-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001344649-07-000003.txt : 20071113
<SEC-HEADER>0001344649-07-000003.hdr.sgml : 20071112
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071113205423
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001344649-07-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20071109
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071113
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071113

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:		9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD.
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3037231000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD.
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ergen 2005 Five Year GRAT dated November 9 2005
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001344640

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26176
		FILM NUMBER:		071240527

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		9601 SOUTH MERIDIAN BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-723-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		9601 SOUTH MERIDIAN BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ergen 2005 Three Year GRAT dated November 9 2005
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001344650

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26176
		FILM NUMBER:		071240528

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		9601 SOUTH MERIDIAN BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-723-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		9601 SOUTH MERIDIAN BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ergen 2005 Two Year GRAT dated November 9 2005
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001344649

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26176
		FILM NUMBER:		071240529

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		9601 SOUTH MERIDIAN BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-723-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		9601 SOUTH MERIDIAN BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ergen 2005 Four Year GRAT dated November 9 2005
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001344639

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26176
		FILM NUMBER:		071240530

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		9601 SOUTH MERIDIAN BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112
		BUSINESS PHONE:		303-723-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		9601 SOUTH MERIDIAN BOULEVARD
		CITY:			ENGLEWOOD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80112
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-11-09</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001001082</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DISH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001344649</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ergen 2005 Two Year GRAT dated November 9 2005</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ENGLEWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80112</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Joint Filing Group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001344650</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ergen 2005 Three Year GRAT dated November 9 2005</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ENGLEWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80112</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Joint Filing Group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001344639</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ergen 2005 Four Year GRAT dated November 9 2005</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ENGLEWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80112</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Joint Filing Group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001344640</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ergen 2005 Five Year GRAT dated November 9 2005</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ENGLEWOOD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80112</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Joint Filing Group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-11-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8137739</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>8137739</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-11-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2418459</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2418459</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7371275</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-11-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1687908</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1687908</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8920524</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-11-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1254750</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1254750</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9839104</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On November 9, 2005, Charles W. Ergen established four Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (&quot;GRATs&quot;), contributing 12,500,000 Class B shares to each, resulting in the transfer of a total of 50,000,000 Class B shares.  Each  GRAT may elect to convert any or all of its Class B shares into an equal number of Class A shares at any time for no additional consideration.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Pursuant to the terms of the Ergen Two-Year GRAT, 3,892,588 shares were distributed as an annuity to Mr. Ergen on November 9, 2007, with the remaining 4,245,151 shares distributed to trusts the beneficiaries of which are members of Mr. Ergen's family.  Following these distributions, the Ergen Two-Year GRAT terminated pursuant to its terms.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Pursuant to the terms of the Ergen Three-Year GRAT, 2,418,459 shares were distributed as an annuity to Mr. Ergen on November 9, 2007, with the Ergen Three-Year GRAT retaining 7,371,275 shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Pursuant to the terms of the Ergen Four-Year GRAT, 1,687,908 shares were distributed as an annuity to Mr. Ergen on November 9, 2007, with the Ergen Four-Year GRAT retaining 8,920,524 shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Pursuant to the terms of the Ergen Five-Year GRAT, 1,254,750 shares were distributed as an annuity to Mr. Ergen on November 9, 2007, with the Ergen Five-Year GRAT retaining 9,839,104 shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">There is no formal agreement to vote or dispose of the shares owned by each GRAT in a particular manner.  The dispositive and voting power of the shares held by each of the GRATs is made independent of each other, except to the extent that Mr. David K. Moskowitz is the trustee of each of the GRATs and in that respect is able to control the disposition and voting of the shares of Class B Common Stock owned by each such GRAT.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David K. Moskowitz, Trustee of the Ergen Two-Year GRAT dated November 9, 2005, by Brandon Ehrhart, his Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David K. Moskowitz, Trustee of the Ergen Three-Year GRAT dated November 9, 2005, by Brandon Ehrhart, his Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David K. Moskowitz, Trustee of the Ergen Four-Year GRAT dated November 9, 2005, by Brandon Ehrhart, his Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David K. Moskowitz, Trustee of the Ergen Five-Year GRAT dated November 9, 2005, by Brandon Ehrhart, his Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-11-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----