NEW YORK & ENGLEWOOD, Colo.-- EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) and Home Box Office today announced that they have entered into a long-term agreement that provides for the distribution of HBO and Cinemax television services on EchoStar’s DISH Network™.

In addition, HBO dismissed their legal proceedings against EchoStar in the Southern District of New York. EchoStar dismissed their program access complaint against HBO filed with the Federal Communications Commission.

Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Home Box Office

Home Box Office is the premium television programming division of Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P., providing two 24-hour premium television services, HBO and Cinemax. Together, both networks reach approximately 40 million subscribers in the United States via cable and satellite delivery. Home Box Office's international joint ventures bring HBO branded services to more than 50 countries around the globe.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) serves more than 13 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 300 company. Visit EchoStar's Web site at www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).