DISH Network Satellite Television Now Offers Local TV Channels to Lexington, Ky.

Cable TV and Satellite TV Debate is Heating Up

Littleton, Colo., Feb. 20, 2003 – EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) is pleased to announce that DISH Network™ now offers five local channels including ABC Ch. 36 (WTVQ), CBS Ch. 27 (WKYT), NBC Ch. 18 (WLEX), FOX Ch. 56 (WDKY) and PBS Ch. 46 (WKLE) by satellite television to the Lexington area.

This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite TV in the Lexington area, providing an alternative to local cable TV service. Local channels will be offered for $5.99 per month for Lexington DISH Network. A Dish 500 antenna is required to receive the local channels via satellite. A second dish, available free of charge, may be required to receive PBS Ch. 46 (WKLE).

"DISH Network customers now have a true alternative to cable in Lexington," 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 Lexington customers in 39 Kentucky counties including: Anderson, Bath, Bourbon, Boyle, Breathitt, Casey, Clark, Clay, Estill, Fayette, Fleming, Franklin, Garrard, Harrison, Jackson, Jessamine, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Menifee, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Scott, Wayne, Whitley, Wolfe and Woodford.

With the addition of Lexington, DISH Network offers local channels to a total of 59 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), through its DISH NetworkÔ, is a leading U.S. provider of satellite television entertainment services to homes and businesses with more than 8 million customers. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video, audio and Interactive TV channels, personal video recording, HDTV, international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).