UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NEVADA (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		0-26176 (Commission File Number)		88-0336997 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO (Address of principal executive offices)		80112 (Zip Code)

(303) 723-1100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

COLORADO (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		333-31929 (Commission File Number)		84-1328967 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

9601 S. MERIDIAN BLVD. ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO (Address of principal executive offices)		80112 (Zip Code)

(303) 723-1100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 8.01		Other Events.

On January 19, 2006, EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: “DISH”) announced that its subsidiary, EchoStar DBS Corporation, is offering approximately $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of debt securities in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 144A. The proceeds of the offering are intended to be used to redeem EchoStar DBS’s outstanding 9-1/8% Senior Notes due 2009 as well as for general corporate purposes. See Press Release, dated January 19, 2006, “EchoStar Announces $1.0 Billion Debt Offering” attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01		Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)		Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1		Press Release “EchoStar Announces $1.0 Billion Debt Offering” dated January 19, 2006

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Exhibit Index

Exhibits		Description
Exhibit 99.1		Press Release “EchoStar Announces $1.0 Billion Debt Offering” dated January 19, 2006

Exhibit 99.1

ECHOSTAR ANNOUNCES $1.0 BILLION DEBT OFFERING

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 19, 2006 — EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) today announced that its subsidiary, EchoStar DBS Corporation, is offering approximately $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of debt securities in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 144A. The proceeds of the offering are intended to be used to redeem EchoStar DBS’s outstanding 9-1/8% Senior Notes due 2009 as well as for general corporate purposes.

This notice does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities. Any offers of the securities will be made only by means of a private offering circular. The notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

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 Communication Corporation’s Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements included in its recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K and its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and EchoStar Communications Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last six years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar’s DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

Press: Marc Lumpkin, 303-723-2010, marc.lumpkin@echostar.com
Investor Relations: Jason Kiser, 303-723-2210, Jason.kiser@echostar.com