The Machinima network has openly discussed its plan to secure a massive funding round in the area of $50 million, and while its progress towards that goal is unclear, it may be close to securing a smaller payday. According to the Wall Street Journal, Warner Bros is considering an investment of $10-15 million in the top multi-channel network.

Machinima, which is best known for partnering with gaming channels and others aimed at the young male demographic, previously stated its intention to use VC funding to become a player beyond YouTube. An investment from Warner Bros would certainly help open doors in the traditional media sphere. According to the report, Warner Bros will decide by the end of the week whether it wants to pursue its investment.

Machinima’s struggles over the past half year are no secret; in the past six months, it has seen a round of layoffs, the departure of two top executives, and the cancellation of its planned collaboration with Ridley Scott. Machinima’s standing in the Comscore US Online Video Rankings has dropped, and CEO Allen Debevoise is actively searching for someone to replace him in the near future. Only compounding matters is the general uncertainty surrounding the multi-channel network industry, which has struggled to stay profitable thanks to low ad rates.