A new Bournemouth-based internet radio station has officially launched.

Digital agencies Media Lounge and Discover Global collaborated on State of the Art Radio.

They worked together on producing a digital streaming service, branding, website, Amazon Alexa skill, iPhone Siri shortcuts and ecommerce shop.

Roy Smoothe from Cool Branding, pictured right, is helping in the production of the shows with DJ ‘Dat Man’ Mike Artwell, who is fronting the station.

Cool Branding is also managing the social media pages and engagement.

Shows are live daily from 4pm till 6pm (7pm on Sundays) with repeat shows running at other times.

On Saturday a special ‘Grooving for the NHS’ show is broadcast to show appreciation for the National Health Service.

Listeners will also have the opportunity to buy the show on-demand with proceeds going to the NHS Covid-19 appeal.

State of the Art Radio ran test shows in the two weeks up to its launch, attracting around 1,000 listeners a day.

The number is expected to grow significantly following the official launch of the station and its website on April 10.

Adam King, Ecommerce Solutions Architect at Media Lounge, said the business had worked with Discover Global on numerous projects over the last ten years or so.

Mike Artwell had suggested launching a digital radio station in Bournemouth late last year and both companies had considered it a fantastic opportunity to collaborate, he said.

“The Covid-19 crisis has given us an opportunity to launch the radio station to a more captive audience and, hopefully, provide some light, fun and entertainment while all this is going on in the lockdown,” Adam added.

Darren Mooney, Creative Director and Founder at Global Brand Communications, said he had known Mike Artwell for about 25 years and it had been a privilege for Global to work on the branding.

“It’s all happened very quickly and there’s no better time to set this radio station up.

“The aim is to have a friendly voice on the radio when everyone is in this difficult time.

“Mike is a true entertainer and this gives him a platform to entertain people while they’re, perhaps, not in the best frame of mind.

“We’re really excited to be working on this and who knows where it will go? Perhaps worldwide,” said Darren.