BBC Worldwide to simulcast Top Gear around the globe

The BBC’s commercial arm is set to launch the latest season of auto show Top Gear with a simulcast of the UK show to air around the world – a first for the corporation.

The opening episode of series 22 of Top Gear is due to broadcast simultaneously in more than 50 countries across Australia, Africa and the Middle East at the same time as the UK.

The episode will also air within 24 hours of the UK transmission in 10 countries across Asia, in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea and Mongolia.

The first episode of the new season of Top Gear is due to air on January 25. A week before this, on January 18, the show’s three presenters will preview the new season during a one-off event called An Evening With Top Gear. This will be broadcast worldwide on Top Gear’s official YouTube channel at 21:00 GMT.