Lifetime Ad Exposes Dish's Disregard for Value of Women's Programming

Lifetime Ad Exposes Dish's Disregard for Value of Women's Programming

New Ad Encourages Viewers Who Want to Be Able to See the #1 and #2 Women's Networks to 'Switch From DISH'

Millions of Women Denied Access to Entertaining, Award-Winning Programming and Information and Advocacy on Critical Issues

NEW YORK, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifetime Entertainment Services took a full-page national advertisement in today's New York Times that exposes the DISH Network's disregard for its women customers through its unwillingness "to pay a fair market value for the two most-watched women's television networks."

The headline of the full-page ad reads:

"DISH NETWORK LINE-UP: 46 Sports channels. 7 Pornography channels. 0 Lifetime Channels. If Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network -- the #1 and #2 women's networks -- can't make the cut, it's obvious that DISH doesn't value women."

Betty Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lifetime Entertainment Services, said, "Women really value Lifetime's award-winning programming and our impassioned advocacy -- that's why we are the #1 and #2 women's networks. We had no choice but to walk away from DISH's 'take it or leave it' offer if we hoped to continue to honor our commitment to viewers."

The ad highlights programming and information on Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network that DISH subscribers will be missing, including: highly rated original movies like the February world premiere of For One Night starring Raven-Symone; a full slate of upcoming original series including Cheerleader Nation, Face the Family, and LoveSpring (from Will & Grace's Eric McCormack) and critical information on important issues like breast cancer, heart health and violence against women.

The advocacy efforts of Lifetime and Lifetime Movie Network have resulted in legislative action on a number of key issues -- including sexual assault prevention and ending human trafficking -- and have had a positive influence on women everywhere.

For example, building on the February 6th world premiere of For One Night -- inspired by a true story of a high school senior who risks her social and academic standing to end her school's tradition of racially segregated proms - - Lifetime is undertaking a tolerance and community service campaign in partnership with leading non-profit organizations, including the YWCA of the USA, the NAACP and Youth Service America.

The ad concludes with "Keep Lifetime Networks on your television set by switching to DIRECTV or your local cable system."

In 2005, Lifetime was the fourth most popular basic cable network, and Lifetime Movie Network was ranked as the "favorite" network of DISH Network subscribers, according to the latest Beta Satellite Subscriber Study of mid-sized and emerging networks.

About Lifetime Entertainment Services

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television, and LIFETIME Television is 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. 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.

* AD AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Source: Lifetime Television

CONTACT: Gary Morgenstein, +1-212-424-7162, or Katherine Urbon,
+1-212-424-7489, both for Lifetime Television

Web site: http://www.lifetimetv.com/

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