 Before its UK debut , Thunderbirds was distributed to 30 other countries including the US , Canada , Australia and Japan . Pre @-@ sales revenue totalled £ 350 @,@ 000 ( approximately £ 6 million today ) . In the year following the series ' first appearance , the number of countries increased to 66 . In Japan , where it was first broadcast by <unk> , Thunderbirds attracted a sizeable fan following and influenced series such as <unk> , Mighty Jack , <unk> <unk> <unk> and Super Rescue <unk> . In the US , the two @-@ part format entered first @-@ run syndication , to modest success , in 1968 . Other overseas broadcasters have included <unk> and Family Room HD ( US ) , BBC Kids and <unk> ( Canada ) , Nine Network and <unk> ( Australia ) , <unk> ( New Zealand ) , <unk> <unk> Kids Central ( Singapore ) and <unk> Two ( Republic of Ireland ) . 
