Former Microsoft Senior Exec Expects Movie Services on Wii

In an article with cable360.net on Monday, former Microsoft Senior Executive, Colin Dixon, discussed the trend in movie delivery services coming to video game consoles.  When speaking on the services offered versus consumer appeal in Sony's PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360, Dixon commented that "(Nintendo) Wii hasn't delivered any movie services, but once they do, and we expect them to do that, they will have a much broader set of content."

Dixon, currently a Senior Consultant and Analyst at The Diffusion Group, may have been referring to Fujisoft's "Everybody's Theater Wii" channel, which will see a December release in Japan.  As TDG is a Dallas-based firm, it is reasonable to conclude that Dixon was referring to a North American service that he expects from Nintendo.  Although the Japan-only theater channel is not yet released, Dixon doesn't seem to be accounting for this service when stating that the Wii "hasn't delivered any movie services."

Additionally, he expects the Wii to have a "broader set of content," appealing to the Wii's wide fanbase.  The Diffusion Group estimates that out of the 90 million households worldwide with game consoles (likely next-gen), 41 million are broadband connected, and 22 million consume over-the-top video delivery services.  If this means he expects Nintendo to follow a model similar to Microsoft, then the channel wouldn't be limited to movies, but to TV shows and other media.

Some sites are devoted to adequate video streaming on the Internet Channel, and the MPlayer through the Homebrew Channel can make deceptively crafty Wii owners feel like their Wii Remotes are TV Remotes.  If this is reason enough, perhaps Nintendo will "unlock" Wiis in a future firmware update for DVD use, and will also bring a new video delivery service stateside.  Now the question is, would we see a whole new channel, or advanced features within the Wii Shop or Internet Channels?

Or maybe Nintendo will turn the Wii into a cable box to compete with companies like Time Warner.  If that were the case, don't expect to record any more than 15 minutes of television; the Wii can't hold much as a DVR.

The Wiire recently contacted Dixon for further comment on his analysis.