California changes Ticketmaster bill after feedback from music industry
A powerful and contentious Assembly bill in California has stirred up a storm in the music industry by proposing significant changes to the ticketing landscape. Initially designed to tackle consumer complaints against Ticketmaster, the bill took a turn when anti-resale provisions were added, allowing promoters like Live Nation to exclude StubHub and SeatGeek from selling concert tickets in California.
The bill, introduced by lawmaker Buffy Wicks, aimed to make the ticket market more competitive by outlawing Live Nation’s exclusive venue contracts that gave them a substantial market share after merging with Ticketmaster in 2009. It also included a groundbreaking clause that would have required Ticketmaster to allow rival ticketing companies and resale sites like StubHub and SeatGeek to sell tickets directly from their platform, creating a Kayak.com-style marketplace for tickets.
However, the proposal faced vehement opposition from various sectors of the live entertainment industry, including sports teams, concert promoters, and venue operators, who argued that it would strip them of their rights and benefit scalpers. Booking agent Sam Hunt expressed concerns about the bill’s impact on artists and fans, highlighting the flaws in the ticketing process.
In response to the backlash, Wicks amended the bill, exempting sports teams and giving artists the authority to determine ticket sale terms and conditions, possibly allowing them to block resale sites from selling their tickets. This shift in language marked a significant departure from the bill’s original intention and reflected a compromise with other legislators, albeit at the cost of losing support from secondary ticketing sites.
The ongoing battle between the music industry and the secondary ticketing market showcases the complex dynamics at play, with conflicting interests seeking to address issues of ticket resale, pricing, and distribution. The fallout from the Taylor Swift ticket sale crash has only intensified the scrutiny on Ticketmaster, leading to investigations and legislative attempts to curb its dominance.
As the revamped bill progresses through the legislative process, debates continue on the best approach to regulating the ticketing industry. Lawmakers grapple with questions of competition, fairness, and consumer protection, with diverse opinions shaping the future of ticket sales in California and beyond.
