CHANGES AT Clare FM and Tipp FM, where the two stations are to form an alliance, will see them share costs in non-broadcasting areas. Both stations will remain independent and retain their individual licences for their respective counties.

The move has been worked through over the past six months with the involvement of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Tipp FM’s chief executive Ethel Power is moving on to establish a marketing consultancy and Liam O’Shea will now be chief executive of the two stations.

“It is a coming together of two non-competing but neighbouring interests in the same sector to share costs at a challenging time for all media,” O’Shea said.