DirectTV Mystery

My dad got pissed at Comcast last week for their craptastic service and switched us to DirectTV. I don't really see what the big deal is, as I'm probably going to keep watching the same few channels I used to watch. Here's what I think is weird though- the channels we get and don't get. First of all, we didn't seem to order about half of of the available channels. Channels we do get: starz, HBO, encore, showtime, two disney channels, and a bunch of other random ones. Channels we don't get: FX, msnbc, bravo (!!), and a bunch more ones that we used to get.

I just don't get it. And how am I supposed to watch P.Runway???? Or RachelMaddow???