| India, Pakistan, West Indies to tour England during 2006 to 2009
for Full Test and One-Day International Series
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 21, 2005 – EchoStar Communications
Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and its DISH Network announced that it has
acquired the exclusive rights to the England Cricket Home tours for 2006
through 2009 from the England and Wales Cricket Board. This comes on the
heels of EchoStar's Nov. 9 announcement that it acquired the rights to
Pakistan National cricket for 2005 through 2008.
“The acquisition of English Cricket is significant as it represents
all the world's premier cricket being played during the North American
summer months,” said Michael Kelly, executive vice president of DISH
Network.
DISH Network will be offering a minimum of 70 days of cricket from
May through September which will offer the world's greatest national
teams of Australia, England, India, Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa,
Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. The world's greatest players will
be on show including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Inzamam ul Haq, and
English bowling and batsman sensation Andrew (Freddie) Flintoff.
Tours include:
- 2006- Sri Lanka (three test matches, five ODIs and one Twenty/20)
and Pakistan (four test matches, five ODIs and one Twenty/20)
- 2007- West Indies (four test matches, three ODIs and two
Twenty/20s) and India (three test matches and seven ODIs)
- 2008- South Africa (five test matches, five ODIs and one
Twenty/20) and New Zealand (three test matches, five ODIs and one
Twenty/20)
- 2009- Australia (five test matches, seven ODIs and two Twenty/20s)
and Zimbabwe (two test matches and three ODIs)
Additionally, DISH Network may also offer over the next four
years:
- England Senior Women International Matches (both one-day
internationals and test matches) and Under 19 England and Women
International Matches played in England and Wales.
- Twenty/20 County Cup matches.
- National Cricket League County matches.
- C&G Trophy County matches.
“English cricket has experienced a renewed popularity following
last summer's Ashes win versus Australia, and DISH Network is pleased it
can bring its customers exclusive coverage,” said Susan Arnold, vice
president of Programming for DISH Network. “The exclusive agreement
with the England and Wales Cricket Board demonstrates DISH Network's
continued support of the sport and its unmatched commitment to customer
satisfaction.”
Subscribers can visit www.dishnetwork.com/cricket for updates. To
order or for more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com,
call 1-800/333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer.
About DISH Network
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than
11.71 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network™, 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 1-800-333-DISH (3474).
Contact:
Heather Black,
(720) 514-5351
EchoStar's DISH Network
press@echostar.com |