ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--March 1, 2007--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(TM) 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.
CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation
Kathie Gonzalez, 720-514-5351 (Press)
press@echostar.com
Jason Kiser, 303-723-2210 (Investor Relations)
Jason.Kiser@echostar.com
SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation
