Showtime Launches Interactive Purchase Capability and Enhanced Content on Dish Network Satellite TV Service

The First Television Network To Enable Instant Upgrade With A Click Of The Remote

NEW YORK, Sep 23, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI) announces it is now airing promotional television spots on EchoStar Communications Corporation's (Nasdaq: DISH) satellite TV service that enable DISH Network™ customers to instantly upgrade their service to include the Showtime Unlimited premium 10-channel movie package through one click on their remote control. With this new initiative, SNI becomes the first premium television company to enable instant purchase and activation of its channel package via interactive television advertising.

DISH Network customers no longer need to call the company's toll-free number or visit its website to order Showtime Unlimited. Instead, when viewing certain programs, an on-screen promotion appears prompting customers to order Showtime Unlimited by simply pressing the "Select" button on their remotes. Showtime Unlimited programming will appear within seconds.

SNI and DISH Network also have launched SHOWTIME INTERACTIVE, a "virtual channel" that gives most DISH Network customers easy and immediate access to Showtime Unlimited channel scheduling and in-depth program information. The new service can be accessed from the "Entertainment" section of DISH Network's DISH Home channel. SHOWTIME INTERACTIVE operates on DISH Network's OpenTV interactive platform and is available as a free service to more than 6 million DISH Network customers who have access to DISH Home.

The service provides a variety of unique features to enrich a viewer's entertainment experience including helpful and insightful programming information on SHOWTIME original series, movies, boxing and family programming - all through the remote control. That information includes movie and program schedules and descriptions, movie lists and behind-the-scenes information, actor biographies, boxing event schedules and statistics and boxer biographies.

Non-Showtime subscribers can benefit from taking the Showtime Unlimited Tour where they can view complete package, pricing and special promotional information to assist them in making their purchase decisions. They will also be able to order instantly the Showtime Unlimited premium movie package -- right from their screen using their remote controls.

The Showtime Unlimited 10-channel package on DISH Network includes six SHOWTIME channels, two channels of THE MOVIE CHANNEL, SUNDANCE CHANNEL and FLIX for $11.99 per month.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME® TOO™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE® and TMC xtra. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HDTV®, SHOWTIME® ON DEMAND™ and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND™. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL®, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME® PPV. Additionally, the advertiser- supported television network SHOWTIME EXTREME® is available in Spain through a joint venture with Media Park and the advertiser-supported television network SHOWTIME is available in Turkey through a joint venture with UK-based Zone Vision.

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), through its DISH Network™, the fastest growing U.S. provider of satellite television entertainment services with 9 million customers. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video and audio channels, interactive TV, digital video recording, HDTV, sports and 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).

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SOURCE Showtime Networks Inc.; EchoStar Communications Corporation

Joan Ziff, +1-212-708-1590, joan.ziff@showtime.net, or Brooks Jewell, +1-212-708-1380, [email protected] of Trade PR; or Gregg Stucker of EchoStar Communications Corporation, +1-303-723-2310, [email protected] http://www.SHO.com