A perspective that seems to have been snowed under so far: they're doing this for money.
That is: they are investing in their existing portfolio (of stories) to improve/sustain its value in the future.
That is something that most folks here wouldn't begrudge a private business owner.
Basically, the owners of the copyright predict that, on average, more readers will be willing to pay for these stories if they make changes than if they don't - enough so to justify the investment and some anticipation of the inevitable backlash.
That is: they are investing in their existing portfolio (of stories) to improve/sustain its value in the future. That is something that most folks here wouldn't begrudge a private business owner.
Basically, the owners of the copyright predict that, on average, more readers will be willing to pay for these stories if they make changes than if they don't - enough so to justify the investment and some anticipation of the inevitable backlash.