DISH Networkô Passes Six Million Customer Milestone

EchoStar's DISH Networkô Continues As Fastest-Growing U.S. Pay Television Provider, Reaching Over 15 Million Viewers

12-Jun-01

DISH Networkô (Nasdaq: DISH, DISHP) announced that its digital satellite television service has passed the six million customer milestone. This achievement comes approximately seven months after surpassing five million customers, maintaining DISH Network's lead as the fastest-growing pay television provider in the United States. DISH Network's growth has been fueled by the company's superior channel offerings, low monthly costs, and simple-to-order Digital Home Plans that offer a complete digital satellite TV system with no equipment to buy. DISH Network added approximately 460,000 net new DISH Network customers in the first quarter of 2001, capturing approximately 57 percent of all net new subscribers in the U.S. direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television industry for the quarter. As a result of the strong performance, DISH Network now serves approximately 37 percent of all U.S. DBS subscribers. DISH Network also ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates studies for both 1999 and 2000. ""We're pleased that six million households, or more than 15 million viewers, have chosen DISH Network as their television provider,"" said Charlie Ergen, CEO and Chairman of EchoStar Communications Corp. ""DISH Network has come a long way since it reached its first million customers in 1997. Our unmatched growth is a strong indication that DISH Network can deliver today what consumers want: 500 channels, free personal video recording, high definition TV channels, high speed internet access via satellite, and interactive television. At the same time we strive to maintain our signature low prices on programming and hardware. We're uniquely positioned to provide the best television solution for consumers in the 21st century."" For more information, visit www.dishnetwork.com.