DISH Network Passes Six Million Customer Milestone.

Business Editors and Technology Writers

LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 2001

EchoStar's DISH Network Continues As Fastest Growing

U.S. Pay Television Provider, Reaching Over 15 Million Viewers

DISH Network(TM) (Nasdaq:DISH)(Nasdaq:DISHP) announced today that its digital satellite television service has passed the 6 million customer milestone.

This achievement comes approximately seven months after surpassing 5 million customers, maintaining DISH Network's lead as the fastest growing pay television provider in the United States. DISH Network's growth has been fueled by the company's superior channel offerings, low monthly costs, and simple-to-order Digital Home Plans that offer a complete digital satellite TV system with no equipment to buy.

DISH Network added approximately 460,000 net new DISH Network customers in the first quarter of 2001, capturing approximately 57 percent of all net new subscribers in the U.S. direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television industry for the quarter. As a result of the strong performance, DISH Network now serves approximately 37 percent of all U.S. DBS subscribers. DISH Network also ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates studies for both 1999 and 2000.

"We're pleased that 6 million households, or more than 15 million viewers, have chosen DISH Network as their television provider," said Charlie Ergen, CEO and chairman of EchoStar Communications Corp. "DISH Network has come a long way since it reached its first million customers in 1997. Our unmatched growth is a strong indication that DISH Network can deliver today what consumers want: 500 channels, free personal video recording, high definition TV channels, high speed internet access via satellite, and interactive television. At the same time we strive to maintain our signature low prices on programming and hardware. We're uniquely positioned to provide the best television solution for consumers in the 21st century."

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. DISH Network was ranked number one in overall customer satisfaction among cable/satellite TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates in 1999 and 2000. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX). DISH Network currently serves over 6 million customers. For more information, contact 800/333-DISH (3474) or visit www.dishnetwork.com.