DISH Network has installed its satellite TV service at 81 evacuee shelters across the country, providing crucial communication to more than 42,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina.

As of today, DISH Network has established its free TV service in relief shelters including the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C.; Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio; the Red Cross Southeast headquarters in Meridian, Miss.; Lowry Air Force Base in Denver; BancorpSouth Center in Tupelo, Miss.; the Tinley Park Mental Health Association in Chicago; the Civic Center in Birmingham, Ala.; the Utah Army National Guard at Camp Williams, Utah; and Fort Custer Army Base in Augusta, Mich.

DISH Network will also be broadcasting the Katrina Information Network (KIN) on Ch. 206, free of charge to all DISH Network customers during the hurricane recovery period. As the channel develops, viewers will have access to a variety of information relating to the disaster, including key telephone numbers, a survivor list to help victims find their loved ones, as well as other updates provided by hurricane relief agencies.

"We hope DISH Network's KIN and its up-to-date hurricane-related news can help keep the hurricane victims informed about developments affecting them personally," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for EchoStar Communications Corporation, the company that operates DISH Network. "And, if the rest of DISH Network's programming can help to raise morale among the evacuees, that's a bonus."

DISH Network has already begun helping hurricane victims re-establish satellite TV service, and in many cases customers who retained power also retained uninterrupted satellite TV service. Thousands of consumers are discovering that satellite TV is the only way to stay connected to the dozens of news, weather, sports and entertainment channels to which they have become accustomed.

DISH Network has mobilized hundreds of technicians nationally to establish satellite TV service for shelters and for customers within the disaster area.

By watching DISH Network at the shelters, many evacuees have become aware for the first time of the national impact of the hurricane damage.

DISH Network Business Solutions, a division of DISH Network, has also agreed with Clear Channel Communications, Inc. to provide Clear Channel's Baton Rouge FM radio signals to New Orleans stations.

EchoStar has established an employee matching fundraising program for the American Red Cross.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11.4 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).