In an article in the British newspaper The Times became this week more clear about the upcoming Nintendo Wii video service. The Wiinoma Channel will be released in the beginning of this year in Japan and after that in the rest of the world. What already was known is that this new Wii channel will fully focus on the fun for the whole family. This means that there will be many cartoons, Brain Training quizzes, cooking, lifestyle and educational programs. All content for the Wiinoma channel will be produced exclusively for Nintendo only.
Nintendo wants to offer movies via Wii
In Japan, Nintendo is currently busy with making the popular Wii Game console suitable for the provision of online videos to a broad network of consumer.
Nintendo is developing state of the art software that enable wii users to put together their own internet television evening in a second. This software is developed in close cooperation with Japanese best known advertising company Dentsu.
Nintendo and Dentsu approached several big film companies to participate in the project for the development of original Wii videos. Nintendo is considering to offer both free and paid videos. Competitor Sony has already started to offer advertised movies online through the Playstation 3, as well games with advertising blocks integrated.
The Living room strategy
Nintendo has worldwide 34.5 million Wii consoles shipped. Of this 80 percent is connected to the television in the living room and 40 percent is also connected to the Internet. Nintendo believes the living room becomes more and more a playground for friends and family members to relax and join.
Especially in Japan, the video service seems to have much impact because Fuji Television, the largest advertising agency in the country, is deeply concerned about the introduction of the Wiinoma Channel, market share wise. “The ambitions of Nintendo are the worst nightmare for any television producer,” said a senior executive of Fuji Television.
Most content for the channel will be free and Nintendo will get its main revenue from various forms of advertising. When the new Wiinoma service is exactly brought to the direction Europe, UK & United Sates is not yet known.