Time Warner is offering a new tier of cable package called “Essentials” with fewer channels and a lower price.

The package is being test-marketed in New York and Ohio, where it will be priced at $39.95 and $29.95, respectively. “Essentials” will contain local and national broadcast channels, and 50 cable channels, “12 of the top 20 highest-rated cable networks,” among them. It will not have ESPN, Comedy Central, TNT, Fox News, MSNBC, Fox Regional Sports Networks or MSG.

Consumers have long complained about being forced into prix-fixe cable packages stuffed with channels they don’t need, so mo choice, mo better. Depending on how the trial run goes, could Comcast and other providers be forced to follow suit?

Time Warner offers cheap cable package [MSN.Moneycentral] (Thanks to HogwartsProfessor!)

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