Top Gear specials on Facebook

BBC Worldwide has added a VOD (video on demand) app to Facebook to allow fans to access Top Gear specials to rent using Facebook credits.

Fans visiting the BBC motoring entertainment show’s official Top Gear fan page can access a series of custom-made apps that will also be launched to run alongside their favourite episodes where they can test their series’ knowledge and answer trivia.

Launching with the Polar Special today, the specials will be staggered throughout the coming weeks  and available for users in Europe, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Once rented, episodes  will be available to view for 48 hours. Facebook credits provide a familiar and consistent payment  experience, and a trusted space to store payment information. Credits can be purchased within an  app, or through the payments tab within the users account settings.

BBC Worldwide runs both the Top Gear Facebook fan page, which has over 8.8 million fans and  The Stig fan page which has over 5 million fans. Combined they have more fans than inhabitants of  Manhattan, which is the final destination of the US Road Trip – the second episode set to air online. It is the 25th largest TV show on Facebook, and the biggest British TV show on Facebook.

Adam Waddell, Managing Director of Top Gear commented that “Top Gear has amassed a huge  following on Facebook with almost 14 million friends following the brand itself and The Stig. We’re  always looking at ways of adding value for the core fans of the show so it’s entirely appropriate that we should be one of the first TV shows to make its premium content available via Facebook.”

Top Gear is one of BBC Worldwide’s flagship brands sold in over 198 territories worldwide. To watch  your favourite special, you can ‘like’ the official Top Gear Facebook page at www.facebook.com/topgear and use your credits to watch the Polar Special.