Lifetime Dropped By Satellite Company

The Lifetime Channel is fighting for its life as it battles EchoStar, a satellite company that dropped the channel New Year's Eve after failing to settle on a contract. Women's groups around the country have rallied on behalf of the station, amassing in groups and posting magazine ads. "There are people who are not receiving the crucial information and resources that Lifetime provides," said Cheryl O'Donnell, spokeswoman for the National Network to End Domestic Violence. "It's a real disservice to these women." EchoStar claims that Lifetime demanded a 76 percent price increase that would inevitably hit subscribers. "We continue to fight for our customers," said EchoStar spokesman Mark Cicero. EchoStar has hit stations before, shutting down Viacom for two days until their contracts were settled. While Lifetime has been around for over two decades, only over the last six years has its popularity increased, especially with its crusade against domestic violence.