In 1999, VNU Group BV acquired 54% of NetRatings Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRT). Today, VNU Group had given an offer to pay $225.6 million for the rest of the company to fully control the company. If the deal takes place, then NetRatings would be added as subsidiary that is wholly owned by VNU. VNU is also the parent company of TV rating firm, Nielsen Media Research. VNU is a Dutch company owned by private-equity investors, Blackstone Group, Carlyle Group, and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR). KKR is notable for their involvement in one of the largest leveraged buyouts in America’s history between RJR Reynolds and Nabiso which is featured in the book, Barbarians at the Gate.

NetRatings Inc. offers Internet media and market research under the Nielsen//NetRatings brand. Nielsen//NetRatings offers products such as NetView, AdRelevance, @Plan, and Homescan Online. Homescan Online is an interesting one because it monitors consumer consumption online and offline to help monitor trends.

VNU’s offer is another indicator that having full control of Internet companies is becoming a hot commodity once again. Even if the deal isn’t sealed, NetRatings and VNU are still partners and VNU still owns a majority of the company.