Give The Gift That Keeps On Skipping...Commercials; DISH Network First To Offer DVR T

[Gregg Lengling]

EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network are rolling out the newest digital video recorders (DVRs) in time for holiday shopping.
With more programming and sports being broadcast in high definition, it is a perfect time to get ready for the New Year with a high definition DVR.

The DISH Player - DVR 921, available in late 2003, will be the first DVR to allow viewers to record up to 25 hours of high definition TV or 180 hours of standard definition programming without videotape. A DVR also gives viewers the control to pause live TV, perform slow-motion instant replays, and use four speeds of fast forward and fast reverse.

"The DISH Player DVR gives customers the flexibility to attend their son's or daughter's soccer game while their DVR is at home recording their favorite shows," said John Scarborough, senior vice president of Marketing for EchoStar. "Once at home, they can skip the TV commercials or conduct their own instant replays. With a DVR, you can live your life, then you watch TV."

The DISH Player - DVR 921 has a dual tuner and allows it to record two live shows at once while watching another. It also includes a 30-second skip commercial button to skip through endless holiday commercials. DISH Network has sold more than 1 million DVRs, establishing the lead as the fastest-growing and largest DVR provider in the nation.

DISH Network offers eight channels of high definition TV channels including ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet and HDNet Movies, HBO, Showtime, CBS and pay-per-view. DISH Network makes HDTV channels available to the 108 million U.S. TV households.

"DISH Network is revolutionizing television and making the VCR obsolete," said EchoStar President Mike Dugan. "Unlike cable, DISH Player's exclusive DISH Video-On-Demand service lets customers watch a 60-minute program in 40 minutes, saving them time to watch the shows they want."

For information on how to get a new DVR, call 800-333-DISH (3474) or visit //www.dishnetwork.com.

EchoStar Communications Corporation serves 9 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), a leading satellite TV subscription service. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service.