ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) reported total revenue of $2.58 billion for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, a 17 percent increase compared with $2.20 billion for the corresponding period in 2005.

Net income totaled $153 million for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, compared with $133 million during the corresponding period in 2005. Basic earnings per share were $.35 for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, compared with basic earnings per share of $.30 during the corresponding period in 2005.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2006, EchoStar reported total revenue of $9.82 billion compared with $8.45 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005, an increase of 16.2 percent. EchoStar’s net income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006, totaled $608 million, compared with $1.51 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005. Net income for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005, includes a non-recurring, non-cash benefit of approximately $593 million to recognize the tax benefits of previously reported tax losses and a $134 million gain related to the settlement of EchoStar IV satellite insurance and related claims.

DISH Network™ added approximately 350,000 net new subscribers during the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, giving the company approximately 13.105 million subscribers as of that date, an increase of 1.065 million subscribers compared to the number of subscribers as of Dec. 31, 2005.

Detailed financial data and other information are available today in EchoStar’s Form 10-K for the annual period ended Dec. 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About EchoStar Communications

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) serves more than 13.1 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000. DISH Network's services include hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. EchoStar has been a leader for more than 25 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 500 company. Visit EchoStar's Web site at www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

EchoStar will host its Fourth Quarter 2006 earnings conference call today at noon ET. The dial-in number is (800) 616-6729.