Hulu.com Prepares to Charge Viewers

Hulu.com, the internet's mecca of free streaming television episodes, and the alternative to cable subscriptions for freeloading college students, is about to change things up with a paid subscription service, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Online TV viewers can expect to pay $9.95 a month in order to watch a "comprehensive selection" of programming, beyond the still free five recent episodes of popular shows.

The Times reports that Hulu.com, run by News Corp., NBC Universal and the Walt Disney Co., has already brought in upwards of $100 million from advertising, but that is merely a drop in the bucket when compared to the profits that come from broadcast television ad spots.

Word of a subscription plan first caused controversy amongst the internet community late last year, while just a few months ago the rumored price point was hovering around $5 a month, according to Engadget.com.

Hulu.com has not commented on the matter.