ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2005--EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service announced today the rollout of its PocketDISH(TM), a new line of portable media companions. Enhancing the most on-the-go lifestyles, the handheld PocketDISH downloads and plays thousands of MP3s, stores and displays photos and is one of the industry's first video players. PocketDISH gives TV viewers the ability to take their favorite sitcoms, reality shows or even last night's game with them to watch anywhere.

The sleek, silver PocketDISH is available in three models: two portable media recorders and a portable media player.

With the choice of a crystal-clear 2.2-inch, 4-inch or 7-inch LCD screen, PocketDISH is one of the most advanced portable media devices available and provides consumers the ultimate convenience in how they watch television. Compatible with most TVs and consumer electronic devices on the market today, the units can download or record content from a PC or Mac, digital cameras, mass storage devices, as well as other video or audio sources such as DVD players, camcorders and VCRs. DISH Network customers will enjoy a special feature of ultra-fast video transfer speeds when attaching PocketDISH to select DISH Network digital video recorders (DVRs) via a USB 2.0 connection. For instance, an hour of DISH Network programming can be transferred to the PocketDISH hard drive in about five minutes.

"DISH Network is expanding its leadership role in digital video recording by giving consumers portability," said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies Corporation. "With PocketDISH, we are again changing the way people watch television. More versatile than ordinary portable DVD or MP3 players, PocketDISH makes it convenient for users to watch popular TV shows or listen to the latest music downloads anywhere."

Every PocketDISH comes complete with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to four hours of video and 12 hours of music playback. Stereo headphones, USB cables, adapter cable, A/V cables, an AC/DC power adapter and a carrying case are standard.

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the three models:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
                             PocketDISH   PocketDISH     PocketDISH
                               7-inch        4-inch        2.2-inch
----------------------------------------------------------------------
MSRP                                $599          $499           $329
----------------------------------------------------------------------
LCD Size / Aspect Ratio     7-inch / 16:9 4-inch / 16:9 2.2-inch / 4:3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hard Drive Capacity              40 GB(b)      30 GB(b)       20 GB(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DISH Network Programming        Up to 40      Up to 30       Up to 20
 Storage                         hours(a)      hours(a)       hours(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Records Video from Other
 Sources                              Yes           Yes     Audio Only
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Up to 400,000 Up to 300,000 Up to 200,000
Photo Storage                   photos(a)     photos(a)      photos(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Song Storage (MP3, WMA and  Up to 30,000  Up to 20,000   Up to 10,000
 WAV)                            songs(a)      songs(a)       songs(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

(a) Recording capacity based on type of content being recorded and the source of the content. Recording capacities listed require using the total capacity available on the hard drive. (b) On average, 1 GB = 1 billion bytes, formatted capacity is less.

PocketDISH is available through participating independent DISH Network retailers. For more information regarding PocketDISH, visit www.pocketdish.com. For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 800-333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer. To request downloadable, print quality images of the PocketDISH, e-mail press@echostar.com.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11.4 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest-growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 800-333-DISH (3474).

CONTACT:
EchoStar Communications Corporation
Mark Cicero, 720-514-5351
press@echostar.com
SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation