The disruption of cable TV wont happen, at least in the US, until major sports leagues start allowing their content to be viewed online without blackout restrictions. The MLB and NHL are probably the most forward thinking here, but the NFL will never give up on this. They get paid billions every year from just TV deals alone.[1][2] A new network in LA just paid $7BN to be the exclusive provider of Dodgers games. [3]
And this is so obvious when you look at cable packages that put certain sport networks in upper tiers, or charge a premium to get something more specialized like SEC Network.
I would agree. Plus a lot of organizations are tying your ability to watch something on your phone / tablet to your login with your cable company. I couldn't watch March Madness without logging in through xfinity. Additionally, the SEC network won't let you watch unless you are already a subscriber to Dish.
I'd expect that most of the crowd here knows how to circumvent blackouts, but the issue is you still don't get access to the major network channels. No MLB Network, NFL Network, etc. These stations may not matter to some, but a lot of people probably enjoy having a station dedicated to their favorite sport. Additionally if you're a motorsport fan, as I am of F1, you have no choice but to get cable.
A guy in my lab loves F1 and he claims to get same-day HD torrents of races/qualifiers/etc. Every time I look over at his desk, I am impressed by how non-bootlegged they look.