Kiwis celebrate House of Cards with major TV binges

Kiwi TV fans have spent their weekends in front of the TV after House of Cards' surprise appearance on Netflix.

All of four seasons of the streaming service's signature show, which has never been available on Netflix in New Zealand, appeared on Friday night.

After a day in which it appeared unlikely the fourth season of the show, released globally on Friday, would screen here, it came as a major surprise.

"Guess I know what I'm watching this weekend," wrote one fan on Twitter after finding House of Cards available on the streaming service.

"No sleep this weekend," wrote another. "I've been waiting so long for this moment," said a third.

The lack of House of Cards here appeared to be the results of a rights wrangle.

Previous seasons screened on TV3, or streamed on Lightbox. Repeated requests for information put to Netflix by the Herald went unanswered.

That resulted in this story, Hey Netflix, why can't we watch House of Cards? on Friday.

The show appeared on Netflix several hours later with little fanfare.

Whatever the reason, fans were surprised and delighted.

OH MY THEY PUT ALL 4 SEASONS OF HOUSE OF CARDS ONTO THE NZ NETFLIX

— Kyle (@Kairuxo) March 4, 2016

PSA: House of Cards - all FOUR seasons - has been added to Netflix NZ. Guess I know what I'm watching this weekend!

— Lisa 🍕 (@lisalikesstuff) March 4, 2016

I reckon Kevin Spacey hooked us up in NZ, what a guy. #HouseOfCards

— Jo Moir (@jo_moir) March 4, 2016

Netflix NZ just bloody blessed me with house of cards I've been waiting so long for this moment

— jessy o'connor BLM (@InternetJessy) March 4, 2016

Thanks @netflix for seeing sense and putting all of @HouseofCards on NZ Netflix. No sleep this weekend.

— Kurt Sharpe (@kurtsharpe) March 4, 2016

Woop! House of Cards hits NZ netflix at last - that's the weekend gone!

— Lorraine Warren (@doclorraine) March 4, 2016

4th season of House of Cards now available in NZ! And Madonna - perfect weekend.https://t.co/qUFJ43TSzt

— Fran O'Sullivan (@FranOSullivan) March 4, 2016

Okay kiwis, so who else is binging on the new series of @HouseofCards this weekend? @netflix @KevinSpacey #NZ

— Pat Brittenden (@patbrittenden) March 4, 2016

The show stars Kevin Spacey as a dodgy congressman who will do anything for power.

- nzherald.co.nz