8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 20, 2005

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NEVADA	0-26176	88-0336997
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer
incorporation)		Identification No.)

9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD.
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO	80112
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(303) 723-1100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

ECHOSTAR DBS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

COLORADO	333-31929	84-1328967
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer
incorporation)		Identification No.)

9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD.
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO	80112
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(303) 723-1100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

1

Item 8.01 Other Events.

EchoStar Communications Corporation announced today that it has agreed to purchase certain satellite assets from Rainbow DBS Co., a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation for $200 million. See Press Release, dated January 20, 2005, “EchoStar To Purchase Satellite from Cablevision” attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c) Exhibits:

     99.1 Press Release “EchoStar To Purchase Satellite from Cablevision.”

2

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION ECHOSTAR DBS CORPORATION
Date: January 20, 2005	By: /s/ David K. Moskowitz
	David K. Moskowitz
	Executive Vice President and General Counsel

3

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release “EchoStar To Purchase Satellite from Cablevision”

 4

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

EchoStar To Purchase Satellite from Cablevision

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (Jan. 20, 2005) — EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that it has agreed to purchase certain satellite assets from Rainbow DBS Co., a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) for $200 million.

     Specifically, EchoStar has agreed to purchase Rainbow 1, a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) located at 61.5 degrees West Longitude, together with the rights to 11 DBS frequencies at that location. The satellite includes 13 frequencies, up to 12 of which can be operated in “spot beam” mode.

     The EchoStar III satellite also located at 61.5 degrees West Longitude broadcasts DISH Network TV programming to hundreds of thousands of consumers today using DBS spectrum controlled by EchoStar at that location. EchoStar is assessing how the Rainbow satellite’s flexibility can best be utilized to enhance DISH Network’s existing service. Also, as part of the transaction with Cablevision, EchoStar will acquire ground facilities and related assets in Black Hawk, S.D. The transaction is subject to review by the Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory agencies.

About EchoStar Communications

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 10.4 million satellite TV customers through its DISH NetworkÔ, 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 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).

Media Contact: Steve Caulk, 303-723-2010, steve.caulk@echostar.com

Analyst Contact: Jason Kiser, 303-723-2210, jason.kiser@echostar.com