ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 4, 2007 -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network^TM satellite TV service announced today the launch of seven Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in high definition (HD) that will strengthen DISH Network’s position as the leader in HD programming. Now avid fans in these seven markets will have access to their home team’s games in vivid HD and stunning surround sound.

“Sports fans have been driving the HD movement for quite some time now so naturally we’re excited to offer regional coverage of games and sporting events in this amazing and graphic picture quality,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “Whether it’s baseball, basketball, football, college or professional, there’s no better way to watch all the action than in HD and DISH Network has a great sports lineup and the most national HD channels today.”

The seven HD RSNs launched today include Fox Sports Network Florida (DISH Network Ch. 373), Fox Sports Network Midwest (Ch. 368), Fox Sports Network West (Ch. 367), Fox Sports Network Prime Ticket (Ch. 361), Fox Sports Network Rocky Mountain (Ch. 364), Fox Sports Network South (Ch. 370) and Fox Sports Network Southwest (Ch. 366).

DISH Network will continue to explore carriage of additional HD RSNs throughout the year to enhance local HD programming line-ups. In addition to the seven RSNs announced today, DISH Network will begin offering Sun Sports and SportSouth this spring as well as Altitude this fall.

DISH Network offers customers an incredible value in HD sports programming including NFL Network HD, ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Rush HD, WorldSport HD, local HD networks in 29 markets and now these RSNs that will feature game-only content in HD. DISH Network also offers sports and HD enthusiasts a digital video recorder (DVR) to record their favorite programming and exciting sports moments, to control their own instant replay by pausing live TV and rewinding, as well as the ability to fast forward through time-outs, halftimes and commercials using a 30-second skip feature.

Subscribers who sign up now with DISH Network can get an industry-leading HD/DVR, the ViP622 DVR, at no upfront cost and can select from exciting all digital standard definition (SD) and HD programming packages.

New and existing subscribers can sign up for DISH Network’s DishDVR Advantage, an all-inclusive TV package with more than 200 all digital SD channels, local channels where available, a state-of-the-art DVR serving two TVs and free standard professional installation with no extra fees for one low price of $49.99. For only $20 more a month customers can customize their DishDVR Advantage plan with DishHD. The HD RSNs are available to customers who subscribe to DISH Network’s America’s Top 100 Plus programming with DishHD.

For more information about DISH Network, 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™ is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000 and currently serves more than 13.1 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.