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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 18, 2006

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) 723-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

ECHOSTAR DBS CORPORATION

(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) 723-1000
(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 5.02		Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On September 18, 2006, EchoStar Communications Corporation (“EchoStar”) issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Carl E. Vogel as President of EchoStar, effective September 18, 2006, and the appointment of Mr. Bernard L. Han as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 28, 2006, succeeding Mr. David J. Rayner, who will assume the new role of Executive Vice President in charge of EchoStar’s national installation and service network.

Mr. Vogel, age 48, will continue as Vice-Chairman of EchoStar in addition to his new management role. From 2001 until 2005, Mr. Vogel was President and CEO of Charter Communications Inc. Prior to joining Charter, Mr. Vogel worked as an executive officer in various capacities for companies affiliated with Liberty Media Corporation. Mr. Vogel was one of our executive officers from 1994 until 1997, including serving as our President from 1995 until 1997.

Mr. Han, age 42, was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Airlines from October 2002 through May 2005. Prior to joining Northwest Airlines, Mr. Han held the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer roles at America West Airlines. He began his career in the space and communications group of Hughes Aircraft Company and then at American Airlines. Mr. Han received his BS, Master of Electrical Engineering and Master of Business Administration degrees from Cornell University.

Mr. Rayner, age 49, joined EchoStar in December 2004 as its Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining EchoStar, Mr. Rayner served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Time Warner Telecom.

Item 9.01		Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit 99.1		Press Release “EchoStar names new President, CFO.”

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release “EchoStar names new President, CFO.”

Exhibit 99.1

ECHOSTAR NAMES NEW PRESIDENT, CFO

Vogel, Han and Rayner to Assume New Duties

     ENGLEWOOD, Colo., September 18, 2006 — EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) announced today that it has appointed Carl Vogel as president, overseeing day-to-day operations for DISH Network, effective immediately. Vogel will continue to serve as vice chairman of EchoStar’s board of directors. The Company today also announced the appointment of Bernard L. Han as chief financial officer, effective September 28, 2006, succeeding David J. Rayner who will assume the new role of executive vice president in charge of the Company’s national installation and service network.

     Vogel has most recently focused on the Company’s financial and strategic initiatives, and will retain responsibility for them. He returned to EchoStar in May, 2005 after serving as president and chief executive officer of Charter Communications. Before joining Charter, Vogel held various senior executive positions with companies affiliated with Liberty Media Corporation and was responsible for portfolio investments in subscription television, content distribution, broadband, telecommunications and satellite sectors worldwide. He was also chairman and CEO of Primestar and CEO of StarChoice until each company was sold or merged with other satellite operators. Vogel served as EchoStar’s president from 1994 to 1997, and was a key member of the executive team that created and launched DISH Network in 1996.

     Until last year, Han was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis, Minn., the world’s fourth largest airline. Before that role, Han held the chief financial officer and chief marketing officer roles at America West Airlines. He began his career in the space and communications group of Hughes Aircraft Company and then at American Airlines. Han received his BS, Master of Electrical Engineering and Master of Business Administration degrees from Cornell University. Han will report to the Company’s chairman and CEO, Charles Ergen.

     Rayner joined EchoStar in December 2004 as its chief financial officer. He will now lead the company’s national installation and service network. Before joining EchoStar, Rayner served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Time Warner Telecom. Rayner will report to Vogel.

     “We are very fortunate Carl has assumed this critical leadership role at EchoStar,” said Ergen. “His extensive knowledge of the industry in general, and EchoStar in particular, will strengthen our company and allow us to continue delivering high quality programming to our more than 12 million subscribers. The addition of Bernie to our executive team, and David’s assumption of operational leadership for our installation and service network, further enhances our talent bench,” added Ergen.

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About EchoStar
EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) serves more than 12.46 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.

Media Contact:
Kathie Gonzalez, 720-514-5351, press@echostar.com