I hope this isn't going to start a Debat.. this is just how I understand it...
PEACE!
 
There are three levels available to choice from.
Sonar ARTIST
SONAR PROFESSIONAL
SONAR PLATINUM
 
Instead of you getting unlimited tech support you will get one year of tech support. BUT it doesn’t matter because you can always get help on the CW forum.
 
When you buy any version you get ONE free year of bug fixes, updates and new features.
After your year is up you KEEP EVERTHING from the previous year and if you choice to you can buy another year of bug fixes, updates and new features.
 
A new option with this new Sonar rollout is that we (CW) are offing a payment plan that lets you pay for the FULL SONAR Package on a payment plan that will last for 12 months of payments from the date of purchase it. If you fail to make your payments your Sonar Package will go into DEMO mode.
With the monthly payment plan you will receive a free year of bug fixes, updated and new features, just as if you bought it out right. AND again if you don’t make a payment everything you have received in the time you have been making your payment will revert to DEMO mode. 
 
The next thing that is new with this Sonar rollout is a new delivery system that will automatically keep track of all your store products, bug fixes, upgrades and new features. So you have easy access to them for a faster installation. :)
 
peace

Sounds right to me. 

Another way of looking at it is that to get bug fixes or updates you have to own a legitimate copy of the software, but to make it easier for people who might find it difficult to get the money together to pay for it in one go (especially new purchasers who don't qualify for update pricing) Cakewalk are offering a credit-check free hire purchase scheme.

Which is a different model to Adobe's Creative Cloud where you are always paying rent. Oddly, Creative Cloud can actually work out better if you can write the cost off against tax, in the UK taxation system at least. I've had several arguments with them over the years whether e.g Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Light Room etc. are capital expenditure or, given the frequency of update, really akin to consumables which can be fully written off against tax.

They've yet to question my Creative Cloud subscription, which I offset against tax in full as a regular payment for services required to operate the business. The result is Creative Cloud actually costs me less than the outright purchase route.

Before anyone asks, no, I would not want Cakewalk to emulate the Creative Cloud model. Cake has a different market for a start. In fact I'd rather Adobe copied the Cakewalk model even tough it might cost ne a bit more.

Yes, this is great. It makes SONAR available to many who might have found it out-of-reach in the past.