Australia Streem to Meltwater Migration Guide
Streem Migration Guide
Last updated: June 2026 | Applies to: All Meltwater plans
What Is This Article About?
When you start pulling reports in Meltwater, your Reach and AVE (Advertising Value Equivalency) numbers will likely appear higher than figures from a previous platform such as Streem or Isentia — even if your actual coverage volume has not changed. This article explains why, and gives you three clear options for keeping your reporting consistent during and after the transition.
What you can do with this information:
- Understand why Reach figures differ between platforms
- Explain the change accurately to internal stakeholders
- Adjust your AVE calculation to align with historical figures
- Create a new reporting benchmark using Meltwater’s own data
| How to access Reach and AVE data are available in the Analyze module. Open any dashboard, add an AVE or Reach widget, and configure it using the steps below. |
Key Concepts
Reach
The estimated number of unique visitors to the sources that published your mentions. Meltwater measures desktop and mobile audiences combined. Most previous platforms, including Streem and Isentia, tracked desktop-only audiences. Because mobile now accounts for the majority of media consumption, Meltwater’s reach figures reflect a more complete picture of your actual audience.
AVE (Advertising Value Equivalency)
A metric that estimates the monetary value of earned media coverage by comparing it to the cost of equivalent paid advertising space. Because AVE is calculated from Reach, a higher Reach figure in Meltwater will also produce a higher AVE. The AVE formula itself has not changed — the underlying reach data is more comprehensive.
Reporting Benchmark
A baseline figure used to measure media performance consistently over time. If you are transitioning from another platform, your historical benchmark was built on that platform’s methodology. You will need to either communicate the change to stakeholders, adjust the AVE formula, or establish a new benchmark using Meltwater data.
AVE Widget
A configurable dashboard component in Meltwater’s Analyze module. The widget uses a default formula of $0.37 USD per estimated viewer. You can update this value to match a different rate, currency, or methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Reach numbers higher in Meltwater than in my previous platform?
Meltwater tracks both desktop and mobile audiences. Platforms such as Streem tracked desktop-only. Because mobile accounts for the majority of media consumption, Meltwater’s figures capture audience data the previous platform was not measuring. Higher Reach in Meltwater reflects more complete data, not an improvement in media performance.
Why has my AVE increased even though my coverage volume has not changed?
AVE is calculated from Reach. Because Meltwater’s Reach is higher (desktop plus mobile versus desktop only), your AVE will also increase. The AVE formula itself has not changed — only the underlying reach data is more comprehensive.
How do I explain this change to stakeholders?
Let stakeholders know that increases in Reach and AVE are driven by a platform methodology change, not a performance spike. Key points to share: Meltwater measures monthly unique visitors while Streem used weekly, a longer measurement window naturally produces higher numbers; Meltwater includes mobile audiences while the previous platform tracked desktop only; the AVE formula has not changed; and this is a one-time recalibration, not an ongoing trend.
Can I adjust the AVE formula in Meltwater to match my historical figures?
Yes. Meltwater’s default AVE formula uses $0.37 USD per estimated viewer. You can update this value in the AVE widget configuration to bring your Meltwater reports closer to historical figures if continuity matters more than capturing the full audience. See How to configure an AVE widget below.
What is the difference between Meltwater’s reach measurement and Streem’s?
Meltwater measures monthly unique visitors across desktop and mobile. Streem used a weekly measurement window and tracked desktop audiences only. The longer measurement window and the inclusion of mobile both contribute to higher Reach figures in Meltwater.
Should I adjust my AVE formula or create a new benchmark?
That depends on your reporting goals. Adjusting the AVE formula gives you continuity with historical figures but understates your actual audience reach. Creating a new benchmark is more accurate and sets a forward-looking standard. If your stakeholders prioritize year-over-year comparisons, communicate the methodology change and use Meltwater’s data as the new benchmark going forward.
How far back does Meltwater historical data go?
Editorial sources (news and RSS) go back 10 years. Social sources go back 15 months. You can use this data to build a before-and-after comparison when establishing a new reporting baseline.
What is the default AVE rate in Meltwater and can I change it?
The default rate is $0.37 USD per estimated viewer. You can change this value, along with the currency, in the AVE widget configuration window inside the Analyze module.
Can I view last year’s data alongside this year’s in the same dashboard?
Yes. Duplicate a dashboard tab, set one tab to last year and one to this year, and use them side by side. See How to create a benchmark comparison below for the full steps.
Do I need to recreate my dashboards after migrating to Meltwater?
Yes. You will need to add AVE and Reach widgets to your Meltwater dashboards and configure them to match your reporting needs. Saved searches from Explore must be in place before you begin. See How to add and configure an AVE widget below.
How-To Guides
How to Communicate the Change to Stakeholders
| Use this when: You want the simplest approach: inform your team that the increase in metrics reflects a platform change, not a shift in media performance. |
Share the following key points with internal stakeholders:
- Meltwater measures monthly unique visitors; the previous platform used a weekly measurement window, which produces lower numbers
- Meltwater includes mobile audiences; the previous platform tracked desktop only
- The AVE formula has not changed — the underlying reach data is more comprehensive
- This is a one-time recalibration, not an ongoing trend
| Result: Stakeholders understand that higher Reach and AVE reflect a measurement methodology change, not a performance spike. No dashboard or formula changes are required. |
How to Add and Configure an AVE Widget
| Use this when: You want to adjust the AVE calculation in Meltwater to bring your reports closer to historical figures, or you need to add an AVE widget to a new dashboard. |
| Before you begin: Make sure you have a dashboard open in Analyze, or create one first. Your saved searches in Explore must already be set up. |
- Open your dashboard in Analyze (or create one using Create a dashboard using this guide)
- Click Edit in the top right corner
- Navigate to an existing row (with one or two widgets)
- Click Add Widget
- In the pop-out window, Search for AVE metrics that suit your reporting (you can also search for Reach widgets)
- Select your preferred AVE widget and press OK
- In the configuration window that opens, update the AVE formula and currency to match your needs
- Press OK to save
| Result: The AVE widget is added to your dashboard and configured with your preferred formula. Your Reach and AVE figures now reflect the rate and currency you specified. |
How to Create a Benchmark Comparison
| Use this when: You want to set a new reporting baseline by comparing last year’s Meltwater data against this year’s, giving you a clear before-and-after view. |
| Before you begin: Add your AVE or Reach widgets to your dashboard using the steps above before starting this process. |
- Open your dashboard in Analyze (make sure you've already added your AVE or Reach widgets using the steps above)
- Click Edit
- Click the calendar icon
- Select last year from the pop out window
- Click the drop-down arrow on your dashboard tab.
- Select Duplicate
- In the new duplicated tab, click the drop-down arrow and Edit Date Range
- Select this year in the pop out window
| Result: You now have two tabs — one showing last year’s data and one showing this year’s. Use these side by side to anchor your new reporting baseline and communicate the transition clearly to stakeholders. |
Related Articles
- How Meltwater Calculates Reach — full breakdown of the reach methodology
- Getting Started with Explore — set up and save your searches before building dashboards
- Creating a Dashboard in Analyze — step-by-step guide to building your first dashboard
- Smart Alerts — trigger notifications from your saved searches
- Monitor: Recreating a Live Feed in Meltwater — set up real-time content streams