Cable and satellite providers such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable or DirecTV pay networks like ESPN and TNT a certain amount PER CUSTOMER for programming each month. The median price paid for each channel a subscriber gets is 14 cents. ESPN is estimated to cost $8.37 per month in 2018, an increase of 39%.
With the availability of Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Netflix, Roku, HBO streaming, 1G from Century Link and Sling TV services -- cutting the cord from Comcast, Time Warner or Direct TV will become easier, thereby cutting into their bottom line and services.