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Netflix series House of Cards is not included in the initial launch of the service in Hong Kong. Photo: Supplied

Ten popular TV shows and movies you won’t find on Hong Kong’s new Netflix

The excitement over Netflix coming to Hong Kong may be premature, especially if you’re a fan of House of Cards, Walking Dead, or Sherlock

Netflix
Ben Westcott

Happy Netflix day, Hong Kong, but before you break out the pizza, potato chips and fizzy drink for an extended binge-watching session of your favourite TV series, you might find yourself a tad disappointed at the list of shows actually available.

While extensive Netflix-produced content is ready to go, you won’t find classic series like The Walking Dead, Sherlock or even the service’s own House of Cards.

Early on Thursday the pioneering web streaming service announced it had launched in 130 new countries around the world, including the affluent, content-hungry Hong Kong.

READ MORE: Netflix now available in Hong Kong and almost everywhere else - except mainland China

Overjoyed television addicts expressed their joy on social media, with many rejoicing they finally had a chance to ‘Netflix and chill’ with their loved ones.

But some users pointed out the selection of shows available in Hong Kong was a bit grim, missing some classics including Netflix’s most popular show, the political thriller House of Cards.

Every other popular Netflix series is available on the service in town, including Orange is the New Black, Daredevil and the recent critical darling, Making a Murderer.

But a number of other, popular American and British television series, available on the US Netflix, are not watchable in Hong Kong yet.

The ground-breaking crime drama Breaking Bad, which took audiences worldwide by storm, was not originally available but has since been added. Its prequel series Better Call Saul was available from launch.

Sorry, disaffected chemistry teachers of Hong Kong: no Breaking Bad for you on Netflix. Photo: Supplied

Quirky drama Sherlock, which just released its Christmas special The Abominable Bride in Hong Kong cinemas, is also not available on the service.

Fans of the hugely popular zombie series, The Walking Dead, will also have to wait their turn as it isn’t available on Hong Kong’s Netflix - neither are American Horror Story or Sons of Anarchy.

Popular US sitcoms New Girl and How I Met Your Mother are also nowhere to be found.

Looking to movies, it has Fight Club but it doesn’t have Django Unchained, nor does it have popular comedy drama The Silver Linings Playbook, unlike its US site.

Walk it off, Hong Kong: people hungry for the Walking Dead will just have to wait. Photo: Supplied

In response to enquiries from the South China Morning Post, Netflix promised it would be substantially expanding its roster of programs.

“Netflix looks to offer a robust mix of titles,” a Netflix spokeswoman said. “ Drama, action, comedy, documentaries, TV shows and movies for kids -- all the stuff people love to watch with a relatively low and consistent monthly price across the world.”

She said in most countries the library was modest at launch before growing as popularity for the service grew.

“Netflix will launch more than 30 new Netflix original series in 2016. Most of these will be available to our members everywhere, exclusively on Netflix. Particularly for HK, we have a target to double the content in the library in one year.”

CLARIFICATION: This article originally stated Breaking Bad was not available on Hong Kong Netflix. It has been added since publication.

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