[bcoates]

ESPN already tried this when the writing was on the wall almost a decade ago. ESPN360/ESPN3/WatchESPN/whatever they call it now can only be watched if your ISP pays ESPN royalties for every subscriber on a take it or leave it basis. Time Warner called their bluff and only bundles it with your connection if you also buy basic cable.

You still "pay for ESPN" in the sense that TWC prices low-end internet-only packages to be uncompetitive with cable+internet bundles, but if you opt for the internet-only package TWC keeps the money. This works out great for TWC but not so much for ESPN or sports fans used to subsidy.