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Table of Contents

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 19, 2003

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
         
NEVADA
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)		   0-26176
(Commission
File Number) 		  88-0336997
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
5701 S. SANTA FE DRIVE
LITTLETON, COLORADO
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:		    
80120
(Zip Code)
(303) 723-1000

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EX-99.1 Press Release

Table of Contents

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

On September 19, 2003, EchoStar Communications Corporation (“EchoStar”) announced that it has elected to retire all of its outstanding 4 7/8% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007, more than three years early pursuant to its optional early redemption right. See Press Release, dated September 19, 2003, “EchoStar Announces Early Redemption of 4 7/8% Convertible Subordinated Notes” attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

SIGNATURES

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

         
        ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
 
 
Dated: September 19, 2003   By:   /s/ Michael R. McDonnell
       
Michael R. McDonnell
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     
Exhibit
Number		   Description
 
99.1   Press Release “EchoStar Announces Early Redemption of 4 7/8% Convertible Subordinated Notes” dated September 19, 2003.

 

exv99w1
 

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECHOSTAR ANNOUNCES EARLY REDEMPTION
OF 4 7/8 % CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES

LITTLETON, Colo., Sept. 19, 2003 — EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH) announced today that it has elected to retire all of its outstanding 4 7/8% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2007, more than three years early pursuant to its optional early redemption right.

In accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes, the $1 billion principal amount of the notes will be redeemed effective Oct. 20, 2003, at 102.786 percent of the principal amount, for a total of approximately $1.028 billion. Interest on the notes will be paid to the Oct. 20, 2003, redemption date. The trustee for the notes is U.S. Bank National Association, telephone 1-800-934-6802.

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, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and EchoStar Communications Corporation undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About EchoStar

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH), through its DISH Network™, is the fastest growing U.S. provider of satellite television entertainment services with 9 million customers. DISH Network delivers advanced digital satellite television services, including hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, digital video recording, HDTV, international programming, professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Headquartered in Littleton, Colo., EchoStar has been a leader for 23 years in digital satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 500 company. Visit EchoStar’s Web site at www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).

Investor Relations Contact: Jason Kiser, 303-723-2210, jason.kiser@echostar.com
Press Contact: Steve Caulk, 303-723-2010, steve.caulk@echostar.com

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