Nintendo Wii to Launch Video Service

According to a report on Reuters, Dentsu Inc, one of Japan's largest ad agencies, said this week that it would team up with Nintendo to launch a video distribution service on their Wii console. Specifics are sketchy at best, but the companies plan to offer programs specifically created for the service as opposed to carrying existing TV shows and movies. Whether or not this means hordes of crystal-seeking anime children's shows or adults dressed up as awkward teenage superheroes remains a mystery, but it's sure to make a splash in either case.

Viewers will, of course, need to pay to see some of the new programs, while others will be offered free of charge and accompanied by advertisements, according to a spokesman for Dentsu.

With Nintendo having sold over 35 million Wii consoles to-date, they are definitely in a position to push some video into the consumer gaming marketplace. The question is will it be compelling enough to generate additional income. With the decision to go with original content, it will be interesting to see whether they can capture both the US and international market equally. For now, Dentsu and Nintendo plan on starting over in Japan and they are expected to roll out the first videos "next year" (nothing more was specified). To put a damper on any excitement, the two companies haven't even decided what type of content to put out as of yet - which lands this squarely in the realm of vaporware-yet-to-be-seen.