paidContent.org - Report: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Talking Merger

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Tameka Kee

paidContent.org
Wednesday, February 4, 2009; 2:06 AM

Ticketmaster and Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) are reportedly in merger talks, according to the WSJ. The deal would create a massive music and entertainment events sales entity?one that would likely garner scrutiny from the DOJ. Ticketmaster is already facing a possible Justice Department inquiry related to the botched sales?and subsequent price hikes?of Bruce Springsteen concert tickets, per the Hartford Courant.

Live Nation has served as an alternative to Ticketmaster for some?though the two companies had a sales partnership that expired at the end of 2008. Both companies have also brokered exclusive deals with various artists: Ticketmaster's ties to headliners like Christina Aguilera and The Eagles stem from its acquisition of artist rep firm Front Line Management, while Live Nation has signed on acts like Madonna and Jay-Z on its own.