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The Grand Tour Show To Be Streamed In Over 200 Markets as Amazon Prime Video Goes Global (mashable.com)

Posted by msmash on from the global-expansion dept.

For years, Amazon's Prime Video on-demand streaming service has been available in limited regions, such as the United States and United Kingdom (along with a handful of other markets), but that's changing now. Amazon is expanding the Prime Video service to more than 200 new markets. The announcement comes via The Grand Tour motor show, which premieres in select places Friday. Earlier this week, show's hosts -- Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May -- posted on Amazon website that their new show will be streamed in over 200 nations (pretty much everywhere where BBC's Top Gear is broadcasted and streamed). Speaking of which, fans of the Grand Tour will be able to watch the show worldwide starting next month, and once Prime Video is available in their region, they will be able watch new episodes at the same time as others. The move comes months after Netflix expanded to 130 new regions in January this year. Netflix is available in roughly 200 territories as well.

70 comments

  1. Back to the old model by PhrostyMcByte · · Score: 2

    Seems like Amazon is going back to the old TV model of releasing a new episode every week. I guess binge watching doesn't matter so much when you're not watching a story.

    1. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Seems like Amazon is going back to the old TV model of releasing a new episode every week. I guess binge watching doesn't matter so much when you're not watching a story.

      I had Prime for awhile, but they raised the price and I cancelled it. Waiting usually doesn't matter. They gave me a free month just recently, so presumably month by month is now an option. I'm guessing they would not want people to sign up for one month, or, equally or more likely, they only have so many episodes ready..

    2. Re:Back to the old model by Richard_at_work · · Score: 4, Insightful

      There was a discussion about this several months back, and the conclusion is exactly as you suggest - theres little to no binge factor with these style of programs, so Amazon gets more PR value from releasing them weekly than all at once. So thats the model chosen for TGT.

      As for the show itself, while it certainly is going to take a few episodes to adjust to the its-not-Top-Gear-no-its-really-not new feel, there was nothing in this first episode which really jarred or felt ... uncomfortable. They had some obvious "this is intended to be stupid" moments, and some "lets take the wee out of the last season (Evans) of Top Gear obviously stupid" moments (I don't think that the mind test segment will return, it was just a McGuffin to take the wee out of some of the abysmal changes in TG post-Clarkson).

      Over all, definitely looking to the next episode. This does seem to have what it takes to be a success from the moment it hit the ground.

    3. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Amazon don't have that much exclusive content, so the weekly episode model is a better incentive to get people hooked on a subscription.

    4. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      watched it last night and it was awesome :D, the eboladrome is gonna be great to watch every week, we'll see what pseudo american stig like person does with all those communist cars.
      Oh and it was wonderful to see Jeremy be ... (no spoiler)

    5. Re:Back to the old model by cayenne8 · · Score: 0
      Hmm...it seems as if this article expected a wide audience would have known about this show "The Grand Tour motor show".....but this, frankly, is the first I've heard of it.

      I'm vaguely aware of the other show they mentioned, Top Gear, but other than hearing the name, I'm not familiar with the show....from the context I'm guessing it is a British show?

      Are these shows like soccer..something Europe watches, but not so much here in the US?

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    6. Re:Back to the old model by Richard_at_work · · Score: 3, Informative

      Just because you haven't heard of it, nor heard about the reasons surrounding it, doesn't mean it isn't bigger than your perception.

      Put it this way - if it were a sport, its more like soccer, which is watched the world over, than it is like American Football, which is hardly watched outside the US...

    7. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are these shows like footbal..something the rest of the world watches, but not so much here in the US?

      There, fixed it for you.

    8. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I agree with you with the caveat that Top Gear UK was quite popular in the US, unlike Soccer/Football. Personally can't wait to get the free time to sit down and watch this. Been looking forward to this for a while.

    9. Re:Back to the old model by SethJohnson · · Score: 0

      Seems like Amazon is going back to the old TV model of releasing a new episode every week

      When you've got a host who during production of the season might punch a producer and you have to cancel the show, you want to immediately air the shows you've produced ASAP. Too big of a liability to sit on those episodes and hope Clarkson doesn't punch anyone while filming the rest.

      --
      $5 / month hosted VPS on linux = awesome!
    10. Re: Back to the old model by buchanmilne · · Score: 1

      "I'm vaguely aware of the other show they mentioned, Top Gear, but other than hearing the name, I'm not familiar with the show....from the context I'm guessing it is a British show?"

      Top Gear was produced by the BBC, and the live portions of the show were filmed in the UK, but many segments and a lot of the 'special' episodes were filmed in other countried including the U.S.

      In many other countries, Top Gear (prior to the last season where Chris Evans was the main presenter) was the 2nd most popular show, second only to Game of Thrones.

      In some countries, the most popular tech news sites have had multiple news stories covering Top Gear (Clarkson being fired, May and Hammond quitting the show due to that, the abysmal failure of the show with Evans as the lead presenter) and The Grand Tour (the announcement by Clarkson that he was working on a new show, the announcement by Amazon, some stories about some of the filming in other countries, a detailed story with lots of photos about the filming in the country in question etc.) over the past year.

      I don't think it is really necessary to do a long introduction of both The Grand Tour or Top Gear, if you don't know what Top Gear is, it's as useful to you as reading and article on IPv6 replacing IPv4 when you don't know what IPv4 is, and complaining about the summary not explaining what IPv4 is ...

    11. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Also, they are still filming so they couldnt release those episodes they havent filmed yet.

    12. Re:Back to the old model by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      Speak for yourself. I often binge-watch old TG seasons.

    13. Re:Back to the old model by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      I doubt very much that he'd do it again, but from watching the first episode last night it seems clear that thankfully, any remaining BBC peeceeism is now out the window and the boys are finally allowed to be their true selves.
      Given that I'd be surprised if Amazon would give a shit if Clarkson did punch someone else. It seems that they'd actually be more concerned about getting it on film to include in the next show.

    14. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Talking of communism, I recommend the "The.Grand.Tour.S01E01.720p.WEBRip.X264-DEFLATE[ettv]" version.

      p.s. Jeremy Renner dies.

    15. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The later seasons of Top Gear (before the Carlson fracas) had a world-wide viewership of around 350 million. So it's hardly an unknown entity, despite the fact that you have never seen it, and it's definitely not limited to the UK market.

    16. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Seems like Amazon is going back to the old TV model of releasing a new episode every week. I guess binge watching doesn't matter so much when you're not watching a story.

      I watched the first episode over the course of 3 different sessions today. I like this show format as that I can pause it, go do other things and come back to it without felling like I need to refresh my memory as to what happened previously. I guess Amazon has succeeded in creating car porn.

    17. Re:Back to the old model by SethJohnson · · Score: 1

      I'd be surprised if Amazon would give a shit if Clarkson did punch someone else

      Amazon's lawyers give a huge shit about Clarkson's capacity for future violence in the workplace. Hiring someone who is known to have a propensity for physically abusing co-workers produces a huge legal liability for the employer. If he punches someone on the set of the new show, that person will sue Amazon and in court, there will be a huge claim paid by Amazon for criminal negligence.

      That's really why he got fired from BBC. It's not about being PC. When he punched the first person at work, that victim could only win a suit against Clarskon. A second attack would bring the employer into liability for knowingly maintaining a dangerous workplace. If they didn't fire Clarkson at BBC and someone else punched another co-worker, the BBC could be liable because of the inaction against Clarkson sending a message to other employees that punching your co-worker is tolerated by the BBC.

      I would not be surprised if Amazon's risk-management department has assigned some kind of bodyguard or conflict resolution expert(s) who are on set for each filming. Amazon is a public company and this is a typical sort of precaution that would be insisted upon by the risk management department.

      --
      $5 / month hosted VPS on linux = awesome!
    18. Re:Back to the old model by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      I'm sure they'd have security/bodyguards hidden off to one side anyway not specifically for Clakrson.
      It seems more than a bit ridiculous to have a "conflict resolution expert" there.

    19. Re:Back to the old model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that's OK, it was only the single MOST popular TV show in the world for several years.

  2. Oh wow, streaming TV content? AMAZING. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    Let's stick a "Branded by Amazon" sticker on some boring content and pretend it's newsworthy for /. Fucking A.

  3. Re:Oh wow, streaming TV content? AMAZING. by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Top Gear was the most watched non-fiction television show in the world when these three were the hosts. It stands to reason that there would be interest in their newest endeavor, even if you personally don't have an interest.

    --
    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
  4. S01E01... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Was kind of... Meh. But I think they'll do OK after they polish it a bit more. I was surprised they didn't bring along a Stig character, but close enough. The best part of E01 was the VW bashing.

  5. Re:Oh wow, streaming TV content? AMAZING. by Oswald+McWeany · · Score: 4, Funny

    I just realised I referred to Top Gear as nonfiction with a straight face.

    --
    "That's the way to do it" - Punch
  6. There isn't enough content by SpaghettiPattern · · Score: 2

    There isn't enough content. Mostly movies I don't care about or stuff I've already seen. I'll watch TGT and then cancel my subscription. Lather, rinse, repeat.

    --

    I hadn't the slightest objection to his spending his time planning massacres for the bourgeoisie... (P.G. Wodehouse)
    1. Re:There isn't enough content by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      Agreed, me too.
      I Joined Amazon Prime yesterday just to watch TGT, but will only renew when there's new TGT content, because the rest of their content, almost without exception looks like low-budget low-IQ shit.

  7. There's only 186 countries by Hadlock · · Score: 1

    Article states "over 200 countries" even if you count breakaway territories in Spain, Romania, California and Ukraine you're going to come up short. Good luck with that.

    --
    moox. for a new generation.
    1. Re:There's only 186 countries by Richard_at_work · · Score: 2

      The UN recognises 193 member states, 2 observer states and 11 non-member states. Which adds up to 206 states recognised by the UN.

    2. Re:There's only 186 countries by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      "Recognise" a state. lol.
      Whenever I hear that, I always picture a bunch of UN bureaucrats looking at an atlas and wondering what the names of most of the countries are.

    3. Re:There's only 186 countries by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      The UN recognises 193 member states, 2 observer states and 11 non-member states. Which adds up to 206 states recognised by the UN.

      So "over 200 countries" basically means "everywhere except North Korea".

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
  8. Re:Oh wow, streaming TV content? AMAZING. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The "story" is that it's being streamed on the internet globally. Slashvertisement of Top Gear with Amazon branding. You defended it.

  9. The show must go on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So, BBC, what do you think of your decision to fire Clarkson?

    1. Re:The show must go on by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      BBC Answers .. "It was the Politically Correct Move. We really couldn't see any other way past being Politically Correct. blah blah blah blah ... principles"

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    2. Re:The show must go on by rikkards · · Score: 2

      It was the right move, he assaulted a coworker. That's it that's all. The only reason he wasn't charged is because no one would honestly talk to the cops as they would never work again.

    3. Re:The show must go on by teg · · Score: 1

      So, BBC, what do you think of your decision to fire Clarkson?

      When he started being violent toward other employees, they really didn't have a choice.

    4. Re:The show must go on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      BBC Answers .. "It was the Politically Correct Move. We really couldn't see any other way past being Politically Correct. blah blah blah blah ... principles"

      I'm not sure they could do nothing, but perhaps just putting him on unpaid leave for three months would have sufficed. I believe he was complaining about hot food. That would seem to be a reasonable thing for them to ask for.

      Of course if it was anyone who wasn't making them barrels full of money, then no one would have been surprised or complain, so their actions probably were technically correct. If your going to bend the rules there needs to be some overarching reason to do so, beyond simply money. For instances does action result in significantly more actual harm to people than inaction?

    5. Re:The show must go on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not really, no. You see if they do that then the next person at the BBC to get fired for thumping someone would be in quite a strong position legally with respect to any dismissal proceeding. Whatever they do they can't be inconsistent. The mistake was taking this into the BBC. It should have been an arms-length production they fronted for all along (and indeed I think it used to be, but rights were sold to the BBC a while back).

    6. Re:The show must go on by alvinrod · · Score: 1

      It was really just a matter of committing the wrong crime. If he would have molested some kids instead, the BBC would have spent decades covering it up instead of firing him.

    7. Re:The show must go on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      When he started being violent toward other employees, they really didn't have a choice.

      They did have a choice unfortunately they made the wrong one. Clarkson earned the right to assault any person he wants.

    8. Re:The show must go on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It was the right move, he assaulted a coworker.

      This. I'm a fan of Clarkson, and didn't get hysterical about Punch Gate because I'm not stroking it in hopes of getting on Mr. Musk's Wild Ride.

      But you don't punch coworkers without consequences. The BBC did the morally correct thing, even though it meant slaughtering their sacred cash cow.

    9. Re:The show must go on by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And BBC's "Top Gear" will inevitably fail and get cancelled because the new cast sucks.

    10. Re:The show must go on by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      ...and this another great example of why Political Correctness needs to hurry up and die like every other stupid fad.

    11. Re:The show must go on by KozmoStevnNaut · · Score: 1

      He did stricke a co-worker and berate him in a very unfortunate way (several slurs against said co-workers Irish heritage).

      Clarkson had just been divorced, he had a possibly-malignant tumor on his tongue, he was being hounded by the BBC leadership because of previous gaffes, and he was drunk. It was a bad situation in general.

      But there's really no excuse, and from Clarkson's behavior afterwards, once the dust had settled a little, seems to show that he's sorry for his actions and the mess he created.

      --
      Eat the rich.
    12. Re:The show must go on by KozmoStevnNaut · · Score: 1

      The BBC had a very love/hate relationship with Clarkson's version of Top Gear. Love, because it was their biggest success ever. Hate, because they didn't like the carefree style and often controversial statements from Clarkson on the show.

      They did the right thing, he shouldn't have assaulted a co-worker. He was in a bad position in his life when it happened, but that's no excuse.

      --
      Eat the rich.
    13. Re:The show must go on by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      And BBC's "Top Gear" will inevitably fail and get cancelled because the new cast sucks.

      They're going to try changing the cast first. Although why Matt LeBlanc is still there is a total mystery. Chris Evans is pretty annoying, but at least he didn't always look as though he was reading (badly) from an autocue.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    14. Re:The show must go on by tehcyder · · Score: 1

      ...and this another great example of why Political Correctness needs to hurry up and die like every other stupid fad.

      If "not being allowed to thump someone at work and get away with it just because you earn a lot of money" is political correctness, then I'm all in favour of political correctness.

      --
      To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it
    15. Re:The show must go on by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      If that person deserved to be thumped they should be. His only mistake was doing it while still at work.

  10. Actually... by Luthair · · Score: 1

    it may only mean that Amazon is going to license the show to local distributors

  11. Re:Oh wow, streaming TV content? AMAZING. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Seems to be a good show but...
    Just not worth £79 thanks.
    They have to get their money back somehow.
    I've already decided to buy less from Amazon and I see no reason to change that decision.

  12. What's the point? by kamapuaa · · Score: 0

    No Matthew Leblanc? What's the point?

    --
    Slashdot: providing anti-social weirdos a soapbox, since 1997.
    1. Re:What's the point? by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      I really hope for your sake that was sarcasm.

  13. TGT is Best show ________ in the world! by TheRealQuestor · · Score: 2

    Top Gear was GREAT and even without the 3 pied pipers still isn't bad [though I really had a hard time liking Evens and his one set of cloths] but it's just not the same without the brothers grim.

    That said The Grand Tour is probably the BEST show

    in the world!

    I honestly can't remember the last time I enjoyed watching a show more than TGT though. My face hurt after smiling for over an hour straight. Knowing they have 3 seasons [at least] really makes me happy and I just know Amazon is smiling all the way to the bank.

    1. Re:TGT is Best show ________ in the world! by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      I agree that GT is awesome but can't agree with you on the Evans version of TG. It WAS bad. VERY bad.

      TG only has one capable car-show presenter among them and thats Chris Harris. With the possible exception of Sabine, the rest can't drive half as well, don't know half as much about cars and are painfully dull and boring.

      Since the BBC are apparently about to cluelessly fuck up yet again and give season 2 to the remarkably un-funny Joey from Friends, it seems TG is destined to be an ongoing disaster of shit shows, dissapearing reputation and budget, and the most dismal presenters being cycled out, until the BBC finally get an actual clue and give Harris the top spot, probably by then far too late for him to do actually anything to save it.

    2. Re:TGT is Best show ________ in the world! by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      It was Top Gear, just a bit less funny, forced jokes, worse track, uninteresting cars... I'm sure it will get better, but the first episode felt like it was trying too hard.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    3. Re:TGT is Best show ________ in the world! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So a McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and Ferrari La Errari are "uninteresting cars" to you? We're all just dying to know what cars are interesting to you.

  14. Fris7 ps9ot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    that co9mprise And com mittees

  15. But it still ontains CLarkson by RockDoctor · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    Which makes it an instant no-watch for me.

    I feel slightly sorry for James May, who has made a decent stab at having his own career, but while he's still hitched to the repulsive Clarkson, then he's not going to get eyeball-seconds from me.

    Who's the other one? The nondescript one with no life outside Clarkson's shadow.

    --
    Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
    1. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, but what you aren't taking into account is that you are a cunt. Your words are like a trail of faeces on my monitor.

      With that established, fuck off.

    2. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Number of people that care : 0

    3. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by JustNiz · · Score: 3, Funny

      I watched the first epsiode last night. Personally I think it was brilliant but you'd better be careful to avoid accidentally seeing any of it, because I can already see how it will have sensitive little flowers like you running for your safe spaces because of its even more non-peecee content.

    4. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by RockDoctor · · Score: 1

      A shit could not be given about non-PC content. It's Clarkson's encouragement of lethal force against workers trying to improve their working conditions that turned him from "public buffoon" to "dangerous person to whom I will do as much harm as I can". Since my only input to the creative media is as a consumer of adverts, then the only legal channel I have for harming him is by trying to damage his sale value to the advertising industry. So I do that. Unfortunately, that will result in harm to people who hitch their flags to his. Tough shit boys - get an external career (which the one with the memorable name has made some attempt at doing).

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
    5. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by JustNiz · · Score: 1

      You're a clearly a nutjob.

    6. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by KozmoStevnNaut · · Score: 1

      Top Gear Clarkson != real life Clarkson.

      He's a rabid buffoon on the show, but he's actually a rather reasonable person in real life. Tory supporter, yes. But not in a shitheel kind of way.

      --
      Eat the rich.
    7. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by RockDoctor · · Score: 1
      It has been that long since I actually saw more than a few minutes of an episode that I don't know what his "show persona" is. But he says enough, of dangerous viciousness, when he's not on the show and professes to be portraying his personal opinions that he attracts opprobium and attack. So, that's what he gets.

      But not in a shitheel kind of way.

      That's certainly not what his behaviour in he last few weeks at the Beeb suggest. Assault on a colleague is definitely ground for dismissal, as a shitheel.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
    8. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by KozmoStevnNaut · · Score: 1

      There were a bunch of factors involved when he assaulted his colleague, and although none of them can excuse his actions, they can at least explain some of what was going on.

      He had just been divorced, he had a possibly-malignant tumor on his tongue, he was already in hot water with the BBC for previous remarks. Had it been any other person, they would have been put on leave for a couple of months. But the BBC had wanted to get rid of him for a long time, so he got fired and it turned into a big deal. According to Clarkson, he wanted to unconditionally apologize to his colleague, but he wasn't allowed to do so.

      --
      Eat the rich.
    9. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by RockDoctor · · Score: 1
      Tough shit. Assault on a colleague is still not excusable. Which part of "not excusable" doesn't mean "not excusable".

      Excuses not accepted.

      --
      Birds are not dinosaur descendants;birds are dinosaurs, for all useful meanings of "birds", "are" and "dinosaurs"
    10. Re:But it still ontains CLarkson by KozmoStevnNaut · · Score: 1

      Quoting from my own post: "none of them can excuse his actions".

      --
      Eat the rich.
  16. I've got prime by Archfeld · · Score: 1

    I checked yesterday and the sneak peek episode 0 is there and looks really cool. They also have a teaser episode of the Tick, supposedly coming soon. I really like prime, even with the increase to $99 I get much more than my monies worth in shipping, the kindle library and music streaming.
    I just wish they'd carry programs from Dave network as well. I REALLY want Red Dwarf...

    --
    errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
  17. "Premieres in select places Friday" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If only there was a way for everyone else to see it...

  18. Regions and territories by manu0601 · · Score: 1

    "Regions and territories": is it how they call sovereign nation states now?