Why did DISH remove the DNS channels on its line-up?

DISH lost distants several years ago when they lost a lawsuit against them by the networks and affiliates. DISH was found guilty of delivering distants to customers who did not qualify for the service. As specified under the law DISH "permanently" lost the ability to offer distant network channels. In their place a separate company offered distants via a leased transponder on a DISH satellite and DISH receivers. If I recall correctly, their offering was found to be legal ... but not profitable and the company folded in 2014.

Congress revised the distants legislation a few years ago and gave DISH a once in a lifetime opportunity to offer distants again with a catch: They had to offer locals in every market within the US before they could offer distants and there was a deadline to the opportunity. DISH met the challenge, offered local channels in every market and now offers distants.

DISH does not offer a package of east/west distants like DIRECTV. They use their permission to offer distants to fill in short markets ... for example, Lafayette Indiana is a market that does not have all of the major affiliates in market - so DISH offers out of market distant stations to fill in the gaps. Basically DISH's choice of distants in markets where the network would not be available.