Check your cable or satellite bill. As long as CNN remains in the “basic service tier” they get paid for every single subscriber, no matter whether they watch CNN or support it’s advertizers or not. Same with ESPN.
“It’s a rigged system”
Typical breakout of “per subscriber” monthly charges from a couple of years ago:
ESPN: $4
TNT: $.99
NFL Network: $.75
USA: $.55
ESPN2: $.54
CNN: $.51
FX: $.42
Sundance: $.25
AMC: $.23
Bravo: $.19
Comedy Central: $.14
BBC America: $.12
Food Network: $.08
PBS Kids: $.04