DISH Network Increases International Programming Choices; EchoStar Adds More Foreign Language Channels.

LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 1998--EchoStar Communications Corp., (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) is pleased to announce the addition of several new channels to the DISH Network(TM) international channel lineup: TV Polonia (Polish), TV ASIA, (South Asian), ZEE TV (Hindi), and an expanded Arabic language package that now adds ART MOVIES and LBC (Lebanese) to the high quality ART programming currently offered.

DISH Network is proud to introduce these foreign-language channels to the growing population of Polish-, Hindi- and Arabic-speaking communities in the United States. These newest additions confirm DISH Network's position as the leading service provider of international programming.

This great new programming will be transmitted from the EchoStar III satellite positioned at 61.5 degrees West Longitude.

o TV POLONIA - In service as of May 30, 1998 - TV Polonia (Channel TVP: 608) is watched by nearly nine million people around the world who enjoy TV Polonia's films and TV serials as well as studio interviews and infotainment programs. Programs are broadcast in the Polish language with many movies subtitled in English. The DISH Network also delivers two complementary TV Polonia radio channels (662, 663). The video channel and two radio channels are sold as a package for $19.98 per month.

o ART/ART MOVIES/LBC - Launch date: August 1 - ART (Channel ART: 642) presents Arabic entertainment and educational programs featuring live sporting and musical events, Arabic movies and drama serials. ART MOVIES (Channel ARTMV: 643) offers the latest Arabic and international blockbusters plus a large collection of the classics. LBC (Channel 644) provides Arabic-language programming from Lebanon 24 hours a day, including movies, sports, talkshows and mini-series. These three Arabic-language channels will be sold as a package for $19.99 per month. NOTE: Effective July 14, ART will no longer be sold as an a la carte service. New customers may only subscribe to ART as part of the new Arabic language package on DISH Network's EchoStar III satellite.

o TV ASIA - Launch date: July 1 - TV ASIA (Channel TVASA: 613) is a popular channel broadcast in Hindi, English and Gujarati languages and consists of news, educational programs, dramas, music and movies. Price: $14.99 per month.

o ZEE TV - Launch date: July 15 - ZEE TV (Channel ZEETV: 611) is India's premier network channel. ZEE TV offers 24-hour-a-day infotainment programming in a mixture of Hindi and other languages from South Asia. The program has been available for a free preview on DISH Network since June 23 for all customers. Price: $14.99 per month.

"DISH Network is proud to add these services to our current platform of international channels offering high quality programming to ethnic communities in the U.S.," said Michael Schwimmer, vice president of programming for DISH Network. "By delivering this programming on a small dish satellite system sold for less than $150, EchoStar significantly enhances the attractiveness and affordability of international programming services to customers who are left without what is often the important news and entertainment to them by standard American broadcast and cable channels."

These additional international channels join DISH Network's other popular foreign language programming, including the following:

o TV JAPAN from Japan's largest national broadcast network, NHK; o TV5 and Radio France Internationale (RFI), which provide high-quality French language programming and radio service available 24 hours a day from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada;

o RTPi, a Portuguese language programming service that provides news, entertainment, music, novelas, sports and children's programming 24 hours a day;

o Antenna (Greek), and RAI (Italian).

"DISH Network strives to provide our foreign language-speaking customers the best programming available from their native-language countries," Schwimmer added. "DISH Network will continue to expand its foreign language programming lineup which is already the most comprehensive of any cable or satellite service provider."

Customers may order any or all of these services by calling 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

Customers of these foreign programming options can also subscribe to one of DISH Network's great programming packages, America's Top 40 or America's Top 60 CD, with a satellite dish aimed at 119 degrees W.L.

EchoStar Communications Corp., includes three interrelated business units:

o DISH Network(TM), EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system that offers customers over 200 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware, installation, financing and leasing.

o EchoStar Technologies Corporation (ETC, formerly HTS(TM) - Houston Tracker Systems, Inc.), designs, manufactures and distributes DBS set-top boxes, antennae and other digital equipment for the DISH Network and various international customers that include ExpressVu Canada and Telefonica's Via Digital system in Spain. ETC also provides uplink center design, construction oversight and project integration services for customers internationally.

o Satellite Services provides the delivery of video, audio and data services to business television customers and other satellite users. These services include satellite uplink services, satellite transponder space usage, and other services.

The DISH Network currently serves over one million customers. EchoStar recently enhanced its services with the launch of EchoStar IV on May 8, 1998. DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. HTS is a trademark of Houston Tracker Systems, Inc. DISH Network is located on the Internet at: http://www.dishnetwork.com

    CONTACT:  EchoStar Communications Corp.
               Judianne Atencio
               Communications Director
               303/723-2010
               e-mail: [e-mail]
                      or
               Marc Lumpkin
               Communications Manager
               303/723-2020
               e-mail:[e-mail]