Google announced today it has started piping YouTube videos directly to Wii and PlayStation 3 game consoles that are connected to the Internet.

The move, which started last year when YouTube partnered directly with major TV and set-top box manufacturers to bring YouTube into the living room, is part of Google's plan to distribute its products far and wide beyond the traditional computer and into places like the living room.

YouTube for Television is initially available through the Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii game consoles at www.youtube.com/tv. Currently in beta, the TV Website offers a dynamic, 10-foot television viewing experience through a streamlined interface that enables users to watch and share YouTube videos on any TV screen with a few quick clicks of their remote control.

An optional auto-play capability enables users to view related videos sequentially. The TV Website is available across 22 geographies and in over 12 languages.

Gamers already have a penchant for watching videos via their consoles. Microsoft's Xbox Live online game service for its Xbox 360 console, for example, boasts a library of more than 30,000 movies, videos and TV shows.