One of the most obvious lessons from the recent Consumer Electronics Show was that options are expanding rapidly for people itching to sidestep traditional cable television -- particularly as companies find new ways to bring Internet video to the living room.

In that way, it's no surprise that Microsoft is reported to be talking with Disney about piping live ESPN sports content through the Xbox 360, building on the existing (and coincidentally named) ESPN 360 online service. But if the deal comes together, it seems like the type of arrangement that could cause a lot more people to consider dropping their cable service -- contributing to a groundswell that should force cable companies to rethink their approach.

Imagine this budget-minded setup.

1) A relatively low-cost digital converter box and/or HDTV antenna to bring in free content over the air.

2) Xbox Live Gold subscription for about $50 a year, accompanied by a basic Netflix plan for about $9 a month, with the ability to stream selected content directly to the Xbox 360. (The PlayStation 3 also offers Netflix streaming, and the Nintendo Wii will be getting it later this year.)

3) Boxee Box from D-Link, due out out in the first half of this year, $200 one-time cost, offering Hulu and other Internet video services directly on the television. Or PlayOn, the $40 PC software from Seattle's MediaMall that routes Hulu and other Internet video services to the television through game consoles.

Add live ESPN sports to the list, throw in a few TV and movie downloads a month, and really, what more does the average person need?

The New York Times, which broke the news of Microsoft's ESPN talks, cautioned that a deal was not imminent. The popularity of the service will depend largely on the price, with the Times saying only that the content would be available based on "a per-subscriber fee."

Also critical will be the type of content to be available. Personally, I'd pay a few extra dollars a month for a nightly hour-long SportsCenter wrapup, but not for 2 a.m. streams of Australian Rules Football.

At any rate, even if Microsoft's talks with ESPN don't amount to anything, the trend is clear, and the only question is how long it takes for these cable alternatives and workarounds to become mainstream.

Comcast, are you listening? If you'd like to put a stop to all this stuff, please refer to the fourth wish on my list. I'm ready whenever you are to order myself some a la carte cable television channels.