Wilting away? Just because there are more active satellites, doesn't indicate less channels. I am not observing any reduction in number of transmitted satellite channels. Specific channels come and go, but the number of available FTA channels remains almost unchanged over the past 10 years.
Your statement may be true for C-band, but certainly is not for Ku band where not only has there been the continued eroding of 24/7 channels available, but also the continued decline in feeds.
On my system of switches I have openings for 22 satellites. Not too many years ago I even managed (and wanted) 23 with an A/B switch. Currently, I have only 20 in operation (just dropped 85W off the system) and could easily take off 5 - 8 without any real loss (for example, 72W, 89W, 101W, 127W, as well as two of the three DN satellites that haven't had FTA channels in years, 61.5 & 110W) So not only has there been a decline in channels, but also a decline in the number of satellites with channels (and don't forget we lost three slots since I have been doing FTA, 74, 79, and 129).