DISH Networkô Reaches 10 Million Viewers

EchoStar Launches Sixth Satellite To Enhance Channel Capacity To Serve Over 10 Million DISH Networkô Satellite TV Viewers Nationwide

21-Jul-00

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) announced that DISH Networkô satellite television is now serving more than 10 million viewers with hundreds of satellite TV channel choices. With over four million households nationwide and the launch of its sixth satellite on July 14, DISH Network offers up to 500 television channels of the most entertainment, sports, movies and family programming available in the United States. ""With over 10 million viewers and 500 channels, DISH Network is now one of the most watched multichannel television providers in the nation,"" said Charlie Ergen, Chairman and CEO of EchoStar. ""The successful launch of EchoStar VI will continue to strengthen our lineup of television programming with the most popular channel choices available."" EchoStar VI was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on July 14 and will be positioned, pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission, at the 119 degrees West Longitude position where it will offer a more robust signal strength to the continental United States, more channel services for Alaska and Hawaii, and increased backup service.""We continue to invest in the future of our customers to ensure that Americans have a choice in television programming against the rising prices and poor customer service of cable TV,"" Ergen continued. With six satellites in orbit, DISH Network is well-positioned as the only television provider in the United States to offer over 500 satellite television channels. DISH Network currently offers local channels in 30 cities, over 28 premium movie channels and new technologies such as high definition television, interactive TV services, DolbyÆ Digital sound, Internet and digital video recording. DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system with the capacity to offer 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network, a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation, currently serves over four million households nationwide. DISH Network was ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates in 1999. EchoStar is included in the NASDAQ-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on the NASDAQ Stock Market. For more information, phone 800 333 DISH (3474) or visit www.dishnetwork.com.

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