DISH Network Satellite TV Offers Center Ice Package

Package Offers More Than 1,000 NHL Regular-Season Games, Plus Select

Stanley Cup Playoff Coverage

Littleton, Colo., Oct. 2, 2002 – EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network™ a leading direct broadcast satellite television provider, is pleased to announce a multi-year agreement to offer the National Hockey League® Center Ice® – the NHL's out-of-market television package – to customers on DISH On Demand Pay- Per-View beginning with the NHL's season-opening action on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

NHL Center Ice offers up to 40 out-of-market regular season games each week from Oct. 9 through April 6, 2003. Select first- and second-round ® playoff games will also be available on NHL Center Ice.

DISH Network will offer its customers a free preview of NHL Center Ice from Oct. 9 through Oct. 15. An early bird price of just $139 for the package is available to DISH Network customers through Oct. 15. To order NHL Center Ice, call 800/333-DISH (3474). Blackouts may apply.

The NHL Center Ice package is located on channels 540 through 549 and can be ordered for $159 after Oct. 15. DISH Network customers may also subscribe to a half season package beginning Jan. 6, 2003, for $109. DISH Network customers may also choose to pay in three monthly installments.

"We're pleased to join EchoStar in a partnership that will provide DISH Network subscribers across the nation with night after night of great NHL action on NHL Center Ice," said Doug Perlman, NHL senior vice president of television and media ventures.

The National Hockey League opens its 86th regular season Wednesday, Oct. 9, with pre-game ceremonies in Raleigh, N.C., and Los Angeles plus the renewal of one of the NHL's top rivalries when the visit the . The 1,230-game schedule will conclude April 6, the earliest since the 1991-92 season ended on April 5.

NHL Center Ice features the raising their Southeast Division and Eastern Conference championship banners to the ceiling of the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Also, the will honor the greatest scorer in NHL history, Wayne Gretzky, by retiring his No. 99 jersey prior to their game against the Phoenix Coyotes -- the team Gretzky now serves as managing partner -- at STAPLES Center.

"NHL Center Ice is the ultimate viewing experience for hockey fans," said Michael Schwimmer, senior vice president of programming at EchoStar. "No matter where they live, DISH Network's NHL Center Ice subscribers will be able to follow their favorite teams and players virtually every time they hit the ice."

DISH Network commercial customers are also eligible to offer the NHL Center Ice package to patrons. For more information, call 800/454-0843.

DISH On Demand Pay-Per-View offers premiere movies and a variety of special events, from concerts to boxing to wrestling. For more information on how to get your DISH Network satellite TV system, visit your local DISH Network retailer, www.dishnetwork.com or call 800/333-DISH (3474).

About EchoStar

DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq Stock Market. DISH Network currently serves over 7.46 million customers. CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation

Marc Lumpkin, 303/723-2020 [email protected]