The New York Times is indicating that the Xbox may someday be streaming LIVE ESPN.

Is this the first sign of the end of cable TV as we know it?

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Microsoft apparently has been in “in-depth discussions” with Disney (ESPN’s parent company) to deliver streaming video of sporting events.  This sounds a lot like ESPN360.com, but while that is “free” to customers of certain ISPs, the rumored Xbox service would charge a subscription fee.  And that is, of course, in addition to the xbox live gold membership this service would certainly require.

This is probably most interesting as it is the first real step to deliver cable channel content direct to a TV screen, without requiring an actual cable TV subscription.  It is no secret that almost everyone says they want à la carte cable pricing, but up until now, nobody has been offering it.  Could this be the chink in the armor that one day brings it?

By Sci-Guy-Jim