ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2005--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) announced today that its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service now offers local channels by satellite television to Billings, Mont., and the surrounding area. The following local TV channels will be available: ABC Ch. 6 (KSVI), CBS Ch. 2 (KTVQ), NBC Ch. 8 (KULR) and FOX Ch. 4 (KHMT). 
 

This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite in Billings, 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 new 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 Billings TV channels.

DISH Network, with the lowest all-digital price in the nation, also provides digital video recording technologies, international channels and high definition TV to the Billings area.

"The availability of local channels on DISH Network gives TV viewers in the Billings 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 16 counties in the Billings area: Big Horn, Carbon, Custer, Garfield, Golden Valley, Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Petroleum, Powder River, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland and Yellowstone.

With the addition of Billings, DISH Network offers local channels in 155 cities and their metro areas, in 50 states nationwide plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 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 800-333-DISH (3474).