Disney to Acquire Top YouTube Network Maker Studios for $500 Million

Disney has agreed to purchase top YouTube network Maker Studios for $500 million, the media giant confirms to Mashable, giving the Mouse House a powerful asset — and accompanying know-how — to help it expand into the growing short-form video space.

If Maker hits certain performance targets, Disney will sweeten the deal with up to an additional $450 million.

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Maker has established itself as a top online video network, with more than 55,000 channels, 380 million subscribers and 5.5 billion monthly views. It will remain based at its Culver City, Calif., facility and report to Disney chief financial officer Jay Rasulo, according to a Disney press release. Read more...