Disregarding what amazon_not said about the facts on the ground, your objection is an interesting one in theory.

I think in such a situation I would perhaps try to play on people's pride and make an emotional appeal.

And/or sell equity to customers. Some are happy to hold part of an enterprise they believe in, and will accept submarket returns. Come to think of it, a cooperative wouldn't be too different.

Not necessarily. It's entirely plausble that they set the price lower in order to boost the number of subscribers and thus their political constituency.