But then you wouldn't have an audience

The way member area privileges are handled with groupee is no different than any other professional product that I am aware of. To think they're delaying the release a little while longer to gain a couple more renewals after the last 2 years they've had already is more than a
little unfunny and shows a profound misunderstanding of any type of business -
no-one gains anything from a delayed release for the sake of delay (except maybe the competition).