The inside the A&E thinking probably goes like this...
The shooting for the next season is already in the can.
That can be used for cash flow purposes while the requisite character assassination takes place.
As most media worship god the almighty $$$ and DD being the highest rated cable show (and therefore richest), I somehow think all this will be worked out. (follow the money)...
Also, if they so desire I figure the Duck Dynasty guys (and gals) could launch their own network and find success... sending A&E back to the artsy-fartzy oblivion from whence it came. So I speculate.