3 posts and columns on Michael Rapino

Ticketmaster-Live Nation Merger Gets Conditional Thumbs Up From DOJ (Plus D7 Video With TKTM CEO Azoff)

in News on January 25, 2010 at 4:46 pm PT

While many thought it would not sail through regulatory scrutiny easily, and it has taken a year, the merger of two entertainment industry giants–Ticketmaster and Live Nation–can go forward as long as a certain set of conditions is met, the Department of Justice said. And while DOJ’s antitrust head, Christine Varney, told reporters today that she warned the two companies that the federal government was prepared to litigate if necessary, it–well–did not. Now, the combined company will be able to do everything from selling tickets to booking artists to selling their T-shirts and more. Does this concentration of power mean ticket prices will go up for consumers?

Barry Diller: Trust Me–You’re Going to Love the Ticketmaster/Live Nation Deal

in Media on February 10, 2009 at 11:03 am PT

No one likes Live Nation, and everyone hates Ticketmaster. So this is going to be one tough merger to sell. But Barry Diller and crew are going to try anyway. Here’s a look at their talking points–and the ones their many critics have already been voicing.