A high-stakes legal dispute between major radio broadcaster Cumulus Media and ratings provider Nielsen was expected to reach a pivotal moment today. Lawyers for both sides were scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Lower Manhattan to argue over Cumulus's claims of inaccurate audience measurements, which the company alleges have cost it millions in ad revenue. However, the
preliminary hearing is now expected to take place December 8.
This case underscores broader tensions in how radio stations rely on third-party data for advertising sales amid shifting listener habits toward streaming. The outcome could influence billing practices and trust in industry metrics for broadcasters nationwide.
It centers on allegations that Nielsen, the dominant provider of radio audience ratings data, is abusing its monopoly power to force broadcasters like Cumulus into buying unwanted local ratings services as a condition for accessing essential national ratings data.
This "tying" practice, Cumulus claims, inflates prices, degrades service quality, and stifles competition from smaller rivals like Eastlan Ratings. The case has broad implications for the U.S. radio industry, where accurate ratings directly influence advertising revenue—estimated at hundreds of millions of dollars annually.