[The rollout of high def content via satellite has been slow in coming, but Dish is ramping it up a notch by offering HD local channels in test markets.]

Englewood, CO -- EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service announced today it will launch local high-definition TV channels via its satellite TV service to customers in Denver and its 61 surrounding counties. The following local TV channels will be available: ABC Ch. 7 (KMGH), CBS Ch. 4 (KCNC) and FOX Ch. 31 (KDVR).

This is the first time HD local channels are available by satellite TV in the Denver area, providing an alternative to local cable service. The NBC Ch. 9 (KUSA) affiliate is available in standard definition but is not yet available in high definition.

DishHD(TM) packages offer customers more than 1,700 hours of HD programming every week across its more than 25 available channels which include HD local broadcasts. For only $49.99 a month, customers can access the entire DishHD lineup plus get more than 70 all-digital standard definition channels. Local channels in both high definition and standard definition can be added for just $5 a month. Cable companies, with a national average of just 10 HD channels, cannot come close to the robust lineup of DishHD.

DISH Network offers local channels via satellite to Denver area customers in the following 47 Colorado counties including: Adams, Alamosa, Arapahoe, Archuleta, Boulder, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Delta, Denver, Dolores, Douglas, Eagle, Elbert, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Jackson, Jefferson, Kit Carson, Lake, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Mineral, Moffat, Morgan, Ouray, Park, Phillips, Pitkin, Prowers, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, Sedgwick, Summit, Washington, Weld and Yuma.

In addition, DISH Network will deliver HD locals in the following nine Nebraska counties: Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Keith and Kimball, plus the following six Wyoming counties: Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Johnson, Niobrara and Platte.

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