8-K

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 19, 2006

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

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

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

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 723-1000

ECHOSTAR DBS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

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

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

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 723-1000

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))

ITEM 2.04. Triggering Events That Accelerate or Increase a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement

On January 19, 2006, EchoStar Communications Corporation announced that its subsidiary, EchoStar DBS Corporation, has elected to redeem all of its outstanding 9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2009. In accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes, the remaining principal amount of the notes of approximately $442 million will be redeemed effective February 17, 2006, at a redemption price of 104.563% of the principal amount, for a total of approximately $462 million. Interest on the notes will be paid through the February 17, 2006, redemption date. See Press Release, dated January 19, 2006, “EchoStar Announces Early Redemption of 9 1/8% Senior Notes” attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d) Exhibits:

99.1 Press Release “EchoStar Announces Early Redemption of 9 1/8% Senior Notes” dated January 19, 2006.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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
Dated: January 19, 2006	By:	/s/ David J. Rayner
		David J. Rayner
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press Release “EchoStar Announces Early Redemption of 9 1/8% Senior Notes” dated January 19, 2006.

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

ECHOSTAR ANNOUNCES EARLY REDEMPTION
OF
9 1/8 % SENIOR NOTES

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 19, 2006 — EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) announced today that its subsidiary, EchoStar DBS Corporation, has elected to redeem all of its outstanding 9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2009. In accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes, the remaining principal amount of the notes of approximately $442 million will be redeemed effective Feb. 17, 2006, at a redemption price of 104.563% of the principal amount, for a total of approximately $462 million. Interest on the notes will be paid through the Feb. 17, 2006, redemption date. The trustee for the notes is the U.S. Bank National Association, telephone 1-800-934-6802. This announcement is neither a request nor an offer for tender of securities of EchoStar Communications Corporation or EchoStar DBS Corporation.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in EchoStar Communication Corporation’s Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements included in its recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K and its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and EchoStar Communications Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12 million satellite TV customers through it s DISH Network, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last six years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar’s DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

Press: Marc Lumpkin, 303-723-2010, marc.lumpkin@echostar.com
Investor Relations: Jason Kiser, 303-723-2210, Jason.kiser@echostar.com