The Grand Tour to be shown on TV

By James Cridland for media.info
Posted 20 December 2016, 5.06am est

Against all the odds, Amazon Prime Video's The Grand Tour is making its way to broadcast TV after all.

The show will start being broadcast on 7th January 2017, and will be available on free-to-air television in many different countries.

The Grand Tour is probably the most talked-about television show this year, and marked Amazon Prime Video's first headline-grabbing production. To watch this show on TV, viewers have had to subscribe to Amazon Prime Video and invest in an Amazon Fire TV stick or box to be able to watch.

But, not any longer. Just two months after it was released on Amazon Prime Video, viewers across the world will be able to watch the programme on broadcast TV.

As long, that is, as they're a member of the British Armed Forces, or their families.

BFBS TV, the television service for the Armed Forces, will be showing the show to their viewers outside the UK from January 7th 2017.

"We are delighted to be able to support the UK Armed Forces by bringing Jeremy, Richard and James’ hit Amazon Original series to HM Forces personnel serving overseas," said the amusingly-named Jay Marine, VP of Amazon Prime Video EU.

Adam Hardwick of BFBS TV added: "The Grand Tour is a vital addition to our line-up for our overseas audiences."

This is a great signing for BFBS TV, and reflects the reality of being posted overseas, where internet access can often be difficult and subscriptions to services like these can be complex to achieve.

Real fans of the programme who wish to make a life-altering change to be able to watch the show free can sign up to the British Army. It's unlikely, however, that you'll receive an overseas posting in time for the start of the series.

Alternatively, and possibly easier, you can buy Amazon Prime Video. It is now available in most countries across the world.

Press release

‘THE GRAND TOUR’ HEADS TO THE BRITISH FORCES

Fasten your seat belts! Amazon Prime Video’s The Grand Tour, featuring TV stars Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, is going to be available to UK Armed Forces personnel serving overseas, launching on BFBS TV from January 7th 2017.

BFBS TV is part of the Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC) a charity that informs, entertains, connects, and champions the Armed Forces. BFBS has been a link with home for British troops and their families overseas since 1943.

The Grand Tour has been one of the most anticipated TV launches of 2016, and we’re bringing it to BFBS TV viewers around the world.

Jeremy, Richard and James have been travelling the world filming the first series of Amazon Prime Video’s The Grand Tour in far-flung locations across the globe including taking their giant travelling tent to Johannesburg, California, Whitby, Rotterdam, Lapland, Stuttgart, Scotland, Nashville and Dubai.

The critically acclaimed first episode, titled ‘The Holy Trinity’ kicks off in California where, after an epic opening sequence, Jeremy, Richard and James arrive in Dry Rabbit Lake to be greeted by thousands of fans who have journeyed from across the U.S. to join the trio.

Debbie Barrett, Head of Rights and Acquisitions for BFBS TV, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Amazon Prime as they lead the way in digital innovation and TV viewing. We’re looking forward to bringing such an iconic and talked-about series to HM Forces serving overseas.”

Amazon Prime have shown their full support to the Armed Forces so BFBS TV will be broadcasting the whole series.

Jay Marine, Vice President of Amazon Prime Video EU said; "The Grand Tour became our biggest show premiere ever and we are delighted to be able to support the UK Armed Forces by bringing Jeremy, Richard and James’ hit Amazon Original series to HM Forces personnel serving overseas.”

Conrad Riggs, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Originals, added: “We have the utmost respect for HM Forces, and hope they will enjoy Jeremy, James and Richard’s globe-trotting adventures, which of course pale in comparison to the real-life experiences of the military.”

Adam Hardwick, Head of BFBS Television, added: “In delivering the very best of all which is on offer back home, The Grand Tour is a vital addition to our line-up for our overseas audiences.”