APTN leads the pack in news exclusives throughout 2004

Associated Press Television News (APTN), the international video arm of The Associated Press, outpaced its agency competition by providing almost 600 more exclusive news stories to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in 2004.
The EBU draws agency content from APTN and Reuters, as well as from many European broadcasters. The EBU's definition of an "exclusive" is a story that scoops the competition either on content or speed. APTN was 595 exclusives in front in 2004.
Sandy MacIntyre, APTN's Director of News, said: "Getting to the big stories first and quite often exclusively is what APTN does best - we've proved that again this year. In an economic climate where certain broadcasters are looking to save money by subscribing to one news agency rather than two, we've made the decision really easy for them. There's a lot of clear water between us and the competition and there has been for a few years."
In 2003 APTN ended the year a record 750 ahead, in 2002 the margin of victory was 634, 716 in 2001, 507 in 2000, while in 1999 the margin was 323.
Other achievements in 2004 included the launch of new products such as APTN MoneyTalk, which offers international broadcasters fast and easy interview access to London's top finance, business, investment, and market experts live from their busy dealing rooms; several new representation deals for the APTN Library; and APTN's live service, APTN Direct, winning the Cable & Satellite International 'Best Permanent/Occasional Video Service' award.
(GB)