D* did this (eliminate OTA from their newest generation IRDs) a couple years ago, supposedly to reduce receiver costs and because they claimed proportionally few subscribers wanted OTA. That decision cost them at least 1 customer (me).
True, I can see where your ordinary ostrich viewer (with head in sand...or possibly elsewhere) might be happy without OTA, but for TV junkies in market areas with multiple stations, OTA is not "option" for us, it's a requirement. On our last move D* informed us they couldn't move our old E86 HD Platinum receivers (not MPEG4 compliant) but offered to replace them, tho the replacements offered didn't have OTA. We cancelled. Their cust. retention group asked why and I told them why. They countered, why not use ATSC tuner in your set - I said it wasn't convenient because there was no guide + required switching inputs. We enjoy having LIL & simplicity of switching, esp. during rain fade. Also singe getting DVR anything I record from major networks (ie, Leno) I always record from OTA just as a hedge in case of storm.
I give E* credit for continuing to make the ATSC tuner available.