The NY Times will begin charging for online content. This plan has been long in the making for the Times, and it will certainly set a new trend if even moderately successful.

A formal letter was sent out to NY Times print customers along with a full page ad on the back of the business section announced the coming pay for content plan. Print customers will not need to pay for Times content–it will come free with a print subscription.

The metered model will begin in 2011.