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ENGLEWOOD, Colo., & CHICAGO - March 24, 2005 - EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) and Comcast SportsNet today announced a multi-year carriage agreement to deliver Comcast SportsNet Chicago, a new 24-hour regional sports network serving Chicago-area sports fans, to subscribers in five states via DISH Network satellite TV.

Beginning March 30, fans of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Blackhawks can watch their teams on DISH Network Ch. 429 as part of its America's Top 60 Plus programming packages and above. Subscribers of DISH Latino Dos, DISH Latino Max, Latino Everything Pak and Multi-Sport packages are also eligible to receive Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

Comcast SportsNet plans to carry over 250 regular season games for the White Sox, Cubs, Bulls and Blackhawks and features live pre- and post-game coverage for each team. Comcast SportsNet also features unique locally produced programming including SportsNite, SportsRise and SportsDay, daily sports newscasts designed to inform and entertain the local sports fan with the latest news affecting their teams and the world of sports, plus, Chicago Tribune Live, a weeknight talk show discussing the day's most pressing sports stories. The network is also home to collegiate sporting events and numerous live breaking press conferences.

"Passionate Chicago sports fans can now look to DISH Network for coverage of their favorite professional and college-level Chicago teams," said Eric Sahl, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. "Offering Comcast SportsNet Chicago is an example of DISH Network's commitment to provide our subscribers with an extensive choice of programming."

"We're very excited to have DISH Network and its subscribers on board with us for the start of the White Sox and Cubs baseball seasons and the playoff run of the Chicago Bulls," said James J. Corno, Senior Vice President/General Manager for Comcast SportsNet Chicago. "DISH Network subscribers will love what we have to offer for every sports season, with our unrivaled coverage of our pro teams and our comprehensive line-up of local sports news and talk programming."

DISH Network will broadcast Comcast SportsNet Chicago to qualifying customers in Illinois and parts of Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin at no additional cost.

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. For information on Comcast SportsNet, visit www.comcastsportsnet.com.



About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 11 million satellite TV customers through its DISH NetworkÔ, 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. DISH Network ranks No. 1 in Customer Satisfaction among Cable/Satellite TV Subscribers by J.D. Power and Associates. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).



About Comcast SportsNet
Comcast SportsNet currently consists of four regional sports networks servicing the Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, Chicago, and Northern and Central California television markets. Together, the four networks reach over 13 million households and provide game coverage for the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals, and Chicago Blackhawks; the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, and Sacramento Kings; and MLB's Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox.





PRESS CONTACTS:






Kelley Baca

EchoStar's DISH Network

Kelley.Baca@echostar.com

303-723-2012



Jeff Nuich

Comcast SportsNet Chicago

jnuich@comcastsportsnet.com

312-222-6018