-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 V286ROBZVg8HP6H1jnO9J5ia5uMSRhvsKlTQXlPmgfBG75gep3UawGRRJX2NxN4I
 XYeikspEeQzcUcuRw2QNlQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-03-000805.txt : 20030512
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-03-000805.hdr.sgml : 20030512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030512125420
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-03-000805
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030405
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030512

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KELLY MICHAEL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001110592

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26176
		FILM NUMBER:		03692163

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		414 EAGLE ROCK AVENUE
		CITY:			WEST ORANGE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07052

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		414 EAGLE ROCK AVENUE
		CITY:			WEST ORANGE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07052

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001001082
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CABLE & OTHER PAY TELEVISION SERVICES [4841]
		IRS NUMBER:				880336997
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5701 SOUTH SANTA FE DRIVE
		CITY:			LITTLETON
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80120
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3037231000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5701 SOUTH SANTA FE DRIVE
		CITY:			LITTLETON
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80120
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>4</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-04-05</periodOfReport>
    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
<issuer>        <issuerCik>0001001082</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORP</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>DISH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
        <rptOwnerCik>0001110592</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KELLY MICHAEL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
        <isDirector>0</isDirector>
        <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
        <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
        <isOther>0</isOther>
        <officerTitle>Sr VP-DISH Network Srvice Corp</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Employee Stock Options</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>28.88</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-04-05</value>
        </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
        <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
        <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
        <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>60000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-03-31</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-03-30</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>60000</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>60000</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests in five equal annual installments commencing on March 31, 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael Kelly</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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