Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 


 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

T         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2012

 

OR

 

£         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                           TO                          .

 

Commission File Number:  001-33807

 

EchoStar Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Nevada

 

26-1232727

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

 

Englewood, Colorado

 

80112-5308

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(303) 706-4000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x   No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o No  x

 

As of November 1, 2012, the registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of 39,691,808 shares of Class A common stock and 47,687,039 shares of Class B common stock.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

i

 

 

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2011

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

4

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

39

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

54

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

56

 

 

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

57

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

62

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

63

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

None

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

None

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

None

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

63

 



Table of Contents

 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We make “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 throughout this report.  Whenever you read a statement that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as when we describe what we “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect” or “anticipate” will occur and other similar statements), you must remember that our expectations may not be achieved, even though we believe they are reasonable.  We do not guarantee that any future transactions or events described herein will happen as described or that they will happen at all.  You should read this report completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.  Whether actual events or results will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.

 

The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

General Risks Affecting Our Business

 

·                  We currently derive a substantial portion of our revenue from our two primary customers, DISH Network and Bell TV.  The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders from, or a decrease in selling prices of digital set-top boxes, transponder leasing, provision of digital broadcast services, and/or other products or services to DISH Network or Bell TV would significantly reduce our revenue and adversely impact our results of operations.

·                  Economic weakness, including high unemployment and reduced consumer spending, may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.

·                  If we are unable to properly respond to technological changes, our business could be significantly harmed.

·                  Certain of our sales to DISH Network could be terminated or substantially curtailed on short notice, which would have a detrimental effect on us.

·                  We may be required to raise and refinance indebtedness during unfavorable market conditions.

·                  We may experience significant financial losses on our existing investments.

·                  We may pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions to complement or expand our business, which may not be successful and we may lose up to the entire value of our investment in these acquisitions and transactions.

·                  We may not be aware of certain foreign government laws or regulations or changes to them which could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

·                  Our international sales and operations are subject to applicable laws relating to trade, export controls and foreign corrupt practices, the violation of which could adversely affect our operations.

·                  Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights of others.  The loss of or infringement of our intellectual property rights could have a significant adverse impact on our business.

·                  Any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure or those of our third-party service providers could harm our business.

·                  We are party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant adverse impact on our business, particularly lawsuits regarding intellectual property.

·                  We have not been an independent company for a significant amount of time and we may be unable to make, on a timely or cost-effective basis, the changes necessary to operate as an independent company.

·                  We rely on key personnel and the loss of their services may negatively affect our businesses.

·                  We have substantial debt outstanding and may incur additional debt.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Risks Affecting Our EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

·                  We depend on sales of digital set-top boxes for a substantial portion of our revenue and a decline in sales of our digital set-top boxes would have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

·                  Our business may suffer if our customer base does not compete successfully with existing and emerging competition.

·                  Our future financial performance depends in part on our ability to penetrate new markets for digital set-top boxes.

·                  Component pricing may remain stable or be negatively affected by inflation, increased demand, decreased supply, or other factors, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

·                  The average selling price and gross margins of our digital set-top boxes has been decreasing and may decrease even further, which could negatively impact our financial position and results of operations.

·                  Our ability to sell our digital set-top boxes to other operators depends on our ability to obtain licenses to use the conditional access systems utilized by these other operators.

·                  Growth in our EchoStar Technologies segment likely requires expansion of our sales to international customers, and we may be unsuccessful in expanding international sales.

·                  If we are successful in growing sales of our digital set-top boxes to international customers, we may be subject to additional risks including, among other things, trade barriers and political instability abroad.

·                  The digital set-top box industry is extremely competitive.

·                  We expect to continue to face competition from new market entrants, principally located in Asia, that offer low cost set-top boxes.

·                  Our digital set-top boxes are highly complex and may experience quality or supply problems.

·                  If significant numbers of television viewers are unwilling to pay for pay-TV services that utilize digital set-top boxes, we may not be able to sustain our current revenue level.

·                  Our reliance on a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers for several components used in our digital set-top boxes could restrict production, result in higher digital set-top box costs and delay deliveries to customers.

·                  Our future growth depends on growing demand for advanced technologies.

·                  If the encryption and related security technology used in our digital set-top boxes is compromised, sales of our digital set-top boxes may decline.

 

Risks Affecting Our EchoStar Satellite Services and Hughes Segments

 

·                  We currently face competition from established competitors in the satellite service business and may face competition from others in the future.

·                  Our owned and leased satellites in orbit are subject to significant operational and environmental risks that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites.

·                  Our satellites have minimum design lives ranging from 12 to 15 years, but could fail or suffer reduced capacity before then.

·                  Our satellites under construction are subject to risks related to construction and launch that could limit our ability to utilize these satellites.

·                  Our business is subject to risks of adverse government regulation.

·                  Our business depends on Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses that can expire or be revoked or modified and applications for FCC licenses that may not be granted.

·                  Our use of certain satellites is often dependent on satellite coordination agreements, which may be difficult to obtain.

·                  Our dependence on outside contractors could result in delays related to the design, manufacture and launch of our new satellites, which could in turn adversely affect our operating results.

 

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·                  We generally do not have commercial insurance coverage on the satellites we use and could face significant impairment charges if one of our uninsured satellites fails.

·                  We currently have unused satellite capacity in our EchoStar Satellite Services segment, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected if we are not able to lease more of this capacity to third parties.

·                  The enterprise network communications industry is highly competitive.  We may be unsuccessful in competing effectively against other terrestrial and satellite-based network providers in our enterprise groups.

·                  The consumer network communications market is highly competitive.  We may be unsuccessful in competing effectively against fiber, Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”), cable service providers and other satellite broadband providers in the consumer market.

·                  We are dependent upon third-party providers for components, manufacturing, installation services, and customer support services, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected if any of these third-party providers fail to appropriately deliver the contracted goods or services.

·                  The failure to adequately anticipate the need for transponder capacity or the inability to obtain transponder capacity for our Hughes segment could harm our results of operations.

·                  If our products contain defects, we could be subject to significant costs to correct such defects and our product and network service contracts could be delayed or cancelled, which could adversely affect our revenues.

·                  We may face difficulties in accurately assessing and collecting contributions towards the Universal Service Fund.

·                  Our foreign operations expose us to regulatory risks and restrictions not present in our domestic operations.

·                  Although we expect that the Hughes Acquisition (as defined below) will benefit us, those expected benefits may not occur because of the complexity of integration and other challenges.

 

Other Risks

 

·                  We may have potential conflicts of interest with DISH Network due to our common ownership and management.

·                  We cannot assure you that there will not be deficiencies leading to material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.

·                  It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so may be beneficial to our shareholders, because of our capital structure.

·                  We are controlled by one principal stockholder who is our Chairman.

·                  We may face other risks described from time-to-time in periodic and current reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

All cautionary statements made herein should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear.  Investors should consider the risks described herein and should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  We assume no responsibility for updating forward-looking information contained or incorporated by reference herein or in other reports we file with the SEC.

 

In this report, the words “EchoStar,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to EchoStar Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.  “DISH Network” refers to DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

iii



Table of Contents

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 694,464

 

$

614,035

 

Marketable investment securities

 

862,230

 

1,082,407

 

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $15,530 and $18,484, respectively

 

227,136

 

212,960

 

Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero

 

264,664

 

229,852

 

Inventory

 

74,122

 

68,707

 

Deferred tax assets

 

37,992

 

23,492

 

Other current assets

 

106,652

 

76,284

 

Total current assets

 

2,267,260

 

2,307,737

 

Noncurrent Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and marketable investment securities

 

26,868

 

24,286

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,247,522 and $2,003,875, respectively

 

2,571,130

 

2,453,546

 

Orbital rights, net

 

565,727

 

469,810

 

Goodwill

 

514,536

 

533,018

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

369,562

 

466,452

 

Marketable and other investment securities

 

178,221

 

140,439

 

Other noncurrent assets, net

 

163,361

 

148,449

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

4,389,405

 

4,236,000

 

Total assets

 

$

6,656,665

 

$

6,543,737

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

$

229,247

 

$

250,366

 

Trade accounts payable - DISH Network

 

16,149

 

16,374

 

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

65,450

 

64,475

 

Deferred revenue and other

 

42,684

 

54,090

 

Accrued royalties

 

16,201

 

23,590

 

Accrued interest

 

41,407

 

6,353

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

177,616

 

168,474

 

Total current liabilities

 

588,754

 

583,722

 

Noncurrent Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion

 

2,431,894

 

2,464,180

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

382,055

 

373,391

 

Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities

 

94,667

 

70,818

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

2,908,616

 

2,908,389

 

Total liabilities

 

3,497,370

 

3,492,111

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Class A common stock, $.001 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 45,159,775 and 44,500,440 shares issued, and 39,627,457 and 38,968,122 shares outstanding, respectively

 

45

 

45

 

Class B common stock, $.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 47,687,039 shares issued and outstanding

 

48

 

48

 

Class C common stock, $.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Class D common stock, $.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,389,024

 

3,360,301

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

59,960

 

165,771

 

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

 

(200,663

)

(385,487

)

Treasury stock, at cost

 

(98,162

)

(98,162

)

Total EchoStar stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

3,150,252

 

3,042,516

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

9,043

 

9,110

 

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

3,159,295

 

3,051,626

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

$

6,656,665

 

$

6,543,737

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

1



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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 (In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

$

256,935

 

$

339,272

 

$

748,650

 

$

882,027

 

Equipment revenue - other

 

143,764

 

151,613

 

487,097

 

325,192

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

129,842

 

124,941

 

387,479

 

374,366

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

234,180

 

247,337

 

712,279

 

345,637

 

Total revenue

 

764,721

 

863,163

 

2,335,505

 

1,927,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

342,230

 

415,784

 

1,046,423

 

1,026,462

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

175,346

 

173,973

 

513,208

 

328,228

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

93,871

 

102,790

 

282,357

 

190,505

 

General and administrative expenses - DISH Network

 

1,168

 

5,669

 

4,406

 

12,397

 

Research and development expenses

 

17,448

 

14,561

 

50,416

 

34,502

 

Depreciation and amortization (Notes 7 and 8)

 

110,778

 

128,120

 

339,472

 

256,193

 

Total costs and expenses

 

740,841

 

840,897

 

2,236,282

 

1,848,287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

23,880

 

22,266

 

99,223

 

78,935

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2,697

 

2,394

 

8,864

 

7,206

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(33,840

)

(33,061

)

(109,258

)

(45,381

)

Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments

 

21,216

 

4,169

 

149,443

 

13,875

 

Unrealized/realized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net

 

 

2,483

 

 

10,281

 

Hughes Acquisition costs

 

7

 

(730

)

 

(35,230

)

Other, net

 

7,900

 

(2,504

)

35,244

 

18,430

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(2,020

)

(27,249

)

84,293

 

(30,819

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

21,860

 

(4,983

)

183,516

 

48,116

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

409

 

(13,864

)

704

 

(31,230

)

Net income (loss)

 

22,269

 

(18,847

)

184,220

 

16,886

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(285

)

270

 

(604

)

357

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

22,554

 

$

(19,117

)

$

184,824

 

$

16,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

87,279

 

86,507

 

87,031

 

86,100

 

Diluted

 

87,998

 

86,507

 

87,752

 

87,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

0.26

 

$

(0.22

)

$

2.12

 

$

0.19

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

0.26

 

$

(0.22

)

$

2.11

 

$

0.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

22,269

 

$

(18,847

)

$

184,220

 

$

16,886

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

2,868

 

(11,067

)

(667

)

(11,511

)

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

 

6,536

 

(67,934

)

42,318

 

(43,474

)

Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss)

 

(19,088

)

(4,168

)

(147,093

)

(6,617

)

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

(9,684

)

(83,169

)

(105,442

)

(61,602

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

12,585

 

(102,016

)

78,778

 

(44,716

)

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

192

 

270

 

(235

)

357

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

12,393

 

$

(102,286

)

$

79,013

 

$

(45,073

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

184,220

 

$

16,886

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

339,472

 

256,193

 

Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates

 

(5,029

)

(8,536

)

Realized losses (gains) on marketable investment securities and other investments

 

(149,443

)

(13,875

)

Unrealized/realized losses (gains) on investments accounted for at fair value, net

 

 

(10,281

)

Non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

14,361

 

11,558

 

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

 

(3,153

)

17,264

 

Other, net

 

9,940

 

(227

)

Change in noncurrent assets

 

(7,079

)

(36

)

Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net

 

(32,948

)

(30,755

)

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

350,341

 

238,191

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable investment securities

 

(698,738

)

(1,578,463

)

Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities

 

929,179

 

1,749,278

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(371,385

)

(261,196

)

Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities

 

(2,582

)

2,046

 

Acquisition of Hughes Communications, net of cash acquired of $98,900

 

 

(2,075,613

)

Acquisition of orbital rights

 

(82,477

)

 

Purchase of strategic investments included in marketable and other investment securities

 

(954

)

(72,774

)

Proceeds from sale of strategic investments

 

 

567,303

 

Other, net

 

(3,215

)

2,963

 

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(230,172

)

(1,666,456

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

317

 

2,000,000

 

Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

(49,654

)

(43,010

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(229

)

(57,597

)

Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

10,022

 

27,118

 

Other

 

(633

)

1,693

 

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

(40,177

)

1,928,204

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

437

 

(947

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

80,429

 

498,992

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

614,035

 

141,814

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

694,464

 

$

640,806

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)

 

$

110,131

 

$

31,988

 

Capitalized interest

 

$

39,637

 

$

31,777

 

Cash received for interest

 

$

22,551

 

$

8,957

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

8,754

 

$

3,637

 

Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock

 

$

4,282

 

$

4,046

 

Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations

 

$

30,263

 

$

27,279

 

In-orbit incentive obligation for Echostar XVII

 

$

24,950

 

$

 

Reduction of capital lease obligations for AMC-16

 

$

12,599

 

$

6,616

 

Changes in capital expenditures included in accounts payable

 

$

(30,767

)

$

22,605

 

Orbital rights obligation included in accrued liabilities

 

$

16,000

 

$

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1.                      Organization and Business Activities

 

Principal Business

 

We were organized in October 2007 as a corporation under the laws of the State of Nevada.  EchoStar Corporation is a holding company (together with its subsidiaries, “EchoStar,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”).  On June 8, 2011, we acquired all of the outstanding equity of Hughes Communications, Inc. (the “Hughes Acquisition”).  Following the Hughes Acquisition, we operate three primary business segments.

 

·                  EchoStar Technologies — which designs, develops and distributes digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, including our Slingbox “placeshifting” technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers, telecommunication and international cable companies and, with respect to Slingboxes, directly to consumers via retail outlets.  Our EchoStar Technologies segment also provides digital broadcast operations including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management and other services primarily to DISH Network.

 

·                  EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses 9 of our 11 owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”), United States government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.

 

·                  Hughes — which provides satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers and broadband network services and systems to the domestic and international enterprise markets.  The Hughes segment also provides managed services to large enterprises and networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.  Hughes became a new segment as a result of the Hughes Acquisition and the operating results of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Hughes Communications”) are included in our results effective June 9, 2011.  See Note 11 for further discussion of the Hughes Acquisition.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, DISH Network completed its distribution to us (the “Spin-off”) of its digital set-top box business and certain infrastructure and other assets, including certain of its satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real estate and other assets and related liabilities.  Since the Spin-off, we and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies, and neither entity has any ownership interest in the other.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of both companies is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

Note 2.                      Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying (a) condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, which has been derived from our audited financial statements, and (b) unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information.  Accordingly, these financial statements do

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements prepared under GAAP.  In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Our results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 include the operating results of Hughes Communications after June 8, 2011, the date of the Hughes Acquisition.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary.  Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee.  When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period.  Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, deferred revenue and deferred subscriber acquisition cost amortization periods, percentage-of-completion related to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowances for sales returns/rebates, warranty obligations, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of options granted under our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, capital leases, asset impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets, and royalty obligations.  Weakened economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above.  We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they occur.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

We determine fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Market or observable inputs are the preferred source of values, followed by unobservable inputs or assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs.  We apply the following hierarchy in determining fair value:

 

·                  Level 1, defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;

 

·                  Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

·                  Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other participants therefore requiring assumptions based on the best information available.

 

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents, current marketable investment securities, trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, and accrued liabilities were equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates.

 

Fair values for our publicly traded debt securities are based on quoted market prices.  The fair value of our private debt and orbital incentive obligations is estimated at their carrying value based on current rates (Level 2).  See Note 9 for the fair value of our long-term debt.  As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the fair values of our orbital incentive obligations, based on measurements categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, approximated their carrying values of $30 million and $6 million, respectively. We use fair value measurements from time-to-time in connection with impairment testing and the assignment of purchase consideration to assets and liabilities of acquired companies.   Those fair value measurements typically include significant unobservable inputs and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Note 3.                      Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

We present both basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS.  Basic EPS excludes potential dilution and is computed by dividing “Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar” by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock awards were exercised.

 

The potential dilution from stock awards was computed using the treasury stock method based on the average market value of our Class A common stock.  The following table presents EPS amounts for all periods and the basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

22,554

 

$

(19,117

)

$

184,824

 

$

16,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

87,279

 

86,507

 

87,031

 

86,100

 

Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding

 

719

 

 

721

 

1,071

 

Diluted

 

87,998

 

86,507

 

87,752

 

87,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

0.26

 

$

(0.22

)

$

2.12

 

$

0.19

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

0.26

 

$

(0.22

)

$

2.11

 

$

0.19

 

 

As of September 30, 2012 and 2011, there were stock awards to purchase 5.0 million and 3.9 million shares, respectively, of our Class A common stock outstanding, not included in the weighted-average common shares outstanding above, as their effect is anti-dilutive.

 

Vesting of options and rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock granted pursuant to a performance-based stock incentive plan (“Restricted Performance Units”) is contingent upon meeting a certain company goal which was not probable of being achieved as of September 30, 2012 and 2011.  As a result, the following awards were outstanding and were not included in the diluted EPS calculation.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

 

 

As of September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Performance-based options

 

632

 

673

 

Restricted Performance Units

 

65

 

90

 

Total

 

697

 

763

 

 

Note 4.                      Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects

 

We have not recognized any tax effects on foreign currency translation adjustments because they are not expected to result in future taxable income or deductions.  We have not recognized any tax effects on unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities to the extent the gains or losses would affect the amount of existing capital loss carryforwards for which the related deferred tax asset has been fully offset by a valuation allowance.

 

Note 5.                      Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investment Securities

 

Our marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Marketable investment securities—current:

 

 

 

 

 

VRDNs

 

$

52,895

 

$

218,665

 

Strategic

 

103,423

 

216,090

 

Other

 

705,912

 

647,652

 

Total marketable investment securities—current

 

862,230

 

1,082,407

 

Restricted marketable investment securities (1)

 

6,729

 

3,939

 

Total

 

868,959

 

1,086,346

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)

 

20,139

 

20,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable and other investment securities—noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

Cost method

 

26,192

 

26,193

 

Equity method

 

152,029

 

114,246

 

Total marketable and other investment securities—noncurrent

 

178,221

 

140,439

 

Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities

 

$

1,067,319

 

$

1,247,132

 

 


(1)          Restricted marketable investment securities and restricted cash and cash equivalents are included in “Restricted cash and marketable investment securities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Marketable Investment Securities

 

Our marketable investment securities portfolio consists of various debt and equity instruments, all of which are classified as available-for-sale.

 

Variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”)

 

VRDNs are long-term floating rate municipal bonds with embedded put options that allow the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest.  All of the put options are secured by a pledged liquidity source.  Our VRDN portfolio is comprised of investments in municipalities and corporations, which are backed by financial institutions

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

or other highly rated companies that serve as the pledged liquidity source.  While they are classified as marketable investment securities, the put option allows VRDNs to be liquidated generally on a same day or on a five business day settlement basis.

 

Strategic

 

Our strategic investment portfolio consists of investments in shares of common stock of public companies, which are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience volatility.  The value of our investment portfolio depends on the value of such shares of common stock.

 

Other

 

Our other current marketable investment securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments including corporate and government bonds.

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our restricted marketable investment securities, together with our restricted cash, included amounts required as collateral for our letters of credit or surety bonds.

 

Marketable and Other Investment Securities—Noncurrent

 

We have several strategic investments in certain equity securities that are accounted for using either the equity or the cost method of accounting.  Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are not publicly traded depends on the success of those companies’ businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient capital to execute their business plans.  Because private markets are not as liquid as public markets, there is also increased risk that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that when we desire to sell them we will not be able to obtain fair value for them.

 

As of September 30, 2012, our equity method investments included a $32 million investment in DISH Digital Holding L.L.C. (“DISH Digital”), a joint venture between us and DISH Network.  The carrying amount of our investment reflects the $37 million aggregate carrying amount of certain noncash assets that we contributed to DISH Digital upon its formation on July 1, 2012 in exchange for a one-third equity interest in DISH Digital, less $5 million for our equity in the net loss of DISH Digital for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  See Note 14 for additional information about our investment in DISH Digital.

 

Realized Gains on Marketable Investment Securities and Other Investments

 

We recognized realized gains on our marketable investment securities and other investments of $21.2 million and $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $149.4 million and $13.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities

 

The components of our available-for-sale investments are summarized in the table below.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

Unrealized

 

Investment

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Securities

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Net

 

Securities

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Net

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VRDNs

 

$

52,895

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

218,665

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Other (including restricted)

 

712,641

 

1,048

 

(661

)

387

 

651,591

 

253

 

(2,715

)

(2,462

)

Equity securities - strategic

 

103,423

 

74,591

 

 

74,591

 

216,090

 

182,214

 

 

182,214

 

Total marketable investment securities

 

$

868,959

 

$

75,639

 

$

(661

)

$

74,978

 

$

1,086,346

 

$

182,467

 

$

(2,715

)

$

179,752

 

 

As of September 30, 2012, restricted and non-restricted marketable investment securities included debt securities of $621 million with contractual maturities of one year or less and $145 million with contractual maturities greater than one year.  We may realize proceeds from certain investments prior to contractual maturity as a result of our ability to sell these securities prior to their contractual maturity.

 

Marketable Investment Securities in a Loss Position

 

The following table reflects the length of time that our available-for-sale debt securities have been in an unrealized loss position.  We do not intend to sell these debt securities before they recover, and it is more likely than not that we will hold these debt securities until they recover or mature.  In addition, we are not aware of any specific factors indicating that the underlying issuers of these debt securities would not be able to pay interest as it becomes due or repay the principal at maturity.  Therefore, we believe that these changes in the estimated fair values of these debt securities are primarily related to temporary market fluctuations.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Less than 12 months

 

$

192,882

 

$

(649

)

$

507,925

 

$

(2,709

)

12 months or more

 

20,274

 

(12

)

3,931

 

(6

)

Total

 

$

213,156

 

$

(661

)

$

511,856

 

$

(2,715

)

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Our current marketable investment securities were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as summarized in the table below.  As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we did not have investments that were categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash equivalents (including restricted)

 

$

577,145

 

$

15,147

 

$

561,998

 

$

543,243

 

$

16,197

 

$

527,046

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VRDNs

 

$

52,895

 

$

 

$

52,895

 

$

218,665

 

$

 

$

218,665

 

Other (including restricted)

 

712,641

 

 

712,641

 

651,591

 

 

651,591

 

Equity securities - strategic

 

103,423

 

103,423

 

 

216,090

 

216,090

 

 

Total marketable investment securities

 

$

868,959

 

$

103,423

 

$

765,536

 

$

1,086,346

 

$

216,090

 

$

870,256

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we did not have investments that were accounted for using the fair value method.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we held investments that were accounted for using the fair value method, and we reported realized and unrealized gains and losses on such investments in “Unrealized/realized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  Certain unrealized gains and losses on investments accounted for using the fair value method were based on fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  Changes in such investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were as follows:

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

 

$

608,955

 

Net unrealized gains included in earnings

 

3,507

 

Purchases

 

51,936

 

Issuances

 

27,313

 

Settlements

 

(551,865

)

Balance as of September 30, 2011

 

$

139,846

 

 

Investment in TerreStar

 

In February 2008, we completed several transactions under a Master Investment Agreement between us, TerreStar Corporation and TerreStar Networks Inc. (“TerreStar”).  Under the Master Investment Agreement, we acquired, among other things, $50 million in aggregate principal amount of TerreStar’s 6 1/2% Senior Exchangeable Paid-in-Kind Notes due June 15, 2014 (“Exchangeable Notes”).  TerreStar and certain of its affiliates filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on October 19, 2010.  The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York confirmed TerreStar’s Chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the “TerreStar Plan”) on February 15, 2012.

 

Effective March 29, 2012, the Exchangeable Notes were cancelled pursuant to the TerreStar Plan.  In satisfaction of our claims against TerreStar under the Exchangeable Notes, we have a right to receive a distribution, along with other general unsecured creditors, in accordance with the terms of the TerreStar Plan.  The amount of any distribution we ultimately receive will vary depending upon and will be impacted by, among other things, the outcome of any claim objections, and will be substantially less than the amount we paid for the Exchangeable Notes.  Any proceeds received on this investment will be recognized in “Unrealized/realized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and will directly impact our profitability.  As of September 30, 2012, we had no investment in TerreStar.

 

Note 6.                      Inventory

 

Our inventory consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Finished goods

 

$

47,899

 

$

49,038

 

Raw materials

 

14,510

 

11,212

 

Work-in-process

 

11,713

 

8,457

 

Total inventory

 

$

74,122

 

$

68,707

 

 

10


 


Table of Contents

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Note 7.                     Property and Equipment

 

Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Satellites

 

$

35,443

 

$

29,455

 

$

109,561

 

$

77,172

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other

 

48,761

 

49,838

 

149,291

 

106,982

 

Intangible assets and other

 

23,379

 

45,975

 

71,025

 

65,699

 

Buildings and improvements

 

3,195

 

2,852

 

9,595

 

6,340

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

110,778

 

$

128,120

 

$

339,472

 

$

256,193

 

 

As a result of an accelerated amortization method used for certain of our intangible assets acquired in the Hughes Acquisition, higher amortization expense was recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in our depreciation and amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 was due to depreciation expense recognized on assets acquired in June 2011 in connection with the Hughes Acquisition.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense is reported separately from cost of sales and other expense categories included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Satellites

 

As of September 30, 2012, we utilized 10 of our 11 owned and leased satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator, including the SPACEWAY 3 satellite, which was added to our satellite fleet as a result of the Hughes Acquisition in 2011, and the recently launched EchoStar XVII satellite in July 2012.  Four of these satellites are accounted for as capital leases and are depreciated over the terms of the satellite service agreements.  Beginning October 2012, we introduced HughesNet Gen4 broadband Internet services to our customers in North America on the EchoStar XVII satellite.  We depreciate our owned satellites on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each satellite.

 

In addition, we also own EchoStar XVI, which is currently under construction and is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

EchoStar XVII Orbital Incentives Obligation

 

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the construction agreement for EchoStar XVII, we are obligated to commence payment of in-orbit incentives totaling $25 million (the “Orbital incentive”) upon the completion of the in-orbit testing, which occurred in September 2012. In addition, we are required to make interest payments on the Orbital incentive, at an annual rate of 10%, of approximately $33 million. The Orbital incentive payments, including interest, are required to be paid quarterly over a 15-year period, subject to prepayment at our option; however, these payments are subject to reduction in the event of future satellite failures.  As of September 30, 2012, the Orbital incentive was capitalized in “Property and equipment, net” and included in “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Satellite Anomalies

 

Certain of our satellites have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on their remaining useful life and/or commercial operation.  There can be no assurance that future anomalies will not further impact the remaining useful life and commercial operation of any of the satellites in our fleet.  See “Long-Lived Satellite Assets” below for further discussion of evaluation of impairment.  In addition, there can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail.  We

 

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Table of Contents

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

generally do not carry in-orbit insurance on any of our satellites, other than SPACEWAY 3, EchoStar XVI and EchoStar XVII, and therefore, we bear the risk of any uninsured in-orbit failures.  However, pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing certain portions of our indebtedness, we are required, subject to certain limitations on coverage, to maintain launch insurance for EchoStar XVI and to maintain in-orbit insurance for EchoStar XVI, EchoStar XVII and SPACEWAY 3.  Satellite anomalies with respect to certain of our satellites are discussed below.

 

Owned Satellites

 

EchoStar III.  EchoStar III, which is currently an in-orbit spare, was designed to meet a minimum 12-year useful life.  During the first quarter of 2012, EchoStar III experienced a solar array anomaly which did not impact commercial operation of the satellite; however, there can be no assurance that future anomalies will not impact its commercial operation.  EchoStar III was fully depreciated in 2009.

 

EchoStar VI.  EchoStar VI was designed to meet a minimum 12-year useful life.  Prior to 2012, this satellite experienced solar array anomalies and the loss of traveling wave tube amplifiers (“TWTAs”) that did not reduce its useful life; however, the solar array anomalies impacted the commercial operation of the satellite.  During the first quarter of 2012, we determined that EchoStar VI experienced the loss of two additional TWTAs increasing the total number of TWTAs lost on the satellite to five.  During the second quarter of 2012, EchoStar VI lost an additional solar array string reducing the total power available for use by the spacecraft.  The recent losses of TWTAs and the solar array string did not reduce the estimated useful life of the satellite and did not impact the current commercial operation of the satellite; however, there can be no assurance that future anomalies will not reduce its useful life or impact its commercial operation.  EchoStar VI was fully depreciated in August 2012.

 

EchoStar XII.  Prior to 2012, EchoStar XII experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of electrical power available from its solar arrays.  During September 2012 and November 2012, EchoStar XII experienced additional solar array anomalies, which could further reduce the electrical power available to operate EchoStar XII.  An investigation of the anomalies is continuing.  We currently operate EchoStar XII in spot beam mode.  If we continue to operate the satellite in the spot beam mode, as a result of this loss of electrical power, we are still able to maintain our current operational requirements.  Additional solar array anomalies are likely to continue to degrade operational capability in all of the possible modes.  Since the number of useable transponders on EchoStar XII depends on, among other things, whether EchoStar XII is operated in CONUS, spot beam, or hybrid CONUS/spot beam mode, we are unable to determine at this time the actual number of transponders that will be available at any given time or how many transponders can be used during the remaining estimated life of the satellite.  Additionally, there can be no assurance that future anomalies will not cause further losses, which could impact the remaining useful life or commercial operation of EchoStar XII.

 

Leased Satellites

 

EchoStar I. During 2009, we entered into a satellite capacity agreement pursuant to which we leased certain satellite capacity from DISH Network on EchoStar I.  During the first quarter of 2012, EchoStar I experienced a communications receiver anomaly, which had no impact on the commercial operation of the satellite.  Effective July 1, 2012, we and DISH Network mutually agreed to terminate this satellite capacity agreement.

 

AMC-16.  In February 2012 and April 2012, AMC-16 experienced two solar-power anomalies, causing a partial power loss that reduced its capacity.  Pursuant to the governing satellite services agreement, we are entitled to a reduction of our monthly recurring payment in the event of a partial loss of satellite capacity.  In connection with the February 2012 anomaly, we reduced our capital lease obligation and recognized a corresponding gain of $5 million in the second quarter of 2012.  In connection with the April 2012 anomaly, we reduced our capital lease obligation and recognized a corresponding gain of approximately $8 million in the third quarter of 2012. The gains were recorded in “Other, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  There can be no assurance that these anomalies or any future anomalies will not reduce its useful life or further impact its commercial operations.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Long-Lived Satellite Assets

 

We evaluate our satellites for impairment and test for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable.  This evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  Certain of the anomalies discussed above, and previously disclosed, may be considered to represent a significant adverse change in the physical condition of a particular satellite.  However, based on the redundancy designed within each satellite, these anomalies are not considered to be significant events that would require a test of recoverability because the projected cash flows have not been significantly affected by these anomalies.

 

Note 8.                     Goodwill, Orbital Rights and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we adjusted our goodwill as follows:

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2011

 

$

533,018

 

Hughes acquisition adjustment

 

(12,025

)

Contribution to DISH Digital

 

(6,457

)

Balance as of September 30, 2012

 

$

514,536

 

 

In connection with our final purchase price allocation of the Hughes Acquisition, we made adjustments to increase deferred tax assets by $12 million with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill in 2012.  In July 2012, we agreed to contribute all of the equity of our wholly-owned subsidiary, EchoStar Advanced Technologies L.L.C., cash and certain other assets in exchange for a one-third ownership interest in DISH Digital, a joint venture between us and DISH Network.  As a result, related goodwill of $6.5 million was transferred to our investment in DISH Digital during the three months ended September 30, 2012.  See Note 14 for additional information about our investment in DISH Digital.

 

Goodwill as of September 30, 2012 included $504.2 million that was recognized in connection with the Hughes Acquisition and has been assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment.  We performed step one of our annual two-step test of impairment of such goodwill as of April 1, 2012.  Step one involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  We estimated fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flow techniques, which included significant assumptions about prospective financial information, terminal value and discount rates.  Based on this quantitative test, we determined that the estimated fair values of the Hughes reporting units were in excess of the corresponding carrying amounts, including goodwill.  Accordingly, we concluded that goodwill assigned to the Hughes segment was not impaired and it was not necessary to perform step two of the two-step goodwill impairment test.

 

Orbital Rights

 

Orbital rights consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Cost

 

Accumulated

 

Cost

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Basis

 

Amortization

 

Basis

 

Amortization

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Indefinite lives

 

$

495,810

 

$

 

$

469,810

 

$

 

Definite lives

 

71,506

 

(1,589

)

 

 

Total orbital rights

 

$

567,316

 

$

(1,589

)

$

469,810

 

$

 

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Most of our orbital rights have indefinite useful lives due to their non-depleting nature.  In May 2012, we acquired the right to use the 45 degree west longitude orbital location from ANATEL, the Brazilian communications regulatory authority (the “Brazil authorization”).  The Brazil authorization is amortized on a straight-line basis over the license term of 15 years.

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

Other intangible assets, which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Cost

 

Accumulated

 

Cost

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Basis

 

Amortization

 

Basis

 

Amortization

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Customer relationships

 

$

293,933

 

$

(104,472

)

$

295,327

 

$

(77,560

)

Contract-based

 

255,366

 

(170,469

)

255,366

 

(145,406

)

Technology-based

 

126,317

 

(61,971

)

153,185

 

(49,307

)

Trademark portfolio

 

29,700

 

(1,980

)

32,191

 

(1,364

)

Favorable leases

 

4,707

 

(1,569

)

4,707

 

(687

)

Total other intangible assets

 

$

710,023

 

$

(340,461

)

$

740,776

 

$

(274,324

)

 

These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods primarily ranging from approximately one to twenty years or in relation to the estimated cash flows over the life of the intangible asset.  Amortization expense, including the Brazil authorization, was $23 million and $46 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was $71 million and $66 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

In connection with the joint venture between us and DISH Network, we contributed certain of our intangible assets to DISH Digital.  See Note 14 for additional information about our investment in DISH Digital.

 

Future Amortization

 

Estimated future amortization of our intangible assets, including the Brazil authorization, as of September 30, 2012 is as follows:

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Years Ending December 31,

 

 

 

2012 (remaining three months)

 

$

23,407

 

2013

 

73,669

 

2014

 

82,351

 

2015

 

67,628

 

2016

 

47,030

 

Thereafter

 

145,394

 

Total

 

$

439,479

 

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Note 9.                     Debt

 

Fair Value

 

The following table summarizes the carrying and fair values of our debt:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

$

1,100,000

 

$

1,193,500

 

$

1,100,000

 

$

1,138,500

 

7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

900,000

 

1,003,500

 

900,000

 

936,000

 

Other

 

652

 

652

 

1,037

 

1,037

 

Subtotal

 

2,000,652

 

$

2,197,652

 

2,001,037

 

$

2,075,537

 

Capital lease obligations (1)

 

496,692

 

 

 

527,618

 

 

 

Total debt and capital lease obligations

 

$

2,497,344

 

 

 

$

2,528,655

 

 

 

 


(1) Disclosure regarding fair value of capital leases is not required.

 

We estimated the fair value of our publicly traded long-term debt using market prices in less active markets (Level 2).

 

Note 10.              Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock Incentive Plans

 

We maintain stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees.  Stock awards under these plans include both performance and non-performance based stock incentives.  As of September 30, 2012, we had outstanding stock options to acquire 8.4 million shares of our Class A common stock and 0.1 million restricted stock units under the stock incentive plans.  Stock options granted prior to and on September 30, 2012 were granted with exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant and with a maximum term of ten years.  While historically we have issued stock awards subject to vesting, typically at the rate of 20% to 33% per year, some stock awards have been granted with immediate vesting and other stock awards vest only upon the achievement of certain company-wide objectives.  As of September 30, 2012, we had 4.8 million shares of our Class A common stock available for future grant under our stock incentive plans.

 

In connection with the Spin-off, as permitted by DISH Network’s existing stock incentive plans and consistent with the Spin-off exchange ratio, each DISH Network stock option was converted into two stock options as follows:

 

·                  an adjusted DISH Network stock option for the same number of shares that were exercisable under the original DISH Network stock option, with an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the original DISH Network stock option multiplied by 0.831219.

·                  a new EchoStar stock option for one-fifth of the number of shares that were exercisable under the original DISH Network stock option, with an exercise price equal to the exercise price of the original DISH Network stock option multiplied by 0.843907.

 

Similarly, holders of DISH Network restricted stock units retained their DISH Network restricted stock units and received one EchoStar restricted stock unit for every five DISH Network restricted stock units that they held.  Consequently, the fair value of the DISH Network stock award and the new EchoStar stock award immediately following the Spin-off was equivalent to the fair value of such stock award immediately prior to the Spin-off.

 

15



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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

The following stock awards were outstanding:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2012

 

 

 

EchoStar Awards

 

DISH Network Awards

 

 

 

Stock
Options

 

Restricted
Stock
Units

 

Stock
Options

 

Restricted
Stock
Units

 

Held by EchoStar employees

 

7,249,944

 

76,730

 

2,415,698

 

94,999

 

Held by DISH Network employees

 

1,181,965

 

45,620

 

 

 

Total outstanding stock awards

 

8,431,909

 

122,350

 

2,415,698

 

94,999

 

 

We are responsible for fulfilling all stock awards related to EchoStar common stock and DISH Network is responsible for fulfilling all stock awards related to DISH Network common stock, regardless of whether such stock awards are held by our employees or DISH Network’s employees.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, our stock-based compensation expense, resulting from stock awards outstanding at the Spin-off date, is based on the stock awards held by our employees regardless of whether such stock awards were issued by EchoStar or DISH Network.  Accordingly, stock-based compensation that we recognize with respect to DISH Network stock awards was included in “Additional paid-in capital” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Stock Award Activity

 

Our stock option activity was as follows:

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30, 2012

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Total options outstanding, beginning of period

 

8,778,413

 

$

27.22

 

Granted

 

356,000

 

$

26.84

 

Exercised

 

(359,264

)

$

20.00

 

Forfeited and cancelled

 

(343,240

)

$

25.41

 

Total options outstanding, end of period

 

8,431,909

 

$

27.58

 

Performance-based options outstanding, end of period (1)

 

632,100

 

$

25.28

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

3,791,075

 

$

26.60

 

 


(1)         These stock options are included in the caption “Total options outstanding, end of period.”  See discussion of the 2005 LTIP below.

 

We realized tax benefits from stock awards exercised as follows:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Tax benefit from stock awards exercised

 

$

992

 

$

329

 

$

2,814

 

$

5,205

 

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Based on the closing market price of our Class A common stock on September 30, 2012, the aggregate intrinsic value of our stock options was as follows:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2012

 

 

 

Options
Outstanding

 

Options
Exercisable

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Aggregate intrinsic value

 

$

32,057

 

$

14,235

 

 

Our restricted stock unit activity was as follows:

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30, 2012

 

 

 

Restricted
Stock
Units

 

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Total restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of period

 

144,226

 

$

29.22

 

Vested

 

(12,210

)

$

36.43

 

Forfeited and cancelled

 

(9,666

)

$

25.84

 

Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period

 

122,350

 

$

28.77

 

Restricted Performance Units outstanding, end of period (1)

 

64,610

 

$

26.72

 

 


(1)         These Restricted Performance Units are included in the caption “Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period.”  See discussion of the 2005 LTIP below.

 

Long-Term Performance-Based Plans

 

2005 LTIP.  During 2005, DISH Network adopted a long-term, performance-based stock incentive plan (the “2005 LTIP”).  The 2005 LTIP provides stock options and restricted stock units, either alone or in combination, which vest over seven years at the rate of 10% per year during the first four years, and at the rate of 20% per year thereafter.  Exercise of the stock awards is subject to the foregoing vesting schedule and a performance condition that a company-specific goal is achieved by March 31, 2015.

 

Contingent compensation related to the 2005 LTIP will not be recorded in our financial statements unless and until the achievement of the performance condition is probable.  The competitive nature of our industry and certain other factors can significantly impact achievement of the goal.  While it was determined that achievement of the goal was not probable as of September 30, 2012, this assessment could change in the future.

 

If all of the stock awards under the 2005 LTIP were vested and the goal had been met, or if we had determined that achievement of the goal was probable as of September 30, 2012, we would have recorded total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for our employees as indicated in the table below.  If the goal is met and there are unvested stock awards at that time, the vested amounts would be expensed immediately on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), with the unvested portion recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period.

 

 

 

2005 LTIP

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

 

Total

 

Portion (1)

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

DISH Network awards held by EchoStar employees

 

$

16,293

 

$

16,159

 

EchoStar awards held by EchoStar employees

 

2,947

 

2,920

 

Total

 

$

19,240

 

$

19,079

 

 


(1)         Represents the amount of this award that has met the foregoing vesting schedule and would therefore vest upon achievement of the performance condition.

 

17



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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Of the 8.4 million stock options and 0.1 million restricted stock units outstanding under our stock incentive plans, the following awards were outstanding pursuant to the 2005 LTIP:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2012

 

 

 

Number of
Awards

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Stock options

 

632,100

 

$

25.28

 

Restricted performance units

 

64,610

 

$

26.72

 

Total outstanding awards

 

696,710

 

 

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

During December 2011, DISH Network paid a dividend in cash of $2.00 per share on its outstanding Class A and Class B common stock to shareholders of record on November 17, 2011.  In light of such dividend, during January 2012, the exercise price of approximately 2.6 million DISH Network stock options held by 194 of our employees was reduced by $2.00 per share (“DISH Network’s 2012 Stock Option Adjustment”).  During the first quarter of 2012, we incurred $3 million of additional non-cash, stock-based compensation expense in connection with DISH Network’s 2012 Stock Option Adjustment.  Total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for all of our employees is shown in the following table and was assigned to the same expense categories as the base compensation for such employees:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Research and development expenses

 

$

697

 

$

564

 

$

2,564

 

$

1,776

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

3,051

 

4,452

 

11,797

 

9,782

 

Total non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

$

3,748

 

$

5,016

 

$

14,361

 

$

11,558

 

 

As of September 30, 2012, total unrecognized compensation cost related to our non-performance based unvested stock awards was $36.7 million, including compensation expense that we will recognize for DISH Network stock awards held by our employees as a result of the Spin-off.  This cost is based on an estimated future forfeiture rate of approximately 2.2% per year and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.  Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on stock awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures.  Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  Changes in the estimated forfeiture rate can have a significant effect on share-based compensation expense since the effect of adjusting the rate is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.

 

18


 


Table of Contents

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Valuation

 

The fair value of each stock option for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was estimated at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions:

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Stock Options

 

2012

 

2011

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

0.82% - 1.33%

 

1.19% - 2.57%

 

Volatility factor

 

40.36% - 41.06%

 

34.68% - 38.68%

 

Expected term of options in years

 

6.0

 

5.1 - 6.0

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted

 

$10.60 - $11.40

 

$8.59 - $14.42

 

 

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock and accordingly, the dividend yield percentage used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model is set at zero for all periods.  The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded stock options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable.  Consequently, our estimate of fair value may differ from other valuation models.  Further, the Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions.  Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.

 

We will continue to evaluate the assumptions used to derive the estimated fair value of our stock options as new events or changes in circumstances become known.

 

Note 11.     Hughes Acquisition

 

On June 8, 2011, we completed the Hughes Acquisition, pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger (the “Hughes Agreement”) by and between us, certain of our subsidiaries, including EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., and Hughes Communications, Inc.  Pursuant to the Hughes Agreement, 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock and vested stock options of Hughes Communications, Inc. were converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash and substantially all of the outstanding debt of Hughes Communications, Inc. was repaid.  In addition, each share of unvested restricted stock and unvested stock option of Hughes Communications, Inc. was converted into the right to receive $60.70 (minus any applicable exercise price) in cash on the vesting date of the stock award.

 

A summary of the purchase price and opening balance sheet for the Hughes Acquisition at the June 8, 2011 acquisition date is presented in the following table.  The opening balance sheet presented below reflects our final purchase price allocation.

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash

 

$

98,900

 

Marketable investment securities

 

22,148

 

Other current assets

 

282,471

 

Property and equipment

 

930,426

 

Other intangible assets

 

420,907

 

Goodwill (non-deductible)

 

504,173

 

Orbital rights

 

400,000

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

61,463

 

Current liabilities

 

(293,029

)

Deferred tax liabilities

 

(220,928

)

Long-term liabilities

 

(22,239

)

Noncontrolling interests

 

(9,679

)

Total purchase price

 

$

2,174,613

 

 

19



Table of Contents

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 give effect to the Hughes Acquisition as if it occurred on January 1, 2010.  These pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred if the Hughes Acquisition had occurred on such date and should not be used as a predictive measure of our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  The pro forma adjustments are based on currently available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable.

 

 

 

For the Three

 

For the Nine

 

 

 

Months Ended

 

Months Ended

 

Supplemental pro forma financial information (Unaudited) 

 

September 30, 2011

 

September 30, 2011

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Total revenue

 

$

862,671

 

$

2,392,511

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

3,130

 

$

16,220

 

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

0.04

 

$

0.19

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

0.04

 

$

0.18

 

 

Effective June 9, 2011, revenue and expenses associated with the Hughes Acquisition are included within the Hughes segment in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Note 12.     Commitments and Contingencies

 

Commitments

 

EchoStar XVI.  During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”), which is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.  As of September 30, 2012, the remaining obligation related to EchoStar XVI was approximately $42.9 million, which includes the launch contract, launch insurance and one year of in-orbit insurance.

 

EchoStar XVII.  We successfully launched EchoStar XVII in July 2012 and introduced HughesNet Gen4 broadband Internet services to our customers in North America in October 2012.  Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the construction agreement for EchoStar XVII, we are obligated to commence payment of in-orbit incentives totaling $25 million plus interest, at an annual rate of 10%, of approximately $33 million.  The Orbital incentive payments, including interest, are required to be paid quarterly over a 15-year period, subject to prepayment at our option; however, these payments are subject to reduction in the event of future satellite failures.   In addition, as of September 30, 2012, we had other remaining obligations of $28.3 million related to the construction and launch of EchoStar XVII.

 

Contingencies

 

Separation Agreement

 

In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a separation agreement with DISH Network that provides, among other things, for the division of certain liabilities, including liabilities resulting from litigation.  Under the terms of the separation agreement, we have assumed certain liabilities that relate to our business including certain designated liabilities for acts or omissions that occurred prior to the Spin-off.  Certain specific provisions govern intellectual property related claims under which, generally, we will only be liable for our acts or omissions following the Spin-off and DISH Network will indemnify us for any liabilities or damages resulting from intellectual property claims relating to the period prior to the Spin-off as well as DISH Network’s acts or omissions following the Spin-off.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 

Litigation

 

We are involved in a number of legal proceedings (including those described below) concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our business activities.  Many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages, and many of these proceedings seek an indeterminate amount of damages.  We regularly evaluate the status of the legal proceedings in which we are involved to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or an additional loss may have been incurred and to determine if accruals are appropriate.  If accruals are not appropriate, we further evaluate each legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of the possible loss or range of possible loss can be made.

 

For certain cases described below, management is unable to provide a meaningful estimate of the possible loss or range of possible loss because, among other reasons, (i) the proceedings are in various stages; (ii) damages have not been sought; (iii) damages are unsupported and/or exaggerated; (iv) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions; (v) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (vi) there are novel legal issues or unsettled legal theories to be presented or a large number of parties (as with many patent-related cases).  For these cases, however, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

 

Cyberfone Systems, LLC (f/k/a LVL Patent Group, LLC)

 

On September 15, 2011, LVL Patent Group, LLC filed a complaint against us and our wholly-owned subsidiary, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., as well as DISH Network L.L.C. a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, and DirecTV, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,044,382, which is entitled “Data Transaction Assembly Server.” DirecTV was dismissed from the case on January 4, 2012.  On July 12, 2012, Cyberfone Systems, LLC (f/k/a LVL Patent Group, LLC) filed the operative second amended complaint making the same claim.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

E-Contact Technologies, LLC

 

On February 22, 2012, E-Contact Technologies, LLC (“E-Contact”) filed suit against two of our subsidiaries, Hughes Communications, Inc. and Hughes Network Systems, LLC, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 5,347,579, which is entitled “Personal Computer Diary.”  E-Contact appears to assert that some portion of HughesNet email services infringe that patent.  HughesNet email services are provided by a third-party service provider, who has assumed indemnification obligations for the case.  On May 31, 2012, E-Contact filed a first amended complaint.  The amended complaint removed the original complaint’s requests for a finding of willfulness and entry of an injunction.

 

We, along with the third-party service provider, intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

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The Hopper Litigation

 

On May 24, 2012, DISH Network L.L.C., filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., CBS Corporation, Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., Fox Television Holdings, Inc., Fox Cable Network Services, L.L.C. and NBCUniversal Media, LLC.  The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that DISH Network L.L.C is not infringing any defendant’s copyright, or breaching any defendant’s retransmission consent agreement, by virtue of the PrimeTime Anytime™ and AutoHop™ features in Hopper™ set-top boxes.  The PrimeTime Anytime feature allows a user of a Hopper set-top box, at his or her option, to record certain primetime programs airing on ABC, CBS, Fox, and/or NBC up to every night, and to store those recordings for up to eight days.  The AutoHop feature allows a subscriber, at his or her option, to watch certain recordings the subscriber made with our PrimeTime Anytime feature, commercial-free, if played back the next day after the show’s original airing.

 

Later on May 24, 2012, (i) Fox Broadcasting Company, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. and Fox Television Holdings, Inc. filed a lawsuit against DISH Network Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C. (collectively, “DISH”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature, the AutoHop feature, as well as DISH’s use of Sling place-shifting functionality infringe their copyrights and breach their retransmission consent agreements, (ii) NBC Studios LLC, Universal Network Television, LLC, Open 4 Business Productions LLC and NBCUniversal Media, LLC filed a lawsuit against DISH in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature and the AutoHop feature infringe their copyrights, and (iii) CBS Broadcasting Inc., CBS Studios Inc. and Survivor Productions LLC filed a lawsuit against DISH in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature and the AutoHop feature infringe their copyrights.  The Central District of California matters have been assigned to a single judge.

 

As a result of certain parties’ competing venue-related motions brought in both the New York and California actions, and certain networks filing various amended complaints, the claims are presently pending in the following venues:  (1) the copyright and contract claims regarding the ABC parties are pending in New York; (2) the copyright and contract claims regarding the CBS parties are pending in New York; (3) the copyright and contract claims regarding the Fox parties are pending in California; and (4) the copyright claims regarding the NBC parties are pending in California, while the contract claims involving NBC are venued in both New York and California.  Additional venue-related motions are still pending in the NBC actions in New York and California.

 

On September 21, 2012, the California court heard the Fox plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Hopper’s PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features.  The Court has not yet ruled on that motion.

 

On August 17, 2012, the NBC plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint in their California action adding us and our wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. to the NBC litigation, alleging various claims of copyright infringement.  We and our subsidiary answered on September 18, 2012.  On October 9, 2012, the ABC plaintiffs filed copyright counterclaims in the New York action against EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C., with the CBS plaintiffs filing similar copyright counterclaims in the New York action against EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. on October 12, 2012.

 

We intend to vigorously prosecute and defend our position in these cases.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted copyrights, we may be subject to substantial damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to DISH.  An adverse decision against DISH Network could decrease the number of Sling enabled set-top boxes we sell to DISH Network, which could have an adverse impact on the business operations of our EchoStar Technologies segment.  In addition, to the extent that DISH Network experiences fewer gross new subscriber additions, sales of our digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network may further decline, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of these suits or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

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Joao Control & Monitoring Systems

 

During December 2010, Joao Control & Monitoring Systems (“Joao”) filed suit against Sling Media Inc., our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, ACTI Corporation, ADT Security, Alarmclub.Com, American Honda Motor Company, BMW, Byremote, Drivecam, Honeywell, Iveda Corporation, Magtec Products, Mercedes-Benz, On-Net Surveillance, OnStar, SafeFreight Technology, Skyway Security, SmartVue Corporation, Toyota Motor Sales, Tyco, UTC Fire and Xanboo in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,549,130 and 6,587,046.  The abstracts of the patents state that the claims are directed to the remote control of devices and appliances.  Joao is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  During 2011, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Nazomi Communications, Inc.

 

On February 10, 2010, Nazomi Communications, Inc. (“Nazomi”) filed suit against Sling Media, Inc. (“Sling”), our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Nokia Corp, Nokia Inc., Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Western Digital Corp., Western Digital Technologies, Inc., Garmin Ltd., Garmin Corp., Garmin International, Inc., Garmin USA, Inc., Vizio Inc. and iOmega Corp in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,080,362 (the “362 patent”) and United States Patent No. 7,225,436 (the “436 patent”).  The 362 patent and the 436 patent relate to Java hardware acceleration.  The suit alleges that the Slingbox-Pro-HD product infringes the 362 patent and the 436 patent because the Slingbox-PRO HD allegedly incorporates an ARM926EJ-S processor core capable of Java hardware acceleration.  During 2010, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.  On August 14, 2012, the Court entered an order granting Sling’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement.  The Court has not yet entered final judgment in Sling’s favor.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

NorthPoint Technology, Ltd.

 

On July 2, 2009, NorthPoint Technology, Ltd. (“NorthPoint”) filed suit against us, DISH Network, and DirecTV in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No.  6,208,636 (the “636 patent”).  The 636 patent relates to the use of multiple low-noise block converter feedhorns, or LNBFs, which are antennas used for satellite reception.  On April 21, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued an order granting reexamination of the 636 patent.  On June 21, 2011, the District Court entered summary judgment in our favor, finding that all asserted claims of the 636 patent are invalid.  NorthPoint appealed and, on May 11, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s judgment.  The deadline for NorthPoint to file a further appeal has passed, and the matter is now closed.

 

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Personalized Media Communications, Inc.

 

During 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. (“PMC”) filed suit against us, DISH Network and Motorola Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,109,414, 4,965,825, 5,233,654, 5,335,277, and 5,887,243, which relate to satellite signal processing.  PMC is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  Subsequently, Motorola Inc. settled with PMC, leaving DISH Network and us as defendants.  On July 18, 2012, pursuant to a Court order, PMC filed a Second Amended Complaint that added Rovi Guides, Inc. (f/k/a/ Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.) and TVG-PMC, Inc. (collectively, “Gemstar”) as a party, and added a new claim against all defendants seeking a declaratory judgment as to the scope of Gemstar’s license to the patents in suit, under which DISH Network and we are sublicensees.  The Court vacated the August 20, 2012 trial date and has not yet set a new trial date.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Premier International Associates, LLC

 

On August 3, 2012, Premier International Associates, LLC (“Premier International Associates”) filed a complaint against us, our wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and DISH Network and its wholly owned subsidiaries, DISH DBS and DISH Network L.L.C., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,243,725 (the “’725 patent”), which is entitled “List Building System.” The ’725 patent relates to a system for building an inventory of audio/visual works.  Premier International Associates is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features of our products.  We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Semiconductor Ideas to the Market BV

 

On March 16, 2012, Semiconductor Ideas to the Market BV (“ITOM”) filed suit against our subsidiary Hughes Network Systems, LLC, as well as Texas Instruments, Inc., Qualcomm, Inc., Broadcom Corp., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, Dell Inc., Apple Inc., Ford Motor Company, Buffalo Technology (USA) Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., Hughes Telematics, Inc., Motorola Mobility, Inc., Motorola Solutions, Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., and Philips Consumer Lifestyle International B.V.  The suit was brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,299,018 which is entitled “Receiver comprising a digitally controlled capacitor bank” and United States Patent No. 7,072,614 which is entitled “Communication device.”  ITOM alleged infringement through use of various third-party chipsets in unspecified products and/or systems.  A joint motion to dismiss Hughes Network Systems, LLC was granted on July 13, 2012.

 

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Technology Development and Licensing L.L.C.

 

On January 22, 2009, Technology Development and Licensing L.L.C. (“TDL”) filed suit against us and DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging infringement of United States Patent No. Re. 35,952, which relates to certain favorite channel features.  TDL is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  In July 2009, the Court granted our motion to stay the case pending two reexamination petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

TQP Development, LLC

 

On October 11, 2012, TQP Development LLC (“TQP”) filed suit against our indirectly wholly owned subsidiary Sling Media, Inc. in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 5,412,730, which is entitled “Encrypted Data Transmission System Employing Means for Randomly Altering the Encryption Keys.”  TQP is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Vigilos, LLC

 

On February 23, 2011, Vigilos, LLC (“Vigilos”) filed suit against us, two of our subsidiaries, Sling Media, Inc. and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., and Monsoon Multimedia, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,839,731, which is entitled “System and Method for Providing Data Communication in a Device Network.”  Subsequently in 2011, Vigilos added DISH Network L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH Network, as a defendant in its First Amended Complaint and the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.  Later in 2011, Vigilos filed a Second Amended Complaint that added claims for infringement of a second patent, United States Patent No. 7,370,074, which is entitled “System and Method for Implementing Open-Protocol Remote Device Control.” Vigilos is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Other

 

In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business.  In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity, though the outcomes could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

 

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Note 13.     Segment Reporting

 

Operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision-maker(s) of an enterprise.  Total assets by segment have not been specified because the information is not provided to our chief operating decision-maker on a regular basis.  Under this definition, we operate three primary business segments.

 

·                  EchoStar Technologies — which designs, develops and distributes digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, including our Slingbox “placeshifting” technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers, telecommunication and international cable companies and, with respect to Slingboxes, directly to consumers via retail outlets.  Our EchoStar Technologies segment also provides digital broadcast operations including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management and other services primarily to DISH Network.

 

·                  EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses 9 of our 11 owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related FCC licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, United States government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.

 

·                  Hughes — which provides satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers and broadband network services and systems to the domestic and international enterprise markets.  The Hughes segment also provides managed services to large enterprises and networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.  Hughes became a new segment as a result of the Hughes Acquisition and the operating results of Hughes Communications are included in our results effective June 9, 2011.  See Note 11 for further discussion of the Hughes Acquisition.

 

The “All Other and Eliminations” category consists of revenue and net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar from other operations including our corporate investment portfolio for which segment disclosure requirements do not apply.  In addition, this category includes interest expense related to our 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and our 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (collectively, the “Notes”), net of capitalized interest.  Transactions between segments were not significant.

 

The following table reports our operating segment results and reconciles earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) to reported “Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

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EchoStar

 

 

 

All

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

Satellite

 

 

 

Other and

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Technologies

 

Services

 

Hughes

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

416,120

 

$

65,682

 

$

285,974

 

$

(3,055

)

$

764,721

 

EBITDA (1)

 

$

25,211

 

$

57,065

 

$

75,634

 

$

6,156

 

$

164,066

 

Interest income

 

 

(57

)

89

 

2,665

 

2,697

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(17

)

(12,569

)

(110

)

(21,144

)

(33,840

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

(2,301

)

(6,242

)

(7,896

)

16,848

 

409

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(21,280

)

(29,838

)

(55,460

)

(4,200

)

(110,778

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

1,613

 

$

8,359

 

$

12,257

 

$

325

 

$

22,554

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

497,625

 

$

68,491

 

$

287,861

 

$

9,186

 

$

863,163

 

EBITDA (1)

 

$

37,311

 

$

44,370

 

$

67,294

 

$

4,559

 

$

153,534

 

Interest income

 

 

 

789

 

1,605

 

2,394

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(9

)

(9,782

)

(685

)

(22,585

)

(33,061

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

(8,182

)

7,694

 

1,440

 

(14,816

)

(13,864

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(20,172

)

(23,685

)

(77,362

)

(6,901

)

(128,120

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

8,948

 

$

18,597

 

$

(8,524

)

$

(38,138

)

$

(19,117

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,270,415

 

$

210,703

 

$

843,017

 

$

11,370

 

$

2,335,505

 

EBITDA (1)

 

$

88,648

 

$

162,737

 

$

215,060

 

$

157,541

 

$

623,986

 

Interest income

 

 

(35

)

312

 

8,587

 

8,864

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(54

)

(39,603

)

(325

)

(69,276

)

(109,258

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

(11,286

)

(11,601

)

(18,598

)

42,189

 

704

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(59,701

)

(92,716

)

(166,707

)

(20,348

)

(339,472

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

17,607

 

$

18,782

 

$

29,742

 

$

118,693

 

$

184,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,329,993

 

$

206,856

 

$

369,784

 

$

20,589

 

$

1,927,222

 

EBITDA (1)

 

$

106,330

 

$

148,842

 

$

87,527

 

$

(572

)

$

342,127

 

Interest income

 

 

68

 

789

 

6,349

 

7,206

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(13

)

(28,128

)

(687

)

(16,553

)

(45,381

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

(14,346

)

(7,106

)

(171

)

(9,607

)

(31,230

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(71,608

)

(70,737

)

(93,395

)

(20,453

)

(256,193

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

20,363

 

$

42,939

 

$

(5,937

)

$

(40,836

)

$

16,529

 

 


(1)         EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.  Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA is used by our management as a measure of operating efficiency and overall financial performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors.  Management believes EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental information regarding liquidity and the underlying operating performance of our business.  Management also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industries.

 

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Geographic Information and Transactions with Major Customers

 

Geographic Information.  Revenue is attributed to geographic regions based upon the location where the goods and services are provided.  North American revenue includes transactions with North American customers.  All other revenue includes transactions with customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America and the Middle East.  The following table summarizes total long-lived assets, which include property and equipment; goodwill; orbital rights and other intangible assets, and revenue attributed to the North American and other foreign locations.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

Long-lived assets: 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

North America

 

$

3,912,927

 

$

3,888,286

 

All other

 

108,028

 

34,540

 

Total

 

$

4,020,955

 

$

3,922,826

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

Revenue: 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

North America

 

$

683,557

 

$

789,974

 

$

2,097,071

 

$

1,807,066

 

All other

 

81,164

 

73,189

 

238,434

 

120,156

 

Total

 

$

764,721

 

$

863,163

 

$

2,335,505

 

$

1,927,222

 

 

Transactions with Major Customers.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, our revenue included sales to two major customers.  The following table summarizes sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Total revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISH Network:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

$

327,682

 

$

400,929

 

$

947,162

 

$

1,078,262

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

46,931

 

53,597

 

154,441

 

160,519

 

Hughes Segment

 

4,724

 

929

 

9,037

 

929

 

All Other and Eliminations

 

7,440

 

8,758

 

25,489

 

16,683

 

Total DISH Network

 

386,777

 

464,213

 

1,136,129

 

1,256,393

 

Bell TV (EchoStar Technologies Segment)

 

46,900

 

62,809

 

202,102

 

152,792

 

All other

 

331,044

 

336,141

 

997,274

 

518,037

 

Total revenue

 

$

764,721

 

$

863,163

 

$

2,335,505

 

$

1,927,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of total revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISH Network

 

50.6

%

53.8

%

48.6

%

65.2

%

Bell TV

 

6.1

%

7.3

%

8.7

%

7.9

%

All other

 

43.3

%

38.9

%

42.7

%

26.9

%

 

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Note 14.     Related Party Transactions

 

DISH Network

 

Following the Spin-off, we and DISH Network have operated as separate public companies and DISH Network has no ownership interest in us.  However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of both companies is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

We and DISH Network have entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network; DISH Network obtains certain products, services and rights from us; and we and DISH Network have indemnified each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses.  We also may enter into additional agreements with DISH Network in the future.

 

Generally, the amounts DISH Network pays for products and services provided under the agreements are based on our cost plus a fixed margin (unless noted differently below), which varies depending on the nature of the products and services provided.

 

The following is a summary of the terms of our principal agreements with DISH Network that may have an impact on our financial position and results of operations.

 

“Equipment revenue — DISH Network”

 

Receiver Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we and DISH Network entered into a receiver agreement pursuant to which DISH Network had the right, but not the obligation, to purchase digital set-top boxes and related accessories, and other equipment from us for a period ending on January 1, 2012 (the “Prior Receiver Agreement”).  The Prior Receiver Agreement allowed DISH Network to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories and other equipment from us at our cost plus a fixed percentage margin, which varied depending on the nature of the equipment purchased.  Additionally, we provided DISH Network with standard manufacturer warranties for the goods sold under the Prior Receiver Agreement.  DISH Network was able to terminate the Prior Receiver Agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days notice to us.  We were able to terminate the Prior Receiver Agreement if certain entities were to acquire DISH Network.  The Prior Receiver Agreement also included an indemnification provision, whereby the parties indemnified each other for certain intellectual property matters.

 

Effective January 1, 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a new agreement (the “2012 Receiver Agreement”) pursuant to which DISH Network continues to have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories, and other equipment from us for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014.  DISH Network has an option, but not the obligation, to extend the 2012 Receiver Agreement for one additional year upon 180 days notice prior to the end of the term.  The material terms of the 2012 Receiver Agreement are substantially the same as the material terms of the Prior Receiver Agreement, except that the 2012 Receiver Agreement allows DISH Network to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories and other equipment from us either:  (i) at a cost (decreasing as we reduce costs and increasing as costs increase) plus a dollar mark-up which will depend upon the cost of the product subject to a collar on our mark-up; or (ii) at cost plus a fixed margin, which will depend on the nature of the equipment purchased.  Under the 2012 Receiver Agreement, our margins will be increased if we are able to reduce the costs of our digital set-top boxes and our margins will be reduced if these costs increase.  There can be no assurance that, over the long term, aggregate pricing under the 2012 Receiver Agreement will be substantially the same as it was under the Prior Receiver Agreement.

 

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“Services and other revenue — DISH Network”

 

Broadcast Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we and DISH Network entered into a broadcast agreement pursuant to which we provided certain broadcast services to DISH Network, including teleport services such as transmission and downlinking, channel origination services, and channel management services for a period ending on January 1, 2012 (the “Prior Broadcast Agreement”).  DISH Network had the ability to terminate channel origination services and channel management services for any reason and without any liability upon at least 60 days notice to us.  If DISH Network terminated teleport services for a reason other than our breach, DISH Network was obligated to pay us the aggregate amount of the remainder of the expected cost of providing the teleport services.  The fees for the services provided under the Prior Broadcast Agreement were calculated at cost plus a fixed margin, which varied depending on the nature of the products and services provided.

 

Effective January 1, 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a new broadcast agreement (the “2012 Broadcast Agreement”) pursuant to which we will continue to provide broadcast services to DISH Network, for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016.  The material terms of the 2012 Broadcast Agreement are substantially the same as the material terms of the Prior Broadcast Agreement, except that:  (i) the fees for services provided under the 2012 Broadcast Agreement are calculated at either:  (a) our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed dollar fee, which is subject to certain adjustments; or (b) our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed margin, which will depend on the nature of the services provided; and (ii) if DISH Network terminates the teleport services provided under the 2012 Broadcast Agreement for a reason other than our breach, DISH Network is generally obligated to reimburse us for any direct costs we incur related to any such termination that we cannot reasonably mitigate.  There can be no assurance that, over the long term, aggregate pricing under the 2012 Broadcast Agreement will be substantially the same as it was under the Prior Broadcast Agreement.

 

Broadcast Agreement for Certain Sports Related Programming.  During May 2010, we and DISH Network entered into a broadcast agreement pursuant to which we provide certain broadcast services to DISH Network in connection with its carriage of certain sports related programming.  The term of this agreement is for ten years.  If DISH Network terminates this agreement for a reason other than our breach, DISH Network is generally obligated to reimburse us for any direct costs we incur related to any such termination that we cannot reasonably mitigate.  The fees for the broadcast services provided under this agreement depend, among other things, upon the cost to develop and provide such services.

 

Satellite Capacity Agreements.  Since the Spin-off, we have entered into certain satellite capacity agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leases satellite capacity on certain satellites owned or leased by us.  The fees for the leases provided under these satellite capacity agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite and the length of the lease.  The term of each lease is set forth below:

 

EchoStar VI, VIII and XII.  DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar VI, VIII and XII.  The leases generally terminate upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite (unless DISH Network determines to renew on a year-to-year basis); (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponders on which service is being provided fails; or (iv) a certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite, whether the replacement satellite fails at launch or in orbit prior to being placed into service, and the exercise of certain renewal options.  DISH Network generally has the option to renew each lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the respective satellite’s life.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew such agreements will be exercised.

 

EchoStar IX.  DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar IX.  Subject to availability, DISH Network generally has the right to continue to lease satellite capacity from us on EchoStar IX on a month-to-month basis.

 

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EchoStar XVI.  DISH Network will lease certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar XVI after its service commencement date, and this lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder(s) on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) ten years following the actual service commencement date.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.  EchoStar XVI is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2012.

 

EchoStar XV.  EchoStar XV is owned by DISH Network and is operated at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  The FCC has granted us an authorization to operate the satellite at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  For so long as EchoStar XV remains in service at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location, DISH Network is obligated to pay us a fee for the use of the orbital right which varies depending on the number of frequencies being used by EchoStar XV.

 

Nimiq 5 Agreement.  During 2009, we entered into a fifteen-year satellite service agreement with Telesat Canada (“Telesat”) to receive service on all 32 DBS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7 degree west longitude orbital location (the “Telesat Transponder Agreement”).  During 2009, DISH Network also entered into a satellite service agreement (the “DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement”) with us, pursuant to which they receive service from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by the Telesat Transponder Agreement.

 

Under the terms of the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to us that commenced in 2009 when the Nimiq 5 satellite was placed into service and continue through the service term.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement, the service term will expire ten years following the date it was placed into service.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite.  Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

QuetzSat-1 Agreement.  During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES, which provides, among other things, for the provision by SES to us of service on 32 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  QuetzSat-1 was launched on September 29, 2011 and was placed into service during the fourth quarter of 2011 at the 67.1 degree west longitude orbital location while we and DISH Network explore alternative uses for the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  In the interim, we are providing DISH Network with alternate capacity at the 77 degree west longitude orbital location.  We commenced payments under our agreement with SES upon the placement of the QuetzSat-1 satellite at the 67.1 degree west longitude orbital location.  During 2008, we also entered into a transponder service agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network will receive service from us on 24 of the DBS transponders on QuetzSat-1, which will replace certain other transponders leased from us.  During the third quarter of 2012, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which we will sublease back from DISH Network five of the 24 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite leased to DISH Network.

 

Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with DISH Network, we will recognize revenue for the QuetzSat-1 satellite when it is placed into service at the 77 degree west longitude orbital location and continuing through the remainder of the service term.  Unless extended or earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of our agreement with DISH Network for the QuetzSat-1 satellite, the initial service term will expire in November 2021.  Upon expiration of the initial service term, DISH Network has the option to renew the agreement for the QuetzSat-1 satellite on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite.  Upon an in-orbit failure or end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

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TT&C Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provided TT&C services to DISH Network for a period ending on January 1, 2012 (the “Prior TT&C Agreement”).  The fees for services provided under the Prior TT&C Agreement were calculated at cost plus a fixed margin.  DISH Network was able to terminate the Prior TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 60 days notice.

 

On January 1, 2012, we entered into a TT&C agreement pursuant to which we will continue to provide TT&C services to DISH Network and its subsidiaries for a period ending on December 31, 2016 (the “2012 TT&C Agreement”).  The material terms of the 2012 TT&C Agreement are substantially the same as the material terms of the Prior TT&C Agreement, except that the fees for services provided under the 2012 TT&C Agreement are calculated at either:  (i) a fixed fee; or (ii) cost plus a fixed margin, which will vary depending on the nature of the services provided.

 

Real Estate Lease Agreements.  We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leases certain real estate from us.  The rent on a per square foot basis for each of the leases is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area, and DISH Network is responsible for its portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises.  The term of each of the leases is set forth below:

 

Inverness Lease Agreement.  The lease for certain space at 90 Inverness Circle East in Englewood, Colorado is for a period ending on December 31, 2016.  This agreement can be terminated by either party upon six months prior notice.

 

Meridian Lease Agreement.  The lease for all of 9601 S. Meridian Blvd. in Englewood, Colorado is for a period ending on December 31, 2016.

 

Santa Fe Lease Agreement.  The lease for all of 5701 S. Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton, Colorado is for a period ending on December 31, 2016 with a renewal option for one additional year.

 

EchoStar Data Networks Sublease Agreement.  The sublease for certain space at 211 Perimeter Center in Atlanta, Georgia is for a period ending on October 31, 2016.

 

Gilbert Lease Agreement.  The lease for certain space at 801 N. DISH Dr. in Gilbert, Arizona is a month to month lease and can be terminated by either party upon 30 days prior notice.

 

Cheyenne Lease Agreement.  Effective January 1, 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a lease for certain space at 530 EchoStar Drive in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a period ending on December 31, 2031.

 

Product Support Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a product support agreement pursuant to which DISH Network has the right, but not the obligation, to receive product support (including certain engineering and technical support services) for all set-top boxes and related components that our subsidiaries have previously sold and in the future may sell to DISH Network.  The fees for the services provided under the product support agreement are calculated at cost plus a fixed margin, which varies depending on the nature of the services provided.  The term of the product support agreement is the economic life of such receivers and related components, unless terminated earlier.  DISH Network may terminate the product support agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days notice.  In the event of an early termination of this agreement, DISH Network shall be entitled to a refund of any unearned fees paid to us for the services.

 

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DISHOnline.com Services Agreement.  Effective January 1, 2010, DISH Network entered into a two-year agreement with us pursuant to which DISH Network receives certain services associated with an online video portal.  The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depend, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services.  DISH Network had the option to renew this agreement for three successive one year terms and the agreement may be terminated for any reason upon at least 120 days notice to us.  In November 2012, DISH Network exercised its right to renew this agreement for a one-year period ending on December 31, 2013.

 

DISH Remote Access Services Agreement.  Effective February 23, 2010, DISH Network entered into an agreement with us pursuant to which DISH Network receives, among other things, certain remote DVR management services.  The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depend, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services.  This agreement has a term of five years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms and may be terminated for any reason upon at least 120 days notice to us.

 

SlingService Services Agreement.  Effective February 23, 2010, DISH Network entered into an agreement with us pursuant to which DISH Network receives certain place-shifting services.  The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depend, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services.  This agreement has a term of five years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms and may be terminated for any reason upon at least 120 days notice to us.

 

Blockbuster.  On April 26, 2011, DISH Network acquired substantially all of the assets of Blockbuster, Inc. (the “Blockbuster Acquisition”).  On June 8, 2011, we completed the Hughes Acquisition.  Hughes provided certain broadband products and services to Blockbuster pursuant to an agreement that was entered into prior to the Blockbuster Acquisition and the Hughes Acquisition.  Subsequent to both the Blockbuster Acquisition and the Hughes Acquisition, Blockbuster entered into a new agreement with Hughes pursuant to which Blockbuster may continue to purchase broadband products and services from Hughes.  The term of the agreement is through October 31, 2014 and Blockbuster has the option to renew the agreement for an additional one year period.

 

RUS Implementation Agreement.  In September 2010, DISH Broadband L.L.C. (“DISH Broadband”), DISH Network’s wholly owned subsidiary, was selected by the Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) of the United States Department of Agriculture to receive up to approximately $14 million in broadband stimulus grant funds (the “Grant Funds”).  Effective November 2011, Hughes Communications and DISH Broadband entered into a RUS Implementation Agreement (the “RUS Agreement”) pursuant to which Hughes Communications provides certain portions of the equipment and broadband service used to implement DISH Broadband’s RUS program.  The initial term of the RUS Agreement shall continue until the earlier of:  (i) September 24, 2013; or (ii) the date that the Grant Funds have been exhausted.  In addition, DISH Broadband may terminate the RUS Agreement for convenience upon 45 days prior written notice to Hughes Communications.

 

TerreStar Agreement.  On March 9, 2012, DISH Network completed its acquisition of substantially all the assets of TerreStar.  Prior to DISH Network’s acquisition of substantially all the assets of TerreStar and our completion of the Hughes Acquisition, TerreStar and HNS entered into various agreements pursuant to which our Hughes segment provides, among other things, hosting, operations and maintenance services for TerreStar’s satellite gateway and associated ground infrastructure.  These agreements generally may be terminated by DISH Network at any time for convenience.

 

Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement.  Effective October 1, 2012, HNS and dishNet Satellite Broadband L.L.C. (“dishNET Satellite Broadband”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, entered into a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) pursuant to which dishNET Satellite Broadband has the right, but not the obligation, to market, sell and distribute the HNS satellite Internet service (the “Service”) under the dishNET brand.  dishNET Satellite Broadband pays HNS a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for the Service based upon the subscriber’s service level, and, beginning January 1, 2014, certain volume subscription thresholds.  The Distribution Agreement has a term of five years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms unless either party gives written notice of its intent not to renew to the other party at least 180 days before the expiration of the then-current term.  Upon expiration or termination of the Distribution Agreement, the parties will continue to provide the Service to the then-current dishNET subscribers pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement.

 

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“General and administrative expenses — DISH Network”

 

Management Services Agreement.  We have a Management Services Agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network makes certain of its officers available to provide services (which are primarily legal and accounting services) to us.  Specifically, Paul W. Orban remains employed by DISH Network, but also served as our Senior Vice President and Controller through April 2012.  In addition, R. Stanton Dodge remains employed by DISH Network, but also served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary through November 2011.  We make payments to DISH Network based upon an allocable portion of the personnel costs and expenses incurred by DISH Network with respect to such DISH Network officers (taking into account wages and fringe benefits).  These allocations are based upon the estimated percentages of time to be spent by the DISH Network executive officers performing services for us under the Management Services Agreement.  We also reimburse DISH Network for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by DISH Network for management services provided to us.  We and DISH Network evaluate all charges for reasonableness at least annually and make any adjustments to these charges as we and DISH Network mutually agree upon.

 

The Management Services Agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2012 for an additional one-year period until January 1, 2013 and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier:  (i) by us at any time upon at least 30 days notice; (ii) by DISH Network at the end of any renewal term, upon at least 180 days notice; or (iii) by DISH Network upon notice to us, following certain changes in control.

 

Real Estate Lease Agreement.  During 2008, we entered into a sublease agreement, pursuant to which we lease space at 185 Varick Street, New York, New York from DISH Network for a period of approximately seven years.  The rent on a per square foot basis for each of the leases is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the sublease, and we are responsible for our portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises.

 

Professional Services Agreement.  Prior to 2010, in connection with the Spin-off, we entered into various agreements with DISH Network including the Transition Services Agreement, Satellite Procurement Agreement and Services Agreement, which all expired on January 1, 2010 and were replaced by a Professional Services Agreement.  During 2009, we and DISH Network agreed that we shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive the following services from DISH Network, among others, certain of which were previously provided under the Transition Services Agreement:  information technology, travel and event coordination, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services.  Additionally, we and DISH Network agreed that DISH Network shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage us to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network (previously provided under the Satellite Procurement Agreement) and receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from us (previously provided under the Services Agreement).  The Professional Services Agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2012 for an additional one-year period until January 1, 2013 and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier by either party upon at least 60 days notice.  However, either party may terminate the Professional Services Agreement in part with respect to any particular service it receives for any reason upon at least 30 days notice.

 

Other Agreements — DISH Network

 

Satellite Capacity Leased from DISH Network.  During 2009, we entered into a satellite capacity agreement pursuant to which we leased certain satellite capacity from DISH Network on EchoStar I.  The fee for the services provided under this satellite capacity agreement depends, among other things, upon the orbital location of the satellite and the length of the lease. Effective as of July 1, 2012, we and DISH Network mutually agreed to terminate this satellite capacity agreement. The amount of those fees included in “Cost of sales — services and other” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) was none and $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $8 million and $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

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Remanufactured Receiver Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a remanufactured receiver agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which we have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase remanufactured receivers and related components from DISH Network at cost plus a fixed margin, which varies depending on the nature of the equipment purchased.  In November 2012, we and DISH Network extended this agreement until December 31, 2013.  We may terminate the remanufactured receiver agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days notice to DISH Network.  DISH Network may also terminate this agreement if certain entities acquire it.  We purchased $2.8 million and $3.5 million of remanufactured receivers and related components for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.  The purchase of remanufactured receivers and related components from DISH Network were minimal in 2011.

 

Tax Sharing Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a tax sharing agreement with DISH Network which governs our respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the Spin-off with respect to taxes for the periods ending on or before the Spin-off.  Generally, all pre-Spin-off taxes, including any taxes that are incurred as a result of restructuring activities undertaken to implement the Spin-off, are borne by DISH Network, and DISH Network will indemnify us for such taxes.  However, DISH Network is not liable for and will not indemnify us for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended because of:  (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of our stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that we take or fail to take; or (iii) any action that we take that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions.  In such case, we will be solely liable for, and will indemnify DISH Network for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses.  The tax sharing agreement will only terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed.

 

TiVo.  On April 29, 2011, we and DISH Network entered into a settlement agreement with TiVo, Inc. (“TiVo”).  The settlement resolved all pending litigation between us and DISH Network, on the one hand, and TiVo, on the other hand, including litigation relating to alleged patent infringement involving certain DISH digital video recorders, or DVRs, which litigation is described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 under the caption “Item 3.  Legal Proceedings — TiVo Inc.”

 

Under the settlement agreement, all pending litigation has been dismissed with prejudice and all injunctions that permanently restrain, enjoin or compel any action by us or DISH Network have been dissolved.  We and DISH Network are jointly responsible for making payments to TiVo in the aggregate amount of $500 million, including an initial payment of $300 million and the remaining $200 million in six equal annual installments between 2012 and 2017.  Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off, DISH Network made the initial payment to TiVo in May 2011, except for the contribution from us totaling approximately $10 million, representing an allocation of liability relating to our sales of DVR-enabled receivers to an international customer.  Future payments will be allocated between us and DISH Network based on historical sales of certain licensed products, with EchoStar being responsible for 5% of each annual payment.

 

We and DISH Network, on the one hand, and TiVo, on the other hand, have also agreed on mutual releases of certain related claims and agreed not to challenge each other’s DVR technology-related patents that are licensed under the settlement agreement.

 

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Because both we and DISH Network were defendants in the TiVo lawsuit, we and DISH Network were jointly and severally liable to TiVo for any final damages and sanctions that could have been awarded by the District Court.  As previously disclosed, DISH Network determined that it was obligated under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off to indemnify us for substantially all liability arising from this lawsuit.  We contributed an amount equal to our $5 million intellectual property liability limit under the receiver agreement.  We and DISH Network further agreed that EchoStar’s $5 million contribution would not exhaust our liability to DISH Network for other intellectual property claims that may arise under the receiver agreement.  We and DISH Network also agreed that we would each be entitled to joint ownership of, and a cross-license to use, any intellectual property developed in connection with any potential new alternative technology.  Any amounts that we are responsible for under the settlement agreement with TiVo are in addition to the $5 million contribution previously made by us.

 

Patent Cross-License Agreements.  During December 2011, we and DISH Network entered into separate patent cross-license agreements with the same third party whereby:  (i) we and such third party licensed our respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions; and (ii) DISH Network and such third party licensed their respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions (each, a “Cross-License Agreement”).  Each Cross-License Agreement covers patents acquired by the respective party prior to January 1, 2017 and aggregate payments under both Cross-License Agreements total less than $10 million.  Each Cross-License Agreement also contains an option to extend each Cross-License Agreement to include patents acquired by the respective party prior to January 1, 2022.  If both options are exercised, the aggregate additional payments to such third party would total less than $3 million.  However, we and DISH Network may elect to extend our respective Cross-License Agreement independently of each other.  Since the aggregate payments under both Cross-License Agreements were based on the combined annual revenues of us and DISH Network, we and DISH Network agreed to allocate our respective payments to such third party based on our respective percentage of combined total revenue.

 

Sprint Settlement Agreement.  On November 3, 2011, DISH Network and Sprint Nextel Corporation (“Sprint”) entered into an agreement with Sprint (the “Sprint Settlement Agreement”) pursuant to which all disputed issues relating to DISH Network’s acquisition of DBSD North America, Inc. (“DBSD North America”) and TerreStar were resolved between DISH Network and Sprint, including, but not limited to, issues relating to costs allegedly incurred by Sprint to relocate users from the spectrum then licensed to DBSD North America and TerreStar (the “Sprint Clearing Costs”).  We were a party to the Sprint Settlement Agreement solely for the purposes of executing a mutual release between us and Sprint relating to the Sprint Clearing Costs.  We were a holder of certain TerreStar debt instruments.  In March 2012, our remaining debt instruments were exchanged for a right to receive a distribution in accordance with the terms of the liquidating trust established pursuant to TerreStar’s chapter 11 plan of liquidation.  Pursuant to the terms of the Sprint Settlement Agreement, DISH Network made a net payment of approximately $114 million to Sprint.

 

Voom Settlement Agreement.  On October 21, 2012, DISH Network entered into the Voom Settlement Agreement with Voom and Cablevision, and for certain limited purposes, MSG Holdings, L.P., The Madison Square Garden Company and us.  The Voom Settlement Agreement resolved the litigation between the parties relating to the Voom programming services.  We were a party to the Voom Settlement Agreement solely for the purposes of executing a mutual release of claims with Voom, Cablevision, MSG Holdings, L.P. and The Madison Square Garden Company related to the lawsuit and Voom.

 

DBSD North America Agreement.  On March 9, 2012, DISH Network completed its acquisition of 100% of the equity of reorganized DBSD North America.  Prior to DISH Network’s acquisition of DBSD North America and our completion of the Hughes Acquisition, DBSD North America and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hughes, entered into an agreement pursuant to which our Hughes segment provides, among other things, hosting, operations and maintenance services of DBSD North America’s satellite gateway and associated ground infrastructure.  This agreement was renewed for a one year period ending on February 15, 2013, and renews for four successive one-year periods unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 30 days notice prior to the expiration of any renewal term.

 

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DISH Digital Holding L.L.C.  Effective July 1, 2012, we and DISH Network formed DISH Digital, which is owned two-thirds by DISH Network and one-third by EchoStar.  DISH Digital was formed to develop and commercialize certain advanced technologies.  We, DISH Network and DISH Digital entered into the following agreements with respect to DISH Digital: (i) a contribution agreement pursuant to which we and DISH Network contributed certain assets in exchange for our respective ownership interests in DISH Digital (the “Contribution Agreement”); (ii) a limited liability company operating agreement, which provides for the governance of DISH Digital; and (iii) a commercial agreement pursuant to which, among other things, DISH Digital has: (a) certain rights and corresponding obligations with respect to DISH Digital’s business; and (b) the right, but not the obligation, to receive certain services from us and DISH Network, respectively.  Since a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of both us and DISH Network is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman and DISH Network’s Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family, this is a formation of an entity under common control and a step up in basis is not allowed; therefore, each party’s contributions were recorded at book value for accounting purposes.

 

Other Agreements

 

In November 2009, Mr. Roger Lynch became employed by both us and DISH Network as Executive Vice President.  Mr. Lynch is responsible for the development and implementation of advanced technologies that are of potential utility and importance to both us and DISH Network.  Mr. Lynch’s compensation consists of cash and equity compensation and is borne by both DISH Network and us.

 

Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”)

 

We contract with Hughes Systique for software development services.  In addition to our 45% ownership in Hughes Systique, Mr. Pradman Kaul, the President of Hughes Communications, Inc. and a member of our Board of Directors and his brother, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique, in the aggregate, owned approximately 26%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of September 30, 2012.  Furthermore, Mr. Pradman Kaul serves on the board of directors of Hughes Systique.  We are considered the “primary beneficiary” of Hughes Systique and as a result, we are required to consolidate Hughes Systique’s financial statements in our consolidated financial statements.

 

NagraStar L.L.C.

 

We own 50% of NagraStar L.L.C. (“NagraStar”), a joint venture that is our primary provider of encryption and related security technology used in our set-top boxes.  Although we do not consolidate NagraStar, we have the ability to significantly influence its operating policies; therefore, we account for our investment in NagraStar under the equity method of accounting. The table below summarizes our transactions with NagraStar.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Purchases from NagraStar

 

$

2,832

 

$

3,092

 

$

8,169

 

$

9,364

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Amounts payable to NagraStar

 

$

1,082

 

$

2,965

 

Commitments to purchase from NagraStar

 

$

9,339

 

$

2,731

 

 

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Dish Mexico

 

During 2008, we entered into a joint venture for a direct-to-home (“DTH”) satellite service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico.  Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide certain broadcast services and satellite capacity and sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and related equipment to Dish Mexico.

 

The following table summarizes our transactions with Dish Mexico that are not related to the original contribution commitment associated with our investment.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Digital set-top boxes and related accessories

 

$

13,229

 

$

12,499

 

$

39,991

 

$

39,044

 

Sales of satellite services

 

$

4,530

 

$

2,130

 

$

8,790

 

$

6,390

 

Uplink services

 

$

2,229

 

$

1,995

 

$

6,831

 

$

5,503

 

Engineering services

 

$

 

$

 

$

640

 

$

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Amounts receivable from Dish Mexico

 

$

7,224

 

$

8,594

 

 

Joint Venture in Taiwan

 

During December 2009, we entered into a joint venture to provide a DTH satellite service in Taiwan and certain other targeted regions in Asia.  Pursuant to our joint venture arrangements, we sold hardware such as digital set-top boxes and provided certain technical support services to the joint venture.  We provided $18 million of cash to the joint venture and an $18 million line of credit that the joint venture that could only be used to purchase set-top boxes from us.  During 2010, we recorded a $14 million charge to fully impair this investment.  In December 2011, we entered into an agreement to sell all of our equity in the joint venture, other than an approximately 5% interest, to a third party for nominal consideration (the “JV Sale Transaction”).  During the second quarter of 2012, we completed the JV Sale Transaction and terminated our line of credit and hardware supply agreement.  Following the JV Sale Transaction, we continue to provide certain technical support services to the joint venture.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

You should read the following management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this quarterly report.  This management’s discussion and analysis is intended to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of our operations and contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results.  Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed under the caption, “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in each of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and this report.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

EchoStar Corporation is a holding company, whose subsidiaries operate three primary business segments:  the EchoStar Technologies segment, the EchoStar Satellite Services segment and the Hughes segment.

 

EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

Our EchoStar Technologies segment designs, develops and distributes digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, including our Slingbox “placeshifting” technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers, telecommunication and international cable companies and, with respect to Slingboxes, directly to consumers via retail outlets.  Slingbox “placeshifting” technology allows consumers to watch and control their home digital video and audio content via a broadband Internet connection.  Most of our digital set-top boxes are sold to DISH Network, but we also sell a significant number of digital set-top boxes to Bell TV in Canada, Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”) in Mexico and other international customers.

 

Our EchoStar Technologies segment also provides digital broadcast operations including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management and other services that are provided primarily to DISH Network.

 

We believe opportunities exist to expand our business by selling equipment and services in both the United States and international markets.  As a result of our extensive experience with digital set-top boxes and digital broadcast operations, we are able to provide end-to-end pay-TV delivery systems incorporating our satellite and terrestrial backhaul capacity, customized digital set-top boxes and related components, and network design and management.  We have decided to focus the efforts of our digital set-top box business on international markets and not to actively seek set-top box opportunities with United States cable operators.

 

Dependence on DISH Network.  We depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of the revenue for our EchoStar Technologies segment and we expect that for the foreseeable future DISH Network will continue to be the primary source of revenue for our EchoStar Technologies segment.  Therefore, our results of operations are, and will for the foreseeable future be, closely linked to the performance of DISH Network’s pay-TV service.  Effective January 1, 2012, we entered into a new receiver agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which we are obligated to sell digital set-top boxes and related products to DISH Network until December 31, 2014.  However, DISH Network is under no obligation to purchase our digital set-top boxes or related products before or after this date.  The receiver agreement allows DISH Network to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories and other equipment from us either: (i) at a cost (decreasing as we reduce cost and increasing as costs increase) plus a dollar mark-up which will depend upon the cost of the product subject to a collar on our mark-up; or (ii) at cost plus a fixed margin, which will depend on the nature of the equipment purchased.  Under the receiver agreement, our margins will be increased if we are able to reduce the costs of our digital set-top boxes and our margins will be impaired if these costs increase.  In addition, while we expect to sell equipment to other customers, the number of potential new customers for our EchoStar Technologies segment is small and may be limited by our common ownership and related management with DISH Network, and our current customer concentration is likely to

 

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continue for the foreseeable future.  To the extent that DISH Network’s gross subscriber additions decrease or DISH Network experiences a net loss of subscribers, sales of our digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network may further decline, which in turn could have a further material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

 

The impact on us of any decreases in DISH Network subscriber growth may be offset in the near term by an increase in sales to DISH Network resulting from the upgrade of DISH Network subscribers to advanced products such as HD receivers and HD DVRs, including our recently introduced whole-home HD DVR, as well as by the upgrade of DISH Network digital set-top boxes to new technologies such as MPEG-4 digital compression technology.  However, there can be no assurance that any of these factors will mitigate any decreases in sales to DISH Network.  In addition, although we expect DISH Network to continue to purchase products and services from us, there can be no assurance that these purchases will continue in the future.

 

We may experience significant pressure on margins we earn on the sale of digital set-top boxes and other equipment, including on sales to DISH Network.  This pressure may be due to economic conditions, advancements in the technology and functionality of digital set-top boxes and other equipment.  The margins we earn on sales are determined largely through periodic negotiations that could result in pricing reflecting, among other things, the digital set-top boxes and other equipment that best meet our customers’ current sales and marketing priorities, the product and service alternatives available from other equipment suppliers, and our ability to respond to customer requirements and to differentiate ourselves from other equipment suppliers on bases other than pricing.

 

Our future success may also depend on the extent to which prospective customers that have been competitors of DISH Network are willing to purchase products and services from us.  Many of these customers may continue to view us as a competitor as a result of common ownership and related management with DISH Network.  If we do not develop relationships with new customers, we may not be able to expand our customer base and our ability to increase or maintain our revenue will be impacted.

 

Additional Challenges for our EchoStar Technologies Segment.  We believe that our best opportunities for developing potential new customers for our EchoStar Technologies segment over the near term lie in international markets, and we therefore expect our performance in international markets to be a significant factor in determining whether we will be able to generate revenue and income growth in future periods.  However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sustain or grow our international business.  In particular, we have noticed an increase in new market entrants that offer low cost set-top boxes, including set-top boxes that are modeled after our products or products of our principal competitors.  The entry of these new competitors may result in pricing pressure in international markets that we hope to enter.  If market prices in international markets are substantially reduced by such new entrants, it may be difficult for us to make profitable sales in international markets.

 

Furthermore, if we do not continue to distinguish our products through distinctive, technologically advanced features and design, as well as continue to build and strengthen our brand recognition, our business could be affected as we may not be able to effectively compete on price alone in both domestic and international markets against low cost competitors.  Our ability to compete in the digital set-top box industry will also depend heavily on our ability to successfully bring advanced technologies, including Internet delivery of video content, to market to keep pace with our competitors.  If we do not compete effectively, demand for our products could decline, our gross margins could decrease, we could lose market share, our revenues and earnings may decline and our growth prospects could be diminished.

 

Sustained economic weakness and volatile credit markets may cause certain suppliers that we rely on to cease operations, which, in turn, may cause us to suffer disruptions to our supply chain or incur higher production costs.  Our ability to sustain or increase profitability will also depend in large part on our ability to control or reduce our costs of producing digital set-top boxes.  The market for our digital set-top boxes, like other electronic products, has been characterized by regular reductions in selling prices and production costs.  Therefore, we will likely be required to reduce production costs to maintain the margins we earn on digital set-top boxes and the profitability of our

 

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EchoStar Technologies segment.  However, our ability to reduce production costs may be limited by, among other things, economic conditions and a shortage of available parts and may lead to inflated pricing.

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

Our EchoStar Satellite Services segment uses nine of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related Federal Communications Commission licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, United States government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.  Furthermore, we continue to pursue expanding our business offerings by providing value added services such as telemetry, tracking and control services to third parties.  However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively compete against our competitors due to their significant resources and operating history.

 

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our EchoStar Satellite Services segment had contracted revenue backlog attributable to satellites currently in-orbit of approximately $1.207 billion and $1.285 billion, respectively, and contracted backlog attributable to satellites under construction of approximately $608 million and $621 million, respectively.

 

Dependence on DISH Network.  We depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of the revenue for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment.  Therefore, our results of operations are and will for the foreseeable future be closely linked to the performance of DISH Network’s pay-TV service.

 

While we expect to continue to provide satellite services to DISH Network for the foreseeable future, its satellite capacity requirements may change for a variety of reasons, including the launch of its own additional satellites.  Any termination or reduction in the services we provide to DISH Network would increase excess capacity on our satellites and require that we aggressively pursue alternative sources of revenue for this segment.  Possible adverse effects on the EchoStar Technologies segment from DISH Network’s possible decline in gross subscriber additions are not expected to materially impact the revenue generated within the EchoStar Satellite Services segment in the near term.

 

In addition, because the number of potential new customers for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment is small, our current customer concentration is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.  Our future success may also depend on the extent to which prospective customers that have been competitors of DISH Network are willing to purchase services from us.  Many of these prospective customers may view us as a competitor given the common ownership we continue to share with DISH Network.

 

Additional Challenges for our EchoStar Satellite Services Segment.  Our ability to expand revenues in the EchoStar Satellite Services segment will likely require that we displace incumbent suppliers that generally have well established business models and often benefit from long-term contracts with their customers.  As a result, to grow our EchoStar Satellite Services segment we may need to develop or otherwise acquire access to new satellite-delivered services so that we may offer differentiated services to prospective customers.  However, there can be no assurance that we would be able to develop or otherwise acquire access to such differentiated services or develop the sales and marketing expertise necessary to sell such services profitably.

 

In addition, as our satellite fleet ages, we will be required to evaluate replacement alternatives such as acquiring, leasing or constructing additional satellites, with or without customer commitments for capacity, which may require us to seek additional financing.  However, there can be no assurance that such financing will be available to fund any such replacement alternatives on terms that would be attractive to us or at all.

 

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Hughes Segment

 

On June 8, 2011, we completed the Hughes Acquisition, pursuant to the Hughes Agreement by and between us, certain of our subsidiaries, including EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., and Hughes Communications, Inc.  Hughes Communications is the global leader in broadband satellite technologies and services and a leading provider of managed network services.  Together with Hughes Communications, we have an extensive fleet of owned and leased satellites, experienced personnel and communications facilities around the world.  For information about the risks related to the Hughes Acquisition, please see Item 1A.  “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Our Hughes segment provides satellite broadband Internet access to North American consumers, which we refer to as the consumer market, and broadband network services and systems to the domestic and international enterprise markets.  Our Hughes segment also provides managed services to large enterprises and networking systems solutions to customers for mobile satellite and wireless backhaul systems.  We incorporate advances in technology to reduce costs and to increase the functionality and reliability of our products and services.  Through the usage of advanced spectrally efficient modulation and coding methodologies, such as DVB-S2 and proprietary software web acceleration and compression techniques, we continue to improve the efficiency of our networks.  In addition, we invest in technologies to enhance our system and network management capabilities, specifically our managed services for enterprises.  We also continue to invest in next generation technologies that can be applied to our future products and services.

 

We successfully launched our EchoStar XVII satellite in July 2012 and introduced HughesNet Gen4 broadband Internet services to our customers in North America in October 2012.  EchoStar XVII is our next-generation, geostationary high throughput satellite that employs a multi-spot beam and “bent pipe” Ka-band architecture.

 

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had approximately 616,000 customers and 626,000 customers, respectively, subscribed to the Hughes segment’s consumer and small/medium enterprise service.  In addition, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our Hughes segment had total revenue backlog, which we define as our expected future revenue under customer contracts that are non-cancelable and excluding agreements with our customers in our consumer market, of approximately $1.039 billion and $1.036 billion, respectively.

 

Additional Challenges for our Hughes Segment.  Our ability to continue to grow our consumer revenue will depend on our success in adding new subscribers on our satellite network and in the deployment of our EchoStar XVII satellite as planned.  We may need to adjust our service offerings in response to the offerings of our competitors, including ViaSat Communications, following its commencement of service on the ViaSat-1 satellite which launched in October 2011.  An additional focus in this business is our ability to grow our revenue in the enterprise business, both domestically and internationally.  The growth of the enterprise business is also impacted by global economic conditions.

 

Goodwill.  Goodwill as of September 30, 2012 included $504.2 million that was recognized in connection with the Hughes Acquisition and has been assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment.  We performed step one of our annual two-step test of impairment of such goodwill as of April 1, 2012.  Step one involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  We estimated fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flow techniques, which included significant assumptions about prospective financial information, terminal value and discount rates.  Based on this quantitative test, we determined that the estimated fair values of the Hughes reporting units were in excess of the corresponding carrying amounts, including goodwill.  Accordingly, we concluded that goodwill assigned to the Hughes segment was not impaired and it was not necessary to perform step-two of the two-step goodwill impairment test.  Due to the relatively short period of time that had elapsed since the date of the Hughes Acquisition and the absence of significant changes in our business

 

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forecasts and market-based assumptions during that period, the estimated fair values and carrying amounts of our reporting units (which reflect fair value measurements on the acquisition date) had not changed significantly from the acquisition date.  Consequently, the estimated fair values of our reporting units did not exceed their corresponding carrying amounts by a substantial amount.  If the estimated cash flows reflected in our fair value estimates were decreased by 10% and/or the discount rate used to discount such cash flows were increased by 10%, a portion of our goodwill would have been impaired and it would have been necessary to perform step two of the impairment test to determine the amount of the impairment loss.

 

International DTH Platform

 

During 2008, we entered into a joint venture with Dish Mexico.  Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide certain broadcast and engineering services, satellite capacity, and hardware such as digital set-top boxes and related equipment to Dish Mexico.  We recognized $13 million and $12 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $40 million and $39 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of equipment revenue from the sales of digital set-top boxes and related components.  We recognized $7 million and $4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $16 million and $12 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, of services and other revenue.

 

New Business Opportunities

 

We are exploring opportunities to selectively pursue partnerships, joint ventures and strategic acquisition opportunities, domestically and on a global basis, that we believe may allow us to increase our existing market share, expand into new markets, broaden our portfolio of products and intellectual property, and strengthen our relationships with our customers.

 

Effective July 1, 2012, we and DISH Network formed DISH Digital L.L.C. (“DISH Digital”), which is owned two-thirds by DISH Network and one-third by EchoStar.  DISH Digital was formed to develop and commercialize certain advanced technologies.  We, DISH Network and DISH Digital entered into the following agreements with respect to DISH Digital: (i) a contribution agreement pursuant to which we and DISH Network contributed certain assets in exchange for our respective ownership interests in DISH Digital (the “Contribution Agreement”); (ii) a limited liability company operating agreement, which provides for the governance of DISH Digital; and (iii) a commercial agreement pursuant to which, among other things, DISH Digital has: (a) certain rights and corresponding obligations with respect to DISH Digital’s business; and (b) the right, but not the obligation, to receive certain services from us and DISH Network, respectively.  Since a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of both us and DISH Network is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman and DISH Network’s Chairman, or by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family, this is a formation of an entity under common control and a step up in basis is not allowed; therefore, each party’s contributions were recorded at book value for accounting purposes.

 

Adverse Economic Conditions

 

Our ability to grow or maintain our business may be adversely affected by weak global and domestic economic conditions, including wavering consumer confidence and constraints on discretionary purchasing, unemployment, tight credit markets, declines in global and domestic stock markets, falling home prices and other factors that may adversely affect the markets in which we operate.  Our ability to increase our income or to generate additional revenues will depend in part on our ability to organically grow our businesses, identify and successfully exploit opportunities to acquire other businesses or technologies, and enter into strategic partnerships.  These activities may require significant additional capital that may not be available on terms that would be attractive to us or at all.  In particular, volatile credit markets, which have significantly impacted the availability and cost of financing, specifically in the leveraged finance markets, may significantly constrain our ability to obtain financing to support

 

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our growth initiatives.  These developments in the credit markets may increase our cost of financing and impair our liquidity position.  In addition, these developments may cause us to defer or abandon business strategies and transactions that we would otherwise pursue if financing were available on acceptable terms.

 

Furthermore, unfavorable events in the economy, including deterioration in the credit and equity markets, could cause consumer demand for pay-TV services and consequently sales of our digital set-top boxes to DISH Network, Bell TV, Dish Mexico and other international customers to decline materially because consumers may delay purchasing decisions or reduce or reallocate their discretionary spending, which would also have an adverse effect on our Hughes segment.

 

EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS

 

Equipment revenue DISH Network“Equipment revenue — DISH Network” primarily includes sales of digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network, including Slingboxes and related hardware products.  “Equipment revenue — Dish Network” also includes the sales of satellite broadband equipment and related equipment to DISH Network.

 

Equipment revenue other.  “Equipment revenue — other” primarily includes sales of digital set-top boxes and related components to Bell TV, Dish Mexico and other domestic and international customers, including sales of Slingboxes and related hardware products.  “Equipment revenue - other” also includes sales of broadband equipment and networks to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets.

 

Services and other revenue DISH Network“Services and other revenue — DISH Network” primarily includes revenue associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking, signal processing, conditional access management, telemetry, tracking and control, professional services, facilities rental revenue and other services provided to DISH Network.

 

Services and other revenue other.  “Services and other revenue other” primarily includes the sales of enterprise and consumer broadband services, as well as maintenance and other contracted services.  “Services and other revenue other” also includes revenue associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking and other services provided to customers other than DISH Network.

 

Cost of sales equipment.  “Cost of sales equipment” principally includes costs associated with digital set-top boxes and related components sold to DISH Network, Bell TV, Dish Mexico and other domestic and international customers, including costs associated with Slingboxes and related hardware products.  “Cost of sales — equipment” also includes the cost of broadband equipment and networks sold to customers in our enterprise, consumer markets and to DISH Network.

 

Cost of sales services and other.  “Cost of sales services and other” primarily includes the cost of broadband services provided to our enterprise and consumer customers, as well as the cost of providing maintenance and other contracted services.  “Cost of sales — services and other” also includes the costs associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking, signal processing, conditional access management, telemetry, tracking and control, professional services, facilities rental revenue and other services.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  “Selling, general and administrative expenses” primarily includes selling and marketing costs and employee-related costs associated with administrative services (i.e., information systems, human resources and other services), including non-cash, stock-based compensation expense.  It also includes professional fees (i.e., legal, information systems and accounting services) and other items associated with facilities and administrative services provided by DISH Network and other third parties.

 

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Research and development expenses.  “Research and development expenses” consists primarily of costs associated with the design and development of products to support future growth by reducing costs and providing new technology and innovations to our customers.

 

Interest income.  “Interest income” primarily includes interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities, including accretion on debt securities.

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized“Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” primarily includes interest expense associated with our 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 and our 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021 (collectively, the “Notes”), other debt and capital lease obligations (net of capitalized interest), and amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments.  “Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments” consists primarily of gains and losses realized on the sale or exchange of investments and “other-than-temporary” impairments of marketable and other investment securities.

 

Unrealized/realized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net.  “Unrealized/realized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net” consists of unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair value of marketable and other strategic investments accounted for at fair value.

 

Other, net.  The primary components of “Other, net” are transaction costs related to acquisitions and equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates as well as dividends received from our marketable investment securities.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).  EBITDA is defined as “Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar” plus “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” net of “Interest income,” “Income taxes (provision) benefit, net” and “Depreciation and amortization.”  EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP.  This “non-GAAP measure” is reconciled to “Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar” in our discussion of “Results of Operations” below.  EBITDA should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP.  Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures.  EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  EBITDA is used by our management as a measure of operating efficiency and overall financial performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors.  Management believes EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental information regarding liquidity and the underlying operating performance of our business.  Management also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industries.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The following discussion and analysis of our condensed consolidated results of operations, financial condition and liquidity are presented on a historical basis.  Our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 only included operating results of Hughes Communications after June 8, 2011, the date of the Hughes Acquisition.  Therefore, our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not comparable to our results of operations for the same period in 2011.

 

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Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

$

256,935

 

$

339,272

 

$

(82,337

)

(24.3

)

Equipment revenue - other

 

143,764

 

151,613

 

(7,849

)

(5.2

)

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

129,842

 

124,941

 

4,901

 

3.9

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

234,180

 

247,337

 

(13,157

)

(5.3

)

Total revenue

 

764,721

 

863,163

 

(98,442

)

(11.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

342,230

 

415,784

 

(73,554

)

(17.7

)

% of Total equipment revenue

 

85.4

%

84.7

%

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

175,346

 

173,973

 

1,373

 

0.8

 

% of Total services and other revenue

 

48.2

%

46.7

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (including DISH Network)

 

95,039

 

108,459

 

(13,420

)

(12.4

)

% of Total revenue

 

12.4

%

12.6

%

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

 

17,448

 

14,561

 

2,887

 

19.8

 

% of Total revenue

 

2.3

%

1.7

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

110,778

 

128,120

 

(17,342

)

(13.5

)

Total costs and expenses

 

740,841

 

840,897

 

(100,056

)

(11.9

)

Operating income (loss)

 

23,880

 

22,266

 

1,614

 

7.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2,697

 

2,394

 

303

 

12.7

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(33,840

)

(33,061

)

(779

)

2.4

 

Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments

 

21,216

 

4,169

 

17,047

 

*

 

Unrealized/realized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net

 

 

2,483

 

(2,483

)

(100.0

)

Hughes Acquisition costs

 

7

 

(730

)

737

 

*

 

Other, net

 

7,900

 

(2,504

)

10,404

 

*

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(2,020

)

(27,249

)

25,229

 

(92.6

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

21,860

 

(4,983

)

26,843

 

*

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

409

 

(13,864

)

14,273

 

*

 

Effective tax rate

 

(1.9

)%

(278.2

)%

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

22,269

 

(18,847

)

41,116

 

*

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(285

)

270

 

(555

)

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

22,554

 

$

(19,117

)

$

41,671

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

164,066

 

$

153,534

 

$

10,532

 

6.9

 

 


*  Percentage is not meaningful.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Equipment revenue DISH Network.  “Equipment revenue — DISH Network” totaled $257 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $82 million or 24.3% compared to the same period in 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to lower revenue earned from the sales of set-top box and related accessories as a result of a decline in pricing of set top boxes and related accessories. A reduction in the number of set top-boxes sold was also attributable to the decrease in “Equipment revenue — DISH Network.”  The decline in set top-box pricing was driven by a change in product mix and continued manufacturing efficiencies, which reduced our set-top box costs.  Pursuant to the receiver agreement, set-top boxes are sold to DISH Network at cost (decreasing as we reduce costs and increasing as costs increase) plus a dollar mark-up, or at cost plus a fixed margin.  See Note 14—“Related Party Transactions” in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. The decrease in “Equipment revenue — DISH Network” was partially offset by an increase (i) in the number of set-top box accessories sold and (ii) sales of satellite broadband Internet equipment.

 

Equipment revenue other.  “Equipment revenue — other” totaled $144 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $8 million or 5.2% compared to the same period in 2011.  The decrease was attributable to lower equipment revenue of $17 million from Bell TV as a result of a decrease in the number of units sold and a decline in average pricing of set top-boxes.  The decrease in “Equipment revenue — other” was partially offset by the increase in sales of set-top boxes of $6 million to international customers and increase in sales of broadband equipment and networks of $2 million to our customers in the enterprise and consumer markets.

 

Services and other revenue - other.  “Services and other revenue — other” totaled $234 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $13 million or 5.3% compared to the same period in 2011.  The decrease was primarily related to lower services revenue of $16 million generated by our Hughes segment from the sales of broadband services to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services.  The decrease in “Services and other revenue other” was partially offset by higher revenue earned associated with satellite and transponder leasing provided to customers other than DISH Network.

 

Cost of sales equipment“Cost of sales — equipment” totaled $342 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $74 million or 17.7% compared to the same period in 2011.  The decrease in “Cost of sales — equipment” was attributable to lower equipment sales to DISH Network and Bell TV. The decrease in “Cost of sales — equipment” was partially offset by an increase in costs associated with higher sales of broadband equipment and networks to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets generated by the Hughes segment and higher sales of set top-boxes to our international customers.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $95 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $13 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to the recognition of $9 million in change of control bonuses given to certain of the executives of Hughes Communications in 2011 in connection with the Hughes Acquisition and a decrease in general and administrative expenses incurred for services provided by DISH Network to us. See Note 14—“Related Party Transactions” in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $111 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $17 million or 13.5% compared to the same period in 2011.  The decrease was primarily related to a decrease in amortization expense associated with the Hughes segment as certain of its intangible assets are amortized in relation to the estimated cash flows over the life of such intangible assets.

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.  “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $34 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $1 million compared to the same period in 2011, primarily related to interest expense of $3 million on capital lease obligations, which was partially offset by an increase in capitalized interest of $2 million.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Realized Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments.  “Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments” totaled $21 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $17 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was primarily due to higher gains recognized on sales of our marketable investment securities and other investments.

 

Other, net.  “Other, net” totaled $8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $10 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was mainly attributable to the gain recognized in connection with the AMC-16 anomalies that occurred in 2012 (see Note 7—“Property and Equipment” in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion) and a gain recognized from international foreign exchange.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA was $164 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $11 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was primarily due to lower cost of sales on equipment and services, gains recognized on sales of our marketable investment securities and other investments and in connection with the AMC-16 anomalies, and lower “Selling, general and administrative expenses”.  The increase in EBITDA was partially offset by a decrease in sales of equipment and revenues earned during the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

EBITDA

 

$

164,066

 

$

153,534

 

$

10,532

 

6.9

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(31,143

)

(30,667

)

(476

)

1.6

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

409

 

(13,864

)

14,273

 

*

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(110,778

)

(128,120

)

17,342

 

(13.5

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

22,554

 

$

(19,117

)

$

41,671

 

*

 

 


*  Percentage is not meaningful.

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.  Our income tax benefit totaled approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to an income tax provision of $13.9 million for the same period in 2011. Our effective income tax rate was (1.9)% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to (278.2)% for the same period in 2011. The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily related to the release of valuation allowances associated with our capital investments.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

$

748,650

 

$

882,027

 

$

(133,377

)

(15.1

)

Equipment revenue - other

 

487,097

 

325,192

 

161,905

 

49.8

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

387,479

 

374,366

 

13,113

 

3.5

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

712,279

 

345,637

 

366,642

 

*

 

Total revenue

 

2,335,505

 

1,927,222

 

408,283

 

21.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

1,046,423

 

1,026,462

 

19,961

 

1.9

 

% of Total equipment revenue

 

84.7

%

85.0

%

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

513,208

 

328,228

 

184,980

 

56.4

 

% of Total services and other revenue

 

46.7

%

45.6

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (including DISH Network)

 

286,763

 

202,902

 

83,861

 

41.3

 

% of Total revenue

 

12.3

%

10.5

%

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

 

50,416

 

34,502

 

15,914

 

46.1

 

% of Total revenue

 

2.2

%

1.8

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

339,472

 

256,193

 

83,279

 

32.5

 

Total costs and expenses

 

2,236,282

 

1,848,287

 

387,995

 

21.0

 

Operating income (loss)

 

99,223

 

78,935

 

20,288

 

25.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

8,864

 

7,206

 

1,658

 

23.0

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(109,258

)

(45,381

)

(63,877

)

*

 

Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments

 

149,443

 

13,875

 

135,568

 

*

 

Unrealized/realized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net

 

 

10,281

 

(10,281

)

(100.0

)

Hughes Acquisition costs

 

 

(35,230

)

35,230

 

(100.0

)

Other, net

 

35,244

 

18,430

 

16,814

 

91.2

 

Total other income (expense)

 

84,293

 

(30,819

)

115,112

 

*

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

183,516

 

48,116

 

135,400

 

*

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

704

 

(31,230

)

31,934

 

*

 

Effective tax rate

 

(0.4

)%

64.9

%

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

184,220

 

16,886

 

167,334

 

*

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(604

)

357

 

(961

)

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

184,824

 

$

16,529

 

$

168,295

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

623,986

 

$

342,127

 

$

281,859

 

82.4

 

 


*  Percentage is not meaningful.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Equipment revenue DISH Network.  “Equipment revenue — DISH Network” totaled $749 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $133 million or 15.1% compared to the same period in 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to lower revenue earned from the sales of set top boxes and related accessories as a result of a decline in pricing of set top boxes and related accessories. The decline in set top-box pricing was driven by a change in product mix and continued manufacturing efficiencies.  The decrease in “Equipment revenue — DISH Network” was partially offset by an increase in the number of set top-boxes and related accessories sold.

 

Equipment revenue other.  “Equipment revenue — other” totaled $487 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $162 million or 49.8% compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was primarily related to (i) higher equipment revenue of $94 million generated by our Hughes segment from the sales of broadband equipment and networks to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets and (ii) higher sales of set-top boxes and related accessories to our international customers of $19 million and to Bell TV of $42 million.

 

Services and other revenue other.  “Services and other revenue — other” totaled $712 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $367 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was primarily related to higher services revenue of $361 million generated by our Hughes segment from the sales of broadband services to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services.

 

Cost of sales equipment“Cost of sales - equipment” totaled $1,046 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $20 million or 1.9% compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was attributable to higher equipment costs incurred of: (i) $90 million associated with the sales of broadband equipment and networks to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets generated by the Hughes segment; (ii) $35 million associated with the sales of set-top boxes and related accessories to Bell TV; and (iii) $20 million associated with the sales of set top-boxes to our international customers. The increase in “Cost of sales - equipment” was partially offset by a decrease in costs of $125 million associated with lower sales to DISH Network.

 

Cost of sales services and other“Cost of sales — services and other” totaled $513 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $185 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher cost of sales of $177 million incurred by the Hughes segment as a result of higher sales of broadband services to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $287 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $84 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase primarily related to higher marketing and advertising expenses and other general and administrative expenses of $76 million incurred by our Hughes segment.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $339 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $83 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was primarily related to higher amortization and depreciation expense of $73 million from our Hughes segment and an increase in depreciation expense related to satellites that were accounted for as capital leases. The increase in “Depreciation and amortization” expense was partially offset by $14 million of depreciation expense related to certain of our assets that were fully depreciated.

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.  “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $109 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $64 million compared to the same period in 2011. The increase was primarily related to interest expense of $58 million on the Notes and of $15 million on our capital lease obligations.  The increase in “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” was partially offset by an increase in capitalized interest expense of $8 million.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments.  “Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments” totaled $149 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $136 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase primarily related to higher gains recognized on sales of marketable investment securities and other investments in 2012.

 

Other, net.  “Other, net” totaled $35 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $17 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase primarily related to a non-recurring dividend of $18 million received from one of our strategic investments and higher gains recognized relating to AMC-16 anomalies that occurred in 2012. The increase was partially offset by reductions in our equity in earnings from our unconsolidated affiliates and other miscellaneous income.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA was $624 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $282 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was primarily due to higher equipment and services revenue recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and gains of $136 million recognized on sales of our marketable investment securities and other investments. The increase in EBITDA was partially offset by higher cost of sales on equipment and services and higher “Selling, general and administrative expenses” incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

EBITDA

 

$

623,986

 

$

342,127

 

$

281,859

 

82.4

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(100,394

)

(38,175

)

(62,219

)

*

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

704

 

(31,230

)

31,934

 

*

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(339,472

)

(256,193

)

(83,279

)

32.5

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

184,824

 

$

16,529

 

$

168,295

 

*

 

 


*  Percentage is not meaningful.

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.  Our income tax benefit totaled approximately $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to an income tax provision of $31.2 million for the same period in 2011. Our effective income tax rate was (0.4%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 versus 64.9% for the same period in 2011.  The decrease in our effective tax rate was primarily related to the release of valuation allowances associated with our capital investments.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities

 

We consider all liquid investments purchased within 90 days of their maturity to be cash equivalents.  See “Item 3. — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for further discussion regarding our marketable investment securities.  As of September 30, 2012, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities totaled $1.557 billion compared to $1.696 billion as of December 31, 2011, a decrease of $139 million.  The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities was mainly the result of capital expenditures of $371 million, primarily for EchoStar XVI and EchoStar XVII, which was partially offset by cash generated from operations of $350 million.

 

We have investments in various debt and equity instruments including corporate bonds, corporate equity securities, government bonds, and variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”).  Our VRDN portfolio is comprised of investments in municipalities and corporations, which are backed by financial institutions or other highly rated companies that serve as the pledged liquidity source.  While they are classified as marketable investment securities, the put option allows VRDNs to be liquidated generally on the same day or on a five business day settlement basis.  As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we held $53 million and $219 million, respectively, of VRDNs. Our other current marketable investment securities portfolio consists of primarily corporate and government bonds.  As

 

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of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we held $706 million and $648 million, respectively, of corporate and government bonds and other investment securities.

 

Cash Flows

 

The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

We typically reinvest the cash flows from operating activities in our business.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we reported “Net cash flows from operating activities” of $350 million.  This amount is primarily comprised of $184 million of net income and $339 million of non-cash charges for “Depreciation and amortization” expense, partially offset by “Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments” of $149 million.  The increase in cash flows was also partially offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities related to timing differences between book expense and cash payments.

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

Our investing activities generally include purchases and sales of marketable investment securities, capital expenditures, acquisitions and strategic investments.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we reported net cash outflows from investing activities of $230 million, which was primarily related to capital expenditures of $371 million and acquisition of orbital rights of $82 million, partially offset by net sales of marketable investment securities of $230 million.

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

Our financing activities generally include net proceeds related to the issuance of long-term debt, cash used for the repurchase, and redemption or payment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we reported net cash outflows from financing activities of $40 million primarily resulting from repayment of capital lease obligations of $50 million, partially offset by proceeds received from Class A stock option exercises and stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

EchoStar XVI.  During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”), which is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.  As of September 30, 2012, the remaining obligation related to EchoStar XVI was approximately $42.9 million, which includes the launch contract, launch insurance and one-year of in-orbit insurance.

 

EchoStar XVII.  We successfully launched EchoStar XVII in July 2012 and introduced HughesNet Gen4 broadband Internet services to our customers in North America in October 2012.  Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the construction of EchoStar XVII, we are obligated to commence payment of in-orbit incentives totaling $25 million (the “Orbital incentive”) upon the completion of the in-orbit testing, which occurred in September 2012.  In addition, we are required to make interest payments on the Orbital incentive at an annual rate of 10% of approximately $33 million. The Orbital incentive payments, including interest, are required to be paid quarterly over a 15-year period, subject to prepayment at our option; however, these payments are subject to reduction in the event of future satellite failures.  As of September 30, 2012, the Orbital incentive was capitalized in “Property and equipment, net” and included in “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  In addition, as of September 30, 2012, we had other remaining obligation of $28.3 million related to the construction and launch of EchoStar XVII.

 

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Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Other than the transactions below, we have not engaged in off-balance sheet financing activities nor have we used derivative financial instruments for hedge accounting or speculative purposes.

 

As of September 30, 2012, we had $31 million of contractual obligations to customers and other statutory/governmental agencies, which were secured by letters of credit and insurance bonds.  Of this amount, $1 million was secured by restricted cash; $4 million related to insurance bonds; and $26 million was issued under credit arrangements available to our foreign subsidiaries.  Certain letters of credit issued by our foreign subsidiaries are secured by their assets.

 

As of September 30, 2012, we had a notional amount of $25 million in foreign currency forward contracts in place to partially mitigate foreign exchange risk.  Of the $25 million, $19 million consisted of forward contracts that reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk related to forecasted collections on a Mexican peso denominated revenue contract.  We evaluate our derivative financial instruments from time-to-time, but there can be no assurance that we will not enter into additional foreign currency forward contracts, or take other measures, in the future to mitigate our foreign exchange risk.

 

Future Capital Requirements

 

We primarily rely on our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances, as well as cash flow generated through our operations to fund our investment needs.  Since we currently depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of our revenue, our cash flow from operations depends heavily on its needs for equipment and services.  To the extent that DISH Network’s gross subscriber additions decrease or DISH Network experiences a net loss of subscribers, sales of our digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network may further decline, which in turn could have a further material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.  In addition, as of September 30, 2012, our remaining obligations related to EchoStar XVI and EchoStar XVII totaled $129.2 million.  As a result, there can be no assurance that we will have positive cash flows for operations.  Furthermore, if we experience negative cash flows, our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances may be reduced.

 

We have a significant amount of outstanding indebtedness.  As of September 30, 2012, our total indebtedness was $2.497 billion.  Our liquidity requirements will be significant, primarily due to our debt service requirements.  In addition, our future capital expenditures are likely to increase if we make additional investments in infrastructure necessary to support and expand our business, or if we decide to purchase one or more additional satellites.  Other aspects of our business operations may also require additional capital.  We periodically evaluate various strategic initiatives, the pursuit of which also could require us to raise significant additional capital.

 

Satellites

 

As our satellite fleet ages, we will be required to evaluate replacement alternatives such as acquiring, leasing or constructing additional satellites, with or without customer commitments for capacity.  We also may construct or lease additional satellites in the future to provide satellite services at additional orbital locations or to improve the quality of our satellite services.

 

Stock Repurchases

 

Pursuant to a stock repurchase plan approved by our Board of Directors, we are authorized to repurchase up to $500 million of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2012.  As of September 30, 2012, we have not made any repurchases of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock under this plan.

 

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Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Seasonality

 

For our EchoStar Technologies and EchoStar Satellite Services segments, we are affected by seasonality to the extent it impacts our customers.  Our customers in the pay-TV industry, including DISH Network, our largest customer, typically experience seasonality.  Historically, the first half of the year generally produces fewer new subscribers for the pay-TV industry than the second half of the year.  However, we cannot provide assurance that this will continue in the future.

 

For our Hughes segment, like many communications infrastructure equipment vendors, a higher amount of our hardware revenues occur in the second half of the year due to our customers’ annual procurement and budget cycles.  Large enterprises and operators often allocate their capital expenditure budgets at the beginning of their fiscal year (which often coincides with the calendar year).  The typical sales cycle for large complex system procurements is 6 to 12 months, which often results in the customer expenditure occurring towards the end of the year.  Customers often seek to expend the budgeted funds prior to the end of the year and the next budget cycle.

 

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market Risks Associated with Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency

 

Our investments and debt are exposed to market risks, discussed below.

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of September 30, 2012, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had a fair value of $1.557 billion.  Of that amount, a total of $1.453 billion was invested in: (a) cash; (b) VRDNs convertible into cash at par value plus accrued interest generally in five business days or less; (c) debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; (d) commercial paper and corporate notes with an overall average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and/or (e) instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality characteristics to the commercial paper and corporate obligations described above.  The primary purpose of these investing activities has been to preserve principal until the cash is required to, among other things, fund operations, make strategic investments and expand the business.  Consequently, the size of this portfolio fluctuates significantly as cash is received and used in our business.  The value of this portfolio is negatively impacted by credit losses; however, this risk is mitigated through diversification that limits our exposure to any one issuer.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

A change in interest rates would affect the fair value of our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities portfolio; however, we normally hold these investments to maturity.  Based on our current non-strategic investment portfolio of $1.453 billion as of September 30, 2012, a hypothetical 10% change in average interest rates during 2012 would not have a material impact on their fair value due to the limited duration of our investments.

 

Our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had an average annual rate of return for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 of 0.9%.  A change in interest rates would affect our future annual interest income from this portfolio, since funds would be re-invested at different rates as the instruments mature.  A hypothetical 10% decrease in average interest rates during 2012 would result in a decrease of approximately $1 million in annual interest income.

 

Strategic Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of September 30, 2012, we held current strategic and financial debt and equity investments of public companies with a fair value of $103 million.  These investments, which are held for strategic and financial purposes, are concentrated in a small number of companies, are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to

 

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Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK - Continued

 

experience volatility.  The fair value of our strategic and financial debt and equity investments can be significantly impacted by the risk of adverse changes in securities markets generally, as well as risks related to the performance of the companies whose securities we have invested in, risks associated with specific industries, and other factors.  These investments are subject to significant fluctuations in fair value due to the volatility of the securities markets and of the underlying businesses.  In general, the debt instruments held in our strategic marketable investment securities portfolio are not significantly impacted by interest rate fluctuations as their value is more closely related to factors specific to the underlying business.  A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the price of our public strategic debt and equity investments would result in a decrease of approximately $10 million in the fair value of these investments.

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities and Noncurrent Marketable and Other Investment Securities

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of September 30, 2012, we had $27 million of restricted cash and marketable investment securities invested in:  (a) cash; (b) VRDNs convertible into cash at par value plus accrued interest generally in five business days or less; (c) debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; (d) commercial paper and corporate notes with an overall average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and/or (e) instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality characteristics to the commercial paper described above.  Based on our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2012, a hypothetical 10% increase in average interest rates would not have a material impact in the fair value of our restricted cash and marketable investment securities.

 

Other Investment Securities

 

As of September 30, 2012, we had $178 million of noncurrent public and non-public debt and equity instruments that we hold for strategic business purposes and account for under the cost or equity methods of accounting.  A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of these debt and equity instruments would result in a decrease of approximately $18 million in the fair value of these investments.

 

Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are not publicly traded depends on the success of those companies’ businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient capital to execute their business plans.  Because private markets are not as liquid as public markets, there is also increased risk that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that when we desire to sell them we will not be able to obtain fair value for them.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We generally conduct our business in United States dollars.  Our international business is conducted in United States dollars and a variety of foreign currencies and it is therefore exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  Our objective in managing our exposure to foreign currency changes is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate fluctuations.  Accordingly, we may enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate risks associated with foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency transactions.  As of September 30, 2012, we had an estimated $48 million of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables outstanding, and $25 million of foreign currency forward contracts in place to partially mitigate foreign currency risk.  The differences between the face amounts of the foreign exchange contracts and their estimated fair values were not material as of September 30, 2012.

 

The impact of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates on the fair value of foreign currency denominated net assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries would be an estimated loss of $8 million as of September 30, 2012.

 

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Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK - Continued

 

Long-Term Debt

 

As of September 30, 2012, we had long-term debt of $2.001 billion, excluding capital lease obligations of $0.5 billion, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We estimated the fair value of this debt to be approximately $2.198 billion using quoted market prices for our publicly traded debt, which constitutes approximately 100% of our debt.  Our debt has fixed interest rates; however, the fair value of our debt is affected by fluctuations in interest rates.  A hypothetical 10% decrease in assumed interest rates would increase the fair value of our debt by approximately $72 million.  To the extent interest rates increase, our costs of financing would increase if and when we refinance our debt.  As of September 30, 2012, a hypothetical 10% increase in assumed interest rates would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $14 million.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

In general we do not use derivative financial instruments for hedge accounting or speculative purposes; however, as of September 30, 2012, we had $25 million of foreign currency forward contracts in place to partially mitigate foreign exchange risk.  Of the $25 million, $19 million consisted of forward contracts that reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk related to forecasted collections on a Mexican peso denominated revenue contract.

 

Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

On June 8, 2011, EchoStar completed the Hughes Acquisition.  We are currently integrating policies, processes, people, technology and operations for the combined company.  Management will continue to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting as we execute integration activities.  There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.         LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are involved in a number of legal proceedings (including those described below) concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our business activities.  Many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages, and many of these proceedings seek an indeterminate amount of damages.  We regularly evaluate the status of the legal proceedings in which we are involved to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or an additional loss may have been incurred and to determine if accruals are appropriate.  If accruals are not appropriate, we further evaluate each legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of the possible loss or range of possible loss can be made.

 

For certain cases described below, management is unable to provide a meaningful estimate of the possible loss or range of possible loss because, among other reasons, (i) the proceedings are in various stages; (ii) damages have not been sought; (iii) damages are unsupported and/or exaggerated; (iv) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions; (v) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (vi) there are novel legal issues or unsettled legal theories to be presented or a large number of parties (as with many patent-related cases).  For these cases, however, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

 

Cyberfone Systems, LLC (f/k/a LVL Patent Group, LLC)

 

On September 15, 2011, LVL Patent Group, LLC filed a complaint against us and our wholly-owned subsidiary, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., as well as DISH Network L.L.C. a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, and DirecTV, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,044,382, which is entitled “Data Transaction Assembly Server.” DirecTV was dismissed from the case on January 4, 2012.  On July 12, 2012, Cyberfone Systems, LLC (f/k/a LVL Patent Group, LLC) filed the operative second amended complaint making the same claim.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

E-Contact Technologies, LLC

 

On February 22, 2012, E-Contact Technologies, LLC (“E-Contact”) filed suit against two of our subsidiaries, Hughes Communications, Inc. and Hughes Network Systems, LLC, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 5,347,579, which is entitled “Personal Computer Diary.”  E-Contact appears to assert that some portion of HughesNet email services infringe that patent.  HughesNet email services are provided by a third-party service provider, who has assumed indemnification obligations for the case.  On May 31, 2012, E-Contact filed a first amended complaint.  The amended complaint removed the original complaint’s requests for a finding of willfulness and entry of an injunction.

 

We, along with the third-party service provider, intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

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The Hopper Litigation

 

On May 24, 2012, DISH Network L.L.C., filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., CBS Corporation, Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., Fox Television Holdings, Inc., Fox Cable Network Services, L.L.C. and NBCUniversal Media, LLC.  The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that DISH Network L.L.C is not infringing any defendant’s copyright, or breaching any defendant’s retransmission consent agreement, by virtue of the PrimeTime Anytime™ and AutoHop™ features in Hopper™ set-top boxes.  The PrimeTime Anytime feature allows a user of a Hopper set-top box, at his or her option, to record certain primetime programs airing on ABC, CBS, Fox, and/or NBC up to every night, and to store those recordings for up to eight days.  The AutoHop feature allows a subscriber, at his or her option, to watch certain recordings the subscriber made with our PrimeTime Anytime feature, commercial-free, if played back the next day after the show’s original airing.

 

Later on May 24, 2012, (i) Fox Broadcasting Company, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. and Fox Television Holdings, Inc. filed a lawsuit against DISH Network Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C. (collectively, “DISH”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature, the AutoHop feature, as well as DISH’s use of Sling place-shifting functionality infringe their copyrights and breach their retransmission consent agreements, (ii) NBC Studios LLC, Universal Network Television, LLC, Open 4 Business Productions LLC and NBCUniversal Media, LLC filed a lawsuit against DISH in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature and the AutoHop feature infringe their copyrights, and (iii) CBS Broadcasting Inc., CBS Studios Inc. and Survivor Productions LLC filed a lawsuit against DISH in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature and the AutoHop feature infringe their copyrights.  The Central District of California matters have been assigned to a single judge.

 

As a result of certain parties’ competing venue-related motions brought in both the New York and California actions, and certain networks filing various amended complaints, the claims are presently pending in the following venues:  (1) the copyright and contract claims regarding the ABC parties are pending in New York; (2) the copyright and contract claims regarding the CBS parties are pending in New York; (3) the copyright and contract claims regarding the Fox parties are pending in California; and (4) the copyright claims regarding the NBC parties are pending in California, while the contract claims involving NBC are venued in both New York and California.  Additional venue-related motions are still pending in the NBC actions in New York and California.

 

On September 21, 2012, the California court heard the Fox plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Hopper’s PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features.  The Court has not yet ruled on that motion.

 

On August 17, 2012, the NBC plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint in their California action adding us and our wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. to the NBC litigation, alleging various claims of copyright infringement.  We and our subsidiary answered on September 18, 2012.  On October 9, 2012, the ABC plaintiffs filed copyright counterclaims in the New York action against EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C., with the CBS plaintiffs filing similar copyright counterclaims in the New York action against EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. on October 12, 2012.

 

We intend to vigorously prosecute and defend our position in these cases.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted copyrights, we may be subject to substantial damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to DISH.  An adverse decision against DISH Network could decrease the number of Sling enabled set-top boxes we sell to DISH Network, which could have an adverse impact on the business operations of our EchoStar Technologies segment.  In addition, to the extent that DISH Network experiences fewer gross new subscriber additions, sales of our digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network may further decline, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of these suits or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

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Joao Control & Monitoring Systems

 

During December 2010, Joao Control & Monitoring Systems (“Joao”) filed suit against Sling Media Inc., our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, ACTI Corporation, ADT Security, Alarmclub.Com, American Honda Motor Company, BMW, Byremote, Drivecam, Honeywell, Iveda Corporation, Magtec Products, Mercedes-Benz, On-Net Surveillance, OnStar, SafeFreight Technology, Skyway Security, SmartVue Corporation, Toyota Motor Sales, Tyco, UTC Fire and Xanboo in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,549,130 and 6,587,046.  The abstracts of the patents state that the claims are directed to the remote control of devices and appliances.  Joao is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  During 2011, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Nazomi Communications, Inc.

 

On February 10, 2010, Nazomi Communications, Inc. (“Nazomi”) filed suit against Sling Media, Inc. (“Sling”), our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Nokia Corp, Nokia Inc., Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Western Digital Corp., Western Digital Technologies, Inc., Garmin Ltd., Garmin Corp., Garmin International, Inc., Garmin USA, Inc., Vizio Inc. and iOmega Corp in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,080,362 (the “362 patent”) and United States Patent No. 7,225,436 (the “436 patent”).  The 362 patent and the 436 patent relate to Java hardware acceleration.  The suit alleges that the Slingbox-Pro-HD product infringes the 362 patent and the 436 patent because the Slingbox-PRO HD allegedly incorporates an ARM926EJ-S processor core capable of Java hardware acceleration.  During 2010, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.  On August 14, 2012, the Court entered an order granting Sling’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement.  The Court has not yet entered final judgment in Sling’s favor.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

NorthPoint Technology, Ltd.

 

On July 2, 2009, NorthPoint Technology, Ltd. (“NorthPoint”) filed suit against us, DISH Network, and DirecTV in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No.  6,208,636 (the “636 patent”).  The 636 patent relates to the use of multiple low-noise block converter feedhorns, or LNBFs, which are antennas used for satellite reception.  On April 21, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued an order granting reexamination of the 636 patent.  On June 21, 2011, the District Court entered summary judgment in our favor, finding that all asserted claims of the 636 patent are invalid.  NorthPoint appealed and, on May 11, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s judgment.  The deadline for NorthPoint to file a further appeal has passed, and the matter is now closed.

 

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Personalized Media Communications, Inc.

 

During 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. (“PMC”) filed suit against us, DISH Network and Motorola Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,109,414, 4,965,825, 5,233,654, 5,335,277, and 5,887,243, which relate to satellite signal processing.  PMC is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  Subsequently, Motorola Inc. settled with PMC, leaving DISH Network and us as defendants.  On July 18, 2012, pursuant to a Court order, PMC filed a Second Amended Complaint that added Rovi Guides, Inc. (f/k/a/ Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.) and TVG-PMC, Inc. (collectively, “Gemstar”) as a party, and added a new claim against all defendants seeking a declaratory judgment as to the scope of Gemstar’s license to the patents in suit, under which DISH Network and we are sublicensees.  The Court vacated the August 20, 2012 trial date and has not yet set a new trial date.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Premier International Associates, LLC

 

On August 3, 2012, Premier International Associates, LLC (“Premier International Associates”) filed a complaint against us, our wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and DISH Network and its wholly owned subsidiaries, DISH DBS and DISH Network L.L.C., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,243,725 (the “’725 patent”), which is entitled “List Building System.” The ’725 patent relates to a system for building an inventory of audio/visual works.  Premier International Associates is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features of our products.  We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Semiconductor Ideas to the Market BV

 

On March 16, 2012, Semiconductor Ideas to the Market BV (“ITOM”) filed suit against our subsidiary Hughes Network Systems, LLC, as well as Texas Instruments, Inc., Qualcomm, Inc., Broadcom Corp., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, Dell Inc., Apple Inc., Ford Motor Company, Buffalo Technology (USA) Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., Hughes Telematics, Inc., Motorola Mobility, Inc., Motorola Solutions, Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., and Philips Consumer Lifestyle International B.V.  The suit was brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,299,018 which is entitled “Receiver comprising a digitally controlled capacitor bank” and United States Patent No. 7,072,614 which is entitled “Communication device.”  ITOM alleged infringement through use of various third-party chipsets in unspecified products and/or systems.  A joint motion to dismiss Hughes Network Systems, LLC was granted on July 13, 2012.

 

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Technology Development and Licensing L.L.C.

 

On January 22, 2009, Technology Development and Licensing L.L.C. (“TDL”) filed suit against us and DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging infringement of United States Patent No. Re. 35,952, which relates to certain favorite channel features.  TDL is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  In July 2009, the Court granted our motion to stay the case pending two reexamination petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

TQP Development, LLC

 

On October 11, 2012, TQP Development LLC (“TQP”) filed suit against our indirectly wholly owned subsidiary Sling Media, Inc. in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 5,412,730, which is entitled “Encrypted Data Transmission System Employing Means for Randomly Altering the Encryption Keys.”  TQP is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Vigilos, LLC

 

On February 23, 2011, Vigilos, LLC (“Vigilos”) filed suit against us, two of our subsidiaries, Sling Media, Inc. and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., and Monsoon Multimedia, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,839,731, which is entitled “System and Method for Providing Data Communication in a Device Network.”  Subsequently in 2011, Vigilos added DISH Network L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH Network, as a defendant in its First Amended Complaint and the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.  Later in 2011, Vigilos filed a Second Amended Complaint that added claims for infringement of a second patent, United States Patent No. 7,370,074, which is entitled “System and Method for Implementing Open-Protocol Remote Device Control.” Vigilos is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Other

 

In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business.  In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity, though the outcomes could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

 

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Item 1A.   RISK FACTORS

 

Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors.  The information presented below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2011.

 

We currently derive a substantial portion of our revenue from our two primary customers, DISH Network and Bell TV.  The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders from, or a decrease in selling prices of digital set-top boxes, transponder leasing, provision of digital broadcast services and/or other products or services to DISH Network or Bell TV would significantly reduce our revenue and adversely impact our results of operations.

 

DISH Network accounted for 59.9%, 82.5% and 81.3% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Bell TV accounted for 7.9%, 8.6% and 10.5% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Any reduction in sales to DISH Network or Bell TV or in the prices they pay for the products and services they purchase from us could have a significant negative impact on our business.  In addition, because a significant portion of our revenue is derived from DISH Network and Bell TV, our success also depends to a significant degree on the continued success of DISH Network and Bell TV in attracting new subscribers and in marketing programming packages and other services and features to subscribers that will require the purchase of new digital set-top boxes, and in particular, new digital set-top boxes at the high-end of our product range that incorporate high-definition, multiple tuners and other advanced technology.  If DISH Network’s gross subscriber additions are adversely affected by the sustained economic weakness in the U.S. or for any other reason, we may experience a decline in our sales of digital set-top boxes to DISH Network.  This decrease could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.  As disclosed by DISH Network in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, in May, 2012, Fox Broadcasting Company, Twentieth Century Fox Film Cop. and Fox Television Holdings, Inc. filed a lawsuit against DISH Network Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, DISH Network, L.L.C., in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that certain services provided by DISH Network, including Sling functionality infringe their copyrights and breach their carriage contracts.  An adverse decision against DISH Network could decrease the number of Sling enabled set-top boxes we sell to DISH Network which could have an adverse impact on the business operations of our EchoStar Technologies segment.  In addition, to the extent that DISH Network experiences fewer gross new subscriber additions, sales of our digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network may further decline, which in turn could have a further material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

 

In addition, the timing of orders for digital set-top boxes from these two customers could vary significantly depending on equipment promotions these customers offer to their subscribers, changes in technology, and their use of remanufactured digital set-top boxes, which may cause our revenue to vary significantly quarter over quarter and could expose us to the risks of inventory shortages or excess inventory.  These inventory risks are particularly acute during product end-of-life transitions in which a new generation of digital set-top boxes is being deployed and inventory of older generation digital set-top boxes is at a higher risk of obsolescence.  This in turn could cause our operating results to fluctuate significantly.  Furthermore, because of the maturing and competitive nature of the digital set-top box business, the limited number of potential new customers and the short-term nature of our purchase orders with DISH Network and Bell TV, we could in the future experience downward pricing pressure on our digital set-top boxes to DISH Network or Bell TV, which in turn would adversely affect our gross margins and profitability.

 

DISH Network is currently our primary customer of digital set-top boxes and digital broadcast operation services.  These products and services are provided pursuant to contracts that expire on December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  Thereafter, if we are unable to extend those contracts on similar terms with DISH Network, or if we are otherwise unable to obtain acceptable replacement contracts from third parties following a termination by DISH Network, there could be a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.

 

There are a relatively small number of potential new customers for our digital set-top boxes, satellite services and digital broadcast operations, and we expect this customer concentration to continue for the foreseeable future.  Therefore, our operating results will likely continue to depend on sales to a relatively small number of customers, as well as the continued success of these customers.  In addition, we may from time to time enter into customer agreements providing for exclusivity periods during which we may sell a specified product only to that customer.  If we

 

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do not develop relationships with new customers, we may not be able to expand our customer base or maintain or increase our revenue.

 

Historically, many of our potential customers have perceived us as a competitor due to our affiliation with DISH Network.  There can be no assurance that we will be successful in entering into any commercial relationships with potential customers who are competitors of DISH Network (particularly if we continue to be perceived as affiliated with DISH Network as a result of common ownership and certain shared management services).

 

Item 2.   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

There were no repurchases of our Class A common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Item 6.         EXHIBITS

 

(a)         Exhibits.

 

31.1 (H)

 

Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

31.2 (H)

 

Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

32.1 (H)

 

Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

101 (H)

 

The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, filed on November 6, 2012, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (iv) related notes to these financial statements.

 


(H)          Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

 

(Duly Authorized Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kenneth G. Carroll

 

 

Kenneth G. Carroll

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Date:  November 6, 2012

 

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