Nintendo on Thurs. released details for the Wii Channel Menu, a variety of entertainment, information, and communication channels for the Wii video game system.

Wii will be released to the U.S. on Nov. 19 for $249.99.

In the Disc Channel, owners can activate play of Wii game discs or Nintendo GameCube discs.

In the Mii (me) Channel owners can create caricatured portraits to be used as characters in select Wii software. Portraits can be stored on the owner’s Wii Remote and taken to a friend’s machine to access.

The Photo Channel allow users to import pictures from a SD memory card and display them on TV. Users can manipulate photos, add an MP3 tune to slide shows, and send their pictures by attaching a photo to the Wii Message Board.

The Forecast Channel will allow owners to access free weather forecast through the WiiConnect24 online service. In The News Channel, uwers can access breaking news in a variety of categories.