Amazon acquires Twitch: World's largest e-tailer buys largest gameplay-livestreaming site

Amazon’s Twitch isn’t a Zumba dance move — it’s a game-streaming site that’s now a subsidiary of the biggest online store in the world.

The two companies confirmed the acquisition today, which will cost Amazon $970 million in cash. Once the deal closes, Amazon will host live-broadcasted gaming-related video for more than 55 million monthly viewers. Twitch is by far the biggest destination for gaming-specific live video. Its 1 million broadcasters, which livestream video from pro-gaming tournaments, charity events, and more, have made Twitch the fourth most-trafficked site behind only Netflix, Google (which includes YouTube), and Apple. The site is also a magnet for marketers looking to reach out to an engaged audience of young people, and Amazon may have the power to turn that into a serious profit-generating machine.