The Press Association (PA), home to one of the most prestigious picture libraries in the UK, has entered into a strategic partnership with Getty Images, a world-leading visual communications company.

The distribution deal will see over a century’s worth of definitive moments from British politics, sports entertainment, and more, reach an even larger international customer base though Getty Images’ global distribution network, which spans almost one million customers in close to 200 countries.

Under the terms of the deal, over four million wholly-owned photographs from PA Images – PA’s editorial photography business – will be distributed via http://www.gettyimages.com.au in selected markets across Asia, Australia & New Zealand, EMEA, Latin America and the US. Customers will have the option to search in multiple languages and make payments in a range of currencies.

Both up-to-the minute and archive collections from the PA Images’ portfolio will be available on the Getty Images website, including royal photography from Queen Victoria to Princess Charlotte, definitive moments from British politics, comprehensive coverage of major sporting events, and some of the most recognisable faces from the world of entertainment.

Stephen Munday, managing director of PA Images, said: “PA photographers have been documenting the biggest moments in British history at home and abroad for almost 150 years, and this new partnership with Getty Images will expand the reach of our extensive picture library.  I have no doubt that Getty Images’ international platform and licensing expertise will help our content to reach new audiences around the world.”

Lee Martin, senior vice president sales EMEA & Asia, Getty Images said: “Customers globally come to Getty Images for an unmatched depth, breadth and quality of visual coverage from the red carpet, football stadium, conflict zones and beyond, produced by our own award-winning photographers and videographers and those of our trusted image partners. Getty Images is proud to partner with PA, whose rich history of journalistic excellence in imagery will be a valuable addition to our existing market-leading editorial offering. We look forward to expanding the reach of this content and to a long and successful collaboration with PA.”

PA Images’ collection will launch on the Getty Images website later this year.