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Media
AEG collaborates with Seacrest on new US TV channel
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 19 January 2012
Live firm AEG will expand the brand it launched in the US last summer as a ticketing portal via the launch of a new entertainment TV channel which also counts talent agency CAA and American TV and radio star Ryan Seacrest as partners.
AEG started selling tickets via its AXS.com website last August, part of the tour promoter and venue owner’s move away from the Ticketmaster platform, which is, of course, now owned by its main competitor Live Nation. AXS.com was part of AEG’s partnership with ticketing technology company Outbox Enterprises, and has quietly been expanding since going online last summer.
AXS TV will replace existing cable network HDNet in the US, which is owned by business mogul Mark Cuban, who is also a partner in the new broadcasting venture. It will be an entertainment network, airing mainly live lifestyle and entertainment magazine programmes, possibly utilising content filmed at AEG’s tours, events and venues. Seacrest will be an investor and advisor, though isn’t expected to appear on the network himself.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, AEG have been planning a TV venture with Seacrest for a few years now, though it’s interesting that the resulting new network will expand the live firm’s newish consumer-facing brand. It remains to be seen just how many synergies there are between the AXS TV station and ticketing platform, and whether AEG have any other ambitions in the media space, as a business in itself, or a marketing channel for its other ventures.
