DISH Network Passes 10 Million Customer Milestone; DISH Network Thanks Customers, Ret

[silversurfer]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 14, 2004--EchoStar Communications Corporation (NasdaqISH) announced that its DISH Network(TM) has passed the 10 million customer milestone, maintaining DISH Network's status as the fastest growing pay television provider in the nation since 2000. DISH Network reached this milestone in less than 99 months after activating its first subscriber in early March 1996, adding an average of more than 100,000 net new customers each month. In the last four years, DISH Network has added more than 6.3 million net new customers, more than all other satellite TV and cable companies combined during the same period.

DISH Network is celebrating by thanking its customers with the $1 Million Great HDTV Giveaway. One thousand high definition television (HDTV) systems, complete with a monitor, HD satellite receiver, a dish antenna, and one-year subscription to DISH Network's HD programming package, will be given to existing customers in random drawings this summer. The total value of the giveaway is approximately $1 million.

"For the past eight years, DISH Network has offered the best value in pay television, attracting a growing number of customers at a pace unmatched by any other satellite or cable TV company in the nation," said Charles Ergen, chairman and CEO of EchoStar. "We couldn't have reached 10 million without our customers and retailers, so we're thanking them by giving away 1,000 of our state-of-the-art HDTV systems."

DISH Network reached 1 million subscribers in December 1997 and passed the 9 million milestone just nine months ago. Today the company offers customers more than 500 channel choices, including more than 60 international channels in more than 25 languages, the most popular sports packages, the most requested HD programming, and local channels in 131 cities, representing more than 90 percent of all U.S. television households. DISH Network's accelerated growth has made it the fourth largest pay TV service in the nation.

Since the company's inception, DISH Network's innovative set-top box engineering has attracted industry-wide attention and captured the attention of DISH Network customers in record numbers. DISH Network recently introduced the first feature-rich digital video recorder (DVR) that records satellite-delivered high definition TV channels. DISH Network also developed the first DVR set-top box that provides the unique ability to record two shows simultaneously as well as allow for independent viewing of live satellite TV programming and recorded events on two or more televisions.

The Road to 10 Million - Major DISH Network Milestones and Industry Firsts:

</FONT> -- 7/15/96 - Fastest Direct Broadcast Satellite provider to reach 100,000 subscribers. -- 8/1/96 - First to offer a satellite TV system for less than $200. -- 5/21/1999 - First to offer a satellite TV receiver with a built-in DVR (DISH Player). -- 7/19/99 - First to offer the capacity to deliver a 500-channel satellite TV system (DISH 500). -- 8/7/03 -First satellite launched with commercial Ka-band payload for future broadband service over the United States. -- 9/24/03 - First company to ship 1 million DVRs. -- 12/03 - First to introduce a satellite TV receiver with a DVR that records in high definition (DISH Player - DVR 921). -- 12/18/03 - First satellite TV company to make local channels available in 100 markets. -- 1/04 - First subscription TV service to offer an HDTV bundle, including monitor, receiver and installation, all for less than $1,000. -- 4/12/04 - First to reach 8 million U.S. households with Interactive TV capabilities. -- 5/20/04 - First to provide local channels in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.For more information on DISH Network and any of its products or services call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit www.dishnetwork.com or contact your local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NasdaqISH) serves 10 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), and is a leading U.S. provider of advanced digital television services. 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. DISH Network is the leader in the sale of digital video recorders (DVRs). Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

NOTE TO TELEVISION NEWS EDITORS:

A broadcast of b-roll footage of the Great HDTV Giveaway is available for a 24-hour period at the following satellite location on Monday, June 14:

EchoStar 9, 121.0 degrees W, 12161.40 MHz (Tp 31), Vertical Polarization

Broadcast Contact Number: 307-633-5262

</FONT> CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation Marc Lumpkin, 303-723-2020 marc.lumpkin@echostar.com SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation

 

[A_Noland]

Guess they couldn't sell the TV's, so now they will give them away?

 

[ranny]

And 9 million of them are pissed of customers

 

[JBKing]

And 9 million of them are pissed of customers

Yeah, that's why they continue to pay their monthly tv bill to E*.

 

[NightRyder]

And 9 million of them are pissed of customers

You had to quote the entire article to post that stupid comment? Give us a break and use a little common sense.

NightRyder

 

[bcshields]

I think some of the bitterness in the voom forum is bleeding over.

 

[BobMurdoch]

"Fastest Growing since 2000"....

OK, so D* has more subscribers, and D* has also been cleaning their clock for the past year as well thanks to E* fumbling the ball on HD Receiver supply breakdowns. C'Mon E*, throw some more resources at the tech side fast, or even that creative statement about your growth won't work anymore soon.....

 

[gpflepsen]

I wonder if this 10M number is the gross number of signups they've had? For a current "Active Subscribers" number, would the number of cancellations and disconnects need to be subtracted?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

You know whats funny is today Dish is celebrating 10 million, while XM is celebrating 2 million. Hard to believe XM already has 20% of the subscriber numbers that a big company like Dish Network has.

 

[BobMurdoch]

The difference is that E* is earning a lot more per subscriber than XM does in a year....

I'm pretty sure those numbers are active accounts, not signups.

 

[NightRyder]

I think some of the bitterness in the voom forum is bleeding over.

Not around here. It just disappears

NightRyder

 

[GaryPen]

The difference is that E* is earning a lot more per subscriber than XM does in a year....

Are they? It seems that XM doesn't have nearly the cost burden that Dish has. No equipment giveaways. No free installation. No programmers fees (other than BMI/ASCAP). Lower production/head-end costs.

I'll bet XM has a much bigger margin (percentage-wise) per sub than Dish. Plus, they begin seeing it immediately, versus Dish having to wait to recoup equipment cost first.

 

[chevyN8]

After canceling dish 3+ years ago, I returned to dish a few days ago (had to try the HD stuff). They gave me the current 'new customer deal' after some talking. Anyway, they said "your account is still 'active'........ but it has nothing on it". Makes me wonder if they do count the "canceled" accounts in the 10mil.