I find it hard to believe that Dish isn't making a huge profit margin on the HD Platinum package, which includes HDNMV. So I believe that these contract negotiation impasses are a matter of how much profit Charlie makes and not how much your monthly rate might rise with a new contract.
Same was true of the original HDPak. $10/month for 5 channels. Margin had to be greater than 50%. Then the increase to $15 and $20 for a slightly larger HD package with VOOM. Another huge profit margin for years. It wasn't until DirecTV brought out a huge HD package for a reasonable monthly cost that Dish created Dish Essentials. This is all about profit and dollars in Charlie's account, not protecting the subscriber.