Cablevision's Dolan Backpedals After Hinting At Live Nation Deal

Dolan Backtracks From Earlier Comments About Possible Live Nation Ticket Deal

Cablevision President & CEO James Dolan "found himself doing damage control [Thursday] after suggesting earlier in the day that he'd consider dumping" Ticketmaster for Live Nation, according to Brian Garrity of the N.Y. POST. Dolan Thursday morning said that Cablevision's "existing ticketing deal with Ticketmaster had expired and that he wouldn't rule out working with rival Live Nation." But Cablevision later in the day issued a statement "clarifying that Ticketmaster remained in place as its ticket provider, and Cablevision planned to renew the relationship" (N.Y. POST, 9/19). The DOW JONES NEWSWIRES' Nat Worden wrote the prospect "of a Live Nation deal could shake up the entertainment world because Live Nation ... has emerged as a threat in the ticketing business, which Ticketmaster has long dominated globally" (DOW JONES NEWSWIRES, 9/18).

NO SALE ANYTIME SOON: Dolan Thursday said that he "doesn't expect to sell [Cablevision's] cable networks amid current market conditions." Asked if he would "try to take Cablevision private again after previous failed attempts," Dolan said, "I would never completely rule it out, but at this time it's not really on our radar" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 9/19).