DISH Network Brings Local TV Channels to Springfield,

LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2003--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) announced today that its ™ now offers local TV channels by satellite television to Springfield, Missouri. The following local TV channels are offered: ABC Ch. 33 (KSPR), NBC Ch. 3 (KYTV), WB Ch. 31 (KWBM), UPN Ch. 17 (KDL), and PBS Ch. 21 (KOZD).

This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite TV in the Springfield area, providing an alternative to local cable TV service. Local channels will be offered at $2 per month discount to the regular $5.99 per month for DISH Network customers in Springfield until the local CBS and FOX affiliates are added to the package. DISH Network also provides digital video recording technologies and high definition TV channels to Springfield.

"Television viewers in Springfield now have an obvious, money-saving alternative to cable," said Michael Schwimmer, senior vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "DISH Network's 100 percent digital quality, channel selection and now Springfield news, sports and weather give customers a good reason to switch to our satellite service."

DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to Springfield customers in 26 Missouri counties, including: Barry, Benton, Camden, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Laclede, Lawrence, Oregon, Ozark, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, Shannon, St. Clair, Stone, Taney, Texas, Webster and Wright. Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Marion and Newton counties in will also receive Springfield local channels.

With the addition of Springfield, DISH Network offers local channels in a total of 85 cities and their metro areas nationwide.

DISH Network offers consumers the lowest all digital TV package price in America at only $24.99 per month for more than 50 popular TV channels such as ESPN, Discovery, CNN and the Food Network. DISH Network guarantees the lowest all digital TV price through January 2005. DISH Network now offers new customers three free months of its DISH Network Value Pak with HBO and Cinemax, a savings of approximately $150. The DISH Network Value Pak of America's Top 100 channel package provides 132 channels of America's most popular programming, including 13 premium movie channels of HBO and Cinemax for $49.99 per month.

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) serves over 9 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network™, and is a leading U.S. provider of advanced digital television services. DISH Network's services include hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24- hour customer service. DISH Network is the leader in the sale of digital video recorders (DVRs). Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation, Littleton Michelle Portillo, 303-723-2023 [email protected] SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation