Back in August during the Denver conventions when we first noticed Politico outsourcing its coverage to newspapers we speculated on whether they were trying to establish themselves as a sort of political AP. Well it looks like we weren't that far off. Politico has just announced it will be partnering with Reuters to "to offer U.S. newspapers and global media outlets extensive political, government and business news coverage from both sources." According to the release the collaboration is "designed to offer all media companies a flexible range of business models and an innovative way to access and integrate premium editorial content." Everyone is certainly giving the AP a run for their money these days.

The Politico Network will be expanded to offer a broad selection of Reuters' news to its 60 newspaper and 40 broadcast partners via a cost-free, revenue-sharing arrangement. Any media company can join the enhanced Politico Network in exchange for allowing Politico to sell online advertising on its site on a revenue-share basis.

In addition, Reuters will incorporate Politico coverage of U.S. politics, Congress, lobbying, and the White House into its subscription-based newswires. Media organizations will have the option of licensing full Reuters and Politico news feeds to secure distribution rights in print and online.

Related: Four Questions for Politico's Jim VandeHei

Reuters and POLITICO Team Up to Deliver Premium Coverage and Ad-Supported Content to U.S. Newspapers

POLITICO Network Partners Gain Access to Reuters News; Reuters to License POLITICO Content Worldwide

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2008 — Reuters and POLITICO today announced a strategic collaboration to offer U.S. newspapers and global media outlets extensive political, government and business news coverage from both sources — and the potential to make money while doing it.

The agreement is designed to offer all media companies a flexible range of business models and an innovative way to access and integrate premium editorial content in a climate of rapid change in the news industry.

The POLITICO Network — the vertical advertising network launched last September by POLITICO — will be expanded to offer a broad selection of Reuters’ news to its 60 newspaper and 40 broadcast partners via a cost-free, revenue-sharing arrangement. Any media company can join the enhanced POLITICO Network in exchange for allowing POLITICO to sell online advertising on its site on a revenue-share basis.

In addition, Reuters will incorporate POLITICO’s coverage of U.S. politics, Congress, lobbying and the White House into its subscription-based newswires. Media organizations will have the option of licensing full Reuters and POLITICO news feeds to secure distribution rights in print and online.

“This cooperation offers U.S. newspapers and other media organizations immediate access to clearly differentiated global and national news coverage under a choice of models that recognizes the changing nature of the industry,” said Christoph Pleitgen, Global Head of News Agency for Thomson Reuters. “We are also delighted to make POLITICO's distinctive and insightful brand of reporting available to Reuters' international subscribers at this time of heightened interest in U.S. affairs.”

Together, Reuters and POLITICO will have more than 120 Washington-based journalists reporting full-time on the White House, Congress, government and the intersection of business and politics as President-elect Barack Obama takes office in January.

“It is no secret newspapers and broadcasting companies are hungry for new and interesting content,” said POLITICO Executive Editor Jim VandeHei. “Our partnership with Reuters allows us to offer newspapers and television stations terrific coverage of politics and government, as well as international news, business and sports.”

Media companies that are members of the POLITICO Network now have the chance to get not only the best content cost-free but also the chance to get paid for it when ads are sold across the network. Members of the POLITICO Network include The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Arizona Republic, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Denver Post.

Alongside POLITICO’s top stories, qualifying members will have access to a wide selection of Reuters stories and pictures for use both online and in their newspapers. POLITICO will sell national advertising to be placed on partners' websites.

The addition of Reuters stories to the POLITICO Network offers advertisers the ability to target their message by subject matter. POLITICO Network readers tend to be wealthy, well-educated and engaged consumers. This group of readers comprises one of the most valued audiences on the Web. According to Nielsen, the average reader spends more than 17 minutes on member sites.