Cumulus Media (CMLS) Q2 Loss Narrows 55%

Cumulus Media said it became the first commercial licensee of Xperi’s DTS AutoStage Broadcaster Portal Premium, rolling the in-car measurement service out across its 393 stations. Xperi says the platform covers 302 US markets and uses data from 16M+ vehicles. The deal follows Cumulus’s ongoing antitrust dispute with Nielsen over ratings access.

A federal appeals court upheld a preliminary injunction Cumulus Media obtained against Nielsen, finding Nielsen likely violated antitrust law by using alleged control of national radio data to pressure broadcasters to buy unwanted local data. The July 13 ruling reinstates a Dec. 30 injunction, barring Nielsen from enforcing its Network Policy and from charging commercially unreasonable standalone Nationwide rates, with a 2026 “safe harbor” rate.

Albertsons Companies said it is voluntarily recalling four ready-to-eat products containing jalapeños supplied by Taylor Farms, including items sold at Randalls in Texas. The recall followed a supplier recall tied to an ongoing federal investigation and an FDA probe of a Salmonella Javiana outbreak. FDA reported 345 illnesses in 27 states, 36 hospitalizations, no deaths.

U.S. health authorities are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeño peppers. The CDC and FDA say 345 people are ill across 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations and no deaths. The supplier, Coast Citrus Distributors, recalled peppers sent to restaurants including Chipotle and QDOBA. Chipotle removed jalapeños from some outlets and shares fell over 8% on Aug. 4.

Realty Income (NYSE: O) says it began investing in data centers in late 2023 via a build-to-suit JV with Digital Realty, buying an 80% stake in an up to 48 MW facility. It also formed a hyperscale JV with Cloud Capital, targeting up to $1.4B investment for a 45% stake. Realty Income raised 2024 AFFO guidance to $4.44-$4.45/share and investment outlook to $10B.

Bloomberg reported the US Army plans to buy at least $400 million of AeroVironment counter-drone laser systems, citing a person familiar with the deal. The order would include dozens of LOCUST units that use AI to detect and track small to medium drones and then engage them with a high-energy laser. AeroVironment’s stock rose about 8% on Friday.