- General Info
- How To
- How to Set Up Nintendo TVii
- How to Watch a TV Show, Movie, or Sporting Event Using Nintendo TVii
- How to Comment on TV Shows and Sports (Nintendo TVii, Miiverse, Facebook, Twitter)
- How to Search Within Nintendo TVii
- How to Select a Favorite TV Show, Movie, Sports Team, or Channel
- How to Watch a Movie Trailer
- How to Access and Use the Grid (TV Listing)
- How to Change Which Channels Are Displayed On the Nintendo TVii Remote
- How to Change Your Streaming Video Providers
- How to Change the TV Provider Setting
- How to Configure Nintendo TVii Parental Controls
- How to Configure Nintendo TVii Settings
- How to Set Up the TV Remote Function
- Troubleshooting
- Nintendo TVii Remote Not Working With a Television or Set-Top Box (Cable Box)
- Error Message: Service Is Currently Not Available
- Unable to Find the Correct Television Provider
- TV Channels Are Missing From Nintendo TVii
- Message: TV Tag Is Currently Not Available for This Show
- TV Show Airtimes Are Incorrect (Including TV Grid Listings)
- Unable to Navigate to Sub-Channels (i.e., Channel 4.2, 34.3, etc.) Using the Nintendo TVii Remote
- Certain Television Shows or Movies Are Not Displaying in Menus or Search Results
- TV Grid Displays Incorrect Channel Listing
that you would like more information about.
Please use the list on the left to select a topic.
Please use the list on the left to select a topic.
Please use the list on the left to select a topic.
Answer:
- Nintendo TVii supports most television providers available in the US and Canada, including cable, satellite, and over-the-air television providers.
- Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, and Netflix are also supported by Nintendo TVii.
Answer:
- No. Content such as menus, movie trailers, and program information is only displayed on the GamePad.
Answer:
- Nintendo TVii supports television services available in the U.S. and Canada.
Answer:
- TV Tag is a feature that enhances your experience when watching live TV and sports.
- When watching live TV, moments of the show or game will appear on the GamePad screen. You can touch the moment to get more information or share your comments.
- When watching sports, the GamePad will also display scores, stats, and other game information.
Information:
- The TV Tag feature will appear when watching any of the top 100 TV shows, football, baseball, or basketball games.
Information:
Nintendo TVii makes watching TV simple and more fun by bringing together what we watch and how we watch into one, seamless second screen experience on the GamePad. It will transform how you find, watch, and engage with TV shows, movies, and sports.
By using the touch screen of the Wii U GamePad, users can:
- Find TV shows, movies, and sports wherever the content lives: cable and satellite channels, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, and Netflix.
- Use the personalized remote control to quickly access favorite channels and control the TV.
- Get more info: IMDb, Wikipedia, Rotten Tomatoes and sports data are all synchronized with what you're watching.
- Share: Comment, post or tweet after an incredible touchdown or huge plot twist. The service identifies key moments and lets you interact with friends as these moments happen, making experiencing live TV more social and fun.
- Customize: Pick your favorite shows, movies, actors, TV channels, genres and sports teams. Get personal recommendations directly from the service itself based on your preferences.
Description:
- Step by step instructions on starting Nintendo TVii for the first time.
What to do:
- From the bottom of the Wii U Menu, select the Nintendo TVii icon.
- When Nintendo TVii starts for the first time, a setup screen will appear asking you to enter your Zip code.
- If this screen does not appear, Nintendo TVii has previously been set up by another user and the TV provider setting has been saved. If you would like assistance with changing your TV provider setting, click here.
- Select your TV provider:
- Tap the box at the bottom of the screen, use the on-screen keyboard to enter your Zip code or postal code, and tap "OK."
- A list of local television providers will display. Slide the stylus across the GamePad screen to move through the list, and tap on your television provider.
- Once a provider is selected, a list of the provider's television packages will display. Tap on the appropriate package.
- To continue, tap the green arrow in the bottom-right corner.
- Select some favorite TV shows:
- A list of popular television shows will display. Slide the stylus across the Wii U GamePad screen to move through the list, and tap on any television shows you would like to mark as favorites.
- If you would like to search for specific shows, scroll to the end and select the search icon.
- To continue, tap the green arrow in the bottom-right corner.
- Select some favorite movies:
- A list of popular movies will display. Slide the stylus across the GamePad screen to move through the list, and tap on any movies you would like to mark as favorites.
- If you would like to search for specific movies, scroll to the end and select the search icon.
- To continue, tap the green arrow in the bottom-right corner.
- Select some favorite sports teams:
- Tap on any of the sports listed to display a list of conferences.
- Tap on a conference to display a list of teams, and then tap on any of the teams you would like to mark as favorites.
- To continue, tap the green arrow in the bottom-right corner.
- Select some favorite channels:
- A list of your available television channels will display. Slide the stylus across the GamePad screen to move through the list, and tap on any channels you would like to mark as favorites.
- You can tap on "HD" or "Standard" to toggle between HD and standard definition channels.
- To continue, tap the green arrow in the bottom-right corner.
- Sign into social networks to share your comments:
- Tap on any of the social networks you wish to share comments your comments to, and follow the on-screen prompts.
- To continue, tap the green arrow in the bottom-right corner.
- An introduction video will be available. Tap on this to learn more about Nintendo TVii, or tap on the green arrow to complete the setup process.
Description:
- Detailed instructions on how to watch a TV episode, movie, or sporting event using Nintendo TVii.
What to do:
- Tap on the TV episode, movie, or sporting event you wish to watch.
- If your selection is available to watch, the available viewing methods (live TV, video on demand service) will also be displayed. Select one of these options.
- After selecting a viewing option, you will be prompted to set your TV to the appropriate input.
- If the television is not on the correct input, select "No, Change Input" until your television is set to display the correct input.
- If your television or set-top box is not powered on, select the TV or STB buttons to power on these devices.
- If you are unable to change your TV's input using the GamePad, this may indicate you have not set up your TV Remote function correctly. Click here for troubleshooting assistance.
- Select "Yes" once your TV is set to the correct input.
- If you choose to watch a program through your TV provider, the GamePad will also change your TV or set-top box to the correct channel. If the GamePad does not change the channel of your TV or set-top box, this may indicate you have not set up your TV Remote function correctly. Click here for troubleshooting assistance.
- If you choose to watch a show through a video on demand service, you will be prompted to close Nintendo TVii and start the appropriate application. Select "OK" to confirm.
Description:
- Detailed instructions on how to comment on TV shows and sports.
Important Note!
- Comments made will be sent to any of the social media accounts (Miiverse, Facebook, Twitter) you have set up within Nintendo TVii's settings. (How To)
What to do:
- When watching a TV or sporting event with TV Tag, tap the moment you would like to comment on.
- Tap the comment box located at the bottom of the GamePad screen.
- Use the on-screen keyboard to enter your comment, and then tap "OK" to confirm and post your comment.
Description:
- Step by step instructions on using the search feature within Nintendo TVii.
What to do:
- From within Nintendo TVii, tap the magnifying glass icon.
- Within most menus, you can find this in the top-right corner or by scrolling to the far right.
- Use the on-screen keyboard to type the name of the TV show, movie, or sports team you are searching for, and tap "OK."
- "Movies," "TV," and "Sports" will be displayed at the top of the search results. Click on these to view the results within each category.
- Slide your stylus across the Wii U GamePad screen to scroll through the search results.
Description:
- Step by step instructions on how to add or remove a favorite TV show, movie, sports team, or channel.
What Would You Like to Favorite?
Applies To: TV Show or Movie
Important Note!
- In addition to the following steps, you can also add favorite TV shows and movies by selecting the star icon that appears on the GamePad when watching a TV show or movie, or when viewing information on a TV show or movie.
What to Do:
- From Within Nintendo TVii, tap "Favorites."
- Tap "TV" or "Movies."
- Slide the stylus across the GamePad and scroll to the far right.
- Tap on the search icon, and tap "OK."
- A list of popular favorites and your current favorites will be displayed, tap on any of the listings to add or remove them from your favorites.
- If you would like to search for shows to add as favorites, scroll to the far right and select the search icon. After entering a search term and tapping "OK," the search results will display amongst the other TV shows and movies, allowing you to select them as favorites.
Applies To: Sports Team
What to Do:
- From within Nintendo TVii, tap "Favorites."
- Tap "Sports."
- Scroll to the far right, and tap on the search icon.
- Tap on any of the sports listed to display a list of conferences.
- Tap on a conference to display a list of teams, and then tap on any of the teams you would like to add or remove from your favorites.
- To confirm your settings, tap the green checkmark in the bottom-right corner.
Applies To: Channel
What to Do:
- From within Nintendo TVii, tap "Favorites."
- Tap "Channels."
- Slide the stylus across the GamePad and scroll to the far right.
- Tap on the search icon.
- Tap on "HD" or "Standard" to change between each channel listing.
- Slide the stylus across the GamePad to scroll through the available channels, and tap on the channels you wish to add or remove as favorites.
Description:
- Detailed instructions on how to watch a movie trailer.
Important Note!
- Movie trailers can only be viewed on the GamePad.
What to do:
- When viewing information about a movie, a "Watch Trailer" option will be displayed if a trailer is available.
- To watch the trailer, tap on this option and then tap on the play button that appears. The trailer will then begin playing on the Wii U GamePad.
- When the video is complete, tap "Close" to return to the Nintendo TVii menu.
Description:
- Step by step instructions on accessing and using the Grid feature within Nintendo TVii.
What to do:
- From within Nintendo TVii, tap "TV."
- Tap "Grid," located in the top-right corner.
- Slide your stylus on the GamePad screen to move through your television provider's TV listings.
- Tap on a listing to view a synopsis of the program and the available ways to watch the program.
Description:
- Step by step instructions on changing the streaming providers displayed within Nintendo TVii.
Important Note!
- The streaming provider setting determines whether or not a specific streaming provider's available content will display in Nintendo TVii menus or as a viewing option. Whether or not the streaming provider is being subscribed too, their content will be viewable unless the Streaming Provider settings have been changed.
What to do:
- From within Nintendo TVii, tap the Mii in the top-left corner.
- Tap "Streaming Providers."
- Tap on any of the streaming providers you wish to select or unselect.
- Tap the green checkmark to confirm your settings.
Description:
- Step by step instructions on changing the TV provider setting within Nintendo TVii.
What to do:
- From within Nintendo TVii, tap the Mii icon in the top-left corner.
- Tap "Your TV Provider."
- Tap on the box located in the middle of the screen, use the on-screen keyboard to enter your Zip code, and then tap "OK."
- Tap on the green checkmark in the lower-right corner.
- A list of local television providers will display. Slide the stylus across the Wii U GamePad screen to move through the list, and tap on your television provider.
- Once a provider is selected, a list of the provider's television packages will display. Tap on the appropriate package.
- Tap the green checkmark in the lower-right corner to confirm your settings.
Description:
- Step by step instructions on how to configure Nintendo TVii Parental Controls.
What settings would you like to configure?
Applies To: Viewing and Posting Comments
- The ability to post and view comments within Nintendo TVii is controlled by the Wii U console's Miiverse settings.
- If you would like to restrict access to posting and viewing comments in Nintendo TVii and Miiverse, you can restrict this access within the Wii U Parental Controls. (How To)
Applies To: TV and Movie Ratings
Important Note!
- Nintendo TVii Parental Controls related to TV and movie ratings are managed separately from the console level Parental Controls, but use the same PIN. Prior to setting up Nintendo TVii Parental Controls, you must set up the Wii U Parental Controls. (How To)
- Parental control settings that are enabled within Nintendo TVii will only affect content seen within Nintendo TVii, such as TV and movie listings. Television or video on demand services have their own the parental controls settings specific to those services. If you have questions regarding parental controls for any television or video on demand service, please contact the service provider.
What to Do:
- From within Nintendo TVii, tap the Mii in the top-left corner.
- Tap "Parental Controls."
- Enter your four-digit PIN, and tap "OK."
- The user Mii for every account on your Wii U will be displayed. To adjust a user's Parental Controls, tap on the Mii associated with that user.
- Tap on "Movie Rating" or Television Rating."
- Tap on any of the ratings you wish to restrict for the selected user.
- Tap on the green checkmark to save any changes.
Description:
- Instructions on configuring Nintendo TVii settings.
What to do:
- From within Nintendo TVii, tap the Mii in the top-left corner.
- The following settings will be available:
Important Note!
When within any of the settings, click the green checkmark in the lower-right corner to save any changes you make.
- Favorite Channels:
This setting displays a list of channels available through your television provider. You can tap on a channel to mark it as a favorite.- Favorite channels will appear within the Favorites menu and on the Nintendo TVii Remote.
- Your TV Provider:
The TV provider setting allows you to change your television provider. This is the setting that is used to determine the television listings and channels displayed within Nintendo TVii. - Streaming Provider:
The streaming provider setting displays a list of streaming providers. From here you can unselect a provider if you do not want it to display as an option within Nintendo TVii. - Parental Controls:
Parental Controls allow you to adjust what content each user can view in Nintendo TVii. You can choose to block certain movie and TV ratings. - Social Networks:
This setting allows you to sign into different social networks to share comments you make when using the TV Tag feature.- Users under the age of 13 are not able to sign into social networks.
- Setup Wizard:
The Setup Wizard walks you through a setup process, asking you to choose your television provider, favorite shows, favorite channels, and favorite sports teams.
Description:
- Information on changing which channels are displayed on the Nintendo TVii Remote.
What to do:
- The channels displayed on the Nintendo TVii Remote are the channels you have chosen as favorites. To add or remove a channel from your Nintendo TVii Remote, add or remove the channel from your favorites. (How To)
Description:
- Detailed instructions on how to set up the TV Remote Function
Note: Before beginning, please power on your TV and cable or satellite box.
Select the device you are trying to control with the TV Remote Function:
Applies to: TV Only
What to Do:
- From the Wii U Menu, select "System Settings."
- Using the Left Stick, scroll to the "TV Remote Function" icon and press the A Button.
- If you are prompted with your current settings, tap "Change" or press the A Button.
- Select "TV Only."
- If you have not performed a system update, select "TV Remote."
- Select the first letter of the device manufacturer's name, and then select the full name from the list that appears.
- Use the signal type lookup tool to determine a possible signal type for your TV:
Please note: Not all devices are supported, and functionality may vary from country to country. Please ensure you have the most recent system update installed on your Wii U console.
- Hold down the L Button and R Button on the Wii U GamePad, and then use the +Control Pad to navigate to one of the possible signal types identifed in step 5.
- If you have not performed a system update, you will need to tap "Didn't Work" until you reach the signal type.
- Follow the testing instructions on the Wii U GamePad screen to verify that your device responds.
- You must tap each test button (volume, input, or power) in order to complete the functionality test.
- Tap "Worked" once the functionality test is successful, and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
- If you received multipe signal types when using the lookup tool, make note of them. The use of a different signal type may resolve issues you encounter while using the TV Remote Function.
Applies to: Set-Top Box (Cable, Satellite) and TV
What to Do:
Set-Top Box:
- From the Wii U Menu, select "System Settings."
- Using the Left Stick, scroll to the "TV Remote Function" icon and press the A Button.
- If you are prompted with your current settings, tap "Change" or press the A Button.
- Select "Set-Top Box and TV," and then the type of device you are configuring.
- If you have not performed a system update, select "Other Remote."
- Select the first letter of the device manufacturer's name, and then select the full name from the list that appears.
- Use the signal type lookup tool to determine a possible signal type for your cable or satellite box:
Please note: Not all devices are supported, and functionality may vary from country to country. Please ensure you have the most recent system update installed on your Wii U console.
- Hold down the L Button and R Button on the Wii U GamePad, and then use the +Control Pad to navigate to one of the possible signal types identifed in step 5.
- If you have not performed a system update, you will need to tap "Didn't Work" until you reach the signal type.
- Follow the testing instructions on the Wii U GamePad screen to verify that your device responds.
- Tap "Worked" once the functionality test is successful, and then tap "OK."
- Use the signal type lookup tool to determine the possible signal type for your TV:
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
- If you received multiple signal types when using the lookup tool, make note of them. The use of a different signal type may resolve issues you encounter while using the TV Remote Function.
Situation:
- When attempting to connect to Nintendo TVii, you receive the error message "Service is currently not available."
What to do:
This may indicate an issue with the DNS settings. Enter an alternate DNS within the Wii U Internet settings. (How To)
- The linked steps will provide you with public DNS provided by Google. These are subject to Google's Terms of Service. If you prefer to not use this service, doing an Internet search for "public DNS" will provide you with several other options you can use.
Situation:
- Certain TV channels are missing from Nintendo TVii
What to do:
- This indicates you have selected the incorrect TV provider or TV package during set up. Update your TV provider settings to correct the channel listings. (How To)
Situation:
- You are unable to navigate to sub-channels using the Nintendo TVii Remote.
What to do:
- This indicates the Wii U TV Remote settings are incorrect. Update the TV Remote settings within the Wii U System Settings and use the signal type lookup tool to find the correct signal type to use for your TV and / or Set-top box. (How To)
- Even if you have successfully set up your TV Remote function, you may not be using the best signal type.
- After updating the TV Remote settings, you can test functionality prior to entering Nintendo TVii by pressing the TV Button on the GamePad and navigating to a sub-channel on your TV.
Still Not Resolved:
- If your situation is still not resolved, please call 1-800-255-3700 so that we may assist you further.
Situation:
- When watching a TV show or movie, you see the message "TV Tag is currently not available for this show."
What to do:
- This message is normal for content where TV Tag is not available. TV Tag is available for live football and basketball games, and the top 100 live TV shows. If you receive this message, it indicates you are watching a show not currently supported by TV Tag.
- Although the TV Tag feature may not be available, you can continue watching the show while using the other Nintendo TVii features.
- To exit TV Tag and return to the Nintendo TVii menu while watching a TV show, tap the back arrow located in the bottom-left corner of the GamePad.
- To view a list of programs that are currently using the TV Tag feature, select the TV Tag icon from the Nintendo TVii Main Menu, and then select "Live."
Situation:
- When using the TV Remote within Nintendo TVii, your TV or set-top box does not respond.
- Some buttons, such as volume or channel, are working but others are not.
What to do:
- This indicates the Wii U TV Remote function has not been set up, or has not been configured to use the correct signal type.
- If you have not set up the TV Remote Function, click here for set up instructions.
Situation:
- When setting up Nintendo TVii or changing TV providers, you are unable to find your provider.
What to do:
- If after entering your Zip code or postal code, you can find your provider but not your specific city, try selecting the closest city. The provider from the adjacent city may be your city's provider as well.
- If you cannot find your provider, try an adjacent Zip or postal code and check for your provider there.
Still Not Resolved:
- If your situation is still not resolved, please call 1-800-255-3700 so that we may assist you further.
Situation:
- Certain television shows, movies, or channels are not displaying within Nintendo TVii menus or search results.
What to do:
- Parental Controls within Nintendo TVii are restricting access to this content.
- Review your Parental Controls within Nintendo TVii, removing restrictions on the content you wish to view. (How To)
Situation:
- The channel listings displayed within the TV Grid are incorrect.
What to do:
- This indicates you have selected the incorrect TV provider or TV package during set up. Update your TV provider settings to correct the channel listings. (How To)
Situation:
- A selected TV show's airtime is not correct.
- The date or time displayed in the television grid is incorrect.
What to do:
- The date and time within Nintendo TVii are determined by your Nintendo Network Account settings.
- Update the Time Zone setting within the Nintendo Network Account settings for every affected user. This is located within the "Edit Personal Information" menu. (How To)