Telecharge and Ticketmaster are two major ticket sellers for Broadway shows and other live events, but they are not the same company. While there is some overlap in the services they provide, there are also key differences between the two ticketing platforms.
What is Telecharge?
Telecharge is a ticketing company focused on selling tickets for Broadway shows in New York City. It was founded in 1990 specifically to cater to Broadway productions and the NYC theater market. Some key facts about Telecharge include:
- Telecharge is owned by The Shubert Organization, one of the largest theater operators on Broadway.
- It serves as the official ticketing partner for over 70 Broadway shows in NYC.
- In addition to online and phone sales, Telecharge operates an in-person ticket booth in Times Square.
- Telecharge exclusively sells tickets to Broadway shows, not other live events or venues.
- It provides group sales, single ticket sales, premium ticket packages and access to rush tickets for Broadway.
Overall, Telecharge focuses solely on being the go-to platform for booking Broadway shows in New York City. It has established itself as a key player in the Broadway ticketing market.
What is Ticketmaster?
Ticketmaster is a much larger ticketing company that sells tickets for a wide variety of live entertainment events. Some key facts about Ticketmaster include:
- Ticketmaster is a subsidiary of Live Nation Entertainment, the largest live events company globally.
- It sells tickets to concerts, sports games, theater shows, comedy shows and more across the world.
- In addition to ticket sales, Ticketmaster also provides ticket resale (secondary markets), marketing support and venue management technology.
- Ticketmaster has exclusive ticketing deals with many major venues and promoters around the world.
- It sells over 400 million tickets each year across 29 countries.
In summary, Ticketmaster is a global ticketing giant focused on live entertainment events of all kinds, not just theater. It has a dominant market position in ticketing worldwide.
Does Telecharge sell tickets to other events besides Broadway shows?
No, Telecharge focuses exclusively on selling tickets to Broadway theater shows in New York City. Its inventory is limited to Broadway productions. Telecharge does not sell tickets to sporting events, concerts, comedy shows or other live entertainment events. The only exception is that Telecharge may occasionally sell tickets to high-profile one-off events taking place in Broadway theaters, such as special concerts or performances.
Does Ticketmaster sell Broadway show tickets?
Yes, Ticketmaster does sell tickets to Broadway shows in addition to other live events. However, it has a more limited Broadway inventory than Telecharge. Here are some key points about Ticketmaster and Broadway ticketing:
- Ticketmaster sells tickets to select Broadway shows, but it is not an “official” Broadway ticketer like Telecharge is.
- It tends to focus on extremely popular, in-demand Broadway blockbusters like Hamilton.
- Ticketmaster sells Broadway tickets through both primary and secondary marketplaces.
- Ticketmaster’s Broadway inventory depends on the partnerships and contracts it has with specific shows.
- Telecharge remains the dominant broadway ticketing source, with over 70 show partnerships.
So in summary, Ticketmaster does sell some Broadway tickets, but its inventory is much more limited compared to Telecharge’s exclusive Broadway focus and official partnerships.
How do Telecharge and Ticketmaster’s fees and pricing compare?
Both Telecharge and Ticketmaster charge fees and service charges on top of the base ticket price. Here is an overview of how their fees compare:
Fee | Telecharge | Ticketmaster |
---|---|---|
Per Ticket Fee | $8-12 per ticket | $10-25 per ticket |
Order Processing Fee | $8 per order | $6-12 per order |
Delivery Fee | $8 for print-at-home, $14 for UPS | Up to $20 for UPS |
Service Charge | Ranges 10-25% of ticket price | Typically around 25% of ticket price |
In general, Telecharge tends to have lower per ticket fees, while Ticketmaster typically has higher ancillary fees for things like delivery. The upside of Ticketmaster is they offer more delivery options like instant digital tickets. Both platforms have variable service charges based on factors like show popularity.
What are the main differences between Telecharge and Ticketmaster?
In summary, here are the key differences between Telecharge and Ticketmaster:
- Focus: Telecharge focuses solely on Broadway theater while Ticketmaster sells all live event tickets.
- Inventory: Telecharge has near complete Broadway inventory while Ticketmaster has select popular shows.
- Partners: Telecharge is the official ticketer for most Broadway shows while Ticketmaster isn’t an official partner.
- Technology: Ticketmaster offers more advanced options like instant digital tickets while Telecharge focuses on traditional ticket sales.
- Company Size: Ticketmaster is part of LiveNation, a global ticketing giant, while Telecharge is a more specialized Broadway ticketer.
When should you use Telecharge vs Ticketmaster?
Here are some guidelines on when to use each ticketing platform:
- Use Telecharge if your main goal is buying tickets to a Broadway show, especially a specific show. They have the largest Broadway inventory.
- Use Ticketmaster if you want to buy tickets to high-demand Broadway blockbusters along with other live events like concerts and sports.
- Use Telecharge if you want better access to Broadway rush, lottery and standing room only tickets.
- Use Ticketmaster if you want modern conveniences like instant digital ticket delivery.
- Use Telecharge if you want to buy group tickets at a discount for a Broadway show.
- Use either if you are open-minded about attending various live events in addition to theater.
Conclusion
In summary, Telecharge and Ticketmaster have some overlap but are fundamentally different Broadway vs. live entertainment ticketing platforms. Telecharge is focused, specialized, and Official for Broadway shows, while Ticketmaster is much broader across live events. For the best Broadway inventory and prices, Telecharge is typically a better option, but Ticketmaster provides a one-stop shop if Broadway is just one of many types of events you want tickets to. Both platforms provide ways to see incredible live theater, just with different approaches tailored to different customer needs. The choice between Telecharge and Ticketmaster ultimately comes down to the specific show, budget and needs of each theatergoer.