Ticketmaster Completes China Exit

Latest News

April 13, 2010

Global ticketing agency Ticketmaster has completed its exit from the Chinese market.

Less than two years after acting as the ticketing agent for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Ticketmaster China ceased operations in February - a move that was lost amid the furore surrounding the United States Department of Justice approval of the Live Nation/ Ticketmaster merger.

Ticketmaster's attempt to break into the China market has been described as "one of the most entertaining corporate soap operas ever witnessed."

It began in May 2007, when Ticketmaster entered the mainland China market by purchasing local operation Emma Entertainment, founded by American Jonathan Krane.

Reportedly paying US$20 million for Emma Entertainment, according to the China Music Radar, "Ticketmaster may not have analyzed the operation they were purchasing closely enough in their eagerness to jump into the China market."

Acting as a concert promoter as well as ticketing agent Ticketmaster China endured a series of high profile setbacks including an incident when Icelandic singer Bjork sang a Tibetan independence song, safety issues during an extensive Avril Lavigne tour and cancellations of concerts by Oasis and Celine Dion.

Image: Beijing farewells the 2008 Olympics. Now Olympics ticketing agency Ticketmasters has farewelled China.

15th January 2010 - Shareholders approve Ticketmaster/Live Nation merger

6th February 2009 - Ticketmaster and Live Nation to merge?

25th July 2008 - Huge demand for last Olympic tickets

21st May 2008 - Further ticketing problems for Beijing Olympics

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.