AP Unveils New Video Archive Platform

Offers improved online access to AP's historical archives

By George Winslow -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/13/2012 3:49:18 PM

Responding to a growing demand for online video from digital customers, the Associated Press has gone live with a new video archive platform that will provided easier access to its archive.

"AP's footage revenues have grown steadily in recent years with sales in 2011 growing by 27 percent," said Alwyn Lindsey, director of AP video archive in a statement. "The overall market for online video news across Europe and Asia is predicted to grow annually by up to 13 percent and 16 percent, respectively, and AP sees a great opportunity for archive footage within these sectors. We believe the digital expansion of our footage business will allow us to better service existing customers and better target new market segments. This includes digital publishers who are looking for quick and easy access to richer video footage to engage their audiences."

The new platform is part of a series of efforts to expand its video archive business. In February, AP began to digitize its back catalog and is expecting to complete the digitization of 32,000 hours of footage and film stock into HD by mid-2013.

In addition to its own library, the AP has also expanded its content partners and in November of 2011 announced a deal to represent British Movietone in key territories. Other content partners include the Press Association and KRT, the state broadcaster of North Korea.

The video archive platform allows customers to download and license footage online and includes a number of new features to make it easier to find content and share research.

Overall, it gives customers access to over 1.3 million news and entertainment stories dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. This archive also includes footage from the British Movietone from 1895 to 1986.

Additional features and newly digitized content will continue to be added to the platform in the coming months, the AP reports.