Amazon has reached agreement on the purchase of video game Twitch Interactive, the company ahead of Google. The deal amounted to $ 970 million: the leader of e-commerce will pay them in cash for all outstanding shares of Twitch. Presumably, the deal will be closed in the second half of 2014.
In total acquisition cost Twitch Amazon's $ 1.1 billion: the company will take the payments related to the retention of earnings, the source said on condition of anonymity agency.
"Broadcast and view the gameplay - it's a global phenomenon, and Twitch has built a platform that brings together tens of millions of people looking for billions of minutes of games every month - from The International to a new world record and play Mario conferences - such as E3. And, amazingly, Twitch only three years ", - said the head of the deal Amazon Jeff Bezos.
Head Twitch Emmett Shire noted that the video service, like Amazon, is developed primarily for customers and both companies "believe in the future of gaming." "When we become part of the Amazon, we can do more for our audience. We will be able to create tools and services faster than the conditions of independence, "- he said.
Twitch service was launched in June 2011, he specializes in online video broadcasts for gamers, especially live broadcasts eSports tournaments. In July 2014 more than 55 million unique visitors to the site saw more than 15 billion minutes of playing video.
In May 2014 The Wall Street Journal reported that the fight for the right to buy Twitch Including YouTube, owned by Google. It was assumed that the company will use Twitch for the development of an existing service broadcasts in real time YouTube Live.
Purchase Twitch - the second-largest deal for Amazon after purchase online clothing store Zappos.com in 2009 for $ 1.19 billion.