In the EU, Microsoft sells the N edition [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows7/products/what-is...], Windows sans Media Player. Thus, if you have selected the normal version, you are actually paying for Media and DVD playing capabilities.
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.