RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: NPR's business news starts with a musical merger hitting a sour note.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, Host: Their concern revolves around a major European ticket seller's ability to compete in the British market were the merger to take place. Regulators also say ticket prices could go up and customer service down. For their part, Live Nation and Ticketmaster say their merger would improve ticket price options and ticket technology, and, they say, increase attendance.
The proposed merger between concert promoter Live Nation and Ticketmaster is running into opposition from monopoly watchdogs in Britain. The Competition Commission issued a provisional ruling that says a merger of the two companies could "severely inhibit" a new rival from entering the market for live music events.