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, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period $ 1,540,583 $ 1,509,355
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period (282,939) (282,939)
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 1,257,644 1,226,416
Recast balances - Fair value approach   0 [1]
Recast balances - Goodwill   1,509,355
Recast balances - Accumulated impairment losses   (282,939)
Recast balances - Goodwill, net   1,226,416
Acquisitions - current year 71,942 44,466
Acquisitions - prior year 6,922 (4,565)
Dispositions   (147)
Foreign exchange 21,319 (8,526)
Gross Goodwill - End of period 1,640,766 1,540,583
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period (282,939) (282,939)
Net Goodwill - End of period 1,357,827 1,257,644
Concerts [Member]
   
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 387,188 375,487
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period (269,902) (269,902)
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 117,286 105,585
Recast balances - Fair value approach   0 [1]
Recast balances - Goodwill   375,487
Recast balances - Accumulated impairment losses   (269,902)
Recast balances - Goodwill, net   105,585
Acquisitions - current year 71,942 15,040
Acquisitions - prior year 0 2
Dispositions   0
Foreign exchange 9,761 (3,341)
Gross Goodwill - End of period 468,891 387,188
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period (269,902) (269,902)
Net Goodwill - End of period 198,989 117,286
Ticketing [Member]
   
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 633,852 557,856
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 633,852 557,856
Recast balances - Fair value approach   47,086 [1]
Recast balances - Goodwill   604,942
Recast balances - Accumulated impairment losses   0
Recast balances - Goodwill, net   604,942
Acquisitions - current year 0 27,590
Acquisitions - prior year 2,380 2,956
Dispositions   0
Foreign exchange 1,410 (1,636)
Gross Goodwill - End of period 637,642 633,852
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 637,642 633,852
Artist Nation [Member]
   
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 262,158 267,992
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 262,158 267,992
Recast balances - Fair value approach   0 [1]
Recast balances - Goodwill   267,992
Recast balances - Accumulated impairment losses   0
Recast balances - Goodwill, net   267,992
Acquisitions - current year 0 1,836
Acquisitions - prior year 4,542 (7,523)
Dispositions   (147)
Foreign exchange 120 0
Gross Goodwill - End of period 266,820 262,158
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 266,820 262,158
eCommerce [Member]
   
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 0 214,927
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 0 214,927
Recast balances - Fair value approach   (214,927) [1]
Recast balances - Goodwill   0
Recast balances - Accumulated impairment losses   0
Recast balances - Goodwill, net   0
Acquisitions - current year 0 0
Acquisitions - prior year 0 0
Dispositions   0
Foreign exchange 0 0
Gross Goodwill - End of period 0 0
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 0 0
Sponsorship & Advertising [Member]
   
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Gross Goodwill - Beginning of period 244,348 80,056
Accumulated impairment losses - Beginning of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - Beginning of period 244,348 80,056
Recast balances - Fair value approach   167,841 [1]
Recast balances - Goodwill   247,897
Recast balances - Accumulated impairment losses   0
Recast balances - Goodwill, net   247,897
Acquisitions - current year 0 0
Acquisitions - prior year 0 0
Dispositions   0
Foreign exchange 10,028 (3,549)
Gross Goodwill - End of period 254,376 244,348
Accumulated impairment losses - End of period 0 0
Net Goodwill - End of period 254,376 244,348
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
Recast balances - Fair value approach   0 [1]
Recast balances - Goodwill   13,037
Recast balances - Accumulated impairment losses   (13,037)
Recast balances - Goodwill, net   0
Acquisitions - current year 0 0
Acquisitions - prior year 0 0
Dispositions   0
Foreign exchange 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
[1] The beginning balance for the eCommerce segment has been recast to allocate goodwill to the Ticketing and Sponsorship & Advertising segments. The total consolidated amount remained unchanged.