Antitrust Trial: Live Nation & Ticketmaster Face Fans' Wrath

0:00It's April 9th, I'm Cory with the story, and this is entertainment and celebrity news today, AI-powered and star driven. Closing arguments wrapped up in the antitrust trial, where 34 states are taking on live nation and ticket master. The states claim these companies dominate the concert-ticketing world, controlling 86% of major gigs and 73% when you. Add sports events, which jack sub-prices for fans, their lawyer hammered home that it's time to break that grip under antitrust laws. Earlier this year, the federal government settled its part of the case, scoring some wins like better ticket sales at live nation's amphitheaters, that pushed the trial back a week, while states tried and mostly failed to negotiate more. Now it's down to civil proof, just over 50% likelihood of monopoly power. Fans have felt the sting was soaring ticket costs, and one live nation employee even admitted in emails mocking customers as clueless while bragging, about raking them over. Defense fired back that success isn't a crime, and the industry's booming with more competition than ever.

1:05Live nation's teens stressed they're just delivering top products from years of hustle, helping venues and artists rake in cash like never before. They owned being the biggest player, but said that's legal in America. Jurors got their instructions from the judge, and could start deliberating as early as late Thursday or Friday, so we'll know soon if change is coming, to how we score those concert seats.