Blockbuster to Sell Concert Tickets

Dallas Blockbuster Inc. will sell concert tickets and related merchandise next year as the exclusive retailer for Live Nation Inc., the world's largest concert producer.

The three-year agreement begins in January at 500 Blockbuster stores that are in cities with Live Nation venues.

Live Nation wanted to concentrate its retail presence under one brand, said Nathan Hubbard, chief executive of Live Nation's ticketing division, according to the Dallas Morning News. The company approached Blockbuster after it surveyed concertgoers about places they would prefer to buy tickets, he said.

Currently, Live Nation concert tickets are sold through Ticketmaster outlets. That will change in January when Live Nation tickets will be available only through its Web site, venue box offices and Blockbuster outlets.

Blockbuster expects the new service to drive hundreds of thousands of customers to its stores, where it will also sell concert-related merchandise such as T-shirts and CDs of live performances.