Media Metrix Launches the "Weekly Flash"

New York City-based Web measurement company Media Metrix launched The Media Metrix Weekly Flash, a new weekly syndicated audience ratings service.

The Weekly Flash is designed to provide preliminary “snapshot” audience measurement indicators leading up to the final, comprehensive Media Metrix monthly audience ratings, the company said.

Highlights from this week’s Weekly Flash: ESPN and Sportsline USA numbers nearly doubled, pushing them into the top 25 last week as March Madness fell into full swing.

Apple.com and StarWars.com saw a jump in usage last week after posting the “Phantom Menace” movie clip.

Quicken.com and USTreas.gov experienced a nice boost as Americans everywhere reluctantly downloaded tax forms and information.

Reel.com had a small surge in anticipation for the Oscar awards ceremony.

Weather.com also moved right along with the storms that swept through the country last week.

“The cornerstone of Media Metrix’ leadership is its Internet heritage and its continued efforts to work with the industry it serves,” said Mary Ann Packo, president of Media Metrix. “The Media Metrix Weekly Flash is a natural evolution of our product line and is in direct response to the market’s need for a comprehensive, credible source of time-sensitive Internet audience ratings.”

The Media Metrix Weekly Flash will be sold on a subscription basis. Pricing details were not available. Media Metrix monitors more than 15,000 Web sites and online properties and measures 40,000 people in U.S. homes and businesses, yielding monthly, weekly, and real-time data collection and reporting.