Thirty-nine of 40 top newspaper sites now feature broadband video, according to a new report by Broadband Directions, a consulting firm headed by Will Richmond, a former executive with Continental Cable’s Highway 1 initiative.

According to the report, almost half the sites feature a mix of original video and third-party video, such as AP Video and New England Cable Network. The other half is entirely dependent on third-party video. Two of the 40 sites are entirely focused on original video.

Richmond says “it is too early to tell what works yet.” What is available generally has “sub-optimal navigation” and the story-telling isn’t well integrated. But it is essential for newspapers to begin experimenting with video to reconnect with younger audiences, compete with Internet news organizations, and capture cross-platform opportunities, he says. Broadband Directions is giving a free, one-hour Webinar on Thur. July 20 at 1 pm EST.