Critics — including performers, politicians and competitors — have argued that Live Nation wields far too much power in the live entertainment industry.
The Justice Department plans to file an antitrust lawsuit against concert promoter Live Nation, people familiar with the investigation confirmed Tuesday.
The specific allegations remain unclear, and the timing of a lawsuit is uncertain. But performers, politicians, scholars, rival promoters and other ticket sellers have argued that Live Nation wields far too much power in the live entertainment industry, with the ability to withhold the best shows from venues that do not use the company’s Ticketmaster service.
Public criticism peaked in November 2022 after Ticketmaster’s website crashed under extraordinary demand for tickets to pop star Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour.” At that time, the Justice DepartmentIn the view of critics, Live Nation and its ticketing platform achieved outsize market dominance that harms consumers through exorbitant fees, dynamic pricing and a poor customer experience.
In 2019, Live Nation agreed to extend court oversight of its 2010 merger with Ticketmaster following an investigation that found the company “repeatedly” violated the terms of its merger. The company also agreed to several clarifications to the court-monitored agreement, including that the company could not threaten to withhold concerts from a venue if they used a ticket vendor other than Ticketmaster.
Depending on what charges are filed, the government could seek to unwind the Ticketmaster merger, McCuaig said. He noted that the Justice Department has sought such a remedy in its“This DOJ has been more aggressive than previous administration DOJs about looking at old mergers and deciding that they may have made a mistake in letting something through previously that could now be unwound with a successful antitrust suit,” McCuaig said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Department of Justice to File Antitrust Lawsuit Against Live NationThe Department of Justice is preparing to file an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, alleging that the company has undermined competition in the ticketing market. Live Nation has faced criticism for charging excessive fees and surcharges for ticket sales.
Read more »
Justice Department to sue Ticketmaster, Live Nation for alleged monopoly over ticketing industry: reportTicketmaster's parent company, Live Nation, could face an anti-trust lawsuit from the Department of Justice as soon as next month, a report says.
Read more »
'This is all a definition of monopoly': Anti-trust lawsuit expected against Live NationThe Justice Department is expected to file an anti-trust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment
Read more »
'This is all a definition of monopoly': Anti-trust lawsuit expected against Live NationThe Justice Department is expected to file an anti-trust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment
Read more »
'This is all a definition of monopoly': Anti-trust lawsuit expected against Live NationThe Justice Department is expected to file an anti-trust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment
Read more »
Apple Sued By Dept. of Justice for Monopoly on SmartphonesUncle Sam is taking Apple to court -- claiming they have a monopoly on the smartphone business and that the interconnected nature of their products is a little too anti-competitive.
Read more »