Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
#1
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Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion? (Update: Amazon for $970 Million!)
A rumor and 'sources' for now. Cue all the old people here that are still confused at people watching video game streams
http://variety.com/2014/digital/news...es-1201185204/
http://kotaku.com/report-youtube-is-...ion-1578241076
http://variety.com/2014/digital/news...es-1201185204/
Google’s YouTube has reached a deal to buy Twitch, a popular videogame-streaming company, for more than $1 billion, according to sources familiar with the pact.
The deal, in an all-cash offer, is expected to be announced imminently, sources said. If completed the acquisition would be the most significant in the history of YouTube, which Google acquired in 2006 for $1.65 billion. The impending acquisition comes after longtime Google ad exec Susan Wojcicki was named CEO of YouTube earlier this year.
Reps for YouTube and Twitch declined to comment.
San Francisco-based Twitch lets users upload and watch free, live gameplay videos that can be streamed from Microsoft Xbox and PlayStation 4 consoles. The company claims to have more than 45 million monthly users, with more than 1 million members who upload videos each month. It also has deals to distribute shows from partners including CBS Interactive’s GameSpot, Joystiq and Destructoid.
The deal, in an all-cash offer, is expected to be announced imminently, sources said. If completed the acquisition would be the most significant in the history of YouTube, which Google acquired in 2006 for $1.65 billion. The impending acquisition comes after longtime Google ad exec Susan Wojcicki was named CEO of YouTube earlier this year.
Reps for YouTube and Twitch declined to comment.
San Francisco-based Twitch lets users upload and watch free, live gameplay videos that can be streamed from Microsoft Xbox and PlayStation 4 consoles. The company claims to have more than 45 million monthly users, with more than 1 million members who upload videos each month. It also has deals to distribute shows from partners including CBS Interactive’s GameSpot, Joystiq and Destructoid.
Last edited by fumanstan; 08-25-14 at 08:36 PM.
#5
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
Doesn't that already happen, or is that only UStream?
#6
DVD Talk Godfather
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Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
I don't know, if Google didn't buy YouTube and they stayed independent, they would probably have a lot of growing pains.
Interestingly, apparently there were a lot of bidders including Microsoft but Twitch didn't want to end up exclusive to Microsoft's services.
Interestingly, apparently there were a lot of bidders including Microsoft but Twitch didn't want to end up exclusive to Microsoft's services.
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
Yeah, I was reading they may be concerned about Google pulling an MS and making it semi-exclusive? Yet they go with Amazon, who has everything behind an Amazon Prime Paywall and limited device support for Amazon Prime Instant.
#9
DVD Talk God
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
It's official. It is Amazon:
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 2014-- Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Twitch Interactive, Inc., the leading live video platform for gamers. In July, more than 55 million unique visitors viewed more than 15 billion minutes of content on Twitch produced by more than 1 million broadcasters, including individual gamers, pro players, publishers, developers, media outlets, conventions and stadium-filling esports organizations.
“Broadcasting and watching gameplay is a global phenomenon and Twitch has built a platform that brings together tens of millions of people who watch billions of minutes of games each month – from The International, to breaking the world record for Mario, to gaming conferences like E3. And, amazingly, Twitch is only three years old,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. “Like Twitch, we obsess over customers and like to think differently, and we look forward to learning from them and helping them move even faster to build new services for the gaming community.”
“Amazon and Twitch optimize for our customers first and are both believers in the future of gaming,” said Twitch CEO Emmett Shear. “Being part of Amazon will let us do even more for our community. We will be able to create tools and services faster than we could have independently. This change will mean great things for our community, and will let us bring Twitch to even more people around the world.”
Twitch launched in June 2011 to focus exclusively on live video for gamers. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by Twitch’s shareholders, Amazon will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Twitch for approximately $970 million in cash, as adjusted for the assumption of options and other items. Subject to customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2014.
About Amazon.com
Amazon opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by three principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire phone, Fire tablets, and Fire TV are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon.
About Twitch
Twitch is the leading live video platform and community for gamers where more than 55 million have gathered to broadcast, watch and talk about video games. Twitch’s video platform is the backbone of both live and on-demand distribution for the entire video game ecosystem. This includes game developers, publishers, media outlets, events, user generated content and the entire esports scene. In February 2014, The Wall Street Journal ranked Twitch as the 4th largest website in terms of peak internet traffic in the U.S., fortifying the brand as an entertainment industry leader and the epicenter of social video for gamers. For more information, visit: www.twitch.tv
“Broadcasting and watching gameplay is a global phenomenon and Twitch has built a platform that brings together tens of millions of people who watch billions of minutes of games each month – from The International, to breaking the world record for Mario, to gaming conferences like E3. And, amazingly, Twitch is only three years old,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. “Like Twitch, we obsess over customers and like to think differently, and we look forward to learning from them and helping them move even faster to build new services for the gaming community.”
“Amazon and Twitch optimize for our customers first and are both believers in the future of gaming,” said Twitch CEO Emmett Shear. “Being part of Amazon will let us do even more for our community. We will be able to create tools and services faster than we could have independently. This change will mean great things for our community, and will let us bring Twitch to even more people around the world.”
Twitch launched in June 2011 to focus exclusively on live video for gamers. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by Twitch’s shareholders, Amazon will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Twitch for approximately $970 million in cash, as adjusted for the assumption of options and other items. Subject to customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2014.
About Amazon.com
Amazon opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by three principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire phone, Fire tablets, and Fire TV are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon.
About Twitch
Twitch is the leading live video platform and community for gamers where more than 55 million have gathered to broadcast, watch and talk about video games. Twitch’s video platform is the backbone of both live and on-demand distribution for the entire video game ecosystem. This includes game developers, publishers, media outlets, events, user generated content and the entire esports scene. In February 2014, The Wall Street Journal ranked Twitch as the 4th largest website in terms of peak internet traffic in the U.S., fortifying the brand as an entertainment industry leader and the epicenter of social video for gamers. For more information, visit: www.twitch.tv
#11
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Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
There are literally no examples of Amazon buying a company and forcing Prime stuff into it. But hey, by all means, freak out and act like the sky is falling.
#12
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Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
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Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
Hey guys I heard that the only way you'll be able to use Twitch now is if you buy Golden Girls: The Complete Series on DVD as Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day. Is that true? And by "I heard that..." I mean "I jumped to the insane conclusion that..."
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
If they take the functionality away from the two main consoles then they will be just shooting themselves in the foot. Trying to force an Amazon gaming console by making Twitch exclusive to that console would likely just get a huge laugh out of the gaming community.
#15
Banned by request
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
I just read an article that said that this purchase was to endear Amazon to gamers, who are the #2 seller of PC games after Steam, and that Twitch would benefit from AWS. I highly doubt Amazon will lock up Twitch behind a Prime paywall, but we'll all know for sure who's footing the bill for Twitch to keep its doors open.
#16
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
And lest you think it's highly unlikely that Amazon would block their content from running on a rival system, just try to find Amazon Instant Video app for Android on the Google Play store ...or on the Amazon App Store.
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
Twitch was already pretty successful without Amazon. Seems like a cash grab from the guys at twitch. I guess that's just the American way.
#18
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#19
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Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/26/606...azon-antitrust
Google might have backed out due to competition and anti-trust reasons.
Google might have backed out due to competition and anti-trust reasons.
#20
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
There is no Amazon Instant app on Apple TV. Or is that more Apple blocking it than Amazon withholding it?
#21
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
Don't know about that. Amazon Instant is available for the iPhone and iPad, but not for Android phones or tablets (except for those made by Amazon, of course).
#22
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Re: Google/YouTube Buying Twitch for $1 Billion?
I tried to use my Twitch to Twitch today but it said I couldn't Twitch because I used filler items to qualify for their Free Super Saver Shipping too many times. I knew all of these nightmare scenarios would come true!