Discovery brings ‘Top Gear’ catalogue to Japan in BBC Studios deal

The UK’s BBC Studios has signed a deal with Discovery to bring 27 seasons of motoring show Top Gear to Japanese audiences via the Dplay streaming service.

Japanese automotive fans will be able to enjoy classic editions of the long-running show, as well as new instalments as seasons 2-28 are included in the deal.

The current version of Top Gear premiered on BBC Two in the UK in 2002 – being a relaunch of the 1977-2001 show of the same name – and is known for its informative but comedic take on the industry, with road trips, stunts, track tests, quirky challenges, and the ever-popular segment – the ‘Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car’ – in which a celebrity takes an affordable vehicle for a rigorous test drive.

Top Gear has gone on to gain a large global following, and has been broadcast and spun-off in more than 200 territories. It is available elsewhere in Asia on the BBC Brit channel, hosted on the BBC Player streaming app in Singapore and Malaysia.  In India, episodes from seasons 18-22, as well as 27, will first be available on the Discovery+ India platform.

Geo Lee, SVP and GM of BBC Studios North East Asia, commented: “The Top Gear deal with Discovery in Japan is great news for long-time motor fans of all ages and walks of life, as they can now enjoy even broader access to the most premium automobile content.

“At the same time, we hope to reach even more audiences who are new to the show and tune them into the Top Gear brand of comedy and adrenaline.”

“This is the next step in our partnership with BBC Studios in Japan, a leading market in Asia,” added David Macdonald, GM, Japan, at Discovery. “For over 20 years now, Discovery has been committed to giving audiences the very best in factual entertainment, and Top Gear fits seamlessly into our video-on-demand push.”