[2006alum]

As for subscriptions, doesn't viewership relate to the rates channels can demand from providers? Fewer viewers, lower rates, right? Or am I missing something. ESPN isn't the ratings gorilla it once was and I'd imagine the providers have figured that out and are cutting what they pay ESPN.

Ratings definitely affect ESPN's negotiating position with each of the cable companies when its fee is up for renegotiation. But it's not a 1:1 correlation, for lots of reasons. And those fees aren't changing by the minute - as far as I know, none of the major cable companies has renegotiated with ESPN in the past year. I am also not aware of ESPN's ratings falling across the board - I've only really heard that ratings for the NFL have, and that's been on every network, not just ESPN. For example, just today there was a news story saying that ESPN's NBA ratings are up 24% this year. I think the theory that ESPN's being punished for getting political is another fake news talking point.

[2006alum]

As for subscriptions, doesn't viewership relate to the rates channels can demand from providers? Fewer viewers, lower rates, right? Or am I missing something. ESPN isn't the ratings gorilla it once was and I'd imagine the providers have figured that out and are cutting what they pay ESPN.

Ratings definitely affect ESPN's negotiating position with each of the cable companies when its fee is up for renegotiation. But it's not a 1:1 correlation, for lots of reasons. And those fees aren't changing by the minute - as far as I know, none of the major cable companies has renegotiated with ESPN in the past year. I am also not aware of ESPN's ratings falling across the board - I've only really heard that ratings for the NFL have, and that's been on every network, not just ESPN. For example, just today there was a news story saying that ESPN's NBA ratings are up 24% this year. I think the theory that ESPN's being punished for getting political is another fake news talking point.