Dish Network in the News

DISH Network Continues to Offer Satellite TV for $9

Charter Cable Can't take the Competition

LITTLETON, Colo.- Oct. 5, 2001 - DISH Network released documents detailing legal threats made by Charter Communications Inc., one of the five largest cable television providers in the nation. In the letter, Charter cable calls for DISH Network to immediately discontinue its $9 per-month ad campaign. Charter also accuses DISH Network of unfair competition and threatens to consider legal action against the satellite TV provider. According to the letter, Charter claims that DISH Network's current promotion has caused Charter "to lose current and potential customers, and has damaged...Charter's goodwill and reputation. Accordingly, Charter demands that (DISH Network) immediately discontinue the $9 a Month Ad Campaign..."

"Charter Communications can stomp their feet, pound their fists and threaten to unleash their lawyers, but we will continue 'I Like 9,' which is a great deal for consumers," said Charlie Ergen, CEO and chairman of EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network. "The facts are simple: When comparing similar programming packages, DISH Network's 'I Like 9' promotion can save consumers up to approximately $300 over Charter's digital cable programming package in a year. Savings could be even higher if Charter continues their historical rate increases."

The following table illustrates current savings to consumers when comparing DISH Network's all-digital "I Like 9" promotion with a typical digital cable package offered by Charter Communications in selected areas:

                           DISH Network       Charter Communications
                          America's Top 100       digital cable
                         Programming Package    Programming Package
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Programming Cost       $13.99        Monthly rate - $49.95
($9), and Local Network                        First month - $14.95
 TV channels ($4.99)


One-Time Cost of DISH           $99.00                 N/A
 Network equipment exclusively
 for Charter cable customers

Total Price - Annualized       $266.88               $564.40
                               -------               -------

 Annualized DISH Network
  savings over cable           $297.52

On Aug. 1, DISH Network launched a nationwide campaign for "I Like 9," offering over 115 channels of all digital satellite video and music television for as low as $9 per month ($13.99 per month with select local network channels) when new customers purchase an all digital DISH Network satellite TV system valued at $199 or more. New customers will receive a credit of $21.99 per month for 12 consecutive months when they subscribe to America's Top 100 programming package, currently priced at $30.99 per month. The "I Like 9" program also includes free basic professional installation.

In addition, DISH Network is making an exclusive offer to Charter customers for an additional $100 savings off a qualifying DISH Network TV system starting at $199. Customers must present to DISH Network or an authorized retailer a Charter bill showing they subscribed to Charter within 90 days of when they become a DISH Network customer. This exclusive offer for Charter customers begins Oct. 8, 2001, and expires Oct. 31, 2001.

"We're surprised by Charter's reaction to our 'I Like 9' promotion," Ergen added. "If Charter doesn't want to lose customers who switch to DISH Network, then their reaction should be better service and better pricing for their customers. We believe consumers, not Charter's lawyers, should decide who has lower rates. We challenge Charter to lower their rates."