Ticketmaster Investigation

The proposed merger between Ticketmaster and Live Nation is to be the subject of a an investigation by the US justice department.

Two of the world's biggest ticket sellers and concert promoters, Ticket Master and Live Nation ended months of speculation on Tuesday (February 10th) when they announced a merger.

If the pair do eventually join forces this would create an entertainment company that could generate around $6 billion a year.

Ticketmaster was recently involved in a high profile row with Bruce Springsteen. The company were charged with selling tickets for Springsteen's upcoming tour, but controversially directed fans to a sister site, Ticketsnow, which charged higher prices.

In a furious statement from The Boss he decried the proposed merger, arguing it would create a monopoly.

A spokesman from the US Justice Department told Associated Press that antitrust lawyers "committed to vigorous enforcement of the merger antitrust laws and will conduct a thorough investigation of the proposed Ticketmaster/Live Nation transaction."