Cost | What to Enjoy | Features | News & Updates | Sales Info
What to Enjoy:
Currently, Nintendo Wii offers very few options for watching video content, however later this year Nintendo will offer a video channel for owners to download content. By all accounts it should operate much like Xbox LIVE or the PlayStation Network (ability to rent or buy movies and shows), however Nintendo is also looking to integrate original family-oriented content; no word on the content providers. Their video download service, dubbed the “Wii no Ma Channel,” is currently being tested in Japan.
Third-Party Features:
Wii’s Internet Channel, available for the price of 500 Wii Points ($5.00 USD), and operating as a version of the Opera web browser, provides you with complete Internet access via the Wii. As of May 2009, YouTube redirects you to YouTube XL, which is a Wii-friendly version of the site.
BBC is looking to launch a special iPlayer Wii channel in 2009 (iPlayer is BBC’s video streaming service, only available in the UK, akin to Hulu in the States).
Read more information on their website.
News & Updates:
Video Business (06/25/2009): Wii to offer movie downloads in Japan – “Paramount signs on to Sonic Solutions, Nintendo partnership. The Nintendo Wii is finally joining competitors to offer movie downloads through the world’s leading game console.” {Read more}
The Cut Scene/Variety.com (06/25/2009): Streaming movies hit the Wii – “Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners have been able to purchase and stream movies from their game machines for years. Now Wii owners in Japan are seeing media center functionality as well.” {Read more}
ITworld (12/26/2008): Nintendo’s Wii to get video channel in 2009 – Nintendo plans to launch a video channel for its Wii console in 2009, it said Thursday. The service, which will be launched in collaboration with advertising agency Dentsu, will initially be available in Japan only where it is expected to launch in the spring and be available at no charge. {Read more}
Sales Info & Figures:
ComputerAndVideoGames.com (06/12/2009): Wii sales top 20 million in the US — The console passed the milestone in 31 months on sale, “reinforcing its position as the fastest-selling console in history,” the company bragged… {Read more}
