Cumulus Media Sues Nielsen Over Alleged Radio Ratings Monopoly

Cumulus Media filed a lawsuit yesterday against Nielsen, alleging anticompetitive practices designed to inflate the cost of radio ratings data and stifle competition in the market.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims Nielsen illegally tied access to national broadcast radio analytics to the purchase of local ratings data, a practice Cumulus argues violates federal and state antitrust laws. According to the complaint, Nielsen implemented a policy in September 2024 requiring national networks to purchase local ratings data in any market where they own or operate stations, or risk having those geographies excluded from their national ratings reports. Cumulus alleges this policy led to a 36% increase in Westwood One’s national ratings data costs in 2022, with subsequent price hikes.

During a July phone call, Nielsen Audio Managing Director Rich Tunkel reportedly stated that a national ratings product without comprehensive data would be “Swiss cheese” and “not useful,” and acknowledged the tying of local and national data products, according to the lawsuit. Cumulus, which owns nearly 400 stations across more than 80 U.S. markets and operates Westwood One, argues these practices force unnecessary purchases, degrade data quality, and hinder competitors like Eastlan Ratings from gaining market share. This dispute comes as the radio industry navigates evolving audience measurement techniques and increasing competition from digital audio platforms.

Nielsen has dismissed the lawsuit as “entirely without merit” and stated it will respond accordingly. Cumulus is seeking unspecified monetary damages and a court order to halt Nielsen’s alleged unfair practices, claiming the company’s actions harm advertisers and stations by inflating costs and reducing innovation.

The company indicated it will pursue all available legal avenues to challenge what it describes as anticompetitive conduct.