ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2005--EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that its DISH Network(TM) satellite service will offer local TV channels by satellite television to Gainesville, Fla., and the surrounding area. The following local TV channels will be available: ABC Ch. 20 (WCJB), CBS Ch. 4 (WGFL), FOX Ch. 51 (WOGX) and PBS Ch. 5 (WUFT). 
 

This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite in Gainesville, providing an alternative to local cable TV service. DISH Network now offers local channels as part of its Digital Home Advantage. Starting at $31.99 per month, this package offers customers free installation for up to four TVs, with no commitment and no hardware to buy and includes more than 60 popular TV channels such as ESPN, Discovery and USA Network, plus local Gainesville TV channels.

DISH Network has the lowest all-digital TV price in the industry. Customers can call DISH Network or a local satellite TV retailer to learn how to get a free multi-satellite dish antenna required to receive Gainesville-area local channels. DISH Network also provides digital video recording technologies, international channels and high-definition TV to the Gainesville area.

"The availability of local channels on DISH Network gives TV viewers in the Gainesville area an even more compelling reason to switch from cable," said Eric Sahl, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "Customers who are fed up with the cable companies' outrageous rate increases now have access to local news, weather and sports via all-digital satellite TV -- only on DISH Network -- at a competitive price."

DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to four counties in the Gainesville area: Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy counties.

With the addition of Gainesville, DISH Network offers local channels in 153 cities and their metro areas, in 50 states nationwide plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

For customers who do not subscribe to Digital Home Advantage, local channels will be available at $5.99 per month with a $1 credit for the total cost of $4.99 until the local NBC affiliate becomes available.

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 11 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last four years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. DISH Network ranks No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction among Cable/Satellite TV Subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).