Joe Berchtold: Last News

Live Nation’s Ticketmaster plans to offer all-in upfront pricing at more than 200 venues and festivals, an announcement promoted by the White House as progress on its drive to eliminate “hidden fees” slapped on consumers.

President Joe Biden wants limits placed on concert ticket fees and TV and internet providers’ early termination charges, as the White House seizes on the practices as a sign of lack of competition in various business sectors.

The breakdown of Ticketmaster’s sale of Taylor Swift tickets last year triggered a high-profile Senate hearing on Tuesday, as a top executive from parent Live Nation Entertainment found himself apologizing for the debacle yet defending competition in the industry.

Selome Hailu Austin Stowell, Patrick Fischler, Bree Elrod and Philip Ettinger have been cast in “A Friend of the Family,” Peacock’s upcoming true crime limited series from UCP and showrunner and executive producer Nick Antosca.The series is based on the true story of the Broberg family, whose daughter Jan (Hendrix Yancey) was kidnapped multiple times over a period of years by Robert “B” Berchtold (Jake Lacy), a charismatic, obsessed family “friend.” The Brobergs — devoted to their faith, family and community — were utterly unprepared for the sophisticated tactics their neighbor used to exploit their vulnerabilities, drive them apart and turn their daughter against them. “A Friend of the Family” follows how their lives were permanently altered and how they survived.

Haley Bosselman editorThe return of live music is bolstering the pockets of the world’s leading live entertainment company. “It feels so good to be where we’re at now. We’re just seeing massive, pent-up demand for concerts globally,” Live Nation president Joe Berchtold said on CNN today.It was part of his discussion with CNN International anchor Julia Chatterley, during which he dove into the rebound of concert venue bookings.“Our festivals have been selling out faster than ever before.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLongtime Live Nation CFO Kathy Willard is retiring effective June 30, CEO Michael Rapino announced during the company’s earnings call on Thursday. The company is planning for Joe Berchtold, who currently serves as Live Nation’s president, to assume the role of president and CFO.

A month after suspending all tours amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, Live Nation's CEO will be forgoing his annual base salary and other executives will be taking pay cuts, the events promoter disclosed. Additionally, the company has amended its credit agreement to get access to up to an additional $120 million to $150 million as the concert industry has shuttered across the globe.

With the live events industry facing an uncertain future, Live Nation president/CEO Michael Rapino will forego his salary, part of a variety of cost-cutting measures the events promoter is implementing to save $500 million by the end of 2020. Live Nation will cut salaries for senior executives by up to 50%. Rapino's pay will go from $3 million to zero, president