A new report claims that Google is to purchase video game streaming service Twitch as part of a $1 billion deal.

GameBeat cites "sources familiar with the matter" as claiming the deal has been agreed upon and is to be headed up by Google's YouTube division.

This backs up a previous report in May which, also citing anonymous sources, suggested that the Google subsidiary will purchase Twitch in an "all-cash" deal and that the announcement is expected to be made imminently.

Both YouTube and Twitch have declined to comment on the reports.

Twitch is popular video streaming platform that allows players to broadcast themselves and their gameplay over the internet. The company has seen massive success over the past few years, with Sony and Microsoft opting to integrate Twitch streaming and viewing functionality natively into the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

In its first week of streaming the Xbox One Twitch app hosted over 108,000 unique broadcasters, accounted for 22 per cent of the game streaming service's total broadcaster base. In December 2013, following the PlayStation 4's launch, 20 per cent of all Twitch streamers were broadcasting from PS4 systems.

In May 2013, Twitch reported its unique monthly viewership was over 34 million users. In addition to platform holders, the company has entered into partnerships with a number of the industry's biggest publishers including Ubisoft, EA, Activision and Sony Online Entertainment.



Posted: Jul 25, 2014 2:25 pm
Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/472332/googles-1-billion-twitch-acquisition-tipped-by-new-sources/