EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) and its DISH Network(tm) satellite TV service today announced exciting enhancements to its industry-leading DishHD programming package.

On July 11, DISH Network will launch eight Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in high definition (HD) that feature game-only baseball content, including Fox Sports Network Arizona (Ch. 365), Fox Sports Network Northwest (Ch. 376), Fox Sports Network Cincinnati (Ch. 377), Fox Sports Network Pittsburgh (Ch. 378), Fox Sports Network Detroit (Ch. 380), SportsTime Ohio (Ch. 381), Fox Sports Network North (Ch. 386), and SportsNet New York (DISH Network Ch. 388). With the launch of nine HD RSNs earlier this year, these new additions bring DISH Network's total lineup of HD RSNs to 17, with more channel launches planned for Aug. 15.

Also on Aug. 15, DISH Network will add seven national HD channels to its DishHD programming package, including MHD, featuring music programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT; Golf/Versus HD; Animal Planet HD; The Science Channel HD; TLC HD; Discovery HD, and History HD, which will debut on Sept. 1. With these additions -- plus more planned for mid-September -- DishHD subscribers will continue to have access to the largest national HD lineup in the United States.

"No one currently has more national HD channels than DISH Network, and we're committed to maintaining that edge by enhancing DishHD with channels that exemplify the top-quality programming our customers enjoy," said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "When it comes to high definition, DISH Network offers not only the best programming, but the best technology and value as well, including the only free HD DVR in the industry and, starting Aug. 15, six months of DishHD programming for free."

DISH Network's DishHD currently offers customers more than 200 hours per day of HD content from the nation's top programmers and is a $20 add-on to digital definition programming packages, including the DishDVR Advantage. The HD RSNs are available to customers who subscribe to DISH Network's America's Top 100 Plus programming with DishHD.

The highly-acclaimed ViP622 DVR(tm) is the perfect complement to DISH Network's extensive lineup of HD programming -- and it's free to new customers who qualify. One of the most advanced multi-room HD DVR receivers on the market today, the ViP622 DVR boasts the only true 30-second skip feature in the industry -- allowing subscribers to watch television commercial-free.

For more information about DISH Network, DishHD, or the six months free of DishHD promotion, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit www.dishnetwork.com, or visit your local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) has been a leader for more than 26 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. The Company's DISH Network(tm) is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000 and currently serves more than 13.4 million satellite TV customers. DISH Network offers a premier line of industry-leading Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and hundreds of video and audio channels as well as the most national HD and International channels in the U.S., Interactive TV, Latino and sports programming. DISH Network also provides a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America and the DishDVR Advantage Package. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.