NetRatings will acquire Jupiter and eRatings.com

NetRatings Inc. will purchase Jupiter Media Metrix, a leading source of Internet research, for $71.2 million. In addition, NetRatings, a leading provider of Internet audience measurement information and analysis, announced that it has agreed to purchase the 80.1% of ACNielsen eRatings.com that it does not already own for $16.4 million in a transaction in which NetRatings will issue 1.256 million shares.

Multi-national media company VNU holds a 64% ownership in NetRatings.

Under the merger agreement, Jupiter Media Metrix stockholders may elect to receive 0.1490 NetRatings shares or $1.95 in cash for each Jupiter Media Metrix share. The merger agreement provides that no more than 50% nor less than 30% of the aggregate transaction consideration will be paid in cash. The sale is expected to close during the first quarter.

NetRatings reported revenue of $20.4 million last year. Jupiter Media Metrix reported $142.8 million.