Live Nation and Ticketmaster to Merge

Steven Finch — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:46:26 +0000

Are Live Nation and Ticketmaster planning to merge? According to a Wall Street Journal report emerging Tuesday evening, the answer is yes. The paper noted that the pair are “close to a merger,” citing “people familiar with the matter”. The tie-up would effectively combine the largest live concert conglomerate with the biggest ticketing company, resulting in a massive conglomerate. The deal, expected to be cashless, could be announced in a matter of weeks, according to the report.

Sounds like a big deal, though regulators could hold up the marriage. That is no small consideration, especially in light of the massive delays experienced by recent newlyweds Sirius Satellite and XM Satellite Radio. Those partners required both the approval of the US Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission (FCC), though the Justice approval on its own was quite lengthy.

Other issues are also worth noting. Live Nation just launched a homegrown ticketing service; a merger could effectively nix that attempt. Moreover, it remains unclear which party is actually acquiring, and where the top executives would land.

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Live Nation and Ticketmaster to Merge