You kind of touched on it, but the biggest issue ESPN has is that their content goes stale very, very quickly. Sports are the most valuable content when live, above basically everything else. But as soon as you start getting away from that, their value plummets. Full games quickly become highlight clips, from which there are decreasing ways for a channel like ESPN to monetize (especially when the leagues themselves are offering those clips for free view). Past 24-48 hours, even a "condensed" game (cutting out everything but time when the clock is rolling) isn't really a worthwhile value.
By comparison, CC and CN's content can be re-aired for months or years, can be sold on home video, and be sub-licensed to streaming services. It also likely costs less to produce than sports, once you factor in licensing fees.
By comparison, CC and CN's content can be re-aired for months or years, can be sold on home video, and be sub-licensed to streaming services. It also likely costs less to produce than sports, once you factor in licensing fees.