EchoStar Communications Corp. (Nasdaq:DISH), a leader in the satellite TV industry and parent company of the popular DISH Network, purchased two former Merrill Lynch office buildings at 9601 and 9603 South Meridian Blvd. in Englewood, CO, for $40 million or $95.44 per square foot, a price substantially below the buildings' replacement cost. EchoStar, which said it plans to maintain its current offices in Littleton, is scheduled to begin expanding into the two buildings as early as October of this year.