The BBC iPlayer is only available on Nintendo Wii because Microsoft and Sony wanted to control the iPlayer, a BBC official has stated.
According to a blog post by technology editor Darren Waters, BBC future technology controller Erik Huggers said: "If you want to get on the PlayStation or Xbox, they want control of the look, the feel and the experience; they want it done within their shop, and their shop only."
Nintendo, in contrast, has apparently been more than happy to upgrade its internet browser to work with the existing BBC site.
Also in the post, Waters clarified the confusion over whether or not yesterday's announcement included a separate Wii channel: "[Nintendo is offering a dedicated channel, which acts as a one click button to the iPlayer service."
So whilst you can currently access the iPlayer using your internet browser, soon there'll be a dedicated channel making access direct.
Which should please those who didn't download the browser for free and were complaining yesterday they'd have to shell out Wii Points to watch Doctor Who on their Wii.