Amazon's video game site Twitch buys 'abandoned' social network Bebo for $25million in latest effort to restore it to its former glory

Amazon's live-streaming site Twitch has bought the once-popular social media website Bebo.
Twitch, which had 15 million daily active users in May 2018, focuses on video game live-streaming including eSports.
Bebo, which launched in 2005, even overtook MySpace in the UK as the most visited social media website at its peak, before being sold to AOL for $850million in 2008.
With the rise of rivals Facebook and Twitter, Bebo fell out of favour and was closed down in 2010.
After the company declared bankruptcy in 2013, it was rebought by its original founders Michael and Xochi Birch for just $1million.

 Amazon's live-streaming site Twitch, pictured, has bought the once-popular social media website Bebo


Bebo, which launched in 2005, overtook MySpace in the UK as the most visited social media website at its peak, pictured, before being sold to AOL for $850million in 2008

They then launched Bebo Blab, which shut down after just two years. 
The website again pivoted, hosting live streams and tournaments for players on games such as Fortnite.
Shaan Puri, Bebo's CEO, explained their decision to focus on tournaments in an announcement last year.
He wrote: 'We've put thousands of hours into building our streaming tool, and became friends with so many streamers during events like PAX & twitchcon. At the same time, tournaments are growing much more rapidly, and we see a lot of potential in building a platform for tournaments.
'So after much deliberation, we've decided to go all-in on tournaments.'
Mr Puri is now senior director of eSports at Bebo.
Twitch bought Bebo for $25million, beating out bids from Facebook and Discord, reports TechCrunch

It is believed Bebo and Twitch are working together on Twitch Rivals, a series of tournaments for streamers.
At the moment, Twitch Rivals has tournaments for those playing games such as Rainbow Six Siege and Apex Legends. 
Certain streamers on the platform have made millions, such as Tyler Blevins, who uses the handle Ninja, who reportedly made $10million (£7.9million) in 2018. 
The Bebo website is currently down, and all the posts on its social media accounts across Facebook and Twitter have been deleted.  
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