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Breaking Down the Latest Ticketmaster Controversy
What the Ticketmaster Scandal Reveals About the Industry
Mo-Zed Dupree
September 24, 2024
MaurosArt
Ahhh, here we are again!
I recently covered the drama in Australia regarding the live music event scene. On how large venues were canceling events, and the smaller venues were closing up shop. Now we’re back up here in the northern hemisphere where another scandalous scene is being played out. And guess who has their thumb on the scales of this one, too?
The controversies surrounding the ticketing industry seem to be rearing its ugly head again. Given the history of the Ticketron and Ticketmaster days, back in the good ‘o rolling ‘80s and ‘90s. The highlight of these two scandals brought a lot of light upon critical issues brewing within the ticketing industry. We’re talking about monopolistic practices, regulatory oversight, and just plain ‘o consumer rights.
Historical Perspective: The Ticketron Scandal
Starting in the 1960s Ticketron was the first to pioneer the use of computerized systems for ticketing. However, allegations of bad behavior, greed, and an anti-competitive mean streak led to its downfall sometime in the early 1990s. When Ticketron was at the top of its game, it dominated the market, but competition from a new competitor in the form of Ticketmaster forced Ticketron to take unruly desperate measures to hold its ground. Ticketron’s scandal ended with its assets being broken up and a portion sold to the Carlyle Group, which, in turn, flipped and sold it to Ticketmaster. I guess that Ticketmaster is the master after all. With all that said, these events made it clear that for an environment for fair competition and practices there needed to be a regulatory oversight body set up in the ticketing industry.
Modern-Day Controversies & Challenges
Let’s jump to the present. Ticketmaster is now a subsidiary of… you guessed it, Live Nation. Yeah, and it’s also bogged down in its own nasty bed of controversies. The scrutiny from the chaos spilling over the brim during the ticket sales for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour back in 2022 coupled with the continuing investigation into the Oasis 2025 tour ticket sales are reminiscent of the old Ticketron days. We’re talking about allegations of dirty old tricks like monopolistic practices, along with a side dish of technical failures. All of this has led to another round of people crying out for regulatory reforms and maybe even the potential breakup of both Live Nation and Ticketmaster!
“The highlight of these two scandals brought a lot of light upon critical issues brewing within the ticketing industry.”
Check Out These Parallels!
1. Dirty Tricks. When it comes to monopolistic practices, both have been alleged to participate in this scandalous behavior. In an attempt to maintain market dominance, Ticketron hit the stumbling block pretty hard leading to its downfall, while Ticketmaster in turn, with enormous control of the ticketing market has created and revealed issues of wicked proportions.
2. The Impact on Consumers. Unfortunately, consumers have been affected in both cases. Ticketron’s tactics to limit competition most likely led to higher ticket prices and fewer choices for consumers. Likewise, Ticketmaster’s market dominance, coupled with technical failures laid the foundation for frustration and financial losses for ardent fans.
3. Regulatory Oversight. Increased scrutiny and regulatory reforms in the ticketing industry were the direct result of the Ticketron scandal. Today, the controversy stemming from the Ticketmaster controversy is sounding similar ‘calls’ for regulatory action, even calls for antitrust lawsuits and new legislation to protect consumers.
A Final Word
Given the Ticketron and Ticketmaster scandals, both share notable parallels given the decades between them. The displayed dangers of monopolistic practices, by both companies, illustrate the importance of regulatory oversight highlighting the needed protections for consumer interests. There are many crucial lessons to be learned from both of these companies as the industry evolves. Lessons to ensure that fair and competitive practices will help keep a strong and healthy market for all.
Did You Know?
The top selling singles of all time are Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (50 million), Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind ‘97” (33 million), Bill Crosby’s “Silent Night” (30 million), Mungo Jerry’s “In the summertime” (30 million) and Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” (25 million).
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Take The R ’n R Music Quiz!
Answers will be revealed in the next issue of Rhythm ‘n Role. Good luck!
1. Who sang “Runaround Sue”?
a) Dion b) Frankie Valli c) Bobby Darin d) Ricky Nelson e) Paul Anka
2. Which song by The Beatles was inspired by a dream Paul McCartney had?
a) “Yesterday” b) “Let It Be” c) “Hey Jude” d) “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” e) “Eleanor Rigby”
3. Who is known for the song “Georgia on My Mind”?
a) Ray Charles b) James Brown c) Otis Redding d) Marvin Gaye e) Sam Cooke
4. Which band performed “For What It’s Worth”?
a) Buffalo Springfield b) The Byrds c) The Doors d) The Mamas & the Papas e) The Turtles
5. Who sang “Unchained Melody”?
a) The Righteous Brothers b) The Everly Brothers c) The Platters d) The Drifters e) The Four Tops
Answers to last R ’n R issues Music Quiz: 1a, 2c, 3a, 4a, 5c
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