Lifetime Disappears From DISH Network

Lifetime and the Lifetime Movie Network have been pulled from EchoStar Communications’ DISH Network satellite service.

The contract between DISH Network and Lifetime expired Saturday, and Lifetime sought a 76 percent increase in its rate from the satellite server, EchoStar said in a news release.

EchoStar said it would have had to increase the rates it charges its customers if Lifetime received the increase.

Lifetime also wanted DISH to add a new channel, which it said was already similar to a channel currently being offered.

While we are working hard to negotiate a fair contract with Lifetime Television, we must also protect our customers from outrageous rate increases, DISH Network’s Eric Sahl said in a statement.

Lifetime claims on its Web site that DISH violated the contract by pulling the channel from its lineup.

DISH Network serves 11.7 million satellite TV customers in the United States.