DISH Network Announces Channel Additions to Its Most Popular Programming Package; Price of Basic Programming Packages to Increase $1.

Business Editors

LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2002

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) announced today the addition of two new programming services, Speedvision and MuchMusic, to its America's Top 100 CD programming package, effective in March. DISH Network also announced that it will increase the cost of its basic programming packages by $1 per month effective March 1 due to rising programming costs and the addition of new channels and services in 2001. The basic programming packages affected include America's Top 50, America's Top 100 CD, and America's Top 150. In addition, on Jan. 1, 2002, Dish Network added approximately 250 new local TV channels to its satellite TV lineup, offering local UPN, WB and PBS network stations and many more in each of the 36 U.S. markets DISH Network serves with local channels, and did so without raising its local channel rates.

"By achieving greater operational efficiencies in our business, we've maintained our track record of implementing one of the lowest price increases in the pay TV market," said Michael Schwimmer, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "Our increases are not only smaller than those recently announced by cable companies, but they are also less than the price increases we've incurred from programmers."

Schwimmer pointed out that Dish Network's rate increase of $1 per month equated to an increase of only 3 percent on the company's most popular package. In comparison, many major cable companies have announced recent price increases of over 6 percent. At the same time, program providers, particularly sports programmers, have increased the carriage rates they charge EchoStar as much as 20 percent.

While EchoStar has added new channels to its America's Top 150 programming package such as VH1 Classic, Fox Movie Channel, Great American Country, Soapnet, Wisdom, Style, Nickelodeon Games and Sports, and the Hallmark Channel, this is the first price increase for this package since its inception 3 years ago.

"DISH Network continues to work hard to maintain low rates while providing new channels for its customers," Schwimmer added. "Our goal continues to be to offer a good value to consumers in an effort to effectively compete against the dominant cable companies."

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 satellite TV receiver hardware and installation. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX). DISH Network currently serves over 6.4 million customers. For more information, visit www.dishnetwork.com.