Radio & Music News Weekly
The Justice Dept Is Suing Live Nation-Ticketmaster
LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT is in hot water with the DOJ (Department Of Justice) for allegedly breaking antitrust laws, and it could lead to big changes for the live music world, reported the New York Times.
The U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT is taking LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT to court and accusing them of acting like a bully in the live entertainment business. They’re accused of being too controlling by making venues sign deals only with them, pushing artists to use their services, and threatening other companies who want to compete.
The government says this has led to higher ticket prices and less innovation. They want LIVE NATION to be split up and stop the alleged unfair practices. According to the JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, LIVE NATION controls about 60 percent of concert promotions and roughly 80 percent of primary ticketing at major concert venues in the United States.
Attorney General MERRICK GARLAND said, “It is time for fans and artists to stop paying the price for LIVE NATION’s monopoly. It is time to break up LIVE NATION-TICKETMASTER. The American people are ready for it.”
Fourteen years ago, the government said it was okay for LIVE NATION to merge with TICKETMASTER. The outcome of this suit could change a lot with how concerts work. Live Nation is involved in almost everything in live entertainment, from promoting concerts to selling tickets.