Millions of music fans may face dearer concert tickets if a mega merger is allowed, watchdogs warned yesterday.
The Competition Commission needs to scupper a £500million tie-up between booking agency Ticketmaster and promoter Live Nation.
It is powerless to block the deal as both businesses are based in the US. But, fearing the move may get the goahead from American authorities, it yesterday revealed ways to limit its power here.
Options include forcing bosses to split or sell UK arms or make them flog tickets through rivals.
World No.1 Ticketmaster has 50% of the UK market, with nearest rival See Tickets about 20%.
Last year Germany's CTS, the global No.2, announced it wanted to expand here.
But that is unlikely if the Ticketmaster deal goes ahead, with the Commission saying: "It could lead to higher prices and lower service quality."
Live Nation is the world's largest concert promoter, with Madonna, Coldplay and U2 among stars on its books.
Singing legend Bruce Springsteen opposed the deal.
But Ticketmaster and Live Nation stated yesterday they "remain optimistic that it will ultimately be approved".
The Competition Commission needs to scupper a £500million tie-up between booking agency Ticketmaster and promoter Live Nation.
It is powerless to block the deal as both businesses are based in the US. But, fearing the move may get the goahead from American authorities, it yesterday revealed ways to limit its power here.
Options include forcing bosses to split or sell UK arms or make them flog tickets through rivals.
World No.1 Ticketmaster has 50% of the UK market, with nearest rival See Tickets about 20%.
Last year Germany's CTS, the global No.2, announced it wanted to expand here.
But that is unlikely if the Ticketmaster deal goes ahead, with the Commission saying: "It could lead to higher prices and lower service quality."
Live Nation is the world's largest concert promoter, with Madonna, Coldplay and U2 among stars on its books.
Singing legend Bruce Springsteen opposed the deal.
But Ticketmaster and Live Nation stated yesterday they "remain optimistic that it will ultimately be approved".
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