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| UK watchdog supports Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger |
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In a highly unusual reversal of its decision in October the Competition Commission on Monday said it had been convinced that the deal would not damage the entry of Ticketmaster's biggest global competitor, Germany's Eventim, into the UK market. Eventim has a deal to sell a minimum number of tickets for Live Nation concerts. Competition Commission deputy chairman Christopher Clarke said: "We concluded that it was unlikely the merged entity would harm other ticketing agencies, promoters and venues." The £844 million merger of the two US companies with huge operations in the UK was slammed by rock legend Bruce Springsteen for creating a "near-monopoly situation". Opponents of the deal said their hopes rested on the US Department of Justice, which expects to make its ruling early in the New Year. More than 50 members of Congress have expressed their opposition to the deal and a website against the merger was launched last week. Related Articles: Block this music monopoly - TM/LN merger will hurt concert consumers. by David Balto (originally published at Philly.com)
Nine months after Ticketmaster announced its proposed merger with Live Nation, the Justice Department's antitrust investigation seems to be entering the ninth inning, and the bases are loaded. Numerous consumer groups and 50 members of... Live Nation Unloads U.K. Theatre Division for Approximately U.S. $160 Million Live Nation
, the world's largest live music company, recently announced that it has
closed the sale of its remaining U.K. theatrical venues and operations
to The Ambassador Theatre Group, an owner and operator of regional
theatres in the United Kingdom. In addition, on October 23, 2009,... Live Nation Reports Strong Third Quarter Results Live Nation (NYSE: LYV) released financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2009 today.
“We generated robust organic growth from our operations during the third quarter as we focused on executing our fundamentals with excellence during the peak concert season,” said... Live Nation, Ticketmaster profits take a hit due to Proposed Merger
Live Nation and Ticketmaster
Entertainment Inc. both stated that their earnings were hurt by
costs related to the proposed deal, which is expected to continue into 2010 as
regulators examine antitrust issues.
Comcast Jumps into Ticketmaster Live Nation Merger Fray According to recent reports from Bloomberg, Comcast is looking to help ease the Ticketmaster Live Nation merger by massaging and lobbying for the marriage. Comcast is the largest U.S. cable operator and controls an
arena-management as well as a ticketing company.
Live Nation Hires New Promoter Team in France Live Nation, the world's largest live music company, today announced
that it has significantly expanded its promoter team in France, the 6th
largest music market in the World.
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The UK industry watchdog, the Competition Commission, has
overturned its plans to block the merger of the world's biggest concert ticket
seller 