
Live Nation CEO Confirms Streaming Giants in Talks for Exclusive Concert Pre-Sale Access
Live Nation's president and CEO Michael Rapino has confirmed ongoing discussions with major streaming services about incorporating concert ticket pre-sales into their premium offerings. These talks extend beyond Spotify to include Amazon Music and Apple Music.

Man in black against bricks
The potential partnerships would give streaming subscribers exclusive access to concert pre-sales, though Rapino emphasizes this access comes at a cost. "Pre-sale is a very valuable asset," he stated during Live Nation's recent earnings call, indicating that any deals would need to make financial sense compared to existing pre-sale partnerships.
This development follows reports about Spotify's upcoming Super-Premium tier, which is expected to include:
- High-quality audio
- Remix tools
- Exclusive concert ticket access
- An estimated $6 monthly premium over current subscription costs
Rapino highlighted potential scaling challenges, noting that while "everybody wants Beyoncé pre-sale," meeting such demand is complex. He referenced ongoing discussions with all three major streaming platforms to "find a model that may work for us and them."
The concert industry already offers multiple pre-sale options through various partners. For example, Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour featured pre-sales through:
- BeyHive fan club
- Official artist pre-sale
- Citi and Verizon Up (US)
- Mastercard (UK and France)

Concert crowd at Live Nation event
Spotify has already begun exploring live events, hosting performances like The Weeknd's "Billions Club" show and seeking staff to manage "live stage" experiences. While the streaming platform has some experience selling concert tickets directly, the success of these potential premium offerings will largely depend on pricing negotiations with promoters like Live Nation.

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