NBC Universal announced that its 213 affiliate stations have formed a partnership to sell video content generated by local stations over the internet.

The new venture plans to give NBC affiliate stations access to online TV advertising dollars.

NBC is also considering selling some of its video content to web portals such as Yahoo! Inc. but is not likely to include some of the prime-time NBC programming that is currently available for paid downloads on Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes.

NBC's online TV affiliate deal differs to recent affiliate partnership announcements made by News Corp.'s Fox and Walt Disney Co.'s ABC. Last week the Fox network announced a six year agreement with its 187 affiliated stations to share revenue from online reruns of its programs. Two weeks ago Walt Disney Co.'s ABC announced it is offering shows like "Lost" and "Alias" online for free, thus cutting out profits for its TV affiliate stations.