BBC iPlayer launches on Nintendo Wii

The BBC is teaming with Nintendo to make its iPlayer catch-up TV service available via gaming console Wii. The deal was announced today (April 9) at the Cannes MipTV conference by Erik Huggers, BBC group controller for future, media and technology.

The video download and streaming service will be available as a channel on the Wii console from today enabling Wii users to stream BBC programmes directly to their TVs via the console.

Huggers says working with Nintendo marks “another exciting milestone” for the iPlayer, underlining the corporation’s commitment to make it available on as many platforms as possible.”

The news comes as the BBC reveals an sharp increase in the numbers of people using the iPlayer with more than 42 million programmes accessed via the iPlayer since its launch at Christmas last year.

The popularity of iPlayer over the web has led a number of internet service providers, expressing concern that the increase in download services would lead to increased costs.

Last week BBC director of future media and technology Ashley Highfield blogged a warning to ISPs urging them not to pass on charges for download services to customers (mw.co.uk April 3, 2008). Tiscali responded, saying his ideas were “unworkable”.

The Nintendo Wii, the fastest-selling games console in the UK since launch, is the latest device to enable the iPlayer. The Apple iPhone and iPod Touch allows users to stream content, while iPlayer is expected to launch on Virgin Media’s cable platform next month.