Dish Network in the News

DISH Network Offers WNET New York in Response to September 11 Crisis

NEW YORK & LITTLETON, Colo. - Oct. 9, 2001 - The programming of WNET New York, the flagship public broadcaster in the New York area, can now be seen on EchoStar Communications Corporation's DISH Network. Customers in 29 New York area counties can view WNET programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week on channel 237.

Thirteen's broadcast antennas and transmitters were demolished in the September 11 collapse of the World Trade Center towers, leaving many New Yorkers unable to receive Thirteen's signal. Currently, Thirteen's programming can be seen from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to midnight on WNYE-TV, channel 25. Owned and operated by the New York City Board of Education, WNYE generously offered to serve as an interim broadcaster of Thirteen's programming. Additionally, a low-power temporary replacement antenna in Alpine, New Jersey, improves reception for those nearby. DISH Network's service has enabled many New Yorkers to watch Thirteen on a regular basis again.

"We are deeply grateful to EchoStar's DISH Network for adding us so quickly to their satellite TV offerings," said Dr. William F. Baker, president of Thirteen. "In the face of adversity, we typically seek out the things that provide familiarity and comfort. DISH Network has made it possible for many, many New Yorkers to turn once again to Thirteen for those things as well as for thoughtful coverage of this tragedy's aftermath."

"DISH Network is pleased to bring important local programming to those in need of it most and at a time when communications are critical," said Charlie Ergen, CEO and chairman of EchoStar. "Thirteen/WNET New York complements DISH Network's abundant educational channel offerings."

DISH Network offers Thirteen/WNET New York as part of a local channel package for $4.99 per month. The other channels included in this package are WCBS (Ch. 2), WNBC (Ch. 4), WNYW-FOX (Ch. 5), WABC (Ch. 7), WWOR-UPN (Ch. 9), and WPIX-WB (Ch. 11).

DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation. 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, as well as fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) which contains the largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq Stock Market. DISH Network currently serves over six million customers.

Thirteen/WNET New York is one of the key program providers for public television, bringing such acclaimed series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, Stage on Screen, and EGG the arts show - as well as the work of Bill Moyers - to audiences nationwide. As the flagship public broadcaster in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metro area, Thirteen reaches millions of viewers each week, airing the best of American public television along with its own local productions such as The Ethnic Heritage Specials, The New York Walking Tours and Reel New York - and reaching vast new audiences through its MetroArts/Thirteen cable arts programming. With educational and community outreach projects that enhance the value of its productions, Thirteen takes television "out of the box." And as broadcast and digital media converge, Thirteen is blazing trails in the creation of Web sites, CD-ROMs, educational software, and other cutting-edge media products.