Without Netflix for me its a what the point. Wii U has a really uphill battle to win over my PS3 to be my Media box which is a shame.
You can still use Netflix on the Wii U through its own app, so it's not a big deal that it will be a few weeks before being integrated into Nintendo TVii.
Problem being I can also watch Netflix on a dedicated app on pretty much any other device. Until it's fused with other services in Early 2013 (hopefully January), Wii U isn't the clear front-runner as my go-to TV-Helper.
This.
In my current setup I have 5 devices (including TV) that I can watch Netflix on using the TV Screen. That's not counting the Laptop, 2 Smartphones, and 3DS. So effectively in my living room I can be watching 7 different shows on Netflix at any given point, Laptop, 2 Smartphones, 3DS, TV, and Gamepad. What makes the WiiU different and Better. At the moment it doesn't match the quality of the PS3 version of Netflix. Doesn't match the pure features as a media device as the PS3. The Value add feature of TVii would be the only good reason then to use the Wii U version.
I'm in the same boat, BUT have you done a real side-by-side comparison? I've compared Netflix on Wii, Wii U, PC, 3DS, Ipad, Ipod, and AppleTV, and the Wii U and/or PC are BY FAR the best. The streaming and browsing speed on Wii U and PC are nearly the same, which is incredible since the Wii U is in Wifi. I don't know how that happens.
And while the Ipad/AppleTV combination is the most comparable to the Gamepad/WiiU Netflix experience, you can't browse on the Ipad's screen, and you can't switch between Ipad display and AppleTV display at all. And of course, using your Ipad to control your AppleTV is HORRENDOUSLY SLOW and misses inputs, because the Ipad connects to your AppleTV via Wifi. The Ipad does not have an IR blaster. I don't know how the Gamepad communicates with the Wii U (Bluetooth, maybe, or RF?). But those who've used it know that it is super fast.
I'm also curious: does anyone here actually own and regularly use a DVR? Why? In the age of Hulu and Netflix, I can't imagine any reason other than sports to use a DVR. It's the most ridiculous relic of the VCR age that we have. 20th century technology to make up for the greedy little hands of the TV networks and cable companies, who must know that the writing is on the wall.