Ticketmaster Mogul Says He Can Save Music

Antitrust officials weigh concessions for Live Nation deal to pass

(NEWSER) - Concerned Justice Department are considering blocking a deal that would create a music industry behemoth—unless major concessions are made. Antitrust officials are worried about the effect the proposed Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger would have on consumer cost and may require the companies to make major concessions, insiders tell the Wall Street Journal. Opponents of the deal warn it could create "a virtual monopoly in the ticketing industry." More»

Firm will be run by Live Nation's CEO

(NEWSER) - Live Nation and Ticketmaster made public their merger plans today, though the combined concert-promotions and ticketing powerhouse is sure to face scrutiny by antitrust regulators, the Wall Street Journal reports.The new company is to be named Live Nation Entertainment; it's estimated the two will save $40 million by combining operations. More»

(NEWSER) - The music industry continues to reshape itself: Ticketmaster and Live Nation may announce a merger next week, the Wall Street Journal reports. The new company, called Live Nation Ticketmaster, would have ties to hundreds of top artists and expertise on everything from promoting shows—Live Nation is the world's largest concert promoter—to selling the tickets. Neither board has approved the move yet, and it would likely face anti-trust scrutiny by the feds. More»

Live Nation deal sign of industry upheaval

(NEWSER) - Rapper Jay-Z is about to decamp from record label Def Jam and sign a $150 million deal with concert promoter Live Nation, reports the New York Times. The deal, Live Nation's biggest to date, will give the superstar financial backing for tours, his own record label and other related ventures such as talent consulting. It reflects the ongoing scramble in the music business as CD sales plunge and fans download more and more of their music. More»

Judge blocks software after outcry from Hannah Montana fans

(NEWSER) - Fans frustrated in their pursuit of instantly sold-out online tickets caught a break yesterday when a federal judge halted the use of scalper software on Ticketmaster. RMG Technologies' software let prospectors buy out concerts and resell tickets at inflated prices, Reuters reports. "They're cheating consumers, and we're not going to stand for it anymore," said a Ticketmaster lawyer. More»