"Being in" and "being watched" are two different things. ESPN may be there because it's part of a pack that includes other items wanted. I'm always amazed at how sports fans think "everybody" is a fan. I recall some study that found, very roughly, about a third of the population (adult population?) followed sports closely, a third casually, and a third not at all.
Yep, pulling sports would cause a major outcry. But I never watch, and I keep hearing it costs me maybe $4 or so a month to subsidize other people watching it. So in an a la Carte scenario, how many would choose to NOT sub to sports? It's not just the non sports programming that would increase in price, which is my point.
.....Ok, I se you've decided to sharpen the old Chicago Cutlery filet knife to do some serious hair splitting.
And I see with this quote "But I never watch" you appear to have an anti-sports agenda.
You post well, but don't have a lot of facts to back up your assertions.
Ratings don't lie. You don't watch sports? You're in the minority then.
BTW I never said nor did I imply "everybody is a fan".....The fact that you think "ESPN is just there" kind of leaves me scratching my head. ESPN is THE most expensive service on a per sub basis of any pay tv service. One would think if it were as unpopular as you say( remember you stated "most probably don't watch"), then why would the providers not play hardball with Disney on rates?. The answer is simple. No cable or satellite service provider would dare even THINK of excluding The ESPN"s from their lineups. Such a move would have serious adverse effects on that company's bottom line.
So while you don't like sports and probably would not lose a wink of sleep if they disappeared from pay tv, the fact of the matter is , non-sports fans will have to deal with the fact that these services are here to stay. And if it comes to the point where a pay tv subscription is a bad investment for them because they think they are subsidizing other viewers, then those individuals have the choice to go OTA and drop all pay tv..
As I previously stated, I think "theme packs" are the best idea going.
Oh. One more thing...About that study you mentioned. What it found is that 2/3's of those queried stated they were at least a casual sports fan......
Look, I have no issue with those who wish to watch tv in their own niche. However there are only so mamy providers to choose from.
Perhaps in the near future some sort of internet based tv will become available so that we all have other choices. This may clear up this a la carte vs no way a la catre thing.
Good evening to you.