Tech Shout!

At the MipTV-Milia conference in Cannes, BBC and Nintendo disclosed their partnership to bring the iPlayer on the Wii. This will enable Wii gamers to gain access to BBC programs online.

Present at the announcement of the deal was Erik Huggers, the BBC’s Group Controller for Future Media and Technology, who said, “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 and coming shortly to TV.”

David Yarnton, General Manager, Nintendo UK added, “This exciting partnership 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.”

To notify gamers, a message will be sent to all Wii consoles in the UK connected to the internet, when the iPlayer service for Wii goes live. The Nintendo Wii owners can then access BBC iPlayer via Wii’s Internet Channel. Once installed, users can watch whichever program they want to by simply going to www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer.

Wii owners who wish to download the Internet Channel can do it through Wii Shop Channel for 500 Wii points.