Nintendo has introduced paid video downloads for the Wii in Japan.

A range of movies, anime and other paid content from providers including Walt Disney and Warner Entertainment hit the company’s Wii no Ma Channel this weekend under a new Theater no Ma section, reports Andriasang.

Free sample clips are available prior to purchasing content, which is downloadable on a rental basis.

Launched in May, Wii no Ma is an ad-supported video on demand channel currently only available to Wii owners in Japan. Also accessible via DSi for portable viewing, the service offers both original programming and a space for partner companies to serve up promotional videos.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said in April that overseas deployment of the Wii no Ma Channel “is under planning in the future”.