Re: A fresh tickemaster argument.

["Jeff House" <whocasa@hotmail.com>]

From: "Brian Wright" <lump_16@hotmail.com>
"So whats stopping individual concert venues from setting thier own price 
and selling thier own tickets online?"

They *need* Clear Channel.  Clear Channel controls promotion and has all the 
major talent in their control.  The one thing the venues need to draw 
customers is talent.  In some cases (as in Boston), Clear Channel has an 
equity interest in the venue.

In Boston we had a promoter called The Don Law Company.  Don Law was in the 
process of setting up his own ticket distribution network to rival TM in 
this market.  It is called Next Ticketing.  But a funny thing happened on 
the way to Don Law competing with TM, Clear Channel bought Don Law out.  
Next Ticketing still exists, but is used only for clubs, museums and other 
minor acts.

"If it all comes down to Clear Channel what's so evil about them? (Besides 
banning songs after 9-11) I know thier a monopoly'ish company themselves 
owning a few thousand radio and tv stations in the country.  Why is it thier 
say in what ticket prices should be?"

Good point.
They are THE most powerful player in the live entertainment market in the 
US.  They are more powerful than the bands, TM, brokers, etc.  The major 
bands must use Clear Channel or they can't mount a national tour in the big 
arenas.

I am saying that since they are the most powerful player, they have the most 
say in setting prices on the supply side.  Of course, we have the most say 
in setting prices on the demand side but we are not organized.  And (maybe 
most importantly) we have money and are willing to spend it.  This fact is 
the other 'villan' in the high price drama, but it is harder for me to blame 
the customer.  I am a liberal, remember :-)

Jeff

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