Ewen Cameron and Cat Harvey officially launch STV Radio

The countdown is over and Scotland’s new national radio station is here.

At 8am this morning, duo Ewen Cameron and Cat Harvey officially launched STV Radio live from the station’s new studio in Glasgow’s Pacific Quay.

Describing it as a “historic morning”, Ewen and Cat thanked listeners for “being part of this great adventure” and promised “depth, variety and plenty of musical surprises to make you smile”.

The first song played on STV Radio was a special acoustic version of Simple Minds’ 1982 hit, Promised You a Miracle, featuring KT Tunstall.

Joining Ewen and Cat for the launch this morning from her home in New Mexico, Tunstall said: “I’m completely thrilled [to be the first song played on STV Radio] – it feels like winning an award.

“For everybody who’s going to be listening to this show over the years and decades to come: it’s really easy to think that these ‘old-fashioned’ ways of listening to music are going to be overlooked, and I just want to say that STV Radio is just incredible.

“I think it’s an amazing connector. We want to hear a real, live person talking about their passion for the song they’re about to play, and you don’t get that when you’re listening to streaming.

“It’s so infectious to hear a human being’s relationship to a song that they’re about to share with you. I’m going to do everything I can to support the radio station and be part of it because I just love it – it’s a rich part of music culture that isn’t going anywhere.”

Ewen and Cat were also joined by Deacon Blue singer Ricky Ross on today’s show, and received messages of support from stars including The Proclaimers, Marti Pellow – who “hopes listeners are all feeling it in their fingers and their toes” – and Amy Macdonald, who said she’s “a bit surprised that somebody else has given you guys another job in radio, but it is what it is”.

“I’m sure you’ll both do an amazing job and I’m sure the whole of Scotland cannot wait to tune in,” she added, “I know I’ll be listening.”

STV Radio’s schedule features some of Scotland’s most recognisable radio voices and the best tracks from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.

Ewen and Cat at Breakfast will air every weekday from 6am – 10am and feature competitions, celebrity guests and live in-studio performances.

Ewen and Cat are joined on STV Radio’s line-up by Greigsy, Webster, Jodie McCluskey and Micky Gavin.

TV stars will also be regular fixtures on the station, including Still Game’s Isa – Jane McCarry – who will co-present a Saturday morning show, and STV meteorologist Sean Batty, who will bring listeners the latest forecasts throughout the day.

STV Radio is available across Scotland on DAB, STV Player, stvradio.co.uk and on your smart speaker – just ask it to: “Play STV Radio.”