<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-03-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001058623</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CUMULUS MEDIA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CMLS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001807779</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Lopez-Balboa Francisco J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CUMULUS MEDIA INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3280 PEACHTREE ROAD NW SUITE 2200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ATLANTA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>30305</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP and CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>See Exhibit 24 for power of attorney.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard S. Denning, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-03-25</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
