As the January launch of its ticketing operation draws closer, Live Nation has added another jewel to its roster of venues, New York City’s Roseland Ballroom. The mid-size, 3,200-capacity venue, considered one of the premiere facilities for its size in the city, hosts more than 100 shows and draws more than 100,000 fans a year. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the contract runs through 2014.
The deal follows Live Nation’s recent agreement with SMG, the world’s leading venue management company, to sell tickets at the North American facilities SMG operates.
By 2010 Live Nation estimates it will move more than 13 million of its own tickets annually through its North American ticketing operation, and believes that the SMG tickets will incrementally increase sales by another 25 percent annually.
In the past few years, Live Nation and the Roseland have presented shows by Madonna, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, and others.
“With Live Nation Ticketing, the content and ticketing model has changed,” said Larry Ginsberg, co-owner of Roseland Ballroom, in a statement. “I don’t need multiple partners to fill my venue and handle the ticket transaction with the fan. Live Nation and Roseland are the longest-running rock couple on Broadway so it makes perfect sense to trust them as my ticket company.”
“The fact that Larry has chosen us is another huge validation of our unique position as both a ticket service and content provider,” added Nathan Hubbard, CEO of Live Nation Ticketing. “Roseland Ballroom is an important strategic addition to our client portfolio.”
