The Biz: Hints Of UK Probe Into Live Nation As States Seek Settlement Talk Details; Snoop At The Movies & More

The United Kingdom’s consumer protection watchdog may be teeing up a formal probe into Live Nation.

The Times reported that the Competition and Markets Authority has been contact live industry figures to arrange meetings, often a precursor to a formal investigation.

In May, a parliamentary committee called on the CMA to launch an inquiry after an investigation found a “culture of fear” surrounding the live giant.

“What particularly alarmed the Committee was not just the scale of Live Nation‘s market position across promotion, venues and ticketing, but the climate of fear we encountered during this inquiry,” Liam Byrne, the committee’s chairman, said. “The CMA should now launch a full market investigation, before the end of this year, so there can be proper scrutiny of whether consumers, artists and independent businesses are getting a fair deal.”

Live Nation said the committee’s findings “misrepresents the UK live music industry by relying on inaccurate data and unsupported conclusions.”

On this side of the Atlantic, a group of 21 states — all part of the coalition of states that pressed forward and won the antitrust suit against Live Nation — is asking U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian to allow discovery into the discussions that led to the settlement between Live Nation and the Department of Justice.

The AGs have “significant concerns that the Settlement is not in the public interest,” according to the letter filed with the judge.

The language is particular to the Tunney Act determination that Subramanian will make. Under the Nixon-era law that seeks to fight corruption in antitrust suits, a judge must determine that settlements are, in fact, in the public interest.

The terms of the settlement, the states say, “appear to be insufficient to meaningfully increase competition in the relevant markets and could also increase barriers to entry and reduce competition.”

The states also have concerns about the way the settlement was reached.

“Public reporting and Defendants’ recent filing further suggest to some states that the United States’s acceptance of the Settlement may have been influenced by individuals outside of the Department of Justice and concerns other than restoring or increasing competition,” the letter says.

Court filings indicate that Live Nation officials met with the White House’s Office of Legal Counsel, a highly unusual set of circumstances in a settlement discussion, which are generally handled by DOJ attorneys.

The states are seeking documents and information on the settlement’s provision that opens up Ticketmaster’s backend to other ticketers as well as information on why the 13 amps selected for divesture were chosen. The states also want to see communication related to the settlement between LN and DOJ officials.

Both Live Nation and the Department of Justice oppose the move.

Deezer Says Majority Of New Uploads Are AI

Streaming platform Deezer, which is one of the most aggressive anti-AI streamers, says more than half of new uploads on its platform are AI generated.

Already removing AI tracks from algorithmic recommendation, demonetizing them and prominently labeling them, Deezer said it will now begin removing many of them altogether.

“Moving forward, Deezer will systematically take down AI-tracks used for streaming fraud, and those that haven’t been streamed for at least 6 months,” the service said.

“Deezer has been at the frontline of fighting fraud and reducing payment dilution related to AI music for almost two years,” said Lanternier. “Now that half of all daily uploads are AI-generated tracks, we are taking additional steps to safeguard the rights of artists and songwriters, while maintaining focus on music that fans actually love,” Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier said. “We have reached a pivotal moment, but we have the technology to keep track of the development, and an ambition to do what’s right. If the industry can align and come together to create shared standards, we can build a healthy and sustainable music ecosystem, where great music wins.”

Snoop Gets A Biopic

Universal Pictures announced that its Snoop Dogg biopic “Snoop” will hit theaters in August 2027.

The project is the first under Death Row Pictures’ deal with NBCUniversal and it will be produced by Snoop himself along with DRP President Sara Ramaker and 8 Mile producer Brian Grazer.

Craig Brewer — who has helmed music-themed films Hustle & Flow and Song Sung Blue — will direct. Jonathan Daviss of Netflix’s Outer Banks will star.