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Ask HN: Why hasn't there been a real competitor to Ticketmaster yet?

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Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't there been a real competitor to Ticketmaster yet?

#71

Post by karl_gluck »

midnitewarrior wrote: post #46
dfxm12 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you like specific acts, sure. Or maybe some cities take independent venues more seriously than others. Growing up, ok I missed out on getting Metallica tickets because I didn't want to support clear channel (or Live Nation, or TM, etc...), but I still was able to see plenty of amazing metal bands in indie venues. Another interesting note: Weird Al is playing three venues within driving distance from me. Only one o…

Go see Weird Al. It was a really great show. My wife only knew one of his songs (Word Crimes, she's a professional editor), and she loved the show. I loved it too.

Strongly agreed. He played BlizzCon a few years back and it was my favorite part of the weekend.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't there been a real competitor to Ticketmaster yet?

#72

Post by orangecat »

jasode wrote: post #61

>With all the hate Ticketmaster has gotten [...], I'm surprised Ticketmaster still has a hold of pretty much the entire market. How are they doing this? This question is a common mystery because you're using the perspective of the fans . E.g. "I hate Tickemaster ridiculous fees because it's price gouging, etc" But the mystery of Ticketmaster being dominant is solved once you understand it from the perspective of the…

Entirely correct.

what they're saying is they want "a service that charges less money". But that idea conflicts with the venues/promoters/artists that want to charge more money.

And it also conflicts with the other fans who are willing to pay more. There is no possible world where you can reliably get Taylor Swift tickets for $25.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't there been a real competitor to Ticketmaster yet?

#74

Post by brudgers »

[this is probably not the answer you want to read]

Because Ticketmaster has been a force in the market for decades (at least since the 1980’s), the simplest market based explanation is that using Ticketmaster is often obviously the economically rational choice.

For example, many people who dislike Ticketmaster choose to buy tickets through Ticketmaster rather than exercise their alternatives. The same is true for performers and venues.

Because that is how markets work.

Any potential competitor has to do some, many. or all the things Ticketmaster does…not the least of which is staying in business…and that’s non-trivial.

Or at least that is what ordinary market economic theory strongly suggests.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't there been a real competitor to Ticketmaster yet?

#76

Post by maerF0x0 »

cogman10 wrote: post #47
maerF0x0 wrote: post #29

One component of the total picture also is that many of these stadiums/arenas are being funded by the public / tax payer often by tax breaks etc. and the politicians / lobbies are using their relationship to monopolize that public good. IMO every event at an area should go through a public auction / RFP of who is the ticketer for that event (maybe artist gets right of first refusal to pony up the difference for their…

This sort of thing is a strong argument (IMO) that these stadiums, arenas, theaters should be owned by the municipality they reside in. Fine, we can call it a public good which is why they have nice tax incentives. But why stop there? If its truly a public good then why shouldn't the public simply own it? Why isn't the city operating these venues and using the ticket prices to offset tax burdens? It might be harder t…

FWIW I actually prefer we simply tell private businesses that it's their responsibility to provide the environment/setting their employees work in. By that I mean if ticket master wants a monopoly they should have to build the stadiums too. No taxpayer money, incentives, land, or other interest group perks given.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't there been a real competitor to Ticketmaster yet?

#78

Post by cogman10 »

maerF0x0 wrote: post #76
cogman10 wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sort of thing is a strong argument (IMO) that these stadiums, arenas, theaters should be owned by the municipality they reside in. Fine, we can call it a public good which is why they have nice tax incentives. But why stop there? If its truly a public good then why shouldn't the public simply own it? Why isn't the city operating these venues and using the ticket prices to offset tax burdens? It might be harder t…

FWIW I actually prefer we simply tell private businesses that it's their responsibility to provide the environment/setting their employees work in. By that I mean if ticket master wants a monopoly they should have to build the stadiums too. No taxpayer money, incentives, land, or other interest group perks given.

I'm ok with either. Though I tend to think public ownership makes more sense because a city can only support so many venues in general.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't there been a real competitor to Ticketmaster yet?

#79

Post by alphager »

akudha wrote: post #59
alexose wrote: post #48

Ticketmaster obviously sucks, and their monopolistic business practices deserve a close look by regulators. But the core of it is that an unregulated ticket market actually supports these prices. Fans keep showing that they're willing to dig deep and outbid each other to attend these events in person. Ticketmaster realizes this, and have set up a business model that extracts accordingly. I think this is where us Amer…

Looking at the world cup ticket prices gives me a mini heart attack. I don't know who is responsible for such high prices (maybe a combination of FIFA and Ticketmaster?), but goddamn these prices are insane. It is going to price out most people. Either that, or people are going to get into debt, just to see a couple of matches to see their favorite teams play.

There are very limited seats (a few teens of thousands). Free market logic dictates that the 100000 richest fans get the tickets.

If you don't like it, you are not a true believer in a free market. There's a reason social democrat countries heavily subsidize culture.

Re: Ask HN: Why hasn't there been a real competitor to Ticketmaster yet?

#80

Post by 999900000999 »

Same issue with Match.

Competition emerges and Match/Ticketmaster just buys them out.

Just the other day I went to a non Ticketmaster show and I’ll go to another next week.

I go to a lot of hyper small shows, shows where the artist sells their own merch. So many opening acts it feels closer to an open mic.

I’d rather that, the 30 to 100 person shows than KENDRICK LAMAR in a mega venue.

I really hope to find small shows the next time I travel. I’ve no interest in BTS, but I’d love to see an underground Korean rap concert.

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