Business Editors

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2003--EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that its DISH Network(TM) now offers local TV channels by satellite television to Lansing, Mich. The following local TV channels are offered: ABC Ch. 53 (WLAJ), CBS Ch. 6 (WLNS), NBC Ch. 10 (WILX), FOX Ch. 47 (WSYM) and PBS Ch. 23 (WKAR).

This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite TV in the Lansing area, providing an alternative to local cable TV service. Local channels will be offered at $5.99 per month for DISH Network customers in Lansing. DISH Network also provides digital video recording technologies and high definition TV channels to Lansing.

"Television viewers in Lansing now have an obvious, money-saving alternative to cable by switching to the lowest priced service in the nation," said Michael Schwimmer, senior vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "We think the American consumer is tired of piggish cable companies that eat them out of house and home with their ever increasing costly rates. DISH Network's 100 percent digital quality, channel selection and now Lansing news, sports and weather give customers a good reason to switch to our satellite service."

DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to Lansing customers in 5 Michigan counties including: Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson and Hillsdale.

With the addition of Lansing, DISH Network offers local channels in a total of 99 cities and their metro areas nationwide.

DISH Network offers consumers the lowest all digital TV package price in America at only $24.99 per month for more than 50 popular TV channels such as ESPN, Discovery, CNN and the Food Network. DISH Network guarantees the lowest all digital TV price through January 2005. DISH Network now offers new customers three free months of its DISH Network Value Pak with HBO and Cinemax, a savings of approximately $150. The DISH Network Value Pak of America's Top 100 channel package provides 132 channels of America's most popular programming, including 13 premium movie channels of HBO and Cinemax for $49.99 per month.

For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call -DISH (), 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 Communications

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves over 9 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 -DISH ().

    CONTACT: DISH Network
             Kelley Baca,