DISH NETWORK Launches oxygen network

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Oxygen, the Only Television Network Owned and Operated by Women, and DISH Network Satellite TV, Enter into Long-term Carriage Agreement

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., and New York, NY – Jan. 16, 2006 – EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that Oxygen Media, the nation’s only woman owned and operated TV network, is now available to DISH Network satellite TV customers. Oxygen and DISH Network entered into a multi-year agreement and will provide 12 million DISH Network viewers with a free preview of Oxygen immediately.

Oxygen is a 24-hour television network on a mission to bring women (and the men who love them) the most innovative entertainment on television. From “Mo’Nique’s Fat Chance” which takes America’s average beauty competition and repackages it for America’s average size women to Oxygen’s newest hit “Campus Ladies,” Oxygen brings brave, original programming to women every day.


“Oxygen is a bold new network that is continually raising the bar in delivering important women’s programming and entertainment, and we’re pleased to accommodate our customers by providing the most requested channel over the last several years,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming at DISH Network. “We’ve been working with Oxygen since last summer looking for ways to give our customers greater choice.”

With this agreement, Oxygen now reaches a total of 65 million homes. The network has enjoyed double digit ratings growth and has the second highest concentration of women 18-49 on cable and satellite television.

Oxygen airs a diverse array of original series including the spontaneous, unscripted “Oprah After the Show;” “Snapped,” a true crime series that explores the minds and motives of women who kill; “Girls Behaving Badly,” a hidden-camera prank show with the only all female cast, and Oxygen Original Movies. Oxygen also sponsors the “Mentor’s Walk,” a national movement to help bring along the next generation.


“This is a huge milestone for Oxygen,” said Geraldine Laybourne, chairman and CEO of Oxygen. “We’re adding millions of DISH Network viewers just at the time when we are on a ratings roll. Now with EchoStar’s DISH Network as a partner, we’ve got fantastic potential to reach women in meaningful new ways.”


DISH Network is offering a 30-day free preview of Oxygen, located on DISH Network channel 127. After the free preview, Oxygen will be available in DISH Network’s America’s Top 120 and DISH Latino Dos packages.