I am sure that it won't happen....they'll work something out. It seems like awhile back Direct TV was saying the same thing about TBS and a few other channels...nothing ever happened.
I also saw the DirecTV "notice" of intention to drop certain channels. I'm wondering about the action. Is it
really a plan to drop said channel/s or is it a way to get customer feedback, in the receipt of letters, emails and phone calls about said channels? As you noted, DirecTV didn't drop the channels so maybe Dish, feeling the competiton from DirecTV, wants to get an idea of just how many people are
actually watching.
The premise is very simple.
Leak the information that a certain channel will be dropped and let the media and other satellite/cable providers pay for making the ads announcing the "termination." Then sit back and watch the feedback from customers....customers who might NOT say anything about the service until something goes/is going wrong.
There is also the cost involved in keeping a channel on the lineup. These services have to pay to show the programs on those channels (not quite that way but it serves this purpose) and if that particular channel raises the price of "showing" it, the satellite/cable company either ponies up the money or they just drop the channel.
Either way, it all boils down to money...the cost of doing business and running the company.