EchoStar's New DISH DVD Model 5422 Satellite Television Systems Available Soon; EchoStar's DISH Network Demonstrates World's First DVD/Satellite TV Receiver Offering

Business Wire, July 19, 2000

Business Editors and Entertainment/Technology Writers

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 2000

Two Home Theater Components in One Complete System

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH)(Nasdaq:DISHP) demonstrated today at the annual Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association industry trade show in Las Vegas the world's first combination satellite television receiver with a built-in Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player -- DISH DVD Model 5422.

The DISH DVD satellite TV receiver with a DISH 500 system will be available to consumers for only $399 during late summer 2000.

DISH DVD offers consumers two home theater components in one, providing a convenient, affordable way to watch their favorite DVD movies as well as hundreds of channels of popular DISH Network programming, such as Discovery, ESPN, Disney and more, all with crisp pictures and crystal-clear, CD-quality sound.

The DISH DVD player includes DVD-specific controls that heighten the viewer's interaction and movie experience, such as multiple language options and subtitle tracks, multiple angles, title and chapter navigation, plus the ability to view special DVD content, such as interviews and commentaries. The DVD player also features four fast-forward and rewind speeds and four forward and reverse slow-motion speeds to control on-screen viewing. Dolby Digital(TM) sound is available with DVD movies and many channels of DISH Network programming. Plus DISH DVD plays your favorite musical compact discs as well.

DISH DVD offers a four-device remote control, which operates the satellite TV receiver and DVD player, a TV, and two other electronic components.

EchoStar's DISH DVD system comes with a DISH 500 satellite dish antenna, which receives signals from two different satellite positions providing hundreds of DISH Network satellite TV channels, including local networks from 30 U.S. cities, foreign language programming, DISH Latino, premium movie packages and DISH-On-Demand pay-per-view channels.

"EchoStar's new DISH DVD system is the first of its kind to offer consumers a cost-effective, satellite TV receiver and DVD player in one unit, eliminating the hassle and expense of purchasing separate components," said Mike Dugan, president of EchoStar. "By combining a DVD player with an EchoStar satellite TV system, DISH DVD becomes an essential component for any home theater system, giving viewers access to over 2,000 movie choices a month plus access to a DVD/CD player."

For more information about DISH DVD, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 800/333-DISH (3474) or visit your local DISH Network retailer.

For Press: Visit www.dishnetwork.com/profile and click on the "About Us" section to download print-quality image of DISH DVD.

DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system capable of offering over 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 4 million customers 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.