TV’s Top 20 Channels: ESPN No Longer Popular?

ESPN may be the most expensive basic cable channel, but is not even close to being the most popular according to a national poll. Channels that did made the top 20 may surprise you.

Consumerist reports that most Americans seem to be fed up with having to pay high prices for cable packages that contain programming they really don't care about. Cable subscribers say they would prefer to choose the channels they pay for a la carte.

In a national survey, television viewers were asked to list the channels they would choose if they were to create their own TV bundle. The results are somewhat surprising. ESPN, which has positioned itself as an essential channel to viewers came in 20th, behind Food Network, HGTV and even FX.

Networks still rule, it seems, as ABC tops the list of desired channels with the other networks all making it to the top 10. Discovery, The History Channel, Nat Geo and Comedy Central also make the top of the list. As for premium channels, HBO is number 10 on the list, and the only pay channel to make the full list of 75 channels desired by television viewers.

We want to know what your must-see television channels are. If you had to choose your own television lineup, what would it be? Let us know in the comments section below.