Wii U's TVii, video-on-demand services not available at launch

The Wii U's TVii is coming in December, and VOD services like Netflix and Hulu are due "in the coming weeks," according to Nintendo.

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Nintendo made the Wii U's TVii functionality a big part of its E3 presentation this year, but don't expect to have it right out of the box. In a fact sheet in preparation for this weekend's system launch, the company confirmed that both the TVii and Video On Demand services won't be available until sometime in December.

The TVii feature, which lets you browse TV shows and set preferences according to your Mii profile, explicitly mentions a December release date. Video on Demand apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant Video, are slated for release "in the coming weeks" -- which, given a late November release, also probably means December. Once the VOD apps release, their content will be sorted into the TVii menus alongside standard television.

If you connect your Wii U to the Internet, you'll get a notification when these options become live. But if you were hoping to show off all the bells and whistles of your new console after the Thanksgiving parade, you'll have to scuttle those plans.

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  • reply
    November 16, 2012 8:15 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Wii U's TVii, video-on-demand services not available at launch.

    The Wii U's TVii is coming in December, and VOD services like Netflix and Hulu are due "in the coming weeks," according to Nintendo.

    • reply
      November 16, 2012 8:17 AM

      WHAT TEH FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

      Seriously, this is like a major selling point and it's not going to work :(

      • reply
        November 16, 2012 10:06 AM

        For a couple weeks. Disappointing, but it's not like they're the first console to do it.

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          November 16, 2012 12:13 PM

          It's the principal of the thing, a lot of stuff that was supposed to be available at launch keeps getting pushed back.

          • reply
            November 16, 2012 2:13 PM

            If you say so. Netflix is still available, the TV remote stuff is still there, I don't mind waiting a short while for the broader service.

    • reply
      November 16, 2012 8:52 AM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        November 16, 2012 10:06 AM

        My guess is they found a major bug and had to disable it until they got it worked out. It's way too late to stop or delay the launch, stores already have the units ready to go.

        Either way, a couple weeks isn't really that bad as far as wait times go.

    • reply
      November 16, 2012 9:30 AM

      1889-2012 RIP in peace Nintendo

    • reply
      November 16, 2012 11:37 AM

      Why would shacknews build a bridge over troll infested waters lmao!

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