Feathers are being ruffled over the possibility of a Ticketmaster Live Nation merger. If successful, the 82% increase in concert ticket prices that has already occurred in the past 12 years will most likely be trumped and topped by the monopoly. Five of the nation’s most prominent public interest groups have called on the Department of justice to block the merger. Music fans worried about their wallets aren’t alone in their concern, and a number of consumer groups and lawmakers are a buzz about the ramifications of this event.
- “We cannot envision a remedy that would ease this chilling impediment to competition… In the absence of other effective, expeditious remedies, the proposed transaction should be prohibited.” American Antitrust Institute White Paper
- “Consumers deserve a fair deal in the entertainment marketplace, not the fewer choices and higher prices that would result from this merger,” - Susan Grant, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Federation of America.
- “This merger is an insult to both musicians and consumers,” said James Love, Director of Knowledge Ecology International.
- “This merger will not only expand Ticketmaster’s control of the ticketing market by eliminating a competitor, but it is also creating an entity that will control the entire chain of the concert business - from artist management to concert promotion and production to ticketing and ticket resale.” -As described by Senator Herb Kohl (WI) in the Senate Antitrust hearing.
- “This merger would be a disaster for consumers. Nothing short of blocking this takeover of the ticket market by two industry behemoths will be acceptable,” National Consumers League Executive Director Sally Greenberg.
Not only as consumers, but also as music lovers should people be concerned about the monopolization of the ticket industry. Pricing, service fees, per head parking, and other ridiculous price gouging tactics should not exist as it is, but could possibly become the norm even in the most local of venues if the take over by these two groups continues.
Local venues, promoters, and musicians urge you to let your voice be heard and contact the U.S. Department of Justice about stopping this merger.
Email concerns here:
[email protected]
For more information, visit these sites:
Public Interest Groups Call on Justice Department to Block Ticketmaster/LiveNation/Comcast Merger
American Antitrust Institute’s White Paper TICKETMASTER - LIVE NATION
Philadelphia Weekly’s cover story “Monopoly Rules”
