BBC's Radio One Comes to Sirius
By Ed Oswald | Published June 21, 2005, 12:35 PM
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.
Super. Euro-crap DJs mixing live sets from around the world. I can't wait.
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|Thats not very nice. Radio 1 is great. And its not really based round electronic music. Altho you'd hope the make some time compensation as the shows are well organised throughout the day.
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|At least they didn't get commercial local radio. Not many national commercial radio stations in the UK either.
BBC Radio 1 has documentaries which independent radio does not do much/at all. Euro2004 competions in the moring with Moyles were classic. Radio 1 also have live free concerts and no adverts.
Shame they can't get Radio 4. That costs $140 million a year to maintain. Quality production there too. Radio 1 is very varied. Rock Show, World music, Drum and Bass, Pop, Chart, Indie and Westwood!
Great news Radio 1 will be on Sirius but I don't think they will understand Coxys accent.
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|This article doesn't discuss the financial elements of the deal so I would like to know how this is being funded?
Hopefully the BBC are being paid for the content by SIRIUS and it isn't coming out of the UK television licence fee which is how the BBC currently gets most of it's funding.
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