1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-94323) and in the Registration Statements on Form
S-8 (No. 333-68487 and No. 333-58969) of Cumulus Media Inc. of our report dated
February 8, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Connoisseur Communications Partners, L.P. which appear in the Current Report on
Form 8-K/A filed December 19, 2000.



December 18, 2000
New York, New York                              /s/ Ernst & Young LLP