Dish Network Scores Espn Full Court

College Basketball Fans Get Front Row Seats with More Than 450 Games on DISH-On-Demand

Littleton, Colo., Oct. 12, 1999 -- EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) announced today that DISH Network™ now offers ESPN FULL COURT college basketball on DISH-On-Demand pay-per-view this season.

In cooperation with top conferences including the BIG TEN, ACC, BIG EAST, SEC, Big XII, Conference USA, Atlantic 10, Mountain West and more, DISH Network provides the entire ESPN FULL COURT schedule – more than 450 games over 16 weeks with up to 30 games per week – beginning Friday, Nov. 12, 1999. The package includes post-season conference tournaments and games from the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship tournament.

Customers can purchase ESPN FULL COURT package on or before Tuesday, Nov. 30, for only $89. After Nov. 30, the price is $99. Games will air on DISH-on-Demand sports channels 455-464 with a DISH Network dish antenna pointed at 119 degrees West Longitude. DISH Network also offers ESPN FULL COURT to commercial establishments.

"ESPN FULL COURT is an excellent addition to our sports packages," said Michael Schwimmer, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "DISH Network gives our customers more choices in sports, including full access to the top college basketball games and ESPN sports channels."

DISH Network offers more sports on DISH Nets East and West network channels; DISH Nets Local network channels; as well as on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS in America’s Top 40 package; ESPN Classic in America’s Top 100 CD package; and ESPN GamePlan on DISH-On-Demand.

To order the DISH-On-Demand’s ESPN FULL COURT package, call 1-800/333-DISH (3474). Blackouts and restrictions may apply.

HOW TO GET DISH NETWORK

Become a new DISH Network customer and save! There are several ways to get a DISH Network satellite TV system to watch ESPN FULL COURT. To find a DISH Network retailer near you or to directly purchase DISH Network’s revolutionary DISH 500 satellite TV system, as well as order popular programming offering hundreds of channels of all-digital programming with packages starting at $19.99 per month, visit www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800/333-DISH (3474).

DISH NetworkÔ is EchoStar’s state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network was also ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by the J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study. EchoStar V, EchoStar’s newest, state-of-the-art, high-power direct broadcast satellite, launched on a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS rocket on Sept. 23, 1999. EchoStar V, to be located at 110 degrees West Longitude, will allow DISH Network to offer 500 channels, including high definition television, Dolby Digital surround sound, Internet and high-speed interactive television and data services, all on a single dish. DISH Network, which currently serves over 3 million customers, is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is located on the Internet at www.dishnetwork.com.