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Ticket Control Important, Madonna Deal Shows

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2007

Madonna's deal to abandon Warner Music for concert promoter Live Nation signals more than just a tectonic shift in the music distribution business: It shows how far Live Nation is willing to go to break the hammerlock Barry Diller's Ticketmaster has on online ticket sales.

The core benefit to Live Nation of the $120 million recording and touring contract with the pop superstar is the opportunity to tap concert, recording, merchandising and other lucrative revenue streams.

Madonna's management told Warner Music last week that the 49-year-old pop singer would accept Live Nation's offer after the record company refused to match the deal, a person familiar with the confidential contract negotiations said Wednesday.

Under the proposed deal, Madonna would get a signing bonus of about $18 million, an advance of about $17 million for each of three albums, stock, and an agreement for Live Nation to exclusively promote her tours.

To try to fend off the deal, Warner pursued a partnership with Ticketmaster that would have enabled the record company to offer a spectrum of touring services to Madonna, the person said.

Spears Wins Overnight Visits With Sons

Britney Spears won modified visitation rules Thursday that allow her two boys to spend one overnight a week with her, and the pop star's attorney requested her mother become the court-appointed monitor.

Spears made a surprise appearance in court after Superior Court Commissioner Scott Gordon held a morning hearing on her emergency request to expand visitation but declined to rule.

He gave attorneys for Spears and her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, who was recently granted custody, more time to discuss the matter outside court.

Spears, previously allowed monitored visits with the children but no overnight stays, spent about an hour in the closed session.

No Joke: Carey Gets Engaged

Drew Carey has a new fiancee: Nicole Jaracz, a recent graduate of culinary school, the comedian's representative has announced.

'It will be the first marriage for both. No date for a wedding has been set yet,' his publicist said in a statement. 'They are both very happy and excited about their future together.'

On Monday, Carey, 49, will begin his new gig as host of 'The Price Is Right.'

Law Cleared Of Assaulting Photographer

Jude Law has been cleared of assaulting a paparazzo, People magazine has learned.

The actor was arrested Sept. 4 after allegedly assaulting a photographer outside his London home.

He was taken to a police station, interviewed and released. The case was forwarded to state prosecutors, the Crown Prosecution Service, for deliberation.

'The police have told me that they and the CPS have examined the photographer's allegation extremely carefully and made the decision that there is no further action to be taken,' Law said.

Scotland Yard confirms that no charges will be filed.

Today's Birthdays

Actor Hugh Jackman is 39. Country musician Martie Maguire (The Dixie Chicks) is 38. Actor Kirk Cameron is 37.

Sources: The Associated Press, People.com

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