Google bought the video streaming service Twitch, Business Insider reports, citing informed sources. Despite the fact that Google has YouTube, the company seems to really need a new thing.
Talks became known in May, while they were at an early stage. Moreover, parallel guide Twitch led dialogue on attracting investments in independent development without Google.Now the deal confirmed its programming, according to some sources, was $ 1 billion.
Twitch service was launched in June 2011. Now he is one of the most popular solutions for recording letspleev (of the passage of computer games). The startup has already raised $ 20 million investment from Thrive Capital, as well as well-known manufacturer of games Take-Two Interactive Software.
Besides the basic functionality for video recording in the arsenal of tools used Twitch to record the passing game on the PlayStation and Xbox.
For Google absorption Twitch - is the next step in the development of the portal YouTube.Earlier on YouTube already appeared own channels dedicated to games, music, sports and news. However, in the U.S. service YouTube Live lags in popularity from Twitch. In February this year the service Twitch recorded more than 45 million unique visitors and 1 million users, create content on the site.
Advertising professionals say that using Twitch, Google will be able to enter the market premium advertising network, so as a game guide, usually last about an hour or even longer.It is obvious that in the longer sequence can place more ads and get more money from each individual advertiser. Not to mention the fact that Twitch clearly takes customers from Google.
Deal with Twitch was the largest acquisition in the history of YouTube. Google bought YouTube in 2006 for $ 1.65 billion in February 2014 CEO of YouTube was appointed Susan Voyzhitski, until then occupied the post of senior vice president of Google advertising.