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Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

^No doubt, that is a different story. The only thing I would be concerned about would be resale corporations buying blocks (well, a bunch of) of seats, but I don't know if that's even possible. I know some markets have a lottery system for when season tickets become available.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

Jury Rules Live Nation Illegally Monopolized Ticketing Market

Quote:

Live Nation just took a hit that could reshape how Americans buy concert tickets. A federal jury in Manhattan on Wednesday found that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster unit illegally held monopoly power in the live-event ticketing business, siding with the 34 states plus DC after a five-week antitrust trial, NBC News reports. Jurors, who began deliberating on Friday, concluded that Ticketmaster's conduct led to fans in the plaintiff states paying an extra $1.72 per ticket at major concert venues.

US District Judge Arun Subramanian will decide what penalties and other remedies the company faces. The company could be forced to split from Ticketmaster, a move then-Attorney General Merrick Garland called for when a federal antitrust case was filed in 2024, the BBC reports. That case was settled last month.

Lawyers for the states argued that Live Nation dominated the industry end-to-end—ticketing, promotion, booking, and venues—and used that control to squeeze artists, venues, and fans, including by steering venues into long-term exclusive ticketing deals. Live Nation countered that its market share has been exaggerated and that being a large, aggressive competitor is not against the law. "Success is not against the antitrust laws in the United States," attorney David Marriott said in his summation, per the AP. The company's stock fell more than 6% after the verdict. During the trial, lawyers for the states cited messages from regional ticketing directors mocking "stupid" fans and boasting of "robbing them blind.'The 34 states rejected the Department of Justice settlement that required Ticketmaster to spin off up to 13 amphitheaters, reserve half of tickets at some venues for nonexclusive deals, and cap service fees at 15%. That deal, which Live Nation accepted without admitting wrongdoing, resolved the federal government's claims but not those from the states, which pressed ahead and won Wednesday's verdict.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta called the verdict a "historic and resounding victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them," NBC reports. "In the face of dwindling antitrust enforcement by the Trump Administration, this verdict shows just how far states can go to protect our residents from big corporations that are using their power to illegally raise prices and rip-off Americans," Bonta said in a statement.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

^An extra $1.72 per ticket? WTF?

Is this a joke?

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

Depending on how far back that goes it's actually not chump change. From the DOJ settlement I'd get nothing. For this, on the surface, I'd be in line for several hundred dollars

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

^I agree. My point is that suggesting that their unfair practices only made a difference of $1.72 per ticket is absolutely ridiculous.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

Quote:

Originally Posted by andicus (Post 14730249)

^I agree. My point is that suggesting that their unfair practices only made a difference of $1.72 per ticket is absolutely ridiculous.

Without reading the findings and verdict I'll recklessly speculate that the jury only took into account what Live Nation made in total. It's not punishing them for the extra money that artists got because their cut was also inflated by the monopoly. So Live Nation got $1.72 extra per ticket but the artist got $5/$10/$100 extra because the price could be controlled. So the buyer got socked twice but will only get compensation for the LN portion. Also they aren't getting anything for the parking and concessions and merch that LN profited from. LN/TM have several revenue generators that probably aren't covered in a lawsuit about ticket fees.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

Just an FYI - Live Nation started their annual $30 sale for select venues and artists. I hope we might see another one later in June as a lot of shows aren't selling well. Has the consumers finally had enough of these high prices? A few artists are immune realistic pricing but most aren't. Fingers crossed.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

A lot of tours have been canceled lately :

I think they’re right about ‘Weird” Al. I have tickets for a September show in MGM Garden Arena in Vegas that is mostly unsold.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/dvdtalk...227adb475.jpeg

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

I was curious and checked Pussycat Dolls in Chicago and it's mostly unsold, including up front which they are asking $200 to $500 per ticket, regular price, not platinum. The $30 tickets are the lawn seats way far back so that's not going to help, but they usually move the lawn people into the upper level seats to make the venue look more full.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

Maybe folks are finally getting tired of paying extortionate prices for tickets?

Isn't Meghan Trainor a one-hit wonder from about a decade ago? Is she even popular enough now to play 20,000 seat arenas? Only thing I remember her from is "All About That Bass" which was pretty much a novelty song.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

Weird Al I can understand. He had a massive tour last year. In my neck of the woods he hit two of the three biggest markets and a secondary market in NC. This year he’s schedule for the last major market in NC and the second biggest market in SC. That’s a lot of Al with in 250 miles of each other.

For the other ones they over estimated their popularity plus times are getting tough. An extra $50 to $100 a month per car is going to hit people and that money is going to come out of vacations and entertainment budgets first. We were talking to a few people in line yesterday. They acknowledged that they went way over budget for tickets and cancelled plans for other events because they know they don’t have the money. One guy was a teacher and is planning to get two jobs in the summer and his wife a second job too. They couldn’t have been more than 27/27.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

And there goes the Pussycat Dolls tour.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

They probably didn't come up with the term, but I'll give the Post credit until I hear otherwise -- "A Case of Blue Dot Fever" is objectively hilarious.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

:lol:

The article is free if you give your email so I don't feel bad about posting the whole thing.

Quote:

Post Malone, Meghan Trainor come down with serious cases of 'Blue Dot Fever' and it's spreading to other touring artists

When Post Malone canceled the first few weeks of his Live Nation-produced stadium tour with Jelly Roll on Friday, the rapper-turned-country star publicly said it’s because he wants to work on new music before hitting the road.

Some music sites instead cited low ticket sales, and music sources confirmed that Malone is afflicted with a condition that’s going around the industry right now: Blue Dot Fever.

“Seems that Post Malone came down with a serious case of Blue Dot Fever,” said a source, referring to the blue dots indicating available seats on a Ticketmaster seating chart. “And it’s contagious.”
“Seems that Post Malone came down with a serious case of Blue Dot Fever,” said a source. Getty Images for StagecoachA local news segment from El Paso, Texas, reported of Malone’s axed Sun Bowl show, “Ticketmaster showed a majority of tickets not sold,” showing the seating chart of the 50K-seat venue with a sea of blue dots. “The blue ones are empty seats.” (Malone has not had a new album since 2024, and went on an 80-gig stadium tour from April to September last year, before announcing the now-paused Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2.)

Malone said publicly that the cancelations were not because of low ticket sales, but, “truth is, I promised y’all beautiful people new music, and I don’t have the time to finish it before tour starts. We ain’t ready for tour just yet, so I’m making the decision to push the tour back about 3 weeks to get this music done.”

Also coming down with an alleged case of Blue Dot Fever: Meghan Trainor. She canceled her entire “Get in Girl” tour, also from Live Nation, last month, citing work-life balance after welcoming her third child in January. Some reports alleged that ticket sales were partly to blame, but Trainor told fans: “Balancing the release of a new album, preparing for a nationwide tour, and welcoming our new baby girl to our growing family of five has just been more than I can take on right now, and I need to be home and present for each and all of them at this time.”

Zayn Malik has also put his entire Live Nation summer tour on ice, but cited unspecified health reasons after sharing a photo from a hospital bed a couple weeks ago. Ticket sales were “soft, judging by seating maps on Ticketmaster,” Variety reported. Either way, Malik updated fans on his health by telling them: “I’ve been at home recovering and I’m doing well and will be better and stronger than before.”

Whatever the case, one veteran ticket doctor said Blue Dot Fever is going around because “everybody’s high on their own supply. Will the artists finally push back? It’s hurting the fans. The question [for Post Malone] is: Why is he doing another stadium tour? Post Malone will probably need to cancel a bunch more dates. Guess what? Nobody bought tickets — everything is priced so high. It’s all a bad situation.”

Kid Rock had to reduce prices 50%. I haven't had time to see how last weekends event went expect a headline that rain delayed the first day.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

Live Nation extended their $30 sale for two more days. Just got an email from MetLife about a 2-1 deal for the second Ed Sheeran show at the end of summer. For some of the Springsteen shows the resale market has collapsed. Will this be the dying days of revenge spending and FOMO ticket buying? I’m all for it.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

^ It doesn't actually affect me in any way now, but I just checked and was relieved to see there are still zero cheap tickets to Springsteen at MSG on the secondary market. :lol:

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

:lol:
^ MSG and Boston are definitely the top of this Springsteen market. They did drop back of the stage today for both MSG shows but not in the $133-$175 range as other cities. The Monday show still has some but it's $322.00. Atlanta had the first row back of the stage for $175. I was tempted but glad I didn't because they didn't have any screens you could see from behind. Barclay’s has lower bowl. The show at the USB center in New York had a weak resale market. The only East coast show that hasn’t shown strong sales is Pittsburg. Tickets are and have been readily available. It’s a weird market because I’m noticed that in the past.

This trend for live entertainment is pretty clear. Finally. It’s been due for a reset in pricing.

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

This Olivia Rodrigo show is at T-Mobile Arena, an AXS venue instead of Ticketmaster.
Okay, not that I had any hope of actually getting tickets, but come on -- I queued up before tickets went on sale at Noon. This is ridiculous.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/dvdtalk...20aacb7924.png

Re: Ticketmaster--where's the outrage?

Check your emails Ticketmaster customers. This was in my spam folder concerning the case action case.

NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF CLASS ACTION
Popp, et al. v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C.,
Case No. 22-cv-00047-GW-KES
United States District Court for the Central District of California If you purchased a primary ticket for certain concert events directly from Ticketmaster or an affiliate Live Nation entity since 2010, a class action has been filed that may affect your rights A federal court authorized this Notice. This is not a solicitation from a lawyer.

Para una notificación en español, visite www.TicketmasterFeeClassAction.com This Notice is to inform you about your rights in a lawsuit known as Popp, et. al. v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C., Case No. 22-cv-00047-GW-KES that is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the “Court”). Plaintiffs bring this class action against Defendants Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (“Live Nation”) and Ticketmaster LLC (“Ticketmaster”) to recover alleged damages they suffered from paying allegedly supracompetitive fees on primary ticket purchases from Ticketmaster’s online platforms. The case Popp, et. al. v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C. was previously captioned Heckman, et al. v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C.

Live Nation and Ticketmaster deny Plaintiffs’ claims and deny any liability. The Court has not decided who is right. The Court has decided that the legal claims brought by Plaintiffs can proceed as a nationwide class action.

You are a class member if you meet ALL of the criteria below:

You are an individual in the United States.
You purchased a primary ticket and paid associated fees for primary ticketing services.
Your ticket was purchased for a concert event at what Plaintiffs call a “major concert venue” (defined by Plaintiffs as the top 500 United States concert venues by ticket sales according to Pollstar in any year from 2010 to the present) in the United States.
Your ticket was purchased directly from Ticketmaster or one of its affiliated entities owned, directly or indirectly, by Live Nation.
Your ticket was purchased at any point since 2010.

Excluded from the class are Defendants; the officers, directors or employees of Defendants; any entity in which any Defendant has a controlling interest; any affiliate, legal representative, heir or assign of Defendants; federal, state or local governmental entities; any judicial officer presiding over this action and the members of his/her immediate family and judicial staff; any juror assigned to this action; and any purchaser that is judicially determined in this case to be subject to an enforceable arbitration agreement with Ticketmaster or Live Nation that governs the claims asserted in Popp, et. al. v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C., Case No. 22-cv-00047-GW-KES. If you are a class member, you can: (1) do nothing or (2) ask to be excluded (“opt-out”) from the class.

Do Nothing: If you do nothing, then you will remain in the class, which will indicate that you wish to pursue your rights against Defendants in this case, and you will be bound by all past, present, and future orders, findings, and judgments in this class action, whether favorable or unfavorable. If any money is awarded to the class, through either settlement or judgment after trial, you may get a share of the award. But by staying in the class, you will give up your right to sue Defendants separately for the claims in this case, whether individually or as part of a class.

Exclude Yourself: You will NOT be bound by the Court or jury’s decision. You will keep your right to sue Defendants separately about the same legal claims in this lawsuit. But you will not get any money or benefits that may come from a trial or settlement. To opt-out of the class, you must send a written request including: (1) a statement that “I wish to opt-out of the class in Popp, et al. v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster L.L.C.” or words to similar effect that make clear your intention to be excluded from the class, (2) your full name, email address, telephone number, and mailing address, and (3) your handwritten signature and the date. Your request for exclusion must be mailed and postmarked on or before July 6, 2026 to:

Ticketmaster Fee Class Action
c/o JND Legal Administration
P.O. Box 91126
Seattle, WA 98111

The trial date is set for July 6, 2027. For updates, please visit www.TicketmasterFeeClassAction.com. The Court appointed the law firms of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, and Keller Postman LLC to represent the class as “Class Counsel.” You do not need to hire your own lawyer because Class Counsel is working on your behalf. But, if you want your own lawyer, you will have to pay that lawyer. For example, you can ask your own lawyer to appear in Court for you if you want someone other than Class Counsel to speak for you. This Notice summarizes the class action. For more information, visit www.TicketmasterFeeClassAction.com or contact Class Counsel whose contact information can be found at this website; contact the Notice Administrator at 1-833-216-4458; or access the Court docket in this case through the Court’s Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system at https://ecf.cacd.uscourts.gov/.

Questions? Visit www.TicketmasterFeeClassAction.com
or call toll-free at 1-833-216-4458

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT
TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS CASE