HITS was wonderful for me, but mine went to another user when I found myself watching LESS TV, and that FTA filled what time I had to watch. However......
Those into satellite only recently may not remember that home systems for the BEST picture quality in the 80's and 90's were a couple thousand dollars for the full system, and..receivers were nearly half-that cost! If a receiver gave us "choice" (optional legal means for subscriptions on the required platforms) and the free stuff of FTA all over again, chances are there'd be some buyers. Not to the degree that we have now in FTA with smaller costs on systems, but....some would sell! Especially if we, the end consumer could directly buy our programming, or could have the type of packaging offered in years gone by from multiple providers.
I'd find it fun to save my bucks, buy it, and enjoy the choice it offered. To me, the "independence" of FTA from cable and traditional satellite is part of the fun, and that type of an offering would only make it better. I wouldn't be first in line, but I'd be saving the bucks to do it!
We wait. We watch. We read.....(and enjoy our MicroHD's and similar in the meantime.)