What a day for the video streaming industry. Earlier today, we heard tentative rumours that YouTube (and by extension, it’s parent company, Google) were looking to acquire live streaming platform, Twitch, for $1 billion. Perhaps ironically, it was Google who purchased YouTube in 2006 for the sum of $1.65 billion, with YouTube now hoping to expand its audience and platform. Well, The Verge is reporting that those rumours are true and that YouTube and Google have purchased Twitch, and its sources also say that Twitch turned down several other suitors, including Microsoft.
One of the sources is quoted as saying there were several other bidders, including Microsoft, however Twitch could not see themselves being put on Xbox in any deal with Microsoft as the streaming platform is already on the Sony PlayStation 4. It is also said that Twitch would have turned down a $1 billion bid from anyone other than YouTube and Google as it sees Google as the backer who will help them become the absolute go-to live streaming platform. For those who haven’t heard of Twitch (or Twitch.tv as it’s also known as), it’s one of the fastest growing live streaming platforms on the internet in recent times, helped along by its almost religious adoption by e-sports and video gamers everywhere.
What do you think about Twitch’s sale to YouTube and Google? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
Source: The Verge via gameindustry
