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 to the best of
his knowledge the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months
ended March 31, 2004 (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: May 6, 2004

                                   Name:  /s/ Michael R. McDonnell
                                          --------------------------------

                                   Title: Senior Vice President and Chief
                                          Financial Officer

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.