AOL TO ADD TICKETMASTER
"BOX OFFICE"

America Online and Ticketmaster announced on Wednesday that the companies have formed a multiyear strategic alliance for AOL to offer Ticketmaster ticketing and personal services to its Internet consumers.

The Ticketmaster "box office" on AOL will offer users an extensive array of tickets to sporting events, theater and concerts at more than 5,000 venues, according to Reuters.

Ticketmaster's Citysearch guides will provide AOL with Moviefone cinema information and ticketing, and the company's Match.com service will be the main personals provider to AOL's LoveatAOL.

The service will be offered across AOL, CompuServe and other AOL Time Warner venues.

"By combining our event information and ticketing transaction capability with AOL's unparalleled audience, we substantially increase our ticketing distribution network," said Ticketmaster President and CEO John Pleasants.

In 2000, Ticketmaster sold more than 83 million tickets at a value of about $3.3 billion. AOL and CompuServe combined have more than 31 million customers.