AP Moves Online Video Service To NDN

The Associated Press is “broadening its range of video services” as part of a long-term global digital transformation strategy, announcing today the transition of its hosted online video operation in the United States to a digital platform provided by News Distribution Network (NDN).

Atlanta-based NDN, a digital video and ad solutions company that distributes multimedia content to digital publishers, will now provide the 1,500 affiliates of AP’s Online Video Network (OVN) with AP’s breaking news coverage. In addition, NDN will offer fresh video content from top news brands in more than a dozen categories, enhanced customization and revenue opportunities. The upgrade is slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2011.

Nick Ascheim, general manager of AP Digital, said OVN and NDN are similar in that they both provide a turnkey, or hosted, solution for customers who want video news on their sites, but who may not have their own video player and video content management system.

“Each network works with affiliates to promote its video player, aggregating hundreds of sites into a distributed network supported by the sale of advertising,” Ascheim said. “This agreement between AP and NDN offers the opportunity, in effect, to combine these networks, increasing their reach and scale.”

Ascheim added: “Our arrangement with NDN is the next step in the evolution of AP’s online video efforts. Under this new distribution agreement, members will continue to receive AP’s unmatched video coverage of breaking news, and now have the opportunity to reach new audiences with engaging content from other news providers.”