The upshot of this is that ESPN could probably gain back some of those lost viewers if the cable companies would/could unbundle (no idea of technical issues here, if any). The a la carte choice to spend that $6 for the sports coverage they desire and reject the MTV, Comedy Central, etc. would bring some back. ESPN is probably the only reason I didn’t go all OTA and AppleTV/ROKU/Amazon/Netflix etc. in a recent home technology upgrade.
The douchebag contingent on late night network TV would be significantly reduced had we not all been contributing to Comedy Central for the comedy “stylings” of Stephen Colbert.
The unbundled cost would probably have to be closer to $12/month for ESPN to maintain current revenues. I think they are going to have to face declining revenues either way.