LITTLETON, Colo.- May 7, 1999 - EchoStar

Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) announced today that DISH Network is the only satellite television programming provider to offer the 1999 Cricket World Cup, the most important summer event broadcast live from the United Kingdom, on DISH-On-Demand Pay-Per-View.

Twelve of the leading cricket teams will compete for the coveted title of World Champion over a six-week period starting May 14, 1999. The 1999 Cricket World Cup is a full-access package that seats DISH Network customers in the front row. This package entitles customers to receive all 42 matches of the World Cup exclusively through DISH Network.

The tournament package's early bird special of only $274.95 can be ordered by May 14, or for $299.95 on or after May 15, giving cricket fans access to all matches and their same-day replays. Customers may also choose matches in packages starting at $129.95 or order matches a la carte.

Customers can watch their favorite teams, including Pakistan, England, India and Sri Lanka, using a DISH Network dish antenna pointed at the EchoStar III satellite located at 61.5 degrees West Longitude on channels 532 and 533 or EchoStar IV at 148 degrees West Longitude on channels 542 and 543. Customers may order from DISH Network's website, www.dishnetwork.com, or by calling 1-800/333-DISH. EchoStar Communications Corp., includes three interrelated business units:

• DISH Network(TM) is EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system that offers customers over 300 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation.

• EchoStar Technologies Corporation (ETC, formerly HTS(TM) - Houston Tracker Systems, Inc.), designs, manufactures and distributes DBS set-top boxes, antennas and other digital equipment for DISH Network and various international customers that include ExpressVu Canada and Telefonica's Via Digital system in Spain.

• Satellite Services provides the delivery of video, audio and data services to business television customers and other satellite users. These services include satellite uplink, satellite transponder space-usage and other services.

DISH Network currently serves over 2.2 million customers. DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. HTS is a trademark of Houston Tracker Systems, Inc. DISH Network is located on the Internet at: www.dishnetwork.com

Contact:

EchoStar Communications Corp.
Judianne Atencio
Communications Director
phone: 303/723-2010
e-mail: judianne.atencio@echostar.com

or

Marc Lumpkin
Communications Manager
phone: 303/723-2020
e-mail: marc.lumpkin@echostar.com