Tampa Radio: New Date Set For Nielsen vs. Bubba

A new date has been set for the start of the trial phase of Nielsen’s $1 million ratings tampering lawsuit against Tampa-based radio host Bubba “The Love Sponge” Clem. With two dates presented, both parties agreed on a start date of June 18 for the beginning of the trial, during a telephone conference proceeding overseen by Judge James D. Whittemore.

The trial was to begin Monday, April 2, but at the last minute was delayed with no explanation given.

According to InsideRadio, Nielsen has submitted 29 witnesses it intends to call to the stand, including Clem and a dozen Nielsen executives, such as Nielsen Audio managing director Brad Kelly, senior VP & sales director John Snyder and senior VP of local product leadership Bill Rose. Nielsen also plans to put Nicholas Tabachuk, the so-called “cooperating panelist,” on the stand, along with other panelists. Also on the Nielsen witness list are Beasley president Bruce Beasley and executive VP of Programming Justin Chase, Cox-Tampa/market manager Keith Lawless, and former Nielsen and Arbitron managers such as Rhody Bosley and Bob Patchen.

Clem’s attorneys also intend to call 29 witnesses, including former Jacor and Clear Channel CEO Randy Michaels, JVC Broadcasting CEO John Caracciolo, Genesis Communications CEO Bruce Maduri, Beasley general counsel Joyce Fitch, consultant Dom Theodore, WHPT Tampa morning man Mike Calta, a former PPM panelist, and several names on the Nielsen list, including Chase, Lawless and Clem.

The high-profile case has been dragging on since October 2015.