3DsoundSurge Press Release: DISH Network First to Launch National Broadcast of SHOWTIME in HDTV on January 26

DISH Network First to Launch National Broadcast of SHOWTIME in HDTV on January 26

DISH Network Offers First Satellite Broadcast of The Truman Show in High Definition Television

LITTLETON, Colo.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2000-- EchoStar Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:DISH, DISHP) announced that DISH Network(TM) will launch SHOWTIME HDTV beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 26, with SHOWTIME's exclusive hit THE TRUMAN SHOW at 9:35 p.m. EST. The HDTV channel will now be available to current SHOWTIME UNLIMITED subscribers with a satellite dish antenna pointed at 61.5 degrees West Longitude.

Showtime Networks Inc.'s Mark Greenberg, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Communications, stated: ``The availability of SHOWTIME programming in high definition, which offers the highest quality picture and Dolby Digital(TM) 5.1 audio, will allow SHOWTIME UNLIMITED viewers to enjoy the ultimate entertainment experience while watching their favorite movies and other programs.''

SHOWTIME HDTV is in the highest resolution format, 1080i, and will be transmitted in the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, offering DISH Network customers the opportunity to experience the ultimate in home theater performance -- viewers actually feel as if they're in the movie! DISH Network transmits HDTV video using established ATSC industry standards and is compatible with high definition televisions. DISH Network currently offers an HDTV modulator for the EchoStar Model 5000 that provides access to DISH Network's high definition programming. EchoStar will soon offer consumers a new satellite TV receiver -- called DISH HD -- that includes an integrated HDTV tuner/decoder. DISH HD provides seamless switching between HDTV and standard definition satellite television (SDTV), with crisp pictures and crystal-clear Dolby Digital(TM) surround sound. The DISH HD receiver offers on-screen Caller ID, a UHF/IR remote control, VCR infrared blaster, closed caption support, and an upgrade port for future technologies. DISH HD will be available to consumers for only $499 MSRP.

``We're pleased to offer our customers the chance to watch SHOWTIME programming in high definition -- the perfect complement to home theater systems,'' said Michael Schwimmer, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. ``DISH Network is committed to offering the most choice in high definition programming as it becomes available.''

For more information about SHOWTIME in HDTV on DISH Network, visit www.dishnetwork.com/movies. DISH Network currently offers SHOWTIME UNLIMITED (a programming package of 10 channels offering unparalleled value) for only $10.99 along with America's Top 100 CD programming package for only $28.99 per month, providing crystal-clear, CD-quality audio and video channels with a single small satellite dish. To learn how to get a FREE DISH 500 satellite TV system today and a FREE installation, see your local DISH Network retailer or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., owns the premium television networks SHOWTIME, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX. SNI operates and manages the premium television network SUNDANCE CHANNEL, which is owned by SNI, Robert Redford and Universal Studios. SNI also markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis.

DISH Network is EchoStar's state-of-the-art direct broadcast satellite TV system that is capable of offering over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. DISH Network was also ranked number one in customer satisfaction among satellite/cable TV subscribers by the J.D. Power and Associates 1999 Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study. EchoStar V, EchoStar's newest high-power direct broadcast satellite, launched on a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS rocket on Sept. 23, 1999, to the 110 degrees W.L. orbital location. EchoStar V allows DISH Network to offer up to 500 channels, including local channels, high definition television, Dolby Digital surround sound, high-speed interactive television and data services, all on a single dish antenna. DISH Network, which currently serves over 3.4 million customers, is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. DISH Network is located on the Internet at www.dishnetwork.com.

Contact:

     EchoStar Communications Corp.
     Marc Lumpkin, Communications Manager
     303/723-2020
     marc.lumpkin@echostar.com
             or
     Showtime Networks, Inc.
     Public Relations
     Joan Ziff, 212/708-1590
     joan.ziff@showtime.net