The BBC’s catch-up TV service, the iPlayer, is coming to regular sets for the first time thanks to a deal with Nintendo that demonstrates the industry’s determination to bring online viewing to television’s natural home – the living room.

The UK’s 2.4m owners of Nintendo Wii games consoles are now able to view popular BBC programmes such as The Apprentice and Eastenders “on demand” over the internet. The Wii is broadband enabled and plugs into a standard TV set.