ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2004--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq
ISH) announced today that its DISH Network(TM) will offer local TV channels by satellite television to Peoria, Ill., and the surrounding area. The following local TV channels will be available: ABC Ch. 19 (WHOI), CBS Ch. 31 (WMBD), FOX Ch. 43 (WYZZ), NBC Ch. 25 (WEEK), PBS Ch. 47 (WTVP) and UPN Ch. 59 (WAOE).
This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite in Peoria, providing an alternative to local cable TV service. DISH Network now offers local channels as part of its new Digital Home Advantage. Starting at $29.99 per a month, this promotion offers customers free installation for up to four TVs, with no commitment and no hardware to buy, and includes more than 60 popular TV channels such as ESPN, Discovery and Nickelodeon, plus local Peoria TV channels.
DISH Network has frozen the lowest all-digital TV price through January 2005. Customers can call DISH Network or a local satellite TV retailer to learn how to get a free multi-satellite dish antenna required to receive Peoria area local channels. DISH Network also provides digital video recording technologies, high definition TV and over 60 international channels to the area.
"The availability of local channels on DISH Network gives TV viewers in the Peoria area an even more compelling reason to switch from cable," said Michael Schwimmer, executive vice president of Programming and Marketing at EchoStar. "Customers who are fed up with the cable companies' outrageous rate increases now have access to local news, weather and sports via all-digital satellite TV -- only on DISH Network -- at a competitive price."
DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to 10 counties in the Peoria area: Fulton, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties.
With the addition of Peoria, DISH Network offers local channels in 123 cities and their metro areas, in 49 states nationwide, and in the District of Columbia.
For customers who do not subscribe to Digital Home Advantage, local channels will be available at $5.99 a month.
For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer. For downloadable, print quality images of DISH Network equipment, installations or the DISH Network logo, visit www.dishnetwork.com/content/aboutus/presskit/print/index.shtml.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NasdaqISH) serves more than 9.4 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).
</FONT> CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation Julie Popp, 303-723-2023 Julie.Popp@echostar.com SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation
ISH) announced today that its DISH Network(TM) will offer local TV channels by satellite television to Peoria, Ill., and the surrounding area. The following local TV channels will be available: ABC Ch. 19 (WHOI), CBS Ch. 31 (WMBD), FOX Ch. 43 (WYZZ), NBC Ch. 25 (WEEK), PBS Ch. 47 (WTVP) and UPN Ch. 59 (WAOE).This is the first time local TV channels are available by satellite in Peoria, providing an alternative to local cable TV service. DISH Network now offers local channels as part of its new Digital Home Advantage. Starting at $29.99 per a month, this promotion offers customers free installation for up to four TVs, with no commitment and no hardware to buy, and includes more than 60 popular TV channels such as ESPN, Discovery and Nickelodeon, plus local Peoria TV channels.
DISH Network has frozen the lowest all-digital TV price through January 2005. Customers can call DISH Network or a local satellite TV retailer to learn how to get a free multi-satellite dish antenna required to receive Peoria area local channels. DISH Network also provides digital video recording technologies, high definition TV and over 60 international channels to the area.
"The availability of local channels on DISH Network gives TV viewers in the Peoria area an even more compelling reason to switch from cable," said Michael Schwimmer, executive vice president of Programming and Marketing at EchoStar. "Customers who are fed up with the cable companies' outrageous rate increases now have access to local news, weather and sports via all-digital satellite TV -- only on DISH Network -- at a competitive price."
DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to 10 counties in the Peoria area: Fulton, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties.
With the addition of Peoria, DISH Network offers local channels in 123 cities and their metro areas, in 49 states nationwide, and in the District of Columbia.
For customers who do not subscribe to Digital Home Advantage, local channels will be available at $5.99 a month.
For more information on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), or contact your local DISH Network retailer. For downloadable, print quality images of DISH Network equipment, installations or the DISH Network logo, visit www.dishnetwork.com/content/aboutus/presskit/print/index.shtml.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq
ISH) serves more than 9.4 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).</FONT> CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation Julie Popp, 303-723-2023 Julie.Popp@echostar.com SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation
