Turner Broadcasting's U.S.-based games-on-demand service GameTap has merged with European counterpart Metaboli in an effort to create a "global gaming brand," the companies announced Wednesdsay.

Turner will hand over GameTap management responsibilities to Metaboli in early 2009, although Turner will become a "signficant investor" in the combined GameTap/Metaboli entity, a company rep told us.

After the transition period, Metaboli will take over the GameTap business and brand.

The rep elaborated in an e-mail, "This is a true partnership and even though Metaboli is taking over operations in 2009 this is not an outright acquisition by them."

Although the two companies say they strive to create a "global gaming brand," GameTap as a brand will continue to exist in the U.S., while the service will be under the Metaboli name in Europe.

Turner's rep said the companies have "no plans" to use a single name across all regions "when both have strong brand names in their individual countries."

GameTap, founded in 2005, will continue to be based on Atlanta, Georgia. The PC-based service digitally distributes over 1,300 PC, console and arcade-derived titles under free and paid models.

In Europe, Paris-based Metaboli also specializes in digitally-distributed games, and is partners with Ubisoft, Atari, Eidos and other publishers.

Turner had hinted at selling Gametap in August, when the company said its financial results included an "$18 million noncash impairment of GameTap as a result of Turner's decision to sell its online videogame business."

The Turner rep told us he couldn't go into further details about the terms of the sale, but added, "Partnering with Metaboli provides great complementary strengths and offers the best growth opportunities for GameTap."

Pierre Gaudet, CEO of Metaboli said in a statement, "The addition of GameTap provides us a foothold in the U.S. market."