[Rumor] Google is buying Twitch for $1+ Billion in cash![Update2: MS almost beat Google to it]

[Rafy]

Oh no! I really hope this is not true, but Variety is pretty accurate on rumors... It will be a very sad day if it happens.

Edit: looks like http://www.hitbox.tv/ will be taking off if that happens, a lot of major streamers already have accounts there if I recall correctly.

 

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.

 

Sources:

http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/youtube-to-acquire-videogame-streaming-service-twitch-for-1-billion-sources-1201185204/

http://kotaku.com/report-youtube-is-buying-twitch-for-1-billion-1578241076?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow

 

UPDATE:

Apparently they are still in talks according to the WSJ.

Source: https://twitter.com/RolfeWinkler/status/468180242343817217

 

UPDATE2:

Looks like MS wanted to buy Twitch before the reported Google deal.

Source: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a572172/microsoft-interested-in-buying-twitch-before-reported-google-deal.html?utm_source=twt&utm_medium=snets&utm_campaign=twitter

[Excon]

Twitch is worth well over 1 billion in my opinion. It wouldn't necessarily be  a bad thing of Google bought it. I don't think Twitch will sell out though.

[XTankSlayerX]

This would be epic!

[Darkkmello]

Twitch is worth well over 1 billion in my opinion. It wouldn't necessarily be  a bad thing of Google bought it.

I also thought it would be worth more. I wonder what kind of integration they will create. Look forward to it

 

[Rafy]

Twitch is worth well over 1 billion in my opinion. It wouldn't necessarily be  a bad thing of Google bought it. I don't think Twitch will sell out though.

I'm sorry but have you been on YouTube lately?

[TopWargamer]

Was just about to make a thread on this. Oh well. Here's another source for ya: http://kotaku.com/report-youtube-is-buying-twitch-for-1-billion-1578241076?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow

[Peacefulwarrior]

It would be interesting to see what google will do to twitch. Maybe our twitch accounts will be linked to google+ like youtube did.

[Rafy]

Was just about to make a thread on this. Oh well. Here's another source for ya: http://kotaku.com/report-youtube-is-buying-twitch-for-1-billion-1578241076?utm_campaign=Socialflow_Kotaku_Facebook&utm_source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow

thanks, I added it to the OP.

[Misanthrope]

Google will fucking ruin it with everything being takedown with DMCA notices.

[Excon]

I'm sorry but have you been on YouTube lately?

Yes I'm on there a lot, is there anything specific that bugs you? Because I manage just fine.

[daemonowner]

Hope this deal doesn't go through.

[Damikiller37]

If this goes through and they slap Google + on it... I swear I will have a fit.

[Beskamir]

So... Google plus will be needed to use twitch now?

 

Edit: @Damikiller37 ninja'd me

[antoainb]

Think of the good things: they'd have better infrastructure, meaning that you'd have less buffering. I just hope they don't f it all with G+...

[Rafy]

Yes I'm on there a lot, is there anything specific that bugs you? Because I manage just fine.

Interface keeps changing and getting worse every time it does, bitrate is beyond sub-par, horrible comment system and more stuff that I just make myself forget as I have to use it very often.

EDIT: Let's not forget the myriads of things that break when they fix another issue.

[Misanthrope]

It surprises me how many of you come here and say "Oh this will be good" but cry thunder when Comcast tries to buy TWC: at the end of the day this is just as bad for competition, now there would be no real alternative for content creators that are still being chased out of youtube by DMCA takedowns and claims. Twitch would be basically impossible under youtube rules as it stands and Google has consistently shown that it's going to side with the trigger happy, overzealous content creators and flatout ignore laws like fair use.

[pit5000]

 

New upcoming Twitch feature:

 

i refreshed the page several times before i got it

[Rafy]

It surprises me how many of you come here and say "Oh this will be good" but cry thunder when Comcast tries to buy TWC: at the end of the day this is just as bad for competition, now there would be no real alternative for content creators that are still being chased out of youtube by DMCA takedowns and claims. Twitch would be basically impossible under youtube rules as it stands and Google has consistently shown that it's going to side with the trigger happy, overzealous content creators and flatout ignore laws like fair use.

Yeah, no more playing songs in your stream with Spotify or showing clips of stuff.

[Misanthrope]

Yeah, no more playing songs in your stream with Spotify or showing clips of stuff.

 

Goes beyond that: as it stands companies can abuse DMCA takedowns for non copyright related stuff just to silence criticism:

[SlaughterSmurf]

1 word..... Dammit.

[Rafy]

Goes beyond that: as it stands companies can abuse DMCA takedowns for non copyright related stuff just to silence criticism:

Yep, that is very true especially after the new youtube takedown policies and the way it works to dispute claims. So thanks, but no thanks.

[nilen]

Are Goolge about to acquire Twitch? Personally I think this might be a scary thing for people who's stream full time as they may go the route of advertisements, rather than a sub button.

SAUCE: http://variety.com/2014/digital/news/youtube-to-acquire-videogame-streaming-service-twitch-for-1-billion-sources-1201185204/

[SparkySamZa]

forth repost :L

[xrex64]

Repost and typos everywhere.

[Guest]

How long are we going to have to deal with every other post being about this