Looking to revamp its Online Video Network, the Associated Press is handing over the running of its video player and uploading service from Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) to thePlatform, the Comcast-owned broadband and mobile video services provider. The AP didn’t offer a reason for the switch from Microsoft in its announcement. It comes just as the wire service is preparing to rollout a new video platform by December. The two-year-old OVN service sends news video to—and from—AP’s global affiliates. The move also comes as the AP finds itself battling back a rebellion from its members of its fee structure and more competition from online sites like Politico.com, which has struck deals with local newspapers to share its coverage of Washington DC as part of its new ad network. Release.

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—Update: Although Microsoft will not be providing the technology backing for OVN, Jane Seagrave, SVP for AP’s global product development unit, says that the Redmond company will still be serving as its ad rep service. “The break with Microsoft was for no other reason than that the contract was up. When we got to discussing renewal, we jointly and very amicably agreed that it no longer made sense to have Microsoft handle both ad sales and technology. We’ve been pleased with Microsoft’s performance as an ad sales rep, so decided to stick with them. On the technical side, we investigated several alternatives and chose thePlatform, which gives us lots of flexibility and some additional functionality.”