BBC's Radio One Comes to Sirius

Satellite radio service Sirius announced Tuesday that it had finalized a deal to simulcast the popular BBC music channel Radio One to American listeners through an agreement with BBC Radio International. The programming will be time-shifted so that the programming would play at the same local time it does in the UK.

Mostly lauded by electronic music fans as one of the premier stations in the world for dance and techno, Radio One features live music sets from DJs and events across the UK and around the world. It also features programs like Essential Mix, a weekly mix show featuring top-name DJs that has already been available in America through XM Satellite Radio.

"Radio 1 on SIRIUS will be a unique entertainment offering unmatched in the U.S.," said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS President of Entertainment and Sports. "It is renowned for its support of up-and-coming British artists, and reflects the enormously vibrant British music scene in its daily programming and special events."

Along with electronic music, Radio One also plays a mix of pop, rock, R&B and hip-hop music as well. The format does well; according to ratings surveys, the station has a weekly audience of over 12 million listeners across the UK.

More programming from the BBC may make its way onto the Sirius dial according to David Moody, Business Developent and Strategy director at BBC Worldwide.

"We're delighted to be working with SIRIUS on adding one of the U.K.'s most established radio brands to its high quality radio line-up," Moody said. "We look forward to exploring further opportunities together in the future."

Radio One will appear on Sirius beginning this summer.