EXHIBIT 99.1

                     ECHOSTAR COMPLETES EARLY REDEMPTION OF
                           10 3/8 PERCENT SENIOR NOTES


ENGLEWOOD, COLO., OCT. 1, 2004 - EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:
DISH) confirmed that effective Oct. 1, 2004, its subsidiary, EchoStar DBS
Corporation, completed the previously announced redemption of all of its
outstanding 10 3/8 percent Senior Notes due 2007. In accordance with the terms
of the indenture governing the notes, the outstanding principal amount of
$1 billion was repurchased three years early at 105.188 percent, for a total of
approximately $1.052 billion.

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 Communications
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
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 10.1 million
satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM) 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 24 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 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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