Count me as one of those that looks to see what is in my best interest at contract end time. Companies that I do business with must earn my business, just like I earned the business of my clients when I was working. It would be simple for them to send an email or snail mail at your contract end saying something like 'thanks for being a good customer, here's $10/month off for staying' or some such. But they don't because they are hoping you are like the majority and won't leave anyway. There is NO reward for you as the customer for being 'loyal' unless you ask for it.
As to the lease, well that is total fiction. It isn't a lease fee because if it was, there wouldn't be any equipment charge for equipment you buy outright. It is not a lease fee, it is a fee they can charge because they can and it makes them more money.
Both sat services have a slew of marketing, financial and legal whiz kids telling them what is best for them, we only have these forums to help us ensure we get what is best for us.