Maybe the other channels that aren't included in the add on packs or the flex pack ,haven't negotiated their contracts to do so. Or they have been negotiated to stay exclusively in the top programming packs only. This idea for the Flex pack has most likely been in the works for a few years ( I've been suggesting this type of system for years ) and the number of channels that are in the packs and add on packs have been slowly been added as their contracts have been renegotiated. That might be why there is no MTV channel in the Flex pack ,but the lesser known MTV2 and the new Mtv music channels ,that cost very little are included. Also the channel negotiations most likely have included SLING TV like with the NFL channel that was recently added to SLING TV. I have confidence that eventually all the channels that are in the Flex pack ,but not in the top programming packs will be eventually included in them. I don't see DISH excluding them from the packs intentionally. It is most likely a work in progress and it will change in the near future. This Flex pack is all part of the new skinny bundle created to attract cord cutters , who still might want a dvr and those who don't want only live tv options with SLING TV. It is a good first start. Now if you want , you could always start contacting DISH by email and ask them directly why the channels you want are not in the top programming packs or vice a versa the Flex pack or add on packs. This will create demand for change to DISH and the more people that ask them about this more they will need to address it. They do read this web board as well ,but it makes sense to create a paper or email trail about these issues.