Ticketmaster Online Seeks Europe Expansion

Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch Inc., an online ticketing service controlled by USA Networks Inc., is in talks with Vivendi about ventures that could increase Ticketmaster’s sales in Europe, its chairman said. USA Networks, the media company controlled by Barry Diller, is Ticketmaster Online’s parent and itself is 46% owned by Seagram Co. Seagram has agreed to be acquired by Vivendi, a French Internet, media and telecommunications company, for about $40 billion in stock and assumed debt. Ticketmaster Online Chairman Charles Conn said his Pasadena-based company is in talks with Vivendi on ways to work with Vivendi’s Internet businesses to increase European sales. Ticketmaster Online shares fell 56 cents to $23.19 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.