http://www.wsj.com/articles/espn-tightens-its-belt-as-pressure-on-it-mounts-1436485852

Cord-cutters and people downgrading to cheaper cable packages lacking expensive sports channels have taken a toll on ESPN's revenues. The 3.2 million subscribers who've dropped ESPN in a little over a year have resulted in more than $250 million in losses (http://thebiglead.com/2015/07/09/espn-has-reportedly-lost-3-2-million-cable-subscribers-in-past-year/), or $6.61 per month per subscriber.

Can't even read the whole story without subscribing.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/27/disney-ceo-iger-espn-could-one-day-be-sold-direct.html

Bob Iger also says Disney Channel is a brand and product that could also be sold directly to consumers.

Good luck with that. I'm not paying extra. Most of ESPN is junk.