Nothing has been “determined” until the pieces are found, which is looking like “never.” Until then, the conspiracy theories will simply compound.
No wreckage = no bragging rights.
It’s all about “increasing your chances” and you don’t increase your chances if you divide up your search in two major area - both the “northern route” and the “southern route”.
With this latest analysis from Inmarsat and AAIB (UK Air Accident Investigations Board) and zeroing in on this area — the chances have increased.