sit down every Sunday and watch it with my five year old lad.
I guess we can now look forward to ‘the amazing adventures of Stiiiiig’ on CBBC within the next six months.
Building something TG related
I used to spend hours creating web projects and ideas I knew I’d never do anything with – just for the pleasure of building something and seeing it work.
And a great big Doh!
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Top Gear back June 22
Top Gear series 13 returns to BBC Two on Sunday 21 June 2009. Find out more…
I haven’t been able to find confirmation of this anywhere else yet – but according to posters on the Final Gear Forums it looks like mine and your favourite car related entertainment show will be back on 22 June 2008.
Top Gear is like…
A Party Election Broadcast by the Liberation Democrat Party, a series called Open Gardens, Bargain Hunt, Cash in the Attic and an election broadcast by the Welsh Conservative Party.
Top Gear back in June?
Top Gear series 13 returns to BBC Two on Sunday 21 June 2009. Find out more…
There are traditionally two series of Top Gear a year. One in October and another in May. This year seems to be hinting towards a June return. Read more