If you still have the original, non-upgraded firmware, can you tell me if the unused Channel spaces have "snow" or not? And if it says "Wii Menu" or whatever it says at the bottom? I keep thinking that they both weren't there originally.
On another note, I wonder what happens if all 48 Channel spaces get used up. There aren't enough Channels, even if you have all of the VC games so far, I bet, but it won't be long before it is possible. The Virtual Console should be its own channel, or at least a different console per channel. Or, you know, custom-created VC channels, like listing them by genres or favorites.
I had hoped the Channels could be made bigger. You know, like the Disc Channel could be the size of four channels or something.