DISH Network to Launch Popular Russian Channels; EchoStar Expands Comprehensive International Programming Offering Russian Channels NTV and NTV Plus

LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 1999--EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) is pleased to announce that this fall DISH Network™ will launch two of the most popular Russian television channels, NTV and NTV Plus, that will be the most comprehensive Russian-language TV programming ever offered in the United States.

Already the leading provider of international TV programming, DISH Network is proud to offer the U.S. Russian-speaking audience the most extensive selection of news, sports, movies, music, talk shows and other entertainment on NTV and NTV Plus. Customers can order the NTV and NTV Plus package for only $24.99 a month.

"There are over 900,000 U.S. Russian-speaking households and, until now, this important community has had virtually no access to high-quality Russian television programming," said Michael Schwimmer, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "We are proud to have NTV services join DISH Network, which will enable Russian-speaking viewers to maintain close contact with their language and culture. EchoStar strives to offer consumers the most diverse international television programming on a digital satellite TV system."

NTV is a private Russian television company known for its comprehensive and award-winning news services. NTV brings the latest news and current affairs programs live from Russia, as well as game shows, music, sports and movies. NTV Plus will offer the Russian- American audience a mixture of two Russian entertainment direct-to-home channels, Nashe Kino and Detsky Mir, offering nostalgic and modern Russian film productions and programming for children, including the best of Soviet and Russian cartoons.

"Over 100 million Russian-speaking people currently watch NTV in and outside Russia, so we are extremely pleased to join DISH Network and offer the Russian-American audience television programming directly from their native country," said Andrei Kolossovsky, vice chairman of the Board of Directors for Media Most. "U.S. Russians will now have a universal outlet to get objective and balanced information in their language about what's happening in their home country and around the world with live breaking news from Moscow, as well as keep them in touch with history, modern trends, culture and the arts in Russia."

DISH Network's Russian-language channels will be available from the EchoStar III satellite at the 61.5 degrees West Longitude orbital location and starting in 2000 at the 148 degrees W.L. orbital location.

Customers can also order popular U.S. programming with EchoStar's new DISH 500 satellite receiver system. DISH Network offers a vast selection of all-digital programming with packages starting at $19.99 per month. Call 1-800/333-DISH (3474) for more information or visit www.dishnetwork.com.

DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system that offers customers over 350 channels of digital video and CD- quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB-compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network currently serves 2.7 million customers. EchoStar V, EchoStar's newest, high-power direct broadcast satellite, is scheduled to launch on a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS rocket on Sept. 10, 1999. EchoStar V will allow DISH Network to offer 500 channels, including high-definition television, Dolby Digital surround sound, and high-speed interactive television and data services.

CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corp. Judianne Atencio Communications Director 303/723-2010 [email protected] or EchoStar Communications Corp. Marc Lumpkin Communications Manager 303/723-2020 [email protected]