The Switch hasn't had much luck with video services so far. There's the YouTube app, but apart from this, there's not much else.
The Wii U arguably has more to offer, if you want to watch rather than play. Now, though, it seems the services on this particular Nintendo device could be winding down.
Amazon has sent out a message to Prime Video users that the app will no longer work on Wii U consoles as of 26th September 2019. Here's the reason:
We are continually upgrading our service and this occasionally means we can no longer support certain device models.
To make up for this, Amazon is offering $25 credit towards select Fire TV devices, allowing users to continue to stream Prime Video. This offer will end on 1st November 2019.
With any luck, we'll hopefully see Amazon Prime on the Switch in the future. While Netflix doesn't appear to be coming to Nintendo's hybrid system any time soon, Disney has shown interest in bringing its streaming service to the platform.
Did you use Amazon Prime Video on your Wii U? Would you like to see it make its way across to the Wii U? Tell us below.
[source resetera.com]
Comments 60
SLIGEACH_EIRE hardest hit.
Riots in the streets!
The end has begun
"The Switch hasn't had much luck with video services so far. There's the YouTube app, but apart from this, there's not much else."
Hulu: Am i joke to you?
(I am aware Hulu is US based btw.)
Sad, but not surprising. I doubt even 1% of their views were from Wii U at this point.
Wish Switch would get a few more video services. I use YouTube regularly in the morning because turning the Switch on is much faster than booting up my PC. I'd like Crunchyroll personally.
Not too upset about Netflix. I dropped them a few months ago. Only thing I miss is Stranger Things.
(edit) So what other devices are being cut? Sounds like Wii U isn't the only one.
Well that’s too bad, I use my Wii U for streaming in the living room.
NOOOO!!! The Wii U is what my kids use for watching Amazon Prime movies/shows. I'm not sure what we'll do now...
Sad, but inevitable. I just hope the eShop doesn't follow suit for a long time. There are still a handful of games I need to pick up.
Hopefully they'll start working on a Switch version now. That or open up more to Android TV like they were supposed to because their app still hasn't shown up as compatible on my Nexus player.
@ElioTheWerewolf Don't forget Niconico.
@Heavyarms55 Crunchyroll would be neat. I had it installed on my old Wii U.
I think YouTube on 3DS will be discontinued next, every time I try to use it, it just crashes on me (and I have a perfectly fine internet connection, thank you very much)
Meanwhile the Netflix Wii user interface is still online.
https://secure.netflix.com/us/htmltvui/release-bowser_bowser_member_2014_11_04-7/3_1/t/853x480/html/bowser.html?dh=480&dw=853&dar=16:9
I rarely use my Wii U anymore, still got games for it I want to sit down and play, but I used to stream amazon/Hulu/netflix on it all the tine a few years ago. I have done so less and less since I got a tv with built in chrome cast, now I just push video from my phone.
@sketchturner Just get a streaming stick like a Roku.
@Kevember What????
@Kevember I literally came to this comment section to say that, hahaha! What ever happened to him? He was so active on this site forever...
@Heavyarms55 Crunchyroll would be an awesome addition. But really, I’ve dropped Netflix too in favor of Hulu and YouTube. YouTube is 100% free, and Hulu’s content library has slowly and quietly dwarfed Netflix (at least to my tastes). Plus, getting Live TV on my Switch is pretty sweet- this literally would’ve been the definition of the future for 6 year old me.
@ItsOKToBeOK Part of why I dropped Netflix was because of more and more streaming services popping up and dividing everything up. Instead of signing up for everything, I just decided to drop it. On the other hand, Crunchyroll and Funimation teamed up and now most anime can be found in one place. Minus a few lured off to other sites with special deals. Crunchyroll is just an excellent service where I can pay a few and watch almost everything anime I want, legally and ad free.
I'm still waiting for Netflix on the Switch, however I remember all of those video streaming apps on the Wii U, some of them were even preinstalled onto the Wii U at launch.
@Dayton311 Believe it or not...he never left. Just opened a new account. He was receiving alot of grief for some of his opinions and decided too change his comment style and frequency. I won't say who he is though as he hasn't so maybe he doesn't want people to know.
@Prof_Yoshtonics That's awesome to hear! Glad he's still with us
No biggie. It's on everything else. Besides the Wii u pad is only 480p so it was pretty ugly. The credit can be used on a 4k stick.
Poor Wii U is slowly fading from existance.
@Prof_Yoshtonics glad he’s ok
@MarioBrax Wii Who?
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat
@Kevember don’t mention his name, he’ll create another alias and get banned again within a week.
@WiltonRoots @Kevember he got banned? I wondered what happened to him.
You got any more juicy details?
Edit: Just read some of the other comments. Glad he’s still around.
@Prof_Yoshtonics I liked Slig, didn’t always agree with him or the way he went about things, but I found myself defending him on occasion, and I wasn’t the only one. A fellow MJ fan too, which helped!
@Prof_Yoshtonics thanks for the info. I was meaning to ask about him so I’m glad he came up in this thread.
Do you know if he bought a Switch in the end, and if he’s enjoying it?
@Kienda He did get a Switch and proceeded to complain about it non-stop! For the life of me I couldn't figure out why anyone would complain about something then spend money on it and complain about it even more...ah well to each their own, I couldn't expend that much energy myself on complaining.
Loo never used it
Shame as I still use on my Wii U, though I think it is buggy now as it seems to go sleep when I want to use the gamepad to control it and takes ages to show menu.
Hulu+ already dropped support for the WiiU a while back
@Galarian_Lassie I don't know about the Old 3DS, but on the New 3DS, you have to enable "Request Mobile Sites" for YouTube to work.
Crap, this is how i watch this on tv.
The Wii u prime video app was horribly clunky, but I did use it a bit in the past. Pity to see it go but not overly surprising
@Dayton311 I've seen him on Go Nintendo a few times but that was totally random. In one post he was bad mouthing people from here. Mostly staff.
Really hoping for Netflix and Amazon Prime on Switch, because if you're not American then Hulu's out and you've got nothing.
Could this be the beginning of the end for the Wii U?
I currently use the Internet Browser (for "TV internet"), Netflix, YouTube, and Crunchyroll on my Wii U. It'd be nice if Switch gained all these just for the convenience, but I won't sulk about it. I'll eventually get a Roku or 4K Fire Stick anyway, so it's fine. On to the future.
Seeing this worries me a bit as I still use my Wii U to watch Netflix and Crunchyroll in my room. Really hope these streaming apps come to Switch, it makes sense as my Switch is always connected to the TV when I'm not using handheld mode.
Hopefully more app services will come to the switch.
Netflix, Funimation, Movies anywhere, Prime Videos, Spotify, and other ones to add more variety.
Just like how people want a discord and other things on the switch.
i didn't even get a notification from amazon about this....maybe my sisters did. like they care about the wii u. however, they might to have an amazon fire TV device.
now for amazon prime video to come to the Nintendo switch....we also need Netflix on the Nintendo switch..
haha i actually use my wii U for amazon prime video since it's in my bedroom. This isn't ideal but it's expected
@heathenmagic This. If we fall asleep with Netflix on, I end up holding the power button as it freezes up functionality of the console. Still let my partner use it if I'm away with my laptop, though.
I contacted Netflix asking why they aren't on the Switch and a representative stated that Nintendo has to allow certain permissions in order for them to provide the streaming service to the platform. It doesn't make alot of sense, being that Hulu and Youtube are on there, so I brought it up, and Netflix stated that they use different parameters than Hulu and Youtube, which Nintendo needs to provide for them. So, it all sounds like a bunch of B.S. as to why they aren't on there yet. I don't think Nintendo would block Netflix or other streaming services from using their platform. Just doesn't make any sense.
I still don't understand the lack of Netflix on the Switch. What stop Netflix to develope their app on the system? Obviously is not a technical limitation, and I suspect is Nintendo who wants a too big chunk of the subscription $$$
Wow, WiiU was better supported than Chromecast!
I have just rejoined prime and was planning on watching prime on my wii u, i already have a roku stick so don't really want a fire one too
Kind of a bummer, I started buying some titles on Amazon because I could watch it on WiiU. But Amazon video is still my go-to digital video shop so I'm sure I'll get use of it elsewhere
When I first got my Wii U, I was renting a room with an old CRT TV in it. Since the Wii U could hook up to that TV with AV cords, I was able to stream Youtube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime video on an old TV. More often than not, I would also simply watch shows in my bed using the Gamepad (when I wasn't using my laptop for such things). Thank you for those many hours of entertainment, old Wii U. I still use the Wii U to play games actually, and I have the Gamepad by my bedside tonight so I can continue my journey through The Palace of the Winds in Minish Cap. I still have a ton of games I need to beat on my Wii U. The backlog: Both a blessing and a curse...
Very disappointing. Just signed up for a years prime. Just for prime video. Wii U is the only way I have to watch. Prime burns me bad every time I go there.
@rockodoodle Are you an ambulance?
This saddens me, though even the SNES 2, DSi, and Wii Mini dropped support for certain games.
I think Hulu quit working on mine awhile back, along with some of those little news apps.
I still say it’s one of the best consoles I’ve ever owned. It’s a shame it wasn’t a commercial success but games wise I definitely got my money’s worth.
It's okay, I've dropped support for Amazon Prime Video a while ago, so... ^^
@Kienda Yes. He got a Switch about a year ago with Odyssey and Kart 8 Deluxe. He had already played BOTW on WiiU. His last posted comment picture was actually one of his Switch purchase.
@WiltonRoots yeah .... And I really enjoyed having the ability to play it on the gamepad while everyone else was watching TV or playing another system.
Honestly not too bad an offer. I bought the FireTV stick ($15) during Prime Day because my Roku one was dying. It was the same discount as what is offered here.
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