DISH Network Surpasses 9 Million Customer Milestone; Continues as the fastest growing satellite subscription TV provider.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 2, 2003

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) announced that its DISH Network(TM), America's fastest growing satellite subscription television service, passed the 9 million customer milestone.

DISH Network's low-price, all-digital product continues to attract growing numbers of customers at a rate unmatched by any other satellite or cable company in the nation.

"The American viewing public demands a low price, great customer service, and a quality product along with a variety of programming options, and that is what we deliver to them," said Charles Ergen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar. "There's no mystery why thousands of people every day drop their cable service to sign up with DISH Network."

DISH Network reached 1 million subscribers in December 1997 and passed the 8 million milestone less than 10 months ago.

DISH Network's innovative engineering has attracted industry attention, especially in the world of DVRs. The state-of-the-art DISH Player-DVR 510 allows viewers to record up to 100 hours of programming, with rewind, pause, slow-motion, fast-forward and other features.

"DISH Network customers who sign up for our DVR service discover quickly that it is the only way to watch TV," said John Scarborough, Senior Vice President of Marketing. "They can schedule their DISH Player-DVR to record their favorite shows, movies and sporting events; and they can conduct computerized searches of the on-screen programming guide to record what they want to watch when they want to watch it."

A 30-second fast-forward button on the remote control also allows customers to skip commercials to watch more TV in less time.

Continuing to separate itself from the cable industry, DISH Network plans to begin offering a high-definition TV system this fall, complete with HD monitor and HD receiver. The next-generation DVR due for release this fall will be the first to accommodate customers who want to record their HD shows.

For more information on DISH Network and any of its products or services call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit www.dishnetwork.com or contact your local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH), through its DISH Network(TM), is the fastest growing U.S. provider of satellite television entertainment services with 9 million customers. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, digital video recording, HDTV, sports and international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at (www.dishnetwork.com) or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).