ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2006--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) reported total revenue of $2.18 billion for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2005, a 12.8 percent increase compared with $1.93 billion for the corresponding period in 2004. 
 

Net income totaled $133 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2005, compared with $70 million during the corresponding period in 2004. Basic earnings per share were $.30 for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2005, compared with basic earnings per share of $.15 during the corresponding period in 2004.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2005, EchoStar reported total revenue of $8.43 billion compared with $7.15 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004, an increase of 17.8 percent. EchoStar's net income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005, totaled $1.51 billion, compared with $215 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 2004. Net income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005, includes a non-recurring, non-cash benefit of approximately $593 million to recognize the tax benefits of previously reported tax losses and a $134 million gain related to the settlement of EchoStar IV satellite insurance and related claims.

DISH Network added approximately 330,000 net new subscribers during the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2005, giving the company approximately 12.04 million subscribers as of that date, an increase of 1.135 million subscribers compared to the number of subscribers as of Dec. 31, 2004.

Detailed financial data and other information are available today in EchoStar's Form 10-K for the annual period ended Dec. 31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About EchoStar Communications

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12 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. EchoStar has been a leader for more than 25 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 500 company. Visit EchoStar's Web site at www.echostar.com or call 800-333-DISH (3474).