Dish Network Satellite TV Announces New Value Paks With HBO/Cinemax; New Bundled Programming Packages Provide Best Entertainment Value

LITTLETON, Colo. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2003--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) and its DISH Network announced today the introduction of DISH Network Value Paks with HBO/Cinemax that represents savings for customers and a great value in pay television.

The DISH Network Value Pak with HBO/Cinemax provides more than 125 channels and starts at $49.99 per month, offering customers unlimited access to eight HBO channels, five Cinemax channels and DISH Network's America's Top 100 programming package. This represents a $2.99 per month reduction from current rates. DISH Network's Value Pak with HBO/Cinemax is also available with America's Top 150 programming package, providing more than 180 channels for only an additional $10 per month. This represents a $1.99 per month reduction from current rates. These new bundled entertainment packages are available for both new and existing customers starting Feb. 1, 2003.

"DISH Network is excited to bring together for our customers combinations of basic and premium programming for a new low bundled price," said Michael Schwimmer, senior vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "Our customers will be pleased that when they subscribe to a DISH Network Value Pak with HBO/Cinemax, they are receiving one of the best values in entertainment."

Subscribers to the package will not only have access to HBO series like "The Sopranos®," "Sex and the City®," and "Six Feet Under(SM)," but they will also receive a great theatrical lineup on Cinemax, including hits like "A Beautiful Mind," "Ocean's Eleven," and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

Also starting Feb. 1, 2003, DISH Network will offer two new premium movie channels from Cinemax: ActionMAX and 5StarMAX. ActionMAX delivers the most action movies, 24 hours a day, from westerns to war movies and rarely available martial arts films. 5StarMAX, a channel ideal for all ages, features movies with the broadest appeal.

"By offering HBO's critically acclaimed original programming along with the largest variety of hit movies on Cinemax for one low price, the DISH Network Value Pak with HBO/Cinemax provides DISH Network customers with the best premium television package," said John Ovrutsky, senior vice president, Direct To Home, HBO. "With the addition of ActionMAX and 5StarMAX, subscribers will get even more opportunities to view movies from Cinemax's huge library of titles."

About DISH Network

DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, as well as advanced hardware and installation. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq Stock Market. DISH Network currently serves 8 million customers.

About HBO

Home Box Office is the premium television programming division of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P., providing two 24-hour premium television services, HBO and Cinemax. Together, both networks reach approximately 38 million subscribers in the United States via cable and satellite delivery. Home Box Office's international joint ventures bring HBO branded services to more than 50 countries around the globe.

©2001 Warner Bros. Harry Potter Publishing Rights©J.K. Rowling. HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and©Warner Bros. All rights reserved.

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CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation Marc Lumpkin, 303/723-2020 [email protected]