Full Description

Live Nation, Inc. is a live music company. The Company owns, operates more than 159 venues, including House of Blues music venues and prestigious locations, such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. In addition, it also produces, promotes or hosts theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. During the year ended December 31, 2008, Live Nation, Inc. connected over 57 million fans, including over 52 million live music fans, with their favourite performers at approximately 22,000 events in 33 countries around the world. The Company operates in four business segments: North American Music, International Music, Artist Nation, Ticketing . In addition, it operates in the specialized motor sports, sports representation and other businesses, which are included under Other. In January 2008, the Company announced that the divestiture of substantially all of the remainder of its North American theatrical business to Key Brand Entertainment.

In November 2009, the Company closed the sale of its remaining United Kingdom theatrical venues and operations to The Ambassador Theatre Group, an owner and operator of regional theatres in the United Kingdom. In addition, on October 23, 2009, Live Nation closed on the sale of its one-third interest in the Dominion Theatre in London to The Nederlander Group. The Company acquired Heineken Music Hall and 51% in Amsterdam Music Dome in January 2008. It acquired 78.3% in DF Concerts in April 2008. The Company acquired 65% interest in Mirage Promotions FZ-LLC. It acquired Fantasma Productions Inc. in May 2008.In June 2008, it acquired the remaining 51% interest and 75% interest of Lugerinc. AB and Moondog Entertainment AB. The Company acquired 51% interest in Moi.Je Prod SAS. In October 2008, it acquired De-Lux Merchandise Company Limited and Emerge Media Ventures Ltd. In January 2008, the Company sold all of its North American theatrical business. In August 2008, it sold Friends & Partners Italia S.r.l. The Company’s motor sports business was sold in September 2008 and the Company sold the events business in October 2008.

North American Music

The Company's North American Music business principally involves the promotion of live music shows in its owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues. During 2008, Live Nation's North American Music business generated approximately 54% of the Company’s total revenue.

The Company typically book performers, arranges performances and tours, secure venues, provide for third-party production services, sell tickets and advertise events to attract audiences. It earns revenue primarily from the sale of tickets. Live Nation contracts with promoters to rent its venues for events and provide operational services, such as concessions, merchandising, parking, security, ushering and ticket-taking. It generates revenue primarily from the sale of food and beverages, parking, seating, venue sponsorships and ticket rebates earned on tickets sold through phone, outlet and Internet by third parties. In the Company's amphitheaters, the sale of food and beverage is outsourced and it receives a share of the net revenue from the concessionaire.

International Music

The Company's International Music business principally involves the promotion of live music shows in its owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues and the production of music festivals. For 2008, its International Music business generated approximately 28% of total revenue. The Company typically book performers, arrange performances and tours, secure venues, provide for third-party production services, sell tickets and advertise events to attract audiences. It earns revenue primarily from the sale of tickets. The Company either uses a venue it owns and/or operates, or rent a third-party venue.

Live Nation contracts with promoters to rent its venues for events and provide operational services such as concessions, merchandising, security, ushering and ticket-taking. It generates revenue primarily from rental income, the sale of food and beverages, venue sponsorships and ticket rebates earned on tickets sold through phone, outlet and Internet by third parties under its ticketing agreements for events it promotes.

Artist Nation

The Company's Artist Nation business principally involves the production and/or promotion of global music tours as well as providing various services to artists. During 2008, the Artist Nation business generated approximately 16% of total revenue. Live Nation generally hires artistic talent, develop sets and coordinate the performances of the events. It usually produces tours on a global basis. It generates revenue by sharing in a percentage of event or tour profits primarily related to the sale of tickets, merchandise and event and tour sponsorships. The Company's Global Artists segment includes its newly formed Live Nation Artists division. Live Nation Artists generates revenue primarily through the sale of fan club memberships, artist and special event ticketing and merchandise.

Ticketing

The Ticketing segment manages its digital online presence and completed the new Live Nation ticketing platform which was launched during the year ended December 31, 2008. Within its Ticketing segment, it manage its internal ticketing operations and online and wireless distribution activities, including the development of its Website www.livenation.com. This segment derives the majority of its revenue from service charges earned on tickets sold through its internal ticketing operations and from sponsorships. The tickets sold by this segment are the tickets that it allowed to sell directly to customers in North America under its agreements with outside ticketing agencies prior to the launch of Live Nation ticketing. Ticketing pays its North American Music segment a ticket rebate equivalent to the amount that they would have received had the ticket been sold by an outside ticketing agency. The remainder of the service charge is retained by Ticketing

The Company's competes with Anschutz Entertainment Group, Jam Productions, Palace Sports & Entertainment and NASCAR. The Company's competitors for online event sites include Ticketmaster and StubHub.