Publishers and songwriters locked into Live Nation’s concert ecosystem face a seismic shift if a court forces Ticketmaster’s divestiture, potentially unlocking fairer ticketing that boosts live revenue streams and artist royalties without the monopoly squeeze.
States Trial Victory Ignites Breakup Talk
A jury verdict favoring more than 30 states has thrust a Live Nation-Ticketmaster breakup into serious contention, turning a once-unthinkable scenario into a live possibility. Live Nation plans to push pending motions and appeal any unfavorable rulings. When the antitrust trial began in early March, a forced divestiture seemed exceedingly unlikely. The landscape shifted fast as Live Nation settled with the DOJ, but the states plus D.C. chose to keep litigating over seeking a mistrial, and the jury backed the remaining plaintiffs. Judge Arun Subramanian now holds the reins on damages, penalties, and any remedies.
Senators and Advocates Demand Full Split
Third-party calls for selling off Ticketmaster are gaining steam. Six senators wrote to Judge Subramanian, slamming the DOJ settlement and insisting the only fix for live event ticketing monopolies is to undo Live Nation-Ticketmaster control across the industry. They pressed the court to use Tunney Act authority for an independent public interest review, including testimony from officials or experts and full disclosure of settlement communications, then reject it if flawed. National Consumers League’s John Breyault demanded policymakers break the stranglehold swiftly, while NIVA’s Stephen Parker stated Live Nation and Ticketmaster must split now. Live Nation remains confident the states’ case outcome will align with the DOJ settlement.
Jury Slams Ticketmaster’s Monopoly Tactics
Jurors ruled Ticketmaster willfully gained or held monopoly power in primary concert ticketing for major venues via exclusionary conduct. The DOJ settlement, though far from a full breakup, tackles jury issues by requiring Ticketmaster to let major concert venues sign non-exclusive primary-ticketing deals. It caps Ticketmaster fees at 15% for Live Nation-owned or operated amphitheaters and lets any promoter distribute up to 50% of primary tickets through chosen marketplaces for those venues. Live Nation also pledges no booking or co-promotion agreements granting it exclusive or preferred venue access.
What Happens Next in Court
Track Judge Subramanian’s rulings on damages, penalties, and divestiture alongside Live Nation’s motions and appeals, plus any Tunney Act scrutiny of the DOJ settlement.
SOURCE TYPE: TRADE
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