Haute stuff.

El Segundo-based DireeTV Group Inc., the nation's leading satellite television provider, is adding the Style Network, the lifestyle and fashion-themed channel targeting 18- to 49-year-old women.

As of last week, Style Network is part of DirecTV's "Total Choice Plus" programming package, which offers more than 185 channels, including 67 XM satellite radio channels for $49.99 per month. With its additional carriage on DirecTV, the network will now be available to more than 50 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the United States. The female-targeted channel is part of the L.A.-based Comcast Entertainment Group that also includes E! Entertainment Television and G4.

DirecTV has more than 15.6 million customers. Last month, News Corp. agreed to swap its approximate 39 percent controlling stake in the satellite TV broadcaster with Liberty Media Corp. in exchange for Liberty's 16 percent stake in News Corp.

Separately, the suddenly stylin' satellite provider is being sued by Time Warner Inc. (which last year took over Los Angeles' Comcast and Adelphia cable franchises) over some recent ads. Time Warner Cable alleges in its suit that the satellite company falsely said several NFL Network games wouldn't be shown in local markets. Time Warner doesn't carry the NFL Network (the result of a long and contentious battle over channel placement), a fact that DirecTV made mention of in newspaper advertisements trying to lure cable customers to the satellite operator.