It's true that the GLOOM & DOOM scenarios by some people iare foolish. As Scott G wrote in Multichannel News the other day - he was at a family gathering last weekend, many there were DirecTV subs, most had no clude about any of this in any real detail.
The number of folks at these forums as a percentage of total subs is truly small. We are the enthusiasts, the diehards, etc., but you better believe that the average Joe has NO clue about any of this.
That's why when I hear things like DirecTV will be in trouble (and I have heard the exact same thing from the exact same people over and over), I can only chuckle. They add net subs EVERY DAY.
Have many left DISH because Charlie said that they would have 2 new sats launched this year and we know that ain't gonna happen? I seriously doubt it. These things have a way of working themselves out.