Recently the BBC announced it's iPlayer video service will soon be available via the Nintendo Wii, thus making it the first of the current generation of consoles to have a truly dynamic range of online video content.

The video download and streaming service offered by the BBC lets UK licence-fee payers catch up with BBC programmes. Hopefully by the end of the year it will be a channel on the hugely popular game console. This is however dependant on whether the BBC can win over the internet service providers (ISPs), by getting them to pay for extra network costs.

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

So why has the Wii "won" BBC's iPlayer?

According to Erik Huggers, BBC Future Media and Technology Group Controller, it's because Sony and Microsoft made "demands" of wanting to "control" the iPlayer.

He said: "If you want to get on the PlayStation or Xbox, they want control of the look, the feel and the experience; they want it done within their shop, and their shop only."

The streaming iPlayer is essentially a web service running on Flash.

Both the Wii and PS3 have a web browser therefore in theory users could access the iPlayer directly. Microsoft Xbox 360 however would have issues due to not having a browser like its rivals.

Nintendo having partnered the BBC iPlayer therefore has taken this one step further by offering a dedicated channel, which acts as a one click button to the iPlayer service.

Nintendo's Wii has rapidly become the world's most popular console largely thanks to its innovative motion-sensitive controller, however still in the shadows lurks its darkest rivals; Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's Playstation 3.

Tags : Apple : bbc : iPlayer : microsoft : Nintendo : Online : PlayStation 3 : video : Wii : Xbox 360

Comments

By: EvilxBunny

On: 08:55 Apr 12th, 2008
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not first? 360 is.. i can watch youtube on my 360, and place any videoi want on it

By: Dragonfly

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On: 08:56 Apr 12th, 2008
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EvilxBunny;46539

not first? 360 is.. i can watch youtube on my 360, and place any videoi want on it

You can access the internet on your 360?

Not legally, you can't.

This is the first extensive video download service provided on a console directly.

Definately a nice idea on Nintendo's part.

By: deanogee

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On: 08:57 Apr 12th, 2008
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Hmm it can be argued what is needed for a console to become the first home of video...

By: EvilxBunny

On: 08:58 Apr 12th, 2008
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Michael;46540

You can access the internet on your 360?

Not legally, you can't.

Definately a nice idea on Nintendo's part.

no.. its legal! no mod done.. its called Winamp remote, and microsoft, sony, AND nintendo have confirmed it was okay.. but it was originally designed for 360, so 360 has it firt... nintendo is just the first to have it built in the system, i suppose... even though Sony has the largest video market on their system

t has youtube videos.. aol video... and a few others i cant rememebr

By: ManicGamer

On: 11:26 Apr 12th, 2008
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I just wanted to point everyones attention to the fact that all 3 next gen consoles were confronted with the option to use Iplayer...

Obviously the biggest rivalry is between MS and Sony. But it seems they may have been too pushy to get the Iplayer service.. however it is possible to access the Iplayer service with the PS3 web browser still... apparently its a really easy work around that involves some HTML and Java coding, but I thought you all might be interested in looking at this link:
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/13625.cfm"]Link to the Xbox/PS3 info and the PS3 Hack for UK users[/URL]

.. Like the link states.. you have to be in the UK to use the "hack"... but I am in the U.S. and thus I can't confirm anything ( you know, the way someone who posts such a thing should do) so please, if you live in the UK, let us know if any of this works.

** on a side note, I would like to apologize for my lack of posting recently as my life as become busy working 16+ hour days at two jobs in order to save some money for a wedding ceremony that is happening on June 14th. I am already married but only in the legal sense, and now we are "officially" getting married for our families. It's 2:30 AM where I am now, and I wanted to post to the online community that I have come to love so dearly!!! Everyone on this site rocks and I expect that this site will soon blossom into a much larger and greater thing in the near future! Keep up the good work everyone... and you especially Michael!!

By: Evren

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