Microsoft renames its WebTV service

Microsoft has renamed its struggling WebTV service MSN TV in a push to accelerate its integration with MSN's content and Internet services. WebTV offers television-based e-mail and Web-surfing services. The re-branded service will continue to provide both WebTV Classic and WebTV Plus subscribers with products such as MSN Messenger and MSN Hotmail, Microsoft's free instant messaging and e-mail services.

With the launch of the software giant's UltimateTV in March, Microsoft hinted that the WebTV brand may have run its course. UltimateTV combines elements of WebTV with a DirecTV satellite service and digital video recorder technology. Microsoft acquired WebTV in 1997 for about $425 million.