Live Nation hits back at ‘inaccurate and unbalanced’ Four Corners investigation
With Four Corners set to target one of Australia’s biggest media companies, Live Nation, on an upcoming episode, the live events giant has hit back at the ABC.
On Thursday, the national broadcaster announced that this coming Monday’s Four Corners look into Live Nation, claiming it is “squeezing out local competition by acquiring smaller independent operators”.
“Over 1,300 venues have shut down and major festivals have been bought out, cancelled, and closed. Now, a Four Corners investigation reveals how the corporation — and its ticketing arm Ticketmaster — are maximising profits at the expense of both consumers and artists,” a press release read.
In a statement given to Mumbrella, Live Nation slammed the show and the ABC.
They are clearly in PR spin, sorry damage control, mode. This will get ugly. Government grants to support some of their assets like Splendor in the Grass (which they own 30%) are epic. Live Nation received over $10 million from the NSW government over 2023-24 period, plus grants through the government’s Live Music Australia body totalling more than $200,000, including $100,00 for the 2024 Splendour, now cancelled. They also received $2.5m in Create NSW’s performing arts Covid support payments for “various performances” and an additional $5m through the Create NSW festival relaunch program. Where is all the money? That’s a lot of cash that could otherwise go to supporting local artists and local events. Anyways, the other question is why are gigantic corporations like this (Liberty Media owns Live Nation and F1 for reference) given so much taxpayer money? They are worth billions. The publicly traded Live Nation has a market cap of A$38.42 billion. Who makes these stupid decisions? I for one can’t wait to see the episode. Let the chips fall where they may.
Hi Bob,
You sound like you’d be great fun at dinner!
When I worked in PNG and the bush I listened and watched the ABC. From when I realised they were taken over by Woke Greenies a few years ago I stopped ✋️. Now even if I had no other choice I refuse to tune in to the ABC. I even left a diner with freinds because they were going to watch a program on the ABC. My grandfather ,Aussie Jarvis WW1 vet, famous 17th Battalion A.I.F. quote “If you only tell the TRUTH – you don’t have to remember the lie”. All the best Bob Jarvis.
Obviously they hit a nerve. I can only wonder when the questions were asked that they answered only a few days before it airs.