The BBC's iPlayer video service is to be made available via the Nintendo Wii games console. The video download and streaming service that allows people to catch up on BBC programmes they've missed will be a channel on the hugely popular gaming device. An early version of the iPlayer on the Wii will be available from April 9 and is only available in the UK to licence-fee payers. The BBC expects to release more test versions in late 2008. The iPlayer will be accessible via the internet channel on the Wii console. The BBC said a message would be sent to Wii owners to alert them to its availability. Erik Huggers, BBC's group controller for Future Media and Technology, said: "The BBC's catch-up TV service can now be accessed on an increasing number of different platforms - from the web and portable devices to gaming consoles." He added that the iPlayer will also soon be available on television. The BBC is still in talks with internet service providers (ISPs) over who should pay for extra network costs. ISPs such as Tiscali say the iPlayer is putting strain on their networks, which need to be upgraded to cope, and many think that the BBC should help pay for the rising costs. This latest development comes as the BBC releases the latest viewing figures for the iPlayer. More than 42 million programmes have been accessed via the iPlayer since its Christmas 2007 launch.
