Top Gear UK budget? Anybody?

[herr_oberst]

This must be one of the top rated shows on the BBC, with one of the highest budgets.

On Sunday's show, they drove the 918. In Dubai. On the F1 track. At night.

I can't even fathom how much that it must cost to rent that track, and turn on the lights and bring support.

When they tested the P1 a couple of weeks ago they rented Spa. Yes, it was raining, and Eau Rouge in a supercar in the rain looks sphincter-pucker scary.

In both instances they (apparently) had the track to themselves. Maybe Porsche and McLaren helped pay the freight?

Those guys have fun. What a great show, and it just makes the US version look even more watered down..............

[sc_rufctr]

I always watch and yes fantastic. They must have bags of money and obviously don't mind spending it.

Will anyone ever top it?

[gassy]

Doesn't really say here but interesting anyway.

The secret life of Top Gear - Telegraph

[GH85Carrera]

They must have a huge budget. I suspect most manufactures help them out with expenses to profile their cars.

[afterburn 549]

One of the BEST shows on the market
Its a little add lib, a little script
some drama,
and fun!

[asphaltgambler]

THIS is an interesting topic because the last shop where I worked the owners decided to shoot a commercial for a local TV audience. I was one of the 'techs' that appeared in it. While the process was very long and arduous I had a chance to meet the producer / director and somehow this show / subject came up.

He said whatever budget (limit) they had it really did not matter because it was either the top rated show or top 3 in the UK. The show was a cash cow his comment they could do whatever they wanted and costs did not factor in.

[cockerpunk]

damn cockblockers didn't give us the lap time of the 918 vs the p1 ....

[yel911]

If the 918 beat the lap time of another car, Jeremy was going to change his name to Jenny!!!

[biosurfer1]

There was an article I read that I can't find now that mentioned that usually BBC shows must disclose their financials since it's on government owned channels but Top Gear was an exception (no clue why) but an average of $1,000,000 per episode was floated as the probable cost.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

damn cockblockers didn't give us the lap time of the 918 vs the p1 ....

They're going to have the stig drive them for lap times "at a later date"

[porsche4life]

Probably waiting ti they can get them on a dry track later in the season to give them a proper run at the tops of the board would be my guess.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Probably waiting ti they can get them on a dry track later in the season to give them a proper run at the tops of the board would be my guess.

I hope they have the budget to close the LeMans circuit at Le Sarthe and test these two cars properly.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

He said whatever budget (limit) they had it really did not matter because it was either the top rated show or top 3 in the UK. The show was a cash cow his comment they could do whatever they wanted and costs did not factor in.

Top Gear is the most watched factual show in the world, they are in the Guiness Book of World Records. So yeah, they make a little money off of it.

[ZAMIRZ]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

There was an article I read that I can't find now that mentioned that usually BBC shows must disclose their financials since it's on government owned channels but Top Gear was an exception (no clue why) but an average of $1,000,000 per episode was floated as the probable cost.

That feels way too cheap, I would imagine the insurance alone would be more than that per episode. The link to the Telegraph article says they often go 6-figures over budget.