I don't think Dish Network ever gave the impression that the "one-time" (as in while you are a subscriber or have your account in a status that is not closed--as in the nominal monthly fee (it used to be $5) to allow you to reactivate your account without additional charges should you not have a need for Dish Network services for a number of months) DVR Recording feature fee was somehow a "lifetime" status that would follow you even after you have closed your account as in no longer being a Dish Network subscriber. Even TiVo's "lifetime" service isn't really lifetime. It is for the life of the box. Heck, Dish will replace your busted box and still not charge you an additional DVR Recording feature fee. TiVo aint replacing nothing (after the laughable 90 day warranty) without first getting a boat load of $$ from you.
In any business, once you cease being a customer, closed your account, then you lose your entitlement to the services that whatever fees you paid provided. If you decided to come back to my supply business after you closed your account with me, you bet I expect you to return as an account who has to pay all fees that you paid before you left, and associated set-up new account fees.
Or how about going back to rent the apartment you left, no longer a tenant and ceased paying rent for 6 months ago. Do you really expect the owner to rent it to you at the old rate you were paying? No, you are paying the new market rate that the apartment was advertised for no matter who rents it because, while it may not be to your advantage, it is fair, legal, and ethical. Oh, and you get to pay the fee for your parking space in the garage AGAIN, too. Would you really make the argument to the owner that since you already paid the parking space fee when you FIRST moved in years ago, you shouldn't have to pay it now even though you ceased being a tenant and are returning 6 months later as a renter. Be honest, of course, you would NOT! You may be a familiar face in the apartment complex, but when you cease to be a tenant, you LOSE whatever status you had (rights under rent control as a long time renter, as well), and if you come back, you are charged like a newbie. Government Rent Control starts at the new rent, not the one you had 6 months ago when you ceased to be a tenant. Does this make some sense to you, now?