I am working in media sales on cable system level. Yes, many cable companies in the DR get the signal of SOME (very few) channels from the USA using standard Ku-band systems (DN, Directv) -- as opposed to heavy-duty C-band systems --, and most of the companies (including many many hotels in SD, POP and PUJ) get those channels via DN. But many of those DN channels are being received legally, meaning with a regular DN receiver and paid subscription.
Most of those channels these companies get via DN are in reality true FTA, but C-band, and to get those usually off AMC or Galaxy satellites they would need DVB-S2 / MPEG-4 receivers and those receivers cost quite a money (those are receivers like Pansat 9000HD or 9200HD). Cheaper to get them off DN with regular receiver and a cost of about a dollar-a-day.
Btw there is a prepaid DN system called Dish Now (Dish Ya), you need to buy a receiver DT-301 (sold new on ebay for under US$50 with the new G3 card) and then buy recharge cards in the value of US$40 (offline or online).