(0) THE BBC's flagship motoring programme 1 aired in 2002. It has become the most widely-watched factual television programme in the world. 2 to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Top Gear was sold to 214 'territories', with a total global viewership estimated to be 350 million.
It is 3 essence a motor review show, which originally served to advise potential buyers of the pros and 4 of buying a particular car, 5 as reliability and cost. Where Top Gear began and continues to differ from any previous programme of this type is in its inclusion of weird and wonderful vehicles, 6 definitely appeal to the typical man or woman (but which would probably never be driven by them).
It also contains interviews with celebrities, close-to-the-bone humour, and races and challenges for its presenters and guests. From time to time the alternative, wacky style focuses more 7 the presenters' adventures than on the motor vehicles 8 That, mixed with the high-octane fun of driving and testing some of the world 's best (and most expensive) sports cars, has guaranteed the show's success.