BBC Radio 1 set for US audience

Chris Moyles will entertain breakfast listeners in the US

BBC Radio 1 is to be heard on the airwaves in the US after the station struck a deal with an American satellite radio broadcaster.

It will be the first time US audiences will be able to hear the station on the radio rather than via the internet.

Radio 1 will be heard on Sirius, which offers around 120 commercial-free services for a subscription fee.

A time lag is being used so Americans can listen to Chris Moyles' early morning show at breakfast time.

Other shows, including Scott Mills' drivetime show, will be heard in the US at the relevant time.

'Important deal'

But the time delay means that listeners in the US will be unable to interact with Radio 1 shows via text, e-mail and telephone.

Howard Stern is to join the Sirius network

Sirius - which is to be home to "shock jock" Howard Stern - also broadcasts BBC World Service in English and Spanish.

Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt has called the move "an important deal".

"The station's job is to discover and support great new British music and America is a huge music market," he said.

"If it benefits UK artists for Radio 1 to be carried on Sirius then it's a good thing. It will further reinforce that Radio 1 is a global player. It's a very exciting development," Mr Parfitt added.

Satellite radio is becoming increasingly popular in the US, and is tipped by analysts to gain a strong foothold in the UK over the next five years.