ESPN is the costliest "basic" channel that the cable companies provide. As of 2008, it was $3.65 per subscriber per month, and ever increasing as new broadcast

ESPN is the costliest "basic" channel that the cable companies provide. As of 2008, it was $3.65 per subscriber per month, and ever increasing as new broadcast contracts are signed with various leagues. It's very debatable whether a $10 / month ala carte alternative would do better for them.