The BBC’s director of TV is likely to face questions over the decision to suspend Jeremy Clarkson, after it emerged that it could result in multimillion-pound compensation claims.
Danny Cohen’s clashes with the presenter date back to last year when he reportedly wanted to suspend Clarkson over his alleged use of the racially offensive term “n*****”. The move is believed to have been blocked by Lord Hall, the director-general. Mr Cohen launched an internal investigation into the culture of Top Gear and Clarkson was placed on a final warning. “I think it’s like football clubs: no one is bigger than the club,” Mr Cohen said at the time. “There’s no one show or person that’s bigger than the BBC.”
Beyond the immediate headache of potential penalty payouts to worldwide TV networks for Top Gear episodes that have been pulled at the last minute, there are long-term implications if Clarkson departs. The programme brings in tens of millions of pounds annually through overseas sales.
There are spin-off roadshows featuring guest appearances from the presenters and Top Gear T-shirts sell on most continents. Doubt now looms over the fate of the sold-out Top Gear Live event in Stavanger, Norway, due to be held at the end of this month.
The website generates more than 50 million page views each month, there are best-selling DVDs, a magazine that is sold in 31 countries, which is the UK’s most popular motoring title, and a computer game allowing you to compete against the Stig’s digital relation. The £2.29 Top Gear Stunt School app for iPhone and iPadhas been downloaded 2.4 million times.
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However, one leading industry figure suggested that retaining an “unrepentant and seemingly incorrigible multiple offender” could be a distraction for the BBC during discussions over the renewal of its Royal Charter and the future of the licence fee.
David Elstein, ex-chief executive of Channel 5 and former head of programmes at BSkyB, said the “BBC has bigger things to worry about than even the tens of millions it makes from the show”. He compared the scenario with the 2008 suspension of Jonathan Ross, adding: “The BBC still owns the format and the title of the programme, so a replacement presenter is the likeliest outcome. There will be a blip in the ratings and Clarkson may find a slot on ITV (though the evidence of previous BBC transfers suggests, not for long).”
As TV executives across the globe urgently amend schedules, an intriguing post-Clarkson Top Gear strategy can be spotted in France.
Next week the RMC Découverte network launches Top Gear France, produced by BBC Worldwide but without Clarkson or his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond in sight. Presenters will test cars and crack jokes — but are unlikely to poke fun at the French war effort.