EchoStar Announces Push/Pull Video on Demand Service Incorporated Into IPTV Transport Platform

 

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct 25, 2007 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- EchoStar FSS Corporation (EFSSC), a subsidiary of EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH), today announced that it is offering a "push and pull" video on demand (VOD) service as part of its IPTV platform, ViP-TV. The launch of ViP-TV was announced earlier this week.

The VOD content for ViP-TV is based on EchoStar's existing VOD service, which is currently offered to DISH Network satellite TV subscribers. Because it is both a push and pull service, ViP-TV offers more movie and programming options than the current popular titles associated with a push-only VOD service.

The VOD service also includes the associated infrastructure support for customers' content delivery networks to help them maintain high-quality video transport to their end users.

"EchoStar's ViP-TV VOD service is robust out of the gates because it has already been developed and deployed as part of DISH Network," said Mike Kelly, executive vice president of EchoStar FSS. "All of the services associated with ViP-TV are supported by EchoStar's world-class infrastructure. We are committed to using state-of-the-art technologies to offer the highest-quality products and services to our customers."

ViP-TV offers over 300 local and national channels, push and pull VOD service and associated infrastructure support to telcos, private and rural cable operators, municipalities and master-planned community video providers that have obtained the rights for distribution of such programming over their wire-line networks. The service is delivered using a high-powered Ku Band satellite with full continental U.S. coverage, so it can be deployed rapidly and maintained at a low cost.

For more information about EchoStar, visit www.echostar.com. For more information on ViP-TV, visit www.echostarviptv.com.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) has been a leader for more than 27 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. The Company's DISH Network(r) is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000, providing more than 13.585 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable companies for seven years running. DISH Network customers also enjoy access to a premier line of award-winning Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry, and six months free of DishHD. 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.

About EchoStar FSS Corporation

EchoStar FSS Corporation (EFSSC), a subsidiary of EchoStar Communication Corporation, provides commercial satellite capabilities, quality service and competitive pricing for broadcast services, business television and engineering operations. EchoStar, through EFSSC and its other subsidiaries, owns or leases 15 in-orbit satellites operating in FSS Ku-band, BSS and Ka-bands; has access to an extensive terrestrial fiber optic network with points of presence in over 168 cities; and owns seven regional gateways, allowing EFSSC to provide customers with end-to-end connectivity; and a reliable platform to distribute video and data throughout the U.S.

The EchoStar logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3707

This news release was distributed by PrimeNewswire, www.primenewswire.com

SOURCE: EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corp.

          Media Contact:

          Melissa Hawken Morris

            (720) 514-5351

            press@echostar.com

          ViP-TV Customer Contact:

          Bill Everett

            (303) 723-2215

            william.everett@echostar.com