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Early versions of the service will be available from 9 April but morepolished software will be released as the service is developed.
The BBC has announced that its BBC iPlayer will shortly be available on the Nintendo Wii console.
The BBCi Player offers users content from multiple BBC TV shows and channels, including News 24 and the BBC's radio stations.
"Workingwith Nintendo marks another exciting milestone for BBC iPlayer,"commented Erik Huggers, group controller for Future Media andTechnology at the BBC.
"It underlines our commitment to reaching new audiences by making BBC iPlayer available on as many platforms as possible.
"TheBBC's catch-up TV service can now be accessed on an increasing numberof different platforms - from the web and portable devices to gamingconsoles. It will shortly be available on TV."
Last month the BBC rolled out the service to Apple's iPhone and the iPod Touch.
AlthoughWii owners currently have to pay a one off fee to install the InternetChannel, the BBC has said that it is looking at ways to make theiPlayer service free in the future.
"This exciting alliance withthe BBC is yet another way in which Nintendo is looking to broaden themarket for its products by offering compelling and relevant content tofamilies," added David Yarnton, general manager of Nintendo UK.
Quote:
"BBCiPlayer on Wii will offer Wii owners another reason to turn theirconsole on everyday and adds to the already established non gamingcontent on Wii that includes news and weather channels and an internetbrowser."
The BBC's Video on Demand service, iPlayer, will be available toNintendo Wii users through the bundled Opera Internet Browser; thecurrent version lacks all the bells and whistles that PC users canenjoy.
But the Beeb has promised that an updated version will come in a fewmonths which will make the Wii, yet another outlet to watch programmesvia the popular iPlayer.
It is not surprising that the BBC haschosen the Nintendo Wii (rather than the Xbox 360 or the Playstation 3)to deploy the iPlayer given Microsoft and Sony's reluctance to reducetheir stranglehold on whatever content goes into their gaming console.
For Nintendo, it is yet another win, albeit a small one, consolidatingits status as the most popular next gen gaming console in the UK. Nonews as to whether Channel Four will look into doing the same thingwith 4OD.
Obviously, a broadband connection is needed, something that will pile even more pressure on ISPs.
More than 17.2 million BBC programmes have been downloaded or streamedvia the iPlayer in March 2008, that's a staggering 25 percent increaseover the previous month; at this rate, the 100 million programmesstreamed or downloaded barrier will be broken in August.
Importantly only UK-resident license-fee payers are allowed to use theservice, so you'll be entering your post code (or if you're dishonestthat of someone who does pay) to use the service. Anyone havingimported a console from another country will probably have to miss outon this too - that's the price of getting a Wii in the face of UK stockshortages.
Given the undeniably greater popularity of the Wii compared to itsrivals (in some ways at least) the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it makessense that Nintendo's console would be the first to see such a service.No information is yet available as to the potential availability of aPS3 or Xbox 360 equivalent, but it seems likely that the BBC would atleast be considering it.
So what are you waiting for? Get refreshing that Internet Channel readyto start watching your favourite programmes on your favourite consoleon-demand.
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