I became a fan in HS in 1980 after attending my first show in Charoltte and was heavily involved until 2005. This trend started in earnest around 1990 or so and I have watched this VERY closely. I think it's many things. Even though I think the kids these days are just as dedicated and talented as in the hey-days of the 80's (40k Attended the 1985 DCI Championship), things are a lot different now. Many arts programs in schools are being cut, so there aren't as many kids in band as there use to be. I think that there are many drum corps directors/DCI administrators who have allowed personal adjenda's to dictate some questionable directions in show presentation and struggling to balance out fan enjoyment vs. satisfying judges. This did lead a lot of fans defecting from the activity. Free spending amoung corps leading to overwheling debt (ie new uniform changes every year or so, etc. Though gas $$ is way high now, it also was during int Middle East oil crissis in the 70's when DCI was starting. Fielding corps has always be expensive. Just have to use money wisely). Again, this is only my own observations and opinions. Just my 2 cents worth.
