YouTube is doing big business these days, and no one knows that better than Maker Studios. First started in 2009, the network has managed to attain 380 million subscribers across all 55,000 of its channels, with 5.5 billion views a month.
Disney recently showed just how much it wants to be involved with the business, as it has acquired Maker Studios for roughly $500 million, with a $450 million earn-out if performance goals are met.
“Short-form online video is growing at an astonishing pace and with Maker Studios, Disney will now be at the center of this dynamic industry with an unmatched combination of advanced technology and programming expertise and capabilities,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger.
“It’s a very exciting combination of a very strong combination of networks on YouTube,” said Disney’s EVP of corporate strategy and business development, Kevin Mayer, about Maker. “The ecosystem is extremely large and growing and extremely relevant to the younger audiences, and those are very difficult to reach.”
This follows Disney’s other recent popular acquisitions, including LucasFilm, Pixar and Marvel.
Source: Adweek
