Nintendo is suspending access to online services on its original Wii game console. Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and other services will no longer work after January 30, 2019.
Online services will be discontinued
Nintendo Wii was launched in late 2006 and the Netflix app was added in late 2010. Prior to that, you could load Netflix via a physical disc. In 2011, 25% of Netflix users accessed the service through Wii, according to Nielsen. Netflix also said that Wii was its most popular TV platform – despite its low-quality SD resolution.
Times have changed and Nintendo will soon discontinue the Wii Shop Channel on the original Wii console, meaning that users can no longer access streaming services. Netflix on Wii has been functional for a little over 8 years.
- “Unfortunately, Nintendo will suspend all video streaming services on Wii - including the Netflix Channel - after January 30, 2019,” Netflix said
Nintendo Wii also offers Amazon Prime and Hulu. These apps will also cease working after January 30, 2019.
Netflix is not available on the latest Nintendo Switch console but the company has created a Nintendo Wii support page to help viewers transition to another streaming solution such as Apple TV, Chromecast or a competing game console.
This is certainly not the first time that a streaming app has been discontinued on a TV device. The Wii has continued to work long after many Smart TVs but is 8 years enough?
- Source: Netflix via reddit
