EchoStar's New High Definition Satellite Television Receivers Shipped to DISH Network Retailers

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Affordable DISH HD Model 6000 Satellite TV Receiver Offers DISH Network Programming, Including HDTV Channels

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH, DISHP) announced today that the highly anticipated DISH HD Model 6000, an integrated satellite television receiver with the ability to receive High Definition Television (HDTV) signals, is now available at participating DISH Network retail outlets.

The DISH HD Model 6000 is EchoStar's newest high definition satellite TV receiver to hit the market, and the receiver is available for the remarkable price of only $499 MSRP!

The DISH HD Model 6000 delivers DISH Network(TM) high definition programming with outstanding picture clarity and crystal-clear Dolby Digital(TM) sound. Using component and RGB HDTV video outputs compatible with high definition television sets, DISH HD supports 1080i and 720p resolution formats established by the Advanced Television Standards Committee. The ability to view high definition programming is not limited to owners of HDTV sets. DISH HD also allows high definition programming to be viewed on today's standard definition television sets by down-converting HD programming to the standard definition format. Also included are many of the advanced features found in other premium EchoStar products, such as an Infra-red Blaster for VCR control, UHF/Infra-red remote control, event timers and parental controls.

Later this summer, EchoStar will introduce an optional off-air HD digital tuner cartridge for the DISH HD Model 6000 for $100. By using the off-air tuner cartridge, consumers can upgrade their DISH HD to channel surf seamlessly between off-air analog and off-air digital signals offered by local broadcasters in addition to DISH Network's standard and high definition programming.

HDTV offers the highest resolution format of digital television with the best picture clarity available today. Nothing compares to the sharpness and theater-style format of HDTV. The DISH HD receiver turns home entertainment into a movie-theater-like experience with its wide-screen format and superior picture quality. Providing up to six times more pixels than standard definition television - more than 2 million pixels - HDTV achieves greater resolution, better definition and sharper image. The result is unmatched realism.

DISH Network currently offers two channels of HDTV, HBO-HD and SHOWTIME-HD, offering customers blockbuster hits and sports events. DISH 500 customers will need a second dish pointed at 61.5 degrees West Longitude in order to receive high definition programming.

“Because EchoStar has more bandwidth available than any other programming provider, DISH Network is the best source for watching HDTV,” said Mike Dugan, president of EchoStar. “A DISH HD satellite TV receiver, coupled with DISH Network programming, is the most affordable way to have a dynamic home theater experience as well as to access hundreds of channels of the highest quality digital television on the market.”

The DISH HD Model 6000 also allows customers who own a DISH 500 system with a dish antenna that points to both 119 degrees W.L. and 110 degrees W.L. orbital locations to access DISH Network's standard definition, all-digital programming packages, as well as new movie channels, more pay-per-view channels, more premium movie channels, DISH Latino Spanish-language package, plus local channels that are available in 28 U.S. metro areas.

The DISH HD Model 6000 is available only at participating retailers. To find a retailer near you, visit www.dishnetwork.com.

For Press: Visit http://www.dishnetwork.com/profile to view or download a print-quality image of DISH HD Model 6000.

DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system with the capacity to offer customers 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network, a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation, currently serves over 4 million customers nationwide. DISH Network was ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates in 1999. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq Stock Market. For more information, contact DISH Network at 1-800/333-DISH (3474) or visit http://www.dishnetwork.com.

CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corp., Littleton

Judianne Atencio, Communications Director, 303/723-2010
judianne.atencio@echostar.com
Marc Lumpkin, Communications Manager, 303/723-2020
marc.lumpkin@echostar.com