Is there a Windows Media Player API or Multimedia API in Windows

Is there a Windows Media Player API or Multimedia API in Windows

I thought it would be fun to create an application that synchronizes few
clients with a server to Play/Pause/Stop/Rewind/Forward or go to a given
second of a movie on a existing (and running) Windows Media Player.
I googled for few hours to no avail. If that is the case, how are the
multimedia keyboards (the ones with extra keys) managing to control WMP
through their driver suite :O
I really want to keep it simple and I don't want to create WMP container
application or something. Just a client application made in Qt that when
receives a UDP packet would send Play/Pause or Stop signal to the player.
Further I could make my client application to wait until there is running
WMP player.
Anyhow my question is ... do you guys have some tips or tricks on how
should I do this or some resource to read the basics. I've never done
something like that before and I don't really have much knowledge about
process hooking and the likes. I really hope it doesn't come to that
(crosses fingers). Please don't ask me why would I want to do something
like that it's a really long story :) and it doesn't involve world
domination in any way :P
P.S: As a finish I want to clarify. I'm aiming only Windows OS and only
Windows Media Player. No other OS or multimedia player whatsoever. As I
said, I would like to keep it simple :) Thank you in advance!