BBC relaunches Wii iPlayer channel

The BBC’s iPlayer catch-up TV and radio service is relaunching on the Nintendo Wii as a dedicated Wii channel.

Although owners of the games console have been able to watch iPlayer programmes via the Wii internet channel since April 2008, there have been a lot of reported problems; including interference and people found the interface difficult to navigate.

In addition, the service has been compromised with recent firmware updates.

The broadcaster said the new Wii version of the iPlayer has been designed with a full-screen user interface.

Erik Huggers, director, BBC future media and technology, said: "It's important that we offer audiences more ways to access the huge range of BBC content available, and this improved version of BBC iPlayer underlines our commitment to reaching new audiences by making BBC iPlayer available on as many platforms as possible."

Nintendo Wii users who want to download the iPlayer to their Wii console will need to have a broadband internet connection. They can then go to the main screen of the Wii Shop Channel and from there to the BBC iPlayer Wii Channel.

The iPlayer is free but once downloaded, users need to click on the BBC iPlayer icon to launch the new full-screen service, then select and play the BBC TV or radio programme they want to watch.

The iPlayer is also available on Sony’s Playstation 3 games console and the BBC also launched a trial of the service on the Freesat TV platform this month.