Live Nation Entertainment (LYV) 10-Q 29 Oct 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 22, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,335,258
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		202,350,355
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UN

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,061,383	$ 1,382,029
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $20,452 and $17,489, respectively	631,344	419,301
Prepaid expenses	555,391	440,272
Other current assets	48,477	26,089
Total current assets	2,296,595	2,267,691
Property, plant and equipment
Land, buildings and improvements	830,518	808,116
Computer equipment and capitalized software	442,124	454,925
Furniture and other equipment	234,112	209,624
Construction in progress	97,954	78,111
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,604,708	1,550,776
Less accumulated depreciation	885,185	855,439
Property, plant and equipment, net	719,523	695,337
Intangible assets
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	772,496	682,713
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	369,398	369,480
Goodwill	1,629,510	1,479,037
Other long-term assets	477,832	474,103
Total assets	6,265,354	5,968,361
Current liabilities
Accounts payable, client accounts	660,716	658,108
Accounts payable	88,216	74,151
Accrued expenses	785,861	675,880
Deferred revenue	521,648	543,122
Current portion of long-term debt, net	42,131	47,443
Other current liabilities	33,192	12,035
Total current liabilities	2,131,764	2,010,739
Long-term debt, net	1,993,963	1,995,957
Long-term deferred income taxes	208,758	196,759
Other long-term liabilities	$ 135,972	$ 112,204
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 247,104	$ 168,855
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock	2,019	2,004
Additional paid-in capital	2,427,295	2,414,428
Accumulated deficit	(996,777)	(1,042,603)
Cost of shares held in treasury	(6,865)	(6,865)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(94,234)	(70,010)
Total Live Nation stockholders’ equity	1,331,438	1,296,954
Noncontrolling interests	216,355	186,893
Total equity	1,547,793	1,483,847
Total liabilities and equity	$ 6,265,354	$ 5,968,361

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 20,452	$ 17,489

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 2,622,917	$ 2,502,008	$ 5,509,006	$ 5,295,109
Operating expenses:
Direct operating expenses	1,974,322	1,876,519	3,974,710	3,792,366
Selling, general and administrative expenses	361,975	349,676	1,003,359	978,006
Depreciation and amortization	99,054	97,925	272,166	256,732
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	625	(1,696)	588	(4,977)
Corporate expenses	29,988	26,647	80,690	73,538
Acquisition transaction expenses	3,443	2,333	5,673	5,462
Operating income (loss)	153,510	150,604	171,820	193,982
Interest expense	25,844	28,346	76,857	80,428
Interest income	(460)	(864)	(2,419)	(2,676)
Equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates	2,040	(2,155)	(573)	(5,921)
Other expense, net	8,127	12,587	20,655	11,081
Income before income taxes	117,959	112,690	77,300	111,070
Income tax expense (benefit)	13,577	(3,137)	19,232	(482)
Net income	104,382	115,827	58,068	111,552
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	15,333	10,664	12,242	15,903
Net income attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ 89,049	$ 105,163	$ 45,826	$ 95,649
Basic net income per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ 0.39	$ 0.52	$ 0.14	$ 0.46
Diluted net income per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ 0.38	$ 0.49	$ 0.14	$ 0.45
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	201,392,591	199,261,810	200,776,477	198,612,221
Diluted (in shares)	208,738,780	221,581,583	208,493,651	206,233,574
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ (10,118)	$ (1,198)	$ (17,111)	$ (3,702)
Net income available to common stockholders of Live Nation—basic	78,931	103,965	28,715	91,947
Convertible debt interest, net of tax	0	4,813	0	0
Net income available to common stockholders of Live Nation—diluted	$ 78,931	$ 108,778	$ 28,715	$ 91,947

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 104,382	$ 115,827	$ 58,068	$ 111,552
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	0	6	0	(2)
Realized loss on cash flow hedges	0	15	25	48
Change in funded status of defined benefit pension plan	(107)	0	6	30
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(6,196)	(54,426)	(24,255)	(35,283)
Comprehensive income	98,079	61,422	33,844	76,345
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	15,333	10,664	12,242	15,903
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ 82,746	$ 50,758	$ 21,602	$ 60,442

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 58,068	$ 111,552
Reconciling items:
Depreciation	97,845	93,140
Amortization	174,321	163,592
Deferred income tax benefit	(7,181)	(21,463)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discounts and premium, net	7,974	13,375
Non-cash compensation expense	25,594	31,531
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	588	(4,977)
Equity in losses of nonconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions	6,040	1,382
Other, net	(5,340)	(1,001)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Increase in accounts receivable	(232,106)	(193,705)
Increase in prepaid expenses	(158,344)	(194,229)
Increase in other assets	(56,665)	(36,524)
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	113,160	107,271
Decrease in deferred revenue	(46,530)	(76,473)
Net cash used in operating activities	(22,576)	(6,529)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Advances and collections of notes receivable, net	(22,827)	(7,475)
Investments made in nonconsolidated affiliates	(17,130)	(11,324)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(97,506)	(98,248)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(87,371)	(48,527)
Other, net	(2,290)	(1,421)
Net cash used in investing activities	(227,124)	(166,995)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs	9,949	515,258
Payments on long-term debt	(22,910)	(245,014)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	255	81
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(13,834)	(23,964)
Purchases and sales of noncontrolling interests, net	(9,491)	(3,528)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	14,685	14,142
Payments for deferred and contingent consideration	(4,450)	(5,722)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(25,796)	251,253
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(45,150)	(18,613)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(320,646)	59,116
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,382,029	1,299,184
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,061,383	$ 1,358,300

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTHER

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTHER INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTHER INFORMATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTHER INFORMATION Preparation of Interim Financial Statements The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, they include all normal and recurring accruals and adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods shown. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2015, as amended by the Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on June 30, 2015. Seasonality Due to the seasonal nature of shows at outdoor amphitheaters and festivals, which primarily occur from May through October, the Concerts and Sponsorship & Advertising segments experience higher revenue during the second and third quarters. The Artist Nation segment’s revenue is impacted, to a large degree, by the touring schedules of artists it represents and generally experiences higher revenue during the second and third quarters as the period from May through October tends to be a popular time for touring events. The Ticketing segment’s revenue is impacted by fluctuations in the availability of events for sale to the public, which vary depending upon scheduling by its clients. The Company’s seasonality also results in higher balances in cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accrued expenses and deferred revenue at different times in the year. Therefore, the results to date are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. Cash and Cash Equivalents Included in the September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 cash and cash equivalents balance is $547.3 million and $533.8 million , respectively, of cash received that includes the face value of tickets sold on behalf of ticketing clients and their share of service charges, which amounts are to be remitted to the clients. Acquisitions During the first nine months of 2015 , the Company completed several acquisitions that were accounted for as business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting and were not significant either on an individual basis or in the aggregate. During the first nine months of 2015, the Company recorded gains of $11.3 million as a component of other expense, net in connection with the consolidation of a festival promotion business, a ticketing company and an artist management business that were previously accounted for as equity investments. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2015 presentation. The Company has reclassified $20.0 million of debt issuance costs originally included in other long-term assets in the December 31, 2014 balance sheet and now reflects it as a reduction of the current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt in connection with the retrospective application of new accounting guidance for debt issuance costs as discussed below. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Pronouncements In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance that raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2015 and there has been no impact from its adoption. In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within that year. The guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted and the Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2015. See “ — Reclassifications” above for discussion of the impact of implementation. In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The guidance should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within that year. Early adoption is permitted and the Company adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Recently Issued Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The new standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle of the guidance is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within that year. Early adoption of the standard is only permitted for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016 and interim periods within that year. The guidance should be applied retrospectively, either to each prior period presented in the financial statements, or only to the most current reporting period presented in the financial statements with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018, and is currently assessing which implementation method it will apply and the impact its adoption will have on its financial position and results of operations. In February 2015, the FASB issued amendments to the consolidation guidance that make changes to the analysis a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied either using a modified retrospective approach or retrospectively. The Company expects to adopt this standard in the fourth quarter of 2015, and does not expect there to be an impact from the adoption on its financial position and results of operations. In April 2015, the FASB amended its guidance on internal-use software providing guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The amendments to this guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied either prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or retrospectively. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2016, and will apply it prospectively. The Company is currently assessing the impact its adoption will have on its financial position and results of operations.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS

LONG-LIVED ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]
LONG-LIVED ASSETS	LONG-LIVED ASSETS Definite-lived Intangible Assets The Company has definite-lived intangible assets which are amortized over the shorter of either the lives of the respective agreements or the period of time the assets are expected to contribute to the Company’s future cash flows. The amortization is recognized on either a straight-line or expected cash flows basis. The following table presents the changes in the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of definite-lived intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Revenue- generating contracts Client / vendor relationships Non-compete agreements Venue management and leaseholds Technology Trademarks and naming rights Other Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014: Gross carrying amount $ 635,127 $ 355,992 $ 123,552 $ 83,322 $ 15,330 $ 24,266 $ 3,581 $ 1,241,170 Accumulated amortization (272,071 ) (123,195 ) (98,512 ) (50,490 ) (4,246 ) (8,701 ) (1,242 ) (558,457 ) Net 363,056 232,797 25,040 32,832 11,084 15,565 2,339 682,713 Gross carrying amount: Acquisitions— current year 100,534 38,313 — 13,195 15,450 48,273 — 215,765 Acquisitions— prior year (4,566 ) 2,934 8,900 — 11 — — 7,279 Foreign exchange (10,740 ) (9,150 ) — (2,005 ) (849 ) (394 ) — (23,138 ) Other (1) (16,473 ) (2,655 ) — (16,563 ) — — — (35,691 ) Net change 68,755 29,442 8,900 (5,373 ) 14,612 47,879 — 164,215 Accumulated amortization: Amortization (53,226 ) (39,696 ) (10,582 ) (7,832 ) (3,196 ) (3,577 ) (292 ) (118,401 ) Foreign exchange 4,487 2,488 — 1,066 5 220 — 8,266 Other (1) 16,473 2,655 — 16,563 — 12 — 35,703 Net change (32,266 ) (34,553 ) (10,582 ) 9,797 (3,191 ) (3,345 ) (292 ) (74,432 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015: Gross carrying amount 703,882 385,434 132,452 77,949 29,942 72,145 3,581 1,405,385 Accumulated amortization (304,337 ) (157,748 ) (109,094 ) (40,693 ) (7,437 ) (12,046 ) (1,534 ) (632,889 ) Net $ 399,545 $ 227,686 $ 23,358 $ 37,256 $ 22,505 $ 60,099 $ 2,047 $ 772,496 _________ (1) Other includes net downs of fully amortized or impaired assets. Included in the current year acquisitions amount above of $215.8 million are intangibles primarily associated with the acquisitions of controlling interests in two festival promoters and two artist management businesses and the acquisition of a ticketing business previously accounted for under the equity method, all located in the United States. The 2015 additions to definite-lived intangible assets from acquisitions have weighted-average lives as follows: Weighted- Average Life (years) Revenue-generating contracts 9 Client/vendor relationships 7 Venue management and leaseholds 7 Technology 5 Trademarks and naming rights 10 All categories 8 Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $42.3 million and $39.7 million , respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $118.4 million and $107.6 million , respectively. Amortization related to nonrecoupable ticketing contract advances for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $22.4 million and $21.1 million , respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $55.2 million and $50.1 million , respectively. The following table presents the Company’s estimate of future amortization expense for the remainder of 2015 through 2019 for definite-lived intangible assets that exist at September 30, 2015 : (in thousands) October 1 - December 31, 2015 $ 40,968 2016 $ 149,292 2017 $ 131,870 2018 $ 110,812 2019 $ 96,569 As acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future and the valuations of intangible assets for recent acquisitions are completed, amortization may vary. Therefore, the expense to date is not necessarily indicative of the expense expected for the full year. Goodwill The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill in each of the Company’s reportable segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Concerts Ticketing Artist Nation Sponsorship & Advertising Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014: Goodwill $ 577,891 $ 657,631 $ 345,513 $ 302,865 $ 1,883,900 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — (17,948 ) — (404,863 ) Net 190,976 657,631 327,565 302,865 1,479,037 Acquisitions—current year 74,384 83,946 15,251 25,631 199,212 Acquisitions—prior year (25,022 ) 8,365 (3,551 ) (9,776 ) (29,984 ) Foreign exchange (5,768 ) (6,751 ) (679 ) (5,557 ) (18,755 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015: Goodwill 621,485 743,191 356,534 313,163 2,034,373 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — (17,948 ) — (404,863 ) Net $ 234,570 $ 743,191 $ 338,586 $ 313,163 $ 1,629,510 Included in the current year acquisitions amount above of $199.2 million is goodwill primarily associated with the acquisitions of controlling interests in two festival promoters and the remaining interest in a ticketing business, all located in the United States. One of the festival businesses and the ticketing business were previously accounted for under the equity method. Included in the prior year acquisitions amount above is a decrease of $30.0 million of goodwill primarily associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in a festival and concert promoter located in the United States. The Company is in various stages of finalizing its acquisition accounting for recent acquisitions, which include the use of external valuation consultants, and the completion of this accounting could result in a change to the associated purchase price allocations, including goodwill and its allocation between segments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS The following table shows the fair value of the Company’s significant financial assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which are classified on the balance sheets as cash and cash equivalents: Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Level 1 Level 1 (in thousands) Assets: Cash equivalents $ 30,087 $ 111 The Company has cash equivalents which consist of money market funds. Fair values for cash equivalents are based on quoted prices in an active market which are considered to be Level 1 inputs as defined in the FASB guidance. The Company’s outstanding debt held by third-party financial institutions is carried at cost, adjusted for any premium, discounts or debt issuance costs. The Company’s debt is not publicly traded and the carrying amounts typically approximate fair value for debt that accrues interest at a variable rate, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs as defined in the FASB guidance. The estimated fair values of the Company’s 7% senior notes, 5.375% senior notes and 2.5% convertible senior notes were $439.9 million , $248.5 million and $286.4 million , respectively, at September 30, 2015 . The estimated fair values of the 7% senior notes, 5.375% senior notes and 2.5% convertible senior notes were $451.3 million , $250.3 million and $296.3 million , respectively, at December 31, 2014 . The estimated fair value of the Company’s third-party fixed-rate debt is based on quoted market prices in active markets for the same or similar debt, which are considered to be Level 2 inputs. The Company had fixed-rate debt held by noncontrolling interest partners with a face value of $31.9 million and $30.0 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The Company is unable to determine the fair value of this debt.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIAB

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Ticketing Fees Consumer Class Action Litigation In October 2003, a putative representative action was filed in the Superior Court of California challenging Ticketmaster’s charges to online customers for shipping fees and alleging that its failure to disclose on its website that the charges contain a profit component is unlawful. The complaint asserted a claim for violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”) and sought restitution or disgorgement of the difference between (i) the total shipping fees charged by Ticketmaster in connection with online ticket sales during the applicable period, and (ii) the amount that Ticketmaster actually paid to the shipper for delivery of those tickets. In August 2005, the plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint, then pleading the case as a putative class action and adding the claim that Ticketmaster’s website disclosures in respect of its ticket order processing fees constitute false advertising in violation of California’s False Advertising Law. On this new claim, the amended complaint seeks restitution or disgorgement of the entire amount of order processing fees charged by Ticketmaster during the applicable period. In April 2009, the Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file a second amended complaint adding new claims that (a) Ticketmaster’s order processing fees are unconscionable under the UCL, and (b) Ticketmaster’s alleged business practices further violate the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act. Plaintiffs later filed a third amended complaint, to which Ticketmaster filed a demurrer in July 2009. The Court overruled Ticketmaster’s demurrer in October 2009. The plaintiffs filed a class certification motion in August 2009, which Ticketmaster opposed. In February 2010, the Court granted certification of a class on the first and second causes of action, which allege that Ticketmaster misrepresents/omits the fact of a profit component in Ticketmaster’s shipping and order processing fees. The class would consist of California consumers who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster’s website from 1999 to present. The Court denied certification of a class on the third and fourth causes of action, which allege that Ticketmaster’s shipping and order processing fees are unconscionably high. In March 2010, Ticketmaster filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate with the California Court of Appeal, and plaintiffs also filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the Superior Court’s class certification order. In April 2010, the Superior Court denied plaintiffs’ Motion for Reconsideration of the Court’s class certification order, and the Court of Appeal denied Ticketmaster’s Petition for Writ of Mandate. In June 2010, the Court of Appeal granted the plaintiffs’ Petition for Writ of Mandate and ordered the Superior Court to vacate its February 2010 order denying plaintiffs’ motion to certify a national class and enter a new order granting plaintiffs’ motion to certify a nationwide class on the first and second claims. In September 2010, Ticketmaster filed its Motion for Summary Judgment on all causes of action in the Superior Court, and that same month plaintiffs filed their Motion for Summary Adjudication of various affirmative defenses asserted by Ticketmaster. In November 2010, Ticketmaster filed its Motion to Decertify Class. In December 2010, the parties entered into a binding agreement providing for the settlement of the litigation and the resolution of all claims therein. In September 2011, the Court declined to approve the settlement in its then-current form. Litigation continued, and later that same month, the Court granted in part and denied in part Ticketmaster’s Motion for Summary Judgment. The parties reached a new settlement in September 2011, which was preliminarily approved, but in September 2012 the Court declined to grant final approval. In June 2013, the parties reached a revised settlement, which was preliminarily approved by the Court in April 2014. In February 2015, the Court granted the parties’ motion for final approval of the settlement. Several objectors to the settlement appealed the Court’s final approval ruling. Those appeals have been consolidated and will be briefed in 2016. Ticketmaster and its parent, Live Nation, have not acknowledged any violations of law or liability in connection with the matter. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had accrued $34.9 million , its best estimate of the probable costs associated with the settlement referred to above. The calculation of this liability is based in part upon an estimated redemption rate. Any difference between the Company’s estimated redemption rate and the actual redemption rate it experiences will impact the final settlement amount; however, the Company does not expect this difference to be material. Other Litigation From time to time, the Company is involved in other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business, including proceedings and claims based upon purported violations of antitrust laws, intellectual property rights and tortious interference, which could cause the Company to incur significant expenses. The Company has also been the subject of personal injury and wrongful death claims relating to accidents at its venues in connection with its operations. As required, the Company has accrued its estimate of the probable settlement or other losses for the resolution of any outstanding claims. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, including, in some cases, estimated redemption rates for the settlement offered, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions or the effectiveness of its strategies related to these proceedings.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The Company calculates interim effective tax rates in accordance with the FASB guidance for income taxes and applies the estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date pretax income (or loss) at the end of each interim period to compute a year-to-date tax expense (or benefit). This guidance requires departure from effective tax rate computations when losses incurred within tax jurisdictions cannot be carried back and future profits associated with operations in those tax jurisdictions cannot be assured beyond any reasonable doubt. Accordingly, the Company has calculated and applied an expected annual effective tax rate of approximately 33% for 2015 , excluding significant, unusual or extraordinary items, for ordinary income associated with operations for which the Company currently expects to have annual taxable income, which are principally outside of the United States. The Company has not recorded tax benefits associated with losses from operations for which future taxable income cannot be reasonably assured. As almost all earnings from the Company’s continuing foreign operations are permanently reinvested and not distributed, the Company’s income tax provision does not include additional United States taxes on those foreign operations. The Company currently believes that the majority of its undistributed foreign earnings that are not currently subject to United States federal income tax will be indefinitely reinvested in its foreign operations. The tax years 2005 through 2014 remain open to examination by the major tax jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

EQUITY

EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
EQUITY	EQUITY The following table shows the reconciliation of the carrying amount of stockholders’ equity attributable to Live Nation, equity attributable to noncontrolling interests, total equity and also redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Live Nation Stockholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (in thousands) (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 1,296,954 $ 186,893 $ 1,483,847 $ 168,855 Non-cash compensation expense 25,594 — 25,594 — Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (7,652 ) — (7,652 ) — Exercise of stock options 14,685 — 14,685 — Acquisitions — 31,311 31,311 65,774 Purchases of noncontrolling interests (4,818 ) (2,981 ) (7,799 ) — Sales of noncontrolling interests 2,184 — 2,184 147 Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments (17,111 ) — (17,111 ) 17,111 Cash distributions — (12,199 ) (12,199 ) (1,635 ) Other — (2,113 ) (2,113 ) 54 Comprehensive loss: Net income (loss) 45,826 15,444 61,270 (3,202 ) Realized loss on cash flow hedges 25 — 25 — Change in funded status of defined benefit pension plan 6 — 6 — Foreign currency translation adjustments (24,255 ) — (24,255 ) — Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 1,331,438 $ 216,355 $ 1,547,793 $ 247,104 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table presents changes in the components of AOCI, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Gains and Losses On Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Items Foreign Currency Items Total (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (25 ) $ (581 ) $ (69,404 ) $ (70,010 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 6 (24,255 ) (24,249 ) Amount reclassified from AOCI 25 — — 25 Net other comprehensive income (loss) 25 6 (24,255 ) (24,224 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ — $ (575 ) $ (93,659 ) $ (94,234 ) The realized loss on cash flow hedges reclassified from AOCI consists of one interest rate swap agreement that expired on June 30, 2015. Earnings Per Share The following table sets forth the computation of weighted average common shares outstanding: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average common shares—basic 201,392,591 199,261,810 200,776,477 198,612,221 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock 7,346,189 7,340,484 7,717,174 7,621,353 Convertible senior notes — 14,979,289 — — Weighted average common shares—diluted 208,738,780 221,581,583 208,493,651 206,233,574 Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share includes the effects of the assumed exercise of any outstanding stock options, the assumed vesting of shares of restricted stock awards and the assumed conversion of the convertible senior notes, where dilutive. The following table shows securities excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share because such securities are anti-dilutive: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (in thousands) Options to purchase shares of common stock 3,177 5,116 3,153 5,243 Restricted stock awards—unvested 165 313 165 344 Conversion shares related to the convertible senior notes 7,930 — 7,930 7,930 Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 11,272 5,429 11,248 13,517

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The following is a summary of stock-based compensation expense recorded by the Company: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (in thousands) Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 3,884 $ 4,818 $ 12,654 $ 17,993 Corporate expenses 4,148 4,145 12,940 13,538 Total $ 8,032 $ 8,963 $ 25,594 $ 31,531 In the second quarter of 2014, the Company granted an award of equity in a subsidiary to an employee that vested at issuance. As of September 30, 2015 , there was $53.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-based compensation arrangements for stock options, restricted stock awards and other equity awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.

SEGMENT DATA

SEGMENT DATA	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT DATA	SEGMENT DATA The Company’s reportable segments are Concerts, Ticketing, Artist Nation and Sponsorship & Advertising. The Concerts segment involves the promotion of live music events globally in the Company’s owned or operated venues and in rented third-party venues, the production of music festivals, the operation and management of music venues and the creation of associated content. The Ticketing segment involves the management of the Company’s global ticketing operations, including providing ticketing software and services to clients, ticket resale services and online access for customers relating to ticket and event information, and is responsible for the Company’s primary websites, www.livenation.com and www.ticketmaster.com . The Artist Nation segment provides management services to artists and other services including merchandise sales. The Sponsorship & Advertising segment manages the development of strategic sponsorship programs in addition to the sale of international, national and local sponsorships and placement of advertising including signage, promotional programs, rich media offerings, including advertising associated with live streaming and music-related original content, and banner ads across the Company’s distribution network of venues, events and websites. Revenue and expenses earned and charged between segments are eliminated in consolidation. Corporate expenses and all line items below operating income (loss) are managed on a total company basis. The Company’s capital expenditures include accruals and expenditures funded by outside parties such as landlords or replacements funded by insurance companies. The Company manages its working capital on a consolidated basis. Accordingly, segment assets are not reported to, or used by, the Company’s management to allocate resources to or assess performance of the segments, and therefore, total segment assets have not been presented. The following table presents the results of operations for the Company’s reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Concerts Ticketing Artist Sponsorship Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenue $ 1,991,909 $ 426,177 $ 136,675 $ 126,576 $ 793 $ — $ (59,213 ) $ 2,622,917 Direct operating expenses 1,722,880 210,022 83,171 16,978 — — (58,729 ) 1,974,322 Selling, general and administrative expenses 185,729 119,842 41,814 14,190 400 — — 361,975 Depreciation and amortization 36,075 46,533 13,152 2,525 12 1,241 (484 ) 99,054 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets 250 188 187 — — — — 625 Corporate expenses — — — — — 29,988 — 29,988 Acquisition transaction expenses 2,334 587 324 — — 198 — 3,443 Operating income (loss) $ 44,641 $ 49,005 $ (1,973 ) $ 92,883 $ 381 $ (31,427 ) $ — $ 153,510 Intersegment revenue $ 52,522 $ 690 $ 6,001 $ — $ — $ — $ (59,213 ) $ — Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 1,925,462 $ 386,131 $ 130,935 $ 114,614 $ 792 $ — $ (55,926 ) $ 2,502,008 Direct operating expenses 1,658,028 187,548 75,642 13,534 (2,473 ) — (55,760 ) 1,876,519 Selling, general and administrative expenses 186,415 113,483 35,400 13,098 1,280 — — 349,676 Depreciation and amortization 30,155 55,521 10,498 1,264 11 642 (166 ) 97,925 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets (112 ) (1,584 ) — — — — — (1,696 ) Corporate expenses — — — — — 26,647 — 26,647 Acquisition transaction expenses 1,109 695 247 — — 282 — 2,333 Operating income (loss) $ 49,867 $ 30,468 $ 9,148 $ 86,718 $ 1,974 $ (27,571 ) $ — $ 150,604 Intersegment revenue $ 48,737 $ 690 $ 6,499 $ — $ — $ — $ (55,926 ) $ — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenue $ 3,883,525 $ 1,162,004 $ 302,455 $ 259,744 $ 2,377 $ — $ (101,099 ) $ 5,509,006 Concerts Ticketing Artist Sponsorship Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Direct operating expenses 3,284,359 566,759 183,807 38,323 1,068 — (99,606 ) 3,974,710 Selling, general and administrative expenses 494,067 348,996 117,506 41,140 1,650 — — 1,003,359 Depreciation and amortization 105,289 125,390 33,943 6,738 36 2,263 (1,493 ) 272,166 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets 421 9 187 — — (29 ) — 588 Corporate expenses — — — — — 80,690 — 80,690 Acquisition transaction expenses 3,109 1,020 1,434 — — 110 — 5,673 Operating income (loss) $ (3,720 ) $ 119,830 $ (34,422 ) $ 173,543 $ (377 ) $ (83,034 ) $ — $ 171,820 Intersegment revenue $ 91,834 $ 1,150 $ 8,115 $ — $ — $ — $ (101,099 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 27,055 $ 60,413 $ 1,538 $ 4,138 $ (13 ) $ 1,715 $ — $ 94,846 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 3,760,118 $ 1,111,592 $ 282,653 $ 230,905 $ 2,377 $ — $ (92,536 ) $ 5,295,109 Direct operating expenses 3,145,174 543,408 164,960 31,593 (1,792 ) — (90,977 ) 3,792,366 Selling, general and administrative expenses 503,221 339,385 95,222 37,263 2,915 — — 978,006 Depreciation and amortization 84,864 142,472 25,934 3,207 31 1,783 (1,559 ) 256,732 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets (3,347 ) (1,701 ) 34 — — 37 — (4,977 ) Corporate expenses — — — — — 73,538 — 73,538 Acquisition transaction expenses 1,892 758 435 — — 2,377 — 5,462 Operating income (loss) $ 28,314 $ 87,270 $ (3,932 ) $ 158,842 $ 1,223 $ (77,735 ) $ — $ 193,982 Intersegment revenue $ 81,771 $ 1,150 $ 9,615 $ — $ — $ — $ (92,536 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 24,647 $ 59,791 $ 1,503 $ 579 $ 6 $ 5,464 $ — $ 91,990

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTH15

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTHER INFORMATION Basis of Presentation and Other Information (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2015 presentation. The Company has reclassified $20.0 million of debt issuance costs originally included in other long-term assets in the December 31, 2014 balance sheet and now reflects it as a reduction of the current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt in connection with the retrospective application of new accounting guidance for debt issuance costs as discussed below.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Pronouncements In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance that raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2015 and there has been no impact from its adoption. In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within that year. The guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted and the Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2015. See “ — Reclassifications” above for discussion of the impact of implementation. In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The guidance should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within that year. Early adoption is permitted and the Company adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Recently Issued Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The new standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle of the guidance is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within that year. Early adoption of the standard is only permitted for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016 and interim periods within that year. The guidance should be applied retrospectively, either to each prior period presented in the financial statements, or only to the most current reporting period presented in the financial statements with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018, and is currently assessing which implementation method it will apply and the impact its adoption will have on its financial position and results of operations. In February 2015, the FASB issued amendments to the consolidation guidance that make changes to the analysis a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied either using a modified retrospective approach or retrospectively. The Company expects to adopt this standard in the fourth quarter of 2015, and does not expect there to be an impact from the adoption on its financial position and results of operations. In April 2015, the FASB amended its guidance on internal-use software providing guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The amendments to this guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied either prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or retrospectively. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2016, and will apply it prospectively. The Company is currently assessing the impact its adoption will have on its financial position and results of operations.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS Long-Lived As

LONG-LIVED ASSETS Long-Lived Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization of Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	The following table presents the changes in the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of definite-lived intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Revenue- generating contracts Client / vendor relationships Non-compete agreements Venue management and leaseholds Technology Trademarks and naming rights Other Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014: Gross carrying amount $ 635,127 $ 355,992 $ 123,552 $ 83,322 $ 15,330 $ 24,266 $ 3,581 $ 1,241,170 Accumulated amortization (272,071 ) (123,195 ) (98,512 ) (50,490 ) (4,246 ) (8,701 ) (1,242 ) (558,457 ) Net 363,056 232,797 25,040 32,832 11,084 15,565 2,339 682,713 Gross carrying amount: Acquisitions— current year 100,534 38,313 — 13,195 15,450 48,273 — 215,765 Acquisitions— prior year (4,566 ) 2,934 8,900 — 11 — — 7,279 Foreign exchange (10,740 ) (9,150 ) — (2,005 ) (849 ) (394 ) — (23,138 ) Other (1) (16,473 ) (2,655 ) — (16,563 ) — — — (35,691 ) Net change 68,755 29,442 8,900 (5,373 ) 14,612 47,879 — 164,215 Accumulated amortization: Amortization (53,226 ) (39,696 ) (10,582 ) (7,832 ) (3,196 ) (3,577 ) (292 ) (118,401 ) Foreign exchange 4,487 2,488 — 1,066 5 220 — 8,266 Other (1) 16,473 2,655 — 16,563 — 12 — 35,703 Net change (32,266 ) (34,553 ) (10,582 ) 9,797 (3,191 ) (3,345 ) (292 ) (74,432 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015: Gross carrying amount 703,882 385,434 132,452 77,949 29,942 72,145 3,581 1,405,385 Accumulated amortization (304,337 ) (157,748 ) (109,094 ) (40,693 ) (7,437 ) (12,046 ) (1,534 ) (632,889 ) Net $ 399,545 $ 227,686 $ 23,358 $ 37,256 $ 22,505 $ 60,099 $ 2,047 $ 772,496 _________ (1) Other includes net downs of fully amortized or impaired assets.
Weighted Average Lives of Additions to Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	The 2015 additions to definite-lived intangible assets from acquisitions have weighted-average lives as follows: Weighted- Average Life (years) Revenue-generating contracts 9 Client/vendor relationships 7 Venue management and leaseholds 7 Technology 5 Trademarks and naming rights 10 All categories 8
Estimate of future amortization expense of definite-lived intangible assets	The following table presents the Company’s estimate of future amortization expense for the remainder of 2015 through 2019 for definite-lived intangible assets that exist at September 30, 2015 : (in thousands) October 1 - December 31, 2015 $ 40,968 2016 $ 149,292 2017 $ 131,870 2018 $ 110,812 2019 $ 96,569
Changes in Goodwill by Segment	The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill in each of the Company’s reportable segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Concerts Ticketing Artist Nation Sponsorship & Advertising Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014: Goodwill $ 577,891 $ 657,631 $ 345,513 $ 302,865 $ 1,883,900 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — (17,948 ) — (404,863 ) Net 190,976 657,631 327,565 302,865 1,479,037 Acquisitions—current year 74,384 83,946 15,251 25,631 199,212 Acquisitions—prior year (25,022 ) 8,365 (3,551 ) (9,776 ) (29,984 ) Foreign exchange (5,768 ) (6,751 ) (679 ) (5,557 ) (18,755 ) Balance as of September 30, 2015: Goodwill 621,485 743,191 356,534 313,163 2,034,373 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — (17,948 ) — (404,863 ) Net $ 234,570 $ 743,191 $ 338,586 $ 313,163 $ 1,629,510

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Va

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on a Recurring Basis	The following table shows the fair value of the Company’s significant financial assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which are classified on the balance sheets as cash and cash equivalents: Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Level 1 Level 1 (in thousands) Assets: Cash equivalents $ 30,087 $ 111

EQUITY Equity (Tables)

EQUITY Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Carrying Amount of Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	The following table shows the reconciliation of the carrying amount of stockholders’ equity attributable to Live Nation, equity attributable to noncontrolling interests, total equity and also redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Live Nation Stockholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (in thousands) (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 1,296,954 $ 186,893 $ 1,483,847 $ 168,855 Non-cash compensation expense 25,594 — 25,594 — Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (7,652 ) — (7,652 ) — Exercise of stock options 14,685 — 14,685 — Acquisitions — 31,311 31,311 65,774 Purchases of noncontrolling interests (4,818 ) (2,981 ) (7,799 ) — Sales of noncontrolling interests 2,184 — 2,184 147 Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments (17,111 ) — (17,111 ) 17,111 Cash distributions — (12,199 ) (12,199 ) (1,635 ) Other — (2,113 ) (2,113 ) 54 Comprehensive loss: Net income (loss) 45,826 15,444 61,270 (3,202 ) Realized loss on cash flow hedges 25 — 25 — Change in funded status of defined benefit pension plan 6 — 6 — Foreign currency translation adjustments (24,255 ) — (24,255 ) — Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 1,331,438 $ 216,355 $ 1,547,793 $ 247,104
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents changes in the components of AOCI, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 : Gains and Losses On Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Items Foreign Currency Items Total (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (25 ) $ (581 ) $ (69,404 ) $ (70,010 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 6 (24,255 ) (24,249 ) Amount reclassified from AOCI 25 — — 25 Net other comprehensive income (loss) 25 6 (24,255 ) (24,224 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ — $ (575 ) $ (93,659 ) $ (94,234 )
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding	The following table sets forth the computation of weighted average common shares outstanding: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 Weighted average common shares—basic 201,392,591 199,261,810 200,776,477 198,612,221 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock 7,346,189 7,340,484 7,717,174 7,621,353 Convertible senior notes — 14,979,289 — — Weighted average common shares—diluted 208,738,780 221,581,583 208,493,651 206,233,574
Potentially Dilutive Securities Excluded From Diluted Net Income Per Common Share	The following table shows securities excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share because such securities are anti-dilutive: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (in thousands) Options to purchase shares of common stock 3,177 5,116 3,153 5,243 Restricted stock awards—unvested 165 313 165 344 Conversion shares related to the convertible senior notes 7,930 — 7,930 7,930 Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 11,272 5,429 11,248 13,517

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Stock-

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Expense	The following is a summary of stock-based compensation expense recorded by the Company: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 2015 2014 2015 2014 (in thousands) Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 3,884 $ 4,818 $ 12,654 $ 17,993 Corporate expenses 4,148 4,145 12,940 13,538 Total $ 8,032 $ 8,963 $ 25,594 $ 31,531

SEGMENT DATA Segment Data (Tabl

SEGMENT DATA Segment Data (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Results of Operations Related to Reportable Segments of the Entity	The following table presents the results of operations for the Company’s reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Concerts Ticketing Artist Sponsorship Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenue $ 1,991,909 $ 426,177 $ 136,675 $ 126,576 $ 793 $ — $ (59,213 ) $ 2,622,917 Direct operating expenses 1,722,880 210,022 83,171 16,978 — — (58,729 ) 1,974,322 Selling, general and administrative expenses 185,729 119,842 41,814 14,190 400 — — 361,975 Depreciation and amortization 36,075 46,533 13,152 2,525 12 1,241 (484 ) 99,054 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets 250 188 187 — — — — 625 Corporate expenses — — — — — 29,988 — 29,988 Acquisition transaction expenses 2,334 587 324 — — 198 — 3,443 Operating income (loss) $ 44,641 $ 49,005 $ (1,973 ) $ 92,883 $ 381 $ (31,427 ) $ — $ 153,510 Intersegment revenue $ 52,522 $ 690 $ 6,001 $ — $ — $ — $ (59,213 ) $ — Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 1,925,462 $ 386,131 $ 130,935 $ 114,614 $ 792 $ — $ (55,926 ) $ 2,502,008 Direct operating expenses 1,658,028 187,548 75,642 13,534 (2,473 ) — (55,760 ) 1,876,519 Selling, general and administrative expenses 186,415 113,483 35,400 13,098 1,280 — — 349,676 Depreciation and amortization 30,155 55,521 10,498 1,264 11 642 (166 ) 97,925 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets (112 ) (1,584 ) — — — — — (1,696 ) Corporate expenses — — — — — 26,647 — 26,647 Acquisition transaction expenses 1,109 695 247 — — 282 — 2,333 Operating income (loss) $ 49,867 $ 30,468 $ 9,148 $ 86,718 $ 1,974 $ (27,571 ) $ — $ 150,604 Intersegment revenue $ 48,737 $ 690 $ 6,499 $ — $ — $ — $ (55,926 ) $ — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenue $ 3,883,525 $ 1,162,004 $ 302,455 $ 259,744 $ 2,377 $ — $ (101,099 ) $ 5,509,006 Concerts Ticketing Artist Sponsorship Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Direct operating expenses 3,284,359 566,759 183,807 38,323 1,068 — (99,606 ) 3,974,710 Selling, general and administrative expenses 494,067 348,996 117,506 41,140 1,650 — — 1,003,359 Depreciation and amortization 105,289 125,390 33,943 6,738 36 2,263 (1,493 ) 272,166 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets 421 9 187 — — (29 ) — 588 Corporate expenses — — — — — 80,690 — 80,690 Acquisition transaction expenses 3,109 1,020 1,434 — — 110 — 5,673 Operating income (loss) $ (3,720 ) $ 119,830 $ (34,422 ) $ 173,543 $ (377 ) $ (83,034 ) $ — $ 171,820 Intersegment revenue $ 91,834 $ 1,150 $ 8,115 $ — $ — $ — $ (101,099 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 27,055 $ 60,413 $ 1,538 $ 4,138 $ (13 ) $ 1,715 $ — $ 94,846 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 3,760,118 $ 1,111,592 $ 282,653 $ 230,905 $ 2,377 $ — $ (92,536 ) $ 5,295,109 Direct operating expenses 3,145,174 543,408 164,960 31,593 (1,792 ) — (90,977 ) 3,792,366 Selling, general and administrative expenses 503,221 339,385 95,222 37,263 2,915 — — 978,006 Depreciation and amortization 84,864 142,472 25,934 3,207 31 1,783 (1,559 ) 256,732 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets (3,347 ) (1,701 ) 34 — — 37 — (4,977 ) Corporate expenses — — — — — 73,538 — 73,538 Acquisition transaction expenses 1,892 758 435 — — 2,377 — 5,462 Operating income (loss) $ 28,314 $ 87,270 $ (3,932 ) $ 158,842 $ 1,223 $ (77,735 ) $ — $ 193,982 Intersegment revenue $ 81,771 $ 1,150 $ 9,615 $ — $ — $ — $ (92,536 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 24,647 $ 59,791 $ 1,503 $ 579 $ 6 $ 5,464 $ — $ 91,990

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTH21

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTHER INFORMATION Basis of Presentation and Other Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Collected proceeds relating to the face value of the tickets sold on behalf of clients and the clients share of service charges	$ 547.3	$ 533.8
Remeasurement gain on consolidation of previous equity method investment	11.3
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	$ 20

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Definite-liv

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Definite-lived Intangibles) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period	$ 1,241,170
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period	(558,457)
Net - Beginning of period	682,713
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year	215,765
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year	7,279
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange	(23,138)
Gross carrying amount - Other	(35,691)	[1]
Gross carrying amount - Net change	164,215
Accumulated amortization - Amortization	(118,401)
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange	8,266
Accumulated amortization - Other	35,703	[1]
Accumulated amortization - Net change	(74,432)
Gross carrying amount - End of period	1,405,385
Accumulated amortization - End of period	(632,889)
Net - End of period	$ 772,496
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets	8 years
Revenue-generating contracts [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period	$ 635,127
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period	(272,071)
Net - Beginning of period	363,056
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year	100,534
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year	(4,566)
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange	(10,740)
Gross carrying amount - Other	(16,473)	[1]
Gross carrying amount - Net change	68,755
Accumulated amortization - Amortization	(53,226)
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange	4,487
Accumulated amortization - Other	16,473	[1]
Accumulated amortization - Net change	(32,266)
Gross carrying amount - End of period	703,882
Accumulated amortization - End of period	(304,337)
Net - End of period	$ 399,545
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets	9 years
Client/vendor relationships [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period	$ 355,992
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period	(123,195)
Net - Beginning of period	232,797
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year	38,313
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year	2,934
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange	(9,150)
Gross carrying amount - Other	(2,655)	[1]
Gross carrying amount - Net change	29,442
Accumulated amortization - Amortization	(39,696)
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange	2,488
Accumulated amortization - Other	2,655	[1]
Accumulated amortization - Net change	(34,553)
Gross carrying amount - End of period	385,434
Accumulated amortization - End of period	(157,748)
Net - End of period	$ 227,686
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets	7 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period	$ 123,552
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period	(98,512)
Net - Beginning of period	25,040
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year	0
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year	8,900
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange	0
Gross carrying amount - Other	0	[1]
Gross carrying amount - Net change	8,900
Accumulated amortization - Amortization	(10,582)
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange	0
Accumulated amortization - Other	0	[1]
Accumulated amortization - Net change	(10,582)
Gross carrying amount - End of period	132,452
Accumulated amortization - End of period	(109,094)
Net - End of period	23,358
Venue management and leaseholds [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period	83,322
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period	(50,490)
Net - Beginning of period	32,832
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year	13,195
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year	0
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange	(2,005)
Gross carrying amount - Other	(16,563)	[1]
Gross carrying amount - Net change	(5,373)
Accumulated amortization - Amortization	(7,832)
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange	1,066
Accumulated amortization - Other	16,563	[1]
Accumulated amortization - Net change	9,797
Gross carrying amount - End of period	77,949
Accumulated amortization - End of period	(40,693)
Net - End of period	$ 37,256
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets	7 years
Technology [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period	$ 15,330
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period	(4,246)
Net - Beginning of period	11,084
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year	15,450
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year	11
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange	(849)
Gross carrying amount - Other	0	[1]
Gross carrying amount - Net change	14,612
Accumulated amortization - Amortization	(3,196)
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange	5
Accumulated amortization - Other	0	[1]
Accumulated amortization - Net change	(3,191)
Gross carrying amount - End of period	29,942
Accumulated amortization - End of period	(7,437)
Net - End of period	$ 22,505
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets	5 years
Trademarks and naming rights [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period	$ 24,266
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period	(8,701)
Net - Beginning of period	15,565
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year	48,273
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year	0
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange	(394)
Gross carrying amount - Other	0	[1]
Gross carrying amount - Net change	47,879
Accumulated amortization - Amortization	(3,577)
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange	220
Accumulated amortization - Other	12	[1]
Accumulated amortization - Net change	(3,345)
Gross carrying amount - End of period	72,145
Accumulated amortization - End of period	(12,046)
Net - End of period	$ 60,099
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets	10 years
Other [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period	$ 3,581
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period	(1,242)
Net - Beginning of period	2,339
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year	0
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year	0
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange	0
Gross carrying amount - Other	0	[1]
Gross carrying amount - Net change	0
Accumulated amortization - Amortization	(292)
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange	0
Accumulated amortization - Other	0	[1]
Accumulated amortization - Net change	(292)
Gross carrying amount - End of period	3,581
Accumulated amortization - End of period	(1,534)
Net - End of period	$ 2,047
[1]	Other includes net downs of fully amortized or impaired assets.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Definite-l23

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Definite-lived Intangibles Amortization) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets	$ 42,300	$ 39,700	$ 118,400	$ 107,600
Amortization expense related to nonrecoupable ticketing contract advances	22,400	$ 21,100	55,200	$ 50,100
Estimate of future amortization expense of definite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
October 1 - December 31, 2015	40,968		40,968
2,016	149,292		149,292
2,017	131,870		131,870
2,018	110,812		110,812
2,019	$ 96,569		$ 96,569

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Goodwill) (D

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Goodwill) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 1,883,900
Accumulated impairment losses	(404,863)
Net	1,479,037
Acquisitions—current year	199,212
Acquisitions—prior year	(29,984)
Foreign exchange	(18,755)
Goodwill	2,034,373
Accumulated impairment losses	(404,863)
Net	1,629,510
Concerts [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	577,891
Accumulated impairment losses	(386,915)
Net	190,976
Acquisitions—current year	74,384
Acquisitions—prior year	(25,022)
Foreign exchange	(5,768)
Goodwill	621,485
Accumulated impairment losses	(386,915)
Net	234,570
Ticketing [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	657,631
Accumulated impairment losses	0
Net	657,631
Acquisitions—current year	83,946
Acquisitions—prior year	8,365
Foreign exchange	(6,751)
Goodwill	743,191
Accumulated impairment losses	0
Net	743,191
Artist Nation [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	345,513
Accumulated impairment losses	(17,948)
Net	327,565
Acquisitions—current year	15,251
Acquisitions—prior year	(3,551)
Foreign exchange	(679)
Goodwill	356,534
Accumulated impairment losses	(17,948)
Net	338,586
Sponsorship & Advertising [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	302,865
Accumulated impairment losses	0
Net	302,865
Acquisitions—current year	25,631
Acquisitions—prior year	(9,776)
Foreign exchange	(5,557)
Goodwill	313,163
Accumulated impairment losses	0
Net	$ 313,163

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Assets

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Assets Measured on Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$ 30,087	$ 111

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Fair V

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Fair Value of Debt) (Details) - Level 2 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
7% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	7.00%	7.00%
Estimated fair values of senior notes	$ 439.9	$ 451.3
5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.375%	5.375%
Estimated fair values of senior notes	$ 248.5	$ 250.3
2.5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.50%	2.50%
Estimated fair values of convertible senior notes	$ 286.4	$ 296.3
Fixed Rate Debt With Noncontrolling Interest Partner [Member]
Estimate of fair value not practicable [Abstract]
Face amount of debt	$ 31.9	$ 30

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI27

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Ticketing Fees Consumer Class Action Litigation [Member] | Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for best estimate of probable costs of settlement	$ 34.9

INCOME TAXES Income Taxes (Deta

INCOME TAXES Income Taxes (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Expected annual effective income tax rate	33.00%
Major tax jurisdictions [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years remain open to examination	2,005
Major tax jurisdictions [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax years remain open to examination	2,014

EQUITY (Equity and Redeemable N

EQUITY (Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014			$ 1,483,847
Non-cash compensation expense			25,594
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes			(7,652)
Exercise of stock options			14,685
Acquisitions			31,311
Purchases of noncontrolling interests			(7,799)
Sales of noncontrolling interests			2,184
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments			(17,111)
Cash distributions			(12,199)
Other			(2,113)
Comprehensive loss:
Net income (loss)			61,270
Realized loss on cash flow hedges	$ 0	$ 15	25	$ 48
Change in funded status of defined benefit pension plan	(107)	0	6	30
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(6,196)	$ (54,426)	(24,255)	$ (35,283)
Balance at September 30, 2015	1,547,793		1,547,793
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014			168,855
Comprehensive loss:
Balance at September 30, 2015	247,104		247,104
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]
Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014			1,296,954
Non-cash compensation expense			25,594
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes			(7,652)
Exercise of stock options			14,685
Acquisitions			0
Purchases of noncontrolling interests			(4,818)
Sales of noncontrolling interests			2,184
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments			(17,111)
Cash distributions			0
Other			0
Comprehensive loss:
Net income (loss)			45,826
Realized loss on cash flow hedges			25
Change in funded status of defined benefit pension plan			6
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(24,255)
Balance at September 30, 2015	1,331,438		1,331,438
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014			186,893
Non-cash compensation expense			0
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes			0
Exercise of stock options			0
Acquisitions			31,311
Purchases of noncontrolling interests			(2,981)
Sales of noncontrolling interests			0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments			0
Cash distributions			(12,199)
Other			(2,113)
Comprehensive loss:
Net income (loss)			15,444
Realized loss on cash flow hedges			0
Change in funded status of defined benefit pension plan			0
Foreign currency translation adjustments			0
Balance at September 30, 2015	216,355		216,355
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014			168,855
Acquisitions			65,774
Purchases of noncontrolling interests			0
Sales of noncontrolling interests			147
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments			17,111
Cash distributions			(1,635)
Other			54
Comprehensive loss:
Net income (loss)			(3,202)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$ 247,104		$ 247,104

EQUITY (Accumulated Other Compr

EQUITY (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)agreement
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Number of settled instruments designated as cash flow hedges (in agreements) | agreement	1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014	$ (70,010)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(24,249)
Amount reclassified from AOCI	25
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(24,224)
Balance at September 30, 2015	(94,234)
Gains and Losses On Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014	(25)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0
Amount reclassified from AOCI	25
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	25
Balance at September 30, 2015	0
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014	(581)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	6
Amount reclassified from AOCI	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	6
Balance at September 30, 2015	(575)
Foreign Currency Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2014	(69,404)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(24,255)
Amount reclassified from AOCI	0
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(24,255)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$ (93,659)

EQUITY (Earnings per Share) (De

EQUITY (Earnings per Share) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Reconciliation of weighted average common shares outstanding [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares—basic	201,392,591	199,261,810	200,776,477	198,612,221
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock	7,346,189	7,340,484	7,717,174	7,621,353
Convertible senior notes	0	14,979,289	0	0
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	208,738,780	221,581,583	208,493,651	206,233,574

EQUITY (Antidilutive Securities

EQUITY (Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings per Share) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	11,272	5,429	11,248	13,517
Options to purchase shares of common stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	3,177	5,116	3,153	5,243
Restricted stock awards - unvested [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	165	313	165	344
Conversion shares related to the convertible senior notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding	7,930	0	7,930	7,930

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Stoc33

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 8,032	$ 8,963	$ 25,594	$ 31,531
Total unrecognized compensation cost	53,200		$ 53,200
Amortization period of unrecognized compensation cost (in years)			2 years 3 months
Selling, general and administrative expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	3,884	4,818	$ 12,654	17,993
Corporate expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 4,148	$ 4,145	$ 12,940	$ 13,538

SEGMENT DATA Segment Data (Deta

SEGMENT DATA Segment Data (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 2,622,917	$ 2,502,008	$ 5,509,006	$ 5,295,109
Direct operating expenses	1,974,322	1,876,519	3,974,710	3,792,366
Selling, general and administrative expenses	361,975	349,676	1,003,359	978,006
Depreciation and amortization	99,054	97,925	272,166	256,732
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	625	(1,696)	588	(4,977)
Corporate expenses	29,988	26,647	80,690	73,538
Acquisition transaction expenses	3,443	2,333	5,673	5,462
Operating income (loss)	153,510	150,604	171,820	193,982
Capital expenditures			94,846	91,990
Operating Segments [Member] | Concerts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,991,909	1,925,462	3,883,525	3,760,118
Direct operating expenses	1,722,880	1,658,028	3,284,359	3,145,174
Selling, general and administrative expenses	185,729	186,415	494,067	503,221
Depreciation and amortization	36,075	30,155	105,289	84,864
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	250	(112)	421	(3,347)
Corporate expenses	0	0	0	0
Acquisition transaction expenses	2,334	1,109	3,109	1,892
Operating income (loss)	44,641	49,867	(3,720)	28,314
Capital expenditures			27,055	24,647
Operating Segments [Member] | Ticketing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	426,177	386,131	1,162,004	1,111,592
Direct operating expenses	210,022	187,548	566,759	543,408
Selling, general and administrative expenses	119,842	113,483	348,996	339,385
Depreciation and amortization	46,533	55,521	125,390	142,472
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	188	(1,584)	9	(1,701)
Corporate expenses	0	0	0	0
Acquisition transaction expenses	587	695	1,020	758
Operating income (loss)	49,005	30,468	119,830	87,270
Capital expenditures			60,413	59,791
Operating Segments [Member] | Artist Nation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	136,675	130,935	302,455	282,653
Direct operating expenses	83,171	75,642	183,807	164,960
Selling, general and administrative expenses	41,814	35,400	117,506	95,222
Depreciation and amortization	13,152	10,498	33,943	25,934
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	187	0	187	34
Corporate expenses	0	0	0	0
Acquisition transaction expenses	324	247	1,434	435
Operating income (loss)	(1,973)	9,148	(34,422)	(3,932)
Capital expenditures			1,538	1,503
Operating Segments [Member] | Sponsorship & Advertising [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	126,576	114,614	259,744	230,905
Direct operating expenses	16,978	13,534	38,323	31,593
Selling, general and administrative expenses	14,190	13,098	41,140	37,263
Depreciation and amortization	2,525	1,264	6,738	3,207
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	0	0	0	0
Corporate expenses	0	0	0	0
Acquisition transaction expenses	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	92,883	86,718	173,543	158,842
Capital expenditures			4,138	579
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	793	792	2,377	2,377
Direct operating expenses	0	(2,473)	1,068	(1,792)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	400	1,280	1,650	2,915
Depreciation and amortization	12	11	36	31
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	0	0	0	0
Corporate expenses	0	0	0	0
Acquisition transaction expenses	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	381	1,974	(377)	1,223
Capital expenditures			(13)	6
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Direct operating expenses	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	1,241	642	2,263	1,783
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	0	0	(29)	37
Corporate expenses	29,988	26,647	80,690	73,538
Acquisition transaction expenses	198	282	110	2,377
Operating income (loss)	(31,427)	(27,571)	(83,034)	(77,735)
Capital expenditures			1,715	5,464
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	(59,213)	(55,926)	(101,099)	(92,536)
Direct operating expenses	(58,729)	(55,760)	(99,606)	(90,977)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	(484)	(166)	(1,493)	(1,559)
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	0	0	0	0
Corporate expenses	0	0	0	0
Acquisition transaction expenses	0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures			0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Concerts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	52,522	48,737	91,834	81,771
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Ticketing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	690	690	1,150	1,150
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Artist Nation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	6,001	6,499	8,115	9,615
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Sponsorship & Advertising [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0