Irish telco Eir has opened discussions over the potential acquisition of pay-television broadcaster Setanta Sports, according to the Irish Times newspaper.
The report said talks are at an advanced stage and a deal is likely to be finalised next year, subject to regulatory approval and competition clearance.
It is understood that Mickey O’Rourke, co-founder and majority shareholder of Setanta Sports, would remain with the broadcaster for a period after completion of the deal.
Eir and Setanta Sports are yet to comment on the reported negotiations.
The talks come after Setanta Sports last week extended an exclusive deal to carry pay-television broadcaster BT Sport’s channels in Ireland.
The carriage deal includes the BT Sport 1 HD, BT Sport 2 HD, ESPN on BT Sport HD and the new BT Sport Europe HD channels. Through the deal, coverage of Saturday 5.30pm Premier League matches will be available to Setanta subscribers. BT is said to have been made aware of the takeover talks.