No, my few hundred does not "lose them millions". Their relationship with cable companies is very profitable for both sides, and I find it unlikely that the cable companies would want to simply end it outright.

Also, in addition to a few hundred from me per year, they would be getting a few hundred from hundreds of thousands of other people willing to pay for access without cable or in other countries with no HBO option.

As I said, I respect their right to make business decisions I disagree with. I will happily go on downloading and not giving them a dime, because I am never paying for cable again.