Satellite companies and local channels

I will make this short for now-I may come back and edit it later, but right now I'm in a hurry as I have to get to the doctor's office.

For several years now we have had DISH Network; really the only two choices anymore in home satellite (other than C-Band) is either DISH or DirecTV. A couple of years ago I decided to upgrade to the local channels for $5 a month. Several people I knew had locals with DirecTV and they received the Memphis stations; as a matter of fact, that is what most people in this area watch are the Memphis stations since Memphis is not even 100 miles from here.

When I contacted DISH about getting them, I was informed that our local channels would be Cape Girardeau, MO, Paducah, KY, and Carbondale, IL. Now I do like KFVS-12 out of Cape as they give the news for this area, but the rest of the stations do not even focus on us down here. When I questioned DISH as to why I couldn't have Memphis, they told me it was against the law! Now why is it that DirecTV can give the Memphis stations in this area and even go a little further north and still give them? What is even more odd is this: if you go 5 minutes over the Arkansas border, you will be given the Memphis channels! What gives, DISH Network?