Coming soon to a Wii near you...
Just as well, as it doesn't play DVDs
European film fans will probably be familiar with Lovefilm, an online DVD and game rental service with some 1.4 million members across Europe. Primarily built on discs and web-based viewing, the service has now signed an agreement with Widevine to allow Wii owners a chance to watch movies online through their console.
Although no time frame is given for the service launch, a PR for Widevine said the feature for Wii was a "near-term roadmap", which we think means "it's coming soon but we don't know how soon." When we hear more, we'll let you know.
User Comments
1. Aviator
30 Jul 2010, 16:47 BST
While Australia still has nothing..
2. thelawyer
30 Jul 2010, 16:48 BST
Yes! Finally!
3. Mange
30 Jul 2010, 16:49 BST
I´m already a lovefilm customer, will try this out when it arrives.
4. James Newton
30 Jul 2010, 16:52 BST
I'm also a Lovefilm customer (well, my wife pays but I watch the films) so I'll be really pleased if this works as well as BBC iPlayer.
5. BellGoRiiing
30 Jul 2010, 16:57 BST
Didn't see "Wii" in the title and thought this had to do with the 3DS. xD
6. Egg miester
30 Jul 2010, 16:58 BST
awesome news for eu players
7. Sean Aaron
30 Jul 2010, 17:02 BST
If quality is on par with the iPlayer then this will be a no-brainer. Lovefilm probably figures if they sit around Netflix will eat their lunch when their relaunch happens.
Of course Apple could announce a revamped, cheaper Apple TV for streaming rentals in HD which might give me pause...
8. Luigi78
30 Jul 2010, 17:34 BST
Sounds like a good idea to me.Just hope the quality's good.
9. DSi
30 Jul 2010, 17:35 BST
i wonder if they would let people stream movies straght away if they have subs 2 them
10. Raylax
30 Jul 2010, 18:09 BST
Awesomesauce.
11. NeoRausch
30 Jul 2010, 18:54 BST
oh cool. well stupid for netflix to ignore europe. millions flushed down the toilett,
12. Blaketoberfest
30 Jul 2010, 19:15 BST
Netflix is where it's at here in North America.
13. MeloMan
30 Jul 2010, 19:24 BST
lol, I was thinking Netflix was world wide, at least in NA and the UK. Melo's ignorance - 1, lol.
14. Kirk
30 Jul 2010, 22:03 BST
So what's the difference between this and Netflix then?
15. MiiMiiMii
30 Jul 2010, 22:49 BST
I have Lovefilm, and with a subscription you can watch loads of films and tv shows online for free. If you can use your normal subscription to watch the free stuff on the wii that would be faaaaaaaaantastic!
16. edhe
30 Jul 2010, 23:23 BST
I can hardly stream the fuzzy videos on the Nintendo channel, let alone a standard definition film, so this does not interest me personally.
But if my tiny village ever gets a decent broadband connection (or I emigrate), I'd definitely give it a try - subscription and all.
17. Raylax
31 Jul 2010, 00:16 BST
@Kirk: Netflix Wii is only available in the US, Lovefilm Wii is only available in Europe.
18. lilboyblue
31 Jul 2010, 01:37 BST
Please don't discuss hacking here. Thanks - mod team
19. LEGEND MARIOID
31 Jul 2010, 09:28 BST
I'm actually an easycinemas.com customer and get my dvd rentals from there ..... but they're now owned by lovefilm wilst still keeping their prices and identity!
Brilliant news.
20. colmtheperson
31 Jul 2010, 13:15 BST
About time some form of streaming came to the Irish Wii consoles
21. Victoria
01 Aug 2010, 12:48 BST
The majority of films I've seen on the streaming site seem to be the worst films out there. Nice idea, but...