America Online Partners with The Associated Press to Enhance News and Sports Presentation

Strategic Insights -

America Online, Inc. (AOL) has partnered with The Associated Press (AP) to offer a package of news photos and multimedia sports information to its 3.5 million subscribers. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the online news dissemination space, as AP's vast resources will now be available to AOL users through its Sports Channel. The deal is expected to enhance the online news and sports experience for subscribers, providing them with access to a wide range of AP news stories, photos, and multimedia content.

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership between America Online and The Associated Press will provide AOL's 3.5 million subscribers with access to a package of news photos and multimedia sports information.
  • The sports content, which is part of AP's recently announced multimedia sports service AP MegaSports, will be available on AOL's Sports Channel, offering hundreds of sports stories, capsules, round-ups, sports briefs, and sports photos every day.
  • The partnership marks a significant milestone in the online news dissemination space, leveraging the vast resources of AP to enhance the online news and sports experience for AOL users.
  • AP's photographers, who are Pulitzer Prize winners, will provide high-quality visual content, including a series of iconic images such as the flag-raising at Iwo Jima and the young Chinese student stopping the military tank in Tienamen Square.
  • The partnership will also feature a compelling visual component, allowing subscribers to view top news stories with photos and captions from the AP photo service.
  • America Online is an innovative company with a great multimedia presentation, according to Chris Pederson, director of the Associated Press Information Services group.

Statistics:

  • 3.5 million: The number of AOL subscribers who will have access to the AP package of news photos and multimedia sports information.
  • 240: The number of bureaus around the world that produce news and sports content for AP.
  • 71: The number of countries where AP has international bureaus.
  • 15,000: The number of newspapers and broadcast outlets that receive news and photos from AP.
  • 1 billion: The number of people worldwide who reach AP content through its network of subscribers.
  • 1994 and 1995: The years in which AP photographers won Pulitzer Prizes for their work.

Sources:

  • America Online Press Release, "AOL and AP Partner for Better News and Sports" (September 28, 1995)
  • The Associated Press Press Release, "AP to Offer Multimedia Sports Service" (September 27, 1995)
  • America Online Corporate Fact Sheet, [No date]
  • The Associated Press Fact Sheet, [No date]