what the freak?
I've never heard of ESPN not being part of any basic cable package. Hell, you can get it with the new version of bunny ears (whatever the receiver is they have now)
Well here it's part of standard (AMC, FX, TBS, MTV, Comedy Central, ESPN, YES, etc). Basic is just network TV, my local NY1, and PBS. I do also get on demand channels so I can watch some stuff on channels I don't get in a day or two.