Nielsen Seeks Supreme Court Intervention In Cumulus Battle

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.

Meta faces a $25 billion fine from New Mexico for violating privacy laws during the Cambridge Analytica scandal, according to the state's Department of Justice. The penalty follows a jury verdict citing 43.9 million violations of New Mexico's Unfair Practices Act. Meta has previously settled other related lawsuits for $725 million and $17 billion.

Merck (MRK) received expanded EU approval for Keytruda plus Padcev in bladder cancer, extending its label to include cisplatin-eligible patients. The approval followed positive trial results showing reduced recurrence and death risks. Merck shares closed at $149.88, up 42% from 2025 levels. Upcoming data on October 24 for the cancer vaccine intismeran autogene, developed with Moderna (MRNA), will be crucial for future expansion.

Rhode Island sued Meta for allegedly failing to prevent fraudulent ads, claiming the company prioritized revenue. Meta removed 159M such ads and disputes the claims, stating it cooperated with regulators. The case follows similar lawsuits by other entities. According to Reuters, scam ads may generate billions for Meta.

Sezzle Inc. (NASDAQ: SEZL) applied for a national bank charter with the OCC and deposit insurance with the FDIC. If approved, Sezzle Bank, N.A. would offer FDIC-insured deposit accounts, checking, savings, and credit products, targeting digitally native consumers. The company emphasized commitment to federal oversight standards. Regulatory approvals are not guaranteed, and current customers will see no immediate changes.

Aardvark Therapeutics announced the FDA lifted its clinical hold on ARD-101 for treating hyperphagia in Prader-Willi Syndrome. The company plans to resume development after further FDA discussions and will host a webcast on October 23 to discuss trial data. A study found no cardiac events at tested doses.