Pay-per-view service via Wii starts

OSAKA (Kyodo) Nintendo Co. started Saturday a pay-per-view service of old television programs and popular classic movies for users of its Wii video game console.

Twelve companies, including Yoshimoto Kogyo Co. and Toei Co., began providing about 120 items such as comedy skits and cartoons, charging ¥30 to ¥500 each, via the online Wii no Ma on-demand service.

Three others, including Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd., plan to join the service by the end of this year.

Nintendo is seeking to boost the number of providers to 30 in a year to offer 1,000 TV programs and movies, officials said.