Cable companies continue to lose out to expanding livestreaming services across the country.
Recently YouTube TV, Google’s TV streaming service that is encouraging more customers to scrap their costly cable subscriptions, announced that the service will be expanded throughout U.S.A.
According to a blog post published by the company, YouTube TV will be made available in 95 U.S. markets and will be covering 195 regions which will account for 98% of U.S. households.
YouTube TV offers a vast selection of online channels and content, which though less expansive than cable TV, is still luring customers for being cheaper and on-the-go. YouTube TV offers livestreaming from over 60 networks which include Fox, CNN and ABC besides premium networks and local affiliate coverage for an additional monthly charge and unlimited recording on cloud DVR. As part of its bid against other services YouTube has already highlighted the fact that sporting events would be streamed live and that the expansion nationwide will enable Americans to watch the Big Game live on YouTube TV.
Though YouTube has not officially announced the number of subscribers, but according to reliable sources the number rose from 300,000 in January 2018 to 800,000 in July of the same year. Accordingly YouTube also increased its subscription price from $35 to $40 per month in February 2018.
According to analysts, YouTube TV is winning over more subscribers as compared to other livestreaming alternatives because of its automatic customization which is much more intelligent than others like Hulu Live TV, Sling and DirecTV Now. It understands what the viewer wants to watch and shows that to the viewer instead of what is live on TV at the moment.
Cable companies are apparently feeling the negative effect of the surging competition in livestreaming industry and it is estimated that the cable TV industry has lost more than 1 million customers to livestreaming service providers within the third quarter of 2018.