System and method for secure delivery of rich media

A system and method for the secure delivery of rich media resources across a computer network having a plurality of servers connectable to one or more clients. Client devices are configured to request and receive rich media resources from a show server and decryption keys from a security server. The show server receives a request for rich media resources from a client device and delivers them to the requesting client, preferably in an encrypted form. The security server responds to the request for decryption keys and transmits keys that are operative to decrypt the rich media resources received by the client device. Upon receipt of the decryption keys, the rich media resources are decrypted and played back on the client device using media player software. During the playback of the received rich media resources, heartbeat packets are generated indicating that the client is playing back the received rich media resources. Heartbeat packets are aggregated and analyzed across all clients connected to the network for receipt and playback of rich media resources, thereby establishing a mechanism that allows precise show viewership measurements to be made.