BBC and Nintendo collaborate to offer BBC iPlayer on Wii

[one]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/04_april/09/iplayer2.shtml

Press Releases
BBC and Nintendo collaborate to offer BBC iPlayer on Wii

Category: New Media
Date: 09.04.2008

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.

Once installed, users simply click through to bbc.co.uk/iplayer and search for the programme they want to watch.

BBC iPlayer is an internet streaming service with select BBC programs. Wii's service is only available for those paying BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

 

[patsu]

The PS3 plays BBC iPlayer videos without any problem. It only requires some Javascript changes to load and show the videos in PS3 web browser.

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/04/10/bbc-iplayer-comes-to-the-ps3-with-ps3iplayer-com/

An unofficial website, PS3iPlayer.com, has been set up by a very clever coder known as Ixalon. This allows PS3s to access iPlayer content directly on their TV. Unfortunately the PS3's browser does not allow the videos to be shown at full screen, but after a bit of zooming the same effect can be achieved.

Our UK PS3 friends should be able to give it a test drive. US IPs are blocked.

 

[SPM]

This is just a publicity stunt. All you need is flashplayer to view the streamed iPlayer, and that is all the BBC is providing, a flashplayer 7 stream to allow Wii to use it. Nice to see the BBC supporting different media (flashplayer) versions, but otherwise, big deal!

 

[SPM]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2008/04_april/09/iplayer2.shtml


BBC iPlayer is an internet streaming service with select BBC programs. Wii's service is only available for those paying BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

It is available to anyone in a UK Internet locale for 1 week after the program is aired, regardless of whether they pay the BBC's TV license fees or not.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Just a clarification for those who don't understand our antiquated system - you need a license to receive broadcast TV. It is one per household. This money goes to the Beeb, whether you watch BBC TV or not; you still pay them even if you only watch Channel 4. If you don't watch TV, you don't need to pay a license. As SPM says the iPlayer is filtered by IP so any UK internet address can view the iPlayer content

 

[tongue_of_colicab]

This is just a publicity stunt. All you need is flashplayer to view the streamed iPlayer, and that is all the BBC is providing, a flashplayer 7 stream to allow Wii to use it. Nice to see the BBC supporting different media (flashplayer) versions, but otherwise, big deal!

I suppose the big deal is that it will be having its own channel so its not just using the browser but straight acces from the wii menu.

 

[slider]

Our UK PS3 friends should be able to give it a test drive. US IPs are blocked.

That's good to know. Had to watch The Apprentice on the PC the other week. Will check this out & report back.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I can confirm the link works. The Beeb would be sensible to insert the technique into the official page with a test for browser type to make the experience seemless.

 

[Simon F]

This money goes to the Beeb, whether you watch BBC TV or not; you still pay them even if you only watch Channel 4.

Given that the BBC is helping to fund C4's switch over to digital that seems fair to me.

 

[slider]

Incidentally, just saw this at gamesindustry:

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/bbc-hints-at-iplayer-on-the-ps3-in-due-course

Try to work out what the link says before you click it!

Spoiler

iPlayer on PS3 in due course.

 

[patsu]

Well, will it be accessible from outside UK ?

It has got to be more awkward when Sony's own Crackle video does not work on its flag-ship entertainment computer. The official Playstation Blog uses Crackle video too. I am sure it's coming to PS3 since Home has a Crackle theater, but making it available on the PS3 web browser (+ enhanced Flash support) is useful in other ways.

[Sometimes I pity Sony for being so ambitious, but then again I can certainly appreciate their effort -- when they are sprinting on the right track]

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Well, will it be accessible from outside UK ?

Not unless foreigners start paying for it

 

[patsu]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/bbc-iplayer-usage-on-consoles-up-74-percent-since-november

BBC iPlayer has hit a new milestone of 100 million requests per month for its TV programmes - one in eight of which are being viewed using a games console.

The landmark was reached in November and continued into December, when the service received 114.8 million requests.

...

iPlayer launched on the PlayStation 3 in September and on the Wii in November.

...

New Year's Day proved the most popular day for the iPlayer over the Christmas holiday, with David Tennant's final appearance as Doctor Who notching up 1.3 million requests alone.