EchoStar's Dispute with Station A "Lifetime" Ago

After December's falling-out between the Lifetime Channel and EchoStar Communications Group, it seemed as though Lifetime, which was a mainstay of women's programming, was no more. However, just over one month later, Lifetime has been resurrected, as the two companies have finally agreed on a contract. While fees were not disclosed, during the end of the last talks, EchoStar had reported Lifetime wanted a 76 percent ratio increase, while Lifetime said they wanted the equivalent of four cents extra per customer. EchoStar had pulled the plug on Lifetime and the Lifetime Movie Channel New Year's Eve 2005, resulting in protests from several women's groups. EchoStar is the country's second-largest satellite TV provider, and Lifetime is jointly owned by the Walt Disney Company and the Hearst Corporation.