China's largest search engine, Baidu Inc, is in the process of acquiring Chinese online video firm, PPS Net TV, for between $350-$400 million, China Business News reported on Thursday, quoting sources.
Late last year Baidu acquired a majority stake in its loss-making online video unit, iQiyi. China's online video industry is hyper-competitive and content costs are expensive. In early 2012, Youku Tudou Inc acquired Tudou in an all-stock deal, making the newly formed company the largest online video player in China.
When acquired, PPS and iQiyi will continue to operate as independent brands, but will share back-end technical integration, the newspaper reported.
A Baidu spokesman declined to comment and a PPS spokesperson could not be reached for comment.