SYDNEY (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The $150 million duopoly run by Ticketek and Ticketmaster in Australia is set for a shake-up.
Rupert Murdoch-led media powerhouse News Corp. has launched a new ticketing venture called Foxtix. The new endeavor is run by News Corp.'s Australian newspaper division, News Limited and could put a crimp in Live Nation's plans for expansion in the country according to TicketNews.
The move pushes to develop transaction revenue from News Limited's media websites. It also recognizes the fast growth of News's pub and indy ticketing agency Moshtix since it was acquired three years ago according to The Australian.
News Limited chairman and chief executive John Hartigan said the national ticketing service would mark "an aggressive entry into mainstream major event ticketing."
"This new venture will provide ticket buyers, venues and event promoters with a more powerful option than they are getting now and will open up new marketing opportunities for major events across News Limited's network of newspapers and websites," Mr Hartigan said according to The Australian.
News Limited will ally sister company MySpace with the agency "to capitalize on the widespread sharing of entertainment among audiences on social networking sites."
Mr Hartigan said Foxtix aimed to achieve three things: "To break up the cosy duopoly in ticketing in Australia, to give consumers access to lower booking fees and to utilise News Limited's media assets to give ticket buyers, venues, promoters and artists a stronger alternative to what currently exists in ticketing," according to The Australian.
— Crystal Lynn Huntoon
