‘Angry and insulted’ Aussies outraged as Americans get access to two new Bluey ‘minisodes’

Residents in the Heelers’ hometown of Brisbane have missed out on two new Bluey “minisodes” airing for American audiences.

Residents in the Heelers’ hometown of Brisbane have missed out on two new Bluey “minisodes” airing for American audiences and yet to show in Australia.

The superstar cartoon Blue Heeler has been back on screen after ABC iview and Disney+ debuted a run of “minisodes”, with one to three-minute depictions of the Heeler family’s beloved shenanigans.

Residents in the Heeler’s hometown of Brisbane have missed out on two new Bluey minisodes airing for American audiences and yet to show in Australia. Photo: ABC Kids

Australian audiences have free access to five of the collection of everyday moments with new characters and games the family have been playing together on ABC iview titled Burger Dog, Bingo 3000, Letter, Hungry and Animals.

However, the US-based version of Disney+ has those five episodes plus two more called Muffin Unboxing and Three Little Pigs.

Many commenters on the official Bluey Facebook page’s post about the minisodes praised Muffin Unboxing and Three Little Pigs as the standout offerings from the new batch, leaving Australian fans confused.

“I am in Australia and can’t see the Three Little Pigs or Muffin Unboxing?” declared one Aussie viewer, prompting others to share their disappointment.

The five Bluey minisodes currently available on ABC iview

“I’ve checked both Disney+ and iview and can’t find these! Bluey what’s going on? I’m in Brisbane, Bluey’s ‘world for real life’ apparently.”

Many took umbrage with international viewers getting to see the Queensland-made show before Australians, and likened it to the days of yore when Aussies had to circumvent geo-blocked content.

Bluey's official website shows there are a total of seven new minisodes available for American audiences to watch, while Australians can currently only access five. Photo: Supplied

“Three Little Pigs is the best! Was worth firing up the US VPN just to see it,” one wrote.

“So the two BEST ones are the ones we in Australia (your oldest fans) aren’t PERMITTED to watch. You’ve got a lot of angry and insulted Australians to explain yourselves to,” another commented.

BBC Studios holds global distribution and merchandising rights to the Australian-made cartoon, and announced in May that 20 minisodes would be released in total and the first batch would air on the ABC in June for audiences in Australia, and will be available on Disney Jr and Disney+ in July.

The series streams to US and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Jr and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids and Family and Disney Branded Television.

New Zealand viewers were also left disappointed as they were yet to be able to watch any of the new minisodes.

“New Zealand has been left out once again, I see. We live closer to Australia then America does, I guess we just aren’t cool enough,” one person commented.

“Mackenzie’s home country can’t view them, when and how are they coming to New Zealand?” asked another.

Bluey creators Ludo Studio said in a statement more episodes were coming.

“The ABC will be releasing more minisodes this year. Stay tuned for more information,” it said.