EchoStar Reports Record Results For Third Quarter, 2000

DISH Networkô Captures 58 Percent Of Net New Direct Broadcast Satellite TV Customers In 2000 And Reaches 5 Million Customer Milestone

15-Nov-00

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) announced that it continued to experience record-setting customer growth for its DISH Networkô direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television service during the third quarter of 2000, adding approximately 455,000 net new subscribers. DISH Network, the fastest growing television provider in the United States, also passed the 5 million customer mark during November. DISH Network's net third quarter subscriber growth was 21 percent greater than in the third quarter of 1999, and subscriber growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2000, was 31 percent greater than subscriber growth during the same period in 1999. As a result, DISH Network, which has been ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates studies for both 1999 and 2000, captured over 58 percent of all net new DBS television subscribers during the first nine months this year. EchoStar reported total revenue of $698 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, compared to $428 million for the corresponding period in 1999. Pre-marketing cash flow grew to $262 million, or $0.55 per share, during the third quarter ended September 30, 2000, compared to $153 million, or $0.34 per share, during the third quarter ended September 30, 1999. With record customer growth, EchoStar experienced increased upfront acquisition costs, resulting in increased operating and net losses compared to the corresponding period in 1999. EchoStar's operating loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, totaled $82 million compared to $79 million reported during the corresponding period in 1999. The company's net losses totaled $131 million for the third quarter of 2000 compared to a net loss of $124 million during the corresponding period in 1999. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the quarter ended September 30, 2000, improved to negative $26 million, as compared to EBITDA of negative $47 million for the corresponding period in 1999. For more information about EchoStar, visit www.echostar.com. For more information about DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com.

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