The US Wants to Break Up Ticketmaster and Live Nation: Everything to Know

Core Viewpoint - The Department of Justice, along with 29 states and Washington, DC, has filed a federal lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation Entertainment, alleging that they unfairly dominate the live events industry and must be broken up to restore competition and benefit consumers [2][7]. Group 1: Allegations Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster - The lawsuit claims that Live Nation-Ticketmaster has an illegal monopoly over the live events industry in the United States, leading to higher fees for fans, fewer opportunities for artists, and limited choices for smaller promoters and venues [3][7]. - The DOJ alleges that Live Nation engages in exclusionary practices, such as retaliating against venues that do not sign exclusive deals and blocking them from using multiple ticketing services [8]. Group 2: Live Nation's Response - Live Nation's executive vice-president argues that the lawsuit misleads the public and that ticket prices will not decrease as a result of the legal action, claiming that the company's market share has actually declined since 2010 [4][9]. - Live Nation contends that the lawsuit ignores other factors contributing to high ticket prices, such as rising production costs and the popularity of artists, and suggests that the DOJ's actions are a distraction from practical solutions [10]. Group 3: Potential Impact of the Lawsuit - The lawsuit could take years to resolve, and there is no guarantee that ticket prices will decrease even if the DOJ's goals are achieved [10]. - The DOJ is seeking a jury trial, but a court date has not yet been set, leaving ticket buyers uncertain about the timeline for any potential changes [11].