BBC iPlayer becomes Wii Channel

The BBC and Nintendo have announced that an iPlayer Channel will be available on the Wii next week.

A dedicated BBC iPlayer Channel will be available to download from November 18th, granting Wii owners access to on-demand catch-up TV and radio programming. The channel will offer a new full-screen user interface and higher quality videos.

The service was previously made available through the console’s Internet Channel, but the two companies have responded to more than 900,000 requests for a standalone iteration.

We’re pleased that we’ve been able to work with Nintendo to evolve BBC iPlayer on the Wii, providing a faster, high quality and improve viewing experience,” said BBC future media and technology director Erik Huggers.

It’s important that we offer audience more ways to access the huge range of BBC content available, and this improved version of BBC iPlayer underlines our commitment to reaching new audiences by making BBC iPlayer available on as many platforms as possible.”

Nintendo UK’s general manager David Yarnton added: Our partnership with the BBC is another way in which Nintendo is looking to broaden the market for its products by offering compelling and relevant content to families.

BBC iPlayer offers Wii owners another reason to turn their console on everyday and adds to the already established non-gaming content on Wii that includes Wii Channels for news, weather forecasts and internet browser.”