Microsoft Shuts Down MSN TV

News
By published

The pioneering Web TV service has signed off.

Microsoft has officially pulled the plug on one of the oldest relics on the Internet: MSN TV. The company said it was a "difficult decision" to close the long-standing service, and is now working with customers to ensure that the transition in as seamless as possible.

MORE: How to Watch Live TV Online

WebTV was marketed as a hassle-free way of getting on the Internet without needing a PC, offering a set-top box and keyboard/mouse combo that connected to a standard television and a phone line. The service launched in September 1996, and set-top boxes were made available in stores by Sony, Philips and others. The monthly fee was $19.95 for full Web browsing and email access.

Microsoft partially funded WebTV from the start, and eventually bought the company in 1997 for $425 million. Six years after WebTV's founding, the service was re-branded to MSN TV, and in 2004 Microsoft introduced MSN TV2 capable of broadband access. Eventually the service lost ground to the wide number of devices that can access the Internet including smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs and more.

"The web has continued to evolve at a breathtaking pace, and there are many new ways to access the internet," reads the closure FAQ. "Accordingly, we have made the difficult decision to end the MSN TV service on September 30th, 2013. We are working with our customers to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible."

Microsoft suggests that customers who don't have a computer or smartphone can head to the local library, local school, a friend's house or a family member's house to check their Outlook.com mail. The closure FAQ also states that once MSN TV is closed, set-box owners will not be able to use the MSN TV device on other Internet services. 

Follow us @tomsguide, on Facebook and on Google+.

Kevin Parrish

Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then, he’s loved all things PC-related and cool gadgets ranging from the New Nintendo 3DS to Android tablets. He is currently a contributor at Digital Trends, writing about everything from computers to how-to content on Windows and Macs to reviews of the latest laptops from HP, Dell, Lenovo, and more. 

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • John Bauer
    I never thought of it before, but maybe Microsoft is trying so hard to be "innovative" and trying to set the tone of society now, because in the "old" days, they tried to keep everything the same as much as possible? *ehemMSNehem*
    Reply
  • ethanolson
    Wow... people still used this? I bet some dumb people just had some autopay thing for their monthly payment and stopped using the device long ago.

    Remember when installing Windows 98 it had an option for WebTV? I never tried it out either. meh
    Reply
  • shin0bi272
    Can we get them to pull the plug on MSNBC now?
    Reply
  • shqtth
    > Can we get them to pull the plug on MSNBC now?

    Microsoft sold off their share off already in MSNBC.
    Reply