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The Hour approaches for Netflix

Netflix has picked up Canadian and Latin American rights to British 1950s-set espionage drama The Hour.

The online video rental service, which yesterday saw its share price fall to a year-low after being downgraded by ratings agency Standard & Poor, is among a string of buyers for the Kudos Film & Television-produced series.

Series one of The Hour (6×60′) will be available to Netflix subscribers across 43 countries throughout Latin America from December and to Canadian customers in January.

The Netflix pick-up is just one of a string of deals signed by Kudos distribution sister Shine International in more than 80 territories, according to News Corp-owned parent Shine Group.

The Hour, created by Bafta-winning Abi Morgan (White Girl, Sex Traffic, Brick Lane) and starring Ben Whishaw (recently confirmed as the new ‘Q’ in the next James Bond movie) and The Wire’s Dominic West, is a spy thriller set behind the scenes of a BBC newsroom in the 1950s against the backdrop of the Suez Crisis.

The BBC, which screened the series on BBC2 earlier this year, has recently ordered a second instalment for 2012. The first aired on BBC America in August.

ABC Australia, Fox International Channels and SVT Sweden are among the broadcasters that have now acquired the series from Shine.

“The Hour is the cornerstone of our scripted slate and reflects the best in original, premium drama,” said Ruth Clarke, Shine International VP and EMEA chief.

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