Live Nation and Ticketmaster are two major players in the live entertainment and ticketing industry. Many people use the names interchangeably or think they are the same company. However, while they are closely tied together, Live Nation and Ticketmaster are separate entities with some important distinctions.
In short, Ticketmaster is a ticketing service owned by Live Nation. When you buy tickets on Ticketmaster.com, you are using Live Nation’s primary ticketing platform. However, Live Nation also owns other ticketing platforms like Universe and owns and operates dozens of major venues and festivals globally.
The History and Connection Between Live Nation and Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster was founded in 1976 as a means for venues to sell tickets to events without having to handle their own ticketing operations. Over the decades, it grew into the largest ticket sales and distribution company in the world.
Live Nation was spun off from Clear Channel Communications (now known as iHeartMedia) in 2005. It focused on owning venues, promoting shows, and artist management.
In 2009, Ticketmaster and Live Nation announced plans for an $889 million merger. The deal helped the companies expand their services and dominance in the live entertainment industry, though it also drew anti-trust concerns.
As part of the merger agreement, Live Nation and Ticketmaster operate as separate entities with their own leadership and finances. However, Live Nation is the parent company that maintains majority ownership of Ticketmaster.
Comparing Live Nation and Ticketmaster
So what is the difference between Live Nation and Ticketmaster? Here is a quick rundown:
Live Nation
– Parent company that owns Ticketmaster and Universe ticketing platforms
– Owns and operates over 100 venues and festivals globally
– Promotes over 30,000 live events each year
– Manages over 500 artists
– Provides other services like sponsorships and travel packages
Ticketmaster
– Primary ticket sales and distribution service owned by Live Nation
– Sells tickets online at Ticketmaster.com and via Ticketmaster mobile apps
– Provides ticketing services for over 200 venues globally (including Live Nation venues)
– Offers Ticketmaster Resale (TICKETS) for secondary ticket market
– Operates as a separate brand and company from Live Nation
So in summary, Ticketmaster is a ticketing service owned by the larger Live Nation company. It provides ticketing that allows consumers to buy tickets for Live Nation venues/events as well as non-Live Nation venues/events.
Buying Tickets on Ticketmaster vs Live Nation
When you buy tickets on Ticketmaster.com, you are utilizing Live Nation’s main ticketing service. However, Live Nation also offers some ticketing options beyond Ticketmaster:
Buying on Ticketmaster
– Provides tickets to both Live Nation and non-Live Nation events
– Includes primary and resale (secondary) ticket markets
– Tickets available online, via mobile app, and by phone
– Fees and charges added to all ticket purchases
Buying on Live Nation
– Can buy tickets directly from LiveNation.com for Live Nation events only
– Universe ticketing platform owned by Live Nation provides tickets too
– Some venues sell tickets without fees onsite at box office
– Season passes available for certain Live Nation festivals
So in most cases, people buy tickets through Ticketmaster. But Live Nation does provide some direct ticket purchasing options for its own events and venues that bypass Ticketmaster fees and charges.
The Pros and Cons of Buying from Ticketmaster vs. Live Nation
Here are some key pros and cons to weigh when buying tickets from Ticketmaster vs going through Live Nation directly:
Ticketmaster Pros
– Huge selection of tickets to both Live Nation and non-Live Nation events
– Established brand name people know and recognize
– Convenient purchasing online, via app, or by phone
– Access to Ticketmaster Resale secondary ticket marketplace
Ticketmaster Cons
– Service fees and other charges drive up cost of tickets
– Fees are nonrefundable if event is canceled and refund issued
– Negative public opinion due to fees and upselling tactics
Live Nation Pros
– Can avoid Ticketmaster fees by buying tickets directly
– Better prices and value when buying direct
– Get access to season passes and packages not on Ticketmaster
Live Nation Cons
– Very limited selection of tickets to only Live Nation events
– Less purchasing options and convenience
– unknown alternative ticketing platforms like Universe
So there are good reasons on both sides to consider when purchasing tickets. The convenience and selection of Ticketmaster comes with the cost of higher fees. Buying direct from Live Nation has pricing advantages but very limited inventory.
Are There Other Alternatives to Ticketmaster?
Though Ticketmaster still has a stronghold on ticketing, there are some other options out there as alternatives:
– AXS – An AEG owned digital ticketing platform used by AEG venues and events
– Altium – An upstart ticketing service aiming to avoid service fees
– StubHub – eBay’s large secondary ticket marketplace
– VividSeats – Resale ticket marketplace with no seller fees
– SeatGeek – Ticketing app focused on affordability and transparency
– Local venue and festival websites – Some sell direct tickets without fees
However, Ticketmaster still largely dominates due to its integration with Live Nation venues and broad catalog of events. But consumers do have some alternative ticketing options for certain venues, artists, and events looking to avoid service fees.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster and Live Nation are very closely tied together, but operate as separate ticketing and entertainment entities. When you buy tickets on Ticketmaster, you are using Live Nation’s primary ticketing platform. But Live Nation also owns and operates venues, festivals, and ticketing platforms beyond just Ticketmaster.
Most people still buy via Ticketmaster for the convenience and broad selection. But savvy consumers can sometimes save on fees buying directly from Live Nation for Live Nation-promoted events and venues. There are also some alternative ticketing companies that serve specific venues or niche parts of the market.
So while the two companies are aligned, there are some important differences between Live Nation the entertainment giant and Ticketmaster its main ticketing service. Understanding their connection can help you make informed ticketing decisions.