Disney in talks to buy YouTube network Maker Studios

SAN FRANCISCO - Walt Disney Co. is in talks to buy Maker Studios, potentially valuing the fast-growing developer and publisher of YouTube entertainment videos at half a billion dollars or more, tech blog Re/code reported on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources.

If the deal goes through, it would be one of the largest investments in a YouTube developer by a traditional media giant. In past years, the website, which is owned by Google Inc , has tried to beef up revenue by fostering a community of professional and commercial developers, spurring the growth of channels such as Machinima and Maker.

Maker draws some 5.5 billion views monthly and has raised some US$70 million (S$88.7 million) in financing through investors such as Time Warner Cable.

Disney declined to comment. Maker Studios was not available for comment.