I think ESPN is doing just fine, if you look inside the numbers. They may pay too much for rights and talent, but so does every other network. Problem is more that their curve has flattened from high growth to more flat. Cable is going to change in the new digital era. ESPN seems to be astute in assessing changes. Programming will be key. Sportscenter used to be an information source. No longer. I think Comcast is more vulnerable in the digital age.
people assuming loss of subs therefore equates to loss of revenue, fail to factor in increases in fee per sub.
as for Comcast being more vulnerable, you mean the Comcast that has more control over the internet in the US than any other entity?
Google, Facebook, and Amazon, could go away tomorrow, and the internet wouldn't miss a beat.
the infrastructure guys are the real power brokers, and Comcast could care less if your 400 channels are delivered in a traditional format or IP or over the top.
and who's to say Comcast couldn't require you rent your modem from them in the future for $30 mo, or whatever rate they wish? (like they now require you to rent your "tuners" and DVRs from them now).
if you think "competition" will protect you from that, does it protect you now from having to rent "tuners" and DVRs from whomever your cable or satellite provider is, for ridiculous amounts?
good thing "collusion" was never invented, or that duopolies and oligopolies would never think of resorting to it, even if it had been.
on the programming front, bundling is the real villain for the consumer in today's cable set up.
wasn't always the case, but it is now.
