DISH Network Expands Showtime Unlimited Premium Movie Package For DISH 500 Customers

EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) announced Friday it will launch two new premium movie channels, Showtime Beyond and Showtime 3, as part of DISH Network's Showtime Unlimited premium movie package to customers who have a DISH 500 satellite TV system. With the addition of these new channels, DISH Network willoffer 10 channels in the Showtime Unlimited Package for one low price of $10.99 per month, confirming DISH Network's position as the leader in offering more channel choices than any other satellite or cable TV provider.DISH Network is also pleased to announce that it will launch Showtime Networks' The Movie Channel 2 in the spring of 2000, giving satellite customers even more movie choices.Also, DISH Network and Showtime Networks will soon offer west coast feeds of The Movie Channel and The Movie Channel 2 in an upcoming, enhanced programming package available this spring for DISH 500 customers that will include all of the channels from DISH Network's popular America's Top 100 CD programming package and new basic programming services.Showtime BEYOND and Showtime 3 are now available to customers who have a DISH 500 satellite TV system and subscribe to the Showtime Unlimited Package. DISH 500 is capable of receiving television signals from satellites located at two different orbital slots located at 110 degrees West Longitude and 119 degrees W.L., offering consumers up to500 channel choices on a single small dish, including local channels from more than 18 cities, more premium movie services, international channels, the new DISH Latino Spanish-language package, more DISH-On-Demand pay-per-view channels, plus high-speed data and interactive television services.Showtime BEYOND is the new 24-hour multiplex channel of Showtime, offering a blend of movies and series with a sci-fi, horror and fantasy theme. This channel features a genre of programming that consistently ranks as one of consumers' top preferences and appeals to a broad audience. Showtime BEYOND features select theatrical premieres, original pictures and series, including exclusive new episodes of the provocative series, The Hunger, hosted by David Bowie.Showtime 3, also a multiplex channel of Showtime, is designed to complement Showtime by offering consumers an unprecedented amount of flexibility, choices and program options at any given time. Showtime 3 features top Hollywood hits and award-winning Showtime Original Pictures.The Movie Channel and The Movie Channel 2, both east and west feeds, provide uncut and commercial-free movies. The Movie Channel offers over 120 different movie choices each month, including big first-run theatricals, daily movie marathons, TMC Overnight and TMC Double Vision Weekends.The Showtime Unlimited Package provides customers with exclusive first-run Hollywood hit movies, world premiere original movies, award-winning family specials and championship boxing. All of the channels in the Showtime Unlimited package are programmed to complement each other, with staggered start times and no same-day duplication, giving subscribers the greatest viewing choices every day.DISH Network is proud to add Showtime's new channels to its DISH 500 lineup,"" said Michael Schwimmer, Vice President of Programming for DISH Network. ""Showtime's premium movie services appeal to a broad spectrum of viewers by providing cinematic favorites, as well as introducing great new programming that appeals to every family member. This complements DISH Network's extensive lineup of premium movie offerings.""DISH Network now offers viewers 10 channels in the Showtime Unlimited Package for $10.99 per month: six channels of Showtime (including Showtime EXTREME and Showtime BEYOND), two channels of The Movie Channel, FLIX and SUNDANCE CHANNEL.""We are thrilled that EchoStar has agreed to launch these additional channels,"" stated Jeff Wade, Executive Vice President, Sales and Affiliate Marketing for Showtime Networks. ""Showtime, in partnership with EchoStar, continues its commitment to providing satellite customers with the widest variety of programming and the best value.""To learn how to get a FREE DISH 500 satellite TV system today and a FREE installation, see your local DISH Network retailer, visit http://www.dishnetwork.com or phone 800-333-DISH (3474).DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system with the capacity to offer customers 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation and currently serves over 3.4 million customers. DISH Network was ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates in 1999. EchoStar V, EchoStar's newest, high-power direct broadcast satellite, launched on September 23, 1999, and provides the capacity for DISH Network to offer 500 channels, including high definition television, more local channels, and high-speed interactive television and data services.Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks Showtime, The Movie Channel and FLIX. SNI operates and manages the premium television network Sundance Channel, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI also markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis.