SARA Cox and Vernon Kay have a chance to win over a new legion of fans in America as Radio 1 signs a deal with a US satellite radio broadcaster.

BBC Radio 1 will be heard on American airwaves - the first time US audiences will be able to hear broadcasts via the radio rather than on the Internet.

Both Vernon and Sara from Bolton, have shows every Saturday and Sunday with Vernon on from 10am to 1pm and Sara from 1pm to 4pm.

The Radio 1 chart show at 4pm, presented by former Key 103 favourites JK and Joel, will also be aired in the States.

The station will be part of a package of 120 commercial-free channels offered by company Sirius on a subscription basis.

Since it will be broadcast on a time lag, it means the shows will be aired in America at the appropriate times with Chris Moyle's early morning show, for instance, being aired at breakfast time.

Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt said: "The station's job is to discover and support new British music. If it benefits UK artists for Radio 1 to be carried on Sirius then it's a good thing. It will reinforce that Radio 1 is a global player."

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.