EchoStar Reaches Agreement with Pappas Telecasting

[Scott Greczkowski]

EchoStar Reaches Agreement with Pappas Telecasting Companies to Renew Carriage of 16 Stations
Agreement Ensures Customers Will See No Interruption in ServiceENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 2006--EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) issued the following statement regarding an agreement reached last night with Pappas Telecasting Companies to continue carrying 16 of its stations:

"EchoStar is pleased we were able to reach an agreement with Pappas to continue carriage of their stations in 14 markets, ensuring our customers will continue to receive these quality channels and programming."

The Pappas owned and/or operated stations that DISH Network will continue to offer include:

-- Fox: Fresno-Visalia Calif.; Lincoln, Neb.; Omaha, Neb.; Sioux
City, Iowa; and Bakersfield, Calif.

-- ABC: Lincoln, Neb.

-- CBS: El Paso, Texas; and Sioux City, Iowa.

-- CW: Fresno-Visalia, Calif.; Greensboro, N.C.; Omaha, Neb;
Reno, Nev.; and Yakima, Wash.

-- Azteca America: Houston, Texas; Los Angeles; San Francisco;
and Sacramento.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12.755 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. EchoStar has been a leader for more than 25 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 500 company. Visit EchoStar's Web site at www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).


CONTACT: EchoStar Communications Corporation
Francie Bauer, 720-514-5351
press@echostar.com

SOURCE: EchoStar Communications Corporation

 

[Tom Bombadil]

An Iowa news story states that it is a 5 year agreement.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

Suggesting some of the viewers Pappas told about the pending pull-out registered their discontent, Harry Pappas, chairman and CEO, said in a statement: " We have reached an agreement that contains all of the economic terms that we had been seeking We are extremely happy for the sake of our viewers that this matter has been resolved amicably and in a timely fashion. The support of our viewers made the difference in the last twenty-four hours; we thank them one and all."

 

[minnow]

Gee, I'm surprised they reached an agreement so soon. I mean they had at least another 7 hours before the switch was gonna be thrown.

 

[Chris Walker]

Yay we can watch the CW again..

 

[Nebugeater]

Yay we can watch the CW again..

again or for the FIRST time...

 

[Chris Walker]

again or for the FIRST time...

SAVEOURCW.COM

 

[TNGTony]

I want my SMALLVILLE!

See ya
tony

 

[ScottChez]

Once Pappas realized anyone could legally get the CW networks from 3 other markets via the Super Station package they kind of lost there bargaining chip.

With Dish giving us $1.50 credit for the lost local, it would of made one Super station channel free.

Again Charlie held the ACE, what a poker player.

 

[papalittle]

I could careless about CW or ABC I wany my local Fox !!! FOX FOX FOX!!!

 

[abricko]

In LA we'd have lost Azteca America... HAHAHAHAHAHA

 

[UpAllNight]

Harry Pappas, chairman and CEO, said in a statement: " We have reached an agreement that contains all of the economic terms that we had been seeking We are extremely happy for the sake of our viewers that this matter has been resolved amicably and in a timely fashion.

Remember this come Feb. rate increase.