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WiiU

Nintendo TVii Announced

by Andrew Brown - September 13, 2012, 8:18 am EDT
Total comments: 38 Source: (Nintendo Direct)

Wii U: Not just for games!

Nintendo's Wii U will double as a TV service. Nintendo announced a video hub called Nintendo TVii during the live event in New York City this morning.

The application will allow players to browse and watch TV shows as well as selecting movies from many sources including as TiVo, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video and Netflix. The experience promises to allow different users to select favorites using their own Mii profile, and several profiles can of course be stored at the same time.
You get recommendations based on your preferences, and can see what your friends and family have been watching and their own preferences. Your profile can also be linked to your FaceBook profile for quick access to what your friends like to watch.

All of the input for Nintendo TVii is done on the Wii U GamePad, allowing for quick browsing and access. A remote-style interface can be pulled up on the Gamepad screen, with a turnstile dialer that spins to show the different buttons. 

When viewing sports, the GamePad screen will let watchers see profiles and stats of players and game highlights and layouts for each event. 

The Nintendo TVii service will connect to the internet, allowing YouTube and online video access as well. It will be included in the console for free, with no monthly subscription fees.

Images

Talkback

loopsuSeptember 13, 2012

I wonder how much begging NOA had to do to get NCL to back this idea. Definitely a more western thing.

PlugabugzSeptember 13, 2012

I'm also wondering how gimped this will be in Europe.

RazorkidSeptember 13, 2012

This will be huge with my family at home.

SarailSeptember 13, 2012

I just wonder how compatible it will be with other cable DVR services. Sklens brings up a good point on Twitter...

Surely TiVo isn't the only DVR option? Boo, if so.

LithiumSeptember 13, 2012

lol in canada amazon video and hulu arent available, so its basically a new UI for netflix

SarailSeptember 13, 2012

Maybe this will push those services to release in Canada? Maybe not.

So, it's confirmed the Wii U still has the coaxial connector(s) on the back of the console then?

AdrockSeptember 13, 2012

I know it's confirmed that browsing controls are done on the GamePad, but can you stream to the GamePad as well? I was considering a Kindle Fire HD (or the rumored 7" iPad) since I spend a lot of time before bed watching YouTube and ESPN and browsing the interwebs on my iPhone. I'd love it if Nintendo got Spotify on this thing too. I know it's not video but it's a great service.

ejamerSeptember 13, 2012

Quote from: Racht

Maybe this will push those services to release in Canada? Maybe not.

...

Not holding my breath on this one.  At least we've got Netflix, even if it is relatively gimped compared to the US version.

Last I checked the Canadian Netflix has Community on it, which the US one doesn't, so it's not that gimped.

leahsdadSeptember 13, 2012

Since giving the middle finger to the cable company and shutting off our service (I highly recommend this, btw), I've been looking for a better alternative to Apple TV, which is not the most dependable device in the world and is a bit slow.  Let me put it this way:  our Wii streams Netflix more dependably than our Apple TV. 

But I'm thrilled that the Wii U is going to be doing everything our Apple TV does, including movie rentals through Amazon.  Boy, did it piss me off when I paid $5 (FIVE DOLLARS) last week to rent American Girl McKenna:  Shoot for the Stars.  For my daughter, not me.

leahsdadSeptember 13, 2012

BTW, anyone have theories on how they're going to incorporate sports?  That's the only thing I miss since shutting off our cable.

AdrockSeptember 13, 2012

Quote from: leahsdad

Boy, did it piss me off when I paid $5 (FIVE DOLLARS) last week to rent American Girl McKenna:  Shoot for the Stars.  For my daughter, not me.

Lies.

Is said cable company Comcast by chance? If so, I agree though I still get Internet from them since FiOS isn't available where I live.

You may consider finding a website that streams sports games. That's how I watched the Lakers throw away 2 games to the Thunder then get steamrolled a few months ago.

ShyGuySeptember 13, 2012

As somebody who doesn't have cable TV, I'm excited.

BeautifulShySeptember 13, 2012

I don't have cable and also as a extra bonus I can use this to watch Netflix and I can have my Wii in the living room for everyone else to use at the same time.

leahsdadSeptember 13, 2012

Quote from: Adrock

Quote from: leahsdad

Boy, did it piss me off when I paid $5 (FIVE DOLLARS) last week to rent American Girl McKenna:  Shoot for the Stars.  For my daughter, not me.

Lies.

Is said cable company Comcast by chance? If so, I agree though I still get Internet from them since FiOS isn't available where I live.

You may consider finding a website that streams sports games. That's how I watched the Lakers throw away 2 games to the Thunder then get steamrolled a few months ago.

No, I get Time Warner, who actually provide pretty good internet service (that is, until Google Fiber rolls into Los Angeles, someday...).  So I still use them for that, and only that.

The only sports I really like are Football and Soccer (or rather, Football and football, ha ha), and while you can watch MLS games online, NFL is a different story, what with the death grip that the broadcasters have on those rights.

But in that sizzle reel, the "well dressed polo shirt gamer in glasses" was clearly watching football, and I assume that was NFL (definitely wasn't Arena), so I can only assume that there is something there, some deal that NOA has worked out. 

You can subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket through PSN on the PS3, so it's possible Nintendo made a similar deal. It's also possible, and probably much more likely, that we'll get college football and not the NFL.

ThePermSeptember 13, 2012

I called it! I expected this when I first turned my Wii on.

ejamerSeptember 13, 2012

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

Last I checked the Canadian Netflix has Community on it, which the US one doesn't, so it's not that gimped.

Exception to the rule, but a good one. My current Netflix show of choice. Getting Mad Men first - same day as the DVD set was released, I believe - was also a great coup for Canadian Netflix users.


A lot of Canadians complain about Netflix because of the content differences. I'd rather have the US version because there it offers more shows that interest me... but in the end, either version gives more content than I have time to watch and at a great price, so it's hard to complain too seriously. (For anyone who does really care, there are VPN options available that let you can pay a bit extra and have access to either US or Canadian service. So really not that big a deal.)

LouieturkeySeptember 13, 2012

Quote from: NWR_insanolord

You can subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket through PSN on the PS3, so it's possible Nintendo made a similar deal. It's also possible, and probably much more likely, that we'll get college football and not the NFL.

It was definitely college.  Pretty sure Alabama and LSU are colleges, not NFL teams. :)

What's nice is, if you have a friend (or father) who subscribes to the Sunday Ticket on Directv, you can use their login to watch all NFL games (not blacked out) on the PS3 as well.  Since my father has no desire for anything extra with the Sunday Ticket than to watch the Rams game on Sunday, he lets me use the online stuff how I see fit. :)

I'm hoping Nintendo did a similar deal with NFL and Directv.

azekeSeptember 13, 2012

Pretty smart thinking from Reggie here.

I noticed how people from America note all the time how their consoles are turning into netflix machines more and more. And Wii had ENOURMOUS attach rate for Netflix app (something about of 30% of entire netflix customer base were for Wii consoles, which is astonishing).

Acute business decision, but of course we don't have any streaming solutions in here so it would touch me personally.

I would appreciated if console price for Europe region was lower because it won't have that TVii service though, but alas...

Quote from: Plugabugz

I'm also wondering how gimped this will be in Europe.

The UK would probably get the BBC iPlayer since they like to be accessible to all of the license payers. That beats all 3 of the ones the US has, quite frankly.

Also, I'm finding it really hard to find the give-a-crap for me... I'm pretty close to cutting the cord, and it sounds like this needs a sub. Plus, even if I do keep the cable, I've got a pretty podunk provider all things considered.

LouieturkeySeptember 13, 2012

I don't think it needs a sub unless you are looking at live tv.  Everything else seems to be online streaming services.

purevalSeptember 13, 2012

Please tell me they will have HBO GO working on this.

LouieturkeySeptember 13, 2012

Looks like all major cable and satellite companies are going to support this.  That makes this even more exciting I think.

Quote:

Nintendo TVii will support "all" cable and dish carriers in the US and Canada, Nintendo director of strategic partnership Zach Fountain told Engadget this afternoon. He said that no major carriers are excluded, and the only requirement for signing up is inputting your cable company's account information to the Wii U. DVR and TiVO functionality are plugged in similarly, where users input information via web, and services resultantly pop up on the Wii U. Nintendo TVii launches with the Wii U on November 18 in the US and Canada for free, and remains exclusive to North America for the time being.

ShyGuySeptember 13, 2012

One ring to rule them all!

BlackNMild2k1September 13, 2012

Quote from: Louieturkey

Looks like all major cable and satellite companies are going to support this.  That makes this even more exciting I think.

Quote:

Nintendo TVii will support "all" cable and dish carriers in the US and Canada, Nintendo director of strategic partnership Zach Fountain told Engadget this afternoon. He said that no major carriers are excluded, and the only requirement for signing up is inputting your cable company's account information to the Wii U. DVR and TiVO functionality are plugged in similarly, where users input information via web, and services resultantly pop up on the Wii U. Nintendo TVii launches with the Wii U on November 18 in the US and Canada for free, and remains exclusive to North America for the time being.

Good to know that more of the rumors where true.

Someone remind me to update the rumor thread at some point.

NeoStar9XSeptember 13, 2012

Quote from: Louieturkey

Looks like all major cable and satellite companies are going to support this.  That makes this even more exciting I think.

Quote:

Nintendo TVii will support "all" cable and dish carriers in the US and Canada, Nintendo director of strategic partnership Zach Fountain told Engadget this afternoon. He said that no major carriers are excluded, and the only requirement for signing up is inputting your cable company's account information to the Wii U. DVR and TiVO functionality are plugged in similarly, where users input information via web, and services resultantly pop up on the Wii U. Nintendo TVii launches with the Wii U on November 18 in the US and Canada for free, and remains exclusive to North America for the time being.

Good. I was wondering if having Directv would be a problem.

SarailSeptember 13, 2012

This one simple, but very major addition to the Wii U console was used by me today to convince a good friend of mine (who's a DirectTV subscriber, and was VERY on the fence about this console) to get hyped about making a purchase in the near future. Seriously, he's jazzed about this thing now. He's even excited about the Pro Controller design, too. Guy's a HUGE Gears of War fan, and he thinks that controller would be great for a game like that. Of course, the GamePad would be better, but who am I to stop him from thinking so? :P

Anyway, new Nintendo fan imminent. Thought I'd let you guys know.

CericSeptember 13, 2012

My question is will it support Over the Air?  Over the Air has all the info needed to make this work.

SarailSeptember 13, 2012

After reading a bit more about this...

Honestly, I don't see why it couldn't work. You'd still input zip code info into the Wii U, and maybe whoever the local cable provider is (even if you don't get cable from them).

But I suppose we'll see as it draws closer to launch. If I could share with ya, Stephen, I would. :)

Man, this almost makes me want to think about subscribing to cable again...

ShyGuySeptember 14, 2012

So right now it has:

Hulu+ (give me Hulu basic!)
Netflix
Amazon
Youtube
Tivo
Major Cable companies (Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, AT&T, etc)

They need to add: DirectTV, Dish Network, Crackle, Pandora, Digital Broadcast, Google Play, iTunes, XBMC, MMS...

TJ SpykeSeptember 14, 2012

Quote from: ShyGuy

They need to add: DirectTV, Dish Network

"all" cable and dish carriers

Ahem. So those two are included. I don't see Google Play being included as Wii U is not an Android device. No way would Nintendo (or really Sony or Microsoft) would want to give the control Apple would want in exchange for iTunes.

bhurakSeptember 14, 2012

I'm not sure I get it yet.  What is TVii really?  Just some listings for the local Cable TV you subscribe to intermixed with the Amazon and Netflix (etc) catalogs? (And TIVO, if you have that)  Is it going to integrate with your Cable TV DVR?  Through magic (i.e. complex setup) it's going to send the IR commands to switch your TV inputs, (and audio system inputs) to get to the content you've selected?  Will they really be able to support so many devices? 

I think I like the Netflix, Amazon, etc services being mixed together to find all content, but I don't understand the TVii integration at all. 

Pixelated PixiesSeptember 14, 2012

Quote from: pureval

Please tell me they will have HBO GO working on this.


This.

AdrockSeptember 17, 2012

I wasn't sure where to mention this, but Kotaku has an interview up with Reggie. The most notable thing to me was that you can watch Netflix and Nintendo TVii on the GamePad, but NOT while playing a game. I presume the reverse is true as well and you can play a game on the GamePad, but cannot watch Netflix through the Wii U at the same time.

Chozo GhostSeptember 17, 2012

Does this have anything to do with that picture someone uploaded awhile back of a prototype Wii U with coaxial input/output?

RazorkidOctober 04, 2012

Quote from: Adrock

I wasn't sure where to mention this, but Kotaku has an interview up with Reggie. The most notable thing to me was that you can watch Netflix and Nintendo TVii on the GamePad, but NOT while playing a game. I presume the reverse is true as well and you can play a game on the GamePad, but cannot watch Netflix through the Wii U at the same time.

Makes sense as no other device runs media programs and games simultaneously.  The function of zapping the game to the gamepad is only really the WiiU freeing the tv screen in which case you could just switch inputs and watch tv.  I can understand people being curious about being able to output game and media data together, but I hope that people don't get upset not being able to do so.

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