Hulu might start charging $5 subscription fee for streaming older shows

If you're not quick enough to catch up on some of your favorite shows, it might cost you.

The powers-that-be behind Hulu are looking to make a quick buck, and it looks like they might start imposing a $5 subscription fee for streaming older episodes of popular TV shows.

Since its debut, the TV programming streaming site has always been free (and available if you're streaming from North America). Owned jointly by a big-name coalition (NBC Universal, News Corp., Walt Disney Co. and Providence Equity Partners), Hulu hasn't turned out to be an asset to them, but rather "a threat to the economics of the television business." (Maybe NBC could have saved some cash by not letting Conan O'Brien and $45 million go, and dropped Jay instead, but that's just my two cents.)

According to theLos Angeles Times, the proposed subscription plan would cost $4.99 per month to watch older episodes. Hulu has determined that at least 20 TV programs would need to be under the charge plan. Some of those shows would probably include House, 30 Rock and Modern Family. The five most recent episodes of each of those programs would remain free.

So, would you pay a subscription fee to watch backlog episodes of your favorite programs? Or do you think this will further turn viewers towards piracy or dropping shows altogether?