Unbelievable. The Obama administration has approved the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster by demanding a couple minor concessions. Ticketmaster has to sell off a unit that helps entertainment venues issue their own tickets. The company, Paciolan, will never be a big player, even with ownership by Comcast. And Ticketmaster has to license some other minor technology to Phil Anschutz.
This is bad for fans, venues and artists. And to think that Ticketmaster boss Irv Azoff and his wife were John Edwards supporters! Fortunately, Live Nation boss Michael Rapino ponied up for Obama.
UPDATE: A commenter calls our attention to this relevant information, from Billboard.biz last year. Uuugghh. I'm feelin' a little queasy.
