The Associated Press and MSN on Wednesday announced that they are working together to develop the AP Online Video Network, which would provide AP's 3,500 newspaper and broadcast members daily news video from AP for their websites. MSN will provide a customizable Windows Media-based video player and will sell advertising for the fully ad-supported service. AP members that use the new service will share revenue generated by the pre-stream advertising on their websites.

AP will retain full control over editorial content in the AP Online Video Network. Initially, AP will provide approximately 50 video clips per day covering national, international, entertainment, technology and business news.

This is the first time MSN Video player technology would be syndicated to sites outside its network. MSNBC.com will remain the exclusive video news partner for MSN's network of sites.

"This partnership will empower AP members to compete in an emerging segment of Web content," Tom Curley, AP's president and CEO, said in a statement. "The expertise MSN brings in online video technology will be a key factor in the success of the network."

The service will be available at no charge to members and will launch in the first quarter of 2006.