Lovefilm arrives on Wii in the UK, coming to Wii U 'shortly'
Amazon subsidiary Lovefilm, a European competitor to Netflix, is now available on Wii in the UK. We've confirmed the Lovefilm app is on the Wii Shop Channel and downloadable for free from the Channels menu. The online video provider also announced its service is coming to UK Wii U systems, with the time-frame for its arrival only detailed as "shortly."
Being on Wii completes the UK home console collection for Lovefilm, although it does feel a bit like an afterthought of its impending arrival on Wii U. Still, added functionality is not to sniffed at, although that functionality isn't free beyond a download. A Lovefilm subscription is still required to watch any of the service's 5000+ TV episodes and films.
We reached out to Nintendo to clarify when Lovefilm is coming to Wii U, but a representative said the company could not add to the information provided by Lovefilm.
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AMAZON'S LOVEFiLM LAUNCHES ON Wii WITH LAUNCH ON Wii U COMING SOON
LOVEFiLM, an Amazon company, launches on Nintendo's Wii home console today with a launch on Nintendo's new HD home console Wii U to follow shortly, transforming the movie viewing experience for up to eight million UK Wii users who will now be able to select and instantly stream movies and TV shows with a wave of their Wii Remote.
The launch will bring the LOVEFiLM Instant service into the homes of more film fans than ever before, enabling them to watch unlimited movies and TV series instantly through their Internet-connected Wii console and all from as little as £4.99 a month.
Blockbuster films to enjoy from launch this December include Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, director Christopher Nolan's mind-bending Inception and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 starring Robert Pattinson. There's great TV too including every season of Downton Abbey – the most critically acclaimed British TV series ever made – and seasons one to seven of American medical drama Grey's Anatomy which has received 25 Primetime Emmy Award nominations so far.
LOVEFiLM members who have a Wii console are able to download the LOVEFiLM application from the Wii Shop Channel for free today. Once installed, members can watch, search, browse, rate and review titles from the LOVEFiLM Instant catalogue – all as part of their existing membership package.
LOVEFiLM Instant is now available on a complete range of living room devices including Amazon's Kindle Fire HD, PlayStation®3, iPad® and Xbox 360 in addition to the Wii, plus a growing number of Blu-ray players and Internet-connected TVs.
Unlimited streaming packages start from just £4.99 a month – the lowest of any comparable subscription service.
Shelly Pearce, Marketing & PR Director for Nintendo UK said:
"We are thrilled to be partnering with LOVEFiLM to offer Wii owners and soon Wii U owners on-demand film and TV content to enjoy. LOVEFiLM has a proven track record of success and innovation in film distribution and is a very welcome addition."
Jim Buckle, Managing Director at LOVEFiLM, said:
"Launching on the Wii, combined with our impending arrival on the Wii U, is great news for our members. The Wii is a console for the whole family and with our vast catalogue of kid's and family-friendly films and TV shows there's more for everyone to enjoy at LOVEFiLM compared to any other subscription service. We offer our customers a great selection at exceptional value and the huge array of platforms we're now available on means it's never been easier or more convenient for our customers to access what they want to watch, however and wherever they choose."
