BBC and Nintendo collaborate to offer BBC iPlayer on Wii

Erik Huggers, the BBC’s Group Controller for Future Media and Technology, today unveiled a collaboration with Nintendo UK to offer BBC iPlayer via the Nintendo Wii.

In a keynote speech at the annual MipTV-Milia conference in Cannes, Huggers revealed that as of today Nintendo Wii users can stream their favourite BBC programmes direct to their TVs via the console.

Huggers said: “Working with Nintendo marks another exciting milestone for BBC iPlayer.

“It underlines our commitment to reaching new audiences by making BBC iPlayer available on as many platforms as possible.

“The BBC’s catch-up TV service can now be accessed on an increasing number of different platforms – from the web and portable devices to gaming consoles.

“It will shortly be available on TV.”

David Yarnton, General Manager, Nintendo UK, added: “This exciting alliance with the BBC is yet another way in which Nintendo is looking to broaden the market for its products by offering compelling and relevant content to families.

“BBC iPlayer on Wii will offer Wii owners another reason to turn their console on everyday and adds to the already established non-gaming content on Wii that includes news and weather channels and an internet browser.”

Once the iPlayer service for Wii is live, a message will be sent to all Wii consoles in the UK currently connected to the internet to notify them of the availability of the iPlayer service.

Existing Wii owners will then be able to access BBC iPlayer via the Internet Channel on the Wii main menu. New users may be required to download the Wii Internet Channel.