DISH Network Celebrates Third Birthday With 2 Million Customers

EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) is has announced that DISH Networkô is celebrating its third birthday with a special promotion: Currant customers will receive a limited edition DISH Network bean bag bear when they add one or more premium movie packages during the month of March. After broadcasting its first video signal across the nation March 3, 1996, DISH Network has since grown quickly to over 2 million customers in less than 3 years. """" special thanks goes to our customers from everyone at DISH Network for helping us reach our third birthday,"" Said Charlie Ergen, Chairman and CEO of EchoStar. ""DISH Network originated with a pledge to offer the American public the best possible alternative to cable. In light of recent cable rate hikes, we're proud to announce that we haven't raised the price one penny for our America's Top 40 basic programming package since DISH Network's inception. And to challenge cable companies, we froze our rates until the year 2000."" Some milestones in DISH Network's three-year history include the following: 1996 - After the pivotal launching of the Echo I satellite in December 1995, DISH Network is born March 3 and signs on its first customer in April. - EchoStar's second satellite, Echo II, launches to provide DISH Network a total of 200 audio and video channels.- By December, DISH Network boasts: 350,000 new customers. 1997 - Echo III satellite launches to expand DISH Network's international, educational and business programming, delivery of data and local channels. - EchoStar is the first DES provider to drop its satellite receiver price point to under $200. - DISH Network achieves 1 million subscribers in 1997. 1998 - Echo IV launches to augment DISH Network's local programming initiative and provide expanded international channels, educational and business television, and data applications. - DISH Network becomes the only DBS provider to broadcast local channels in 13 select cities. - EchoStar announces agreement with News Corp. and MCI Worldcom to obtain licenses to operate two more high-powered satellites, an up-link center and FOX Network local retransmission rights. - EchoStar offers FREE digital satellite TV systems, after rebate with the popular DISH Network One-Rate Plan. - DISH Network guarantees not to raise its programming prices through March 2000. 1999 - DISH Network leads DBS industry with a record 100,000 net subscribers for January.- DISH Network reaches 2 million customers.""DISH Network has experienced tremendous growth and continues to develop cutting-edge technology as a result,"" Ergen said. ""We strive to provide even more choices with services such as high-definition and interactive TV, data services and local-to-local programming. With these accomplishments under our belt, getting older only gets better."" DISH Network offers America's Top 40 programming package for only $9.99 or America's Top 100 CD programming package for $28.99 - as well as premium multichannels of HBO, ShowTime, Cinemax and STARZ/ENCORE!, providing CD-quality audio and video channels all served by an 18-inch satellite dish. For more information about movie packages and a limited edition DISH birthday bear, call 800 333 DISH (3474), or visit the DISH website at www.dishnetwork.com.