I have had the admins fix channels when I request them.  I'm not sure if they have a bot or service that scans the EPG to check if they are up or down but that would be nice.

The providers buy packages of streams from sellers.  The beast and crystal local channels are purchased from different resellers so they won't be the same.  But to be honest the local channels are hit and miss kinda like you've seen.  If you'd like a brute trial shoot me an email and I'll get you one but I'll have to disconnect it before Sat morning.