Podcast Summary: The Commercial Break – Episode: "Obey Your Master, Ticketmaster!"
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of The Commercial Break, hosts Bryan Green and Krissy Hoadley delve deep into the convoluted and often frustrating world of live event ticketing. Titled "Obey Your Master, Ticketmaster!", the episode explores the escalating costs of concert and event tickets, the monopolistic practices of major ticketing companies, and the detrimental impact on both consumers and artists.
1. The Dominance of Ticketmaster and Live Nation
Bryan and Krissy begin by examining the stranglehold that Ticketmaster and Live Nation have over the ticketing industry. They highlight how these corporations have merged, consolidating power and marginalizing competition.
Bryan Green [43:54]: "Ticketmaster gives most of those fees back to the venue. It's how Ticketmaster gets the business of the venue... They become the fall guy because they're set up to be the fall guy."
They reference Pearl Jam's failed attempt to break free from this system, emphasizing the challenges artists face when trying to escape the monopolistic practices of these giants.
Krissy Hoadley [45:37]: "It's set up for that purpose. And they're okay with that because it's such a lucrative business."
2. Impact on Consumers and Artists
The conversation shifts to the soaring prices of tickets and the cascading effect on both fans and musicians. The hosts discuss how fees and resales have inflated costs, making live events less accessible.
Chris Joy Odley [04:23]: "It's basic economics, supply and demand."
Bryan shares personal anecdotes about purchasing expensive tickets, such as paying thousands for a Taylor Swift concert, and questions the fairness of such pricing structures.
Bryan Green [05:46]: "I went and saw her at her last concert in LA... It was the most expensive ticket I have ever paid for."
They breakdown the revenue splits, revealing that after venue costs, management fees, and other expenses, artists often receive a meager portion of each ticket sale.
Deborah Duddles [34:33]: "Something Corporate's actual profit from that $70 ticket is about $10."
3. The Role of Scalpers and Brokers
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to understanding the role of scalpers and ticket brokers in exacerbating the problem. The hosts discuss how these intermediaries use advanced tools and tactics to hoard tickets, driving prices astronomically high.
Bryan Green [25:33]: "This has become an MLM, essentially. It's an MLM."
They recount experiences with brokers like Elite, who utilize bots and multiple accounts to secure large quantities of tickets, leaving genuine fans at a disadvantage.
Deborah Duddles [62:44]: "They buy tickets and then they resell them, and then they buy some more tickets and they resell them..."
4. Regulatory Attempts and Challenges
The hosts touch upon legislative efforts aimed at curbing the misuse of bots in ticket purchasing, such as the Bots Act. However, they point out the ineffective enforcement of these laws, noting that violations remain rampant.
Deborah Duddles [65:15]: "The Federal Trade Commission has enforced the actual just once. Even his brokers seem to violate it daily."
Despite these challenges, there is a growing call for more stringent regulations to dismantle the monopolistic practices entrenched in the industry.
5. Potential Solutions and Industry Dynamics
Bryan and Krissy explore possible remedies to the ticketing crisis. They debate whether breaking up Ticketmaster and Live Nation could restore fairness or if alternative models for ticket sales might offer relief.
Bryan Green [25:33]: "This has become an MLM, essentially. It's an MLM. And even though there are, there's a real product involved, the independent ticket brokers can charge whatever they want and they do."
They also discuss the idea of platforms like StubHub partnering more transparently with artists to ensure fairer ticket distribution and pricing.
Deborah Duddles [70:51]: "StubHub is offering to share their profits from resold tickets with musicians like Andrew McMahon."
However, the hosts remain skeptical about the feasibility of these solutions without significant systemic changes.
6. Personal Stories and Anecdotes
Throughout the episode, Bryan shares his personal encounters with ticket scalpers and the moral dilemmas they pose, such as choosing between reselling tickets for profit or allowing genuine fans to attend events.
Bryan Green [61:59]: "I'm screwing you. I sure am."
These stories underscore the emotional and financial toll that the current ticketing system imposes on both artists and fans alike.
Conclusion
Bryan and Krissy conclude the episode by acknowledging the complexity of the ticketing industry's issues. While they express frustration with the status quo, they also recognize the challenges in enacting meaningful change. The hosts emphasize the need for ongoing dialogue and awareness to push towards a more equitable system for all stakeholders involved.
Bryan Green [75:53]: "We just have some ideas. But one of those ideas was to start the commercial break, so don't trust me on anything, okay?"
They wrap up by inviting listeners to engage with their upcoming events and continue supporting The Commercial Break in its mission to navigate and critique the chaotic landscape of modern entertainment.
This episode of The Commercial Break provides a comprehensive and critical look at the current state of live event ticketing, highlighting the systemic issues and personal impacts of monopolistic practices within the industry. Bryan and Krissy successfully blend humor with insightful analysis, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on a pervasive modern dilemma.