Live Nation Entertainment Reports First Quarter 2010 Financial Results

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"During the first quarter, we moved forward with integrating our operations, streamlining our cost structure and strengthening our balance sheet," said Michael Rapino, President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation Entertainment. "We remain on track in eliminating redundancies and driving a minimum of $40 million in merger synergies across our operations in 2010. In addition, we believe that our recently closed debt refinancing will further improve our financial position by providing operating benefits through a simplified capital structure and substantially improved liquidity. Our core concert and ticketing businesses are entering the busiest time of the year and show count and ticket sales globally remain on track to achieve our plan for 2010."

"Our current artist pipeline is strong and we are excited about the upcoming tour cycles for several of our key artists, including the Eagles, Christina Aguilera, John Mayer, Kings of Leon and Ke$ha," said Irving Azoff, Executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment. "We have expanded our artist management operations by opening an office in London and adding new artist relationships including the Glee tour. With the completion of the merger, we are focused on streamlining our combined merchandise businesses to drive profitability."

Key operating metrics related to the Live Nation business, as outlined below, include the legacy Ticketmaster operations from the date of the merger through March 31, 2010.

  METRICS


  (Unaudited; $ in millions except as noted)

                                 Q1         Q1      Variance
         Key Drivers            2010       2009       (Qtr)
                          CONCERTS
                          --------
  Talent Costs and Other
   Event Direct Operating
   Expenses                     $327.8     $328.8      (0.3%)
  Talent and Other Event
   Expenses as % of Total
   Revenue                        80.3%      79.6%
  Number of Live Rights
   (Concerts) (est.)             4,467      4,451        0.4%
  Total Attendance
   (rounded, est.)           6,835,000  7,054,000      (3.1%)
  Total Revenue per
   Attendee (whole $)           $59.71     $58.57        1.9%
  -------------------
                         E-COMMERCE
                         ----------
  # of Tickets Sold on
   TM.com & LN.com
   (rounded, est.)          18,296,000  1,605,000         **
  # of Average Monthly
   Unique Visitors
   (rounded, est.)          26,100,000  7,000,000         **
  Online Advertising &
   Upsell Revenue                $11.5       $1.6         **
                         SPONSORSHIP
                         -----------
  Number of Sponsors -as
   of period end (est.)            375        304       23.4%
  Sponsorship Revenue
   Recognized                    $21.2      $19.2       10.4%
  Average Sponsorship
   Revenue per Sponsor
   (rounded, whole $)          $57,000    $63,000      (9.5%)
  --------------------         -------    -------     ------
                          TICKETING
                          ---------
  Royalty & Other Direct
   Ticketing Expenses           $103.1       $5.0         **
  Royalty & Other Direct
   Ticketing Expenses as %
   of Total Revenue               49.4%      55.6%
  # of Tickets Sold         25,143,000  3,424,000         **

  **Not meaningful



  (Unaudited; $ in millions, tickets in thousands)

                            First Quarter - 2010
                            --------------------
                          Gross
                          Value     Ticket    Ticket
                            of      Volume      Mix
    Primary Ticketing
     Volume Trends by     Tickets    Total     % of
       Category (1)        Sold     Tickets   Total
    -----------------     -------   -------
  Concerts                   $910    13,123       52%
  Sports                     $215     4,804       19%
  Arts & Theater             $186     3,605       14%
  Family                     $123     2,784       11%
  Other (2)                   $71       827        4%
  -------------------         ---       ---      ---
    Total                  $1,505    25,143      100%

  (1)  The number and gross value of tickets sold are inclusive of
  primary and secondary tickets.
  (2)  Other category includes tickets for: comedy shows; parking;
  audio and facility tours; donations; lectures; and seminars.

Our results of operations, as outlined below, include the results of the legacy Ticketmaster operations from the date of the merger through March 31, 2010.

                      REPORTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - 1st QUARTER
                      -------------------------------------------
                                      (Unaudited)
                                      -----------

                                    Q1 2010        Q1 2009      Growth
                                    -------        -------      ------
                                              ($ in millions)
  Revenue
    Concerts                            $408.1         $413.2     (1.2%)
    Artist Nation                         69.4           41.7      66.4%
    Ticketing                            208.9            9.0     **
    Sponsorship                           21.2           19.2      10.4%
    E-Commerce                            18.1            1.8     **
    Other & Eliminations                  (2.7)             -     **
                                          ----            ---     ---
                                        $723.0         $484.9      49.1%
                                        ======         ======      ====

  Adjusted Operating Income
   (Loss)
    Concerts                            $(42.5)        $(27.4)   (55.1%)
    Artist Nation                          0.8           (0.9)    **
    Ticketing                             45.8           (3.1)    **
    Sponsorship                            8.6            5.8      48.3%
    E-Commerce                             7.7           (2.9)    **
    Other & Eliminations                   0.2            0.2      -
    Corporate                            (19.2)         (11.2)    **
                                         -----          -----     ---
                                          $1.4         $(39.5)    **
                                          ====         ======     ===

  Operating Income (Loss)
    Concerts                            $(72.9)        $(62.3)   (17.0%)
    Artist Nation                         (8.4)          (4.2)    **
    Ticketing                             15.8           (5.9)    **
    Sponsorship                            8.4            5.7      47.4%
    E-Commerce                             5.0           (4.5)    **
    Other & Eliminations                   0.2            0.1     **
    Corporate                            (33.0)         (13.4)    **
                                         -----          -----     ---
                                        $(84.9)        $(84.5)     -
                                        ------         ------     ---
      Acquisition Expenses:
           Concerts                         $-           $0.1
           Artist Nation                   0.2              -
           Ticketing                       3.7              -
           Sponsorship                     0.3              -
           E-Commerce                      0.2              -
           Other & Eliminations              -              -
           Corporate                      14.2            3.7
                                          ----            ---
                                       $(103.5)        $(88.3)   (17.2%)
                                       =======         ======   =======

                                        Margins
                                      -------
  Adjusted Operating Income
   (Loss)                        Q1 2010   Q1 2009
                                 -------   -------
    Concerts                       (10.4%)    (6.6%)
    Artist Nation                     1.1%    (2.2%)
    Ticketing                        21.9%    **
    Sponsorship                      40.6%     30.2%
    E-Commerce                       42.5%    **
    Other & Eliminations
    Corporate

                                      0.2%    (8.1%)
                                      ===    ======

  Operating Income (Loss)
    Concerts                       (17.9%)   (15.1%)
    Artist Nation                  (12.1%)   (10.0%)
    Ticketing                         7.6%    **
    Sponsorship                      39.6%     29.7%
    E-Commerce                       27.6%    **
    Other & Eliminations
    Corporate

                                   (11.7%)   (17.4%)
                                  -------   -------
      Acquisition Expenses:
           Concerts
           Artist Nation
           Ticketing
           Sponsorship
           E-Commerce
           Other & Eliminations
           Corporate

                                   (14.3%)   (18.2%)
                                  =======   =======

  ** percentages are not meaningful

The highlights of our financial information for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the first quarter of 2009 are as follows:

  Revenue change - Total increase of $238.1 million, primarily driven by:
  --  $243.9 million - Increase in Artist Nation, Ticketing and E-Commerce
      segments primarily driven by the incorporation of Ticketmaster results
      after the completion of the merger.
  --  $18.0 million - Foreign exchange movements, primarily in Concerts.
  --  ($21.8) million - Decline in Concerts driven by a decrease in the
      number of events and attendance for amphitheaters, arenas and clubs.

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) change – Total increase of $40.9 million, primarily driven by:

  --  $53.2 million - Increase in Ticketing, Artist Nation, E-Commerce and
      Corporate primarily resulting from our merger with Ticketmaster.
  --  ($15.1) million - Decline in Concerts primarily related to a $13.4
      million allowance recorded related to collectibility concerns around
      certain artist advances and a slight decline in show results.

Operating Income (Loss) change – Total decrease of $15.2 million, primarily driven by:

  --  $40.9 million - Overall increase in Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)
      noted above.
  --  ($17.2) million - Increase in depreciation and amortization primarily
      driven by the incorporation of the Ticketmaster results after the
      completion of the merger.
  --  ($14.8) million - Acquisition expenses, primarily in Corporate and
      Ticketing.  These costs are primarily related to severance expenses
      and transaction costs related to the Ticketmaster merger.
  --  ($4.8) million - Increased loss on sale of operating assets primarily
      due to the $4.5 million loss resulting from our sale of Paciolan in
      the first quarter of 2010.
  --  ($19.3) million - Increase in non-cash compensation expense primarily
      driven by equity awards exchanged and accelerated due to the
      Ticketmaster merger.

  Other Information -
  --  We currently expect capital expenditures to be approximately $100.0
      million for 2010, with approximately half of that amount expected to
      be spent on maintenance capital projects.
  --  We have transitioned our Live Nation tickets in our owned and/or
      operated venues in North America from our ticketing platform back to
      the Ticketmaster Host platform.
  --  As of March 31, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents were $825.2
      million and our total long-term debt was $1,526.8 million, including
      $117.0 million outstanding on our revolving credit facility.  Free
      cash as of March 31, 2010 was $162.6 million and free cash flow was
      ($36.3) million for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to ($57.6)
      million in 2009.
  --  For the three months ended March 31, 2010, maintenance capital
      expenditures were $7.3 million and capital expenditures for revenue
      generating projects were $4.7 million, a total of $12.0 million as
      compared to $12.6 million in 2009.

  Live Nation Combined Financial Summary

In order to give comparable information, the results of operations below include the results of the legacy Ticketmaster operations from the date of the merger (January 25) through March 31 for each of 2010 and 2009.

                     COMBINED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - 1st QUARTER
                     -------------------------------------------
                                     (Unaudited)
                                     -----------

                                    Q1 2010        Q1 2009     Growth
                                    -------        -------     ------
                                             ($ in millions)
  Revenue
    Concerts                            $408.1        $413.2     (1.2%)
    Artist Nation                         69.4          73.0     (4.9%)
    Ticketing                            208.9         255.6    (18.3%)
    Sponsorship                           21.2          19.2      10.4%
    E-Commerce                            18.1          14.6      24.0%
    Other & Eliminations                  (2.7)            -     **
                                          ----           ---     ---
                                        $723.0        $775.6     (6.8%)
                                        ======        ======    ======

  Adjusted Operating Income
   (Loss)
    Concerts                            $(42.5)       $(27.4)   (55.1%)
    Artist Nation                          0.8           2.2    (63.6%)
    Ticketing                             45.8          46.8     (2.1%)
    Sponsorship                            8.6           5.8      48.3%
    E-Commerce                             7.7           6.0      28.3%
    Other & Eliminations                   0.2           0.2         -
    Corporate                            (19.2)        (24.4)     21.3%
                                         -----         -----      ----
                                          $1.4          $9.2    (84.8%)
                                          ====          ====   =======

  Operating Income (Loss)
    Concerts                            $(72.9)       $(62.3)   (17.0%)
    Artist Nation                         (8.4)        (10.5)     20.0%
    Ticketing                             15.8          28.9    (45.3%)
    Sponsorship                            8.4           5.7      47.4%
    E-Commerce                             5.0           3.9      28.2%
    Other & Eliminations                   0.2           0.1     **
    Corporate                            (33.0)        (27.8)   (18.7%)
                                         -----         -----   -------
                                        $(84.9)       $(62.0)   (36.8%)
                                        ------        ------   -------
      Acquisition Expenses:
           Concerts                         $-          $0.1
           Artist Nation                   0.2             -
           Ticketing                       3.7             -
           Sponsorship                     0.3             -
           E-Commerce                      0.2             -
           Other & Eliminations              -             -
           Corporate                      14.2           4.9
                                          ----           ---
                                       $(103.5)       $(67.0)   (54.5%)
                                       =======        ======   =======


                                        Margins
                                      -------
  Adjusted Operating Income
   (Loss)                        Q1 2010   Q1 2009
                                 -------   -------
    Concerts                       (10.4%)    (6.6%)
    Artist Nation                     1.1%      3.0%
    Ticketing                        21.9%     18.3%
    Sponsorship                      40.6%     30.2%
    E-Commerce                       42.5%     41.1%
    Other & Eliminations
    Corporate

                                      0.2%      1.2%
                                      ===       ===

  Operating Income (Loss)
    Concerts                       (17.9%)   (15.1%)
    Artist Nation                  (12.1%)   (14.4%)
    Ticketing                         7.6%     11.3%
    Sponsorship                      39.6%     29.7%
    E-Commerce                       27.6%     26.7%
    Other & Eliminations
    Corporate

                                   (11.7%)    (8.0%)
                                  -------    ------
      Acquisition Expenses:
           Concerts
           Artist Nation
           Ticketing
           Sponsorship
           E-Commerce
           Other & Eliminations
           Corporate

                                   (14.3%)    (8.6%)
                                  =======    ======

  ** percentages are not meaningful

  Live Nation Combined Metrics

In order to give comparable information, selected metrics below include the results of the legacy Ticketmaster operations from the date of the merger (January 25) through March 31 for each of 2010 and 2009.

  (Unaudited; $ in millions except as noted)

                                                     Variance
        Key Drivers         Q1 2010      Q1 2009       (Qtr)
                          TICKETING
                          ---------
  Royalty & Other Direct
   Ticketing Expenses          $103.1       $137.6     (25.1%)
  Royalty & Other Direct
   Ticketing Expenses as
   % of Total Revenue            49.3%        53.8%
  # of Tickets Sold        25,143,000   29,931,000     (16.0%)
  -----------------        ----------   ----------    -------



  (Unaudited; $ in millions, tickets in thousands)

                            First Quarter - 2009
                            --------------------
                           Gross
                           Value     Ticket    Ticket
                             of      Volume      Mix
    Primary Ticketing
     Volume Trends by     Tickets     Total     % of
       Category (1)         Sold     Tickets   Total
    -----------------     --------  --------
  Concerts                  $1,240    17,127       57%
  Sports                      $215     5,114       17%
  Arts & Theater              $207     4,174       14%
  Family                      $113     2,714        9%
  Other (2)                    $81       801        3%
  -------------------          ---       ---      ---
    Total                   $1,856    29,930      100%
    -----                   ------    ------      ---
  (1)  The number and gross value of tickets sold are inclusive of primary
   and secondary tickets.
  (2)  Other category includes tickets for: comedy shows; parking; audio and
   facility tours; donations; lectures; and seminars.

  Conference Call:

The company will host a teleconference today, May 10, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, which can be accessed by dialing 888-603-6873 (U.S.) or 973-321-1019 (Int’l) and referencing passcode 63943468. To access the call via webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.livenation.com/investors. Please visit the website approximately ten minutes prior to start time to ensure a connection. Additional statistical and financial information to be provided on the call, if any, will be posted supplementally under that same link. For those who are not available to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call on the Live Nation website through May 17, 2010.

About Live Nation Entertainment:

Live Nation Entertainment is the largest live entertainment company in the world, consisting of five businesses: concert promotion and venue operations, sponsorship, ticketing solutions, e-commerce and artist management. Live Nation seeks to innovate and enhance the live entertainment experience for artists and fans: before, during and after the show. In 2009, Live Nation sold 140 million tickets, promoted 21,000 concerts, partnered with 850 sponsors and averaged 25 million unique monthly users of its e-commerce sites. For additional information, visit www.livenation.com/investors.

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

                                                   Three Months Ended
                                                       March 31 ,
                                                       ----------
                                                      2010        2009
                                                      ----        ----
                                                  (in thousands except
                                                   share and per share
                                                          data)
  Revenue                                         $722,953    $484,912
  Operating expenses:
  Direct operating expenses                        485,153     373,060
  Selling, general and administrative expenses     231,271     140,902
  Depreciation and amortization                     59,319      42,083
  Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets            4,571        (264)
  Corporate expenses                                37,124      13,532
  Acquisition transaction expenses                   9,017       3,858
                                                     -----       -----

                  Operating loss                  (103,502)    (88,259)
  Interest expense                                  26,505      17,255
  Interest income                                     (674)       (990)
  Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated
   affiliates                                         (547)       (183)
  Other expense (income) - net                      (1,068)      1,694
                                                    ------       -----

  Loss from continuing operations before
   income taxes                                   (127,718)   (106,035)
  Income tax expense (benefit):
  Current                                           (1,842)      1,699
  Deferred                                         (13,488)     (1,613)
                                                   -------      ------

  Loss from continuing operations                 (112,388)   (106,121)
  Income (loss) from discontinued operations,
   net of tax                                         (303)      2,964
                                                      ----       -----

  Net loss                                        (112,691)   (103,157)
  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling
   interests                                          (738)       (450)
                                                      ----        ----

  Net loss attributable to Live Nation
   Entertainment, Inc.                           $(111,953)  $(102,707)
                                                 =========   =========

  Basic and diluted net income (loss) per
   common share attributable to common
   stockholders:
  Loss from continuing operations attributable
   to Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.               $(0.76)     $(1.33)
  Income (loss) from discontinued operations
   attributable to Live Nation Entertainment,
   Inc.                                                  -        0.04
                                                       ---        ----

  Net loss attributable to Live Nation
   Entertainment, Inc.                              $(0.76)     $(1.29)
                                                    ======      ======

  Weighted average common shares outstanding:
           Basic and diluted                   146,300,907  79,601,562
                                               ===========  ==========



                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

                                                                December
                                                  March 31,        31,
                                                         2010        2009
                                                  (unaudited)  (audited)
                                                  -----------  ---------
                                                      (in thousands)
                          ASSETS
  CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents                          $825,197    $236,955
  Accounts receivable, less allowance of $8,511
   as of March 31, 2010 and $8,230 as of December
   31, 2009                                           263,952     176,179
  Prepaid expenses                                    468,557     277,599
  Other current assets                                 51,395      27,133
                                                       ------      ------
  Total current assets                              1,609,101     717,866
  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
  Land, buildings and improvements                    875,035     875,958
  Computer equipment and capitalized software         177,085     131,875
  Furniture and other equipment                       165,409     156,756
  Construction in progress                             26,810      17,398
                                                       ------      ------

                                                    1,244,339   1,181,987
  Less accumulated depreciation                       459,247     432,003
                                                      -------     -------

                                                      785,092     749,984
  INTANGIBLE ASSETS
  Definite-lived intangible assets - net              952,118     442,641
  Indefinite-lived intangible assets                  381,991      28,248
  Goodwill                                          1,169,785     204,672
  OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
  Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates            27,446       2,077
  Other long-term assets                              211,905     196,271
                                                      -------     -------

  Total assets                                     $5,137,438  $2,341,759
                                                   ==========  ==========

           LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable, client accounts                  $390,427          $-
  Accounts payable                                     80,330      50,844
  Accrued expenses                                    407,482     357,138
  Deferred revenue                                    598,574     284,536
  Current portion of long-term debt                    39,203      41,032
  Other current liabilities                            49,997      18,684
                                                       ------      ------

  Total current liabilities                         1,566,013     752,234

  Long-term debt, net                               1,487,575     699,037
  Long-term deferred income taxes                     224,797      30,480
  Other long-term liabilities                         165,456      94,567
  Series A and Series B redeemable preferred
   stock                                               40,000      40,000
  Commitments and contingent liabilities

  Redeemable noncontrolling interests                 119,409           -

  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Common stock                                          1,717         860
  Additional paid-in capital                        2,028,162   1,090,572
                                                                 (433,785
  Accumulated deficit                                (545,738)          )
  Cost of shares held in treasury                      (9,962)   (9,529  )
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)       (40,037)      4,199
                                                      -------       -----

  Total Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.
   stockholders' equity                             1,434,142     652,317
  Noncontrolling interests                            100,046      73,124
                                                      -------      ------
  Total stockholders' equity                        1,534,188     725,441
                                                    ---------     -------
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity       $5,137,438  $2,341,759
                                                   ==========  ==========



                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                           March 31,
                                                           2010        2009
                                                           ----        ----

  CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net loss                                            $(112,691)  $(103,157)
  Reconciling items:
    Depreciation                                         30,971      29,100
    Amortization of intangible assets                    28,348      14,313
    Deferred income tax benefit                         (13,488)     (1,146)
    Amortization of debt issuance costs                     783         855
    Amortization of debt discount/
     premium, net                                         2,037       2,123
    Non-cash compensation expense                        22,422       3,076
    Loss (gain) on sale of operating
     assets                                               4,874        (268)
    Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated
     affiliates                                            (547)       (575)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
   effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
    Decrease (increase) in accounts
     receivable                                          45,428     (16,126)
    Increase in prepaid expenses                       (150,772)   (188,693)
    Increase in other assets                               (162)    (20,172)
    Decrease in accounts payable, client
     accounts                                              (639)          -
    Increase (decrease) in accounts
     payable, accrued expenses and other
     liabilities                                        (60,255)      8,447
    Increase in deferred revenue                        293,192     474,160
                                                        -------     -------

         Net cash provided by operating
          activities                                     89,501     201,937

  CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    Collections of notes receivable                          19         117
    Advances to notes receivable                              -        (111)
    Distributions from nonconsolidated
     affiliates                                             836       1,245
    Investments made in nonconsolidated
     affiliates                                               -         (15)
    Purchases of property, plant and
     equipment                                          (13,083)    (23,962)
    Proceeds from disposal of operating
     assets, net of cash divested                        20,643      12,926
    Cash paid for acquisitions, net of
     cash acquired                                      569,210      (2,660)
    Purchases of intangible assets                       (7,201)       (860)
    Decrease in other-net                                   412         117
                                                            ---         ---

         Net cash provided by (used in)
          investing activities                          570,836     (13,203)

  CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    Proceeds from long-term debt, net of
     debt issuance costs                                147,303     153,367
    Payments on long-term debt                         (193,321)   (176,037)
    Contributions from noncontrolling
     interest partners                                        8           -
    Distributions to noncontrolling
     interest partners                                   (6,687)        (42)
    Proceeds from exercise of stock
     options                                              2,163           -
    Issuance of treasury stock                                -       1,553
    Equity issuance costs                                   (40)          -
    Payments for purchases of common stock               (1,567)     (5,803)
                                                         ------      ------

         Net cash used in financing activities          (52,141)    (26,962)
    Effect of exchange rate changes on
     cash and cash equivalents                          (19,954)     (4,328)
                                                        -------      ------

         Net increase in cash and cash
          equivalents                                   588,242     157,444
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
     of period                                          236,955     199,660
                                                        -------     -------

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of
     period                                            $825,197    $357,104
                                                       ========    ========

Forward-Looking Statements, Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations:

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential health and growth of Live Nation’s business, including with respect to its current artist pipeline and the upcoming summer concert season; the company’s anticipated achievement of its strategic objectives; the company’s ability to achieve its targeted synergies and realize other anticipated benefits associated with its merger with Ticketmaster; the company’s anticipated improvements to its financial position and liquidity as a result of its recent refinancing; the company’s planned capital expenditures; and the company’s expected show count and ticket sales. Live Nation wishes to caution you that there are some known and unknown factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to operational challenges in achieving strategic objectives and executing on the company’s plans, the risk that the company’s markets do not evolve as anticipated, challenges related to the post-merger integration of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, the potential impact of the economic slowdown and operational challenges associated with selling tickets and staging events.

Live Nation refers you to the documents it files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, specifically the section titled "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of the company’s most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K, which contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the company’s projections or forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date on which they are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or concerning Live Nation are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Live Nation does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. A reconciliation of each such measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, together with an explanation of why management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors, is provided below.

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), or AOI, is a non-GAAP financial measure that the company defines as operating income (loss) before acquisition expenses (including merger bonuses, payments under the Azoff Trust note and merger-related severance), depreciation and amortization (including goodwill impairment), loss (gain) on sale of operating assets and non-cash compensation expense. The company uses AOI to evaluate the performance of its operating segments. The company believes that information about AOI assists investors by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of the company’s portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect net income, thus providing insights into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results. AOI is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. A limitation of the use of AOI as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain amortizing assets used in generating revenue in the company’s business. Accordingly, AOI should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies; thus, AOI as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that the company defines as Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) less maintenance capital expenditures, less net cash interest expense, less cash taxes, less net distributions to minority interest partners, plus distributions from investments in nonconsolidated affiliates net of contributions to investments in nonconsolidated affiliates. The company uses free cash flow, among other measures, to evaluate the ability of its operations to generate cash that is available for purposes other than maintenance capital expenditures. The company believes that information about free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to service debt and make acquisitions. Free cash flow is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. A limitation of the use of free cash flow as a performance measure is that it does not necessarily represent funds available for operations and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Accordingly, free cash flow should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, operating income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies; thus, free cash flow as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Free Cash is a non-GAAP financial measure that the company defines as cash and cash equivalents less ticketing-related client funds, less event-related deferred revenue, less accrued expenses due to artists and for cash collected on behalf of others for ticket sales, plus event-related prepaids. The company uses free cash as a proxy for how much cash it has available to, among other things, optionally repay debt balances, make acquisitions and finance venue and other revenue generating expenditures. Free cash is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. A limitation of the use of free cash as a performance measure is that it does not necessarily represent funds available for operations and it is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Accordingly, free cash should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, cash and cash equivalents and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies; thus, free cash as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

               Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures to Their Most Directly
                           Comparable GAAP Measures (Unaudited)

             Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to Operating
                              Income (Loss) - First Quarter
             ---------------------------------------------------------------

                                                    Loss (gain)
   ($ in millions)       Adjusted      Non-cash          on
                        operating    compensation     sale of
                          income       expense       operating
                          (loss)                      assets


                        Three months ended March 31, 2010
                        ---------------------------------

    Concerts                $(42.5)          $2.0            $-
    Artist Nation              0.8            1.3             -
    Ticketing                 45.8            5.9           4.6
    Sponsorship                8.6            0.1             -
    E-Commerce                 7.7              -             -
    Other &
     Eliminations              0.2              -             -
    Corporate                (19.2)          13.1             -
      Total Live
       Nation                 $1.4          $22.4          $4.6
                              ====          =====          ====

                        Three months ended March 31, 2009
                        ---------------------------------

    Concerts                $(27.4)          $0.7         $(0.3)
    Artist Nation             (0.9)           0.3             -
    Ticketing                 (3.1)             -             -
    Sponsorship                5.8              -             -
    E-Commerce                (2.9)           0.2             -
    Other &
     Eliminations              0.2              -             -
    Corporate                (11.2)           1.9             -
      Total Live
       Nation               $(39.5)          $3.1         $(0.3)
                            ======           ====         =====

   ($ in millions)                     Depreciation  Operating
                         Acquisition       and         income
                          expenses     amortization    (loss)


                        Three months ended March 31, 2010
                        ---------------------------------

    Concerts                      $-          $28.4     $(72.9)
    Artist Nation                0.2            7.9       (8.6)
    Ticketing                    3.7           19.5       12.1
    Sponsorship                  0.3            0.1        8.1
    E-Commerce                   0.2            2.7        4.8
    Other &
     Eliminations                  -              -        0.2
    Corporate                   14.2            0.7      (47.2)
      Total Live
       Nation                  $18.6          $59.3    $(103.5)
                               =====          =====    =======

                        Three months ended March 31, 2009
                        ---------------------------------

    Concerts                    $0.1          $34.5     $(62.4)
    Artist Nation                  -            3.0       (4.2)
    Ticketing                      -            2.8       (5.9)
    Sponsorship                    -            0.1        5.7
    E-Commerce                     -            1.4       (4.5)
    Other &
     Eliminations                  -            0.1        0.1
    Corporate                    3.7            0.3      (17.1)
      Total Live
       Nation                   $3.8          $42.2     $(88.3)
                                ====          =====     ======



   Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to Free Cash Flow
                              - First Quarter
   --------------------------------------------------------------------

  ($ in millions)                                   Q1 2010   Q1 2009
  ---------------                                   -------   -------
  Adjusted operating income (loss)                      $1.4    $(39.5)
  Less:  Cash interest expense - net                   (22.7)    (13.3)
      Cash taxes                                        (1.8)     (3.0)
      Maintenance capital expenditures                  (7.3)     (3.0)
      Distributions to minority interest partners       (6.7)     (0.0)
  Distributions from (contributions to) investments
   in nonconsolidated affiliates                         0.8       1.2
                                                         ---       ---
      Free cash flow                                  $(36.3)   $(57.6)
      --------------                                  ------    ------



  Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents to Free Cash
  --------------------------------------------------------

  ($ in millions)                                     March 31,
                                                           2010
  Cash and cash equivalents                              $825.2
  Deferred revenue                                       (556.1)
  Accrued artist fees                                     (11.6)
  Collections on behalf of others                         (46.5)
  Client cash                                            (342.9)
  Prepaids related to artist
   settlements/events                                     294.5
                                                          -----
    Free cash                                            $162.6
    ---------                                            ------



             Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to Operating
                              Income (Loss) - First Quarter
             ---------------------------------------------------------------

                                  Live Nation Combined

                                                    Loss (gain)
   ($ in millions)       Adjusted      Non-cash          on
                        operating    compensation     sale of
                          income       expense       operating
                          (loss)                       assets

                        Three months ended March 31, 2009
                        ---------------------------------

    Concerts                $(27.4)          $0.7         $(0.3)
    Artist Nation              2.2            3.4             -
    Ticketing                 46.8            1.5             -
    Sponsorship                5.8              -             -
    E-Commerce                 6.0            0.2             -
    Other &
     Eliminations              0.2              -             -
    Corporate                (24.4)           3.1             -
      Total Live
       Nation                 $9.2           $8.9         $(0.3)
                              ====           ====         =====

   ($ in millions)                     Depreciation  Operating
                         Acquisition       and         income
                          expenses     amortization    (loss)

                        Three months ended March 31, 2009
                        ---------------------------------

    Concerts                    $0.1          $34.5     $(62.4)
    Artist Nation                  -            9.3      (10.5)
    Ticketing                      -           16.4       28.9
    Sponsorship                    -            0.1        5.7
    E-Commerce                     -            1.9        3.9
    Other &
     Eliminations                  -            0.1        0.1
    Corporate                    4.9            0.3      (32.7)
      Total Live
       Nation                   $5.0          $62.6     $(67.0)
                                ====          =====     ======

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: [email protected]

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081203/LAW048LOGO-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, [email protected]

SOURCE: Live Nation Entertainment

CONTACT: Linda Bandov of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.,
+1-310-867-7000, [email protected]