Ticketmaster-Live Nation Merger Unsettles Indie Promoters

“Ticketmaster and Live Nation — the biggest ticket seller and the largest live-event promoter — announced a $2.5 billion merger yesterday, creating a vertically integrated entertainment behemoth that has competitors nervous and federal regulators watching. What’s in it for ticket buyers is far from clear. The era of the dreaded ‘convenience charge’ might be ending — but there’s no guarantee of lower ticket prices.”