Exhibit 10.44

                            FIRST AMENDMENT OF LEASE

     This First Amendment of Lease is entered into by and between Valley View
Tech. Inc., (hereinafter referred to as "Landlord"), and Monitronics
International, Inc.(hereinafter referred to as, "Tenant").

     WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant entered into that certain lease dated March
18, 1999 (the "Lease") pursuant to which Landlord leased to Tenant approximately
11,830 square feet of lease space located at 2300 Valley View Lane, Suite 300,
Farmers Branch, Texas (the "Leased Premises").

     WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant desire to extend the term of the Lease.

     Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained
and $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration, it is covenanted and
agreed between the parties that the Lease be modified and amended as follows:

     1.   The Termination Date of the Lease shall be extended by twenty (20)
          months from April 30, 2004 to December 31, 2005.

     2.   a) Base Rental as defined in paragraph 5 of the Lease shall be:

             May 1, 2004 - December 31, 2005 @ $8,873.00 per month

     3.   In the event of conflict between this First Amendment of Lease and the
          Lease, the terms of this First Amendment of Lease shall prevail.

     4.   Except as modified herein, all other terms and conditions of the Lease
          between the parties above described shall continue in full force and
          effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this First Amendment of
Lease as of the date last stated below.

LANDLORD:                                   TENANT:

Valley View Tech, Inc.                      Monitronics International, Inc.


By: /s/ John D. Gourley                     By: /s/ James R. Hull
    ---------------------------------           --------------------------------
    John D. Gourley                             James R. Hull

Its: Vice President                         Its: Chief Executive Officer

Date: 4/24/00                               Date: 4/17/00