DISH Network Satellite Television Brings Local Channels to the Monroe, La., and El Dorado, Ark., area

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 10, 2004--EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that its DISH Network™ will offer local TV channels by satellite television to the Monroe, La., and El Dorado, Ark., area. The following local TV channels will be available: ABC Ch. 11 (KAQY), CBS Ch.8 (KNOE), FOX Ch. 14 (KARD), NBC Ch. 10 (KARD), UPN Ch. 43 (KEJB) and PBS Ch. 13 (KLTM).

This is the first time local TV channels are available on satellite in the Monroe-El Dorado area, providing an alternative to local cable TV service. DISH Network now offers local channels as part of its new Digital Home Advantage. Starting at $29.99 per a month, this promotion offers customers free installation for up to four TVs, with no commitment and no hardware to buy and includes more than 60 popular TV channels such as ESPN, Discovery and Nickelodeon, plus local Monroe-El Dorado TV channels.

DISH Network has frozen the lowest all digital TV price through January 2005. Customers can call DISH Network or a local satellite TV retailer to learn how to get a free multi-satellite dish antenna required to receive Monroe-El Dorado area local channels. DISH Network also provides digital video recording technologies, high definition TV and more than 60 international channels to the Monroe-El Dorado area.

"The addition of local channels on DISH Network gives customers in Monroe-El Dorado a final reason to choose DISH Network over cable," said Eric Sahl, vice president of Programming. "Customers in Monroe-El Dorado now have more programming and product choices at a better price, with the ability to watch the news, weather and sports that matter most to them."

DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to 17 counties in the Monroe-El Dorado area: Ashley, Union, Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, West Carroll and Winn counties.

With the addition of Monroe-El Dorado, DISH Network offers local channels in 131 cities and their metro areas, in 50 states and the District of Columbia.

For customers who do not subscribe to Digital Home Advantage, local channels will be available at $5.99 a 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.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corp. serves more than 9.7 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 800-333-DISH (3474).

CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corp., Englewood Julie Popp, 303-723-2023 [email protected] SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corp.