EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that its DISH Network™ satellite TV service now offers local channels by satellite television to Casper-Riverton, Wyo., and the surrounding area. The following local TV channels will be available: ABC Ch. 2 (KTWO), CBS Ch. 14 (KGWC), NBC Ch. 13 (KCWY), and FOX Ch. 20 (KFNB).

This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite in Casper-Riverton, 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 DISH Network commitment and no hardware to buy and includes more than 60 popular TV channels such as ESPN, Discovery and USA Network, plus local Casper TV channels.

Customers can call DISH Network or a local satellite TV retailer to learn how to get a dish antenna required to receive Casper-Riverton area local 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 Casper-Riverton area.

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

DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to five counties in the Casper-Riverton area: Converse, Freemont, Hot Springs, Natrona and Washakie. For customers who do not subscribe to Digital Home Advantage, local channels will be offered for $5.99 a month. With the addition of Casper-Riverton, DISH Network offers local channels in 160 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 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 Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11.2 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network™, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five 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. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).