Midlands 103 has announced an agreement to acquire Wexford radio station South East Radio.
Midlands 103 is part of the Tindle Group, which also operates local media outlets in the UK and Channel Islands.
South East Radio hosts programmes such as the flagship programme “The Morning Mix” hosted by Alan Corcoran, “Country N’Irish” with Tony Kehoe and “The Saturday Show” with Alan McGuire.
The station also hosts its own radio bingo, community diary, live outdoor broadcasts and local bereavement notices.
Presenter Alan Corcoran said that the 20 plus staff at the radio station were feeling confident about the move and see it as a positive step forward.
“The radio station is healthy, and this move was something we had anticipated for a while. There were many parties interested in acquiring the station, but Midlands 103 was selected because of its integrity,” he said.
“The station has a proven track record of producing top quality radio output, and there are a lot of similarities between the two stations,” he added.
“The Buttle family have been an extremely good employer of mine for over 25 years, and we will miss them in Wexford,” he said.
The proposed transaction is subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Managing Director of Midlands 103, Will Faulkner, said he was committed to preserving the local ethos that has made South East Radio a trusted voice in Co Wexford.
“Radio is an innovative industry, and we believe the combined expertise of both teams will create an even stronger offering for listeners and commercial partners alike, while ensuring Midlands 103 and South East Radio retain their unique identities,” he said.
“This investment reflects our confidence in the future of audio, particularly locally sourced, quality content,” he added.
South East Radio’s Managing Director, Eamonn Buttle, said this was an exciting new chapter in the station’s 35 years of operations.
“On behalf of my brother Norman, the Buttle family, and myself, I would like to express what an honour it has been to serve the media industry for over four decades,” he said.
“We have always sought to uphold the privilege of being the voice of Co Wexford, and I am proud that the station’s programming and ethos have remained true to this mission,” he stated.
“I wish the Tindle Group continued success and know that South East Radio is in safe hands with Midlands 103, as we share the same belief in supporting and promoting local issues,” he added.
