DISH Network Satellite Television Brings Local TV Channels to Chico, Calif.

Cable TV and Satellite TV Debate is Heating Up

Littleton, Colo., Feb. 6, 2003 – EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) is pleased to announce that its DISH Network™ now offers five local channels ABC Ch. 7 (KRCR), NBC Ch. 24 (KNVN), CBS Ch. 12 (KHSL), FOX Ch. 30 (KCVU), and PBS Ch. 9 (KIXE) by satellite television to Chico.

This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite TV in the Chico area, providing a better alternative to local cable TV service. Local channels will be offered for $5.99 per month for Chico and Redding DISH Network customers. A Dish 500 antenna is required to receive the local channels via satellite.

"Our Chico customers now have a better alternative to cable now that DISH Network offers local channels," said Michael Schwimmer, senior vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "DISH Network now provides local news, weather and sports in 100 percent digital quality to viewers who should not be left with cable service as their only choice for local television."

DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to Chico customers who reside in the following counties: Butte, Glenn, Modoc, Shasta, Tehama and Trinity.

With the addition of Chico, DISH Network offers local channels to a total of 57 cities and their metro areas nationwide.

DISH Network makes satellite TV simple and affordable. The DISH Network offers consumers the lowest all digital TV package price in America at only $24.99 per month for over 50 channels.

For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 1-800/333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer.

For downloadable, print quality images of DISH Network equipment, installations or the DISH Network logo, visit www.dishnetwork.com/content/aboutus/presskit/print/index.shtml.

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH NetworkÔ is a U.S. leader in offering satellite television entertainment services to more than 8 million customers. DISH Network provides advanced digital satellite television services to the home, including hundreds of video, audio and data channels, personal video recording, HDTV, international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service.