广播听力:What Is Making Concert Ticket Prices So High?

How much would you pay for a ticket to see your favourite pop star? According to statistics from the Beijing Trade Association for Performances, the average ticket price for concerts in large stadium was 772 yuan in 2010, which was 21% higher than the prices in 2009. Moreover, these prices are generally higher in Beijing than in Hong Kong or Taiwan.

Zhang Wan has more.

Usually, concerts in many cities throughout China cost between several hundred yuan to about two thousand yuan. Many people say that's too expensive.

"The prices are all very high. The average prices are 700 to 800 yuan for a concert ticket."

"The prices are expensive. I would pay no more than 700 or 800 yuan for a ticket to a concert by my favorite star."

What is causing ticket prices to be so expensive? Zhang Wei from a ticketing agency in Beijing explains:

"Ticket prices are usually set by the concert organizer, in accordance with previous concerts prices and the status of the star, the organizers set prices that they can make a profit from."

Generally, the prices of concerts in the mainland cities are higher than those in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United States. Why is this?

The cost of a commercial performance usually includes pay for the performer, equipment and