ITN signs Metro web video deal

ITN has struck a deal to provide video clips to the free daily newspaper Metro. From today, ITN will syndicate video including UK news, world news, sports and showbiz to Metro.co.uk, as the title, which is owned by the Daily Mail & General Trust, looks to expand its digital offering. Metro distributes 1.3m copies every weekday in 16 cities across the UK, while Metro.co.uk publishes to 2.5 million monthly unique users in the UK. Jamie Walters, digital director of the Metro, said: "We are really excited to be able to offer our users of Metro.co.uk more choice in the way they consume their online news." Metro joins a host of UK publishers taking video content from ITN, in which DMGT has a 20% stake. Earlier this year the broadcaster began providing video news to AOL UK , syndicating hundreds of hours of video news to the company which has pledged to be the " largest net hirer of journalists in the world ". It also added local newspaper company Iliffe News & Media to its Premium News Network video syndication package , which includes advertising provided by Blinkx. In October 2009 the Midland News Association, which publishes the UK's biggest selling regional daily, Wolverhampton's Express & Star, became the first regional newspaper publisher to sign a video content deal with ITN, taking around 200 clips a week for its titles. ITN also has partnerships with national titles including the Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph and Northern & Shell's Express titles and Daily Star. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".