Am watching The Americans and noticed that they use a lot of Brit music compared to a few american hits.
As i was living in Europe at the time, i am familiar with the british influence in the region but it surprises me to find so much of it in the american series.

What it that big?

I heard Pat Benatar and a couple of others from this side of the Atlantic while recognized Adam and the Ants, Yazoo, Ultravox, Peter Gabriel, Human League, Soft Cell, Bryan Ferry, etc. At the veey least, a 4 to 1 ratio in favor of the brits.

Remember listening to Tears for Fears Shout at a large store in NYC and was told it was a new arrival while the album/song was already 2 years old in the rest of the world.

Left me wondering.

0-0

Queen - Rock in Rio

80s were the start of the days of 'Cool Britannia' and Brit music was hot everywhere.

yep

the second British Invasion,

those mentioned and
Costello
Gary Numan
The Specials
English Beat
Selector
Bad Manners
Clash
Stranglers
Squeeze
Talk Talk
Haircut 100/ Nick Heywood
Kate Bush

and much much more