The countdown is over and Scotland’s new national radio station is finally here…
At 8am on Tuesday 6 January, legendary radio duo Ewen Cameron and Cat Harvey officially launched STV Radio live from the station’s shiny new studio in Glasgow’s Pacific Quay.
Describing it as an “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 – chosen for its hopeful, uplifting lyrics and to reflect the fact that STV Radio will be distinctively Scottish while also offering something fresh and unique to listeners across the country.
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 on STV Radio launch day.
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. I know I’ll be listening.” [Full quotes copied below.]
STV Radio’s schedule features some of Scotland’s favourite radio voices and an eclectic music offering with all the best tracks from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.
The station’s slogan – Never the Same Song, All Day Long – underpins its commitment to offer a broader, more imaginative music mix every day, with less repetition and loads more brilliant tunes.
Ewen and Cat at Breakfast will air every weekday from 6 – 10am and feature the duo’s signature banter, hilarious stories, competitions, celebrity guests and live in-studio performances. Ewen and Cat are joined on STV Radio’s line-up by some of the most recognisable radio voices in Scotland, each hailing from different corners of the country, including Greigsy, Webster, Jodie McCluskey and Micky Gavin.
Several popular TV stars will also be regular fixtures on the station, including Still Game icon Jane McCarry, who will co-present a Saturday morning show, and weather presenter Sean Batty, who will bring listeners the latest forecasts throughout the day.
The weekday presenter line-up.
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”.
A number of celebrities wished Ewen and Cat all the best on the new show.
Marti Pellow said: “Hello Cat, hello Ewen, it’s Marti Pellow here. I’m on to wish you all the best. What a fantastic new venture at STV Radio. It’s great to have you back on the airwaves. I hope all the listeners are listening and I hope they’re all feeling it in their fingers and feeling it in their toes. Come on Cat, come on Ewen – pump up the volume on STV Radio.”
The Proclaimers said: “We’re delighted to see Ewen and Cat starting their new breakfast show on STV Radio. You’re great broadcasters and brilliant entertainers and we’ve missed you. All the best, Ewen and Cat!”
Amy Macdonald said: “Hello Ewen and Cat, it is your friend Amy Macdonald here. I am so excited that you guys are launching the new STV Radio – I can’t wait to listen. To be honest, I’m 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. I know I’ll be listening.”
STV RADIO SCHEDULE IN FULL
Monday – Thursday
- 6am: Ewen and Cat at Breakfast
- 10am: Greigsy
- 2pm: Webster
- 6pm: Evenings with Micky Gavin
- 10pm: The Late Show with Jodie McCluskey
- 1am-6am: Overnights
Friday
- 6am: Ewen and Cat at Breakfast
- 10am: Greigsy
- 2pm: Webster
- 6pm: High School Hits with Mike Macdermid
- 10pm-6am: Overnights
Saturday
- 6am: Weekend Breakfast with Alan Edwards
- 9am: Micky and McCarry
- 12noon: Greigsy
- 2pm: The STV Radio Football Show with Ewen Cameron and Ronnie Charters
- 6pm: High School Hits with Mike Macdermid
- 10pm-6am: Overnights
Sunday
- 6am: Weekend Breakfast with Alan Edwards
- 9am: Micky and Cat
- 12noon: Webster
- 4pm: What’s On Scotland with Emma Cameron and Laura Boyd
- 7pm: Evenings
- 11pm-6am: Overnights