Dish Network Satellite TV Names 42 New Local Channel Markets for 2003

With New SuperDish Technology, DISH Network Plans to Deliver Local
Channels Via Satellite to 106 Markets Nationwide by Year End

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) and its DISH Network(TM), a leading provider of satellite television entertainment services, announced today 42 new designated market areas where it plans to launch local TV channels, provided retransmission agreements with local TV stations can be formalized in each of the markets.

This will bring the total number of markets DISH Network serves with local channels to 106 by year end. DISH Network is also announcing that it plans to offer local channels via satellite in more cities across the nation by end of 2004. Today, consumers have a choice of receiving local TV channels from DISH Network in 64 U.S. cities.

EchoStar Chairman and CEO Charles Ergen is making the announcement at DISH Network's annual Team Summit satellite TV retailer conference here where more than 3,000 attendees gathered for seminars and workshops about new DISH Network products and services.

Customers in these 42 new markets will require the use of either DISH Network's existing DISH 500 antennas or its new SuperDish, a multi-satellite dish unveiled to satellite TV retailers today. The SuperDish, an elliptical 66-centimeter dish, is capable of offering customers access to hundreds of popular DISH Network channels, local channels in new markets, HDTV channels and international programming. The SuperDish will be capable of receiving satellite signals from three orbital locations.

"DISH Network continues to seek ways to expand services for its customers and increase competition to cable," said Ergen. "By expanding our delivery of local channels into more markets, DISH Network will provide consumers the opportunity to subscribe to a service that is less expensive and of better quality than what the dominant cable companies provide."

Markets planned for launch by the end of the year include the
following:

1. Albany, N.Y.
2. Anchorage, Alaska
3. Baltimore, Md.
4. Boise, Idaho
5. Champaign, Ill.
6. Charleston, W.V.
7. Chattanooga, Tenn.
8. Columbia, S.C.
9. Columbus, Ohio
10. Davenport/Moline, Iowa
11. Duluth, Minn.
12. Eugene, Ore.
13. Evansville, Ind.
14. Ft. Smith, Ark.
15. Ft. Wayne, Ind.
16. Green Bay, Wis.
17. Greensboro, N.C.
18. Jackson, Miss.
19. Jefferson City, Mo.
20. Johnstown-Altoona, Pa.
21. Knoxville, Tenn.
22. Lincoln, Neb.
23. Little Rock, Ark.
24. Madison, Wis.
25. Memphis, Tenn.
26. Milwaukee, Wis.
27. Missoula, Mont.
28. Mobile, Ala.-Pensacola, Fla.
29. Richmond, Va.
30. Roanoke, Va.
31. Savannah, Ga.
32. Sherman, Texas/Ada, Okla.
33. Shreveport, La.
34. South Bend, Ind.
35. Springfield, Mo.
36. Tallahassee, Fla.
37. Traverse City, Mich.
38. Tri-Cities, Tenn./Va.
39. Wausau, Wis.
40. Wichita, Kan.
41. Wilkes Barre, Pa.
42. Yakima, Wash.

DISH Network offers consumers the lowest all-digital TV package price in America at only $24.99 per month for more than 50 channels. Local channels are available for $5.99 per month.

For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 800/333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer.

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH), through its DISH Network(TM), is a leading U.S. provider of satellite television entertainment services to homes and businesses with 8.18 million customers. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video, audio and Interactive TV channels, personal video recording, HDTV, sports, international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service.

CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation
Press Contact:
Marc Lumpkin, 303/723-2020
marc.lumpkin@echostar.com

SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation

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