It is very clearly a joke recognizing that the service doesn't actually provide any value that isn't easily found elsewhere for free. But it's also functional,

It is very clearly a joke recognizing that the service doesn't actually provide any value that isn't easily found elsewhere for free. But it's also functional, in that those that are paying for it are likely to see that if they want to keep it going they will need to pay more, but if they don't really need it, they can let it die. It puts the choice in the hands of the users without trying to bullshit them that the service is actually worth the cost.