Rumour: YouTube to acquire Twitch for $1 billion [Updated]

YouTube has acquired Twitch, if a new report is accurate. According to Variety the deal is worth $1 billion dollars and will be officially announced imminently, say sources "familiar with the pact". The report also indicates that the Google subsidiary is expecting a battle with U.S. regulators before the purchase can be finalised, due to potential anticompetitive concerns in the online video space.

The site's success has seen Twitch integrated into EA's Origin service , uPlay and more, as well as both next-gen consoles. It's even premiered feature length documentary films about Dota 2 . You can also watch it on your phone nowadays. No wonder Google wants a piece of the action.

Update: According to The Wall Street Journal , "the talks are at an early stage, and a deal isn't imminent." That's what they've been told by "two people familiar with the matter". In addition, one source claims that Twitch "has considered raising additional funding instead of selling the company".

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Shaun Prescott is the Australian editor of PC Gamer. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs. He thinks Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.