Google eyeing video streaming service, Twitch
20 May 2014
Google Inc is in merger talks with video-streaming service Twitch, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.
According to the report, the deal value could not be learned and the parties were in the early stage of discussion. Also, Twitch was said to be looking at raising additional funding rather than selling itself.
The company in September last year raised $20 million in funding from Thrive Capital, WestSummit Capital and Take-Two Interactive Software Inc and other companies.
According to The Register , Twitch had been offer a billion dollars for the takeover.
According to Variety, which cited sources, the service would be rolled into YouTube.
However the deal would need the US regulator's nod, and given the size of the deal, and Google's domination of the video business, the approval process might be drawn out, according to commentators.
Twitch, which allows users to upload gaming videos from XBox and PS4 consoles for others to watch, claims over 45 million monthly users and a million active uploaders.
Twitch also runs gaming events, and redistributes content from Joystiq, Gamespot, and Destructoid, LiveonThree, ManvsGame, and Day9.