In 2001, Lifetime Television became the number-one rated network in primetime among all basic cable networks. It also continued to hold its number-one position in key female demographics, most notably among women 18-34, in which Lifetime's ratings have grown by double-digit percentages. Lifetime now reaches more than 83 million homes, while Lifetime Movie Network, currently available in nearly 20 million homes, saw exceptionally strong ratings for an emerging network. In August, Lifetime launched a third network, Lifetime Real Women.

Lifetime boasts three of the top-rated original series on basic cable with the award-winning dramas The Division, Strong Medicine and Any Day Now. Lifetime's popular reality series, Intimate Portrait, celebrated its 200th profile. Lifetime launched the medical reality series, Women Docs, and the daytime talk/magazine series, Lifetime Now and Lifetime's Speaking of Women's Health.

Lifetime celebrated its 100th original movie, the critically acclaimed Midwives starring Sissy Spacek. What Makes a Family, starring Brooke Shields and executive produced by Whoopi Goldberg and Barbra Streisand; Within These Walls, starring Ellen Burstyn and Laura Dern; and No Ordinary Baby, starring Bridget Fonda and Mary Beth Hurt, were among the productions that rounded out the monthly original movie slate.