Top Gear is coming to YouTube… all nice and legal-like. The BBC announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Google internet video juggernaut that will allow the popular (and oft-pirated) UK car show to be watched legally on the service.

The deal will result in a trio of channels: BBC Worldwide, BBC, and BBC News, which will show everything from current events coverage to shows like Top Gear and Dr. Who. There will likely be advertisements served-up alongside the videos, albeit not for British viewers, because the BBC’s ties to paid advertising are evidently a point of contention in its home country.

No timetable has been given as to when we can expect Jeremy Clarkson and friends on YouTube, but in the meantime, we're sure there are at least a few gajillion unauthorized clips floating around anyhow. In fact, we've included just such a video above--one of the TGers driving an old Jag off of an aircraft carrier for no apparent reason.

Enjoy.

+ BusinessPortal24: BBC Signs Program Deal With YouTube

+ TopGear: Top Gear drives a Jaguar off a carrier (via YouTube)