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): December 22, 2003

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EX-99.1 Press Release

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

     On December 22, 2003, EchoStar Communications Corporation announced that its subsidiary, EchoStar DBS Corporation, has elected to retire all of its outstanding 9 3/8% Senior Notes due 2009, five years early pursuant to its optional early redemption right. See Press Release, dated December 22, 2003, “EchoStar Announces Early Redemption of 9 3/8% Senior Notes” attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

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: December 22, 2003	By:	/s/ Michael R. McDonnell
	Michael R. McDonnell Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number	Description
99.1	Press Release “EchoStar Announces Early Redemption of 9 3/8% Senior Notes” dated December 22, 2003.

EX-99.1 3 d11431ecexv99w1.htm EX-99.1 PRESS RELEASE

Exhibit 99.1

ECHOSTAR ANNOUNCES EARLY REDEMPTION OF
9 3/8 % SENIOR NOTES

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Dec. 22, 2003 — EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) announced today that its subsidiary, EchoStar DBS Corporation, has elected to retire all of its outstanding 9 3/8 percent Senior Notes due 2009, five years early pursuant to its optional early redemption right. In accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes, the outstanding principal amount of the notes will be redeemed effective Feb. 1, 2004, at a redemption price of 104.688 percent of the outstanding principal amount. Interest on the notes will be paid through the Feb. 1, 2004, redemption date. The trustee for the notes is the U.S. Bank Trust National Association. EchoStar Communications Corporation and its affiliates may also from time to time repurchase their securities, including the 9 3/8 percent Senior Notes, prior to the redemption date. Any such repurchases will be subject to market conditions and other factors. 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, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and EchoStar Communications Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About EchoStar Communications

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves over 9 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network™, 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. DISH Network is the leader in the sale of digital video recorders (DVRs). EchoStar has been a leader for 23 years in digital 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).

Investor Relations Contact: Jason Kiser, 303-723-2210, jason.kiser@echostar.com
Press Contact: Steve Caulk, 303-723-2010, steve.caulk@echostar.com

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EX-99.1

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