The pricing may be the same, you may even be able to download the components, but the difference exists and there is choice to select something without.
They may have been forced to do it, but you are paying for a product WITH media player, same price or not.
"Microsoft confirmed to ZDNet that Windows Media Center is indeed finished, and users who upgrade to Windows 10 will no longer see it."
http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-will-include-option...
"In a statement on his Twitter account, Windows Insider leader Gabriel Aul provided this tidbit of news:
"The main scenario people used WMC for was to play DVD. We'll provide another option for DVD playback in the future."
Exactly what this option will be, and if it might be free or if it will cost Windows 10 users extra, has yet to be announced."
Yes they do. The upgrade assistant warns you during the upgrade process[0] and specifically has you confirm it.