Business
Uptix: Live Nation just posted its best quarter on record

Uptix: Live Nation just posted its best quarter on record

David Crowther

Center stage

Following a record-shattering series of live shows this year — with unprecedented demand driven by the concerted efforts of artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé — events promoter Live Nation Entertainment has capitalized as the ticket-shifting tour-de-force.

The company, which also owns Ticketmaster, just delivered its biggest quarter ever, seeing revenue boom 32% to a roaring $8.2 billion in Q3, notching a profit of nearly $484 million. These results are in tune with the astronomical ticket sales that Live Nation has posted so far this year: a record 140 million, already eclipsing 2022's total.

Golden ticket

Typically the strongest quarter for concert sales, this summer has been a belter for live music, as tours from fan favorites like Harry Styles, Coldplay, and Pink grossed up to $300 million each.

However, Live Nation President Joe Berchtold was quick to discount individual star power as the root cause of the company's considerable growth: “No artist is going to account for more than 1% of the tickets, so no one or two will ever hurt us year over year.

Even so, the company has come under fire for long wait times and resale price inflation during the frenzied US ticket sale for Swift’s Eras Tour. But rising costs are unlikely to slow consumer appetite for gig-going: the average ticket price for the top 100 US tours was ~$120 in 2023, around a $58 jump from just 2 years before. And, moving into 2024, concert attendance is only expected to accelerate — Live Nation has already booked two-thirds of its commitments for next year, with half slated to take place in large venues.

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Max Knoblauch

Uber launches “digital tasks” in the US, paying some drivers to train AI

Beginning later this fall, US Uber drivers will be able to earn money by completing short “digital tasks” like uploading restaurant menus or recording audio samples.

CEO Dara Khosrowshahi teased the new gig income stream back in June at the Bloomberg Tech conference.

At that time, Khosrowshahi said drivers and couriers were “labeling maps, translating language, looking at AI answers, and grading AI answers.” According to Thursday’s announcement, the tasks won’t be so focused on Uber’s business, but instead on connecting workers with “companies that need real people to help improve their technology.”

Per Uber, digital tasks can be done when drivers aren’t on a trip, be it at home or when not driving, and will take only “a few minutes” each.

Uber’s having drivers train its AI while partnering with robotaxi companies that could replace them

Uber’s having drivers train its AI while partnering with robotaxi companies that could replace them

At that time, Khosrowshahi said drivers and couriers were “labeling maps, translating language, looking at AI answers, and grading AI answers.” According to Thursday’s announcement, the tasks won’t be so focused on Uber’s business, but instead on connecting workers with “companies that need real people to help improve their technology.”

Per Uber, digital tasks can be done when drivers aren’t on a trip, be it at home or when not driving, and will take only “a few minutes” each.

Max Knoblauch
23h
United Airlines posts stronger-than-expected profit but weaker sales in its third quarter

United’s full-year profit outlook falls somewhere in between the dual forecasts it issued back in April.

United Airlines Airplanes at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey
Hyunsoo Rim, David Crowther
HEAD OF MACROS
10/15/25
Pop-Tarts, Doritos, and Uncrustables have joined the protein craze taking over America’s snack aisle

Food giants are catching up with the latest diet obsession.

Pop tarts protein
US-ENTERTAINMENT-ILLUSTRATION-APPLE TV+

Apple TV dropped the “plus” as streamers keep pulling back on originals

After the spray-and-pray approach led to a wave of cancellations, Hollywood is settling into an era of just making fewer shows.

Hyunsoo Rim10/15/25
business
Max Knoblauch

The average price of a new vehicle in the US passed $50,000 for the first time ever in September

The average price of a new vehicle in the US surpassed $50,000 in September, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.

At $50,080, that’s the highest industry average ever, reflecting the price hikes faced by new car buyers in recent years amid pandemic supply shortages, tariff-induced increases, and the high cost of EV production. The figure marks a 3.6% jump from the same month last year.

“Tariffs have introduced new cost pressure to the business, but the pricing story in September was mostly driven by the healthy mix of EVs and higher-end vehicles pushing the new-vehicle ATP into uncharted territory,” Cox executive analyst Erin Keating said. Passing the $50,000 mark was inevitable, Keating said, especially considering that the country’s bestseller is a Ford truck that “routinely costs north of $65,000.”

Year over year, new vehicle prices rose nearly 6% for GM, while Ford’s climbed 2.5%. Volkswagen new prices were up 12.5%.

As prices climb, so do delinquencies on loans to borrowers with lower credit scores. Recent data from Fitch Ratings shows the portion of subprime US auto loans 60 days or more overdue reached 6.43% in August.

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