EXHIBIT 32.2



                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                            Section 906 Certification

         Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned officer of EchoStar
Communications Corporation (the "Company"), hereby certifies that the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 (the "Report")
fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable,
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the
Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.



                              Dated:          August 13, 2003
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                              Name:        /s/ Michael R. McDonnell
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                              Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                      Officer
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A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to the Company and will be retained
by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff upon request.