It's a matter of paying for the experience of it. That's really the way you SHOULD be looking at it. Some people just can't stand SD when HD is an option. It's like watching a concert streamed live versus being there in person. I actually don't like to be among a crowd, so I'll pay for a streamed service (as long as the cost is reasonable... if it were a $100 ticket for the show or $30 for HD streamed service with access to little bonus stuff sort of thing). You're right in that the information will be made available immediately after, which is why they throw in little bonuses like the mog outfit for the people who wish the experience the event but can't be there in-person. They know this.
It's a question of whether or not it's worth it for you, the individual. If it's not, then it's not. Given the cost that you pay monthly, a one-time optional charge of around that price is NOT unreasonable of a business to ask for. The fact that a bulk of it is still free to watch in SD is reason enough to just be happy about it, as the main reason viewers would be tuning in is for the LL afterall. Things like the opening/closing ceremony and keynote is NOT why the majority of people will be watching the stream. Would a lot of them choose to watch it for free? Of course. Is that the main reason they're tuning in? Most likely not.
