Fifth Gear/Series 1: Difference between revisions

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==International broadcasts==
==International broadcasts==
Series 1 of ''5th Gear'' began airing<ref>[https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996-turbo-gt2/12769-reminder-fifth-gear-now-speed-channel.html 6SpeedOnline thread talking about ''Fifth Gear''.]</ref> in the United States on the [[Speed Channel]] in July 2004, more than two years after its initial broadcast in the UK. The programme would then subsequently be picked up by Viasat for its ''Explorer'' television service, which then broadcast ''Fifth Gear'' throughout the entire Eastern Bloc from August<ref>[http://www.tvp.netcollect.ru/prog.php?id=149126 tvp.netcollect.ru - Russian TV guide for 23/08/2004.]</ref> 2004, one month after it was picked up in the US. The first series would be sold to these countries alongside the subsequent three in a block comprised of 48 programmes, which would then constantly repeat all the way through to June 2007.
Series 1 of ''5th Gear'' began airing<ref>[https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/996-turbo-gt2/12769-reminder-fifth-gear-now-speed-channel.html 6SpeedOnline thread talking about ''Fifth Gear''.]</ref> in the United States on the [[Speed Channel]] in July 2004, more than two years after its initial broadcast in the UK. The programme would then subsequently be picked up by Viasat for its ''Explorer'' television service, which then broadcast ''Fifth Gear'' throughout the entire Eastern Bloc from August<ref>[http://www.tvp.netcollect.ru/prog.php?id=149126 tvp.netcollect.ru - Russian TV guide for 23/08/2004.]</ref> 2004, one month after it was picked up in the US. The first series would be sold to these countries alongside the subsequent three in a block comprised of 48 programmes, which would then constantly repeat all the way through to June 2007.
===US Version===
{{Main Article|name=Speed Channel Version}}
In the United States, for the programme's distribution on Speed Channel, Series 1 was arranged differently, most likely to better appeal to American viewers. This meant films from other episodes were placed earlier in the series to replace other films, particularly those that were largely irrelevant to the viewerbase, such as reports concerning the United Kingdom.


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>

Revision as of 13:06, 20 December 2022

5th Gear: Series 1
The original 5th Gear team in late 2001.
The original 5th Gear team in late 2001.
Episodes 11
Originally aired 08/04/2002 - 17/06/2002
Original network Channel 5
Resolution 576i
Aspect ratio 16:9 Widescreen
Uncut length 244:16
Superceded by Series 2 (2002)

The first series of Fifth Gear premiered in the United Kingdom on the 8th April, 2002, and concluded on the 17th June, 2002, after a run of 11 episodes. The series' main host was Tiff Needell, and he was accompanied by Vicki Butler-Henderson, Quentin Willson and Adrian Simpson as co-presenters. The series was produced at Fifth Gear's original offices in Birmingham, and aired on Channel 5 in a 23-minute magazine format. Series 1 attracted an average viewership rating of 1.13 million viewers per episode, with a peak of 1.35 million viewers for Episode 8, and a low of 0.99 million viewers for Episode 9. Note that this is based on only partially-available ratings, with 4 of the 11 aired episodes falling outside the BARB's weekly Top 30 for Channel 5.

Highlights of 5th Gear's inaugural series include lead host Needell driving several exotic supercars, such as the Lamborghini Murciélago and Pagani Zonda, as well as breaking the first of several records Fifth Gear would either break or set; the fastest ever recorded 0-60 time, which Needell would achieve[1] in a Tiger Z100 kit car, setting a time of 2.9 seconds against the then-previously standing record held by a Ford RS200. At the end of the series, Tiff, along with Vicki, would participate in a 2 hour long endurance race in a Radical sports car.

International broadcasts

Series 1 of 5th Gear began airing[2] in the United States on the Speed Channel in July 2004, more than two years after its initial broadcast in the UK. The programme would then subsequently be picked up by Viasat for its Explorer television service, which then broadcast Fifth Gear throughout the entire Eastern Bloc from August[3] 2004, one month after it was picked up in the US. The first series would be sold to these countries alongside the subsequent three in a block comprised of 48 programmes, which would then constantly repeat all the way through to June 2007.

US Version

Main article: Speed Channel Version
In the United States, for the programme's distribution on Speed Channel, Series 1 was arranged differently, most likely to better appeal to American viewers. This meant films from other episodes were placed earlier in the series to replace other films, particularly those that were largely irrelevant to the viewerbase, such as reports concerning the United Kingdom.

References