I think the whole point of DISH pulling AAD was so that DISH could sell the distants themselves.
No where has it been written, other than speculation on the forums, that Dish facilitated the end of distants by AAD. They might have, but that's the point, we do not know. As what Scott said, I have been saying that since it happened. Since virtually no one would qualify if Dish is the provider, other than RV owners, I don't see a financial advantage, and perhaps it would be a disadvantage, to do the distants themselves. (more money to lease the space?) And they can fill in short markets with existing neighboring DMA networks with no further Sat space needed. It is very possible AAD decided to end it, just take a look at what has transpired with them over the last months.......ending their big dish service, dropping their distants website....
For those of us in a White area, I am really hope a third party does them.