They launched with 60-80 million households.
They are wildly profitable and the reason is because King Larry (see image below) ensured they had no equity partners.
AT&T / DirecTV merger deal guarantees they will be on DirecTV before the 2015 season starts.
So because our fine feathered friends have assured us time and time again of these "facts" I can assure you that everything you posted and linked to can NOT be true...