Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

LONG-LIVED ASSETS, Goodwill (Details)

v2.4.0.6
LONG-LIVED ASSETS, Goodwill (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period $ 1,509,355 $ 487,611
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period (282,939) (282,939)
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 1,226,416 204,672
Acquisitions - current year 44,466 1,042,148
Acquisitions - prior year (4,565) 548
Dispositions (147) (5,011)
Foreign currency (8,526) (15,941)
Gross Goodwill - End of period 1,540,583 1,509,355
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period (282,939) (282,939)
Net Goodwill - End of period 1,257,644 1,226,416
Ticketmaster and Ticketnet [Member]
    
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Acquisitions - prior year   1,000,000
Music Theater in Sweden [Member]
    
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Dispositions   (5,000)
Concerts [Member]
    
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 375,487 388,631
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period (269,902) (269,902)
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 105,585 118,729
Acquisitions - current year 15,040 0
Acquisitions - prior year 2 173
Dispositions 0 (5,011)
Foreign currency (3,341) (8,306)
Gross Goodwill - End of period 387,188 375,487
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period (269,902) (269,902)
Net Goodwill - End of period 117,286 105,585
Ticketing [Member]
    
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 557,856 0
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 557,856 0
Acquisitions - current year 17,955 559,479
Acquisitions - prior year 2,956 0
Dispositions 0 0
Foreign currency (1,636) (1,623)
Gross Goodwill - End of period 577,131 557,856
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 577,131 557,856
Artist Nation [Member]
    
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 267,992 0
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 267,992 0
Acquisitions - current year 1,836 267,742
Acquisitions - prior year (7,523) 250
Dispositions (147) 0
Foreign currency 0 0
Gross Goodwill - End of period 262,158 267,992
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 262,158 267,992
eCommerce [Member]
    
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 214,927 0
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 214,927 0
Acquisitions - current year 9,635 214,927
Acquisitions - prior year 0 0
Dispositions 0 0
Foreign currency 0 0
Gross Goodwill - End of period 224,562 214,927
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 224,562 214,927
Sponsorship [Member]
    
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 80,056 85,943
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 80,056 85,943
Acquisitions - current year 0 0
Acquisitions - prior year 0 125
Dispositions   0
Foreign currency (3,549) (6,012)
Gross Goodwill - End of period 76,507 80,056
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 76,507 80,056
Other [Member]
    
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 13,037 13,037
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period (13,037) (13,037)
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 0 0
Acquisitions - current year 0 0
Acquisitions - prior year 0 0
Dispositions 0 0
Foreign currency 0 0
Gross Goodwill - End of period 13,037 13,037
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period (13,037) (13,037)
Net Goodwill - End of period $ 0 $ 0