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                            Before the
                Federal Communications Commission
                      Washington, D.C. 20554

In the Matter of:               )
                                )
ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS         )
CORPORATION                     )
                                )
v.                              )       CSR-5364-P
                                )
SPEEDVISION NETWORK, L.C.C.     )
                                )
OUTDOOR LIFE NETWORK, L.L.C.    )
                                )
Program Access Complaint        )
Motion for Extension of Time    )


                  MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

   Adopted:  January 29, 1999           Released:  February 1, 1999  

By the Chief, Cable Services Bureau:

     1.   Speedvision Network, L.L.C. and Outdoor Life Network, L.L.C. ("the Networks") have filed
a "Motion for Extension of Time in which to File Responsive Pleading" in the above-noted program access
complaint filed by EchoStar Communications Corporation ("EchoStar").  EchoStar filed its program access
complaint on January 14, 1999 and the Networks' responsive pleading is due to be filed with the Commission
on February 3, 1999.  The Networks request an extension of time for two weeks, until February 17, 1999, in
which to file their response.   

     2.   On December 7, 1998, the Networks also filed suit against EchoStar in the United States
District Court of Connecticut, alleging inter alia that EchoStar had breached the parties' program distribution
agreement entered into on November 18, 1998 and fraudulently induced the Networks to enter into that
contract.  On January 14, 1999, EchoStar filed an answer and a counterclaim regarding this matter in the
United States District Court of Connecticut.  On that same day, EchoStar filed a program access complaint
with the Commission.  The Networks contend that this program access complaint is based on exactly the same
set of facts and circumstances as the parties' pending federal court litigation, i.e., the same contract, the same
negotiations surrounding the contract, the same alleged breaches of contract, and the same alleged injury.

     3.   The Networks argue that an extension of time in this case is necessary because the issues
presented in both this proceeding, as well as the federal court action, are numerous and complex.  The
Networks also note that the difficulty in responding to these issues in the twenty day period for response to
program access complaints is further exacerbated by the fact that the Networks' principal counsel is
unavailable during this time period due to travel and involvement in unrelated depositions and a preliminary
injunction hearing.  The Networks note that they have sought EchoStar's consent to their motion, but EchoStar
has refused such consent.

     4.   We grant the Networks' Motion for an Extension of Time.  We believe that this matter is
unique because of the complex interrelationship that exists between EchoStar's pending program access
complaint and the pending litigation regarding the same or similar issues in federal district court.  Given the
weight of the issues at hand, we believe that a two week extension of time to file a responsive pleading in this
matter is reasonable.

     5.   Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the "Motion for Extension of Time in which to File
Responsive Pleading" filed by Speedvision Network, L.L.C. and Outdoor Life Network, L.L.C. regarding
EchoStar's program access complaint (CSR- 5364-P) filed against these parties IS GRANTED.  

     6.   This action is taken by the Chief, Cable Services Bureau, pursuant to authority delegated by
Section 0.321 of the Commission's rules.


                         FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION



                         Deborah A. Lathen
                         Chief, Cable Services Bureau