Two BBC Burmese radio shows are to be rebroadcast on FM in Myanmar – or Burma – for the first time.

The British international broadcaster has reached a deal with Myanmar’s leading radio network Padamyar FM.

The two shows are Mobigeno (Mobile Generation), which will air on Saturday and the English learning series Flatmates, broadcast on Sunday and Thursday.

Padamyar FM is available in 120 towns across Myanmar.

Editor of BBC Burmese, Tin Htar Swe, said: “With the internet not readily available in Burma, FM is an important and very popular platform in the country. We are really thrilled to be expanding our reach via Padamyar FM’s extensive network. This is also an exciting development for our listeners who can now tune in to BBC Burmese in crystal-clear FM quality.”

Thida Swe, Assistant Director of Padamyar FM, added: “We see the re-broadcasting partnership with the BBC as a milestone for our network. And while we are proud to be the first to deliver the BBC Burmese radio on FM in Myanmar, we are also happy that these programmes help the country’s youth to better themselves and their chances for success – via inspirational stories from their peers, and also by improving their English.”

BBC World Service remains a popular broadcaster in Myanmar on shortwave.

Its programmes were regularly jammed by the country’s former military junta before the country’s transition to democracy in 2011.