If Autohop was like skipping on a DVR, meaning it was widely available it would have more importance. I think as it was it had more relevance to the major Networks rather than the local themselves. Judging from what DISH has said over time, I think the problem that has happened it two folded. One the escalating cost and of course it isn't only DISH who started to complain about it, but second just like A&E and some others with their programming local programming is being made available for free in many cases. Their local news, local talk/information shows are on their apps and seem to be live. For the Network programming It isn't the night of the show but sometimes soon after in various ways those shows are available for no cost. Another words the product has been devalued some while costs to the provider go up. The argument DISH made to A&E when they had the dispute.
We are in that exact situation. My Wife watches the local CBS for news in the morning, at night, their daytime talk/information show, and many CBS shows. With some help she has found ways to so far watch everything for free, Soap Opera is made available for free the next day, and local programming can be watched free. Even the CBS morning news can be watched on CBSN. When Fall comes it might then cost money to pay for CBS all access but so far the loss of CBS has been minimized for no cost.