Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Goodwill) (Details)

v3.3.1.900
LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Goodwill) (Details)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
business
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period   $ 1,883,900 $ 1,736,885  
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period   (404,863) (269,902)  
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period   1,479,037 1,466,983  
Acquisitions—current year   194,042 204,217  
Acquisitions—prior year   (39,373) (932)  
Dispositions     (4,434)  
Impairment $ (134,961) 0 (134,961) $ 0
Foreign exchange   (29,391) (51,836)  
Gross Goodwill - End of period 1,883,900 2,009,178 1,883,900 1,736,885
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period (404,863) (404,863) (404,863) (269,902)
Net Goodwill - End of period 1,479,037 1,604,315 1,479,037 1,466,983
Goodwill expected to be tax deductible 76,400 107,900 76,400  
Concerts [Member]        
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period   577,891 505,472  
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period   (386,915) (269,902)  
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period   190,976 235,570  
Acquisitions—current year   57,792 92,393  
Acquisitions—prior year   (28,472) 1,997  
Dispositions     0  
Impairment     (117,013)  
Foreign exchange   (4,440) (21,971)  
Gross Goodwill - End of period 577,891 602,771 577,891 505,472
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period (386,915) (386,915) (386,915) (269,902)
Net Goodwill - End of period 190,976 215,856 190,976 235,570
Ticketing [Member]        
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period   657,631 642,249  
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period   0 0  
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period   657,631 642,249  
Acquisitions—current year   77,951 27,943  
Acquisitions—prior year   10,341 0  
Dispositions     (4,434)  
Impairment     0  
Foreign exchange   (12,098) (8,127)  
Gross Goodwill - End of period 657,631 733,825 657,631 642,249
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 657,631 733,825 657,631 642,249
Artist Nation [Member]        
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period   345,513 278,923  
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period   (17,948) 0  
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period   327,565 278,923  
Acquisitions—current year   15,051 68,107  
Acquisitions—prior year   (17,968) (2,304)  
Dispositions     0  
Impairment     (17,948)  
Foreign exchange   (2,095) 787  
Gross Goodwill - End of period 345,513 340,501 345,513 278,923
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period (17,948) (17,948) (17,948) 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 327,565 322,553 327,565 278,923
Sponsorship & Advertising [Member]        
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period   302,865 310,241  
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period   0 0  
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period   302,865 310,241  
Acquisitions—current year   43,248 15,774  
Acquisitions—prior year   (3,274) (625)  
Dispositions     0  
Impairment     0  
Foreign exchange   (10,758) (22,525)  
Gross Goodwill - End of period 302,865 332,081 302,865 310,241
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period $ 302,865 $ 332,081 $ 302,865 $ 310,241
Artist Management Business [Member] | Goodwill [Member] | Artist Nation [Member]        
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]        
Number of businesses acquired | business     3