I think that many (not all) affiliates want so much done for / handed to them these days, that it doesn't make business sense to put much focus on your affiliate program. Programs are better suited developing their own traffic in-house.
I always found it funny how the large, serious affiliates who make you the most need very little of your time, while the guys bugging you all day long produce barely anything.
The programs who will hurt the most, are the ones who lack the knowledge to put the proper infrastructure in place to build up their own traffic sources.
