Nintendo Japan announced today a new video download service for the Wii, which is set to begin in Japan this Spring. First details were leaked out earlier in the day through Japan's Nikkei business daily.
Different from previously announced manga, karaoke and movie download services, the new service will be handled by Nintendo itself. Nintendo is taking care of development and management of the service and is working with Japanese media firm Dentsu on the content side of things. According to Nintendo, Dentsu is in talks with a number of companies for bringing content to the service.
Also different for the new service is that it will be an actual Wii Channel. Previously announced download services are set to make use of special WiiWare apps.
The name for the new channel is "Wii no Ma Channel." This Japanese name is a fusion of Wii and the Japanese word "Ochanoma" and is meant to suggest a communication space for friends and family who've gathered in front of the living room television.
While Nintendo did not share specifics, it did say to expect a wide range of content with no set genre or target. The focus will be on original programming. As suggested by the channel's name, content will likely be family oriented.
Programming will initially be free. However, Nintendo is looking into optional paid services to begin in the Summer. The original Nikkei report said that free content would be supported through advertising.
Japan will be the launching point for the service, but Nintendo says that it is also looking into overseas developments. Unlike the recent fortune telling channel, you can probably look forward to this latest channel in your part of the world at some point.
source
Different from previously announced manga, karaoke and movie download services, the new service will be handled by Nintendo itself. Nintendo is taking care of development and management of the service and is working with Japanese media firm Dentsu on the content side of things. According to Nintendo, Dentsu is in talks with a number of companies for bringing content to the service.
Also different for the new service is that it will be an actual Wii Channel. Previously announced download services are set to make use of special WiiWare apps.
The name for the new channel is "Wii no Ma Channel." This Japanese name is a fusion of Wii and the Japanese word "Ochanoma" and is meant to suggest a communication space for friends and family who've gathered in front of the living room television.
While Nintendo did not share specifics, it did say to expect a wide range of content with no set genre or target. The focus will be on original programming. As suggested by the channel's name, content will likely be family oriented.
Programming will initially be free. However, Nintendo is looking into optional paid services to begin in the Summer. The original Nikkei report said that free content would be supported through advertising.
Japan will be the launching point for the service, but Nintendo says that it is also looking into overseas developments. Unlike the recent fortune telling channel, you can probably look forward to this latest channel in your part of the world at some point.
source
