Google's YouTube is reportedly eying purchasing one of the popular video game streaming companies for $1 billion.

Rumors have circulated YouTube is in talks to acquire Twitch, a video gaming broadcast network that launched on June 2011 by Justin Kan and Emmett Shear, co-founders of Justin.tv. Variety and the Wall Street Journal have stated the deal could be worth more than $1 billion. The Verge reported the details on how independent Twitch will remain are unclear.

Microsoft and other companies have allegedly made offers to acquire Twitch, but YouTube was viewed as a better buyer.

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According to comScore's Video Metric report, Twitch ranked as the top video website in the video games category in October 2013. The comScore report stated Twitch generated the largest audience and most-engaged users when comparing other websites catered to the video gaming audience.

"The growing popularity of live video on Twitch has been apparent in all corners of the video game industry, ranging from individual gamers to the biggest publishing, developing and media brands," said Twitch Chief Revenue Officer Jonathan Simpson-Bint. "While comScore's top ranking of Twitch confirmed what we already saw coming in terms of the broadcasting and spectating trend, it's just the beginning.

It was the beginning, as Twitch would announce its availability for Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4 systems. Twitch also has had distribution deals from CBS Interactive's GameSpot, Joystiq, and Destructoid.

Twitch would makes headlines again in February when "Twitch Plays Pokémon" generated millions of viewers. The multiplayer stream allowed people to insert demands for the Pokémon franchise's Game Boy system games.

According to Twitch, the website attracts more than 45 million unique viewers and over 600,000 unique broadcasters per month. Back in June 2011, Twitch generated 3.2 million unique visits per month.

The YouTube and Twitch deal might encounter difficulties from U.S. regulators such as the Justice Department, in regards to potential anticompetitive practices particularly on YouTube's behalf. YouTube and Twitch have captured the attention of the video streaming market, even though the latter focuses on gaming. The two companies, however, do compete for audience's attention and advertisement revenue.

TIME has compared the rumored deal to Facebook buying Instagram or Facebook's attempt to buy Snapchat -- same social media audience and ad dollars.

Twitch and YouTube representatives have declined to comment but sources, such as Variety, have stated an announcement is due soon. The Wall Street Journal, however, said the talks are at "an early stage" and "isn't imminent." It is unknown if the acquisition would include other aspects and employees of Justin.tv.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.