The proposed Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger is about to come to a head. In the next few weeks, the U.S. Department of Justice will be deciding whether to permit the merger, which, if approved, will have a drastic impact on the future of the live music industry.
For those unfamiliar with details of the merger, here are a few key points:
- Ticketmaster and Live Nation are the preeminent ticketing and concert promotions agencies in the United States. A merger would allow the single Ticketmaster-Live Nation agency ownership of over 100 venues and management of contracts for over 300 artists.
- The merger would prevent competition from local, independent promoters in cities across the U.S. It would essentially ignore U.S. antitrust laws.
- Ticketmaster is already known for charging high "convenience" fees. Merging with Live Nation would further allow Ticketmaster to monopolize ticket prices as the new Ticketmaster-Live Nation agency gained control of the market through the elimination of competition.
Fortunately there are ways you can help to prevent the merger from happening. Please take a moment to support independent concert promoters and concert-goers alike by sending a letter to Assistant Attorney General Christine A. Varney of the Department of Justice.
For more information on the merger, check out TicketDisaster.org.