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How to watch the BBC iPlayer on a Nintendo Wii

Our digital TV expert says...

Hello Mandy, your friend is absolutely right - the BBC iPlayer is available on the Nintendo Wii.

The BBC’s catch-up TV service is easy to set-up on the Wii, and the best thing is that doesn’t cost a penny. So your kids will be able to watch some BBC TV programmes on-demand in their bedroom, without your having to pay a monthly subscription for a TV package.

Read my set-up tips below, and find out more about watching the BBC iPlayer on the Wii…

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How do I connect my Wii to the internet?

Before you can watch TV programmes on the BBC iPlayer, your Nintendo Wii will have to be connected to the internet. This can be done with an ethernet cable directly from your router, or wirelessly. To connect your console to the internet wirelessly using wi-fi, just follow these steps:

• Go to the Wii home page
• Select Wii options on the bottom left
• Click on Wii settings on the right and then select Internet
• Click on Wii settings on the right and then select Internet
• Choose Wireless Connection and then select Search for Access Point
• Click OK
• You will be offered a list of local wireless routers to choose from. Select your wireless router from the list
• If your wireless router is secure, you’ll be prompted to enter your wi-fi password
• Click OK to save your connection settings
• The Wii will then test your connection and ask you to perform a system update, click Yes
• Return to the Wii home page.

Once your console is connected to the internet, you’ll be able to download the BBC iPlayer application.

Setting up the BBC iPlayer channel

Below is a step-by-step guide to installing the BBC iPlayer channel:

• If you haven’t already done so, connect your Wii to the internet (see instructions above)
• Select the Wii Shop Channel from the main Wii home page
• Search for BBC iPlayer and download the application
• Run BBC iPlayer channel.

Once you have downloaded the BBC iPlayer Channel you can run it directly from the Wii Channels menu, you will not have to go via the Wii Shop Channel.

Downloading the Wii BBC iPlayer channel is free, and the application provides you with a better and higher quality version of BBC iPlayer on the Nintendo Wii.

Watch our video guide to using the BBC iPlayer through your Nintendo Wii:

What is the BBC iPlayer?

The BBC iPlayer is an on-demand TV catch-up service that lets you catch up on BBC TV and radio programmes from the last seven days. TV shows are available from the following channels:

• BBC1
• BBC2
• BBC3
• BBC 4
• BBC News
• BBC Parliament
• CBBC
• Cbeebies
• BBC HD
• BBC Alba.

Not all shows and films shown on the BBC channels are available on the BBC iPlayer however.

You shouldn’t have any trouble getting to grips with BBC iPlayer - just use your Wii Remote and follow the on-screen instructions. You can find the BBC programme you want by programme type, name or channel. Just press play, sit back and enjoy your favourite shows on your full TV screen.

What is shown on the BBC iPlayer?

Children can watch a whole host of programmes on-demand from the CBBC and CBeebies channels, from the likes of Dennis the Menace and Raven to The Story of Tracey Beaker and Bob The Builder.

And for older children, there are plenty of episodes of Doctor Who and Torchwood, as well as a selection of films to watch.

The BBC iPlayer isn’t just for children though - there is something for mums and dads too, including all the latest from Albert Square in EastEnders, Anne Robinson on The Weakest Link and Jeremy Clarkson and chums in Top Gear.

You can also catch-up on sports like Rugby Union and the tennis at Wimbledon.

Does the BBC iPlayer have parental controls?

The BBC iPlayer does parental controls, which you can use if you want to restrict what younger members of the family are able to watch. To turn the parental controls on, click the Settings option from the main page of the BBC iPlayer, and then select Parental Guidance Settings.

From here you’ll be able to choose a password that must then be entered whenever age-restricted content is watched on the BBC iPlayer via your Wii console.

I hope this helps you get your kids’ Wii connected to the internet so they can start watching some of their favourite BBC shows using the iPlayer.

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