company started a sports division. Lifetime in fall 1998 spins off a new cable channel, Lifetime Movie Network. In November 1998, it was announced that CEO Douglas McCormick's contract would not be renewed when it was up at the end of the year. Although Lifetime staff members reportedly were "dumbfounded" because the network had been so financially successful during McCormick's tenure, board members wanted someone who would "bring more vision" to the company. Board members reportedly were so insistent upon hiring a woman to replace McCormick that at one point during negotiations when his contract was about to expire, McCormick threatened to bring a sex-discrimination lawsuit against them, but decided against it. In 1999, LES started up its own in house production unit. In 2001, LES launched another spin off channel, Lifetime Real Women and published its first Lifetime imprint book. The company purchased a 4.6% equity stake in Women.com Networks Inc. in September 2000. In April 2004, Lifetime launched Lifetime Radio for Women, a daily nationally syndicated four-hour morning show mixing adult contemporary music, live caller interaction, celebrity guests and lively discussions about the topics relating to women. In partnership with Jones Radio Networks, the service aired Monday to Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. to 10 a.m., depending on the market. On March 31, 2005, Betty Cohen, previously an executive at Turner Broadcasting System, was named CEO of Lifetime Entertainment Services. On August 27, 2009, as part of a corporate restructuring A&E Television Networks (another subsidiary of ABC and Hearst that handled cable networks) acquired Lifetime Entertainment Services. Nancy Dubuc became Lifetime's president and general manager in April 2010. Assets Lifetime LMN (launched in 1998) Lifetime Real Women (launched in 2001) Lifetime Movie Club Lifetime Radio for Women (launched in April 2004) Lifetime Press Lifetime Digital myLifetime.com LMN.tv Lifetime Games Roiworld.com, fashion games DressUpChallenge.com, a fashion site LifetimeMoms.com MothersClick.com References External links MyLifetime.com Lifetime (TV network) Entertainment companies of the United States Mass media companies of the United States Hearst Communications assets Cable network groups in the United States Mass media companies established in 1984 Former Viacom subsidiaries Former Comcast subsidiaries Former General Electric subsidiaries