DOJ Approves Merger of Ticketmaster, Live Nation

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 25, 2010 - 8:01am.

Los Angeles - The U.S. Justice Department on Monday approved the proposed merger between Ticketmaster (NASD: TKTM) and concert promotion giant Live Nation (NYSE: LYV). Under the terms, the company -- which will be called Live Nation Entertainment -- will divest Ticketmaster's self-ticketing subsidiary, Paciolan, to Comcast-Spectator, and license its Ticketmaster Host technology to rival concert promoter AEG.

The deal also includes other undisclosed "terms that protect competitive conditions in ticketing and promotions."

The companies said 17 State Attorneys General also participated in the consent decree filed in federal court in D.C.

The combined company will be led by Michael Rapino as CEO and president of Live Nation Entertainment, while Irving Azoff will serve as executive chairman and CEO of Front Line, and Barry Diller will be chairman of Live Nation Entertainment.

CNBC reported earlier today that the Justice Department would approve the deal, citing unnamed sources.

The deal was originally announced in February 2009, and would be valued at around $798 million today, Reuters noted.

The deal has drawn criticism from consumer advocates, musicians and others who foresee a reduction in competition in the live music industry, and the potential for higher ticket prices for consumers.

The Justice Department has been conducting an antitrust review of the deal, which was recently approved by U.K. regulators; earlier this month, the shareholders of both companies also voted overwhelmingly in favor of the merger.

The Wall Street Journal reported last October that the Justice Dept. would seek "major concessions" from the companies before approving any deal, while Reuters cited sources earlier this month who said that the Justice Dept. "has had a litigation team preparing the case for litigation for months."

http://snipurl.com/u6t2n (Silicon Alley Insider)

http://snipurl.com/u6t5i (DMW previous coverage)

http://snipurl.com/u6t61 (DMW previous coverage)

http://www.ticketmaster.com

http://www.livenation.com