South Korean music label Hybe, which manages K-pop boy band BTS, has said it aims to sell its entire stake in entertainment company SM Entertainment, by accepting a tender offer from South Korean internet giant Kakao. According to a report from Reuters, Hybe will sell its 15.8% stake in SM Entertainment for 564 billion won …
Ticketmaster faces class action lawsuit over Drake tickets
Ticketmaster is facing a class action lawsuit over the cost of ticket prices to see Canadian rapper Drake, according to reports. The Toronto Star reported that Montreal-based law firm LPC Avocat has filed a class action lawsuit against Ticketmaster over allegedly price gauging tickets for Drake’s upcoming ‘It’s All a Blur’ tour. The newspaper obtained a …
Maoyan Entertainment continues to battle pandemic-affected trading conditions
Maoyan Entertainment, an entertainment services provider in China, has witnessed a decrease in its annual financial reporting in 2022, as the country continued to be affected by COVID-19 restrictions. Revenue decreased from RMB 3.3bn (£393m/€450m/$480m) in 2021 to total RMB 2.3bn in 2022, while gross profit was also down from RMB 1bn compared with RMB …
NFT-TiX partners with first US event
NFT-TiX has partnered with Breathe Convention, an event that is focused on accelerating the understanding and adoption of Web3 technology across numerous sectors. The collaboration will see NFT-TiX provide ticketing services for an event in the US for the first time. NFT-TiX is a NFT (non-fungible token) ticketing platform that utilises blockchain technology to deliver …
US Senators Blumenthal and Whitehouse introduce new junk fee legislation
US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse have introduced a new legislation that would eliminate excessive fees and enforce transparency in the marketplace around hidden fees. According to a press release from Senator Blumenthal, hidden fees cost Americans billions of dollars annually. The introduction of the ‘Junk Fee Prevention Act’ follows calls from President Joe …
NTIA-backed Surreal launches in the UK to champion live entertainment and experiences
A new platform has launched in the UK to champion live entertainment and experiences, with backing from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA). Surreal is a global live entertainment operating system for the hospitality industry, and has launched with a number of clients already including Boxpark, Eclectic Clubs and Bars, and Dirty Bones. The platform …
DEAG continues upward trajectory with record 2022
Entertainment company DEAG posted its highest revenue and EBITDA in company history in 2022. According to preliminary figures, revenue in 2022 amounted to €325m (£288m/$354m) compared to €90.7m in the year prior. This is an increase of 258% compared to 2021, and also an increase on the €185m posted in 2019. Consolidated revenue amounted to …
Cleveland Guardians launch monthly pass, celebrate 30th consecutive opener sellout
The Cleveland Guardians Major League Baseball (MLB) side has launched a new monthly pass, and has also announced that it has sold out its season opener against the Seattle Mariners on April 7. By selling out the season opener, the MLB side has sold out every home opener since Progressive Field (then Jacobs Field) opened …
CTS Eventim posts record results for 2022
Ticketing and live entertainment company CTS Eventim has revealed its full-year financials for 2022, with record results. Consolidated revenue amounted to €1.9bn (£1.7bn/$2bn) in 2022, representing an increase of 372% compared to the previous year’s €408m. Eventim offered a glimpse at the company’s successful 2022 earlier this month. The group’s normalised EBITDA amounted to €384m …
World Baseball Classic breaks attendance records in 2023
The 2023 World Baseball Classic broke attendance records, as well as viewership and merchandise sales records. This year’s event welcomed 1,306,414 people, which is the highest attendance in the history of the tournament. The 2023 total is also a 20% increase on the previous record in 2017 of 1,086,720. The tournament was hosted across Japan, …