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Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger under spotlight 11th June 2009

The merger of Ticketmaster and concert promoter Live Nation has been referred to the UKs competition commission-the Office of Fair Trading.

The US Justice Department is also investigating the proposed merger.

When the deal was announced in February, the two companies said the merger would improve ticket price options, increase attendance at events and make ticket technology better. Live Nation not only operates the majority of concert venues, but also manages many of the artists who play in them.

The company has signed artists including Jay-Z and Madonna to deals that include touring, publishing and albums (the so-called “360” deals), as well as huge concert promotion deals with the likes of U2 and Shakira.

The UK ruling will take place in November 2009.

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