BUD - Satellite What's Happening?

Factual Questions
1

My mom got an email from her C-Band provider, NPS. Claiming the channels will be phased out over the course of this year. They offered a special deal to get on Dish Network.

I first thought it was a spammer trick to switch them to Dish Network. But a visit to the NPS web site shows a schedule of channels being eliminated.
http://www.callnps.com/facts.htm

I’m confused. Is this the end of Big Dish? Is there any reason to keep the dish working? Is their newer equipment replacing C-Band?

My parents put a lot of money into their BUD 25 years ago. They have a contract with a local company that provides support & service. They’ve had equipment upgrades several times. They even bought the digital package last year.

I wanted to get the straight dope before my parents talk with their support provider. I’m not sure how to advise them. They prefer big dish because they don’t lose service in storms. They’ve seen my DirecTV go out anytime there’s a big, dark cloud (it can’t see through).

2

WAG. This.

Technology changes. So does satellite politics. Perhaps they are consolidating services because the networks refuse to be allowed to be carried by them (think pressure from cable and other satellite networks). Perhaps they can’t justify it internal based on costs and their own subscriber. Or maybe I’m just blowing smoke.

3

They don’t mind upgrading their receiver.

What’s confusing is there doesn’t seem to be any clear information. If it’s time to take a chainsaw to the big dish, fine. But, I can’t find a definitive answer. The C-Band provider suggests keeping their service and adding Dish Network for the lost channels. Why keep the C-Band? It doesn’t make sense. If they go to a small dish, then the big dish needs to go.

4

Unless they like scanning around for wild feeds, is there anything that they watch that isn’t available on Dish Network?

Can their BUD provider offer any reason to keep the C-band service other than “We like your money”?