UK news agency the Press Association is to launch the country’s first domestic video wire service, with an initial free trial offered to regional newspapers. 

From May 5, the video wire will provide raw footage of the day’s main stories for broadcasters, online newspapers and digital customers, ready for them to edit into their own packages. 

Supplied as an end-to-end digital service, the wire will provide high quality video without the costs usually associated with broadcast newsgathering. PA says it thinks broadcasters will use the service to provide core coverage of diary stories and non-exclusive events, so they can focus more of their resources on distinctive journalism. In addition to the free trial, the agency will run courses on video editing. At launch the video wire will cover up to 30 stories a day across news, sport and entertainment, with interview clips, cutaways and GVs. Managing director 

Tony Watson says the move firmly establishes PA as “the news agency for Digital Britain.
 
“The video wire is not only a cost-effective solution for news broadcasters, but will also support regional media players at an important stage in their development as multi-platform businesses. 

 “With links to every national and regional newspaper and broadcast newsroom in the country, the Press Association is uniquely placed to provide video services for the benefit of the news industry.” The Press Association has been producing video since 2005 primarily as edited clips and part of packaged content aimed at the digital market. This is the first time that the service has been available to customers as a file-based ‘wire’ with video alongside text and picture content ready for customers to incorporate into their own digital story-telling. Pre-packaged video material will continue to be available.