Ticketmaster will offer ticket-buyers for The Cure’s US tour dates with partial refunds, following complaints over “unduly high” ticket fees. Yesterday (Thursday) frontman Robert Smith said that Ticketmaster’s high fees “sickened” him and went looking for answers from the ticketing company. One fan purchased four tickets at $20 (£17/€19) each, but incurred fees such as …
The Cure’s Robert Smith ‘sickened’ by TM fees, calls Platinum option a ‘greedy scam’
The Cure’s Robert Smith has said he is “sickened” by Ticketmaster’s fees on tickets for the English band’s US tour dates. Earlier this week, the band said that they had tried to keep ticket prices as low as possible. It was also announced that tickets for the majority of concerts would be non-transferable to protect …
Ticketmaster says it will be more transparent over ticket fees
Ticketmaster has said it will be more transparent about ticket fees, according to reports. Michael Rapino, chief executive of Live Nation, reportedly told investors that “We all want to know what is the true cost to see the show when we start shopping”. US President Joe Biden has been vocal in support of limiting ‘junk …
SeatGeek and Paciolan sent queries in TM antitrust probe – report
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly sought information from at least two of Live Nation-owned Ticketmaster’s rival ticketing companies, as part of the ongoing look into the company’s dominance in the ticketing industry. Bloomberg has reported that people familiar with the probe have said ticketing platform SeatGeek and ticketing and technology provider, with …
Music businesses offer support for Live Nation’s FAIR Ticketing Act calls
Over 20 live music businesses in the US have announced their support of Live Nation Entertainment’s call for a FAIR Ticketing Act. Live Nation announced its support for the initiative during the company’s most recent earnings call in February. FAIR stands for ‘Fans & Artists Insisting on Reforms in Ticketing’ and is calling for artists …
Consumer advocates promote ‘Ticket Buyer Bill of Rights’
Consumer advocates have released a set of principles that they believe can improve the live events ticketing market in the US. Consumer Federation of America, Fan Freedom, National Consumers League, Protect Ticket Rights and Sports Fans Coalition, have released a set of principles called ‘The Ticket Buyer Bill of Rights’. The ‘Bill of Rights’ is …
StubHub criticises Live Nation Entertainment’s calls for FAIR Ticketing Act
Resale platform StubHub has slammed Live Nation Entertainment’s calls for a FAIR Ticketing Act, arguing that it would strengthen its “control over the industry and consumers”. Last week, Live Nation revealed strong financial results for 2022 and its support for a new ticketing act, which calls for artists to be able to decide on resale …
US Senators call for continued examination of Live Nation and Ticketmaster ‘anticompetitive conduct’
US Senators Amy Klobuchar and Mike Lee, Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumers Rights, have called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to continue examining Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s ‘anticompetitive conduct’. Following the recent hearing, in which Live Nation Entertainment president and chief financial officer Joe …
Live Nation posts strong 2022 results, announces support for FAIR Ticketing Act
Live Nation Entertainment has witnessed its revenue soar by 44% to $16.7bn (£13.9bn/€15.8bn) in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic revenue in 2019. The entertainment giant brought in $13.5bn for concerts in 2022 compared to $4.7bn in 2021, and $2.2bn for ticketing last year compared to $1.1bn during the year prior. Sponsorship and advertising amounted to $968m …
US appeals court rejects Live Nation antitrust lawsuit
Entertainment giant Live Nation has avoided an antitrust lawsuit accusing it and Ticketmaster of exploiting its market power, and forcing inflated prices on fans. The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit yesterday (Monday) upheld a previous ruling and rejected a class-action lawsuit, as fans and concertgoers forfeited their right to sue when purchasing …