EchoStar Communications Corporation, the parent company of DISH Network was formed back in 1980 by CEO and Chairman Charles W. Ergen originally to distribute Television systems. EchoStar is a public company with over 21,000 employees and is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado. On December 28, 1995 EchoStar successfully launched its first satellite, EchoStar I. The successful launch of EchoStar I came after several failed launch attempts. That same year, EchoStar established the DISH Network brand name to market its home satellite TV system.