Page 1 of 13 Pages
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
()*
ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATNS
------------------------------------------------------
(NAME OF ISSUER)
Common Stock Cl A
------------------------------------------------------
(TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
278762109
------------------------------------------------------
(CUSIP NUMBER)
December 31, 1998
------------------------------------------------------
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which
this Schedule is filed:
X Rule 13d-1(b)
-
Rule 13d-1(c)
-
Rule 13d-1(d)
-
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person`s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class
of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information
which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be 'filed' for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ('Act') or otherwise subject to the liabilities
of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions
of the Act (however, see the Notes).
(CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE(S))
-------------------- --------------------
CUSIP NO. 278762109 13G Page 2 of 13 Pages
-------------------- --------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1- NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
AXA Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2- CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP * (A) [ ]
(B) [X]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3- SEC USE ONLY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4- CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
France
-------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AS OF December 31, 1998 BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
-----------------------------------------------
5- SOLE VOTING POWER
748,205
-----------------------------------------------
6- SHARED VOTING POWER
0
-----------------------------------------------
7- SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
753,605
-----------------------------------------------
8- SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
83,256
--------------------------------------------------------------------
9- AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
836,861
(Not to be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10- CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES * |------|
|------|
-------------------------------------------------------------------
11- PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
12- TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *
IC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
-------------------- --------------------
CUSIP NO. 278762109 13G Page 3 of 13 Pages
-------------------- --------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1- NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2- CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP * (A) [ ]
(B) [X]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3- SEC USE ONLY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4- CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
France
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AS OF December 31, 1998 BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
-----------------------------------------------
5- SOLE VOTING POWER
748,205
-----------------------------------------------
6- SHARED VOTING POWER
0
-----------------------------------------------
7- SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
753,605
-----------------------------------------------
8- SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
83,256
--------------------------------------------------------------------
9- AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
836,861
(Not to be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10- CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES * |------|
|------|
-------------------------------------------------------------------
11- PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
12- TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *
IC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
-------------------- --------------------
CUSIP NO. 278762109 13G Page 4 of 13 Pages
-------------------- --------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1- NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
AXA Conseil Vie Assurance Mutuelle
(formerly Alpha Assurances Vie Mutuelle)
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2- CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP * (A) [ ]
(B) [X]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3- SEC USE ONLY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4- CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
France
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AS OF December 31, 1998 BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
-----------------------------------------------
5- SOLE VOTING POWER
748,205
-----------------------------------------------
6- SHARED VOTING POWER
0
-----------------------------------------------
7- SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
753,605
-----------------------------------------------
8- SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
83,256
--------------------------------------------------------------------
9- AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
836,861
(Not to be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10- CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES * |------|
|------|
-------------------------------------------------------------------
11- PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
12- TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *
IC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
-------------------- --------------------
CUSIP NO. 278762109 13G Page 5 of 13 Pages
-------------------- --------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1- NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2- CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP * (A) [ ]
(B) [X]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3- SEC USE ONLY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4- CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
France
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AS OF December 31, 1998 BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
-----------------------------------------------
5- SOLE VOTING POWER
748,205
-----------------------------------------------
6- SHARED VOTING POWER
0
-----------------------------------------------
7- SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
753,605
-----------------------------------------------
8- SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
83,256
--------------------------------------------------------------------
9- AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
836,861
(Not to be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10- CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES * |------|
|------|
-------------------------------------------------------------------
11- PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
12- TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *
IC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
-------------------- --------------------
CUSIP NO. 278762109 13G Page 6 of 13 Pages
-------------------- --------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1- NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
AXA (formerly AXA-UAP)
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2- CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP * (A) [ ]
(B) [ ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3- SEC USE ONLY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4- CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
France
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AS OF December 31, 1998 BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
-----------------------------------------------
5- SOLE VOTING POWER
748,205
-----------------------------------------------
6- SHARED VOTING POWER
0
-----------------------------------------------
7- SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
753,605
-----------------------------------------------
8- SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
83,256
--------------------------------------------------------------------
9- AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
836,861
(Not to be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10- CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES * |------|
|------|
-------------------------------------------------------------------
11- PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
12- TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *
HC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
-------------------- --------------------
CUSIP NO. 278762109 13G Page 7 of 13 Pages
-------------------- --------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1- NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
13-3623351
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2- CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP * (A) [ ]
(B) [ ]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3- SEC USE ONLY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4- CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
State of Delaware
--------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AS OF December 31, 1998 BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH
-----------------------------------------------
5- SOLE VOTING POWER
748,205
-----------------------------------------------
6- SHARED VOTING POWER
0
-----------------------------------------------
7- SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
753,605
-----------------------------------------------
8- SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
83,256
--------------------------------------------------------------------
9- AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
836,861
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10- CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES * |------|
|------|
-------------------------------------------------------------------
11- PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
5.2%
-------------------------------------------------------------------
12- TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON *
HC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
* SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
Item 1(a) Name of Issuer: Page 8 of 13 Pages
--------------
ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATNS
Item 1(b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
-----------------------------------------------
5701 S. Santa Fe Dr.
Littleton, CO 80120
Item 2(a) Name of Person Filing:
---------------------
AXA Conseil Vie Assurance Mutuelle,
(formerly Alpha Assurances Vie Mutuelle)
AXA Assurances I.A.R.D Mutuelle,
AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle,
and AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle,
as a group (collectively, the 'Mutuelles AXA').
AXA (formerly AXA-UAP)
The Equitable Companies Incorporated
(the 'Equitable Companies')
(Please contact Patrick Meehan at (212) 641-8234
with any questions.)
Item 2(b) Address of Principal Business Office:
------------------------------------
AXA Conseil Vie Assurance Mutuelle
100-101 Terrasse Boieldieu
92042 Paris La Defense France
AXA Assurances I.A.R.D Mutuelle and
AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle
21, rue de Chateaudun
75009 Paris France
AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle
26, rue Louis le Grand
75002 Paris France
AXA
9 Place Vendome
75001 Paris France
The Equitable Companies Incorporated
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104
Page 9 of 13 Pages
Item 2(c) Citizenship:
-----------
Mutuelles AXA and AXA France
Equitable Companies - Delaware
Item 2(d) Title of Class of Securities:
----------------------------
Common Stock Cl A
Item 2(e) CUSIP Number:
------------
278762109
Item 3. Type of Reporting Person:
------------------------
Equitable Companies as a parent holding company,
in accordance with 240.13d-1 (b)(ii)(G).
The Mutuelles AXA, as a group, acting as a parent
holding company.
AXA as a parent holding company.
Page 10 of 13 Pages
Item 4. Ownership as of December 31, 1998:
------------------------------
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned:
-------------------------
836,861 shares of common stock beneficially owned including:
No. of Shares
---------------------
The Mutuelles AXA, as a group 0
AXA 0
AXA Entity or Entities:
(Each of the Mutuelles AXA, as a group, and AXA expressly declares
that the filing of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an
admission that it is, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act,
the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this Schedule 13G).
The Equitable Companies Incorporated 0
Subsidiaries:
------------
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
acquired solely for investment purposes on
behalf of client discretionary investment
advisory accounts:
Common Stock 7,400 7,400
----------
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
held for investment purposes:
Common Stock 13,317
Shares issuable upon conversion of
Convertible Debentures 814,161 827,478
----------
Wood, Struthers & Winthrop Management Corporation
acquired solely for investment purposes on
behalf of client discretionary investment
advisory accounts:
Common Stock 1,983 1,983
----------
-----------
Total 836,861
===========
(Each of the above subsidiaries of The Equitable operates under
independent management and makes independent decisions.)
(b) Percent of Class: 5.2%
---------------- ===========
ITEM 4. Ownership as of 12/31/98(CONT.) Page 11 of 13 Pages
(c) Deemed Voting Power and Disposition Power:
-----------------------------------------
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
Deemed Deemed Deemed Deemed
to have to have to have to have
Sole Power Shared Power Sole Power Shared Power
to Vote to Vote to Dispose to Dispose
or to or to or to or to
Direct Direct Direct the Direct the
the Vote the Vote Disposition Disposition
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
The Mutuelles AXA,
as a group 0 0 0 0
AXA 0 0 0 0
AXA Entity
or Entities:
------------------
NONE
The Equitable
Companies
Incorporated 0 0 0 0
Subsidiaries:
------------
Alliance Capital
Management L.P.
2,000 0 7,400 0
Donaldson, Lufkin
& Jenrette
Securities
Corporation
744,222 0 744,222 83,256
Wood, Struthers
& Winthrop
Management
Corporation
1,983 0 1,983 0
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
TOTAL 748,205 0 753,605 83,256
============ ============ ============ ============
(Each of the above subsidiaries of the Equitable Companies operates under
independent management and makes independent voting and investment
decisions).
Page 12 of 13 Pages
Item 5.
Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class:
---------------------------------------------
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date
hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of
more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following.
( )
Item 6.
Ownership of More than Five Percent on behalf of Another Person. N/A
----------------------------------------------------------------
Item 7.
Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary which Acquired
------------------------------------------------------------------
the Security Being Reporting on by the Parent Holding Company:
-------------------------------------------------------------
This Schedule 13G is being filed by Equitable Companies; AXA,
which beneficially owns a majority interest in Equitable Companies;
and the Mutuelles AXA, which as a group control AXA:
( ) in the Mutuelles AXAs' capacity, as a group, acting as a parent
holding company with respect to the holdings of the following
AXA entity or entities;
( ) in AXA's capacity as a parent holding company with respect
to the holdings of the following AXA entity or entities:
(X) in EQUITABLE COMPANIES capacity as a parent holding company
with respect to the holdings of its following subsidiaries:
(X) Alliance Capital Management L.P.
(13-3434400), an investment adviser registered under Section
203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
(X) Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
(13-2741729), a broker-dealer registered under Section 15 of
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and an investment
adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940.
(X) Wood, Struthers & Winthrop Management Corporation
(13-2774791), an investment adviser registered under Section
203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Page 13 of 13 Pages
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group. N/A
---------------------------------------------------------
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group: N/A
------------------------------
Item 10. Certification:
-------------
By signing below I certify that to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary
course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not
have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer
of such securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a
participant in any transaction having such purposes or effect.
Signature
---------
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement
is true, complete and correct.
Date: February 10, 1999 THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED*
/s/ Alvin H. Fenichel
--------------------------------------------
Alvin H. Fenichel
Senior Vice President
and Controller
*Pursuant to the Joint Filing Agreement with respect to Schedule 13G
attached hereto as Exhibit I, among The Equitable Companies Incorporated,
AXA Conseil Vie Assurance Mutuelle, AXA Assurances I.A.R.D Mutuelle, AXA
Assurances Vie Mutuelle, AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle, and AXA,
this statement Schedule 13G is filed on behalf of each of them.
EXHIBIT I
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
----------------------
Each of the undersigned hereby agrees that the
Schedule 13G filed herewith is filed jointly, pursuant to
Rule 13d-1(f)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended on behalf of each of them.
Dated: February 10, 1999
The Equitable Companies Incorporated
BY: /s/ Alvin H. Fenichel
-------------------------
Alvin H. Fenichel
Senior Vice President
and Controller
AXA Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle; AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle;
AXA Conseil Vie Assurance Mutuelle; AXA Courtage Assurance
Mutuelle, as a group, and AXA
Signed on behalf of each of the above entities
BY: /s/ Alvin H. Fenichel
-----------------------------------------
Alvin H. Fenichel
Attorney-in-Fact
(Executed pursuant to Powers of Attorney)