Topic: Nintendo Unveils New Video Download Service in Japan

[NWR_pap64]

New service to feature celebrity Miis, DSi connectivity, and both free and paid programming.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18266

 In December of 2008, Nintendo announced that it would be partnering with Japanese Media Giant Dentsu to bring a new video-on-demand service to the Wii. Today the channel was unveiled as “Wii no Ma”. The channel will offer a main menu that resembles a living room, and up to eight registered Miis can exist in the virtual room and interact with each other.    

Clicking on the TV in the room will take you to your selected programming. Once players are done viewing the video, they can rate it by placing their Miis in colored squares. Clicking on the plant in the room takes users to a partner companyÂ’s page  featuring videos of their services and products, which can be purchased and delivered to a pre-registered address.    

Nintendo is planning to team up with celebrities to present special programming. The celebrity Miis will visit the virtual home and present the video to your virtual family.    

The DSi will also be heavily integrated with the new channel. Players can transfer video to their DSi for on-the-go programming by downloading the “Dokodemo Wii no Ma” Channel. This application can be downloaded from the DSi shop.    

Nintendo mentions that while the service is currently limited, it will grow over time. No details on video pricing have been made available.    

Wii no Ma Channel and Dokodemo Wii no Ma Channel will be available for download in Japan on May 1st.

[NWR_pap64]

If this channel is released in the US they would have to change A LOT of things. This seems very Japanese. But despite that it looks really cool and creative.

[Kairon]

Kairon...

*looks at screenshot*

*Is TERRIFIED that the first thing he thinks of his Sony's HOME*

*is also sad that since this features all original content, it won't be an easy way for him to watch and purchase BBC historical dramas and miniseries*

[DAaaMan64]

Where is this screenshot?

[NWR_pap64]

Where is this screenshot?

I included a link to  the Japanese site in the article. It offers video and screenshots.

[TJ Spyke]

There are also some videos of it on Game Trailers and iTunes (including the Japanese commercial for it and a 4-minute walk through of the service). Most of the programming appears to be stuff like nature shows and stuff on Japanese culture (like geishas).

[AV]

so how many  channels does japan have that nobody else does ?