BBC announces Nintendo Wii deal

[Damien]

The BBC's iPlayer video service will soon be available via the Nintendo Wii.

The video download and streaming service that lets people catch up with BBC programmes will soon be a channel on the hugely popular game console.

Early versions of the service will be available from 9 April but more polished software will be released as the service is developed.

The BBC is still at loggerheads with internet service providers (ISPs) over who should pay for extra network costs.

ISPs say the iPlayer is putting strain on their networks, which need to be upgraded to cope. Simon Gunter, from ISP Tiscali, is leading a call for the BBC to help pay for the rising costs.

But Ashley Highfield, head of future media and technology at the corporation, has said he believes the cost of network upgrades should be carried by ISPs.

The news of the Nintendo Wii deal comes as the BBC reveals a steep rise in the numbers of people using the iPlayer.

News @ BBC.

[Mclena45]

Cool! Nice find! Karma for you!

[Lucyhare]

Yay! The iplayer on the Wii would be awesome! I can't wait now!

[vader0954]

Just fantastic...for UK. ]:(

When is it coming to America? Is that the date or is it ONLY for UK?

[Damien]

If you guys have the BBC in the US then you should be able to get it.

[Azurill]

I heard about this a LONG time ago, but I don't think it's a big deal. I already get BBC podcasts that I listen to every day, and that works just fine from my compy.

[lolwut]

Americans on MY British Broadcasting Company?

[Damien]

Americans have no place on the BBC.

[magicmario]

Originally Posted by Lucyhare

Yay! The iplayer on the Wii would be awesome! I can't wait now!

technically its already on the wii you can actually watch things on the iplayer website by using the internet channel.
i think wat he means is an actual iplayer channel which can be clicked on the wii menu.
i see no point in doing this when you can just add the iplayer website to your favroutes on the internet channel i guess it will be a nice feuture but theres not much point.

[ColinR]

That looks pretty cool :)
The BBC iPlayer channel