Live Nation Entertainment (LYV) 10-K 23 Feb 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 16, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
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
Public Float			$ 3,100,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		204,764,010
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,526,591	$ 1,303,125
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $29,634 and $17,168 in 2016 and 2015, respectively	568,936	452,600
Prepaid expenses	528,250	496,226
Other current assets	49,774	36,364
Total current assets	2,673,551	2,288,315
Property, plant and equipment
Land, buildings and improvements	838,545	840,032
Computer equipment and capitalized software	524,571	505,233
Furniture and other equipment	256,765	233,271
Construction in progress	125,430	47,684
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,745,311	1,626,220
Less accumulated depreciation	993,775	894,938
Property, plant and equipment, net	751,536	731,282
Intangible assets
Definite-lived intangible assets, net	812,031	777,763
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	368,766	369,317
Goodwill	1,747,088	1,604,315
Other long-term assets	411,294	385,249
Total assets	6,764,266	6,156,241
Current liabilities
Accounts payable, client accounts	726,475	662,941
Accounts payable	55,030	58,607
Accrued expenses	781,494	686,664
Deferred revenue	804,973	618,640
Current portion of long-term debt, net	53,317	42,352
Other current liabilities	39,055	32,002
Total current liabilities	2,460,344	2,101,206
Long-term debt, net	2,259,736	2,002,662
Long-term deferred income taxes	197,811	199,472
Other long-term liabilities	149,791	142,267
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	347,068	263,715
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $.01 par value; 450,000,000 shares authorized; 204,475,849 and 202,891,231 shares issued and 204,067,825 and 202,483,207 shares outstanding in 2016 and 2015, respectively	2,034	2,020
Additional paid-in capital	2,381,011	2,428,566
Accumulated deficit	(1,073,457)	(1,075,111)
Cost of shares held in treasury (408,024 shares)	(6,865)	(6,865)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(176,707)	(111,657)
Total Live Nation stockholders’ equity	1,126,016	1,236,953
Noncontrolling interests	223,500	209,966
Total equity	1,349,516	1,446,919
Total liabilities and equity	6,764,266	6,156,241
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock	0	0
Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 29,634	$ 17,168
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	450,000,000	450,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	204,475,849	202,891,231
Common stock, shares outstanding	204,067,825	202,483,207
Treasury stock, shares	408,024	408,024
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 8,354,934	$ 7,245,731	$ 6,866,964
Operating expenses:
Direct operating expenses	6,082,708	5,196,473	4,919,969
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,548,450	1,411,855	1,337,316
Depreciation and amortization	403,651	397,241	368,143
Goodwill impairment	0	0	134,961
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets	124	845	(4,494)
Corporate expenses	125,061	107,945	103,905
Operating income (loss)	194,940	131,372	7,164
Interest expense	106,506	102,881	106,312
Loss on extinguishment of debt	14,049	0	188
Interest income	(2,573)	(3,528)	(3,606)
Equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates	17,802	(1,502)	(4,166)
Other expense, net	10,830	27,168	8,256
Income (loss) before income taxes	48,326	6,353	(99,820)
Income tax expense	28,029	22,122	4,630
Net income (loss)	20,297	(15,769)	(104,450)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	17,355	16,739	(13,643)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ 2,942	$ (32,508)	$ (90,807)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ (0.23)	$ (0.33)	$ (0.49)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted (in shares)	202,076,243	200,973,485	198,874,019
Reconciliation to net loss available to common stockholders of Live Nation:
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ 2,942	$ (32,508)	$ (90,807)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(49,952)	(33,179)	(5,660)
Basic and diluted net loss available to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ (47,010)	$ (65,687)	$ (96,467)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 20,297	$ (15,769)	$ (104,450)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(64,947)	(41,895)	(67,724)
Other	(103)	248	84
Comprehensive loss	(44,753)	(57,416)	(172,090)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	17,355	16,739	(13,643)
Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ (62,108)	$ (74,155)	$ (158,447)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Cost of Shares Held in Treasury [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,589,806	$ 1,978	$ 2,368,281	$ (951,796)	$ (6,865)	$ (2,370)	$ 180,578
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		197,764,109
Equity [Roll Forward]
Non-cash and stock-based compensation	39,029		39,029
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	(14,893)	$ 9	(14,902)		0
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)		897,973
Exercise of stock options	21,797	$ 17	21,780
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		1,769,194
Fair value of convertible debt conversion feature, net of issuance costs	21,444		21,444
Acquisitions	37,484						37,484
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(3,486)		(3,796)				310
Sales of noncontrolling interests	(11,907)		(11,748)				(159)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments	(5,660)		(5,660)
Noncontrolling interests contributions	106						106
Cash distributions	(30,520)						(30,520)
Other	(5,449)		0				(5,449)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	(86,264)			(90,807)			4,543
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(67,724)					(67,724)
Other	84					84
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014	1,483,847	$ 2,004	2,414,428	(1,042,603)	(6,865)	(70,010)	186,893
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		200,431,276
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013								$ 61,041
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions								108,104
Purchases of noncontrolling interests								(5,017)
Sales of noncontrolling interests								19,246
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments								5,660
Cash distributions								(1,993)
Other								0
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)								(18,186)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2014								168,855
Equity [Roll Forward]
Non-cash and stock-based compensation	33,361		33,361
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	(7,652)	$ 5	(7,657)		0
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)		460,418
Exercise of stock options	16,280	$ 11	16,269
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		1,138,891
Acquisitions	30,627						30,627
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(10,140)		(6,555)				(3,585)
Sales of noncontrolling interests	12,619		11,899				720
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments	(33,179)		(33,179)
Noncontrolling interests contributions	255						255
Cash distributions	(24,693)						(24,693)
Other	(5,182)		0				(5,182)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	(7,577)			(32,508)			24,931
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(41,895)					(41,895)
Other	248					248
Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	1,446,919	$ 2,020	2,428,566	(1,075,111)	(6,865)	(111,657)	209,966
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		202,030,585
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions								83,263
Purchases of noncontrolling interests								0
Sales of noncontrolling interests								(9,652)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments								33,179
Cash distributions								(5,953)
Other								2,215
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)								(8,192)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2015	263,715							263,715
Equity [Roll Forward]
Non-cash and stock-based compensation	32,723		34,011	(1,288)
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	(4,107)	$ 3	(4,110)		0
Common stock issued under stock plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)		302,545
Exercise of stock options	20,299	$ 11	20,288
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		1,062,936
Acquisitions	40,697						40,697
Divestitures	(1,856)						(1,856)
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(63,160)		(49,111)				(14,049)
Sales of noncontrolling interests	1,851		1,424				427
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments	(49,952)		(49,952)
Cash distributions	(34,285)						(34,285)
Other	(504)		(105)				(399)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	25,941			2,942			22,999
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(64,947)					(64,947)
Other	(103)					(103)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2016	1,349,516	$ 2,034	$ 2,381,011	$ (1,073,457)	$ (6,865)	$ (176,707)	$ 223,500
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		203,396,066
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions								72,560
Purchases of noncontrolling interests								(12,674)
Sales of noncontrolling interests								0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments								49,952
Cash distributions								(20,846)
Other								5
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)								(5,644)
Balances at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 347,068							$ 347,068

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$ 20,297	$ (15,769)	$ (104,450)
Reconciling items:
Depreciation	139,288	134,148	127,168
Amortization	264,363	263,093	240,975
Goodwill impairment	0	0	134,961
Deferred income tax benefit	(7,891)	(9,611)	(17,664)
Amortization of debt issuance costs, discounts and premium, net	12,594	10,885	16,038
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable and advances	21,681	19,505	6,540
Loss on extinguishment of debt	14,049	0	188
Non-cash compensation expense	32,723	33,361	39,029
Equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions	27,498	9,436	3,698
Gain on consolidation of nonconsolidated affiliates	(501)	(8,685)	(16,356)
Other, net	(8,801)	5,170	(11,313)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Increase in accounts receivable	(146,128)	(67,235)	(14,356)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets	(129,748)	(122,872)	(231,560)
Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	193,775	3,480	45,538
Increase in deferred revenue	164,291	52,948	73,730
Net cash provided by operating activities	597,490	307,854	292,166
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Advances of notes receivable	(17,227)	(28,288)	(34,395)
Investments made in nonconsolidated affiliates	(28,922)	(21,998)	(19,600)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(173,827)	(142,491)	(139,587)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(211,624)	(89,780)	(210,243)
Purchases of intangible assets	(6,234)	(12,267)	(3,350)
Other, net	11,357	3,839	15,017
Net cash used in investing activities	(426,477)	(290,985)	(392,158)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs	844,451	57,276	515,385
Payments on long-term debt including extinguishment costs	(606,831)	(63,569)	(253,773)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(55,131)	(30,645)	(32,513)
Purchases and sales of noncontrolling interests, net	(69,106)	(9,752)	(4,391)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	20,299	16,280	21,797
Payments for deferred and contingent consideration	(20,451)	(6,770)	(5,722)
Other, net	(14,019)	(6,941)	(14,812)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	99,212	(44,121)	225,971
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(46,759)	(51,652)	(43,134)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	223,466	(78,904)	82,845
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,303,125	1,382,029	1,299,184
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,526,591	1,303,125	1,382,029
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest, net of interest income	96,678	92,620	89,343
Income taxes, net of refunds	$ 30,312	$ 44,287	$ 41,471

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGN

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES History Live Nation was incorporated in Delaware on August 2, 2005 in preparation for the contribution and transfer by Clear Channel of substantially all of its entertainment assets and liabilities to the Company. The Company completed this separation on December 21, 2005 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange trading under the symbol “LYV.” Prior to this separation, Live Nation was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clear Channel. On January 25, 2010, the Company merged with Ticketmaster and it became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Live Nation. Effective with the merger, Live Nation, Inc. changed its name to Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. 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. Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The Company’s consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Company, its majority owned and controlled subsidiaries and VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany accounts among the consolidated businesses have been eliminated in consolidation. Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is reflected in the statements of operations. Typically the Company consolidates entities in which the Company owns more than 50% of the voting common stock and controls operations and also VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which the Company owns more than 20% of the voting common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies but not control of the nonconsolidated affiliate are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which the Company owns less than 20% of the voting common stock and does not exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. All cash flow activity reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows for the Company is presented net of any non-cash transactions so the amounts reflected may be different than amounts shown in other places in the Company’s financial statements that are based on accrual accounting and therefore include non-cash amounts. For example, the purchases of property, plant and equipment reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows reflects the amount of cash paid during the year for these purchases and does not include the impact of the changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures during the year. Variable Interest Entities In the normal course of business, the Company enters into joint ventures or makes investments in companies that will allow it to expand its core business and enter new markets. In certain instances, such ventures or investments may be considered a VIE because the equity at risk is insufficient to permit it to carry on its activities without additional financial support from its equity owners. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it assesses whether it has the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The activities the Company believes most significantly impact the economic performance of its VIEs include the unilateral ability to approve the annual budget, the unilateral ability to terminate key management and the unilateral ability to approve entering into agreements with artists, among others. The Company has certain rights and obligations related to its involvement in the VIEs, including the requirement to provide operational cash flow funding. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , excluding intercompany balances and allocated goodwill and intangible assets, there were $186.4 million and $188.6 million of assets and $98.9 million and $91.7 million of liabilities, respectively, related to VIEs included in the balance sheets. None of the Company’s VIEs are significant on an individual basis. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of domestic and foreign bank accounts as well as interest-bearing accounts consisting primarily of bank deposits and money market accounts managed by third-party financial institutions. These balances are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Included in the December 31, 2016 and 2015 cash and cash equivalents balance is $591.0 million and $549.0 million , respectively, of cash received that includes the face value of tickets sold on behalf of ticketing clients and the clients’ share of service charges (“client cash”). The Company generally does not utilize client cash for its own financing or investing activities as the amounts are payable to clients on a regular basis. These amounts due to clients are included in accounts payable, client accounts. Cash held in interest-bearing operating accounts in many cases exceeds the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. To reduce its credit risk, the Company monitors the credit standing of the financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash and cash equivalents; however, these balances could be impacted in the future if the underlying financial institutions fail. To date, the Company has experienced no loss or lack of access to its cash or cash equivalents; however, the Company can provide no assurances that access to its cash and cash equivalents will not be impacted in the future by adverse conditions in the financial markets. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Generally, it records specific reserves to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected when a customer’s account ages beyond typical collection patterns, or the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations. The Company believes that the credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the large number and the geographic diversification of its customers. Prepaid Expenses The majority of the Company’s prepaid expenses relate to event expenses including show advances and deposits and other costs directly related to future concert events. For advances that are expected to be recouped over a period of more than 12 months, the long-term portion of the advance is classified as other long-term assets. These prepaid costs are charged to operations upon completion of the related events. Ticketing contract advances, which can be either recoupable or non-recoupable, represent amounts paid in advance to the Company’s clients pursuant to ticketing agreements and are reflected in prepaid expenses or in other long-term assets if the amount is expected to be recouped or recognized over a period of more than 12 months. Recoupable ticketing contract advances are generally recoupable against future royalties earned by the clients, based on the contract terms, over the life of the contract. Non-recoupable ticketing contract advances, excluding those amounts paid to support clients’ advertising costs, are fixed additional incentives occasionally paid by the Company to secure exclusive rights with certain clients and are normally amortized over the life of the contract on a straight-line basis. Amortization of these non-recoupable ticketing contract advances is included in depreciation and amortization in the statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company amortized $85.1 million , $86.6 million and $79.4 million , respectively, related to non-recoupable ticketing contract advances. Business Combinations During 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company completed several acquisitions that were accounted for as business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. These acquisitions were not significant either on an individual basis or in the aggregate. The Company accounts for its business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree are recognized and measured as of the acquisition date at fair value. Additionally, any contingent consideration is recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and classified as a liability. Goodwill is recognized to the extent by which the aggregate of the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree exceeds the recognized basis of the identifiable assets acquired, net of assumed liabilities. Determining the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash flows, discount rates and asset lives among other items. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or fair value at the date of acquisition. Depreciation, which is recorded for both owned assets and assets under capital leases, is computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which are typically as follows: Buildings and improvements - 10 to 50 years Computer equipment and capitalized software - 3 to 10 years Furniture and other equipment - 3 to 10 years Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the economic life or associated lease term assuming the Company exercises renewal periods, if appropriate. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, whereas expenditures for asset renewal and improvements are capitalized. The Company tests for possible impairment of property, plant and equipment whenever events or circumstances change, such as a current period operating cash flow loss combined with a history of, or projected, operating cash flow losses or a significant adverse change in the manner in which the asset is intended to be used, which may indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If indicators exist, the Company compares the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the estimated undiscounted future cash flow amount, an impairment charge is recorded based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value. Any such impairment charge is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the statements of operations. The impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and the discount rates that reflect the risk inherent in future cash flows. Intangible Assets The Company classifies intangible assets as definite-lived or indefinite-lived. Definite-lived intangibles include revenue-generating contracts, client/vendor relationships, non-compete agreements, venue management and leasehold agreements, technology and trademarks and naming rights, all of which are amortized either on a straight-line basis over the respective lives of the agreements, typically 3 to 15 years, or on a basis more representative of the time pattern over which the benefit is derived. The Company periodically reviews the appropriateness of the amortization periods related to its definite-lived intangible assets. These assets are stated at cost or fair value at the date of acquisition. Indefinite-lived intangibles primarily include trade names. Indefinite-lived intangibles are not subject to amortization, but are reviewed for impairment at least annually. The Company tests for possible impairment of definite-lived intangible assets whenever events or circumstances change, such as a current period operating cash flow loss combined with a history of, or projected, operating cash flow losses or a significant adverse change in the manner in which the asset is intended to be used, which may indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If indicators exist, the Company compares the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the estimated undiscounted future cash flow amount, an impairment charge is recorded based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value. Any such impairment charge is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the statements of operations. The Company tests for possible impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually. Depending on facts and circumstances, qualitative factors may first be assessed to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If it is concluded that it is more likely than not impaired, the Company performs a quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment is not performed first, the Company performs only this quantitative test. When specific assets are determined to be impaired, the cost basis of the asset is reduced to reflect the current fair value. Any such impairment charge is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the statements of operations. The impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows, projected expected revenue, discount rates and royalty rates that reflect the risk inherent in future cash flows. Goodwill The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually, as of October 1, using a three-step process. It also tests goodwill for impairment in other periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount or when the Company changes its operating segments or reporting units. The first step is a qualitative evaluation as to whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of the Company’s reporting units is less than its carrying value using an assessment of relevant events and circumstances. Examples of such events and circumstances include historical financial performance, industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions, reporting unit-specific events, historical results of goodwill impairment testing and the timing of the last performance of a quantitative assessment. If any reporting units are concluded to be more likely than not impaired, or if that conclusion cannot be determined qualitatively, a second step is performed for that reporting unit. Regardless, all reporting units undergo a second step at least once every five years. This second step, used to quantitatively screen for potential impairment, compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The third step, employed for any reporting unit that fails the second step, is used to measure the amount of any potential impairment and compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. If a reporting unit’s carrying value is negative, the Company does not follow this three-step process. In this case, a qualitative evaluation is performed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s goodwill is impaired. If it is, the comparison of the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill described above is performed. In all three steps, discount rates, market multiples, and sensitivity tests are derived and/or computed with the assistance of external valuation consultants. The second and third steps that the Company uses to evaluate goodwill for impairment involve the determination of the fair value of the Company’s reporting units. Inherent in such fair value determinations are certain judgments and estimates relating to future cash flows, including the Company’s interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations, and assumptions about the Company’s strategic plans with regard to its operations. Due to the uncertainties associated with such estimates, actual results could differ from such estimates. In developing fair values for its reporting units, the Company employs a market multiple or a discounted cash flow methodology, or a combination thereof. The market multiple methodology compares the Company to similar companies on the basis of risk characteristics to determine its risk profile relative to those companies as a group. This analysis generally focuses on both quantitative considerations, which include financial performance and other quantifiable data, and qualitative considerations, which include any factors which are expected to impact future financial performance. The most significant assumptions affecting the market multiple methodology are the market multiples used and control premium. A control premium represents the additional value an investor would pay in order to obtain a controlling interest in the respective reporting unit. The discounted cash flow methodology establishes fair value by estimating the present value of the projected future cash flows to be generated from the reporting unit. It is important to note that items such as depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense are not part of cash flows which is more akin to the Company’s AOI metric. The discount rate applied to the projected future cash flows to arrive at the present value is intended to reflect all risks of ownership and the associated risks of realizing the stream of projected future cash flows. The discounted cash flow methodology uses the Company’s estimates of future financial performance. The most significant assumptions used in the discounted cash flow methodology are the discount rate, attrition rate and expected future revenue, which vary among reporting units. Nonconsolidated Affiliates In general, nonconsolidated investments in which the Company owns more than 20% of the common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over an affiliate are accounted for under the equity method. The Company recognizes gains or losses upon the issuance of securities by any of its equity method investees. The Company reviews the value of equity method investments and records impairment charges in the statements of operations for any decline in value that is determined to be other-than-temporary. If the Company obtains control of a nonconsolidated affiliate through the purchase of additional ownership interest or changes in the governing agreements, it remeasures its investment to fair value first and then applies the accounting guidance for business combinations. Any gain or loss resulting from the remeasurement to fair value is recorded as a component of other expense, net in the statements of operations. Accounts Payable, Client Accounts Accounts payable, client accounts consists of contractual amounts due to ticketing clients which includes the face value of tickets sold and the clients’ share of service charges. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method which results in deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between financial reporting bases and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by valuation allowances if the Company believes it is more likely than not that some portion of or the entire asset will not be realized. 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 amount of earnings at December 31, 2016 that has been earned over time, and permanently reinvested, was approximately $1.4 billion . It is not practical to determine the amount of federal and state income taxes, if any, that might become due in the event that any remaining available cash associated with these earnings were distributed. The FASB guidance for income taxes prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company has established a policy of including interest related to tax loss contingencies in income tax expense (benefit) in the statements of operations. Revenue Recognition Revenue from the promotion and production of an event in the Concerts segment is recognized after the show occurs. Revenue related to larger global tours is also recognized after the show occurs; however, any profits related to these tours, primarily related to music tour production and tour management services, is recognized after minimum revenue guarantee thresholds, if any, have been achieved. Revenue collected in advance of the event is recorded as deferred revenue until the event occurs. Revenue collected from sponsorships and other revenue, which is not related to any single event, is classified as deferred revenue and generally recognized over the operating season or the term of the contract. Revenue from the Company’s ticketing operations primarily consists of service fees charged at the time a ticket for an event is sold. For tickets sold to events at the Company’s owned or operated venues and festivals in the United States, and where the Company controls the tickets internationally, the revenue for the associated ticket service charges collected in advance of the event is recorded as deferred revenue until the event occurs and these service charges are shared between the Company’s Ticketing and Concerts segments. For tickets sold for events at third-party venues, the revenue is recognized at the time of the sale and is recorded by the Company’s Ticketing segment. The Company accounts for taxes that are externally imposed on revenue producing transactions on a net basis. Gross versus Net Revenue Recognition The Company reports revenue on a gross or net basis based on management’s assessment of whether the Company acts as a principal or agent in the transaction. To the extent the Company acts as the principal, revenue is reported on a gross basis. The determination of whether the Company acts as a principal or an agent in a transaction is based on an evaluation of whether the Company has the substantial risks and rewards of ownership under the terms of an arrangement. The Ticketing segment’s revenue, which primarily consists of service fees from its ticketing operations, is recorded net of the face value of the ticket as the Company generally acts as an agent in these transactions. Foreign Currency Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries and foreign equity investees are translated into United States dollars using the average exchange rates during the year. The assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries and investees are translated into United States dollars using the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The related translation adjustments are recorded in a separate component of stockholders’ equity in AOCI. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the statements of operations and include the impact of revaluation of certain foreign currency denominated net assets or liabilities held internationally. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company recorded net foreign currency transaction losses of $8.8 million , $35.3 million and $28.9 million , respectively. The Company does not currently have operations in highly inflationary countries. Advertising Expense The Company records advertising expense in the year that it is incurred. Throughout the year, general advertising expenses are recognized as they are incurred, but event-related advertising for concerts is recognized once the show occurs. However, all advertising costs incurred during the year and not previously recognized are expensed at the end of the year. Advertising expenses of $311.9 million , $275.6 million and $242.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, were recorded as a component of direct operating expenses. Advertising expenses of $33.2 million , $28.6 million and $28.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, were recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Direct Operating Expenses Direct operating expenses include artist fees, show-related marketing and advertising expenses, royalties paid to clients for a share of service charges, rent expense for events in third-party venues, credit card fees, telecommunication and data communication costs associated with the Company’s call centers, commissions paid on tickets distributed through independent sales outlets away from the box office, and salaries and wages related to seasonal employees at the Company’s venues along with other costs, including ticket stock and shipping. These costs are primarily variable in nature. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries and other compensation costs related to full-time employees, fixed rent, travel and entertainment, legal expenses and consulting along with other costs. Depreciation and Amortization The Company’s depreciation and amortization is presented as a separate line item in the statements of operations. There is no depreciation or amortization included in direct operating expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses or corporate expenses. Non-cash and Stock-based Compensation The Company follows the fair value recognition provisions in the FASB guidance for stock compensation. Stock-based compensation expense recognized includes compensation expense for all share-based payments using the estimated grant date fair value. Stock-based compensation expense is adjusted for forfeitures as they occur. The fair value for options in Live Nation stock is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the options is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the options’ vesting period. The Company uses an expected volatility based on an even weighting of its own traded options and historical volatility. Through December 31, 2016, the Company used the simplified method for estimating the expected life within the valuation model which is the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company used the simplified method as it did not believe its historical experience provided a reasonable basis with which to estimate the expected term due to the impact of a number of divestitures after its inception, the varying vesting terms of awards issued since the Company’s inception and the impact from the type and amount of awards converted pursuant to the Company’s merger with Ticketmaster. Beginning in 2017, the Company will use a weighted-average expected life based on historical experience calculated with the assistance of outside consultants. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the United States Treasury note rate. The fair value of restricted stock, which is generally the stock price on the date of issuance, is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period except for restricted stock awards with minimum performance targets as their vesting condition. These performance awards are amortized to expense on a graded basis over the vesting period to the extent that it is probable that the performance criteria will be met. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes including, but not limited to, legal, tax and insurance accruals, acquisition accounting and impairments. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications In connection with the modified retrospective application of new accounting guidance for employee share-based payment transactions as discussed below, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company has reclassified $7.7 million and $14.9 million , respectively, of payments for employee taxes, where shares were withheld upon the vesting or exercise of equity awards in order to satisfy the withholding obligation, from operating activities to financing activities within the consolidated statements of cash flows. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB amended its guidance on internal-use software providing clarification 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 Company adopted this guidance prospectively on January 1, 2016 and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for forfeitures, employer tax withholding on share-based compensation and the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2016 using a modified retrospective transition method with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings for the changes to the accounting for forfeitures and excess tax benefits or deficiencies. Upon adoption of this guidance, the Company no longer estimates forfeitures in advance and now recognizes forfeitures as they occur and has reflected a cumulative effect adjustment to accumulated deficit in the consolidated balance sheets of $1.3 million . 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 to in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB continues to issue important guidance clarifying certain guidelines of the standard including (1) reframing the indicators in the principal versus agent guidance to focus on evidence that a company is acting as a principal rat

LONG-LIVED ASSETS

LONG-LIVED ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]
LONG-LIVED ASSETS	LONG-LIVED ASSETS Property, Plant and Equipment In 2012, an amphitheater in New York that is operated by the Company sustained substantial damage during Hurricane Sandy. During 2014, the Company received the final insurance recovery and recorded a gain of $3.8 million as a component of loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets in the Concerts segment representing the proceeds received in excess of the carrying value of the assets. 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 years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 : Revenue- generating contracts Client / vendor relationships Trademarks Non-compete agreements Technology Venue management and leaseholds Other Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014: Gross carrying amount $ 635,127 $ 355,992 $ 24,266 $ 123,552 $ 15,330 $ 83,322 $ 3,581 $ 1,241,170 Accumulated amortization (272,071 ) (123,195 ) (8,701 ) (98,512 ) (4,246 ) (50,490 ) (1,242 ) (558,457 ) Net 363,056 232,797 15,565 25,040 11,084 32,832 2,339 682,713 Gross carrying amount: Acquisitions—current year 119,482 39,113 62,953 5,110 16,230 10,574 17 253,479 Acquisitions—prior year (8,366 ) (4,694 ) — 49,851 11 — — 36,802 Foreign exchange (15,332 ) (8,474 ) (664 ) (2,159 ) (1,306 ) (3,784 ) — (31,719 ) Other (1) (30,116 ) (2,655 ) 1 — — (24,061 ) — (56,831 ) Net change 65,668 23,290 62,290 52,802 14,935 (17,271 ) 17 201,731 Accumulated amortization: Amortization (78,281 ) (51,116 ) (6,218 ) (22,869 ) (4,402 ) (10,684 ) (389 ) (173,959 ) Foreign exchange 6,494 2,036 340 62 46 1,468 — 10,446 Other (1) 30,115 2,655 1 — — 24,061 — 56,832 Net change (41,672 ) (46,425 ) (5,877 ) (22,807 ) (4,356 ) 14,845 (389 ) (106,681 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015: Gross carrying amount 700,795 379,282 86,556 176,354 30,265 66,051 3,598 1,442,901 Accumulated amortization (313,743 ) (169,620 ) (14,578 ) (121,319 ) (8,602 ) (35,645 ) (1,631 ) (665,138 ) Net 387,052 209,662 71,978 55,035 21,663 30,406 1,967 777,763 Gross carrying amount: Acquisitions—current year 136,029 42,861 5,100 9,550 24,804 1,449 412 220,205 Acquisitions—prior year 11,404 782 3,618 1,500 — 1,174 — 18,478 Dispositions — (2,299 ) — — — (1,225 ) — (3,524 ) Foreign exchange (25,360 ) (4,528 ) (930 ) (4,260 ) (1,364 ) (3,848 ) (2 ) (40,292 ) Other (1) (62,470 ) (14,089 ) (6 ) (117,152 ) (627 ) (9,600 ) 6 (203,938 ) Net change 59,603 22,727 7,782 (110,362 ) 22,813 (12,050 ) 416 (9,071 ) Accumulated amortization: Amortization (76,484 ) (60,815 ) (9,623 ) (19,195 ) (6,153 ) (5,406 ) (454 ) (178,130 ) Dispositions — 599 — — — 22 — 621 Foreign exchange 10,555 1,962 477 1,188 491 1,765 (27 ) 16,411 Other (1) 62,872 14,089 — 117,227 627 9,600 22 204,437 Net change (3,057 ) (44,165 ) (9,146 ) 99,220 (5,035 ) 5,981 (459 ) 43,339 Balance as of December 31, 2016: Gross carrying amount 760,398 402,009 94,338 65,992 53,078 54,001 4,014 1,433,830 Accumulated amortization (316,800 ) (213,785 ) (23,724 ) (22,099 ) (13,637 ) (29,664 ) (2,090 ) (621,799 ) Net $ 443,598 $ 188,224 $ 70,614 $ 43,893 $ 39,441 $ 24,337 $ 1,924 $ 812,031 ______________ (1) Other includes netdowns of fully amortized or impaired assets. Included in the current year acquisitions amount above for 2016 are definitive-lived intangible assets primarily associated with the acquisitions of controlling interests in festival and concert promoters located in the United States, Australia, Sweden and the United Kingdom, a controlling interest in an artist management business with locations in the United States and Canada, a controlling interest in a digital content company located in the United States, and the remaining interest in a ticketing-related technology business that had previously been accounted for as a cost method investment. Included in the prior year acquisitions amount above for 2016 are definite-lived intangible assets primarily associated with the acquisition of a controlling interest in a festival promoter located in the United States. Included in the current year acquisitions amount above for 2015 are definite-lived intangible assets primarily associated with the acquisitions of all or a controlling interest in festival promoters, a venue management business, an artist management business, and a ticketing business all located in the United States and the United Kingdom. Included in the prior year acquisitions amount above for 2015 are definite-lived intangible assets primarily associated with the prospective consolidation of an artist management business located in the United Kingdom. The 2016 and 2015 additions to definite-lived intangible assets from acquisitions have weighted-average lives as follows: Weighted- Average Life (years) 2016 2015 Revenue-generating contracts 8 8 Client/vendor relationships 6 6 Trademarks and naming rights 10 10 Non-compete agreements 5 5 Technology 5 6 Venue management and leaseholds 5 8 All categories 7 8 During all years presented, the Company reviewed the carrying value of certain definite-lived intangible assets that management determined would not be renewed or that had an indicator that future operating cash flows may not support its carrying value. It was determined that certain assets were impaired since the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with those assets were less than their carrying value. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded impairment charges related to definite-lived intangible assets of $11.1 million as a component of depreciation and amortization primarily related to client/vendor relationship intangible assets in the Artist Nation segment and technology intangible assets in the Ticketing segment. See Note 5 —Fair Value Measurements for further discussion of the inputs used to determine the fair values. There were no significant impairment charges recorded in 2016 and 2015. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $178.1 million , $174.0 million and $154.7 million , respectively. The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years for definite-lived intangible assets that exist at December 31, 2016 : (in thousands) 2017 $ 177,921 2018 $ 155,754 2019 $ 131,077 2020 $ 111,003 2021 $ 77,837 As acquisitions and dispositions occur in the future and the valuations of intangible assets for recent acquisitions are completed, amortization may vary. Indefinite-lived Intangibles The Company has indefinite-lived intangible assets which consists of trade names. These indefinite-lived intangible assets had a carrying value of $368.8 million and $369.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company tests for possible impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets on at least an annual basis. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $6.0 million as a component of depreciation and amortization in the Ticketing segment. During 2014, the Company made a decision to rebrand certain of its markets that were not using the Ticketmaster trade name. In connection with the rebranding, it was determined that an indefinite-lived intangible asset for a certain market was fully impaired since the transition to the Ticketmaster trade name was substantially completed for that market during the year. See Note 5 —Fair Value Measurements for further discussion of the inputs used to determine the fair value. There were no impairment charges of indefinite-lived intangible assets recorded in 2016 and 2015. Goodwill The Company currently has seven reporting units with goodwill balances: International Concerts and North America Concerts within the Concerts segment; Sponsorship & Advertising; International Ticketing and North America Ticketing within the Ticketing segment; and Artist Management and Artist Services (non-management) within the Artist Nation segment. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually, as of October 1, using a three-step process: a qualitative review, a quantitative analysis, and a measurement of implied goodwill. In 2016 , as part of the Company’s annual test for impairment of goodwill, five reporting units were assessed under the initial qualitative evaluation and did not require a quantitative analysis. These reporting units account for approximately 80% of the Company’s goodwill at December 31, 2016 . Considerations included the considerable excess of fair values over carrying values in the most recent quantitative analysis performed together with the following comparison of current information to the most recent quantitative analysis: (a) improved discount rates, (b) varying results on market multiples and (c) for two of the reporting units, financial results outperforming prior expectations and for the other reporting units, financial results that did not meet prior expectations. Finally, for two reporting units that account for approximately 20% of the Company’s goodwill at December 31, 2016 , although these reporting units showed improved discount rates and varying results on market multiples, the qualitative analysis was inconclusive due to declines in recent financial performance against prior expectations. As such, quantitative analysis was performed for these reporting units, but did not require the final step to measure potential impairment as it was determined that no impairment was needed. The Company performed the quantitative analysis using a combination of a discounted cash flows methodology, which uses both market-based and internal assumptions, and a market multiple methodology, which uses primarily market-based assumptions. Based upon the results of the annual tests performed, there were no impairment charges recorded in 2016 and 2015 . In 2014, the Company recorded impairment charges of $117.0 million and $17.9 million related to its International Concerts and Artist Services (non-management) reporting units, respectively. The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill in each of the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 : Concerts Sponsorship & Advertising Ticketing Artist Nation Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014: Goodwill $ 577,891 $ 302,865 $ 657,631 $ 345,513 $ 1,883,900 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — — (17,948 ) (404,863 ) Net 190,976 302,865 657,631 327,565 1,479,037 Acquisitions—current year 57,792 43,248 77,951 15,051 194,042 Acquisitions—prior year (28,472 ) (3,274 ) 10,341 (17,968 ) (39,373 ) Foreign exchange (4,440 ) (10,758 ) (12,098 ) (2,095 ) (29,391 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015: Goodwill 602,771 332,081 733,825 340,501 2,009,178 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — — (17,948 ) (404,863 ) Net 215,856 332,081 733,825 322,553 1,604,315 Acquisitions—current year 98,936 45,376 8,671 25,016 177,999 Acquisitions—prior year (18,906 ) 18,302 (108 ) 449 (263 ) Dispositions — — — (323 ) (323 ) Foreign exchange (29,143 ) 67 (3,283 ) (2,281 ) (34,640 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016: Goodwill 653,658 395,826 739,105 363,362 2,151,951 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — — (17,948 ) (404,863 ) Net $ 266,743 $ 395,826 $ 739,105 $ 345,414 $ 1,747,088 Included in the current year acquisitions amount above for 2016 is goodwill associated with the acquisitions of controlling interests in festival and concert promoters located in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, a controlling interest in an artist management business with locations in the United States and Canada, and a digital content company located in the United States. Included in the prior year acquisitions amount above for 2016 are net reductions in goodwill resulting from the finalization of accounting for the acquisitions of a controlling interest in a festival promoter located in the United States and a venue management business in New Zealand. Included in the current year acquisitions amount above for 2015 is goodwill primarily associated with the acquisitions of all or a controlling interest in festival promoters and a ticketing business, all located in the United States. Included in the prior year acquisitions amount above for 2015 is a reduction of goodwill primarily associated with the finalization of accounting for the acquisition of a controlling interest in a festival and concert promoter in the United States and prospective consolidation of an artist management business located in the United Kingdom. For the goodwill recognized in connection with the 2016 and 2015 acquisitions, $60.2 million and $107.9 million , respectively, is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 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. Investments in Nonconsolidated Affiliates The Company has investments in various affiliates which are not consolidated and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company records its investments in these entities in the balance sheet as investments in nonconsolidated affiliates reported as part of other long-term assets. The Company’s interests in these operations are recorded in the statements of operations as equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates. For the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Company’s investments in Venta de Boletos por Computadora S.A. de C.V, a 33% owned ticketing distribution services company, and Vice Nation, LLC, a 60% owned digital content company, are considered significant on an individual basis. In September 2016, a decision was made to change the way the Company creates digital content and not to continue to operate the Vice Nation, LLC joint venture. Summarized balance sheet and income statement information for these entities is as follows (at 100%): December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Current assets $ 45,432 $ 63,455 Noncurrent assets $ 2,908 $ 4,474 Current liabilities $ 28,510 $ 38,319 Noncontrolling interests $ 355 $ 403 Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Revenue $ 47,757 $ 51,629 $ 43,490 Operating income $ 10,750 $ 18,062 $ 19,903 Net income $ 4,729 $ 11,100 $ 14,452 Net income attributable to the common stockholders of the equity investees $ 4,747 $ 11,019 $ 14,311 The company reviews its nonconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges related to these investments of $16.5 million as equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates, primarily related to investments in a digital content company and an online merchandise company that are located in the United States. See Note 5 —Fair Value Measurements for further discussion of the inputs used to determine the fair values. There were no significant impairments of investments in nonconsolidated affiliates during 2015 and 2014.

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt, which includes capital leases, consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Senior Secured Credit Facility: Term loan A $ 187,625 $ 93,438 Term loan B 972,563 928,625 4.875% Senior Notes due 2024 575,000 — 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 250,000 2.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 275,000 275,000 7% Senior Notes due 2020 — 425,000 Other long-term debt 104,397 108,350 Total principal amount 2,364,585 2,080,413 Less unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs (51,532 ) (41,399 ) Plus unamortized premium — 6,000 Total long-term debt net of unamortized discounts, premium and debt issuance costs 2,313,053 2,045,014 Less: current portion 53,317 42,352 Total long-term debt, net $ 2,259,736 $ 2,002,662 Future maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2016 are as follows: (in thousands) 2017 $ 53,345 2018 321,147 2019 41,753 2020 81,552 2021 112,920 Thereafter 1,753,868 Total $ 2,364,585 All long-term debt without a stated maturity date is considered current and is reflected as maturing in the earliest period shown in the table above. See Note 5 —Fair Value Measurements for discussion of fair value measurement of the Company’s long-term debt. Senior Secured Credit Facility In October 2016, the Company amended its senior secured credit facility and now has (i) a $190 million term loan A facility with a maturity of five years, (ii) a $975 million term loan B facility with a maturity of seven years and (iii) a $365 million revolving credit facility with a maturity of five years. Subject to certain conditions, the Company has the right to increase such facilities by an amount equal to the sum of $625 million and the aggregate principal amount of voluntary prepayments of the term B loans and permanent reductions of the revolving credit facility commitment, in each case, other than from proceeds of long-term indebtedness, and additional amounts so long as the senior secured leverage ratio calculated on a pro-forma basis (as defined in the credit agreement) is no greater than 3.25 x. The revolving credit facility provides for borrowings up to the amount of the facility with sublimits of up to (i) $150 million for the issuance of letters of credit, (ii) $50 million for swingline loans, (iii) $200 million for borrowings in Euros or British Pounds and (iv) $50 million for borrowings in one or more other approved currencies. The senior secured credit facility is secured by (i) a first priority lien on substantially all of the tangible and intangible personal property of the Company and the domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors and (ii) a pledge of substantially all of the shares of stock, partnership interests and limited liability company interests of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries and 65% of each class of capital stock of any first-tier foreign subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions. The interest rates per annum applicable to revolving credit facility loans and the term loan A under the senior secured credit facility are, at the Company’s option, equal to either LIBOR plus 2.25% or a base rate plus 1.25% , subject to stepdowns based on the Company’s net leverage ratio. The interest rates per annum applicable to the term loan B are, at the Company’s option, equal to either LIBOR plus 2.50% or a base rate plus 1.50% . The Company is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.5% per year on the undrawn portion available under the revolving credit facility, subject to a stepdown based on the Company’s net leverage ratio, and variable fees on outstanding letters of credit. For the term loan A, the Company is required to make quarterly payments increasing over time from $2.4 million to $28.5 million with the balance due at maturity in October 2021. For the term loan B, the Company is required to make quarterly payments of $2.4 million with the balance due at maturity in October 2023. The Company is also required to make mandatory prepayments of the loans under the credit agreement, subject to specified exceptions, from excess cash flow and with the proceeds of asset sales, debt issuances and specified other events. Based on the Company’s outstanding letters of credit of $85.3 million , $279.7 million was available for future borrowings under the revolving credit facility at December 31, 2016 . 4.875% Senior Notes In October 2016, the Company issued $575 million of 4.875% senior notes due 2024. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year beginning on May 1, 2017, and will mature on November 1, 2024. The Company may redeem some or all of the notes, at any time prior to November 1, 2019, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, plus a ‘make-whole’ premium. The Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes from the proceeds of certain equity offerings prior to November 1, 2019, at a price equal to 104.875% of the aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption. In addition, on or after November 1, 2019, the Company may redeem some or all of the notes at any time at the redemption prices that start at 103.656% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The Company must make an offer to redeem the notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, if it experiences certain defined changes of control. 5.375% Senior Notes At December 31, 2016 , the Company had $250 million of 5.375% senior notes due 2022 outstanding. Interest on the notes is payable semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, and the notes will mature on June 15, 2022. The Company may redeem some or all of the notes at any time prior to June 15, 2017 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, plus a ‘make-whole’ premium. The Company may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes from the proceeds of certain equity offerings prior to June 15, 2017, at a price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, on or after June 15, 2017, the Company may redeem at its option some or all of the notes at redemption prices that start at 104.0313% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. The Company must make an offer to redeem the notes at 101% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date, if it experiences certain defined changes of control. 2.5% Convertible Senior Notes At December 31, 2016 , the Company had $275 million of convertible senior notes due 2019 outstanding. The notes pay interest semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 at a rate of 2.5% per annum. The notes will mature on May 15, 2019, and may not be redeemed by the Company prior to the maturity date. The notes will be convertible, under certain circumstances, until November 15, 2018, and on or after such date without condition, at an initial conversion rate of 28.8363 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment, which represents a 52.5% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price for the Company’s common stock of $22.74 on May 19, 2014. Upon conversion, the notes may be settled in shares of common stock or, at the Company’s election, cash or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. Assuming the Company fully settled the notes in shares, the maximum number of shares that could be issued to satisfy the conversion is currently 7.9 million . If the Company experiences a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the notes, the holders of the 2.5% convertible senior notes may require the Company to purchase for cash all or a portion of their notes, subject to specified exceptions, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The carrying amount of the equity component of the notes is $22.0 million and the principal amount of the liability component (face value of the notes) is $275 million . As of December 31, 2016 , the remaining period for the debt discount was approximately two years and the value of the notes, if converted and fully settled in shares, did not exceed the principal amount of the notes. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the effective interest rate on the liability component of the notes was 5.0% . The following table summarizes the amount of pre-tax interest cost recognized on the 2.5% convertible senior notes and the Company’s 2.875% convertible senior notes which were redeemed in September 2014: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Interest cost recognized relating to: Contractual interest coupon $ 6,875 $ 6,856 $ 8,701 Amortization of debt discount 4,833 4,599 10,165 Amortization of debt issuance costs 1,358 1,355 1,175 Total interest cost recognized on the notes $ 13,066 $ 12,810 $ 20,041 Other Long-term Debt As of December 31, 2016 , other long-term debt includes capital leases of $10.0 million , debt to noncontrolling interest partners of $35.9 million and $31.2 million of a subsidiary’s term loan and revolving credit facility. Total notes payable consist primarily of 28 notes with a weighted average cost of debt of 4.2% and maturities of up to five years. Debt Extinguishment In connection with its debt refinancing in October 2016, the Company issued $575 million of 4.875% senior notes due 2024 and amended its senior secured credit facility. The amendment to the senior secured credit facility provided the existing term loan A and term loan B lenders with an option to convert their outstanding principal amounts into the new term loans. Excluding the outstanding principal amounts for lenders who elected to convert their outstanding term loans, total proceeds of $858.5 million were used to repay $123.3 million outstanding principal amount of the Company’s borrowings under the senior secured credit facility, to repay the entire $425 million principal amount of the Company’s 7% senior notes due 2020 and to pay the related redemption premium of $14.9 million on the 7% senior notes and accrued interest and fees of $38.4 million , leaving $256.9 million in additional cash available for general corporate purposes. The Company recorded $14.0 million as a loss on extinguishment of debt related to this refinancing in 2016. In May 2014, the Company issued $250 million of 5.375% senior notes due 2022 and $275 million of 2.5% convertible senior notes due 2019 and paid related fees and expenses of $9.8 million . In July 2014, the holders of $29.3 million of aggregate outstanding principal of the 2.875% convertible senior notes exercised their right to redeem their notes for cash and in late September 2014, pursuant to the Company’s option under the indenture governing the notes, the Company redeemed the remainder of these notes using the net proceeds noted above. In addition to redeeming the $220 million principal amount of these notes, the Company paid total accrued interest of $1.1 million and related fees and expenses of $0.2 million for the redemption, leaving $293.9 million in additional cash available for general corporate purposes. The loss on extinguishment of debt related to the redemption of the 2.875% convertible senior notes was not significant in 2014. Debt Covenants The Company’s senior secured credit facility contains a number of restrictions that, among other things, require the Company to satisfy a financial covenant and restrict the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt, make certain investments and acquisitions, repurchase its stock and prepay certain indebtedness, create liens, enter into agreements with affiliates, modify the nature of its business, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, transfer and sell material assets, merge or consolidate, and pay dividends and make distributions (with the exception of subsidiary dividends or distributions to the parent company or other subsidiaries on at least a pro-rata basis with any noncontrolling interest partners). Non-compliance with one or more of the covenants and restrictions could result in the full or partial principal balance of the credit facility becoming immediately due and payable. The senior secured credit facility agreement has a covenant, measured quarterly, that relates to total leverage. The consolidated total leverage covenant requires the Company to maintain a ratio of consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA (both as defined in the credit agreement) of 5.50 x over the trailing four consecutive quarters through September 30, 2017. The consolidated total leverage ratio will reduce to 5.25 x on December 31, 2017, 5.0 x on December 31, 2018, 4.75 x on December 31, 2019 and 4.50 x on December 31, 2020. The indentures governing the 4.875% senior notes and the 5.375% senior notes contain covenants that limit, among other things, the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to incur certain additional indebtedness and issue preferred stock, make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments, sell certain assets, agree to any restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make payments to the Company, merge, consolidate or sell all of the Company’s assets, create certain liens, and engage in transactions with affiliates on terms that are not arms-length. Certain covenants, including those pertaining to incurrence of indebtedness, restricted payments, asset sales, mergers and transactions with affiliates will be suspended during any period in which the notes are rated investment grade by both rating agencies and no default or event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing. The 4.875% senior notes and the 5.375% senior notes contain two incurrence-based financial covenants, as defined, requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.0 x and a maximum secured indebtedness leverage ratio of 3.50 x. Some of the Company’s other subsidiary indebtedness includes restrictions on entering into various transactions, such as acquisitions and disposals, and prohibits payment of ordinary dividends. They also have financial covenants including minimum consolidated EBITDA to consolidated net interest payable, minimum consolidated cash flow to consolidated debt service and maximum consolidated debt to consolidated EBITDA, all as defined in the applicable debt agreements. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company believes it was in compliance with all of its debt covenants. The Company expects to remain in compliance with all of these covenants throughout 2017 .

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS The Company primarily uses forward currency contracts and options to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk associated with short-term artist fee commitments. The Company may also enter into forward currency contracts to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with changes in foreign currency rates on forecasted operating income. At December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company had forward currency contracts and options outstanding with notional amounts of $173.8 million and $71.1 million , respectively. These instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments and any change in fair value is reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company’s foreign currency derivative activity, including the related fair values, are not material to any period presented. Additionally, the Company has entered into an interest rate cap agreement to limit its exposure to variable interest rates, related to a portion of the Company’s outstanding debt, with a notional amount of $6.3 million and $8.2 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The interest rate cap agreement has not been designated as a hedging instrument. The Company’s interest rate cap activity, including the related fair values, is not material to any period presented. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes and does not anticipate any significant recognition of derivative activity through the income statement in the future related to the instruments currently held. See Note 5 —Fair Value Measurements for further discussion and disclosure of the fair values for the Company’s derivative instruments.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS The Company currently has various financial instruments carried at fair value, such as marketable securities, derivatives and contingent consideration, but does not currently have nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured using inputs from all levels of the fair value hierarchy as defined in the FASB guidance for fair value. For this categorization, only inputs that are significant to the fair value are considered. The three levels are defined as follows: Level 1—Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the measurement date. Level 2—Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.) and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (i.e., market corroborated inputs). Level 3—Unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs would be based on the best information available, including the Company’s own data. In accordance with the fair value hierarchy described above, the following table shows the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities 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, other current assets, other long-term assets, other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities: Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (in thousands) (in thousands) Assets: Cash equivalents $ 55,081 $ — $ — $ 55,081 $ 30,102 $ — $ — $ 30,102 Forward currency contracts — 2,957 — 2,957 — 979 — 979 Total $ 55,081 $ 2,957 $ — $ 58,038 $ 30,102 $ 979 $ — $ 31,081 Liabilities: Interest rate cap $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1 $ 1 Forward currency contracts — 363 — 363 — 680 — 680 Put option — — 5,147 5,147 — — 7,258 7,258 Contingent consideration — — 44,195 44,195 — — 19,877 19,877 Total $ — $ 363 $ 49,342 $ 49,705 $ — $ 680 $ 27,136 $ 27,816 Cash equivalents consist of money market funds. Fair values for cash equivalents are based on quoted prices in an active market. Fair values for forward currency contracts are based on observable market transactions of spot and forward rates. Fair values for the interest rate swaps are based on inputs corroborated by observable market data with similar tenors. A third party has a put option to sell its noncontrolling interest in one of the Company’s subsidiaries to the Company and is carried at fair value using Level 3 inputs because the redemption date and redemption amount are not fixed. The put option is triggered by the occurrence of specific events, one of which is certain to occur, and requires the Company to buy the noncontrolling interest. The redemption amount for this put option is a variable amount based on a formula linked to historical earnings. The Company has recorded a current liability for this put option which is valued based on the historic results of that subsidiary. Changes in the fair value are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company has certain contingent consideration obligations related to acquisitions which are measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs. The amounts due to the sellers are based on the achievement of agreed-upon financial performance metrics by the acquired companies where the contingent obligation is either earned or not earned. The Company records the liability at the time of the acquisition based on the present value of management’s best estimates of the future results of the acquired companies compared to the agreed-upon metrics. Subsequent to the date of acquisition, the Company updates the original valuation to reflect current projections of future results of the acquired companies and the passage of time. Accretion of, and changes in the valuations of, contingent consideration are reported in selling, general and administrative expenses. See Note 6 —Commitments and Contingent Liabilities for additional information related to the contingent payments. Due to their short maturity, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximated their fair values at December 31, 2016 and 2015 . The Company’s outstanding debt held by third-party financial institutions is carried at cost, adjusted for 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. The estimated fair values of the Company’s 5.375% senior notes, 4.875% senior notes and the 2.5% convertible senior notes were $259.7 million , $578.5 million and $294.6 million , respectively, at December 31, 2016 . The estimated fair values of the 7% senior notes, 5.375% senior notes and the 2.5% convertible senior notes were $443.1 million , $249.4 million and $280.2 million , respectively, at December 31, 2015 . 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 has fixed rate debt held by noncontrolling interest partners with a face value of $35.9 million and $33.2 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company is unable to determine the fair value of this debt. The following table shows the fair value of the Company’s financial assets that have been adjusted to fair value on a non-recurring basis which had a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 : Fair Value Fair Value Measurements Using Loss Description Measurement Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (Gain) (in thousands) 2016 Investment in nonconsolidated affiliates $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 16,455 2015 Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (9,124 ) As discussed in Note 2 —Long-Lived Assets, during 2016, the Company believed certain of its investment balances were impaired based on financial information received regarding the bankruptcy or dissolution of two nonconsolidated affiliates, which are considered Level 3 inputs. During 2015 and 2014 the Company recorded net gains related to investments in nonconsolidated affiliates of $9.1 million and $16.4 million , respectively, as a component of other expense, net. The 2015 gain was related to the acquisitions of a controlling interest in a festival promoter and an artist management business, and the remaining interest in a ticketing business, which were previously accounted for under the equity method. The 2014 net gain was related to changes in the governing agreements of two artist management businesses resulting in those businesses being consolidated by the Company on a prospective basis. Prior to consolidation in both years, the Company remeasured these investments to fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology. The key inputs in these fair value measurements include future cash flow projections, including revenue and profit margins, discount rates and attrition rates. The key inputs used for these non-recurring fair value measurements are considered Level 3 inputs. During 2014, the Company recorded impairment charges related to definite-lived intangible assets of $11.1 million as a component of depreciation and amortization. The impairment charge primarily related to intangible assets for client/vendor relationships in the Artist Nation segment and technology in the Ticketing segment. In all these cases it was determined that these assets were impaired since the most recent estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with these assets were less than their carrying value or that the technology would no longer be used. These impairments were then calculated using operating cash flows which were discounted to approximate fair value. The key inputs in these calculations include future cash flow projections, including revenue and profit margins, attrition rates as applicable, and, for the fair value computation, a discount rate. The key inputs used for these non-recurring fair value measurements are considered Level 3 inputs. During 2014, goodwill impairments were recorded for the International Concerts reporting unit in the Concerts segment and the Artist Services (non-management) reporting unit in the Artist Nation segment in the amounts of $117.0 million and $17.9 million , respectively, in conjunction with the Company’s annual impairment tests. The Company calculated these impairments using a combination of a discounted cash flows methodology, which uses both Level 2 and Level 3 inputs, and a market multiple methodology, which uses primarily Level 2 inputs. These key inputs include discount rates, market multiples, control premiums, revenue growth, estimates of future financial performance and attrition rates. See Note 1—The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 2—Long-Lived Assets for further discussion of the Company’s methodology and these impairments. During 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to indefinite-lived intangible assets of $6.0 million as a component of depreciation and amortization. The Company made a decision to rebrand certain of its markets that were not using the Ticketmaster trade name. In connection with the rebranding, it was determined that an indefinite-lived intangible asset for a certain market was fully impaired since the transition to the Ticketmaster trade name was substantially completed for that market during the third quarter. The fair value of this asset was calculated using a relief from royalty method. The relief from royalty method applied a royalty rate to the projected earnings attributable to the indefinite-lived intangible asset. The projected earnings for this non-recurring fair value measurement are considered Level 3 inputs.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIAB

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES The Company leases office space, certain equipment and many of its concert venues. Some of the lease agreements contain renewal options and annual rental escalation clauses (generally tied to the consumer price index), as well as provisions for the payment of utilities and maintenance by the Company. The Company also has non-cancelable contracts related to minimum performance payments with various artists, other event-related costs and nonrecoupable ticketing contract advances. In addition, the Company has commitments relating to additions to property, plant, and equipment under certain construction commitments for facilities and venues. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company’s future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements, minimum payments under non-cancelable contracts and capital expenditure commitments consist of the following: Non-cancelable Operating Leases Non-cancelable Contracts Capital Expenditures (in thousands) 2017 $ 163,058 $ 740,202 $ 34,179 2018 155,992 146,409 1,811 2019 146,382 116,236 789 2020 132,253 30,791 685 2021 102,918 6,619 1,084 Thereafter 1,324,119 9,636 24,076 Total $ 2,024,722 $ 1,049,893 $ 62,624 Commitment amounts for non-cancelable operating leases and non-cancelable contracts which stipulate an increase in the commitment amount based on an inflationary index have been estimated using an inflation factor of 1.9% for North America, 3.0% for the United Kingdom, 1.8% for Denmark and 1.7% for the Netherlands. Aggregate minimum rentals of $57.4 million to be paid to the Company in years 2017 through 2023 under non-cancelable subleases are excluded from the commitment amounts in the above table. Total rent expense charged to operations for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $196.0 million , $159.5 million and $155.7 million , respectively. In addition to the minimum rental commitments included in the table above, the Company has leases that contain contingent payment requirements for which payments vary depending on revenue, tickets sold or other variables. Contingent rent expense charged to operations for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $49.0 million , $43.7 million and $28.9 million , respectively. The above table above does not include contingent rent or rent expense for events in third-party venues. In connection with asset and business disposals, the Company generally provides indemnifications to the buyers including claims resulting from employment matters, commercial claims and governmental actions that may be taken against the assets or businesses sold. Settlement of these claims is subject to various statutory limitations that are dependent upon the nature of the claim. Certain agreements relating to acquisitions provide for deferred purchase consideration payments at future dates. A liability is established at the time of the acquisition for these fixed payments. For obligations payable at a date greater than twelve months from the acquisition date, the Company applies a discount rate to calculate the present value of the obligations. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company has accrued $18.1 million in other current liabilities and $7.2 million in other long-term liabilities and, as of December 31, 2015 , the Company had accrued $12.4 million in other current liabilities and $26.8 million in other long-term liabilities, related to these deferred purchase consideration payments. The Company has contingent obligations related to acquisitions which are accounted for as business combinations. Contingent consideration associated with business combinations is recorded at fair value at the time of the acquisition and reflected at current fair value for each subsequent reporting period thereafter until settled. The Company records these fair value changes in its statements of operations as selling, general and administrative expenses. The contingent consideration is generally subject to payout following the achievement of future performance targets and a portion is expected to be payable in the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company has accrued $5.2 million in other current liabilities and $39.0 million in other long-term liabilities and, as of December 31, 2015 , the Company had accrued $2.3 million in other current liabilities and $17.6 million in other long-term liabilities, representing the fair value of these estimated payments. The last contingency period for which the Company has an outstanding contingent payment is for the period ending January 2022 . See Note 5 —Fair Value Measurements for further discussion related to the valuation of these contingent payments. During 2006, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of a theatrical business, the Company guaranteed obligations related to a lease agreement. In the event of default, the Company could be liable for obligations through the end of 2035 which have future lease payments (undiscounted) of approximately $16.9 million as of December 31, 2016 . The scheduled future minimum rentals for this lease for the years 2017 through 2021 are $1.6 million each year. The venues under the lease agreement were included in the sale of the Company’s North American theatrical business in 2008. The buyer has assumed the Company’s obligations under the guaranty, however the Company remains contingently liable to the lessor. The Company believes that the likelihood of a material liability being triggered under this lease is remote, and no liability has been accrued for these contingent lease obligations as of December 31, 2016 . As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company guaranteed the debt of third parties of approximately $18.0 million and $13.4 million , respectively, primarily related to maximum credit limits on employee and tour-related credit cards and obligations under a venue management agreement. Litigation Ticketing Fees Consumer Class Action Litigation On March 18, 2016, all appeals relating to a settlement agreement reached by the plaintiffs and Ticketmaster in respect of a ticketing fees consumer class action litigation matter originally filed in October 2003 against Ticketmaster were dismissed, thus resolving this matter and allowing the implementation of the terms of the settlement. On March 30, 2016, the Company funded a portion of the settlement primarily related to the plaintiffs’ attorney fees and paid other costs related to the settlement throughout 2016. Ticketmaster and its parent, Live Nation, have not acknowledged any violations of law or liability in connection with the matter. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company has accrued $14.0 million , its best estimate of the probable remaining costs associated with the settlement referred to above, which was recorded in prior years. 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.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELAT

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS	CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS Transactions Involving Related Parties The following table provides details of the total revenue earned and expenses incurred from the transactions noted below: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Related-party revenue $ 123,117 $ 109,720 $ 3,393 Related-party expenses $ 8,751 $ 8,470 $ 471 As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company has payable balances of $20.8 million and $23.2 million , respectively, due to certain of the companies noted below. Liberty Media Two current members of our board of directors were originally nominated by Liberty Media pursuant to a stockholder agreement. These directors receive directors’ fees and stock-based awards on the same basis as other non-employee members of the Company’s board of directors. The Company provides ticketing services to a sports franchise owned by Liberty Media and pays royalty fees and non-recoupable ticketing contract advances to the sports franchise. The Company also receives transaction fees from the sports franchise for tickets the sports franchise sells using the Company’s ticketing software. From time to time, the Company purchases advertising from a satellite radio company that is a subsidiary of Liberty Media. Legends The Company’s Chief Executive Officer became a member of the board of directors of Legends Hospitality Holding Company, LLC (“Legends”) in February 2015. Legends provides concession services to certain of the Company’s owned or operated amphitheaters. The Company receives fees based on concession sales at each of the amphitheaters. Senior Management The Company conducts certain transactions in the ordinary course of business with companies that are owned, in part or in total, by certain members of senior management of the Company. These transactions primarily relate to ticketing services. Transactions Involving Equity Method Investees The Company conducts business with certain of its equity method investees in the ordinary course of business. Transactions primarily relate to venue rentals and ticketing services. Revenue of $2.5 million , $2.0 million and $1.0 million were earned in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and expenses of $3.2 million , $1.5 million and $0.5 million were incurred in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, from these equity investees for services rendered or provided in relation to these business ventures.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES Significant components of the provision for income tax expense are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 564 $ 543 $ 17 Foreign 29,902 23,811 12,727 State 5,454 7,379 9,550 Total current 35,920 31,733 22,294 Deferred: Federal 5,113 (355 ) (10,827 ) Foreign (11,703 ) (8,278 ) (4,249 ) State (1,301 ) (978 ) (2,588 ) Total deferred (7,891 ) (9,611 ) (17,664 ) Income tax expense $ 28,029 $ 22,122 $ 4,630 The domestic income (loss) before income taxes was $1.1 million , $(21.4) million and $(16.2) million for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Foreign income (loss) before income taxes was $47.2 million , $27.8 million and $(83.6) million for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets $ 189,131 $ 209,316 Prepaid expenses 8,770 6,429 Long-term debt 3,835 5,644 Other 6,077 20,759 Total deferred tax liabilities 207,813 242,148 Deferred tax assets: Accrued expenses 45,839 41,113 Net operating loss carryforwards 563,461 578,805 Foreign tax credit carryforwards 59,977 56,282 Equity compensation 32,452 26,432 Other — 1,949 Total gross deferred tax assets 701,729 704,581 Valuation allowance 681,566 658,104 Total deferred tax assets 20,163 46,477 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (187,650 ) $ (195,671 ) Each reporting period, the Company evaluates the realizability of all of its deferred tax assets in each tax jurisdiction. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company continued to maintain a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions due to sustained pre-tax losses. As a result of the valuation allowances, no tax benefits have been recognized for losses incurred in those tax jurisdictions in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 . During 2016 and 2015 , the Company recorded net deferred tax liabilities of $15.9 million and $29.2 million , respectively, due principally to differences in financial reporting and tax bases in assets acquired in business combinations. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company has United States federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards of $232.6 million , $68.2 million and $262.7 million , respectively. Based on current statutory carryforward periods, these losses will expire on various dates beginning in 2025 . The Company’s federal net operating loss is subject to statutory limitations on the amount that can be used in any given year. The reconciliation of income tax computed at the United States federal statutory rates to income tax expense (benefit) is: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Income tax expense (benefit) at United States statutory rates $ 16,914 $ 2,223 $ (34,937 ) State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits 3,264 3,959 7,548 Differences between foreign and United States statutory rates (11,116 ) (5,356 ) (10,735 ) Non-United States income inclusions and exclusions (1,678 ) 1,206 (284 ) United States income inclusions and exclusions (1,317 ) 2,095 (1,396 ) Nondeductible items 3,210 4,736 55,469 Tax contingencies 2,390 2,063 950 Tax expense from acquired goodwill 5,936 4,483 1,299 Tax return to accrual (1,071 ) (551 ) (7,013 ) Change in valuation allowance 11,820 7,116 (7,467 ) Other, net (323 ) 148 1,196 $ 28,029 $ 22,122 $ 4,630 Income tax expense is principally attributable to the Company’s earnings in foreign tax jurisdictions along with state income taxes. Amounts included in differences between foreign and United States statutory rates are impacted by changes in the mix of international earnings subject to various tax rates which can differ greatly in their proximity to the United States statutory rate. In 2015, there was an increase in taxable foreign earnings in jurisdictions whose statutory rates are closer to the United States statutory rate which reduced the amount of this difference as compared to other years. The differences between statutory rates is also impacted by the Company’s Luxembourg affiliates and tax rulings which include the application of a reduced Luxembourg effective rate to the net income before tax resulting from the Company’s financing activities in Luxembourg. Nondeductible items in 2014 are primarily the Company’s goodwill impairment in its International Concerts reporting unit, which was not deductible for income tax purposes. There were no impairments of goodwill in 2016 or 2015. In 2014, the Company had higher tax return to accrual impacts from its international operations as compared to 2016 and 2015, primarily related to deductions that were able to be carried back to prior returns and therefore created a tax benefit. The increase in the change in valuation allowance in 2016 resulted primarily from an increase in the income within jurisdictions with full valuation allowances, including the United States. The increase in 2015 was attributable to an increase in net operating losses in certain international jurisdictions that are fully valued for tax purposes. The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Balance at January 1 $ 14,022 $ 12,619 $ 12,860 Additions: Increase for current year positions — 1,606 306 Increase for prior year positions 1,978 274 1,089 Decrease for prior year positions (3 ) — — Interest and penalties for prior years 546 525 511 Reductions: Expiration of applicable statute of limitations — — (236 ) Settlements for prior year positions (1,188 ) (852 ) (1,225 ) Foreign exchange (238 ) (150 ) (686 ) Balance at December 31 $ 15,117 $ 14,022 $ 12,619 All of these unrecognized tax benefits would favorably impact the effective tax rate if recognized at some point in the future. It is not expected that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease materially within the next 12 months. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each taxing jurisdiction resulting from current and subsequent years’ examinations. Liabilities for income taxes are established for future income tax assessments when it is probable there will be future assessments and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Once established, liabilities for uncertain tax positions are adjusted only when there is more information available or when an event occurs necessitating a change to the liabilities. The Company believes that the resolution of income tax matters for open years will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements although the resolution of income tax matters could impact the Company’s effective tax rate for a particular future period. The tax years 2005 through 2016 remain open to examination by the tax jurisdictions to which the company is subject.

EQUITY

EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
EQUITY	EQUITY Dividends The Company currently intends to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of its business. Therefore, it does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Moreover, the terms of the Company’s senior secured credit facility limit the amount of funds that the Company will have available to declare and distribute as dividends on its common stock. Payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors in accordance with applicable laws after taking into account various factors, including the financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, plans for expansion and contractual restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends. Common Stock Issued shares of common stock reported on the balance sheets include 1.1 million and 0.9 million , at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, of unvested restricted stock awards that have not been included in the common shares issued reported on the statements of changes in equity. These shares will be reflected in the statements of changes in equity at the time of vesting. During 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company issued 1.4 million , 1.6 million and 2.7 million shares, respectively, of common stock in connection with stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock awards. Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance Common stock of approximately 29.3 million shares as of December 31, 2016 is reserved for future issuances under the stock incentive plan (including 16.3 million options and 1.1 million restricted stock awards currently granted). Noncontrolling Interests Common securities held by the noncontrolling interests that do not include put arrangements exercisable outside of the control of the Company are recorded in equity, separate from the Company’s stockholders’ equity. The purchase or sale of additional ownership in an already controlled subsidiary is recorded as an equity transaction with no gain or loss recognized in net income (loss) or comprehensive income (loss) as long as the subsidiary remains a controlled subsidiary. In 2016, the Company acquired all or additional equity interests in two artist management businesses located in the United States along with other smaller companies. In 2015, a subsidiary of the Company exchanged their equity interest in a ticketing business for a noncontrolling interest in the Company’s subsidiary that acquired the remaining equity interest of that ticketing business. In addition, the Company acquired the remaining equity interest in an artist management business in the United Kingdom. In 2014, in connection with the acquisition of an artist management business, the Company exchanged a noncontrolling interest in certain of its existing artist management businesses. In addition, the Company acquired the remaining equity interests in a festival promoter based in Ireland along with other smaller companies. The following schedule reflects the change in ownership interests for these transactions: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation $ 2,942 $ (32,508 ) $ (90,807 ) Transfers of noncontrolling interest: Changes in Live Nation’s additional paid-in capital for purchases of noncontrolling interests, net of transaction costs (49,111 ) (6,555 ) (3,796 ) Changes in Live Nation’s additional paid-in capital for sales of noncontrolling interests, net of transaction costs 1,424 11,899 (11,748 ) Net transfers of noncontrolling interest (47,687 ) 5,344 (15,544 ) Change from net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation and net transfers of noncontrolling interests $ (44,745 ) $ (27,164 ) $ (106,351 ) Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests The Company is subject to put arrangements where the holders of the noncontrolling interests can require the Company to repurchase their shares at specified dates in the future or within specified periods in the future. Certain of these puts can be exercised earlier upon the occurrence of triggering events as specified in the agreements. The redemption amounts for these puts are either at a fixed amount, at fair value at the time of exercise or a variable amount based on a formula linked to earnings. In accordance with the FASB guidance for business combinations, the redeemable noncontrolling interests are recorded at their fair value at acquisition date. For puts not redeemable at fair value, when these put arrangements are not currently redeemable, the Company accretes up to the estimated redemption value over the period from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date of the individual puts, with the offset recorded to additional paid-in capital. Decreases in accretion are only recognized to the extent that increases had been previously recognized. The estimated redemption values that are based on a formula linked to future earnings are computed using projected cash flows each reporting period which take into account the current expectations regarding profitability and the timing of revenue-generating events. The balances are reflected in the Company’s balance sheets as redeemable noncontrolling interests outside of permanent equity. The increase during the current year is primarily due to the acquisitions of controlling interests in festival and concert promoter businesses located in the United States and Australia. The Company’s estimate of redemption amounts for puts that are redeemable at fixed or determinable prices on fixed or determinable dates for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 are $3.5 million , $153.1 million , $59.6 million , $124.7 million and $48.9 million , respectively. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The following table presents changes in the components of AOCI, net of taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 : Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Items Foreign Currency Items Total (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2013 $ (79 ) $ (611 ) $ (1,680 ) $ (2,370 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications (6 ) 30 (67,724 ) (67,700 ) Amount reclassified from AOCI 60 — — 60 Net other comprehensive income 54 30 (67,724 ) (67,640 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 (25 ) (581 ) (69,404 ) (70,010 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 223 (41,895 ) (41,672 ) Amount reclassified from AOCI 25 — — 25 Net other comprehensive income (loss) 25 223 (41,895 ) (41,647 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 — (358 ) (111,299 ) (111,657 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — (103 ) (64,947 ) (65,050 ) Amount reclassified from AOCI — — — — Net other comprehensive income (loss) — (103 ) (64,947 ) (65,050 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ — $ (461 ) $ (176,246 ) $ (176,707 ) 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 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. Diluted net income per common share adjusts basic net income per common share for the effects of stock options, restricted stock and other potentially dilutive financial instruments only in the periods in which such effect is dilutive. The Company’s convertible senior notes are considered in the calculation of diluted net income per common share, if dilutive. The calculation of diluted net income 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. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 there were no reconciling items to the weighted average common shares outstanding in the calculation of diluted net income per common share. The following table shows securities excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share because such securities were anti-dilutive: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Options to purchase shares of common stock 16,283 16,309 16,999 Restricted stock awards—unvested 1,080 861 1,171 Conversion shares related to convertible senior notes 7,930 7,930 7,930 Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 25,293 25,100 26,100

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION In December 2005, the Company adopted its 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, which has been amended and/or restated on several occasions. In connection with the Company’s merger with Ticketmaster, the Company adopted the Amended and Restated Ticketmaster 2008 Stock & Annual Incentive Plan. The plans authorize the Company to grant stock option awards, director shares, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and deferred stock awards, other equity-based awards and performance awards. The Company has granted restricted stock awards and options to purchase its common stock to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates under the stock incentive plans at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The stock incentive plans contain anti-dilutive provisions that require the adjustment of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by, and the exercise price of, each option for any stock splits or stock dividends. The following is a summary of stock-based compensation expense recorded by the Company during the respective periods: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 15,687 $ 16,380 $ 21,204 Corporate expenses 17,036 16,981 17,825 Total $ 32,723 $ 33,361 $ 39,029 As of December 31, 2016 , there was $31.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-based compensation arrangements for stock options and restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. Stock Options Stock options are granted for a term not exceeding ten years and the nonvested options are generally forfeited in the event the employee or director terminates his or her employment or relationship with the Company or one of its affiliates. Any options that have vested at the time of termination are forfeited to the extent they are not exercised within the applicable post-employment exercise period provided in their option agreements. These options vest over two to five years. The following assumptions were used to calculate the fair value of the Company’s options on the date of grant: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Risk-free interest rate 1.24% - 1.49% 1.47% - 1.75% 1.67% - 2.00% Dividend yield 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % Volatility factors 29.42% - 36.11% 34.18% - 43.36% 42.41% - 47.00% Weighted average expected life (in years) 5.76 5.94 6.06 The following table presents a summary of the Company’s stock options outstanding at, and stock option activity (“Price” reflects the weighted average exercise price per share): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Options Price Options Price Options Price (in thousands, except per share data) Outstanding January 1 16,309 $ 13.54 16,999 $ 13.78 16,628 $ 12.68 Granted 1,103 19.53 1,667 25.32 2,345 21.03 Exercised (1,063 ) 19.10 (1,098 ) 14.50 (1,769 ) 12.32 Forfeited or expired (66 ) 22.39 (1,259 ) 31.58 (205 ) 19.58 Outstanding December 31 16,283 $ 13.55 16,309 $ 13.54 16,999 $ 13.78 Exercisable December 31 12,628 $ 12.01 11,177 $ 11.54 10,669 $ 13.68 Weighted average fair value per option granted $ 6.98 $ 9.93 $ 9.82 The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $8.5 million , $14.1 million and $20.2 million , respectively. Cash received from stock option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $20.3 million , $16.3 million and $21.8 million , respectively. There were 11.9 million shares available for future grants under the stock incentive plan at December 31, 2016 . Upon share option exercise or vesting of restricted stock, the Company issues new shares or treasury shares to fulfill these grants. Vesting dates on the stock options range from March 2017 to October 2020, and expiration dates range from February 2017 to October 2026 at exercise prices and average contractual lives as follows: Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding as of 12/31/16 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable as of 12/31/16 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted Average Exercise Price (in thousands) (in years) (in thousands) (in years) $2.75 - $4.99 2,228 2.2 $ 2.84 2,228 2.2 $ 2.84 $5.00 - $9.99 4,757 5.8 $ 8.81 3,917 5.7 $ 8.82 $10.00 - $14.99 3,108 4.1 $ 11.40 3,108 4.1 $ 11.40 $15.00 - $19.99 1,582 7.0 $ 19.05 466 2.3 $ 18.38 $20.00 - $24.99 3,030 5.4 $ 22.03 2,267 4.8 $ 22.29 $25.00 - $29.99 1,578 8.1 $ 25.37 642 8.1 $ 25.34 The total intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable as of December 31, 2016 was $433.1 million and $335.9 million , respectively. Restricted Stock The Company has granted restricted stock awards to its employees and directors under its stock incentive plans. These common shares carry a legend which restricts their transferability for a term of one to five years and are forfeited in the event the recipient’s employment or relationship with the Company is terminated prior to the lapse of the restriction. In addition, certain restricted stock awards require the Company or the recipient to achieve minimum performance targets in order for these awards to vest. In 2016, the Company granted 0.4 million shares of restricted stock and 0.4 million shares of performance-based awards, respectively, under the Company’s stock incentive plans. These awards will vest over one or four years with the exception of the performance-based awards which will generally vest within two years if the performance criteria are met. In 2015, the Company granted 0.3 million shares of restricted stock and 0.2 million shares of performance-based awards, respectively, under the Company’s stock incentive plans. These awards will generally vest over one or four years with the exception of the performance-based awards which will generally vest within two years if the performance criteria are met. As of December 31, 2016, the performance-based criteria for these awards have been met unless otherwise forfeited. In 2014, the Company granted 0.4 million shares of restricted stock and 0.3 million shares of market-based or performance-based awards under the Company’s stock incentive plans. These awards will all generally vest over one or four years with the exception of the market-based awards which will vest within two years if the performance criteria are met. As of December 31, 2016, the performance or market-based criteria for these awards have been met unless otherwise forfeited. The following table presents a summary of the Company’s unvested restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (“Price” reflects the weighted average share price at the date of grant): Restricted Stock Awards Price (in thousands, except per share data) Unvested at December 31, 2013 2,210 $ 10.68 Granted 752 21.64 Forfeited (237 ) 12.64 Vested (1,554 ) 11.50 Unvested at December 31, 2014 1,171 $ 16.18 Granted 456 26.11 Forfeited (6 ) 10.02 Vested (760 ) 14.74 Unvested at December 31, 2015 861 $ 22.67 Granted 751 20.65 Forfeited (50 ) 21.63 Vested (482 ) 21.73 Unvested at December 31, 2016 1,080 $ 21.67 The total grant date fair market value of the shares issued upon the vesting of restricted stock awards during the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $10.5 million , $11.2 million and $17.9 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2016 , there were 0.4 million restricted stock awards outstanding which require the Company or the recipient to achieve minimum performance targets in order for the awards to vest.

OTHER INFORMATION

OTHER INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
OTHER INFORMATION	OTHER INFORMATION December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) The following details the components of “Other current assets”: Cash held in escrow $ 2,983 $ 1,736 Inventory 15,114 14,388 Other 31,677 20,240 Total other current assets $ 49,774 $ 36,364 The following details the components of “Other long-term assets”: Long-term advances $ 208,977 $ 192,311 Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates 82,032 81,811 Other 120,285 111,127 Total other long-term assets $ 411,294 $ 385,249 The following details the components of “Accrued expenses”: Accrued compensation and benefits $ 192,167 $ 157,013 Accrued event expenses 192,599 170,613 Accrued insurance 65,941 56,279 Accrued legal 22,904 47,740 Collections on behalf of others 31,233 32,140 Other 276,650 222,879 Total accrued expenses $ 781,494 $ 686,664 The following details the components of “Other current liabilities”: Contingent and deferred purchase consideration $ 23,301 $ 16,413 Other 15,754 15,589 Total other current liabilities $ 39,055 $ 32,002 The following details the components of “Other long-term liabilities”: Accrued rent $ 61,282 $ 57,041 Deferred revenue 5,506 6,128 Contingent and deferred purchase consideration 46,228 44,395 Other 36,775 34,703 Total other long-term liabilities $ 149,791 $ 142,267

SEGMENT DATA

SEGMENT DATA	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT DATA	SEGMENT DATA For all periods presented, the Company’s reportable segments are Concerts, Sponsorship & Advertising, Ticketing and Artist Nation. 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 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 such as signage, promotional programs, rich media offerings, including advertising associated with live streaming and music-related content, and ads across the Company’s distribution network of venues, events and websites. 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 and other services to artists. Beginning in 2017, the Company will combine its Concerts and Artist Nation segments based on its belief that the strategy behind artist management is to provide a full range of services related to concert promotion and to expand the Concerts line of business. In connection with this, there has been a change in the way the chief operating decision maker, as defined in the FASB guidance, makes decisions around allocations of resources and management responsibilities for this business. Going forward, the Company will have three reportable segments: Concerts, Sponsorship & Advertising and Ticketing. However, the Company does not believe this will result in a change to its reporting units reviewed for goodwill impairment. Revenue and expenses earned and charged between segments are eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s capital expenditures below include accruals and expenditures funded by outside parties such as landlords or replacements funded by insurance proceeds. 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. There were no customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in any year. The following table presents the results of operations for the Company’s reportable segments for the years ending December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 : Concerts Sponsorship Ticketing Artist Nation Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) 2016 Revenue $ 5,874,089 $ 377,618 $ 1,827,930 $ 421,706 $ 7,978 $ — $ (154,387 ) $ 8,354,934 Direct operating expenses 4,981,816 60,218 956,956 232,555 2,902 — (151,739 ) 6,082,708 Selling, general and administrative expenses 766,881 71,089 510,490 183,179 16,811 — — 1,548,450 Depreciation and amortization 137,605 18,206 185,925 57,110 2,940 4,433 (2,568 ) 403,651 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets (81 ) — 68 20 — 117 — 124 Corporate expenses — — — — — 125,141 (80 ) 125,061 Operating income (loss) $ (12,132 ) $ 228,105 $ 174,491 $ (51,158 ) $ (14,675 ) $ (129,691 ) $ — $ 194,940 Intersegment revenue $ 142,240 $ — $ 1,150 $ 10,997 $ — $ — $ (154,387 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 85,958 $ 2,161 $ 91,285 $ 1,348 $ 1,028 $ 7,824 $ — $ 189,604 Concerts Sponsorship Ticketing Artist Nation Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) 2015 Revenue $ 4,964,991 $ 333,726 $ 1,639,564 $ 434,201 $ 3,176 $ — $ (129,927 ) $ 7,245,731 Direct operating expenses 4,220,963 47,760 808,697 245,781 1,068 — (127,796 ) 5,196,473 Selling, general and administrative expenses 702,108 57,681 488,483 161,408 2,175 — — 1,411,855 Depreciation and amortization 146,795 9,932 184,129 54,980 46 3,490 (2,131 ) 397,241 Loss on disposal of operating assets 430 — 26 215 — 174 — 845 Corporate expenses — — — — — 107,945 — 107,945 Operating income (loss) $ (105,305 ) $ 218,353 $ 158,229 $ (28,183 ) $ (113 ) $ (111,609 ) $ — $ 131,372 Intersegment revenue $ 113,391 $ — $ 1,150 $ 15,386 $ — $ — $ (129,927 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 40,053 $ 4,836 $ 93,323 $ 1,924 $ — $ 5,011 $ — $ 145,147 2014 Revenue $ 4,726,877 $ 300,279 $ 1,557,254 $ 389,437 $ 3,171 $ — $ (110,054 ) $ 6,866,964 Direct operating expenses 4,016,540 37,973 763,280 212,302 (2,174 ) — (107,952 ) 4,919,969 Selling, general and administrative expenses 671,646 50,292 473,363 138,632 3,383 — — 1,337,316 Depreciation and amortization 115,088 4,281 204,901 43,343 40 2,592 (2,102 ) 368,143 Goodwill impairment 117,013 — — 17,948 — — — 134,961 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets (2,954 ) — (1,583 ) 34 (29 ) 38 — (4,494 ) Corporate expenses — — — — — 103,905 — 103,905 Operating income (loss) $ (190,456 ) $ 207,733 $ 117,293 $ (22,822 ) $ 1,951 $ (106,535 ) $ — $ 7,164 Intersegment revenue $ 97,642 $ — $ 1,150 $ 11,262 $ — $ — $ (110,054 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 35,006 $ 1,834 $ 89,990 $ 1,892 $ 6 $ 9,490 $ — $ 138,218 The following table provides revenue and long-lived assets for the Company’s foreign operations included in the consolidated financial statements: United Kingdom Operations Other Foreign Operations Total Foreign Operations Total Domestic Operations Consolidated Total (in thousands) 2016 Revenue $ 683,457 $ 1,882,590 $ 2,566,047 $ 5,788,887 $ 8,354,934 Long-lived assets $ 69,380 $ 104,780 $ 174,160 $ 577,376 $ 751,536 2015 Revenue $ 672,802 $ 1,534,629 $ 2,207,431 $ 5,038,300 $ 7,245,731 Long-lived assets $ 74,517 $ 126,194 $ 200,711 $ 530,571 $ 731,282 2014 Revenue $ 772,445 $ 1,591,643 $ 2,364,088 $ 4,502,876 $ 6,866,964 Long-lived assets $ 71,269 $ 105,937 $ 177,206 $ 518,131 $ 695,337

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)	QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 (in thousands) Revenue $ 1,207,716 $ 1,120,312 $ 2,179,258 $ 1,765,777 $ 3,170,416 $ 2,622,917 $ 1,797,544 $ 1,736,725 Operating income (loss) $ (33,290 ) $ (23,935 ) $ 74,159 $ 42,245 $ 191,286 $ 153,510 $ (37,215 ) $ (40,448 ) Net income (loss) $ (55,954 ) $ (66,526 ) $ 36,461 $ 20,212 $ 132,761 $ 104,382 $ (92,971 ) $ (73,837 ) Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation $ (44,518 ) $ (58,279 ) $ 37,741 $ 15,056 $ 111,079 $ 89,049 $ (101,360 ) $ (78,334 ) Basic net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation $ (0.29 ) $ (0.31 ) $ 0.13 $ 0.06 $ 0.51 $ 0.39 $ (0.58 ) $ (0.47 ) Diluted net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation $ (0.29 ) $ (0.31 ) $ 0.13 $ 0.06 $ 0.49 $ 0.38 $ (0.58 ) $ (0.47 ) The following summarizes unusual or infrequent items effecting the quarterly results of operations: 2016 In the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $15.1 million related to investments in a digital content company and an online merchandise company as a component of equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates. See Note 5 —Fair Value Measurements for further discussion of the inputs used to determine the fair values. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded a $14.0 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to the refinancing of certain of its debt. See Note 3 —Long-Term Debt for further discussion. The Company recorded net foreign exchange rate gains of $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2016 and net foreign exchange rate losses of $6.6 million , $1.9 million and $8.0 million in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2016, respectively, as a component of other expense, net. 2015 The Company recorded remeasurement gains of $10.0 million in the second quarter of 2015 as a component of other expense, net in connection with the consolidation of a festival promotion business and a ticketing company that were previously accounted for as equity investments. See Note 5 —Fair Value Measurements for further discussion. The Company recorded net foreign exchange rate losses of $20.8 million , $10.6 million and $4.1 million in the first, third and fourth quarters of 2015, respectively, as a component of other expense, net.

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALI

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT, INC. SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Description Balance at Beginning of Period Charges of Costs, Expenses and Other Write-off of Accounts Receivable Other Balance at End of Period (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2014 $ 19,850 $ 3,684 $ (4,763 ) $ (1,282 ) (1) $ 17,489 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ 17,489 $ 19,525 $ (18,703 ) $ (1,143 ) (1) $ 17,168 Year ended December 31, 2016 $ 17,168 $ 16,699 $ (3,927 ) $ (306 ) (1) $ 29,634 _________________ (1) Foreign currency adjustments and acquisitions. LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT, INC. SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Description Balance at Beginning of Period Charges of Costs, Expenses and Other Deletions Other (1) Balance at End of Period (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2014 $ 580,594 $ (6,168 ) $ — $ 18,879 $ 593,305 Year ended December 31, 2015 $ 593,305 $ 7,116 $ — $ 57,683 $ 658,104 Year ended December 31, 2016 $ 658,104 $ 11,820 $ — $ 11,642 $ 681,566 ________________________ (1) During 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the valuation allowance was adjusted for acquisitions, divestitures and foreign currency adjustments.

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI22

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The Company’s consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Company, its majority owned and controlled subsidiaries and VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany accounts among the consolidated businesses have been eliminated in consolidation. Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is reflected in the statements of operations. Typically the Company consolidates entities in which the Company owns more than 50% of the voting common stock and controls operations and also VIEs for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which the Company owns more than 20% of the voting common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies but not control of the nonconsolidated affiliate are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which the Company owns less than 20% of the voting common stock and does not exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. All cash flow activity reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows for the Company is presented net of any non-cash transactions so the amounts reflected may be different than amounts shown in other places in the Company’s financial statements that are based on accrual accounting and therefore include non-cash amounts. For example, the purchases of property, plant and equipment reflected on the consolidated statements of cash flows reflects the amount of cash paid during the year for these purchases and does not include the impact of the changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures during the year.
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities In the normal course of business, the Company enters into joint ventures or makes investments in companies that will allow it to expand its core business and enter new markets. In certain instances, such ventures or investments may be considered a VIE because the equity at risk is insufficient to permit it to carry on its activities without additional financial support from its equity owners. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it assesses whether it has the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The activities the Company believes most significantly impact the economic performance of its VIEs include the unilateral ability to approve the annual budget, the unilateral ability to terminate key management and the unilateral ability to approve entering into agreements with artists, among others. The Company has certain rights and obligations related to its involvement in the VIEs, including the requirement to provide operational cash flow funding. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , excluding intercompany balances and allocated goodwill and intangible assets, there were $186.4 million and $188.6 million of assets and $98.9 million and $91.7 million of liabilities, respectively, related to VIEs included in the balance sheets. None of the Company’s VIEs are significant on an individual basis.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of domestic and foreign bank accounts as well as interest-bearing accounts consisting primarily of bank deposits and money market accounts managed by third-party financial institutions. These balances are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Included in the December 31, 2016 and 2015 cash and cash equivalents balance is $591.0 million and $549.0 million , respectively, of cash received that includes the face value of tickets sold on behalf of ticketing clients and the clients’ share of service charges (“client cash”). The Company generally does not utilize client cash for its own financing or investing activities as the amounts are payable to clients on a regular basis. These amounts due to clients are included in accounts payable, client accounts. Cash held in interest-bearing operating accounts in many cases exceeds the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. To reduce its credit risk, the Company monitors the credit standing of the financial institutions that hold the Company’s cash and cash equivalents; however, these balances could be impacted in the future if the underlying financial institutions fail. To date, the Company has experienced no loss or lack of access to its cash or cash equivalents; however, the Company can provide no assurances that access to its cash and cash equivalents will not be impacted in the future by adverse conditions in the financial markets.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Generally, it records specific reserves to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected when a customer’s account ages beyond typical collection patterns, or the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations. The Company believes that the credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the large number and the geographic diversification of its customers.
Prepaid Expenses	Prepaid Expenses The majority of the Company’s prepaid expenses relate to event expenses including show advances and deposits and other costs directly related to future concert events. For advances that are expected to be recouped over a period of more than 12 months, the long-term portion of the advance is classified as other long-term assets. These prepaid costs are charged to operations upon completion of the related events.
Ticketing Contract Advances	Ticketing contract advances, which can be either recoupable or non-recoupable, represent amounts paid in advance to the Company’s clients pursuant to ticketing agreements and are reflected in prepaid expenses or in other long-term assets if the amount is expected to be recouped or recognized over a period of more than 12 months. Recoupable ticketing contract advances are generally recoupable against future royalties earned by the clients, based on the contract terms, over the life of the contract. Non-recoupable ticketing contract advances, excluding those amounts paid to support clients’ advertising costs, are fixed additional incentives occasionally paid by the Company to secure exclusive rights with certain clients and are normally amortized over the life of the contract on a straight-line basis. Amortization of these non-recoupable ticketing contract advances is included in depreciation and amortization in the statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company amortized $85.1 million , $86.6 million and $79.4 million , respectively, related to non-recoupable ticketing contract advances.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations During 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company completed several acquisitions that were accounted for as business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. These acquisitions were not significant either on an individual basis or in the aggregate. The Company accounts for its business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree are recognized and measured as of the acquisition date at fair value. Additionally, any contingent consideration is recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and classified as a liability. Goodwill is recognized to the extent by which the aggregate of the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree exceeds the recognized basis of the identifiable assets acquired, net of assumed liabilities. Determining the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash flows, discount rates and asset lives among other items.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost or fair value at the date of acquisition. Depreciation, which is recorded for both owned assets and assets under capital leases, is computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which are typically as follows: Buildings and improvements - 10 to 50 years Computer equipment and capitalized software - 3 to 10 years Furniture and other equipment - 3 to 10 years Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the economic life or associated lease term assuming the Company exercises renewal periods, if appropriate. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred, whereas expenditures for asset renewal and improvements are capitalized. The Company tests for possible impairment of property, plant and equipment whenever events or circumstances change, such as a current period operating cash flow loss combined with a history of, or projected, operating cash flow losses or a significant adverse change in the manner in which the asset is intended to be used, which may indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If indicators exist, the Company compares the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the estimated undiscounted future cash flow amount, an impairment charge is recorded based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value. Any such impairment charge is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the statements of operations. The impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and the discount rates that reflect the risk inherent in future cash flows.
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets The Company classifies intangible assets as definite-lived or indefinite-lived. Definite-lived intangibles include revenue-generating contracts, client/vendor relationships, non-compete agreements, venue management and leasehold agreements, technology and trademarks and naming rights, all of which are amortized either on a straight-line basis over the respective lives of the agreements, typically 3 to 15 years, or on a basis more representative of the time pattern over which the benefit is derived. The Company periodically reviews the appropriateness of the amortization periods related to its definite-lived intangible assets. These assets are stated at cost or fair value at the date of acquisition. Indefinite-lived intangibles primarily include trade names. Indefinite-lived intangibles are not subject to amortization, but are reviewed for impairment at least annually. The Company tests for possible impairment of definite-lived intangible assets whenever events or circumstances change, such as a current period operating cash flow loss combined with a history of, or projected, operating cash flow losses or a significant adverse change in the manner in which the asset is intended to be used, which may indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If indicators exist, the Company compares the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the estimated undiscounted future cash flow amount, an impairment charge is recorded based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying value. Any such impairment charge is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the statements of operations. The Company tests for possible impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually. Depending on facts and circumstances, qualitative factors may first be assessed to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If it is concluded that it is more likely than not impaired, the Company performs a quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment is not performed first, the Company performs only this quantitative test. When specific assets are determined to be impaired, the cost basis of the asset is reduced to reflect the current fair value. Any such impairment charge is recorded in depreciation and amortization in the statements of operations. The impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows, projected expected revenue, discount rates and royalty rates that reflect the risk inherent in future cash flows.
Goodwill	Goodwill The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually, as of October 1, using a three-step process. It also tests goodwill for impairment in other periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount or when the Company changes its operating segments or reporting units. The first step is a qualitative evaluation as to whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of the Company’s reporting units is less than its carrying value using an assessment of relevant events and circumstances. Examples of such events and circumstances include historical financial performance, industry and market conditions, macroeconomic conditions, reporting unit-specific events, historical results of goodwill impairment testing and the timing of the last performance of a quantitative assessment. If any reporting units are concluded to be more likely than not impaired, or if that conclusion cannot be determined qualitatively, a second step is performed for that reporting unit. Regardless, all reporting units undergo a second step at least once every five years. This second step, used to quantitatively screen for potential impairment, compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The third step, employed for any reporting unit that fails the second step, is used to measure the amount of any potential impairment and compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill. If a reporting unit’s carrying value is negative, the Company does not follow this three-step process. In this case, a qualitative evaluation is performed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s goodwill is impaired. If it is, the comparison of the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of goodwill described above is performed. In all three steps, discount rates, market multiples, and sensitivity tests are derived and/or computed with the assistance of external valuation consultants. The second and third steps that the Company uses to evaluate goodwill for impairment involve the determination of the fair value of the Company’s reporting units. Inherent in such fair value determinations are certain judgments and estimates relating to future cash flows, including the Company’s interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations, and assumptions about the Company’s strategic plans with regard to its operations. Due to the uncertainties associated with such estimates, actual results could differ from such estimates. In developing fair values for its reporting units, the Company employs a market multiple or a discounted cash flow methodology, or a combination thereof. The market multiple methodology compares the Company to similar companies on the basis of risk characteristics to determine its risk profile relative to those companies as a group. This analysis generally focuses on both quantitative considerations, which include financial performance and other quantifiable data, and qualitative considerations, which include any factors which are expected to impact future financial performance. The most significant assumptions affecting the market multiple methodology are the market multiples used and control premium. A control premium represents the additional value an investor would pay in order to obtain a controlling interest in the respective reporting unit. The discounted cash flow methodology establishes fair value by estimating the present value of the projected future cash flows to be generated from the reporting unit. It is important to note that items such as depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense are not part of cash flows which is more akin to the Company’s AOI metric. The discount rate applied to the projected future cash flows to arrive at the present value is intended to reflect all risks of ownership and the associated risks of realizing the stream of projected future cash flows. The discounted cash flow methodology uses the Company’s estimates of future financial performance. The most significant assumptions used in the discounted cash flow methodology are the discount rate, attrition rate and expected future revenue, which vary among reporting units.
Nonconsolidated Affiliates	Nonconsolidated Affiliates In general, nonconsolidated investments in which the Company owns more than 20% of the common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over an affiliate are accounted for under the equity method. The Company recognizes gains or losses upon the issuance of securities by any of its equity method investees. The Company reviews the value of equity method investments and records impairment charges in the statements of operations for any decline in value that is determined to be other-than-temporary. If the Company obtains control of a nonconsolidated affiliate through the purchase of additional ownership interest or changes in the governing agreements, it remeasures its investment to fair value first and then applies the accounting guidance for business combinations. Any gain or loss resulting from the remeasurement to fair value is recorded as a component of other expense, net in the statements of operations.
Accounts Payable, Client Accounts	Accounts Payable, Client Accounts Accounts payable, client accounts consists of contractual amounts due to ticketing clients which includes the face value of tickets sold and the clients’ share of service charges.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method which results in deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between financial reporting bases and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by valuation allowances if the Company believes it is more likely than not that some portion of or the entire asset will not be realized. 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 amount of earnings at December 31, 2016 that has been earned over time, and permanently reinvested, was approximately $1.4 billion . It is not practical to determine the amount of federal and state income taxes, if any, that might become due in the event that any remaining available cash associated with these earnings were distributed. The FASB guidance for income taxes prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company has established a policy of including interest related to tax loss contingencies in income tax expense (benefit) in the statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue from the promotion and production of an event in the Concerts segment is recognized after the show occurs. Revenue related to larger global tours is also recognized after the show occurs; however, any profits related to these tours, primarily related to music tour production and tour management services, is recognized after minimum revenue guarantee thresholds, if any, have been achieved. Revenue collected in advance of the event is recorded as deferred revenue until the event occurs. Revenue collected from sponsorships and other revenue, which is not related to any single event, is classified as deferred revenue and generally recognized over the operating season or the term of the contract. Revenue from the Company’s ticketing operations primarily consists of service fees charged at the time a ticket for an event is sold. For tickets sold to events at the Company’s owned or operated venues and festivals in the United States, and where the Company controls the tickets internationally, the revenue for the associated ticket service charges collected in advance of the event is recorded as deferred revenue until the event occurs and these service charges are shared between the Company’s Ticketing and Concerts segments. For tickets sold for events at third-party venues, the revenue is recognized at the time of the sale and is recorded by the Company’s Ticketing segment. The Company accounts for taxes that are externally imposed on revenue producing transactions on a net basis.
Gross versus Net Revenue Recognition	Gross versus Net Revenue Recognition The Company reports revenue on a gross or net basis based on management’s assessment of whether the Company acts as a principal or agent in the transaction. To the extent the Company acts as the principal, revenue is reported on a gross basis. The determination of whether the Company acts as a principal or an agent in a transaction is based on an evaluation of whether the Company has the substantial risks and rewards of ownership under the terms of an arrangement. The Ticketing segment’s revenue, which primarily consists of service fees from its ticketing operations, is recorded net of the face value of the ticket as the Company generally acts as an agent in these transactions.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency Results of operations for foreign subsidiaries and foreign equity investees are translated into United States dollars using the average exchange rates during the year. The assets and liabilities of those subsidiaries and investees are translated into United States dollars using the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. The related translation adjustments are recorded in a separate component of stockholders’ equity in AOCI. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the statements of operations and include the impact of revaluation of certain foreign currency denominated net assets or liabilities held internationally. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company recorded net foreign currency transaction losses of $8.8 million , $35.3 million and $28.9 million , respectively. The Company does not currently have operations in highly inflationary countries.
Advertising Expense	Advertising Expense The Company records advertising expense in the year that it is incurred. Throughout the year, general advertising expenses are recognized as they are incurred, but event-related advertising for concerts is recognized once the show occurs. However, all advertising costs incurred during the year and not previously recognized are expensed at the end of the year. Advertising expenses of $311.9 million , $275.6 million and $242.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, were recorded as a component of direct operating expenses. Advertising expenses of $33.2 million , $28.6 million and $28.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, were recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.
Direct Operating Expenses	Direct Operating Expenses Direct operating expenses include artist fees, show-related marketing and advertising expenses, royalties paid to clients for a share of service charges, rent expense for events in third-party venues, credit card fees, telecommunication and data communication costs associated with the Company’s call centers, commissions paid on tickets distributed through independent sales outlets away from the box office, and salaries and wages related to seasonal employees at the Company’s venues along with other costs, including ticket stock and shipping. These costs are primarily variable in nature.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries and other compensation costs related to full-time employees, fixed rent, travel and entertainment, legal expenses and consulting along with other costs.
Depreciation and Amortization	Depreciation and Amortization The Company’s depreciation and amortization is presented as a separate line item in the statements of operations. There is no depreciation or amortization included in direct operating expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses or corporate expenses.
Non-cash and Stock-based Compensation	Non-cash and Stock-based Compensation The Company follows the fair value recognition provisions in the FASB guidance for stock compensation. Stock-based compensation expense recognized includes compensation expense for all share-based payments using the estimated grant date fair value. Stock-based compensation expense is adjusted for forfeitures as they occur. The fair value for options in Live Nation stock is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of the options is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the options’ vesting period. The Company uses an expected volatility based on an even weighting of its own traded options and historical volatility. Through December 31, 2016, the Company used the simplified method for estimating the expected life within the valuation model which is the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company used the simplified method as it did not believe its historical experience provided a reasonable basis with which to estimate the expected term due to the impact of a number of divestitures after its inception, the varying vesting terms of awards issued since the Company’s inception and the impact from the type and amount of awards converted pursuant to the Company’s merger with Ticketmaster. Beginning in 2017, the Company will use a weighted-average expected life based on historical experience calculated with the assistance of outside consultants. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the United States Treasury note rate. The fair value of restricted stock, which is generally the stock price on the date of issuance, is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period except for restricted stock awards with minimum performance targets as their vesting condition. These performance awards are amortized to expense on a graded basis over the vesting period to the extent that it is probable that the performance criteria will be met.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes including, but not limited to, legal, tax and insurance accruals, acquisition accounting and impairments. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications In connection with the modified retrospective application of new accounting guidance for employee share-based payment transactions as discussed below, for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company has reclassified $7.7 million and $14.9 million , respectively, of payments for employee taxes, where shares were withheld upon the vesting or exercise of equity awards in order to satisfy the withholding obligation, from operating activities to financing activities within the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB amended its guidance on internal-use software providing clarification 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 Company adopted this guidance prospectively on January 1, 2016 and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for forfeitures, employer tax withholding on share-based compensation and the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2016 using a modified retrospective transition method with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings for the changes to the accounting for forfeitures and excess tax benefits or deficiencies. Upon adoption of this guidance, the Company no longer estimates forfeitures in advance and now recognizes forfeitures as they occur and has reflected a cumulative effect adjustment to accumulated deficit in the consolidated balance sheets of $1.3 million . 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 to in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB continues to issue important guidance clarifying certain guidelines of the standard including (1) reframing the indicators in the principal versus agent guidance to focus on evidence that a company is acting as a principal rather than agent and (2) identifying performance obligations and licensing. 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 15, 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. To assess the impact of the standard, the Company is dedicating certain of its personnel to lead the implementation effort and supplementing them with additional external resources. These personnel read the amended guidance and subsequent clarifications and attended multiple training sessions in order to understand the potential impact the new standard could have on the Company’s revenue streams. Surveys were sent to and completed by divisional finance managers in order to obtain a more detailed understanding of the contracts within each division and follow-up meetings with these divisions were then conducted. Based on the results of these surveys and meetings, the Company judgmentally selected a sample of contracts based on size and complexity and ensuring all major revenue streams were represented. The Company has completed its preliminary review of all the selected contracts and is in the process of compiling and summarizing the results for additional review and analysis. Based on the work to date, the Company believes it has identified all material contract types and costs that may be impacted by this amended guidance. While it has not completed its assessment, the Company has not identified any changes to the revenue streams representing the majority of reported revenue. For example, the Concerts business represents 70% of the Company’s revenue and the Company believes that the bulk of this revenue will continue to be deferred until the event date under the new standard. During 2017, the Company will finalize its conclusions and ensure that it can produce the data necessary for the required disclosures along with assessing changes to internal controls and processes that may be required to comply with the new revenue recognition and disclosure requirements. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018, and is currently assessing which adoption method it will apply. In January 2016, the FASB issued amendments for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other things, the guidance requires equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method to be measured at fair value with any change in fair value recognized in net income unless the investments do not have readily determinable fair values. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within that year. Early adoption is not permitted for most of the amendments. The amendments are to be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption with the exception of equity investments without readily determinable fair values, which will be applied prospectively. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018, and is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its financial position and results of operations. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet as a lease liability and a right-of-use asset, and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company expects to adopt this standard on January 1, 2019, and is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its financial position and results of operations. In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance clarifying that the assessment of whether an embedded contingent put or call option is clearly and closely related to the debt instrument only requires an analysis pursuant to the four-step decision sequence outlined in the guidance for embedded derivatives. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within that year. The guidance should be applied to existing debt instruments using a modified retrospective method as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2017, and the adoption will not impact its financial position or results of operations. In October 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires companies to recognize the income tax effects of intercompany sales and transfers of assets, other than inventory, in the period in which the transfer occurs. That is a change from current guidance which requires companies to defer the income tax effects of intercompany transfers of assets until the asset has been sold to an outside party or otherwise recognized. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company expects to adopt this standard on January 1, 2018, and is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on its financial position and results of operations. In October 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires a single decision maker evaluating whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity to consider its indirect interests held by related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis as opposed to considering those interests in their entirety as required by current guidance. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied retrospectively. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2017, and the adoption will not have a material effect on its financial position and results of operations. In December 2016, the FASB issued guidance making technical corrections and improvements, which includes an update that directs entities to existing guidance, clarifying how to account for arrangements that include a license to use internal-use software acquired from third-parties. This is a change from current guidance, which did not specify how to account for these types of arrangements. The guidance for this specific technical improvement is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied retrospectively. The Company will adopt this guidance on January 1, 2017, and it is not expected to have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. The guidance requires an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set of transferred assets and activities is not a business. The guidance also requires a business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. The Company expects to adopt this standard on January 1, 2018, and will apply it prospectively to acquisitions beginning on or after January 1, 2018. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within that year, and early adoption is permitted. The guidance should be applied prospectively to goodwill impairment tests performed within the period of adoption. The Company is considering early adoption and will apply it prospectively to impairment tests beginning in the year of adoption, but in any event no later than on or after January 1, 2020.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Tables)

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 : Revenue- generating contracts Client / vendor relationships Trademarks Non-compete agreements Technology Venue management and leaseholds Other Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014: Gross carrying amount $ 635,127 $ 355,992 $ 24,266 $ 123,552 $ 15,330 $ 83,322 $ 3,581 $ 1,241,170 Accumulated amortization (272,071 ) (123,195 ) (8,701 ) (98,512 ) (4,246 ) (50,490 ) (1,242 ) (558,457 ) Net 363,056 232,797 15,565 25,040 11,084 32,832 2,339 682,713 Gross carrying amount: Acquisitions—current year 119,482 39,113 62,953 5,110 16,230 10,574 17 253,479 Acquisitions—prior year (8,366 ) (4,694 ) — 49,851 11 — — 36,802 Foreign exchange (15,332 ) (8,474 ) (664 ) (2,159 ) (1,306 ) (3,784 ) — (31,719 ) Other (1) (30,116 ) (2,655 ) 1 — — (24,061 ) — (56,831 ) Net change 65,668 23,290 62,290 52,802 14,935 (17,271 ) 17 201,731 Accumulated amortization: Amortization (78,281 ) (51,116 ) (6,218 ) (22,869 ) (4,402 ) (10,684 ) (389 ) (173,959 ) Foreign exchange 6,494 2,036 340 62 46 1,468 — 10,446 Other (1) 30,115 2,655 1 — — 24,061 — 56,832 Net change (41,672 ) (46,425 ) (5,877 ) (22,807 ) (4,356 ) 14,845 (389 ) (106,681 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015: Gross carrying amount 700,795 379,282 86,556 176,354 30,265 66,051 3,598 1,442,901 Accumulated amortization (313,743 ) (169,620 ) (14,578 ) (121,319 ) (8,602 ) (35,645 ) (1,631 ) (665,138 ) Net 387,052 209,662 71,978 55,035 21,663 30,406 1,967 777,763 Gross carrying amount: Acquisitions—current year 136,029 42,861 5,100 9,550 24,804 1,449 412 220,205 Acquisitions—prior year 11,404 782 3,618 1,500 — 1,174 — 18,478 Dispositions — (2,299 ) — — — (1,225 ) — (3,524 ) Foreign exchange (25,360 ) (4,528 ) (930 ) (4,260 ) (1,364 ) (3,848 ) (2 ) (40,292 ) Other (1) (62,470 ) (14,089 ) (6 ) (117,152 ) (627 ) (9,600 ) 6 (203,938 ) Net change 59,603 22,727 7,782 (110,362 ) 22,813 (12,050 ) 416 (9,071 ) Accumulated amortization: Amortization (76,484 ) (60,815 ) (9,623 ) (19,195 ) (6,153 ) (5,406 ) (454 ) (178,130 ) Dispositions — 599 — — — 22 — 621 Foreign exchange 10,555 1,962 477 1,188 491 1,765 (27 ) 16,411 Other (1) 62,872 14,089 — 117,227 627 9,600 22 204,437 Net change (3,057 ) (44,165 ) (9,146 ) 99,220 (5,035 ) 5,981 (459 ) 43,339 Balance as of December 31, 2016: Gross carrying amount 760,398 402,009 94,338 65,992 53,078 54,001 4,014 1,433,830 Accumulated amortization (316,800 ) (213,785 ) (23,724 ) (22,099 ) (13,637 ) (29,664 ) (2,090 ) (621,799 ) Net $ 443,598 $ 188,224 $ 70,614 $ 43,893 $ 39,441 $ 24,337 $ 1,924 $ 812,031 ______________ (1) Other includes netdowns of fully amortized or impaired assets.
Weighted Average Lives of Additions to Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	The 2016 and 2015 additions to definite-lived intangible assets from acquisitions have weighted-average lives as follows: Weighted- Average Life (years) 2016 2015 Revenue-generating contracts 8 8 Client/vendor relationships 6 6 Trademarks and naming rights 10 10 Non-compete agreements 5 5 Technology 5 6 Venue management and leaseholds 5 8 All categories 7 8
Estimate of Amortization Expense for Each of the Five Succeeding Fiscal Years for Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years for definite-lived intangible assets that exist at December 31, 2016 : (in thousands) 2017 $ 177,921 2018 $ 155,754 2019 $ 131,077 2020 $ 111,003 2021 $ 77,837
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 years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 : Concerts Sponsorship & Advertising Ticketing Artist Nation Total (in thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014: Goodwill $ 577,891 $ 302,865 $ 657,631 $ 345,513 $ 1,883,900 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — — (17,948 ) (404,863 ) Net 190,976 302,865 657,631 327,565 1,479,037 Acquisitions—current year 57,792 43,248 77,951 15,051 194,042 Acquisitions—prior year (28,472 ) (3,274 ) 10,341 (17,968 ) (39,373 ) Foreign exchange (4,440 ) (10,758 ) (12,098 ) (2,095 ) (29,391 ) Balance as of December 31, 2015: Goodwill 602,771 332,081 733,825 340,501 2,009,178 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — — (17,948 ) (404,863 ) Net 215,856 332,081 733,825 322,553 1,604,315 Acquisitions—current year 98,936 45,376 8,671 25,016 177,999 Acquisitions—prior year (18,906 ) 18,302 (108 ) 449 (263 ) Dispositions — — — (323 ) (323 ) Foreign exchange (29,143 ) 67 (3,283 ) (2,281 ) (34,640 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016: Goodwill 653,658 395,826 739,105 363,362 2,151,951 Accumulated impairment losses (386,915 ) — — (17,948 ) (404,863 ) Net $ 266,743 $ 395,826 $ 739,105 $ 345,414 $ 1,747,088
Investments in Nonconsolidated Affiliates	Summarized balance sheet and income statement information for these entities is as follows (at 100%): December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Current assets $ 45,432 $ 63,455 Noncurrent assets $ 2,908 $ 4,474 Current liabilities $ 28,510 $ 38,319 Noncontrolling interests $ 355 $ 403 Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Revenue $ 47,757 $ 51,629 $ 43,490 Operating income $ 10,750 $ 18,062 $ 19,903 Net income $ 4,729 $ 11,100 $ 14,452 Net income attributable to the common stockholders of the equity investees $ 4,747 $ 11,019 $ 14,311

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of long-term debt	Long-term debt, which includes capital leases, consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Senior Secured Credit Facility: Term loan A $ 187,625 $ 93,438 Term loan B 972,563 928,625 4.875% Senior Notes due 2024 575,000 — 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 250,000 250,000 2.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2019 275,000 275,000 7% Senior Notes due 2020 — 425,000 Other long-term debt 104,397 108,350 Total principal amount 2,364,585 2,080,413 Less unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs (51,532 ) (41,399 ) Plus unamortized premium — 6,000 Total long-term debt net of unamortized discounts, premium and debt issuance costs 2,313,053 2,045,014 Less: current portion 53,317 42,352 Total long-term debt, net $ 2,259,736 $ 2,002,662
Future maturities of long-term debt	Future maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2016 are as follows: (in thousands) 2017 $ 53,345 2018 321,147 2019 41,753 2020 81,552 2021 112,920 Thereafter 1,753,868 Total $ 2,364,585
Summary of pre tax interest cost recognized on convertible senior notes	The following table summarizes the amount of pre-tax interest cost recognized on the 2.5% convertible senior notes and the Company’s 2.875% convertible senior notes which were redeemed in September 2014: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Interest cost recognized relating to: Contractual interest coupon $ 6,875 $ 6,856 $ 8,701 Amortization of debt discount 4,833 4,599 10,165 Amortization of debt issuance costs 1,358 1,355 1,175 Total interest cost recognized on the notes $ 13,066 $ 12,810 $ 20,041

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis	In accordance with the fair value hierarchy described above, the following table shows the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities 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, other current assets, other long-term assets, other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities: Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (in thousands) (in thousands) Assets: Cash equivalents $ 55,081 $ — $ — $ 55,081 $ 30,102 $ — $ — $ 30,102 Forward currency contracts — 2,957 — 2,957 — 979 — 979 Total $ 55,081 $ 2,957 $ — $ 58,038 $ 30,102 $ 979 $ — $ 31,081 Liabilities: Interest rate cap $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 1 $ 1 Forward currency contracts — 363 — 363 — 680 — 680 Put option — — 5,147 5,147 — — 7,258 7,258 Contingent consideration — — 44,195 44,195 — — 19,877 19,877 Total $ — $ 363 $ 49,342 $ 49,705 $ — $ 680 $ 27,136 $ 27,816
Fair Value of Assets Measured on a Non-recurring Basis	The following table shows the fair value of the Company’s financial assets that have been adjusted to fair value on a non-recurring basis which had a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 : Fair Value Fair Value Measurements Using Loss Description Measurement Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (Gain) (in thousands) 2016 Investment in nonconsolidated affiliates $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 16,455 2015 Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates $ — $ — $ — $ — $ (9,124 )

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI26

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Minimum Rental Commitments, Contract Commitment, and Capital Expenditure Commitments	As of December 31, 2016 , the Company’s future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements, minimum payments under non-cancelable contracts and capital expenditure commitments consist of the following: Non-cancelable Operating Leases Non-cancelable Contracts Capital Expenditures (in thousands) 2017 $ 163,058 $ 740,202 $ 34,179 2018 155,992 146,409 1,811 2019 146,382 116,236 789 2020 132,253 30,791 685 2021 102,918 6,619 1,084 Thereafter 1,324,119 9,636 24,076 Total $ 2,024,722 $ 1,049,893 $ 62,624

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND REL27

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Expenses Incurred and Revenue Earned From Related Parties	The following table provides details of the total revenue earned and expenses incurred from the transactions noted below: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Related-party revenue $ 123,117 $ 109,720 $ 3,393 Related-party expenses $ 8,751 $ 8,470 $ 471

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Significant Components of the Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	Significant components of the provision for income tax expense are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 564 $ 543 $ 17 Foreign 29,902 23,811 12,727 State 5,454 7,379 9,550 Total current 35,920 31,733 22,294 Deferred: Federal 5,113 (355 ) (10,827 ) Foreign (11,703 ) (8,278 ) (4,249 ) State (1,301 ) (978 ) (2,588 ) Total deferred (7,891 ) (9,611 ) (17,664 ) Income tax expense $ 28,029 $ 22,122 $ 4,630
Significant Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets $ 189,131 $ 209,316 Prepaid expenses 8,770 6,429 Long-term debt 3,835 5,644 Other 6,077 20,759 Total deferred tax liabilities 207,813 242,148 Deferred tax assets: Accrued expenses 45,839 41,113 Net operating loss carryforwards 563,461 578,805 Foreign tax credit carryforwards 59,977 56,282 Equity compensation 32,452 26,432 Other — 1,949 Total gross deferred tax assets 701,729 704,581 Valuation allowance 681,566 658,104 Total deferred tax assets 20,163 46,477 Net deferred tax liabilities $ (187,650 ) $ (195,671 )
Reconciliation of Income Taxes at the United States Statutory Rate to Income Tax Expense	The reconciliation of income tax computed at the United States federal statutory rates to income tax expense (benefit) is: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Income tax expense (benefit) at United States statutory rates $ 16,914 $ 2,223 $ (34,937 ) State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits 3,264 3,959 7,548 Differences between foreign and United States statutory rates (11,116 ) (5,356 ) (10,735 ) Non-United States income inclusions and exclusions (1,678 ) 1,206 (284 ) United States income inclusions and exclusions (1,317 ) 2,095 (1,396 ) Nondeductible items 3,210 4,736 55,469 Tax contingencies 2,390 2,063 950 Tax expense from acquired goodwill 5,936 4,483 1,299 Tax return to accrual (1,071 ) (551 ) (7,013 ) Change in valuation allowance 11,820 7,116 (7,467 ) Other, net (323 ) 148 1,196 $ 28,029 $ 22,122 $ 4,630
Summary of Activity Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Balance at January 1 $ 14,022 $ 12,619 $ 12,860 Additions: Increase for current year positions — 1,606 306 Increase for prior year positions 1,978 274 1,089 Decrease for prior year positions (3 ) — — Interest and penalties for prior years 546 525 511 Reductions: Expiration of applicable statute of limitations — — (236 ) Settlements for prior year positions (1,188 ) (852 ) (1,225 ) Foreign exchange (238 ) (150 ) (686 ) Balance at December 31 $ 15,117 $ 14,022 $ 12,619

EQUITY (Tables)

EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Change in Noncontrolling Ownership Interest	The following schedule reflects the change in ownership interests for these transactions: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation $ 2,942 $ (32,508 ) $ (90,807 ) Transfers of noncontrolling interest: Changes in Live Nation’s additional paid-in capital for purchases of noncontrolling interests, net of transaction costs (49,111 ) (6,555 ) (3,796 ) Changes in Live Nation’s additional paid-in capital for sales of noncontrolling interests, net of transaction costs 1,424 11,899 (11,748 ) Net transfers of noncontrolling interest (47,687 ) 5,344 (15,544 ) Change from net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation and net transfers of noncontrolling interests $ (44,745 ) $ (27,164 ) $ (106,351 )
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents changes in the components of AOCI, net of taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 : Gains and Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Items Foreign Currency Items Total (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2013 $ (79 ) $ (611 ) $ (1,680 ) $ (2,370 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications (6 ) 30 (67,724 ) (67,700 ) Amount reclassified from AOCI 60 — — 60 Net other comprehensive income 54 30 (67,724 ) (67,640 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 (25 ) (581 ) (69,404 ) (70,010 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — 223 (41,895 ) (41,672 ) Amount reclassified from AOCI 25 — — 25 Net other comprehensive income (loss) 25 223 (41,895 ) (41,647 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 — (358 ) (111,299 ) (111,657 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications — (103 ) (64,947 ) (65,050 ) Amount reclassified from AOCI — — — — Net other comprehensive income (loss) — (103 ) (64,947 ) (65,050 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ — $ (461 ) $ (176,246 ) $ (176,707 )
Potentially Dilutive Securities Excluded From Diluted Net Income Per Common Share	The following table shows securities excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share because such securities were anti-dilutive: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Options to purchase shares of common stock 16,283 16,309 16,999 Restricted stock awards—unvested 1,080 861 1,171 Conversion shares related to convertible senior notes 7,930 7,930 7,930 Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted common shares outstanding 25,293 25,100 26,100

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 during the respective periods: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 15,687 $ 16,380 $ 21,204 Corporate expenses 17,036 16,981 17,825 Total $ 32,723 $ 33,361 $ 39,029
Assumptions Used to Calculate Fair Value of Options	The following assumptions were used to calculate the fair value of the Company’s options on the date of grant: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Risk-free interest rate 1.24% - 1.49% 1.47% - 1.75% 1.67% - 2.00% Dividend yield 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % Volatility factors 29.42% - 36.11% 34.18% - 43.36% 42.41% - 47.00% Weighted average expected life (in years) 5.76 5.94 6.06
Summary of Stock Options Activity	The following table presents a summary of the Company’s stock options outstanding at, and stock option activity (“Price” reflects the weighted average exercise price per share): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Options Price Options Price Options Price (in thousands, except per share data) Outstanding January 1 16,309 $ 13.54 16,999 $ 13.78 16,628 $ 12.68 Granted 1,103 19.53 1,667 25.32 2,345 21.03 Exercised (1,063 ) 19.10 (1,098 ) 14.50 (1,769 ) 12.32 Forfeited or expired (66 ) 22.39 (1,259 ) 31.58 (205 ) 19.58 Outstanding December 31 16,283 $ 13.55 16,309 $ 13.54 16,999 $ 13.78 Exercisable December 31 12,628 $ 12.01 11,177 $ 11.54 10,669 $ 13.68 Weighted average fair value per option granted $ 6.98 $ 9.93 $ 9.82
Summary of Stock Options, by Range of Exercise Prices	Vesting dates on the stock options range from March 2017 to October 2020, and expiration dates range from February 2017 to October 2026 at exercise prices and average contractual lives as follows: Range of Exercise Prices Outstanding as of 12/31/16 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable as of 12/31/16 Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted Average Exercise Price (in thousands) (in years) (in thousands) (in years) $2.75 - $4.99 2,228 2.2 $ 2.84 2,228 2.2 $ 2.84 $5.00 - $9.99 4,757 5.8 $ 8.81 3,917 5.7 $ 8.82 $10.00 - $14.99 3,108 4.1 $ 11.40 3,108 4.1 $ 11.40 $15.00 - $19.99 1,582 7.0 $ 19.05 466 2.3 $ 18.38 $20.00 - $24.99 3,030 5.4 $ 22.03 2,267 4.8 $ 22.29 $25.00 - $29.99 1,578 8.1 $ 25.37 642 8.1 $ 25.34
Summary of Unvested Restricted Stock Activity	The following table presents a summary of the Company’s unvested restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 (“Price” reflects the weighted average share price at the date of grant): Restricted Stock Awards Price (in thousands, except per share data) Unvested at December 31, 2013 2,210 $ 10.68 Granted 752 21.64 Forfeited (237 ) 12.64 Vested (1,554 ) 11.50 Unvested at December 31, 2014 1,171 $ 16.18 Granted 456 26.11 Forfeited (6 ) 10.02 Vested (760 ) 14.74 Unvested at December 31, 2015 861 $ 22.67 Granted 751 20.65 Forfeited (50 ) 21.63 Vested (482 ) 21.73 Unvested at December 31, 2016 1,080 $ 21.67

OTHER INFORMATION (Tables)

OTHER INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Other Information	December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) The following details the components of “Other current assets”: Cash held in escrow $ 2,983 $ 1,736 Inventory 15,114 14,388 Other 31,677 20,240 Total other current assets $ 49,774 $ 36,364 The following details the components of “Other long-term assets”: Long-term advances $ 208,977 $ 192,311 Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates 82,032 81,811 Other 120,285 111,127 Total other long-term assets $ 411,294 $ 385,249 The following details the components of “Accrued expenses”: Accrued compensation and benefits $ 192,167 $ 157,013 Accrued event expenses 192,599 170,613 Accrued insurance 65,941 56,279 Accrued legal 22,904 47,740 Collections on behalf of others 31,233 32,140 Other 276,650 222,879 Total accrued expenses $ 781,494 $ 686,664 The following details the components of “Other current liabilities”: Contingent and deferred purchase consideration $ 23,301 $ 16,413 Other 15,754 15,589 Total other current liabilities $ 39,055 $ 32,002 The following details the components of “Other long-term liabilities”: Accrued rent $ 61,282 $ 57,041 Deferred revenue 5,506 6,128 Contingent and deferred purchase consideration 46,228 44,395 Other 36,775 34,703 Total other long-term liabilities $ 149,791 $ 142,267

SEGMENT DATA (Tables)

SEGMENT DATA (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 years ending December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 : Concerts Sponsorship Ticketing Artist Nation Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) 2016 Revenue $ 5,874,089 $ 377,618 $ 1,827,930 $ 421,706 $ 7,978 $ — $ (154,387 ) $ 8,354,934 Direct operating expenses 4,981,816 60,218 956,956 232,555 2,902 — (151,739 ) 6,082,708 Selling, general and administrative expenses 766,881 71,089 510,490 183,179 16,811 — — 1,548,450 Depreciation and amortization 137,605 18,206 185,925 57,110 2,940 4,433 (2,568 ) 403,651 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets (81 ) — 68 20 — 117 — 124 Corporate expenses — — — — — 125,141 (80 ) 125,061 Operating income (loss) $ (12,132 ) $ 228,105 $ 174,491 $ (51,158 ) $ (14,675 ) $ (129,691 ) $ — $ 194,940 Intersegment revenue $ 142,240 $ — $ 1,150 $ 10,997 $ — $ — $ (154,387 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 85,958 $ 2,161 $ 91,285 $ 1,348 $ 1,028 $ 7,824 $ — $ 189,604 Concerts Sponsorship Ticketing Artist Nation Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) 2015 Revenue $ 4,964,991 $ 333,726 $ 1,639,564 $ 434,201 $ 3,176 $ — $ (129,927 ) $ 7,245,731 Direct operating expenses 4,220,963 47,760 808,697 245,781 1,068 — (127,796 ) 5,196,473 Selling, general and administrative expenses 702,108 57,681 488,483 161,408 2,175 — — 1,411,855 Depreciation and amortization 146,795 9,932 184,129 54,980 46 3,490 (2,131 ) 397,241 Loss on disposal of operating assets 430 — 26 215 — 174 — 845 Corporate expenses — — — — — 107,945 — 107,945 Operating income (loss) $ (105,305 ) $ 218,353 $ 158,229 $ (28,183 ) $ (113 ) $ (111,609 ) $ — $ 131,372 Intersegment revenue $ 113,391 $ — $ 1,150 $ 15,386 $ — $ — $ (129,927 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 40,053 $ 4,836 $ 93,323 $ 1,924 $ — $ 5,011 $ — $ 145,147 2014 Revenue $ 4,726,877 $ 300,279 $ 1,557,254 $ 389,437 $ 3,171 $ — $ (110,054 ) $ 6,866,964 Direct operating expenses 4,016,540 37,973 763,280 212,302 (2,174 ) — (107,952 ) 4,919,969 Selling, general and administrative expenses 671,646 50,292 473,363 138,632 3,383 — — 1,337,316 Depreciation and amortization 115,088 4,281 204,901 43,343 40 2,592 (2,102 ) 368,143 Goodwill impairment 117,013 — — 17,948 — — — 134,961 Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets (2,954 ) — (1,583 ) 34 (29 ) 38 — (4,494 ) Corporate expenses — — — — — 103,905 — 103,905 Operating income (loss) $ (190,456 ) $ 207,733 $ 117,293 $ (22,822 ) $ 1,951 $ (106,535 ) $ — $ 7,164 Intersegment revenue $ 97,642 $ — $ 1,150 $ 11,262 $ — $ — $ (110,054 ) $ — Capital expenditures $ 35,006 $ 1,834 $ 89,990 $ 1,892 $ 6 $ 9,490 $ — $ 138,218
Schedule of Revenue and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas	The following table provides revenue and long-lived assets for the Company’s foreign operations included in the consolidated financial statements: United Kingdom Operations Other Foreign Operations Total Foreign Operations Total Domestic Operations Consolidated Total (in thousands) 2016 Revenue $ 683,457 $ 1,882,590 $ 2,566,047 $ 5,788,887 $ 8,354,934 Long-lived assets $ 69,380 $ 104,780 $ 174,160 $ 577,376 $ 751,536 2015 Revenue $ 672,802 $ 1,534,629 $ 2,207,431 $ 5,038,300 $ 7,245,731 Long-lived assets $ 74,517 $ 126,194 $ 200,711 $ 530,571 $ 731,282 2014 Revenue $ 772,445 $ 1,591,643 $ 2,364,088 $ 4,502,876 $ 6,866,964 Long-lived assets $ 71,269 $ 105,937 $ 177,206 $ 518,131 $ 695,337

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIO33

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Results of Operations	March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016 2015 (in thousands) Revenue $ 1,207,716 $ 1,120,312 $ 2,179,258 $ 1,765,777 $ 3,170,416 $ 2,622,917 $ 1,797,544 $ 1,736,725 Operating income (loss) $ (33,290 ) $ (23,935 ) $ 74,159 $ 42,245 $ 191,286 $ 153,510 $ (37,215 ) $ (40,448 ) Net income (loss) $ (55,954 ) $ (66,526 ) $ 36,461 $ 20,212 $ 132,761 $ 104,382 $ (92,971 ) $ (73,837 ) Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation $ (44,518 ) $ (58,279 ) $ 37,741 $ 15,056 $ 111,079 $ 89,049 $ (101,360 ) $ (78,334 ) Basic net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation $ (0.29 ) $ (0.31 ) $ 0.13 $ 0.06 $ 0.51 $ 0.39 $ (0.58 ) $ (0.47 ) Diluted net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation $ (0.29 ) $ (0.31 ) $ 0.13 $ 0.06 $ 0.49 $ 0.38 $ (0.58 ) $ (0.47 )

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI34

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]
Assets	$ 186.4	$ 188.6
Liabilities	98.9	91.7
Cash and cash equivalents [Abstract]
Client Cash	591	549
Ticketing contract advances [Abstract]
Amortization of non-recoupable ticketing contract advances	$ 85.1	$ 86.6	$ 79.4

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI35

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	10 years
Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	50 years
Computer Equipment and Capitalized Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Computer Equipment and Capitalized Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	10 years
Furniture and Other Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Furniture and Other Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	10 years

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI36

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Schedule of Intangible Asset Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI37

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Goodwill) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Maximum number of years for goodwill quantitative assessment	5 years

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI38

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Income Taxes) (Details) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Deferred Tax Liability Not Recognized, Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries [Abstract]
Foreign earnings permanently reinvested	$ 1.4

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI39

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Foreign Currency) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]
Net foreign currency transaction gains/(losses)	$ (8)	$ (1.9)	$ (6.6)	$ 7.8	$ (4.1)	$ (10.6)	$ (20.8)	$ (8.8)	$ (35.3)	$ (28.9)

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI40

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Advertising Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Direct Operating Expense [Member]
Income Statement Location [Line Items]
Advertising expense	$ 311.9	$ 275.6	$ 242.9
Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Income Statement Location [Line Items]
Advertising expense	$ 33.2	$ 28.6	$ 28.8

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SI41

THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Reclassifications and Recent Accounting Pronouncements) (Details) - New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	$ 7.7	$ 14.9
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption			$ 1.3

LONG-LIVED ASSETS Long-Lived As

LONG-LIVED ASSETS Long-Lived Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of operating assets	$ (124)	$ (845)	$ 4,494
New York Amphitheater [Member] | Concerts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of operating assets			$ 3,800

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Definite-liv

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Definite-lived Intangibles) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period		$ 1,442,901	$ 1,241,170
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period		(665,138)	(558,457)
Net - Beginning of period		777,763	682,713
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year		220,205	253,479
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year		18,478	36,802
Gross carrying amount - Dispositions		(3,524)
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange		(40,292)	(31,719)
Gross carrying amount - Other	[1]	(203,938)	(56,831)
Gross carrying amount - Net Change		(9,071)	201,731
Accumulated amortization - Amortization		(178,130)	(173,959)
Accumulated amortization - Dispositions		621
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange		16,411	10,446
Accumulated amortization - Other	[1]	204,437	56,832
Accumulated amortization - Net Change		43,339	(106,681)
Gross carrying amount - End of period		1,433,830	1,442,901	$ 1,241,170
Accumulated amortization - End of period		(621,799)	(665,138)	(558,457)
Net - End of period		$ 812,031	$ 777,763	682,713
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets		7 years	8 years
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived				11,100
Amortization of Intangible Assets		$ 178,100	$ 174,000	154,700
Estimate of amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years [Abstract]
2,017		177,921
2,018		155,754
2,019		131,077
2,020		111,003
2,021		77,837
Revenue-generating contracts [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period		700,795	635,127
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period		(313,743)	(272,071)
Net - Beginning of period		387,052	363,056
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year		136,029	119,482
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year		11,404	(8,366)
Gross carrying amount - Dispositions		0
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange		(25,360)	(15,332)
Gross carrying amount - Other	[1]	(62,470)	(30,116)
Gross carrying amount - Net Change		59,603	65,668
Accumulated amortization - Amortization		(76,484)	(78,281)
Accumulated amortization - Dispositions		0
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange		10,555	6,494
Accumulated amortization - Other	[1]	62,872	30,115
Accumulated amortization - Net Change		(3,057)	(41,672)
Gross carrying amount - End of period		760,398	700,795	635,127
Accumulated amortization - End of period		(316,800)	(313,743)	(272,071)
Net - End of period		$ 443,598	$ 387,052	363,056
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets		8 years	8 years
Client/vendor relationships [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period		$ 379,282	$ 355,992
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period		(169,620)	(123,195)
Net - Beginning of period		209,662	232,797
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year		42,861	39,113
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year		782	(4,694)
Gross carrying amount - Dispositions		(2,299)
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange		(4,528)	(8,474)
Gross carrying amount - Other	[1]	(14,089)	(2,655)
Gross carrying amount - Net Change		22,727	23,290
Accumulated amortization - Amortization		(60,815)	(51,116)
Accumulated amortization - Dispositions		599
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange		1,962	2,036
Accumulated amortization - Other	[1]	14,089	2,655
Accumulated amortization - Net Change		(44,165)	(46,425)
Gross carrying amount - End of period		402,009	379,282	355,992
Accumulated amortization - End of period		(213,785)	(169,620)	(123,195)
Net - End of period		$ 188,224	$ 209,662	232,797
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets		6 years	6 years
Trademarks and naming rights [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period		$ 86,556	$ 24,266
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period		(14,578)	(8,701)
Net - Beginning of period		71,978	15,565
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year		5,100	62,953
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year		3,618	0
Gross carrying amount - Dispositions		0
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange		(930)	(664)
Gross carrying amount - Other	[1]	(6)	1
Gross carrying amount - Net Change		7,782	62,290
Accumulated amortization - Amortization		(9,623)	(6,218)
Accumulated amortization - Dispositions		0
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange		477	340
Accumulated amortization - Other	[1]	0	1
Accumulated amortization - Net Change		(9,146)	(5,877)
Gross carrying amount - End of period		94,338	86,556	24,266
Accumulated amortization - End of period		(23,724)	(14,578)	(8,701)
Net - End of period		$ 70,614	$ 71,978	15,565
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets		10 years	10 years
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period		$ 176,354	$ 123,552
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period		(121,319)	(98,512)
Net - Beginning of period		55,035	25,040
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year		9,550	5,110
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year		1,500	49,851
Gross carrying amount - Dispositions		0
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange		(4,260)	(2,159)
Gross carrying amount - Other	[1]	(117,152)	0
Gross carrying amount - Net Change		(110,362)	52,802
Accumulated amortization - Amortization		(19,195)	(22,869)
Accumulated amortization - Dispositions		0
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange		1,188	62
Accumulated amortization - Other	[1]	117,227	0
Accumulated amortization - Net Change		99,220	(22,807)
Gross carrying amount - End of period		65,992	176,354	123,552
Accumulated amortization - End of period		(22,099)	(121,319)	(98,512)
Net - End of period		$ 43,893	$ 55,035	25,040
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets		5 years	5 years
Technology [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period		$ 30,265	$ 15,330
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period		(8,602)	(4,246)
Net - Beginning of period		21,663	11,084
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year		24,804	16,230
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year		0	11
Gross carrying amount - Dispositions		0
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange		(1,364)	(1,306)
Gross carrying amount - Other	[1]	(627)	0
Gross carrying amount - Net Change		22,813	14,935
Accumulated amortization - Amortization		(6,153)	(4,402)
Accumulated amortization - Dispositions		0
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange		491	46
Accumulated amortization - Other	[1]	627	0
Accumulated amortization - Net Change		(5,035)	(4,356)
Gross carrying amount - End of period		53,078	30,265	15,330
Accumulated amortization - End of period		(13,637)	(8,602)	(4,246)
Net - End of period		$ 39,441	$ 21,663	11,084
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets		5 years	6 years
Venue management and leaseholds [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period		$ 66,051	$ 83,322
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period		(35,645)	(50,490)
Net - Beginning of period		30,406	32,832
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year		1,449	10,574
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year		1,174	0
Gross carrying amount - Dispositions		(1,225)
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange		(3,848)	(3,784)
Gross carrying amount - Other	[1]	(9,600)	(24,061)
Gross carrying amount - Net Change		(12,050)	(17,271)
Accumulated amortization - Amortization		(5,406)	(10,684)
Accumulated amortization - Dispositions		22
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange		1,765	1,468
Accumulated amortization - Other	[1]	9,600	24,061
Accumulated amortization - Net Change		5,981	14,845
Gross carrying amount - End of period		54,001	66,051	83,322
Accumulated amortization - End of period		(29,664)	(35,645)	(50,490)
Net - End of period		$ 24,337	$ 30,406	32,832
Weighted-average lives of definite-lived intangible assets		5 years	8 years
Other [Member]
Finite-lived Intangibles Asset [Roll Forward]
Gross carrying amount - Beginning of period		$ 3,598	$ 3,581
Accumulated amortization - Beginning of period		(1,631)	(1,242)
Net - Beginning of period		1,967	2,339
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - current year		412	17
Gross carrying amount - Acquisitions - prior year		0	0
Gross carrying amount - Dispositions		0
Gross carrying amount - Foreign exchange		(2)	0
Gross carrying amount - Other	[1]	6	0
Gross carrying amount - Net Change		416	17
Accumulated amortization - Amortization		(454)	(389)
Accumulated amortization - Dispositions		0
Accumulated amortization - Foreign exchange		(27)	0
Accumulated amortization - Other	[1]	22	0
Accumulated amortization - Net Change		(459)	(389)
Gross carrying amount - End of period		4,014	3,598	3,581
Accumulated amortization - End of period		(2,090)	(1,631)	(1,242)
Net - End of period		$ 1,924	$ 1,967	$ 2,339
[1]	Other includes netdowns of fully amortized or impaired assets.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Indefinite-l

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Indefinite-lived Intangibles) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	$ 368,766,000	$ 369,317,000
Impairment charge, indefinite-lived intangible assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 6,000,000
Trade Names [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge, indefinite-lived intangible assets			$ 6,000,000

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Goodwill Ass

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Goodwill Assessment) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)reporting_unit	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units	7
Goodwill impairment | $	$ 0	$ 0	$ 134,961
Qualitative Review [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units	5
Reporting unit percentage of goodwill	80.00%
Number of reporting units with positive financial results	2
Qualitative Review & Quantitative Analysis [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units	2
Reporting unit percentage of goodwill	20.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | Concerts [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment | $			117,013
Operating Segments [Member] | Artist Nation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment | $			$ 17,948

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Goodwill) (D

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period	$ 2,009,178	$ 1,883,900
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period	(404,863)	(404,863)
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period	1,604,315	1,479,037
Acquisitions—current year	177,999	194,042
Acquisitions—prior year	(263)	(39,373)
Dispositions	(323)
Foreign exchange	(34,640)	(29,391)
Gross Goodwill - End of period	2,151,951	2,009,178
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period	(404,863)	(404,863)
Net Goodwill - End of period	1,747,088	1,604,315
Goodwill expected to be tax deductible	60,200	107,900
Concerts [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period	602,771	577,891
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period	(386,915)	(386,915)
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period	215,856	190,976
Acquisitions—current year	98,936	57,792
Acquisitions—prior year	(18,906)	(28,472)
Dispositions	0
Foreign exchange	(29,143)	(4,440)
Gross Goodwill - End of period	653,658	602,771
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period	(386,915)	(386,915)
Net Goodwill - End of period	266,743	215,856
Sponsorship & Advertising [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period	332,081	302,865
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period	0	0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period	332,081	302,865
Acquisitions—current year	45,376	43,248
Acquisitions—prior year	18,302	(3,274)
Dispositions	0
Foreign exchange	67	(10,758)
Gross Goodwill - End of period	395,826	332,081
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period	0	0
Net Goodwill - End of period	395,826	332,081
Ticketing [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period	733,825	657,631
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period	0	0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period	733,825	657,631
Acquisitions—current year	8,671	77,951
Acquisitions—prior year	(108)	10,341
Dispositions	0
Foreign exchange	(3,283)	(12,098)
Gross Goodwill - End of period	739,105	733,825
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period	0	0
Net Goodwill - End of period	739,105	733,825
Artist Nation [Member]
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period	340,501	345,513
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period	(17,948)	(17,948)
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period	322,553	327,565
Acquisitions—current year	25,016	15,051
Acquisitions—prior year	449	(17,968)
Dispositions	(323)
Foreign exchange	(2,281)	(2,095)
Gross Goodwill - End of period	363,362	340,501
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period	(17,948)	(17,948)
Net Goodwill - End of period	$ 345,414	$ 322,553

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Investments

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summarized balance sheet
Current assets		$ 45,432	$ 63,455
Noncurrent assets		2,908	4,474
Current liabilities		28,510	38,319
Noncontrolling interests		355	403
Summarized income statement
Revenue		47,757	51,629	$ 43,490
Operating income		10,750	18,062	19,903
Net income		4,729	11,100	14,452
Net income attributable to the common stockholders of the equity investees		4,747	$ 11,019	$ 14,311
Impairment charge, investments in nonconsolidated affiliates	$ 15,100	$ 16,455
Venta de Boletos por Computadora S.A. de C.V. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		33.00%
Vice Nation, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		60.00%

LONG-TERM DEBT (Schedule of Lon

LONG-TERM DEBT (Schedule of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal amount	$ 2,364,585	$ 2,080,413
Less unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs	(51,532)	(41,399)
Plus unamortized premium	0	6,000
Total long-term debt net of unamortized discounts, premium and debt issuance costs	2,313,053	2,045,014
Less: current portion	53,317	42,352
Total long-term debt, net	2,259,736	2,002,662
Senior Secured Credit Facility Term loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal amount	187,625	93,438
Senior Secured Credit Facility Term loan B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal amount	972,563	928,625
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal amount	575,000	0
5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal amount	250,000	250,000
2.5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal amount	275,000	275,000
7% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal amount	0	425,000
Other Long Term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total principal amount	$ 104,397	$ 108,350

LONG-TERM DEBT (Future Maturiti

LONG-TERM DEBT (Future Maturities of Long-Term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2,017	$ 53,345
2,018	321,147
2,019	41,753
2,020	81,552
2,021	112,920
Thereafter	1,753,868
Total	$ 2,364,585	$ 2,080,413

LONG-TERM DEBT (Senior Secured

LONG-TERM DEBT (Senior Secured Credit Facility) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Senior Secured Credit Facility Term loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 190,000,000
Maturity period	5 years
Senior Secured Credit Facility Term loan A [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly payments	$ 2,400,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Term loan A [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly payments	28,500,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Term loan B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 975,000,000
Maturity period	7 years
Quarterly payments	$ 2,400,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Term loan B [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
Senior Secured Credit Facility Term loan B [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured indebtedness leverage ratio, maximum	3.25
Percentage of capital stock of foreign wholly owned (first-tier) subsidiaries	65.00%
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional borrowing capacity available	$ 625,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity period	5 years
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 365,000,000
Outstanding letters of credit	85,300,000
Current borrowing capacity available	$ 279,700,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.50%
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 150,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Swingline Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	50,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Euro and British Pound Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	200,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Other Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 50,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility & Term loan A [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.25%
Senior Secured Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility & Term loan A [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.25%

LONG-TERM DEBT (4.875% Senior N

LONG-TERM DEBT (4.875% Senior Notes) (Details) - 4.875% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 575,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.875%	4.875%
Prior to November 1, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Redemption, Equity Offering [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	104.875%
Percentage of notes which may be redeemed	35.00%
After November 1, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	103.656%
Redemption, Defined Changes of Control [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	101.00%

LONG-TERM DEBT (5.375% Senior N

LONG-TERM DEBT (5.375% Senior Notes) (Details) - 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	May 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount		$ 250,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.375%	5.375%
Prior to June 15, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Redemption, Equity Offering [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	105.375%
Percentage of notes which may be redeemed	35.00%
After June 15, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	104.0313%
Redemption, Defined Changes of Control [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	101.00%

LONG-TERM DEBT (2.5% Convertibl

LONG-TERM DEBT (2.5% Convertible Senior Notes) (Details) - 2.5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	May 31, 2014USD ($)	May 19, 2014$ / shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 275,000,000	$ 275,000,000	$ 275,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.50%		2.50%
Conversion ratio	0.0288363
Conversion premium	52.50%
Last reported sale price used to calculate conversion premium | $ / shares				$ 22.74
Maximum number of shares issuable upon conversion | shares	7.9
Carrying amount of equity component	$ 22,000,000	$ 22,000,000
Debt discount amortization period	2 years
Effective interest rate	5.00%	5.00%
Redemption, Defined Changes of Control [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%

LONG-TERM DEBT (Schedule of Deb

LONG-TERM DEBT (Schedule of Debt Interest Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014
2.5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.50%				2.50%
Contractual interest coupon	$ 6,875	$ 6,856
Amortization of debt discount	4,833	4,599
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,358	1,355
Total interest cost recognized on the notes	$ 13,066	$ 12,810
2.5% Convertible Senior Notes & 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contractual interest coupon			$ 8,701
Amortization of debt discount			10,165
Amortization of debt issuance costs			1,175
Total interest cost recognized on the notes			$ 20,041
2.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage			2.875%	2.875%

LONG-TERM DEBT (Other Long-term

LONG-TERM DEBT (Other Long-term Debt) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)note
Other Long Term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations	$ 10
Number of notes payable | note	28
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.20%
Notes payable maturity period, maximum	5 years
Other Long Term Debt [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest Partners [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other long-term debt	$ 35.9
Subsidiaries [Member] | Subsidiary [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable and other long-term debt	$ 31.2

LONG-TERM DEBT (Debt Extinguish

LONG-TERM DEBT (Debt Extinguishment) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash available for general corporate purposes	$ 256,900,000	$ 293,900,000
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt				$ (14,049,000)	$ (14,049,000)	$ 0	$ (188,000)
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount	$ 575,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.875%			4.875%	4.875%
7% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	7.00%
Extinguishment of debt	$ 425,000,000
Redemption Premium Payment, Extinguishment of Debt	14,900,000
5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount								$ 250,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage				5.375%	5.375%			5.375%
2.5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount				$ 275,000,000	$ 275,000,000	$ 275,000,000		$ 275,000,000
Interest rate, stated percentage				2.50%	2.50%			2.50%
5.375% Senior Notes & 2.5% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Related Fees and Expenses								$ 9,800,000
2.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage			2.875%				2.875%
Extinguishment of debt		220,000,000	$ 29,300,000
Payment of accrued interest		1,100,000
Related fees & expenses, debt extinguishment		$ 200,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	858,500,000
Old Senior Secured Credit Facility Term Loans A and B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of debt	123,300,000
Old Senior Secured Credit Facility Term Loans A and B [Member] | 7% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment of Accrued Interest and Fees	$ 38,400,000

LONG-TERM DEBT (Debt Covenants)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Debt Covenants) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016covenantquarter	Oct. 31, 2016	May 31, 2014
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of consecutive quarters | quarter	4
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.875%	4.875%
5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.375%		5.375%
4.875% Senior Notes & 5.375% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of covenants | covenant	2
Fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum	2
Secured indebtedness leverage ratio, maximum	3.50
Through September 30, 2017 [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA	5.50
December 31, 2017 [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA	5.25
December 31, 2018 [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA	5
December 31, 2019 [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA	4.75
December 31, 2020 [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of consolidated total funded debt to consolidated EBITDA	4.50

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS Derivati

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS Derivative Instruments (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Derivative Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amounts	$ 173.8	$ 71.1
Interest Rate Cap Agreements [Member]
Derivative Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amounts	$ 6.3	$ 8.2

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Assets

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis) (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$ 55,081	$ 30,102
Forward currency contracts	2,957	979
Total	58,038	31,081
Liabilities:
Interest rate cap	0	1
Forward currency contracts	363	680
Put option	5,147	7,258
Contingent consideration	44,195	19,877
Total	49,705	27,816
Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	55,081	30,102
Forward currency contracts	0	0
Total	55,081	30,102
Liabilities:
Interest rate cap	0	0
Forward currency contracts	0	0
Put option	0	0
Contingent consideration	0	0
Total	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Forward currency contracts	2,957	979
Total	2,957	979
Liabilities:
Interest rate cap	0	0
Forward currency contracts	363	680
Put option	0	0
Contingent consideration	0	0
Total	363	680
Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Cash equivalents	0	0
Forward currency contracts	0	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities:
Interest rate cap	0	1
Forward currency contracts	0	0
Put option	5,147	7,258
Contingent consideration	44,195	19,877
Total	$ 49,342	$ 27,136

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Va

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	May 31, 2014
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Put option specific events trigger put option certain to occur	1
5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	5.375%			5.375%
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.875%	4.875%
2.5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	2.50%			2.50%
7% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage		7.00%
Fixed Rate Debt With Noncontrolling Interest Partner [Member]
Estimate of fair value not practicable [Abstract]
Face amount of debt	$ 35.9		$ 33.2
Level 3 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Third party put option to sell NCI	1
Level 2 [Member] | 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	$ 259.7		$ 249.4
Level 2 [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage	4.875%
Estimated fair values of senior notes	$ 578.5
Level 2 [Member] | 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	$ 294.6		$ 280.2
Level 2 [Member] | 7% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated percentage			7.00%
Estimated fair values of senior notes			$ 443.1

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Fair V

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Fair Value of Assets Measured on Non-recurring Basis) (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charge, investments in nonconsolidated affiliates	$ 15,100,000		$ 16,455,000
Gain on consolidation of nonconsolidated affiliates		$ 10,000,000		$ 9,124,000	$ 16,400,000
Impairment charge, definite-lived intangible assets					11,100,000
Impairment charge, goodwill			0	0	134,961,000
Impairment charge, indefinite-lived intangible assets			0	0	$ 6,000,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates			0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates			0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates			0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates			$ 0	$ 0
Artist Nation [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Number of businesses consolidated					2
Operating Segments [Member] | Artist Nation [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charge, goodwill					$ 17,948,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Concerts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charge, goodwill					$ 117,013,000

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI62

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Leases, Contracts, Capital Expenditures) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Non-cancelable Operating Leases [Abstract]
2,017	$ 163,058
2,018	155,992
2,019	146,382
2,020	132,253
2,021	102,918
Thereafter	1,324,119
Total	2,024,722
Non-cancelable Contracts [Abstract]
2,017	740,202
2,018	146,409
2,019	116,236
2,020	30,791
2,021	6,619
Thereafter	9,636
Total	1,049,893
Capital Expenditures [Abstract]
2,017	34,179
2,018	1,811
2,019	789
2,020	685
2,021	1,084
Thereafter	24,076
Total	$ 62,624

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI63

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Commitment Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Commitment amount, inflation factor for North America	1.90%
Commitment amount, inflation factor for United Kingdom	3.00%
commitment amount, inflation factor for Denmark	1.80%
Commitment amount, inflation factor for the Netherlands	1.70%
Minimum rentals to be received in future years under non-cancelable subleases	$ 57.4
Rent expense	196	$ 159.5	$ 155.7
Rent expense, contingent rentals	49	43.7	$ 28.9
Property Lease Guarantee [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure, undiscounted	16.9
Guarantor obligations, scheduled future minimum rentals per year, for the next five years	1.6
Guarantee of Indebtedness of Others [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations, balance	$ 18	$ 13.4

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI64

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Business Acquisitions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Amount accrued in other liabilities, deferred purchase consideration	$ 18.1	$ 12.4
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Amount accrued in other liabilities, deferred purchase consideration	7.2	26.8
Earn Out Arrangements [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Amount accrued in other liabilities, contingent consideration	5.2	2.3
Earn Out Arrangements [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Amount accrued in other liabilities, contingent consideration	$ 39	$ 17.6

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LI65

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Loss Contingencies) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Ticketing Fees Consumer Class Action Litigation [Member] | Settled Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for best estimate of probable costs of settlement	$ 14

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND REL66

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)director	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenue	$ 123,117	$ 109,720	$ 3,393
Related-party expenses	8,751	8,470	471
Related-party payable	$ 20,800	23,200
Liberty Media [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of directors nominated by related party | director	2
Equity Method Investee [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenue	$ 2,500	2,000	1,000
Related-party expenses	$ 3,200	$ 1,500	$ 500

INCOME TAXES (Schedule of Incom

INCOME TAXES (Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of the provision for income tax expense [Abstract]
Current - Federal	$ 564	$ 543	$ 17
Current - Foreign	29,902	23,811	12,727
Current - State	5,454	7,379	9,550
Total current	35,920	31,733	22,294
Deferred - Federal	5,113	(355)	(10,827)
Deferred - Foreign	(11,703)	(8,278)	(4,249)
Deferred - State	(1,301)	(978)	(2,588)
Total deferred	(7,891)	(9,611)	(17,664)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 28,029	$ 22,122	$ 4,630

INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Detai

INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Domestic loss before income taxes	$ (1.1)	$ 21.4	$ 16.2
Foreign income (loss) before taxes	47.2	27.8	$ (83.6)
Net deferred tax liability acquired in business combinations	15.9	$ 29.2
Net operating loss carryforwards - United States federal	232.6
Net operating loss carryforwards - state	68.2
Net operating loss carryforwards - foreign	$ 262.7
Minimum [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration date	Dec. 31, 2025
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	2,016

INCOME TAXES (Schedule of Defer

INCOME TAXES (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	$ 189,131	$ 209,316
Prepaid expenses	8,770	6,429
Long-term debt	3,835	5,644
Other	6,077	20,759
Total deferred tax liabilities	207,813	242,148
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses	45,839	41,113
Net operating loss carryforwards	563,461	578,805
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	59,977	56,282
Equity compensation	32,452	26,432
Other	0	1,949
Total gross deferred tax assets	701,729	704,581
Valuation allowance	681,566	658,104
Total deferred tax assets	20,163	46,477
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (187,650)	$ (195,671)

INCOME TAXES (Reconciliation of

INCOME TAXES (Reconciliation of Income Tax from Statutory Rates to Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit) at United States statutory rates	$ 16,914	$ 2,223	$ (34,937)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits	3,264	3,959	7,548
Differences between foreign and United States statutory rates	(11,116)	(5,356)	(10,735)
Non-United States income inclusions and exclusions	(1,678)	1,206	(284)
United States income inclusions and exclusions	(1,317)	2,095	(1,396)
Nondeductible items	3,210	4,736	55,469
Tax contingencies	2,390	2,063	950
Tax expense from acquired goodwill	5,936	4,483	1,299
Tax return to accrual	(1,071)	(551)	(7,013)
Change in valuation allowance	11,820	7,116	(7,467)
Other, net	(323)	148	1,196
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 28,029	$ 22,122	$ 4,630

INCOME TAXES (Schedule of Unrec

INCOME TAXES (Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1	$ 14,022	$ 12,619	$ 12,860
Increase for current year positions	0	1,606	306
Increase for prior year positions	1,978	274	1,089
Decrease for prior year positions	(3)	0	0
Interest and penalties for prior years	546	525	511
Expiration of applicable statute of limitations	0	0	(236)
Settlements for prior year positions	(1,188)	(852)	(1,225)
Foreign exchange	(238)	(150)	(686)
Balance at December 31	$ 15,117	$ 14,022	$ 12,619

EQUITY (Narrative) (Details)

EQUITY (Narrative) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock issued	1,400	1,600	2,700
Shares available for future grants (in shares)	29,300
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options currently granted	16,283	16,309	16,999	16,628
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock awards currently granted	1,080	861	1,171	2,210

EQUITY (Change in ownership int

EQUITY (Change in ownership interest) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)business	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ (101,360)	$ 111,079	$ 37,741	$ (44,518)	$ (78,334)	$ 89,049	$ 15,056	$ (58,279)	$ 2,942	$ (32,508)	$ (90,807)
Changes in Live Nation’s additional paid-in capital for purchases of noncontrolling interests, net of transaction costs									(49,111)	(6,555)	(3,796)
Changes in Live Nation’s additional paid-in capital for sales of noncontrolling interests, net of transaction costs									1,424	11,899	(11,748)
Net transfers of noncontrolling interest									(47,687)	5,344	(15,544)
Change from net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation and net transfers of noncontrolling interests									$ (44,745)	$ (27,164)	$ (106,351)
Artist Nation [Member]
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | business									2

EQUITY (Redeemable Noncontrolli

EQUITY (Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests) (Details) - Put Option [Member] $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
2017 [Member]
Option Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Estimate of redemption amounts of puts	$ 3.5
2018 [Member]
Option Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Estimate of redemption amounts of puts	153.1
2019 [Member]
Option Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Estimate of redemption amounts of puts	59.6
2020 [Member]
Option Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Estimate of redemption amounts of puts	124.7
2021 [Member]
Option Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Estimate of redemption amounts of puts	$ 48.9

EQUITY (Accumulated Other Compr

EQUITY (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Number of settled instruments designated as cash flow hedges	1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (111,657)	$ (70,010)	$ (2,370)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(65,050)	(41,672)	(67,700)
Amount reclassified from AOCI	0	25	60
Net other comprehensive income	(65,050)	(41,647)	(67,640)
Ending balance	(176,707)	(111,657)	(70,010)
Gains and Losses On Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	(25)	(79)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0	0	(6)
Amount reclassified from AOCI	0	25	60
Net other comprehensive income	0	25	54
Ending balance	0	0	(25)
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(358)	(581)	(611)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(103)	223	30
Amount reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0
Net other comprehensive income	(103)	223	30
Ending balance	(461)	(358)	(581)
Foreign Currency Items [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(111,299)	(69,404)	(1,680)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(64,947)	(41,895)	(67,724)
Amount reclassified from AOCI	0	0	0
Net other comprehensive income	(64,947)	(41,895)	(67,724)
Ending balance	$ (176,246)	$ (111,299)	$ (69,404)

EQUITY (Antidilutive Securities

EQUITY (Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings per Share) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 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	25,293	25,100	26,100
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	16,283	16,309	16,999
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	1,080	861	1,171
Conversion shares related to 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	7,930	7,930

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Summa

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Summary of stock-based compensation expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 32,723	$ 33,361	$ 39,029
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 31,200
Amortization period of unrecognized compensation cost	1 year 7 months
Selling, general, and administrative expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 15,687	16,380	21,204
Corporate expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 17,036	$ 16,981	$ 17,825

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Fair

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Fair value assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate, minimum	1.24%	1.47%	1.67%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum	1.49%	1.75%	2.00%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Volatility factors, minimum	29.42%	34.18%	42.41%
Volatility factors, maximum	36.11%	43.36%	47.00%
Weighted average expected life (in years)	5 years 9 months 4 days	5 years 11 months 8 days	6 years 22 days

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock Options) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-based compensation, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 8,500	$ 14,100	$ 20,200
Cash received from exercise of stock options	$ 20,299	$ 16,280	$ 21,797
Shares available for future grants (in shares)	29,300
Total intrinsic value, options outstanding	$ 433,100
Total intrinsic value, options exercisable	$ 335,900
Stock Options [Member]
Summary of stock option activity [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	16,309	16,999	16,628
Granted (in shares)	1,103	1,667	2,345
Exercised (in shares)	(1,063)	(1,098)	(1,769)
Forfeited or expired (in shares)	(66)	(1,259)	(205)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	16,283	16,309	16,999
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	12,628	11,177	10,669
Summary of stock option activity, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Price, Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 13.54	$ 13.78	$ 12.68
Price, Granted (in dollars per share)	19.53	25.32	21.03
Price, Exercised (in dollars per share)	19.10	14.50	12.32
Price, Forfeited or expired (in dollars per share)	22.39	31.58	19.58
Price, Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	13.55	13.54	13.78
Price, Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	12.01	11.54	13.68
Weighted average fair value per option granted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.98	$ 9.93	$ 9.82
Stock-based compensation, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Expiration period	10 years
Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock-based compensation, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Shares available for future grants (in shares)	11,900
Minimum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Stock-based compensation, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting period	2 years
Maximum [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Stock-based compensation, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Vesting period	5 years

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Exerc

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Exercise price range) (Details) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016$ / sharesshares
$2.75-$4.99 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower range limit (in dollars per share)	$ 2.75
Upper range limit (in dollars per share)	$ 4.99
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	2,228
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	2 years 2 months
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 2.84
Exercisable (in shares) | shares	2,228
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	2 years 2 months
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 2.84
$5.00-$9.99 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower range limit (in dollars per share)	5
Upper range limit (in dollars per share)	$ 9.99
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	4,757
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	5 years 9 months
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 8.81
Exercisable (in shares) | shares	3,917
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	5 years 8 months
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 8.82
$10.00-$14.99 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower range limit (in dollars per share)	10
Upper range limit (in dollars per share)	$ 14.99
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	3,108
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	4 years 1 month
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 11.40
Exercisable (in shares) | shares	3,108
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	4 years 1 month
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 11.40
$15.00-$19.99 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower range limit (in dollars per share)	15
Upper range limit (in dollars per share)	$ 19.99
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,582
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	7 years
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 19.05
Exercisable (in shares) | shares	466
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	2 years 3 months
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.38
$20.00-$24.99 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower range limit (in dollars per share)	20
Upper range limit (in dollars per share)	$ 24.99
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	3,030
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	5 years 5 months
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 22.03
Exercisable (in shares) | shares	2,267
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	4 years 9 months
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 22.29
$25.00-$29.99 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Lower range limit (in dollars per share)	25
Upper range limit (in dollars per share)	$ 29.99
Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,578
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	8 years 1 month
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 25.37
Exercisable (in shares) | shares	642
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life (in years)	8 years 1 month
Exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 25.34

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Restr

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Restricted Stock Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total fair market value of the shares issued upon vesting	$ 10.5	$ 11.2	$ 17.9
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares granted	751	456	752
Shares that will begin to vest on achieving minimum performance targets (in shares)	1,080	861	1,171	2,210
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	5 years
Restricted Stock Performance Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	2 years	2 years
Restricted shares granted	400	200
Shares that will begin to vest on achieving minimum performance targets (in shares)	400
Non-Market Based or Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares granted	400	300	400
Non-Market Based or Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year	1 year	1 year
Non-Market Based or Performance Based Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years	4 years	4 years
Restricted Stock Market Based or Performance Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares granted			300
Restricted Stock Market Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			2 years

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Res82

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Restricted Stock Awards) (Details) - Restricted Stock [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of restricted stock [Roll Forward]
Unvested at beginning of period (in shares)	861	1,171	2,210
Granted (in shares)	751	456	752
Forfeited (in shares)	(50)	(6)	(237)
Vested (in shares)	(482)	(760)	(1,554)
Unvested at end of period (in shares)	1,080	861	1,171
Summary of restricted stock awards, additional disclosures [Abstract]
Price, Unvested at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 22.67	$ 16.18	$ 10.68
Price, Granted (in dollars per share)	20.65	26.11	21.64
Price, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	21.63	10.02	12.64
Price, Vested (in dollars per share)	21.73	14.74	11.50
Price, Unvested at end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 21.67	$ 22.67	$ 16.18

OTHER INFORMATION (Details)

OTHER INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
The following details the components of “Other current assets”:
Cash held in escrow	$ 2,983	$ 1,736
Inventory	15,114	14,388
Other	31,677	20,240
Total other current assets	49,774	36,364
The following details the components of “Other long-term assets”:
Long-term advances	208,977	192,311
Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates	82,032	81,811
Other	120,285	111,127
Total other long-term assets	411,294	385,249
The following details the components of “Accrued expenses”:
Accrued compensation and benefits	192,167	157,013
Accrued event expenses	192,599	170,613
Accrued insurance	65,941	56,279
Accrued legal	22,904	47,740
Collections on behalf of others	31,233	32,140
Other	276,650	222,879
Total accrued expenses	781,494	686,664
The following details the components of “Other current liabilities”:
Contingent and deferred purchase consideration	23,301	16,413
Other	15,754	15,589
Total other current liabilities	39,055	32,002
The following details the components of “Other long-term liabilities”:
Accrued rent	61,282	57,041
Deferred revenue	5,506	6,128
Contingent and deferred purchase consideration	46,228	44,395
Other	36,775	34,703
Total other long-term liabilities	$ 149,791	$ 142,267

SEGMENT DATA Segment Results Of

SEGMENT DATA Segment Results Of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,797,544	$ 3,170,416	$ 2,179,258	$ 1,207,716	$ 1,736,725	$ 2,622,917	$ 1,765,777	$ 1,120,312	$ 8,354,934	$ 7,245,731	$ 6,866,964
Direct operating expenses									6,082,708	5,196,473	4,919,969
Selling, general and administrative expenses									1,548,450	1,411,855	1,337,316
Depreciation and amortization									403,651	397,241	368,143
Goodwill impairment									0	0	134,961
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets									124	845	(4,494)
Corporate expenses									125,061	107,945	103,905
Operating income (loss)	$ (37,215)	$ 191,286	$ 74,159	$ (33,290)	$ (40,448)	$ 153,510	$ 42,245	$ (23,935)	194,940	131,372	7,164
Capital expenditures									189,604	145,147	138,218
Operating Segments [Member] | Concerts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									5,874,089	4,964,991	4,726,877
Direct operating expenses									4,981,816	4,220,963	4,016,540
Selling, general and administrative expenses									766,881	702,108	671,646
Depreciation and amortization									137,605	146,795	115,088
Goodwill impairment											117,013
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets									(81)	430	(2,954)
Corporate expenses									0	0	0
Operating income (loss)									(12,132)	(105,305)	(190,456)
Capital expenditures									85,958	40,053	35,006
Operating Segments [Member] | Sponsorship & Advertising [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									377,618	333,726	300,279
Direct operating expenses									60,218	47,760	37,973
Selling, general and administrative expenses									71,089	57,681	50,292
Depreciation and amortization									18,206	9,932	4,281
Goodwill impairment											0
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets									0	0	0
Corporate expenses									0	0	0
Operating income (loss)									228,105	218,353	207,733
Capital expenditures									2,161	4,836	1,834
Operating Segments [Member] | Ticketing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									1,827,930	1,639,564	1,557,254
Direct operating expenses									956,956	808,697	763,280
Selling, general and administrative expenses									510,490	488,483	473,363
Depreciation and amortization									185,925	184,129	204,901
Goodwill impairment											0
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets									68	26	(1,583)
Corporate expenses									0	0	0
Operating income (loss)									174,491	158,229	117,293
Capital expenditures									91,285	93,323	89,990
Operating Segments [Member] | Artist Nation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									421,706	434,201	389,437
Direct operating expenses									232,555	245,781	212,302
Selling, general and administrative expenses									183,179	161,408	138,632
Depreciation and amortization									57,110	54,980	43,343
Goodwill impairment											17,948
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets									20	215	34
Corporate expenses									0	0	0
Operating income (loss)									(51,158)	(28,183)	(22,822)
Capital expenditures									1,348	1,924	1,892
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									7,978	3,176	3,171
Direct operating expenses									2,902	1,068	(2,174)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									16,811	2,175	3,383
Depreciation and amortization									2,940	46	40
Goodwill impairment											0
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets									0	0	(29)
Corporate expenses									0	0	0
Operating income (loss)									(14,675)	(113)	1,951
Capital expenditures									1,028	0	6
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									0	0	0
Direct operating expenses									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									4,433	3,490	2,592
Goodwill impairment											0
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets									117	174	38
Corporate expenses									125,141	107,945	103,905
Operating income (loss)									(129,691)	(111,609)	(106,535)
Capital expenditures									7,824	5,011	9,490
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									(154,387)	(129,927)	(110,054)
Direct operating expenses									(151,739)	(127,796)	(107,952)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									(2,568)	(2,131)	(2,102)
Goodwill impairment											0
Loss (gain) on disposal of operating assets									0	0	0
Corporate expenses									(80)	0	0
Operating income (loss)									0	0	0
Capital expenditures									0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Concerts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									142,240	113,391	97,642
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Sponsorship & Advertising [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Ticketing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									1,150	1,150	1,150
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Artist Nation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									10,997	15,386	11,262
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

SEGMENT DATA Geographical Regio

SEGMENT DATA Geographical Region Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,797,544	$ 3,170,416	$ 2,179,258	$ 1,207,716	$ 1,736,725	$ 2,622,917	$ 1,765,777	$ 1,120,312	$ 8,354,934	$ 7,245,731	$ 6,866,964
Long-lived assets	751,536				731,282				751,536	731,282	695,337
Total Foreign Operations [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue									2,566,047	2,207,431	2,364,088
Long-lived assets	174,160				200,711				174,160	200,711	177,206
United Kingdom Operations [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue									683,457	672,802	772,445
Long-lived assets	69,380				74,517				69,380	74,517	71,269
Other Foreign Operations [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue									1,882,590	1,534,629	1,591,643
Long-lived assets	104,780				126,194				104,780	126,194	105,937
Total Domestic Operations [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Revenue									5,788,887	5,038,300	4,502,876
Long-lived assets	$ 577,376				$ 530,571				$ 577,376	$ 530,571	$ 518,131
Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage									0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIO86

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,797,544	$ 3,170,416	$ 2,179,258	$ 1,207,716	$ 1,736,725	$ 2,622,917	$ 1,765,777	$ 1,120,312	$ 8,354,934	$ 7,245,731	$ 6,866,964
Operating income (loss)	(37,215)	191,286	74,159	(33,290)	(40,448)	153,510	42,245	(23,935)	194,940	131,372	7,164
Net income (loss)	(92,971)	132,761	36,461	(55,954)	(73,837)	104,382	20,212	(66,526)	20,297	(15,769)	(104,450)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders of Live Nation	$ (101,360)	$ 111,079	$ 37,741	$ (44,518)	$ (78,334)	$ 89,049	$ 15,056	$ (58,279)	$ 2,942	$ (32,508)	$ (90,807)
Basic net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation (in dollars per share)	$ (0.58)	$ 0.51	$ 0.13	$ (0.29)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.39	$ 0.06	$ (0.31)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share available to common stockholders of Live Nation (in dollars per share)	$ (0.58)	$ 0.49	$ 0.13	$ (0.29)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.38	$ 0.06	$ (0.31)

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIO87

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Impairment charge, investments in nonconsolidated affiliates		$ 15,100							$ 16,455
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ (14,049)								(14,049)	$ 0	$ (188)
Remeasurement gains							$ 10,000			9,124	16,400
Net foreign exchange currency losses	$ (8,000)	$ (1,900)	$ (6,600)	$ 7,800	$ (4,100)	$ (10,600)		$ (20,800)	$ (8,800)	$ (35,300)	$ (28,900)

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUA88

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation allowances and reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period		$ 17,168	$ 17,489	$ 19,850
Charges of Costs, Expenses and Other		16,699	19,525	3,684
Write-off of Accounts Receivable		(3,927)	(18,703)	(4,763)
Other	[1]	(306)	(1,143)	(1,282)
Balance at End of Period		29,634	17,168	17,489
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance [Member]
Valuation allowances and reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Period		658,104	593,305	580,594
Charges of Costs, Expenses and Other		11,820	7,116	(6,168)
Deletions		0	0	0
Other	[2]	11,642	57,683	18,879
Balance at End of Period		$ 681,566	$ 658,104	$ 593,305
[1]	Foreign currency adjustments and acquisitions.
[2]	During 2016, 2015 and 2014, the valuation allowance was adjusted for acquisitions, divestitures and foreign currency adjustments.