DISH Network Ranks No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction in J.D. Power and Associates Satellite/Cable TV 2004 Study

Business Wire, August 18, 2004

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) announced today that its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing multichannel TV provider in the last four years, has been ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction among satellite and cable TV subscribers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Syndicated Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study(SM).

This marks the third time in six years that DISH Network has received the J.D. Power and Associates No. 1 ranking. DISH Network received the highest score (725 out of 1,000 points) in the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates study. The average for cable and satellite TV providers tracked in the study was 664 points. This year's J.D. Power and Associates study is based on responses from 8,668 satellite TV and cable households nationwide.

"Our No. 1 ranking from J.D. Power and Associates shows that DISH Network, the home of the lowest all-digital price in America, provides the best customer service and the best value in the television industry," said Michael Kelly, executive vice president of Customer Service at EchoStar. "We now offer local channels by satellite to more than 90 percent of U.S. TV households. Our award-winning digital video recorders let you pause, rewind and record live TV so you can watch what you want, when you want. Plus, we offer them to our customers at a fraction of the cost charged by others. The J.D. Power award underscores that DISH Network is the perfect alternative to cable TV's high prices and poor customer service."

The J.D. Power and Associates study ranked DISH Network highest in the areas of billing, cost of service, and promotions and offerings.

In June, DISH Network was also ranked number one in customer satisfaction in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) study conducted by the University of Michigan Business School. The study ranked DISH Network well above all cable companies, which on average scored lower than the Internal Revenue Service.

J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction.

For a copy of the J.D. Power and Associates press release and overview of the study, visit http://www.jdpower.com/news/releases/index.asp.> For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 1-800/333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer. For downloadable, print quality images of DISH Network equipment, installations or the DISH Network logo, visit www.dishnetwork.com/content/aboutus/presskit/print/index.shtml.> About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) serves more than 10.1 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM) and is a leading U.S. provider of advanced digital television services. DISH Network's services include hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network is the leader in the sale of digital video recorders (DVRs). Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).