YouTube’s live streaming TV services went live yesterday in five major US cities, according to a TechCrunch article. People in San Francisco, Los Angles, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia will have the option to “cut the cord” for $35 a month. The service includes 40+ channels with a couple of optional add-on networks.

The competition within the entertainment is getting increasingly fierce. The first company that can be seen as YouTube’s direct competitor is Sling TV. Although Sling TV’s offering has more options in the channel lining, it is just a matter of time that YouTube catches up in that department. On the other hand, the participation of a tech giant like Google (parent of YouTube) in the live steaming TV market doesn’t necessarily mean this would be a zero sum game at the total detriment of Sling TV. The “cut the cord” movement is growing in size. YouTube’s entry might just provide the rising tide that can lift all “boats” of live streaming TV services. The real competition is against the cable companies. It is time for the Verizon and Comcast of the world to start thinking strategically to compete proactively in the market segment where their core businesses are under attack.

Image Credit: www.zdnet.com