Satellite Provider Adds to HD
Programming for Sports Fans in More Than Half of U.S. Markets
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2007--EchoStar Communications
Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service
announced today the launch of two more Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)
in high definition (HD). With the release of seven HD RSNs just last
month, that brings the total line-up of HD RSNs to nine and further
strengthens DISH Network's position as the leader in HD programming.
The two HD RSNs, owned by Fox, are Sun Sports (DISH Network Ch. 372)
that offers Florida viewers professional games and events in HD, and
SportSouth (Ch. 381) that caters to sports fans and HD enthusiasts in
the Southern region.
"DISH Network now has an extensive lineup of HD Regional Sports
Networks, giving avid sports fans in select regions professional
baseball, football, basketball games and more in high definition," said
Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. "The
result is that DISH Network continues to lead the market in HD
programming and gives millions of new HDTV owners an excellent return on
their investment."
DISH Network will continue to explore carriage of additional HD RSNs
throughout the year to enhance local HD programming line-ups like
SportsNet New York slated to launch this summer and Altitude which will
launch 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(TM) 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.
CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation
Cory Jo Vasquez, 303-723-1377
SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation
