The promotion behemoth celebrates another record year of double-digit revenue growth.
Live Nation is celebrating another record year with double-digit growth in revenue, attendance, sponsorship and advertising.
Company officials released financial results for Q4 and all of 2016, reporting revenue up 15 percent for the year to $8.4 billion and operating income up a staggering 48 percent to $195 million. Key categories like attendance were up 12 percent to $71 million, sponsorships and advertising up 13 percent and gross-transaction values on ticketing up 16 percent for primary tickets and a staggering 29 percent on the secondary market.
The news came as Live Nation’s shares passed the $30 per share mark for the first time in the company’s history, celebrating its sixth consecutive year of growth across revenue, adjusted operating income and free cash flow.
“We continue to see the tremendous power of live events, with strong global consumer demand,” Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino wrote in a letter to shareholders. “Live is a truly unique entertainment form — it cannot be duplicated. It is elevated, not threatened, by technology and is borderless. Fans around the world can now discover, follow, share and embrace artists, creating greater demand for live shows. We believe the live business will continue to have strong growth for years to come as fans globally drive demand, artists are motivated to tour, and technology drives conversion.”
Company officials estimate they added 7 million fans global in 2016, reaching 71 million total. That includes double-digit growth in North America and internationally. Live Nation added promotion offices in Germany, South Africa and Israel and maintains a presence in 40 countries.
Average ticket prices increased 5 percent across amphitheaters, arenas and stadiums with an emphasis on higher pricing on top tier tickets and capturing true market value for the best seats. Average per-fan-spending on food and beverage also grew 9 percent to an average of $22 per fan, bolstered by higher quality concessions offerings.
Advertising and marketing continued to be a growth category with the company’s top 50 strategic sponsors contributing over $1 million per year to Live Nation for a total $245 million spent to reach fans, up 20 percent from last year.
For ticketing, the company saw gross transaction value result in $28 billion spent on 480 million tickets sold to fans in 28 countries. The company is reporting an 11 percent increase in ticketing revenue and 6 percent growth in adjusted operated income at constant currency.
On the secondary market, Ticketmaster saw some of its most impressive growth with a 26 percent uptick in gross transactional value and six of the company’s 10 top sales months occurring in 2016.
“Our success in 2016 reaffirms that Live Nation has created an unparalleled live platform, bringing 550 million fans in 40 countries to those unrivaled two-hour events each year,” Rapino wrote. “The live business continues to have a strong growth opportunity with artists touring as their primary source of income and using concerts as the best way to engage and connect with their fans.”
This article can be found on billboard.com
