If you usually rely on ABC.com for new episodes of Scandal, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Modern Family, or any other ABC show, things may get difficult starting on January 6.

ABC has announced that new episodes of shows including the three mentioned above will only be available on their website the day after they air on television to AT&T U-verse, Cablevision Optimum, Charter, Comcast XFINITY, Cox Communications, Google Fiber, Midcontinent, and Verizon FiOS subscribers. Suspiciously absent from the list – for now – are Time Warner Cable, DirecTV, and Dish.

If you don’t have one of the required subscribers, you will have to wait eight days to watch the new episodes. Alternatively, you can sign up for a subscription to Hulu Plus where you’ll be able to watch all episodes the day after their air.

The reason for the change? “Pay TV service providers are a key part of the television industry in delivering broadcast content through new technology platforms,” says ABC in a FAQ section on their site. “Now, with the support of participating pay TV service providers, the ABC network is able to continue to bring live entertainment, news and sports programming on a national and local level as well as the latest on-demand episodes on new, emerging digital platforms at no additional cost to their subscribers.”

The new rules take effect January 6. More details can be learned on ABC’s website.

Today’s news isn’t good for those who don’t have television and rely on ABC’s website for free viewing. Eight days is a long time to wait for new episodes – especially if you check entertainment news websites and social media.