The BBC has announced that it has chosen the Nintendo Wii to deliver video content to gamers using broadband connections.

Early versions of its iPlayer service became available on the gaming system from April 9th, the corporation reports.

By plugging the Wii into an existing broadband connection, viewers will have access to a range of online video content provided by the BBC's iPlayer services, which have ballooned in popularity in recent months.

The BBC describes itself as being "at loggerheads" with broadband providers over who should pay for the service.

With a wider launch expected at the end of 2008, the service will only be available to TV license fee payers.

InformITV reports that over 40 million programmes have been watched on the iPlayer since its launch, with the Wii deal described as something of a marketing coup for Nintendo, beating as it did rivals Sony and Microsoft to deliver the video content.