US VOD website Hulu has acquired its first set of rights to UK TV shows. The NBCU/News Corp (NYSE: NWS) venture signed a deal for distributor Digital Rights Group‘s Channel 4 International and Portman repertoires, giving it series including Peep Show (pictured), Rude Tube, Underbelly, Queer As Folk and Green Wing. (Update: Aardman of Bristol later told me its material was added to Hulu in the summer of 2008).

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But, while Hulu has now stated its ambitions to launch in the UK and internationally, the shows will still only be available to Hulu’s viewers in the US, to where the service is limited at present. Digital Rights Group (DRG) says more of its series will be added to Hulu “in due course” - “and the company (Hulu) is actively seeking more current UK broadcast content to add to the service”, DRG said.

Ingenious Media-funded DRG appears to have been picked as Hulu’s lead UK rights clearing house, and is making a big pitch here on Hulu’s behalf. DRG’s Justin Judd, in the release: “We’re initially launching with content drawn from our own catalogue but we expect to increase the volume of UK programming on the service and we’re actively seeking additional high quality drama and comedy to roll out.  We look forward to working with British producers and content owners to bring their programmes to this dynamic new marketplace”