Written by S. Monteban    Friday, 07 May 2010 13:12   
Live Nation Ticketmaster Merger Cleared in UK

Live Nation Entertainment, now the largest global concert promoter and ticketing company, after a merger with Ticketmaster and Live Nation Inc., received the nod today from the U.K. antitrust authorities following a second court-ordered review.

The merger of the two entertainment giants means that Live Nation Entertainment will control over 80% of primary ticket sales in the USA. A decision, on the merger, from the UK’s competition commission was ordered after an appeal from European competitor, CTS Eventim.

The commission first signed it off in December after resolving competition concerns in the British market. But in February, the case was reopened following complaints from competitor CTS Eventim that it wasn’t consulted during the process.

Live Nation Entertainment was also challenged by CTS Eventim in the USA over breach of contract, according to an S.E.C. filing, reported in the New York Times. Eventim is seeking unspecified damages on the grounds that Live Nation isn’t allocating enough tickets to its British business, among other things.

"We applaud this decision by the U.K. Competition Commission and are pleased to have the matter resolved," said Michael Rapino, President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation Entertainment.  "Our focus is on the future and continuing to execute our goals of driving innovation across the live event experience and strengthening the artist-to-fan connection."

The Competition Commission commented on their approval today saying it “...would not result in a substantial lessening of competition in the market for live music ticket retailing.”

“We have reconfirmed our original decision that the merger will not have a significant effect on the success or otherwise of Eventim,” Competition Commission Deputy Chairman Christopher Clarke said in the statement.

Live Nation Entertainment won U.S. antitrust approval in January. The combined company has a presence in almost every segment of live entertainment, including concert promotion, venue operation, ticket sales and artist management.

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