Plug Pulled on Lifetime TV: Send Message to DISH Network

January 10, 2006

Update: Lifetime has been restored to DISH Network. Read more...

Action Needed:

Two of the most watched cable television networks, Lifetime Television and Lifetime Movie Network, were taken off the air by DISH Network at the end of December when contract negotiations stalled.

The result is that millions of mostly female viewers will not be able to access these two important channels. Regular viewers know that many Lifetime programs carry important public education messages; for instance, Lifetime has featured programming about violence against women, publicizing hotline numbers and helpful websites.

Please send a message to the CEO of DISH Network by using our message or write one of your own.

Background:

Lifetime TV, the top cable channel among women viewers, and Lifetime Movie channel (rated #5), serving 89 million households nationwide, were both taken off the air on Dec. 31 by satellite television company the DISH Network, denying 12 million subscribing households access to these important channels. Lifetime Television and Lifetime Movie Network are two of the very few television networks that develop and present important programming of special interest to women, including shows on battering, breast cancer and sex trafficking.

NOW has frequently worked with Lifetime to provide programming ideas. We have observed that much of network and cable television ignores women's real concerns, minimizes the importance of women's larger roles in society and frequently exploits women by emphasizing violent or sexual content.

In the current controversy, it appears that the DISH Network is refusing to pay Lifetime an increased rate for the new contract period for these highly-rated and popular channels. Reminiscent of the pay gap between men and women, Lifetime reports that DISH is paying higher rates for less popular networks.

You can send a message now to DISH Network's Chief Executive Officer, Charlie Ergen.

More background information from Lifetime Television follows:

"We are outraged and dismayed for our viewers that DISH has unilaterally chosen to pull Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network and deny millions of women their favorite channels," said Betty Cohen, President and CEO, Lifetime Entertainment Services.

According to Nielsen Media Research, Lifetime is the #1 network among women in DBS homes, while Lifetime Movie Network is fifth.* Additionally, in the 2005 Beta Satellite Dish Subscriber Study on the measurement of favorite networks and the crucial perception of a network's value - among ALL female satellite subscribers (including DISH) - both Lifetime Television and Lifetime Movie Network ranked #1, among fully distributed networks and emerging/mid-sized networks, respectively.

Powered by the eight most watched original movies on ad-supported basic cable in 2005, led by "Human Trafficking," which earned two Golden Globe nominations, Lifetime Television is far and away the top-rated women's network, with sibling Lifetime Movie Network second.

Lifetime is committed to entertaining women with a mix of quality programming and comprehensive advocacy campaigns on a wide range of issues ranging from breast cancer to domestic violence. Consequently, DISH network is denying women entertainment they love, such as the upcoming Lifetime Original Movie "For the Love of a Child" -- the true story of two women whose work on behalf of children recently earned them Nobel Peace Prize nominations. DISH network is also depriving women of the information and resources they rely on. For example, nearly 12 million DISH subscribers will not have access to the Network's Emmy Award-winning campaign to Stop Violence Against Women, an issue that affects one in three women worldwide and an initiative that Lifetime viewers have reported has helped save lives.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. Launched in 1984, LIFETIME Television serves over 89 million households nationwide. In 1998, LIFETIME launched Lifetime Movie Network, now in nearly 50 million homes, and in 2001, Lifetime Real Women. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women, Lifetime Home Entertainment and Lifetime Online are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

More information on the current negotiations with DISH network is available online.