DISH Network Presents First Movie Channel Featuring Dolby Digital; EchoStar's Newest Receivers Deliver Dolby Digital Surround Sound.

LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 1999--EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) is proud to present DISH Network's DISH-On-Demand movies in Dolby Digital surround sound beginning April 3.

DISH Network will broadcast a new movie featuring Dolby Digital audio on DISH-On-Demand pay-per-view channel 511 each week starting in April.

Customers who have an EchoStar Model 4720 satellite television system or JVC D-VHS receiver can take advantage of the Dolby Digital audio experience as both include a built-in Dolby Digital output to transmit Dolby Digital surround sound automatically. The EchoStar Model 7100/WebTV satellite TV receiver will also be Dolby Digital ready when it goes on sale this spring.

Customers can upgrade their EchoStar Models 4000 or 5000 satellite receivers for Dolby Digital sound by purchasing a Dolby Digital Adapter through DISH Network for only $69 (MSRP). The Dolby Digital Adapter makes the introduction of surround sound into the home audio and video system quick and simple. This easy-to-install adapter plugs into the satellite receiver's High Speed Data Port and readily connects to the customer's personal home Dolby Digital surround sound system.

"Dolby Digital technology offers superb audio quality for selected pay-per-view movies that complements DISH Network's crystal-clear video programming," said Michael Schwimmer, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "We consistently strive to provide our customers with the most cutting edge audio technology available on the market in order to complete their home theater capabilities without the expense of purchasing a new satellite receiver."

DISH Network's DISH-On-Demand will feature The Truman Show beginning (April 3-9); Six Days, Seven Nights (April 10-16); Ever After (April 17-23); and What Dreams May Come (April 24-30). DISH-On-Demand pay-per-view movies cost only $2.99 each, and customers who do not connect to Dolby Digital sound can still watch pay-per-view movies with CD-quality audio on Channel 511.

For more information or to order a Dolby Digital Adapter, call 1-800/333-DISH (3474).

EchoStar Communications Corp. includes three interrelated business units:

- DISH Network(TM) is EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system that

offers customers over 300 channels of digital video and

CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware

and installation. - EchoStar Technologies Corporation (ETC, formerly HTS(TM) -

Houston Tracker Systems, Inc.), designs, manufactures and

distributes DBS set-top boxes, antennas and other digital

equipment for 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. - Satellite Services provides the delivery of video, audio and data

services to business television customers and other satellite

users. These services include satellite uplink, satellite

transponder space-usage and other services. Satellite Services

also administers SKY VISTA, a direct broadcast satellite service

offering up to 27 channels of popular digital satellite

television programming to viewers in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico

and the U.S. territories in the Caribbean.

DISH Network currently serves over 2.1 million customers. 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: www.dishnetwork.com