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Live Nation acquires Seatwave

By | Published on Friday 7 November 2014

Seatwave

Live Nation’s Ticketmaster has bought sometimes controversial secondary ticketing firm Seatwave – or, specifically, it’s acquired “operating assets from Seatwave” – a deal which will enable the ticketing giant to extend its resale business into a number of new European markets, including Germany, Italy and Spain.

The live sector has something of a love/hate relationship with secondary ticketing (aka online touting), of course, though major player Live Nation/Ticketmaster quietly got into the resale game in some countries, arguing that it’s better for online touting to be within an environment controlled by and ultimately benefiting the music business.

Ticketmaster’s US resale platform TicketsNow has caused some controversy along the way, though its UK secondary service Get Me In has generally avoided too much criticism, even when secondary ticketing has been under the spotlight in media and political circles over here.

Under the new deal, Seatwave will continue to operate separately but as “a Ticketmaster company”. According the official statement, this move “builds on Ticketmaster’s successful strategy of creating best-in-class, consumer-friendly resale platforms in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States”.

Live Nation big cheese Michael Rapino told reporters: “On a global basis we strive to deliver fans all of their ticket options in a safe and convenient marketplace. The acquisition of Seatwave is accelerating this strategy across Europe and we will continue investing in our platforms to provide fans the best ticket buying experience”.

Meanwhile Mark Yovich, President of Ticketmaster International, said: “Combining Ticketmaster’s ticketing and technology expertise with Seatwave’s business in additional markets allows us to provide fans with a better ticketing experience across Europe, with more ticket options to live events. We deliver quality services in the resale industry, which will continue to build consumer confidence and satisfaction in our resale marketplaces”.

And on his side of the fence, Seatwave CEO Ajay Chowdhury added: “This is great for Seatwave’s customers. Since our inception seven years ago we have given fans of live music, sport, theatre and comedy increased choice when buying and selling tickets”.



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