ESPN Accounts For More Than $6 Of Your Cable Bill; Could Soon Top $8

Data from SNL Kagan shows that ESPN is by for the most expensive channel for cable providers to broadcast.

In recent years, cable companies and broadcasters have squared off in nasty, public spats that sometimes result in blackouts for millions of viewers. The broadcasters say they aren’t being paid properly and the cable companies claim they’re on our side, trying to keep costs down (though we always end up paying more). These battles will likely only get worse, with analysts predicting that the cost of content will continue to increase.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the average amount of our cable bill that goes to pay carriage fees to broadcasters is expected to increase 36% by 2018, according to estimates by media research firm SNL Kagan.

Currently, providers pay $28.32 for about a dozen channels, but that cost is expected to increase 36% by 2018 according to estimates by media research firm SNL Kagan.

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