The UK Competition Commission revised its opinion that the deal could lead to music fans paying more for tickets to see live performances. The regulator found that it would not be in the new merged company's interest to shut out competition. The new company "would suffer significant and immediate losses, with very uncertain prospects for long-term gain," the Competition Commission said.
The regulator concluded that it would not be in Live Nation's interest to stop ticket sales through channels other than Ticketmaster. Similarly for Ticketmaster, the regulator believes it would not be in its interest to stop promoting events organised by companies other than Live Nation - because consumers may then go elsewhere.
The Competition Commission had also been concerned that the deal would hinder plans for German rival CTS Eventim, with which Live Nation already has a partnership agreement, to enter the UK market. The Commission concluded that "the extent of Eventim's success in the UK will be determined by its own efforts and abilities, and will not be affected significantly by the merger".
The deal has been approved in Norway and Turkey. The US and Canada have yet to give their rulings. When they announced the deal in February, Live Nation and Ticketmaster said the merger would improve ticket price options, increase attendance at events and make ticket technology better.
Farewell - Pete King, the London-born saxophonist who co-founded the Ronnie Scott's nightclub, has died aged 80. The jazz musician had been suffering a prolonged period of illness and died on Sunday afternoon, said a statement released on behalf of the venue. Current managing director Simon Cooke said: "It is with great sadness we heard about the loss of Pete King. That we are all now able to enjoy such a wonderful club is entirely down to his abilities."
King played with Scott in a number of ensembles before the pair decided to open their joint venture in Gerrard Street, Soho, in 1959. Scott took on the role of compère, while King ran the club day-to-day, booking artists from all over the world. It attracted major figures from the world of jazz, and its heyday was in the latter half of the 1960s, following its move to larger premises in Frith Street. Following the death of Scott in 1996, King continued to manage the club for nine years before deciding to sell the venue in 2005. It remains a centre of British jazz today.
McCartney Musings - Sir Paul McCartney has hinted that he would like to play a residency the O2 Arena, in London. The former Beatle, who is due to perform at the venue tonight (Tuesday), told Absolute Radio that he "quite fancied the idea" of an extended run of shows. He said: "Last time I ever did that was when The Beatles used to do Christmas shows, and it was brilliant because . . . you would be there for a week or two. It was fantastic, just dossing in your overcoat and everything."
Sweet Music - Gabriella Cilmi's Sweet About Me was the most played song in the UK this year, according to the body that collects royalties for songwriters. Coldplay's Viva La Vida came second in the list, while Take That had two hits in the top 10 - Shine at number five and Greatest Day at number nine. PRS for Music compiled a top 100 based on the number of times a songs was used on radio, TV, online or in concert.
(Jim Evans)
