Yahoo is clearly feeling some pressure from the quickly approaching release of Google TV, as evidenced by today’s announcement that Sony will be expanding the number of markets where Yahoo TV widgets can be accessed. Sony is adding Yahoo TV capabilities to a new line of LCD TVs, which is poised to increase these markets by up to seven times what they are now. While on the surface this seems like good news for Google, it clearly shows some apprehension about Google’s latest venture.

Presently, Yahoo TV customers have access to thousands of widget based applications, giving them access to things like their Flickr accounts, the weather, news, and some television content. Google TV poses a serious threat, as users will have access to (theoretically) all the content found online. In terms of cost, analysts predict Yahoo TV will have a slight edge, at least for a while, as GTV hardware is expected to cost more given the need for higher performance hardware.

Yahoo also currently holds a more extensive list of partners which manufacture devices with Yahoo TV capability, including Sony, Samsung, LG, Vizio and HiSense. In addition, Yahoo is also working with chipmakers like MIPS Technologies, Sigma Designs and OEM partners like ViewSonic to bring Yahoo TV to set-top boxes, DVD and Blu-ray players.