Television audiences in the US and UK are about to be introduced to the Australian mockumentary series Summer Heights High.

The Australian program has been added to American pay TV station HBO's comedy line-up for 2008 and is also set to air on BBC 3 in the UK after separate deals with the ABC.

The show screened on the ABC in late 2007 and was an instant hit with viewers.

Starring, written and performed by Chris Lilley, the show is a parody of high school life and is based on three characters - drama teacher Mr G, snobby and self absorbed teenager Ja'mie King and rebellious student Jonah Takalua.

ABC TV's executive head of content creation Courtney Gibson said the public broadcaster was over the moon.

"Mr G, Ja'mie and Jonah have been welcomed into the home of such immortals as Tony Soprano and Deadwood's Al Swearingen in the US, and the home of groundbreaking comedy in the UK," Ms Gibson said.

"In terms of transatlantic TV sales, it just doesn't get any classier than this."