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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:  March 13, 1999             Released:  March 16, 1999  

By the Chief, Cable Services Bureau:

     1.   EchoStar Communications Corporation ("EchoStar") has filed a "Motion for Extension of
Time" in order to file its reply pleading in the above-noted program access complaint.  EchoStar filed its
complaint on January 14, 1999.  After being granted a two week extension of time, Speedvision Network,
L.L.C. and Outdoor Life Network, L.L.C. ("the Networks") filed an answer to EchoStar's complaint on
February 17, 1999.  EchoStar's reply was then due to be filed on March 4, 1999.  EchoStar now also requests
an extension of time of two weeks, until March 18, 1999, in order to file its reply to the Networks' answer.

     2.   EchoStar argues that an extension of time to file its reply is necessary in this case due to the
length and specificity of the Networks' answer.  The Networks filed a response to EchoStar's request for an
extension of time and agreed only to an extension of one week.

     3.   As we noted in granting the Networks' request for a two week extension of time, the
Networks filed suit against EchoStar in the United States District Court of Connecticut alleging, inter alia,
that EchoStar had breached the parties' program distribution agreement and fraudulently induced the
Networks to enter into that contract.  In response, EchoStar filed an answer and counterclaim regarding this
matter in federal court.  It has not been disputed between the parties that the instant program access
complaint is based on exactly the same set of facts and circumstances as the parties' pending federal court
litigation.

     4.   In view of the foregoing, we grant EchoStar's 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 for EchoStar to
file a reply pleading in this matter is reasonable.

     5.   Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the "Motion for Extension of Time" filed by EchoStar
Communications Corporation regarding its program access complaint (CSR-5364-P) against Speedvision
Network, L.L.C. and Outdoor Life Network, L.L.C. 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