Impending video service worries Japanese TV establishment

by JC Fletcher { Jan 2nd 2009 at 9:00AM }

There must really be something to this Nintendo/Dentsu "Wii no Ma Channel," the video service announced last week. Times Online calls it a "television channel" featuring "a family- oriented blizzard of cartoons, "brain-training" quizzes, cookery, educational and other lifestyle shows." In other words, not just occasional offerings.

The prospect of a Wii-based television channel apparently has traditional television channels worried. According to the Times, a Fuji TV executive called the possibility of Nintendo media dominance "the stuff of television producers' nightmares", expressing fears that Wii-based programming could cut into prime-time viewership for Japanese television.

Thanks, unnamed Fuji Television executive! We're much more excited about this Channel now.

[Via GoNintendo]

Tags: dentsu, fuji-tv, video, wii-no-ma-channel

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dummy00001 @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:48AM

They have little to worry about.

N will probably release couple of series - featuring Mushroom Kingdom - and would be sequelling and rehashing them for decades. Kidding - it would be pokemans.

On pragmatical side, if TV studios where not approached by Nintendo, that would mean that N tries to do something on their own. Without expertise of professionals, N service is guaranteed to be dull for couple of years after start. After the couple of years, N would realize that they can't do it independently and would invite TV studios anyway.

Average cost of TV show (e.g. anime) in Japan is quite low (many shows are well below $15K per episode) and N can try to pull it themselves. Yet, to manage all the productions, they are very likely to hire somebody else. Even Pokemon shows were produced mostly by OLM and Shogakukan - Nintendo has no credits, meaning that their people were not closely involved in the production.

And even if we consider Pokemon as past experience of Nintendo, show with 1 ep per week would hardly attract many people to the N service. They need much much more to create sustainable audience.

And do not forget about the price: most TV shows are paid by commercials (avg. 7 minutes per show). How much people would be willing to pay for the N streamed shows? That yet to be seen, but I'd say very few.

FantomRedux @ Jan 2nd 2009 9:49AM

What I want to know is, are there any plans to release it outside Japan?

Hardy @ Jan 2nd 2009 10:54AM

I doubt it'll be released in Canada. Bell and Rogers have such a ridiculous hold on the communications markets that they can force decision makers to stop anyone from coming in.

I mean Apples ITunes service can't even rent new movies till like a month or more after it's release. Nintendo doesn't stand a chance.

But the Japanses companies shouldn't be worried. It sounds like the shows will be super boring for most people.