Nielsen is taking its antitrust fight with Cumulus Media to the U.S. Supreme Court, even as it wins a reprieve in the parallel battle over what Westwood One should pay for its Nationwide ratings. The Second Circuit has put a judge’s enforcement order — and the threat of $50,000-a-day penalties — on hold while Nielsen pursues a separate appeal. The increasingly complex web of legal maneuvers has seen Nielsen file a petition asking the Supreme Court to review the Second Circuit

Podcast hosts play a significant role in audience loyalty, discovery and advertising effectiveness, according to the first findings from The Podcast Study 2026, conducted by Point-To-Point Marketing and Strategic Solutions Research. The research was presented during the first webinar in a series, “The Importance of the Host and the Power of Trust,” led by Point-To-Point Marketing CEO Tim Bronsil and Strategic Solutions Research Partner Hal Rood. The study surveyed 1,205 U.S.

Nostalgia is emerging as a significant factor in consumer spending, particularly among Hispanic shoppers, as memories of childhood foods, familiar brands and cultural traditions influence purchasing decisions, according to research cited by Abasto. Hispanics also comprise a demographic that routinely scores high when it comes to radio use. Nielsen’s January 2026 report says more than 93% of Hispanic adults in the U.S. tune to radio each month. And study by iHeartMedia and Col

A just-released ranking of the 10 highest-paid personalities in sports media includes five who currently have a presence in audio media in addition to their TV work. Leading the list with an estimated $40 million annual intake, according to Bleacher Report, is ESPN and SiriusXM host Stephen A. Smith, who recently signed a five-year $105 million deal with the former and a three-year $36 million agreement with the latter. Smith, known for his controversial takes on sports, poli

USA Lacrosse has entered a partnership with iHeartMedia that makes the media group the organization’s Official Audio Media Partner as lacrosse builds momentum toward its return to the Olympic Games at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Under the agreement, iHeartMedia will support promotional campaigns for USA Lacrosse events and membership initiatives across its network of live radio stations, digital stations and podcasts. The partnership creates a new audio media category for USA

A Nielsen study conducted with Katz Digital finds that combining digital audio and connected TV advertising can significantly increase brand recall and shift consumer awareness, sentiment and intent in issue advertising. The study, conducted in the Washington, DC, market, surveyed 600 adults 35 and older who listen to digital audio and watch CTV and have an interest in news and politics. Participants were assigned to a control group or exposed to digital audio only, CTV only,

The court battle over President Trump’s attempt to cut off federal funding to NPR and PBS has quietly come to an end, leaving intact a ruling that the executive order’s principal funding restrictions violated the First Amendment. NPR, PBS, several local public broadcasters and the Trump administration agreed in July to dismiss the last remaining claims in the consolidated cases. The move ends the litigation and leaves intact the court’s March decision permanently blocking key

Podcast advertising spending bounced back in August, with the top 15 advertisers investing a combined $61.9 million — the highest monthly total of 2026 for Magellan AI’s ranking of the biggest advertisers. The August total was up about 9% from July’s $56.7 million and returned spending to the roughly $60 million range that has defined much of 2026. The August rankings showed broad-based strength as Quince remained podcasting’s biggest advertiser, increasing its August investm

Findings from a just-released study conducted by WPP Media and creative testing firm System1, in conjunction with social media platform TikTok, provide a how-to for audio media talent-endorsed ads, showing they generate greater impact by increasing brand awareness, especially when ad content uses both salesmanship and showmanship and utilizes right-brain elements. “The global study found that entertainment earns emotion, and early branding gives the brand credit,” Cumulus Med

SiriusXM says efforts to unlock additional value from its satellite spectrum are gaining momentum, with executives pointing to a newly launched satellite, increased industry interest and a more favorable regulatory environment as they explore ways to monetize an asset historically devoted to the company’s radio service. CEO Jennifer Witz said the company continues to evaluate potential partnerships involving its 35 MHz of spectrum. While it offers potential new revenue source