Ticketmaster and Live Nation to merge

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:20 pm

http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/42676

Ticketmaster and Live Nation to merge

Feb 10, 2009

Two of the world's biggest music businesses, Ticketmaster and Live Nation, are reportedly set to announce they have signed a merger.

If confirmed, the deal would create one of the most powerful groups in the music industry, taking in venue ownership, ticketing and artist management. The two companies would act under the name Live Nation Entertainment.

Politicians and artists have voiced opposition against the move, with Bruce Springsteen saying a merger would create "a near monopoly situation in music ticketing".

If the merger is approved, the joint company would be valued at $2.5 million, reports eFlux.com.

The news comes one day after it was announced that Ticketmaster is being sued for $500 million by two law firms over allegedly redirecting customers from its website to another site selling tickets at inflated prices.

As NME.COM previously reported, fans trying to buy tickets to see Bruce Springsteen through Ticketmaster were recently redirected from the site to TicketsNow.com, which charged hundreds of dollars more for tickets - despite face value tickets still being available.

Two Canadian law firms, Sutts, Strosberg in Toronto and Branch McMaster in Vancouver, have now filed lawsuits against Ticketmaster, citing complaints from clients who had tried in vain to purchase face value tickets from the Ticketmaster website.

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:44 pm

http://www.nme.com/news/bruce-springsteen/42709

US Justice Department investigates Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger

Feb 11, 2009

The US justice department announced today (February 11) that it is launching an investigation into the proposed merger of Ticketmaster Entertainment Inc and Live Nation Inc.

The massive ticket seller and concert promoter announced yesterday (February 10) that they intend to join forces to sell tickets, promote and book concerts and manage artists. The merger would create an entertainment behemoth that would generate an estimated revenue of $6 billion a year.

This has prompted an investigation to ensure that the new company would not be violating anti-trust laws and creating a monopoly. Federal antitrust lawyers are "committed to vigorous enforcement of the merger antitrust laws and will conduct a thorough investigation of the proposed Ticketmaster/Live Nation transaction," a Justice Department spokeswoman told the Associated Press.

Ticketmaster recently came under fire by Bruce Springsteen when the company allegedly directed Springsteen fans from its primary website to its resale site called TicketsNow, which marks us prices hundreds of dollars over face value. Springsteen criticised this practise with an open letter to fans on his website, as previously reported.

Ticketmaster has also repeatedly come under fire for charging substantial service fees on its tickets. The Justice Department investigation is expected to take several months.

alantig · 20 Sep 2006

Hopefully the DOJ won't roll over on this. LN was poised to actually compete w/TM on some fronts, but I'm beginning to think it was a ploy to force TM's hand. I don't think this would be good for concertgoers in any way.

Well, let me rephrase that. It's good for a couple chuckles. I did read somewhere that someone said this would be good for concertgoers because it would force artists to deal with only one company, and thus the merged company would be able to get reduced artist fees and drive the price of tickets down. I almost peed my pants on that one.

Alan

Jon Tyler · 24 Sep 2006

I was told by the manager of a few nationally-known bands that it is illegal for his company to act as a booking agency as well. I didn't really ask him to explain the reasons; but I suspect that those reasons are the same things that the DOJ needs to investigate.

prinny · **Joined:** 31 Oct 2006 **Posts:** 143

fuckin' monopolistic bastards! :sigh:

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Jun 10, 2009 1:31 pm

http://www.nme.com/news/u2/45241

Ticketmaster and Live Nation merger in jeopardy

Jun 10, 2009

A planned $700m (£428.5m) merger between ticket agency Ticketmaster and promoter Live Nation has been referred to the UK Competitions Commission by the Office Of Fair Trading (OFT).

The two music corporations announced they were to merge in February, effectively creating one of the world's most powerful music groups.

However, the OFT says it is concerned that the merger will result in live music competitors being forced out of the market.

"The OFT believes that there is a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition resulting from the proposed merger," a statement said.

A ruling by the Competition Commission is due by November 24, reports the BBC.

As well as owning music venues across the world, Live Nation also acts as a promoter for a number of high-profile acts including U2 and Madonna.

Dave Newton, business development director at rival ticket agency WeGotTickets, said that the merger would see music fans losing out.

"If you go wanted to see U2 for example, then you would have the same company which owned the rights to the artist, might well own the venue, is the promoter and is selling tickets on the primary and secondary markets as well," he explained.

"There's not much room for competitive pricing in that chain, and I really can't see the upside for fans."

In February, the US justice department launched it's own investigation into the merger.

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

If the antitrust people don't crack down on this, then they have no power. If TicketNation isn't a monopoly, then nothing is.

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

I've preferred Live Nation over Ticketmaster. They seem to be easier to deal with. Ticketmaster really screws people (linking them to their "pay premium site" for big shows like Bruce).

Ticketmaster and Live Nation to merge

Who is WANline