Bedder 6

Infobox Company
name = Bedder 6

type = Private
genre =
foundation = London, United Kingdom (Birth date|2006|10|30|df=y)
founder = Jeremy Clarkson
Andy Wilman
location = London, United Kingdom
industry = Media
net_income = £1,800,000 (2008)
intl = yes

Bedder 6 is a British company, responsible for exploiting the Top Gear brand. It was founded by presenter Jeremy Clarkson and executive producer Andy Wilman in October 2006. [Companies House. Company Details BEDDER 6 LIMITED Company No. 05982502] In November 2007, BBC Worldwide purchased 5001 shares giving them a stake of just over 50% of the business. They are believed to have paid £100 for the shares, but also transferred merchandising and some foreign sales rights [cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2687788/Jeremy-Clarkson-earned-more-than-300k-from-Top-Gear-company.html |title=Jeremy Clarkson earned more than £300k from Top Gear company |first=Nicole |last=Martin |publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited |date=2008-09-05 |work=telegraph.co.uk] to the company. [cite web |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117990255.html?categoryId=19&cs=1 |title=BBC invests in Clarkson's company |first=Dominic |last=Schreiber |publisher=Reed Business Information |date=2008-08-08 |work=variety.com] The remaining 5000 shares are split 60/40 between Clarkson and Wilman respectively. [cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/08/jeremyclarkson.bbc |work=guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |last=Conlan |first=Tara |title=Jeremy Clarkson and BBC Worldwide become business partners |date=2008-08-08]

The company posted a £1.8m post-tax profit in September 2008, giving its shareholders £700,000 in dividends. [cite web |title=Jeremy Clarkson made more than £300k from Top Gear company |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/sep/05/jeremyclarkson.bbc |work=guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |last=Conlan |first=Tara |date=2008-09-05]

Bedder 6 own 50% of Sub-Zero Events Limited, a joint-venture set up by BBC Worldwide and Brand Events in February 2008 to run the "Top Gear Live" shows. Both Bedder 6 and Sub-Zero Events' registered addresses are at BBC White City, the building where "Top Gear"'s offices are located. [Companies House. Company Details SUB-ZERO EVENTS LIMITED Company No. 06499361]

Media Monkey, a columnist in "The Guardian" newspaper, speculated that the name "Bedder 6" is a pun on 'Better sex'. [cite web |title=Media Monkey's Diary |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/11/mediamonkey |date=2008-08-11 |work=guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited]

References