Why does merely having Windows Media Player open double my GPU hashrate?
poclbm has not been set to alter the clock rate of your GPU. Windows media player is doing this when open and adjusts the system to what it requires.

If you specify clock speeds for your GPU via parameters or a separate application you can overcome this. 

Theres a number of applications which effect clock rates on windows machines, flash player open within a browser reduces a single card of mine down from 400 m/hash to 350 m/hash.

cgminer is very easy to specify clock speeds and mine with, it adjusts them when you start the application (not when closing though).