The reason W5 is there is for the cable companies. We tag along for the ride just like we did all those years with the masters.
At some point, this service to cable headends was called HITS = Headend In The Sky.
It was pitched at offering cable headends channels feeds in a small number of orbital positions, making it easier and cost effective to offer channels to their customer base.
In addition, there was HITS2Home - this provided programming directly to cable's customers by using the 410 in a customer's home, connected to the cable feed. The 2 systems were merged by the 410, the EPG supported the cable feed and HITS. The premise for this service was allowing cable companies to expand their lineup without investing in headend equipment.
I think the platform will be around for a while (heres hoping!). I'm not sure how you pursuade them to add more channels, but I'll tell you this...we have DISH and 410...we pay less for 410 service...and we watch the 410 more than DISH - because of channel choice.
I wish Skyvision/Programming Center all the best for the future and I'll be a happy customer :up