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Driven (TV)
Encyclopedia
driven was a motoring television programme launched by Channel 4
in 1998 as a rival to the successful and long-running BBC
series Top Gear.
The style was similar to its rival, but with additional features such as the "Driven 100", a road test of three cars in the same class, where each car would be given marks for qualities such as Practicality, Desirability and Cost of Ownership. The car with the highest total score would be the winner. The programme launched with the concept that the presenters should interact with each other rather than present items on their own, as was then the case on Top Gear. The first series also featured a "headquarters", a racing team truck, set on a former air force base at which cars were put through their paces. These concepts resurfaced in the re-born Top Gear
soon after.
Originally presented by Mike Brewer
, James May
and Jason Barlow
, subsequent series also featured the rally driver Penny Mallory
and the racing driver Jason Plato
. During the show's run, both James May and Jason Barlow left the show to join the old format of BBC's Top Gear.
Following the creation of Fifth Gear
and the revival of Top Gear, driven was cancelled by Channel 4 in 2002. Jason Plato would go on to present Fifth Gear, James May went on to join the newly relaunched Top Gear, Mike Brewer presents ITV
's Pulling Power
and Penny Mallory can be seen on ITV4's Used Car Roadshow
.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in 1998 as a rival to the successful and long-running BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
series Top Gear.
The style was similar to its rival, but with additional features such as the "Driven 100", a road test of three cars in the same class, where each car would be given marks for qualities such as Practicality, Desirability and Cost of Ownership. The car with the highest total score would be the winner. The programme launched with the concept that the presenters should interact with each other rather than present items on their own, as was then the case on Top Gear. The first series also featured a "headquarters", a racing team truck, set on a former air force base at which cars were put through their paces. These concepts resurfaced in the re-born Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
soon after.
Originally presented by Mike Brewer
Mike Brewer (television presenter)
Mike Brewer is a British former car trader turned presenter of motoring television programmes. He currently presents Wheeler Dealers on Discovery Channel with Edd China....
, James May
James May
James Daniel May is an English television presenter, journalist and writer. He is best known for his role as co-presenter of the award-winning motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond....
and Jason Barlow
Jason Barlow
Jason Barlow is a motoring journalist and broadcaster from Northern Ireland.He began his television career in 1998, when he was approached to present Channel Four's new car programme Driven, with co-presenters Mike Brewer and James May...
, subsequent series also featured the rally driver Penny Mallory
Penny Mallory
Penny Durban Mallory was the first woman in the world to drive a World Rally Car, a rally car specification introduced in 1997.Mallory became National Ladies Champion Rally Driver in 1993 and went on to be one of the UK’s top rally drivers...
and the racing driver Jason Plato
Jason Plato
Timothy Jason Plato is a British racing car driver currently competing in the BTCC for Silverline Chevrolet. He is a two time BTCC champion having previously won the series in 2001 when driving for Vauxhall and 2010 for Silverline Chevrolet. He has finished in the top 3 in the championship 8 times...
. During the show's run, both James May and Jason Barlow left the show to join the old format of BBC's Top Gear.
Following the creation of Fifth Gear
Fifth Gear
Fifth Gear is a motoring television magazine show from the United Kingdom. Originally shown on Channel 5, the show is currently presented by Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jason Plato, Jonny Smith and Ben Collins...
and the revival of Top Gear, driven was cancelled by Channel 4 in 2002. Jason Plato would go on to present Fifth Gear, James May went on to join the newly relaunched Top Gear, Mike Brewer presents ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's Pulling Power
Pulling Power
Pulling Power was a regional motoring programme shown only in the Central Television region on ITV in 1996. However, it returned in 2005 and was shown on the ITV1 on a series trial basis until 2008, and it was also as a filler programme at times. It has also been shown on ITV4. Presenters included...
and Penny Mallory can be seen on ITV4's Used Car Roadshow
Used Car Roadshow
Used Car Roadshow is a car programme that was originally aired on the Men & Motors channel, but now it is also shown on ITV4. The show is presented by Penny Mallory and Jason Dawe...
.