NEWS
	Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554	News media information 202 / 418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 202/418-2555
	This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 1999   News Media Contact: Rosemary Kimball (202) 418-0500
	STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD ON GRANT OF ECHOSTAR/MCI TRANSFER APPLICATION
	"Today the Commission took a giant step forward to bringing American consumers more choice in television service. Despite the growth in numbers of satellite subscribers, cable TV systems remain by far the dominant supplier of non-broadcast video programming to American homes. By allowing companies like EchoStar to become stronger competitors to cable, the FCC is clearing the way for consumers to have more choices in how they get their television programming." - FCC -