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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ministers 'can aid Setanta deal' | Ministers 'can aid Setanta deal' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Scottish Government can play a part in helping to support a rescue package for troubled broadcaster Setanta, it has been suggested. | The Scottish Government can play a part in helping to support a rescue package for troubled broadcaster Setanta, it has been suggested. |
| Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott said ministers could make a deal more attractive by highlighting the importance of pay TV competition. | Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott said ministers could make a deal more attractive by highlighting the importance of pay TV competition. |
| The government said it had already spoken to broadcasting executives. | |
| The BBC understands Setanta is talking to a new investor which could prevent the company going into administration. | The BBC understands Setanta is talking to a new investor which could prevent the company going into administration. |
| The board of Setanta will meet on Friday and a deal could be finalised in the next 72 hours, says BBC Sports Editor Mihir Bose. | The board of Setanta will meet on Friday and a deal could be finalised in the next 72 hours, says BBC Sports Editor Mihir Bose. |
| But Professor Tom Cannon, a football finance expert at Liverpool University, told BBC Scotland time was running out. | But Professor Tom Cannon, a football finance expert at Liverpool University, told BBC Scotland time was running out. |
| If there is a role for government in this matter and we can identify it, then this government won't be found wanting in kicking that ball into the net Alex SalmondFirst Minister New investor enters Setanta talks | If there is a role for government in this matter and we can identify it, then this government won't be found wanting in kicking that ball into the net Alex SalmondFirst Minister New investor enters Setanta talks |
| He said: "I think it's a very fine line. I think the discussions they have are at the very last minute. | He said: "I think it's a very fine line. I think the discussions they have are at the very last minute. |
| "If the deal doesn't go through in the next few days, I think the outlook for Setanta and its employees and those clubs is very bleak. | "If the deal doesn't go through in the next few days, I think the outlook for Setanta and its employees and those clubs is very bleak. |
| "Unless the English Premiership decide to take a much more conciliatory attitude than they have expressed in the past, I think the writing would be on the wall." | "Unless the English Premiership decide to take a much more conciliatory attitude than they have expressed in the past, I think the writing would be on the wall." |
| The channel is seeking £50m in funding to avoid administration. | The channel is seeking £50m in funding to avoid administration. |
| On Wednesday Setanta confirmed it had stopped taking on new customers as it battles to secure its future. | On Wednesday Setanta confirmed it had stopped taking on new customers as it battles to secure its future. |
| Speaking to BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme on Friday, Mr Scott accused the Scottish Government of being "slow" to recognise the importance of competition in the television football market. | Speaking to BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme on Friday, Mr Scott accused the Scottish Government of being "slow" to recognise the importance of competition in the television football market. |
| He said competition had to be maintained in the pay TV market, and that this would be diminished by the demise of Setanta. | He said competition had to be maintained in the pay TV market, and that this would be diminished by the demise of Setanta. |
| SETANTA'S SPORTS Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueBlue Square PremierIPL cricketUS PGA Tour golfBoxing Q&A: Setanta and you Why Setanta Sports is in trouble Your comments | SETANTA'S SPORTS Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueBlue Square PremierIPL cricketUS PGA Tour golfBoxing Q&A: Setanta and you Why Setanta Sports is in trouble Your comments |
| Mr Scott said he was not suggesting financial support for Setanta, but that government involvement could help to secure a deal. | Mr Scott said he was not suggesting financial support for Setanta, but that government involvement could help to secure a deal. |
| He said: "The important aspect that government could take forward is to recognise that the broadcasting regulator Ofcom could make very clear that competition is important in the pay TV market and therefore help that Setanta rescue package. | He said: "The important aspect that government could take forward is to recognise that the broadcasting regulator Ofcom could make very clear that competition is important in the pay TV market and therefore help that Setanta rescue package. |
| "If government could make that position clear and support that - that includes Scotland and the first minister - I hope that Setanta rescue package would be more attractive to investors. | "If government could make that position clear and support that - that includes Scotland and the first minister - I hope that Setanta rescue package would be more attractive to investors. |
| "The importance of TV rights money to clubs, particularly small clubs in Scotland cannot be overestimated." | "The importance of TV rights money to clubs, particularly small clubs in Scotland cannot be overestimated." |
| First Minister Alex Salmond told the Scottish Parliament on Thursday: "If there is a substantial idea in terms of how we can improve the negotiating position of the Scottish Premier League or how we can improve workings of the market in terms of affecting substantial revenue into Scottish football, I absolutely commit myself to discussing it with football authorities. | First Minister Alex Salmond told the Scottish Parliament on Thursday: "If there is a substantial idea in terms of how we can improve the negotiating position of the Scottish Premier League or how we can improve workings of the market in terms of affecting substantial revenue into Scottish football, I absolutely commit myself to discussing it with football authorities. |
| "If there is a role for government in this matter and we can identify it, then this government won't be found wanting in kicking that ball into the net." | "If there is a role for government in this matter and we can identify it, then this government won't be found wanting in kicking that ball into the net." |
| And Culture Minister Mike Russell said on Friday: "While Tavish Scott has been talking about this issue, the Scottish Government has been taking action. I spoke to a number of key broadcasting executives yesterday to stress the need for a resolution which did not damage the diversity of Scottish football. | |
| "And Sports Minister Shona Robison has spoken SPL Chairman Lex Gold to highlight our concern and to encourage them to arrive at a solution which safeguards the interests of Scotland's fans and the clubs they support." | |
| Setanta's talks with fellow broadcaster BSkyB failed while Walt Disney-owned sports network ESPN denied speculation earlier on Thursday it would buy the beleaguered broadcaster. | |
| But a new investor who has emerged in the last 24 hours is now believed to offer the best prospect for Setanta surviving in its present form, according to Mr Bose. | But a new investor who has emerged in the last 24 hours is now believed to offer the best prospect for Setanta surviving in its present form, according to Mr Bose. |
| Setanta, which shows cricket, golf and rugby union as well as football, has about 1.2 million subscribers. | Setanta, which shows cricket, golf and rugby union as well as football, has about 1.2 million subscribers. |
| Broadcast deal | Broadcast deal |
| But this is only about 60% of the number it needs, according to analysts, and the company is losing up to £100m a year. | |
| Setanta needs to pay £30m that is due to the English Premier League and has already failed to pay the Scottish Premier League £3m it owes in television rights money. | Setanta needs to pay £30m that is due to the English Premier League and has already failed to pay the Scottish Premier League £3m it owes in television rights money. |
| Under the current UK broadcast deal for the English Premier League, which lasts for one more season, BSkyB holds four packages of rights to show live matches next season - a total of 92 games - while Setanta has the other two packages - which cover 46 games. | Under the current UK broadcast deal for the English Premier League, which lasts for one more season, BSkyB holds four packages of rights to show live matches next season - a total of 92 games - while Setanta has the other two packages - which cover 46 games. |
| Investment consultant Philip Graves told BBC Scotland: "It does look a very difficult one to take over - the costs of buying these TV rights is going up to ridiculous levels. | Investment consultant Philip Graves told BBC Scotland: "It does look a very difficult one to take over - the costs of buying these TV rights is going up to ridiculous levels. |
| "It's a bit like the football clubs changing hands for vast numbers as well. | "It's a bit like the football clubs changing hands for vast numbers as well. |
| "But rest assured there are always people with too much money and not enough sense to take on stakes in these sorts of things." | "But rest assured there are always people with too much money and not enough sense to take on stakes in these sorts of things." |