June 22, 2009

By By Glenn Peoples, Nashville

-- Edgar Bronfman, CEO and chairman of Warner Music Group is profiled and interviewed in the Financial Times. Bronfman talked about the company's bond issuance ("a real vote of confidence"), multi-rights deals ("Fundamentally, we are the risk capital"), finding the right digital model (it "remains ahead of us") and moving to London ("a wonderful thing for my family"). And he offered some comments about the possibility of another attempted merger with EMI. "We'd like to achieve a happy medium where the bond market doesn't feel we're going to go crazy with acquisitions," he said, "which we certainly won't, but the company has the flexibility to do acquisitions which are attractive for both equity and debt holders." (Financial Times)

-- This Wednesday, Live Nation will eliminate the service fees on its 4-pack bundle of tickets. That comes out to a 40% savings, says the company, versus four individual ticket prices. (The deal covers Live Nation-ticketing amphitheaters. Parking and other fees may still apply.) Live Nation is doing a good job in milking the awareness generated by its "No Service Fee Wednesdays." Press coverage has been incredible. (Press release)

-- The four majors music groups have sued BT and UPC, owners of ISPs, in an Irish court. The music companies allege the ISPs are refusing to reduce illegal file-sharing on their broadband networks. (SBpost)

-- A consultant's report says the 18,000-capacity Amphitheater at Clark County, located near Portland, has lost $1 million to $3 million in each of its first five years. (The Oregonian)

-- Watch a keynote interview with Topspin's Ian Rogers from the NARM conference. (Vimeo)

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