DIRECTV and EchoStar Applaud Introduction of the “State Video Tax Fairness Act”

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DIRECTV and EchoStar Applaud Introduction of the “State Video Tax Fairness Act”

El Segundo, Calif. and Englewood, Colo. – September 27, 2007 – DIRECTV, Inc. (NYSE:DTV) and EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) today issued the following statement in reaction to the introduction of legislation introduced by Representatives Conyers (D-MI), Cannon (R-UT), Boucher (D-VA), and Franks (R-AZ) to prohibit discriminatory state taxes on video service providers:

“The bipartisan Conyers-Cannon-Boucher bill will ensure that satellite TV customers across the country will not have to pay higher state taxes than cable customers.

Six states have imposed discriminatory sales taxes on satellite television service. DISH Network® and DIRECTV customers in these states are paying higher taxes than their cable neighbors. In some cases, only satellite television customers pay state sales taxes, while their cable neighbors are not taxed at all.

Congress has worked hard to ensure a competitive market for multichannel video service. DIRECTV and EchoStar compete against cable incumbents on price and service. Imposing taxes on one competitor and not the other is just not in the public interest because, as consumer groups who support more entrants in the video marketplace have said, it takes away from competition.

The Conyers-Boucher-Cannon bill is fair to states, who would retain their ability to tax and actually could see enhanced revenues if they choose to apply the same sales tax rate to cable subscribers as they do to satellite subscribers.

On behalf of satellite and cable consumers across America, we applaud Chairman Conyers and Representatives Cannon and Boucher for their leadership in the fight against unfair state taxes on satellite television services. We are eager to work with them, the entire Congress and our subscribers to swiftly enact this critical legislation.”

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About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16.3 million customers in the United States, through exclusive content, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) and MLB EXTRA INNINGS(R). DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan(TM), US OPEN Interactive and YES Network Interactive, and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) has been a leader for more than 26 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. The Company’s DISH Network® is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000 and currently serves more than 13.585 million satellite TV customers. DISH Network offers a premier line of industry-leading Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and hundreds of video and audio channels as well as the most national HD and International channels in the U.S., Interactive TV, Latino and sports programming. DISH Network also provides a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America and the DishDVR Advantage Package. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.

CONTACTS:

DIRECTV:

Darris Gringeri, 212-462-5136
Andrew Reinsdorf, 202 715 2334, areinsdorf@directv.com



EchoStar:

Kathie Gonzalez, 720-514-5351, press@echostar.com
David Goodfriend, 202-293-1311, david.goodfriend@echostar.com
 
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