Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has described the acquisition of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May to his digital television service as “Very, very, very expensive.”
Some reports suggest the three-series deal is worth £160m, although Bezos would not be drawn on exact figures.
“They’re worth a lot, and they know it,” he admitted.
“I think we’re in a golden age of television so if you go back in time even just five years, you couldn’t get A-list talent to do TV serials, or if you could, it was a rare thing. But that’s flipped completely.”
The new car show, which is as yet untitled, is due to air on Amazon Prime next year.
Clarkson’s BBC contract was not renewed after he punched a member of the show’s staff.
But the controversial presenter was among the first to congratulate replacement Chris Evans, who signed a £3m deal with the BBC in June.
Clarkson had claimed the corporation asked him to return to the show just days before Evans was announced as the new Top Gear host.
