Whatever happens, you can be sure Nielsen is not #1 in the Cumulus book of top radio services. The American owner of hundreds of stations, along with subsidiary Westwood One, is accusing the data gathering company of using its influence as the leading ratings service to take advantage of subscribers and running a de facto monopoly. 

"Atlanta-based Cumulus alleges that Nielsen’s sales policy forces it to buy local ratings in markets where it doesn’t need them, or risk losing access to comprehensive national data that Westwood One needs.

In a statement, Nielsen said Cumulus's lawsuit is "entirely without merit" and "we will respond accordingly."

Who will come in at #1 when this battle is over? As they say in the radio biz, "stay tuned."

Radio network Cumulus Media sues Nielsen over alleged ratings monopoly