Streamed match highlights are one element of a range of video services launched for the 2001-02 season on www.whufc.com.
The new online service was launched at midnight last night with an offering of streamed video highlights from the first match of the season, last Saturday's match against Liverpool at Anfield.
Fans across the UK and anywhere in the world will now be able to download or directly stream edited packages of goals and highlights from every West Ham United Premiership game, direct to their PCs, from midnight on a Monday for weekend games or midnight for midweek games.
At www.whufc.com West Ham fans will also be able to access:
· Match action - The latest West Ham Premiership match edited into 5-10 minute highlights by Sky Sports.
· Archive - Great moments from West Ham's Premiership history.
· Goals - A round-up of all the goals in the current 2001-02 Premiership campaign plus a searchable archive of goals arranged by player or against a chosen club.
· Preview - A free video section that introduces all users to the quality of the service and focuses on the key game of the week.
The launch of the Hammers Video Lounge is made possible by a new system for streamed video developed for the club by British Sky Broadcasting. As well as BSkyB's online and streaming expertise, the service relies on the company's sports production and customer management experience.
To navigate through the wealth of material a new archive search facility has been developed, allowing web-users to find and select all the footage they need. For current season games a more advanced search system can be used to look through 18 different genres of match action. Users can either download the appropriate clips or use a broadband stream, according to the capabilities of their PC.
At launch, the service will carry a free preview of the next match plus highlights of the last two games. Later, users will be able to subscribe to a larger service and access all footage at any time through their PC. Different payment tiers and a PPV service will be in place so fans can focus on their key areas of interest. The free preview section, with material from across the site, will remain a regular feature.
Announcing the service, Stuart Ryan - Commercial Director of West Ham United said: "It is an excellent development and one that we are very excited about. As a Club, we are trying to constantly develop new and exciting services and products for our fans.
"Following on from our success on the Internet - that saw us voted top Premier League Club website in Web User magazine - this new service will further develop both the content and excitement that fans can get by visiting our site. It allows flexibility for fans to customise and select the content they want at a time that best suits them."
Simon Green, General Manager of Sky Sports online, added: "West Ham United wanted to develop their site to offer real action, archive material, and true interactivity to their fans across the globe. We have developed this technology over the past year, in conjunction with leading technology partners, and are pleased to work with the club to offer their fans this high quality service."
To visit the Hammers Video Lounge, simply click here.