GAA chiefs admit they are “monitoring” the situation at troubled broadcaster Setanta Sports.

With a possible US tycoon saviour waiting in the wings, John Hearne follows the roughest week in Setanta’s 19-year history, a week it seems to have survived — for now.

US-based tycoon Len Blavatnik is working on a £20m (€23.45m) 11th-hour rescue deal for pay-television firm Setanta, it was reported today.

THEY’RE one nil down and time’s nearly up. Cash-strapped broadcaster Setanta needs to find just over €100m to meet its short-term obligations to the Premiership and the English FA.

Premier League football broadcaster Setanta Sports was at the centre of takeover speculation today after reports of a £1bn (€1.3bn)-plus offer for the business.

IRISH people’s appetite for gossip and entertainment is set to reach new levels with TV3 devoting a new daily magazine programme to the celebrity life of leading Irish and international stars.

A&L Goodbody handled deals worth €9.3 billion in 2006. The company was also ranked the top law firm in Ireland for global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, according to a Thomson Financial survey published yesterday.

ITV took the value of its disposal programme to almost €738m today after agreeing to sell its stake in TV3.

British food producer RHM was valued at £958m (€1.4bn) today as the City clamoured for a slice of the maker of Hovis bread, Paxo stuffing and Mr Kipling cakes.

The maker of Mr Kipling cakes and Bisto gravy will be valued at up to £975m (€1.4bn) when it floats on the London stock market, it emerged today.

A chain of clinics famous for helping celebrities overcome their addictions was sold today in a deal valuing the business at £875m (€1.3bn).

The maker of Mr Kipling cakes and Paxo stuffing kicked off plans today for a flotation that could value it at more than £1bn (€1.5bn).