Does Ticketmaster have a stranglehold on concert ticketing - or is it just 'bringing joy'?

"After amassing dominance over ticketing and artists' use of large amphitheaters, lead DOJ counsel David Dahlquist alleged, Live Nation constructed a "flywheel" of power that forced venue customers to stay within its ecosystem. It threatened or retaliated against them when they considered leaving. To even attempt to win business, Dahlquist said, ticketing rivals needed to offer "retaliation insurance" to venues worried about losing out on Live Nation shows by making the switch."

""Today, the concert ticketing industry is broken," Dahlquist told the jury in his opening statement. "It is controlled by Live Nation and the company it owns, Ticketmaster.""

"In Live Nation's telling, the story is more upbeat. The company aims to spread joy, and in fact, there's more concert venues than ever before, said lead Live Nation counsel David Marriott. "Saying you're better is not a THREAT!" one memorable slide told the jury, the last word written in red to underscore the point."

A federal antitrust trial began in Manhattan with the DOJ and state attorneys general arguing that Live Nation-Ticketmaster operates a monopoly in the concert industry. Prosecutors claim the company created a "flywheel" of power that locks venues and customers into its ecosystem, threatening or retaliating against those considering competitors. Rivals allegedly must offer "retaliation insurance" to venues to compete. Live Nation counters that the industry is thriving with more venues than ever, arguing that claiming superiority is not a threat. The six-week trial will determine whether Live Nation-Ticketmaster's market dominance violates antitrust laws.

Read at The Verge