Cumulus Media has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in Manhattan accusing Nielsen of illegally leveraging its dominance in radio audience measurement to stifle rivals and inflate prices. The complaint says Nielsen conditions access to comprehensive national radio analytics on purchasing separate, expensive local ratings, forcing buyers to pay for data they do not need in certain markets.
Cumulus operates nearly 400 stations in more than 80 markets across the United States. Its subsidiary Westwood One produces national programming and services and purchases national radio ratings; Westwood One is the official network audio broadcast partner of the National Football League. According to the suit, Nielsen’s sales policy threatens Westwood One’s access to the national data it requires unless Cumulus also buys local ratings in markets where those metrics offer little value.
Cumulus alleges the policy violates federal and state antitrust laws by degrading product quality, raising prices without justification, and blocking prospective competitors from gaining a foothold in the industry. The filing asserts the scheme affects hundreds of millions of dollars in commerce and ultimately harms advertisers and stations through reduced choice, higher costs, and diminished innovation.
In a statement, Nielsen called the lawsuit entirely without merit and said it will respond accordingly. Cumulus, in its own statement, said it is challenging what it views as unlawful and damaging anticompetitive conduct.
Cumulus asks the court for monetary damages and an injunction prohibiting Nielsen from continuing the alleged tying and other unfair practices.