Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x

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

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013.

 

OR

 

o

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.  (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting

 

 

 

 

(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)

 

company o

 

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 6, 2013, the Registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of 42,460,766 shares of Class A common stock and 47,687,039 shares of Class B common stock.

 

 

 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

i

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2012

1

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (Unaudited)

2

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (Unaudited)

3

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

4

Item 2.

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

34

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

58

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

60

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

61

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

66

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

66

Item 3.

Defaults upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

None

Item 5.

Other Information

None

Item 6.

Exhibits

67

Signatures

68

 



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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 to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.

 

For further discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

General Risks Affecting Our Business

 

·                  We currently derive a significant portion of our revenue from our primary customer, DISH Network Corporation (“DISH Network”).  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 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.

 

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

 

·                  The digital set-top box industry is extremely competitive.  We expect to continue to face competition from new market entrants.

 

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

 

·                  The network communications market is highly competitive.  We may be unsuccessful in competing effectively against other terrestrial and satellite broadband and network providers.

 

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

 

·                  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.

 

·                  We may 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 this capacity to third parties.

 

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

 

·                  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.

 

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

 

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

 

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·                  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 able to generate cash to meet our debt service needs or fund our operations.

 

·                  Covenants in Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation’s (“HSS”) indentures restrict its business in many ways.

 

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

 

Risks Related to Our Satellites

 

·                  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.

 

·                  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.

 

·                  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.

 

Risks Related to Our Products and Technology

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

·                  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.

 

·                  We rely on network and information systems and other technologies and a disruption, cyber attack, failure or destruction of such networks, systems or technologies may disrupt or harm our business.

 

·                  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.

 

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Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business

 

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

 

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

 

·                  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.

 

·                  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.

 

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

 

Other Risks

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

·                  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.

 

·                  Although we expect that the acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries will benefit us, those expected benefits may not occur because of the complexity of integration and other challenges.

 

·                  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 and uncertainties 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.

 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

821,356

 

$

731,614

 

Marketable investment securities

 

887,628

 

815,951

 

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,806 and $16,894, respectively

 

165,255

 

211,373

 

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

 

336,164

 

281,845

 

Inventory

 

73,567

 

84,348

 

Deferred tax assets

 

20,583

 

23,317

 

Other current assets

 

70,552

 

66,201

 

Total current assets

 

2,375,105

 

2,214,649

 

Noncurrent Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and marketable investment securities

 

14,951

 

29,045

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,410,412 and $2,261,699, respectively

 

2,529,575

 

2,612,284

 

Regulatory authorizations

 

536,770

 

562,712

 

Goodwill

 

507,924

 

507,924

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

283,403

 

347,496

 

Other investments

 

168,894

 

183,211

 

Other noncurrent assets, net

 

247,837

 

142,912

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

4,289,354

 

4,385,584

 

Total assets

 

$

6,664,459

 

$

6,600,233

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

$

242,022

 

$

284,728

 

Trade accounts payable - DISH Network

 

32,907

 

26,960

 

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

68,662

 

67,706

 

Deferred revenue and other

 

47,279

 

47,652

 

Accrued interest

 

42,500

 

6,775

 

Accrued compensation

 

31,409

 

29,008

 

Accrued royalties

 

20,389

 

18,034

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

93,294

 

106,462

 

Total current liabilities

 

578,462

 

587,325

 

Noncurrent Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

2,364,121

 

2,420,793

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

440,388

 

373,447

 

Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities

 

89,697

 

68,441

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

2,894,206

 

2,862,681

 

Total liabilities

 

3,472,668

 

3,450,006

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

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, 47,918,385 and 45,449,362 shares issued, and 42,386,067 and 39,917,044 shares outstanding, respectively

 

48

 

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

 

3,473,099

 

3,394,646

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”)

 

(15,248

)

18,752

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(176,420

)

(174,439

)

Treasury stock, at cost

 

(98,162

)

(98,162

)

Total EchoStar stockholders’ equity

 

3,183,365

 

3,140,890

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

8,426

 

9,337

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

3,191,791

 

3,150,227

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

6,664,459

 

$

6,600,233

 

 

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

 

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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,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

$

360,744

 

$

256,935

 

$

1,003,612

 

$

748,650

 

Equipment revenue - other

 

77,084

 

143,764

 

270,049

 

487,097

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

163,067

 

129,842

 

457,055

 

387,479

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

248,013

 

234,180

 

743,649

 

712,279

 

Total revenue

 

848,908

 

764,721

 

2,474,365

 

2,335,505

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

378,665

 

342,230

 

1,097,557

 

1,046,423

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

203,268

 

175,346

 

571,892

 

513,208

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

84,071

 

93,871

 

268,088

 

282,357

 

General and administrative expenses - DISH Network

 

228

 

1,168

 

773

 

4,406

 

Research and development expenses

 

17,030

 

17,448

 

50,878

 

50,416

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

124,742

 

110,778

 

379,585

 

339,472

 

Impairment of long-lived asset

 

 

 

34,664

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

808,004

 

740,841

 

2,403,437

 

2,236,282

 

Operating income

 

40,904

 

23,880

 

70,928

 

99,223

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2,982

 

2,697

 

6,941

 

8,864

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(47,713

)

(33,840

)

(145,485

)

(109,258

)

Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments (includes reclassification of realized gains on available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities out of AOCI of $1,754, $19,088, $36,252, and $147,093, respectively), net

 

1,754

 

21,216

 

39,184

 

149,443

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net

 

726

 

(1,003

)

(5,656

)

5,029

 

Other, net

 

295

 

8,910

 

5,423

 

30,215

 

Total other income (expense), net

 

(41,956

)

(2,020

)

(99,593

)

84,293

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(1,052

)

21,860

 

(28,665

)

183,516

 

Income tax benefit, net

 

5,689

 

409

 

27,217

 

704

 

Net income (loss)

 

4,637

 

22,269

 

(1,448

)

184,220

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

317

 

(285

)

533

 

(604

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

4,320

 

$

22,554

 

$

(1,981

)

$

184,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

89,868

 

87,279

 

89,081

 

87,031

 

Diluted

 

91,266

 

87,998

 

89,081

 

87,752

 

Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.26

 

$

(0.02

)

$

2.12

 

Diluted

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.26

 

$

(0.02

)

$

2.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

4,637

 

$

22,269

 

$

(1,448

)

$

184,220

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

(1,232

)

2,868

 

(12,541

)

(667

)

Unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities and other

 

(848

)

6,536

 

13,816

 

42,318

 

Recognition of previously unrealized gains on AFS securities in net income (loss)

 

(1,754

)

(19,088

)

(36,252

)

(147,093

)

Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

(3,834

)

(9,684

)

(34,977

)

(105,442

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

803

 

12,585

 

(36,425

)

78,778

 

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(36

)

192

 

(444

)

(235

)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

839

 

$

12,393

 

$

(35,981

)

$

79,013

 

 

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,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1,448

)

$

184,220

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

379,585

 

339,472

 

Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net

 

(39,184

)

(149,443

)

Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net

 

5,656

 

(5,029

)

Impairment of long-lived asset

 

34,664

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

13,988

 

14,361

 

Deferred tax benefit

 

(32,823

)

(3,153

)

Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net

 

19,972

 

(32,948

)

Changes in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net

 

(11,866

)

(7,079

)

Other, net

 

22,800

 

9,940

 

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

391,344

 

350,341

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable investment securities

 

(745,822

)

(698,738

)

Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities

 

680,789

 

929,179

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(264,843

)

(371,385

)

Changes in restricted cash and marketable investment securities

 

14,094

 

(2,582

)

Acquisition of regulatory authorizations

 

 

(82,477

)

Transfer of regulatory authorization to DISH Network

 

23,148

 

 

Purchase of strategic investments included in other investment securities

 

(7,357

)

(954

)

Other, net

 

(9,245

)

(3,215

)

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(309,236

)

(230,172

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

59,375

 

10,022

 

Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

(56,413

)

(49,654

)

Other

 

1,339

 

(545

)

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

4,301

 

(40,177

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

3,333

 

437

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

89,742

 

80,429

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

731,614

 

614,035

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

821,356

 

$

694,464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)

 

$

110,456

 

$

110,131

 

Capitalized interest

 

$

1,727

 

$

39,637

 

Cash received for interest

 

$

20,922

 

$

22,551

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

9,747

 

$

12,602

 

Cash received for income taxes

 

$

24,108

 

$

3,848

 

Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock

 

$

4,761

 

$

4,282

 

Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations

 

$

5,219

 

$

30,263

 

Capitalized in-orbit incentive obligations

 

$

18,000

 

$

24,950

 

Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-16

 

$

6,694

 

$

12,599

 

Changes in capital expenditures included in accounts payable

 

$

10,947

 

$

(30,767

)

Regulatory authorization 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

 

EchoStar Corporation (together with its subsidiaries is referred to as “EchoStar,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) is a holding company that was organized in October 2007 as a corporation under the laws of the State of Nevada.  In 2008, DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries (“DISH Network”) contributed their digital set-top box business and certain infrastructure and other assets, including certain of their satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real estate, and other assets and related liabilities to us (the “Spin-off”).  Since the Spin-off, EchoStar 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, and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.  Our Class A common stock is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SATS.”  We are a global provider of satellite operations, video delivery solutions, and broadband satellite technologies and services for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments.

 

We currently operate in three business segments.

 

·                  EchoStar Technologies — which designs, develops and distributes digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers, telecommunication and international cable companies.  In addition, we provide our Slingboxes directly to consumers via retail outlets and we are in discussions with original equipment manufacturers to provide our Sling technology licensing to cable and telco operators worldwide.  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.

 

·                  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.

 

·                  EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses certain of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related 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”), a joint venture we entered into in 2008, United States government service providers, state agencies, internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers, and private enterprise customers.

 

Note 2.                     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated 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 not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements prepared in accordance with 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, 2012.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling interest 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 the 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 accordance with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the 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, amortization periods of deferred revenue and deferred subscriber acquisition costs, percentage-of-completion related to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowances for sales returns and 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 our stock-based compensation, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, lease classifications, asset impairments, useful lives and amortization methods 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 relevant 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 utilize the highest level of inputs available according to 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

 

·                  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.

 

Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are considered to occur at the beginning of the quarterly accounting period.  There were no transfers between levels for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.

 

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, 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.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Fair values of our current marketable investment securities are based on a variety of observable market inputs.  For our investments in publicly traded equity securities, fair value ordinarily is determined based on a Level 1 measurement that reflects quoted prices for identical securities in active markets.  Fair values of our investments in marketable debt securities generally are based on Level 2 measurements as the markets for debt securities are less active.  Trades of identical debt securities on or near the measurement date are considered a strong indication of fair value.  Matrix pricing techniques that consider par value, coupon rate, credit quality, maturity and other relevant features also may be used to determine fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities.

 

Fair values for our publicly traded long-term debt are based on quoted market prices in less active markets and are categorized as Level 2 measurements.  The fair values of our privately held debt are Level 2 measurements and are estimated to approximate their carrying amounts based on the proximity of their interest rates to current market rates.  See Note 10 for the fair value of our long-term debt.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair values of our orbital incentive obligations, based on measurements categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, approximated their carrying amounts of $47.8 million and $30.0 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.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02 amending the presentation guidance on the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  ASU No. 2013-02 requires entities to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the respective line items either on the face of the statements of operations or in the notes to the financial statements.  ASU No. 2013-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012.  The adoption of ASU No. 2013-02 on January 1, 2013 did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.  The presentation of our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) reflects the disclosure required by ASU No. 2013-02.

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11 amending requirements for the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists.  ASU No. 2013-11 requires entities to present in the financial statements an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward except to the extent such items are not available or not intended to be used at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position.  In such instances, the unrecognized tax benefit is required to be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not be combined with deferred tax assets.  ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013.  We do not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2013-11 to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

Note 3.                     Earnings 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 during the period.  The calculation of our diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding excluded (i) underlying options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock as their effect is anti-dilutive of 1.9 million and 4.5 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 4.0 thousand and 5.0 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and (ii) our Class A common stock that are contingently issuable based upon meeting a company-specific goal by March 31, 2015 pursuant to our performance based stock incentive plan, which was not probable of being achieved as of September 30, 2013 of 0.7 million and 0.7 million shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

The following table presents basic and diluted EPS amounts for all periods and the corresponding weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculations.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

4,320

 

$

22,554

 

$

(1,981

)

$

184,824

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

89,868

 

87,279

 

89,081

 

87,031

 

Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding

 

1,398

 

719

 

 

721

 

Diluted

 

91,266

 

87,998

 

89,081

 

87,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.26

 

$

(0.02

)

$

2.12

 

Diluted

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.26

 

$

(0.02

)

$

2.11

 

 

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 because such 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.                     Investment Securities

 

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

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Marketable investment securities—current:

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

765,006

 

$

654,096

 

VRDNs

 

50,770

 

66,145

 

Strategic

 

28,435

 

56,288

 

Other

 

43,417

 

39,422

 

Total marketable investment securities—current

 

887,628

 

815,951

 

Restricted marketable investment securities (1)

 

5,951

 

7,529

 

Total

 

893,579

 

823,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)

 

9,000

 

21,516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other investments—noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

Cost method

 

25,977

 

27,711

 

Equity method

 

142,917

 

155,500

 

Total other investments—noncurrent

 

168,894

 

183,211

 

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

 

$

1,071,473

 

$

1,028,207

 

 


(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.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Marketable Investment Securities

 

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

 

Corporate bonds

 

Our corporate bond portfolio includes debt instruments issued by individual corporations, primarily in the industrial and financial services industries.

 

Variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”)

 

VRDNs are long-term floating rate 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 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 government bonds.

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our restricted marketable investment securities, together with our restricted cash, included amounts required as collateral for our letters of credit or surety bonds.

 

Other Investments - 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.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities

 

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

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Cost

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

As of September 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

764,896

 

$

327

 

$

(217

)

$

765,006

 

VRDNs

 

50,770

 

 

 

50,770

 

Other (including restricted)

 

49,375

 

4

 

(11

)

49,368

 

Equity securities - strategic

 

15,272

 

13,500

 

(337

)

28,435

 

Total marketable investment securities

 

$

880,313

 

$

13,831

 

$

(565

)

$

893,579

 

As of December 31, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

653,812

 

$

591

 

$

(307

)

$

654,096

 

VRDNs

 

66,145

 

 

 

66,145

 

Other (including restricted)

 

46,946

 

5

 

 

46,951

 

Equity securities - strategic

 

21,214

 

35,074

 

 

56,288

 

Total marketable investment securities

 

$

788,117

 

$

35,670

 

$

(307

)

$

823,480

 

 

As of September 30, 2013, our restricted and non-restricted marketable investment securities included debt securities of $731.7 million with contractual maturities of one year or less and $133.4 million with contractual maturities greater than one year.  We may realize proceeds from certain investments prior to their 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 securities have been in an unrealized loss position.  We do not intend to sell these securities before they recover or mature, and it is more likely than not that we will hold these securities until they recover or mature.  In addition, we are not aware of any specific factors indicating that the underlying issuers of these 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 securities are primarily related to temporary market fluctuations.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Unrealized
Losses

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Less than 12 months

 

$

256,380

 

$

(517

)

$

275,587

 

$

(288

)

12 months or more

 

54,907

 

(48

)

12,963

 

(19

)

Total

 

$

311,287

 

$

(565

)

$

288,550

 

$

(307

)

 

Realized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities

 

We recognized gains from the sales of our marketable investment securities of $1.8 million and $19.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $36.3 million and $147.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  We recognized minimal losses from the sales of our marketable investment securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

Proceeds from sales of our marketable investment securities totaled $47.4 million and $49.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $142.7 million and $499.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Our current marketable investment securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as summarized in the table below.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we did not have investments that were categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash equivalents (including restricted)

 

$

680,320

 

$

48,234

 

$

632,086

 

$

533,943

 

$

23,621

 

$

510,322

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

$

765,006

 

$

 

$

765,006

 

$

654,096

 

$

 

$

654,096

 

VRDNs

 

50,770

 

 

50,770

 

66,145

 

 

66,145

 

Other (including restricted)

 

49,368

 

 

49,368

 

46,951

 

 

46,951

 

Equity securities - strategic

 

28,435

 

28,435

 

 

56,288

 

56,288

 

 

Total marketable investment securities

 

$

893,579

 

$

28,435

 

$

865,144

 

$

823,480

 

$

56,288

 

$

767,192

 

 

Investments 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, $50.0 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.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had no investment in TerreStar.

 

Note 6.                     Trade Accounts Receivable

 

Our trade accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

$

167,626

 

$

188,463

 

Contracts in process, net

 

12,435

 

39,804

 

Total trade accounts receivable

 

180,061

 

228,267

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(14,806

)

(16,894

)

Total trade accounts receivable, net

 

$

165,255

 

$

211,373

 

 

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, progress billings offset against contracts in process amounted to $6.3 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Note 7.                     Inventory

 

Our inventory consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Finished goods

 

$

51,835

 

$

57,540

 

Raw materials

 

13,782

 

19,041

 

Work-in-process

 

7,950

 

7,767

 

Total inventory

 

$

73,567

 

$

84,348

 

 

Note 8.                     Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Depreciable

 

As of

 

 

 

Life

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

(In Years)

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Land

 

 

$

42,849

 

$

42,312

 

Buildings and improvements

 

1-40

 

375,322

 

363,338

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other

 

1-12

 

1,146,020

 

1,064,071

 

Customer rental equipment

 

1-5

 

338,181

 

251,708

 

Satellites - owned (1) 

 

10-15

 

1,949,040

 

1,762,264

 

Satellites acquired under capital leases

 

10-15

 

935,104

 

935,104

 

Construction in progress

 

 

153,471

 

455,186

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

 

4,939,987

 

4,873,983

 

Accumulated depreciation (1)

 

 

 

(2,410,412

)

(2,261,699

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

$

2,529,575

 

$

2,612,284

 

 


(1)         Balances previously reported as of December 31, 2012 have been reduced to exclude a fully-depreciated satellite that was retired from commercial service prior to December 31, 2012.

 

“Construction in progress” consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Progress amounts for satellite construction, including certain amounts prepaid under satellite service agreements and launch costs:

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar XIX

 

$

65,101

 

$

9,325

 

TerreStar-2

 

10,317

 

 

EchoStar XVI

 

 

345,090

 

Other

 

28,153

 

25,710

 

Uplinking equipment

 

22,366

 

37,264

 

Other

 

27,534

 

37,797

 

Construction in progress

 

$

153,471

 

$

455,186

 

 

11



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Depreciation expense associated with our property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Satellites

 

$

43,722

 

$

35,443

 

$

136,795

 

$

109,561

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other

 

31,323

 

28,638

 

96,094

 

90,877

 

Customer rental equipment

 

24,611

 

20,123

 

71,691

 

58,414

 

Buildings and improvements

 

3,343

 

3,195

 

10,024

 

9,595

 

Total depreciation expense

 

$

102,999

 

$

87,399

 

$

314,604

 

$

268,447

 

 

Satellites

 

As of September 30, 2013, we utilized 12 of our owned and leased satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator.  Four of our satellites are accounted for as capital leases and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the terms of the satellite service agreements.  We depreciate our owned satellites on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each satellite.

 

Recent Developments

 

EchoStar VI and VIII.  DISH Network leases satellite capacity from us on certain of our satellites.  The leases for the EchoStar VI and VIII satellites expired in accordance with their terms in the first quarter of 2013.  DISH Network no longer leases capacity from us on the EchoStar VI satellite; however, in May 2013 DISH Network began leasing capacity from us on EchoStar VIII as an in-orbit spare.  Subject to certain terms and conditions, this lease expires on February 1, 2014.  EchoStar VI was fully depreciated in August 2012.

 

EchoStar XVI.  In November 2012, we launched the EchoStar XVI satellite, a direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”).  EchoStar XVI is leased to DISH Network for the delivery of direct-to-home (“DTH”) broadcast services to DISH Network customers in the United States.  We began to lease capacity on EchoStar XVI to DISH Network in January 2013.

 

EchoStar XIX.  In March 2013, we entered into a contract for the design and construction of the EchoStar XIX satellite, which is expected to be launched in mid-2016.  EchoStar XIX is our next-generation, high throughput geostationary satellite that will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for our broadband services to the consumer market in North America.

 

TerreStar-2.  In August 2013, we and DISH Network entered into a development agreement (“T2 Development Agreement”) with respect to the TerreStar-2 (“T2”) satellite under which we will reimburse DISH Network for amounts it pays pursuant to an authorization to proceed with Space Systems/Loral, LLC in connection with the construction of the T2 satellite.  In exchange, DISH Network granted us a right of first refusal and right of first offer to purchase the T2 satellite during the term of the T2 Development Agreement.  In addition, under certain circumstances, we have a right to receive a portion of the sale proceeds in the event T2 is sold to a third party during or following the term of the T2 Development Agreement.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

Satellite Anomalies

 

Certain of our satellites have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on their remaining useful lives and/or commercial operations.  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.  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 generally do not carry in-orbit insurance on our satellites; therefore, we generally bear the risk of any uninsured in-orbit failures.  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 and in-orbit insurance for SPACEWAY 3, EchoStar XVI, and EchoStar XVII.  The recent satellite anomalies that affected certain of our satellites are discussed below.

 

Owned Satellites

 

EchoStar III.  EchoStar III was originally designed to operate a maximum of 32 DBS transponders in a mode that provides service to the entire continental United States (“CONUS”).  As a result of the failure of traveling wave tube amplifiers (“TWTAs”) in previous years, including the most recent failures in February 2013 and April 2013, only six transponders are currently available for use.  It is likely that additional TWTA failures will occur from time to time in the future and such failures could further impact commercial operation of the satellite.  EchoStar III was fully depreciated in 2009.

 

Leased Satellites

 

Pursuant to our satellite lease agreements, we are entitled to a reduction in our monthly recurring lease payments in the event of a partial loss of satellite capacity, which ordinarily results in a corresponding reduction in the related capital lease obligation and the carrying amount of the respective satellite.

 

AMC-16.  As a result of prior period depreciation and adjustments associated with satellite anomalies, the net carrying amount of AMC-16 was reduced to zero as of December 31, 2010.  Therefore, subsequent reductions in our recurring lease payments are recognized as gains in “Other, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  In each of February 2012, April 2012, and November 2012, AMC-16 experienced a solar-power anomaly, which caused a partial loss of satellite capacity.  Accordingly, we reduced our capital lease obligation for AMC-16 and recognized corresponding gains of $4.7 million in the second quarter of 2012, $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2012, and $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2013.  There can be no assurance that the existing anomalies or any future anomalies will not reduce AMC-16’s useful life or further impact its commercial operations.

 

Satellite Impairments

 

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.  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 necessarily considered to be significant events that would require a test of recoverability.

 

EchoStar XII.  Prior to 2012, EchoStar XII experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of electrical power available from its solar arrays, which reduced the number of transponders that could be operated.  In September 2012, November 2012, and January 2013, EchoStar XII experienced additional solar array anomalies, which further reduced electrical power available.  Our ongoing engineering analysis, completed in consultation with the satellite manufacturer, has indicated that further loss of available electrical power and resulting capacity loss is likely.  The satellite is currently leased to DISH Network pursuant to an agreement that entitles DISH Network to a reduction in

 

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(Unaudited)

 

its monthly recurring lease payments in the event of a partial loss of satellite capacity or complete failure of the satellite.  In the second quarter of 2013, we determined that the undiscounted cash flows from DISH Network were not likely to be sufficient to recover the carrying amount of the satellite.  Consequently, in the second quarter of 2013, we recognized a $34.7 million impairment loss within our EchoStar Satellite Services segment to reduce the carrying amount of the satellite to its estimated fair value of $11.3 million as of June 30, 2013.  Our fair value estimate was determined using probability weighted discounted cash flow techniques and is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  Our estimate included significant unobservable inputs related to predicted electrical power levels and the number of billable transponders that can be supported by predicted available power.  In connection with our impairment analysis, we revised our estimate of the useful life of the satellite.  Effective July 2013, the $11.3 million adjusted carrying amount of EchoStar XII is depreciated on a straight-line basis over its then remaining estimated useful life of 18 months.

 

Note 9.                     Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill is assigned to reporting units of our operating segments and is subject to impairment testing annually or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be less than its carrying amount.  As of September 30, 2013, approximately $504.2 million of our goodwill is assigned to the Hughes segment.  We applied a qualitative assessment in our annual impairment testing of goodwill assigned to reporting units of the Hughes segment as of April 1, 2013.  Based on our assessment as of that date, we determined that no further testing of goodwill for impairment was necessary as it was not more likely than not that the fair values of the Hughes segment reporting units were less than the corresponding carrying amounts.

 

Regulatory Authorizations

 

In June 2013 we entered into an agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which we conveyed to DISH Network certain of our rights under a Canadian regulatory authorization to develop certain spectrum rights at the 103 degree west longitude orbital location, which we acquired in 2012.  In the third quarter of 2013, we received $23.1 million from DISH Network in exchange for these rights.  In accordance with accounting principles that apply to transfers of assets between companies under common control, we did not recognize any gain on this transaction.  Rather, we increased our additional paid-in capital to reflect the excess of the cash payment over the carrying amount of the derecognized intangible asset, net of related income taxes.

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

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

 

 

 

Weighted

 

As of

 

 

 

Average

 

September 30, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Useful life

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

Carrying

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

Carrying

 

 

 

(in Years)

 

Cost

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Cost

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Customer relationships

 

8

 

$

293,932

 

$

(142,962

)

$

150,970

 

$

293,932

 

$

(113,906

)

$

180,026

 

Contract-based

 

10

 

255,366

 

(198,161

)

57,205

 

255,366

 

(178,138

)

77,228

 

Technology-based

 

7

 

126,272

 

(79,240

)

47,032

 

126,387

 

(66,338

)

60,049

 

Trademark portfolio

 

20

 

29,700

 

(3,465

)

26,235

 

29,700

 

(2,351

)

27,349

 

Favorable leases

 

4

 

4,707

 

(2,746

)

1,961

 

4,707

 

(1,863

)

2,844

 

Total other intangible assets

 

 

 

$

709,977

 

$

(426,574

)

$

283,403

 

$

710,092

 

$

(362,596

)

$

347,496

 

 

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(Unaudited)

 

Customer relationships are amortized predominantly in relation to the estimated cash flows over the life of the intangible asset.  Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods the assets are expected to contribute to our cash flows.  Our total amortization expense was $21.7 million and $23.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $65.0 million and $71.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Note 10.              Debt

 

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

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

September 30, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

 

 

Amount

 

Value

 

Amount

 

Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

$

1,100,000

 

$

1,168,750

 

$

1,100,000

 

$

1,210,000

 

7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

900,000

 

972,000

 

900,000

 

1,026,450

 

Other

 

1,452

 

1,452

 

2,041

 

2,041

 

Subtotal

 

2,001,452

 

$

2,142,202

 

2,002,041

 

$

2,238,491

 

Capital lease obligations (1)

 

431,331

 

 

 

486,458

 

 

 

Total debt and capital lease obligations

 

2,432,783

 

 

 

2,488,499

 

 

 

Less: Current portion

 

(68,662

)

 

 

(67,706

)

 

 

Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations

 

$

2,364,121

 

 

 

$

2,420,793

 

 

 

 


(1) Disclosure regarding the fair value of capital lease obligations 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 11.              Income Taxes

 

Our tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period.  Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if our estimated tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment.

 

Our quarterly tax provision, and our quarterly estimate of our annual effective tax rate, is subject to significant volatility due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting our pre-tax and taxable income and loss and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, income and losses from investments, changes in laws and relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized.  Additionally, our effective tax rate can be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income.  For example, the impact of discrete items and non-deductible expenses on our effective tax rate is greater when our pre-tax income is lower.

 

Income tax benefit totaled approximately $27.2 million and $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Our effective income tax rate was 94.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to (0.4%) for the same period in 2012.  The variation in our current year effective tax rate from a U.S. federal statutory rate for the current period was primarily due to the release of our valuation allowance associated with capital loss carryforwards in conjunction with the sale of certain of our capital investments, higher state effective tax rates due to geographic distribution of income, current year research and experimentation credits, and reinstatement of the research and experimentation tax credit for 2012, as provided by the American Taxpayer Relief Act enacted on January 2, 2013.  For the same period in 2012, the variation from a U.S. federal statutory rate was primarily attributable to the release of our valuation allowance associated with the sale of certain of our capital investments.  In addition, significant fluctuation in the effective tax rate from a U.S. federal statutory rate resulted from our pre-tax losses in the current year.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

The IRS has completed its audit of the Company’s federal income tax return for calendar year 2008.  We may be subject to examination by the IRS for all years thereafter.  The completion of the audit did not have a material effect on our income tax benefit or our estimated effective tax rate for calendar year 2013.

 

Note 12.              Stock-Based Compensation

 

We maintain stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees.  Stock awards under these plans include both performance based and non-performance based stock incentives.  We granted 450,000 and 1.2 million stock options to our employees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively and 55,000 and 356,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

 

Our stock-based compensation expense was recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as follows:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Research and development expenses

 

$

798

 

$

697

 

$

2,647

 

$

2,564

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

3,138

 

3,051

 

11,341

 

11,797

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

3,936

 

$

3,748

 

$

13,988

 

$

14,361

 

 

As of September 30, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, net of estimated forfeiture, related to our non-performance based unvested stock awards was $37.7 million, which included stock-based compensation expense related to DISH Network stock awards granted to our employees prior to the Spin-off.

 

Note 13.              Commitments and Contingencies

 

Commitments

 

As of September 30, 2013, our satellite-related obligations were approximately $955.1 million.  Our satellite-related obligations include, among other things, costs relating to our capital lease satellites, transponder service agreements, launch contracts, in-orbit incentives, the design and construction of EchoStar XIX, the construction of T2, and the lease of EchoStar XV.

 

In November 2012, we entered into a launch services agreement with Arianespace, SA (“Ariane”).  On September 30, 2013, we designated DISH Network to receive certain launch services from Ariane under this agreement.  During the fourth quarter 2013, DISH Network reimbursed us for costs previously incurred under the agreement with Ariane prior to the designation of DISH Network.  As a result of this arrangement, our satellite related obligations were reduced by approximately $100.0 million as of September 30, 2013.

 

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.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

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.

 

California Institute of Technology

 

On October 1, 2013, the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”) filed suit against two of our indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Hughes Communications, Inc. and Hughes Network Systems, LLC, as well as against DISH Network Corporation, DISH Network L.L.C., and dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C., in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 7,116,710; 7,421,032; 7,916,781; and 8,284,833, each of which is entitled “Serial Concatenation of Interleaved Convolutional Codes forming Turbo-Like Codes.”  Caltech appears to assert that encoding data as specified by the DVB-S2 standard used by our Hughes segment, infringes each of the asserted patents.

 

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 our consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

CreateAds, LLC

 

On February 7, 2013, CreateAds, LLC (“CreateAds”) filed suit against Hughes Network Systems, LLC, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 5,535,320, which is entitled “Method of Generating a Visual Design.”  CreateAds appears to assert that some portion of HughesNet web design services infringes its patent.

 

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 our consumers.  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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(Unaudited)

 

E-Contact Technologies, LLC

 

On February 22, 2012, E-Contact Technologies, LLC (“E-Contact”) filed suit against two of our indirect wholly-owned 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 appeared to assert that some portion of HughesNet email services infringed that patent.  On April 17, 2013, the Court ordered E-Contact to show cause as to why the case should not be dismissed in light of a number of E-Contact’s patent claims being invalidated in an associated case, E-Contact Technologies, Inc. v. Apple, Inc. et al., 1:11-cv-432 (E.D. Tex.).  On April 22, 2013, the Court granted a stipulated motion that dismissed with prejudice E-Contact’s claims against us.

 

Harbinger Capital Partners, LLC, et al.

 

On August 6, 2013, Harbinger Capital Partners, LLC, HGW US Holdings Company LP, Blue Line DZM Corp., and Harbinger Capital Partners SP, Inc. (collectively “Harbinger”), the majority and controlling shareholders of LightSquared, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“LightSquared”), filed an adversary proceeding against EchoStar Corporation, as well as against Charles W. Ergen, DISH Network Corporation, L-Band Acquisition, LLC (“LBAC”), SP Special Opportunities LLC (“SPSO”), SP Special Opportunities Holdings LLC, Sound Point Capital Management LP, and Stephen Ketchum.  The adversary proceeding was filed in the LightSquared bankruptcy cases pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, which cases are jointly administered under the caption In re LightSquared Inc., et al., Case No. 12-12080 (SCC).  Harbinger filed an amended complaint on August 30, 2013.  Harbinger has alleged, among other things, claims based on fraud, unfair competition, civil conspiracy and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage related to certain purchases of LightSquared secured debt by SPSO, an entity controlled by Mr. Ergen.  LightSquared has intervened to join in certain claims alleged against certain defendants other than us, LBAC and DISH Network Corporation.  Harbinger has alleged damages in excess of $4.0 billion.

 

On October 29, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court dismissed all of Harbinger’s claims in the action in their entirety.  The Bankruptcy Court Judge granted leave for LightSquared to file an amended pleading solely related to certain contract and other related claims under the credit agreement pursuant to which SPSO made certain purchases of LightSquared secured debt and dismissed all other claims alleged by LightSquared in the action.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this proceeding and cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of this proceeding or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

The Hopper Litigation

 

On May 24, 2012, DISH Network L.L.C., filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (“ABC”), CBS Corporation (“CBS”), Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., Fox Television Holdings, Inc., Fox Cable Network Services, L.L.C. (collectively, “Fox”) and NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBC”).  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 the Hopper™ set-top boxes we design and sell to DISH Network.  A consumer can use the PrimeTime Anytime feature 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.  A consumer can use the AutoHop feature 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 placeshifting 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

 

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(Unaudited)

 

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, but remain separate cases.

 

As a result of certain parties’ competing counterclaims and 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 and contract claims regarding the NBC parties are pending in California.

 

On September 21, 2012, the United States District Court for the Central District of California heard the Fox plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Hopper set-top box’s PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features and, on November 7, 2012, entered an order denying the motion.  The Fox plaintiffs appealed and on July 24, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of the Fox plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction as to the PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features.  On August 7, 2013, the Fox plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc.  On March 27, 2013, at the request of the parties, the United States District Court for the Central District of California granted a stay of all proceedings in the action brought by the NBC plaintiffs, pending resolution of the appeal by the Fox plaintiffs.

 

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.  Additionally, the CBS plaintiffs have filed a counterclaim alleging that DISH fraudulently concealed the AutoHop feature when negotiating renewal of its CBS retransmission consent agreement.  On November 23, 2012, the ABC plaintiffs filed a motion in the New York action for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Hopper set-top box’s PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features, and on September 18, 2013, the New York court denied that motion.  The ABC plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal.  On February 21, 2013, the Fox plaintiffs filed a second motion for preliminary injunction against: (i) DISH, seeking to enjoin the Hopper Transfers™ feature in the second-generation Hopper set-top box, alleging breach of a retransmission consent agreement; and (ii) EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and DISH, seeking to enjoin the Sling placeshifting functionality in the second-generation Hopper set-top box, alleging copyright infringement by both defendants, and breach of the earlier-mentioned retransmission consent agreement by DISH.  A hearing on that motion was held on April 19, 2013 and on September 23, 2013, the Fox plaintiffs’ motion was denied.

 

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 Network.  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.

 

Nazomi Communications, Inc.

 

On February 10, 2010, Nazomi Communications, Inc. (“Nazomi”) filed suit against Sling Media, Inc. (“Sling”), our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, as well as 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.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

7,225,436 (the “436 patent”).  The 362 patent and the 436 patent relate to Java hardware acceleration.  On August 14, 2012, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, to which the case had earlier been transferred, granted Sling’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement.  Nazomi’s appeal is pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

 

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.

 

Network Acceleration Technologies, LLC

 

On November 30, 2012, Network Acceleration Technologies, LLC (“NAT”) filed suit against Hughes Network Systems, LLC, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,091,710 (the “710 patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Preventing Data Slow Down Over Asymmetric Data Transmission Links.”  NAT re-filed its case on July 19, 2013.  NAT 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, as well as an ongoing royalty obligation.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Personalized Media Communications, Inc.

 

During 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. (“PMC”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation, 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 sub licensees.  A new trial date has not yet been set.

 

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 cause 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 suit against EchoStar Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and DISH Network and its indirect 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

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  On March 27, 2013, Premier International Associates dismissed the action against us and the DISH Network defendants with prejudice, pursuant to a settlement under which we and the DISH Network defendants made an immaterial payment in exchange for a license to certain patents and patent applications.

 

Shareholder Derivative Litigation

 

On December 5, 2012, Greg Jacobi, derivatively on behalf of EchoStar Corporation, filed suit (the “Jacobi Litigation”) against Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, R. Stanton Dodge, Tom A. Ortolf, C. Michael Schroeder, Joseph P. Clayton, David K. Moskowitz, and EchoStar Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.  The complaint alleges that a March 2011 attempted grant of 1.5 million stock options to Charles Ergen breached defendants’ fiduciary duties, resulted in unjust enrichment, and constituted a waste of corporate assets.

 

On December 18, 2012, Chester County Employees’ Retirement Fund, derivatively on behalf of EchoStar Corporation, filed a suit (the “Chester County Litigation”) against Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, R. Stanton Dodge, Tom A. Ortolf, C. Michael Schroeder, Anthony M. Federico, Pradman P. Kaul, Joseph P. Clayton, and EchoStar Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.  The complaint similarly alleges that the March 2011 attempted grant of 1.5 million stock options to Charles Ergen breached defendants’ fiduciary duties, resulted in unjust enrichment, and constituted a waste of corporate assets.

 

On February 22, 2013, the Chester County Litigation was transferred to the District of Nevada, and on April 3, 2013, the Chester County Litigation was consolidated into the Jacobi Litigation.

 

Of the attempted grant of 1.5 million options to Mr. Ergen in 2011, only 800,000 were validly granted and remain outstanding.  We intend to vigorously defend these cases.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability.

 

Technology Development and Licensing, LLC

 

On January 22, 2009, Technology Development and Licensing, LLC (“TDL”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation 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 cause 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 for 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.”  On November 14, 2012, TQP filed suit in the same venue against Hughes Network Systems, LLC, our indirectly wholly owned subsidiary, alleging infringement of the same patent.  TQP is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  On July 8, 2013, the Court granted a joint motion to dismiss the claims against Sling without prejudice.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

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.

 

Other

 

In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of our 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.

 

Note 14.              Segment Reporting

 

Operating segments are business components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker(s) (“CODM”) of an enterprise.  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, primarily for satellite TV service providers, telecommunication and international cable companies.  In addition, we provide our Slingboxes directly to consumers via retail outlets and we are in discussions with original equipment manufacturers to provide our Sling technology licensing to cable and telco operators worldwide.  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.

 

·                  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.

 

·                  EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses certain of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related 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.

 

The primary measure of segment profitability that is reported regularly to our CODM is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA.  Our segment operating results do not include certain minor business activities, expenses of various corporate departments, and our centralized treasury operations, including income from our investment portfolio and interest expense on our debt.  Total assets by segment have not been reported herein because the information is not provided to our CODM on a regular basis.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, transactions between segments were not significant.

 

The following tables present revenue, capital expenditures, and EBITDA for each of our operating segments and reconciles total consolidated EBITDA to reported “Income (loss) before income taxes” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

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(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

All

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

 

 

Satellite

 

Other and

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Technologies

 

Hughes

 

Services

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

456,129

 

$

302,217

 

$

85,945

 

$

4,617

 

$

848,908

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

16,246

 

$

49,443

 

$

71

 

$

40,811

 

$

106,571

 

EBITDA

 

$

42,975

 

$

65,620

 

$

68,808

 

$

(9,299

)

$

168,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

416,120

 

$

285,974

 

$

65,682

 

$

(3,055

)

$

764,721

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

22,161

 

$

53,955

 

$

12,806

 

$

4,740

 

$

93,662

 

EBITDA

 

$

25,211

 

$

75,634

 

$

57,065

 

$

6,156

 

$

164,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,308,670

 

$

906,564

 

$

245,019

 

$

14,112

 

$

2,474,365

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

43,898

 

$

139,276

 

$

12,403

 

$

69,266

 

$

264,843

 

EBITDA

 

$

104,947

 

$

202,995

 

$

167,281

 

$

13,708

 

$

488,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,270,415

 

$

843,017

 

$

210,703

 

$

11,370

 

$

2,335,505

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

51,946

 

$

230,350

 

$

70,758

 

$

18,331

 

$

371,385

 

EBITDA

 

$

88,648

 

$

215,060

 

$

162,737

 

$

157,541

 

$

623,986

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

EBITDA

 

$

168,104

 

$

164,066

 

$

488,931

 

$

623,986

 

Interest expense, net

 

(44,731

)

(31,143

)

(138,544

)

(100,394

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(124,742

)

(110,778

)

(379,585

)

(339,472

)

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

317

 

(285

)

533

 

(604

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

(1,052

)

$

21,860

 

$

(28,665

)

$

183,516

 

 

Note 15.              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, and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

 

In connection with and following the Spin-off, 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.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

“Equipment revenue — DISH Network”

 

Receiver Agreement.  Effective January 1, 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a receiver agreement (the “2012 Receiver Agreement”), pursuant to which DISH Network has 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.  The 2012 Receiver Agreement allows DISH Network to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories, and other equipment from us either: (i) at 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.  We provide DISH Network with standard manufacturer warranties for the goods sold under the 2012 Receiver Agreement.  Additionally, the 2012 Receiver Agreement includes an indemnification provision, whereby the parties indemnify each other for certain intellectual property matters.  DISH Network is able to terminate the 2012 Receiver Agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days notice to us.  We are able to terminate the 2012 Receiver Agreement if certain entities acquire DISH Network.  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.

 

“Services and other revenue — DISH Network”

 

Broadcast Agreement.  Effective January 1, 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a broadcast agreement (the “2012 Broadcast Agreement”) pursuant to which we provide certain broadcast services to DISH Network, including teleport services such as transmission and downlinking, channel origination services, and channel management services, for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016.  The fees for the 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.  DISH Network has 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 terminates the teleport services provided under the 2012 Broadcast Agreement for a reason other than our breach, DISH Network generally is obligated to reimburse us for any direct costs we incur related to any such termination that we cannot reasonably mitigate.

 

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 generally is 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 Leased to DISH Network.  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 services 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.  The leases for EchoStar VI, VIII and XII 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 fail; 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

 

 

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(Unaudited)

 

agreements will be exercised.  Beginning in the first quarter of 2013, the leases for the EchoStar VI and VIII satellites expired in accordance with their terms.  DISH Network no longer leases capacity from us on the EchoStar VI satellite; however, in May 2013 DISH Network began leasing capacity from us on EchoStar VIII as an in-orbit spare.  Subject to certain conditions, this lease expires on February 1, 2014.

 

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.

 

EchoStar XVI.  During December 2009, we entered into an initial ten-year transponder service agreement with DISH Network to lease from us all of the capacity on EchoStar XVI, a DBS satellite.  EchoStar XVI was launched in November 2012 and placed at the 61.5 degree orbital location.  Under the original transponder service agreement, the initial term generally expired upon the earlier of: (i) the end-of-life or replacement of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite failed; (iii) the date the transponder(s) on which service was being provided under the agreement failed; or (iv) ten years following the actual service commencement date.  Effective December 21, 2012, we and DISH Network amended the transponder service agreement to, among other things, change the initial term to generally expire 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) four years following the actual service commencement date.  Prior to expiration of the initial term, we, upon certain conditions, and DISH Network have the option to renew for an additional six-year period.  If either we or DISH Network exercise our respective six-year renewal options, DISH Network has the option to renew for an additional five-year period prior to expiration of the then-current term.  There can be no assurance that any option to renew this agreement will be exercised.  We began to lease capacity on EchoStar XVI to DISH Network in January 2013.

 

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, we also entered into a satellite service agreement (the “DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement”) with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network leases from us 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 September 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.  Concurrently, in 2008, we entered into a transponder service agreement with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network leases 24 of the DBS transponders on QuetzSat-1.  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.  In the interim, we provided DISH Network with alternate capacity at the 77 degree west longitude orbital location.  During the third quarter of 2012, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which we sublease back from DISH Network five of the 24 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite leased to DISH Network.  In January 2013, QuetzSat-1 was moved to the 77 degree west longitude orbital location and DISH Network commenced commercial operations at such location in February 2013.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with DISH Network, we began to provide service to DISH Network on the QuetzSat-1 satellite in February 2013 and will continue to provide service 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.

 

103 Degree Orbital Location/SES-3.  During May 2012, we entered into a spectrum development agreement (the “103 Spectrum Development Agreement”) with Ciel Satellite Holdings Inc. (“Ciel”) to develop certain spectrum rights at the 103 degree west longitude orbital location (the “103 Spectrum Rights”).  During June 2013, we and DISH Network entered into a spectrum development agreement (the “DISH 103 Spectrum Development Agreement”) pursuant to which DISH Network may use and develop the 103 Spectrum Rights.  During the third quarter 2013, DISH Network made a payment to us in exchange for these rights.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH 103 Spectrum Development Agreement, the term generally will continue for the duration of the 103 Spectrum Rights Agreement.

 

In connection with the 103 Spectrum Development Agreement, during May 2012, we also entered into a ten-year service agreement with Ciel pursuant to which we lease certain satellite capacity from Ciel on the SES-3 satellite at the 103 degree orbital location (the “103 Service Agreement”).  During June 2013, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity from us on the SES-3 satellite (the “DISH 103 Service Agreement”).  Under the terms of the DISH 103 Service Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to us through the service term.  Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH 103 Service Agreement, the initial service term will expire on the earlier of: (i) the date the SES-3 satellite fails; (ii) the date the transponder(s) on which service was being provided under the agreement fails; or (iii) ten years following the actual service commencement date.  Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the SES-3 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 DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite.

 

TT&C Agreement.  Effective January 1, 2012, we entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to DISH Network and its subsidiaries for a period ending on December 31, 2016 (the “2012 TT&C Agreement”).  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.  DISH Network is able to terminate the 2012 TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 60 days notice.

 

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 at the time of the lease, 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.

 

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(Unaudited)

 

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.  The lease for certain space at 530 EchoStar Drive in Cheyenne, Wyoming is 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 from us (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 set-top boxes 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 is entitled to a refund of any unearned fees paid to us for the services.

 

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 has the option to renew this agreement for three successive one year terms and the agreement may be terminated by DISH Network for any reason upon at least 120 days notice to us.  In November 2013, DISH Network exercised its right to renew this agreement for a one-year period ending on December 31, 2014.

 

DISH Remote Access Services Agreement.  Effective February 23, 2010, we entered into an agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network receives, among other things, certain remote digital video recorder (“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 by DISH Network for any reason upon at least 120 days notice to us.

 

SlingService Services Agreement.  Effective February 23, 2010, we entered into an agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network receives certain services related to placeshifting.  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 by DISH Network 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 acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Hughes Acquisition”).  Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc., 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 HNS pursuant to which Blockbuster may continue to purchase broadband products and services from our Hughes segment.  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.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

 

Radio Access Network Agreement.  On November 29, 2012, HNS entered into an agreement with DISH Network L.L.C. pursuant to which HNS will construct for DISH Network a ground-based satellite radio access network (“RAN”) for a fixed fee.  The completion of the RAN under this agreement is expected to occur on or before November 29, 2014.  This agreement generally may be terminated by DISH Network at any time for convenience.

 

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 $14.1 million in broadband stimulus grant funds (the “Grant Funds”).  Effective November 2011, HNS and DISH Broadband entered into a RUS Implementation Agreement (the “RUS Agreement”) pursuant to which HNS provides certain portions of the equipment and broadband service used to implement DISH Broadband’s RUS program.  The initial term of the RUS Agreement continues 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 HNS.  The RUS Agreement expired in June 2013 when the Grant Funds were exhausted.

 

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”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) pursuant to which dishNET has the right, but not the obligation, to market, sell and distribute the Hughes satellite Internet service (the “Hughes service”).  dishNET pays HNS a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for the Hughes service based upon a subscriber’s service level, and, beginning January 1, 2014, based upon certain volume subscription thresholds.  The Distribution Agreement also provides that dishNET has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase certain broadband equipment from us to support the sale of the Hughes service.  The Distribution Agreement has a five year term with automatic renewal for successive one year terms unless terminated by either party with a written notice 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 Hughes service to the then-current dishNET subscribers pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement.

 

Set-Top Box Application Development Agreement.  During the fourth quarter of 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a set-top box application development agreement (the “Application Development Agreement”) pursuant to which we provide DISH Network with certain services relating to the development of web-based applications for the period ending on February 1, 2015.  The Application Development Agreement renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier by us or DISH Network at any time upon at least 90 days notice.  The fees for services provided under the Application Development Agreement are calculated at our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed margin, which will depend on the nature of the services provided.

 

XiP Encryption Agreement.  During the third quarter of 2012, we entered into an encryption agreement with DISH Network for our whole-home HD DVR line of set-top boxes (the “XiP Encryption Agreement”) pursuant to which we provide certain security measures on our whole-home HD DVR line of set-top boxes to encrypt the content delivered to the set-top box via a smart card and secure the content between set-top boxes.  The term of the XiP Encryption Agreement is until December 31, 2014.  DISH Network has an option, but not the obligation to extend the XiP Encryption Agreement for one additional year upon 180 days notice prior to the end of the term.  We and DISH Network each have the right to terminate the XiP Encryption Agreement for any reason upon at least 180 days’ notice and 30 days’ notice, respectively.  The fees for the services provided under the XiP Encryption Agreement are calculated on a monthly basis based on the number of receivers utilizing such security measures each month.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

“General and administrative expenses — DISH Network”

 

Management Services Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a Management Services Agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network made certain of its officers available to provide services (which were primarily accounting services) to us.  The Management Services Agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2013 for an additional one-year period until January 1, 2014.  Effective June 15, 2013, we terminated the Management Services Agreement.  We made 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 were 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 reimbursed DISH Network for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by DISH Network for management services provided to us.  We and DISH Network evaluated all charges for reasonableness at least annually and made any adjustments to these charges as we and DISH Network mutually agreed upon.

 

Professional Services Agreement.  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), receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from us (previously provided under the Services Agreement) and other support services.  The Professional Services Agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2013 for an additional one-year period 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.

 

Real Estate Lease Agreements.  Since the Spin-off, we have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate from DISH Network.  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 areas at the time of the lease, and we are responsible for our portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises.  The term of each of the leases is set forth below:

 

Varick Sublease Agreement.  During 2008, we subleased certain space at 185 Varick Street, New York, New York from DISH Network for a period of approximately seven years.

 

El Paso Lease Agreement.  During 2012, we leased certain space at 1285 Joe Battle Blvd. El Paso, Texas from DISH Network for a period ending on August 1, 2015, which also provides us with renewal options for four consecutive three year terms.

 

American Fork Occupancy License Agreement.  The license for certain space at 796 East Utah Valley Drive in American Fork, Utah is for a period ending on July 31, 2017, subject to the terms of the underlying lease agreement.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Other Agreements — DISH Network

 

Satellite Capacity Leased from DISH Network.  Since the Spin-off, we entered into certain satellite capacity agreements pursuant to which we acquire certain satellite capacity from DISH Network on certain satellites owned or leased by DISH Network.  The fees for the services 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 satellite capacity agreement is set forth below:

 

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.  Effective July 1, 2012, we and DISH Network mutually agreed to terminate this satellite capacity agreement.

 

D-1.  In November 2012, HNS entered into a satellite capacity agreement pursuant to which HNS leases certain satellite capacity from DISH Network on the D-1 satellite for research and development.  This service agreement terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end-of-life of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the spectrum capacity on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) December 31, 2013.

 

EchoStar XV.  In May 2013, we began leasing satellite capacity from DISH Network on EchoStar XV and relocated the satellite to the 45 degree west longitude orbital location for testing pursuant to our Brazilian authorization.  Subject to certain conditions, the capacity agreement expires on February 1, 2014.  Additionally, subject to certain conditions, we have certain rights to extend the service term of the satellite capacity agreement for three years.  Subject to certain conditions, DISH Network has the right to terminate the capacity agreement prior to the date of expiration and have the satellite relocated from the 45 degree west longitude orbital location.

 

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 2013, we and DISH Network extended this agreement until December 31, 2014.  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.  Our purchase of remanufactured receivers and related components from DISH Network was minimal and $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and minimal and $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

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.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

In light of the tax sharing agreement, among other things, and in connection with our consolidated federal income tax returns for certain tax years prior to and for the year of the Spin-off, during the third quarter of 2013, we and DISH Network agreed upon a supplemental allocation of the tax benefits arising from certain tax items resolved in the course of the IRS’s examination of our consolidated tax returns.  Prior to the agreement with DISH Network, the federal tax benefits of $82.8 million were reflected as a deferred tax asset for depreciation and amortization, which was netted in our noncurrent deferred tax liabilities.  The agreement requires DISH Network to pay us $82.8 million of the federal tax benefit it receives at such time as we would have otherwise been able to realize such tax benefit, which we currently estimate would be after 2014.  Accordingly, we recorded a noncurrent receivable from DISH Network for $82.8 million in “Other noncurrent assets, net” and a corresponding increase in our net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities to reflect the effects of this agreement in the third quarter of 2013.  In addition, during the third quarter of 2013, we and DISH Network agreed upon a tax sharing arrangement for filing certain combined state income tax returns and a method of allocating the respective tax liabilities between us and DISH Network for such combined returns, through the taxable period ending on December 31, 2017.

 

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 Network DVRs.

 

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 $500.0 million, including an initial payment of $300.0 million and the remaining $200.0 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 $10.0 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.

 

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 $10.0 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 $3.0 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.

 

Voom Settlement Agreement.  On October 21, 2012, we 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 DISH Network.  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 Voom programming services.

 

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 for DBSD North America and our completion of the Hughes Acquisition, DBSD North America and HNS 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

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

period ending on February 15, 2014, and renews for three successive one-year periods unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 30 days notice prior to the expiration of any renewal term.

 

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; (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.  We account for our investment in DISH Digital using the equity method.

 

TerreStar-2 Development Agreement.  In August 2013, we and DISH Network entered into a development agreement (“T2 Development Agreement”) with respect to the TerreStar-2 (“T2”) satellite under which we will reimburse DISH Network for amounts it pays pursuant to an authorization to proceed (the “T2 ATP”) with Space Systems/Loral, LLC in connection with the construction of the T2 satellite.  In exchange, DISH Network granted us a right of first refusal and right of first offer to purchase the T2 satellite during the term of the T2 Development Agreement.  In addition, under certain circumstances, we have a right to receive a portion of the sale proceeds in the event T2 is sold to a third party during or following the term of the T2 Development Agreement.  The T2 Development Agreement expires on the later of: (i) December 31, 2013, or (ii) the date on which the T2 ATP expires.

 

Other Agreements

 

In November 2009, Mr. Roger J. 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 44.4% 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 26.1%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of September 30, 2013.  Furthermore, Mr. Pradman Kaul serves on the board of directors of Hughes Systique.  We are considered the “primary beneficiary” of Hughes Systique due to, among other factors, our ability to significantly influence and direct the operating and financial decisions of Hughes Systique and our obligation to provide financial support in the form of term loans.  As a result, we are required to consolidate Hughes Systique’s financial statements in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, Hughes Systique provided $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of software development services to us.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Hughes Systique did not provide software development services to us.

 

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.  We account for our investment in NagraStar using the equity method.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued

(Unaudited)

 

The table below summarizes our transactions with NagraStar.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Purchases from NagraStar

 

$

4,626

 

$

2,832

 

$

12,781

 

$

8,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

Due to NagraStar

 

$

1,243

 

$

2,694

 

 

Commitments to purchase from NagraStar

 

$

5,835

 

$

7,303

 

 

 

Dish Mexico

 

During 2008, we entered into a joint venture for a 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.  We account for our investment in Dish Mexico using the equity method.

 

The following table summarizes services we provided to 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,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Digital set-top boxes and related accessories

 

$

6,751

 

$

13,229

 

$

32,602

 

$

39,991

 

Satellite services

 

$

5,834

 

$

4,530

 

$

16,801

 

$

8,790

 

Uplink services

 

$

1,732

 

$

2,229

 

$

4,887

 

$

6,831

 

Other services

 

$

 

$

 

$

18

 

$

640

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

Due from Dish Mexico

 

$

5,509

 

$

11,699

 

 

 

Deluxe/EchoStar LLC

 

We own 50% of Deluxe/EchoStar LLC (“Deluxe”), a joint venture that we entered into in 2010 to build an advanced digital cinema satellite distribution network targeting delivery to digitally equipped theaters in the U.S. and Canada.  We account for our investment in Deluxe using the equity method.  We recognized revenue from Deluxe for transponder services and the sale of broadband equipment of $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $1.1 million and $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have receivables from Deluxe of approximately $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

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Item 2.         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 our 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 our financial condition and our results of 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 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 under the caption “Item 1A.  Risk Factors.”

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

EchoStar Corporation (together with its subsidiaries is referred to as “EchoStar,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) is a global provider of satellite operations, video delivery solutions, and broadband satellite technologies and services for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments.  We currently operate in three business segments:  the EchoStar Technologies segment, the Hughes segment, and the EchoStar Satellite Services segment.

 

EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

Our EchoStar Technologies segment designs, develops and distributes digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers, telecommunication and international cable companies.  A substantial majority of our digital set-top boxes are sold to DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries (“DISH Network”), but we also sell 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.  In addition, we provide our Slingboxes directly to consumers via retail outlets and we are in discussions with original equipment manufacturers to provide our Sling technology licensing to cable and telco operators worldwide. Sling Media “placeshifting” technology can be used by consumers to watch and control their home digital video and audio content via a broadband Internet connection.

 

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.

 

We depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of our EchoStar Technologies segment revenue and we expect that DISH Network will continue to be the primary source of revenue for our EchoStar Technologies segment.  Therefore, the results of operations of our EchoStar Technologies segment are, and will be closely linked to the performance of DISH Network’s pay-TV service.  In January 2012, we entered into a receiver agreement with DISH Network (the “2012 Receiver Agreement”), expiring on December 31, 2014, pursuant to which DISH Network has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories and other equipment from us either: (i) at cost (decreasing as we reduce cost and increasing as our 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 decreased if these costs increase.  Based on our experience, we expect our cost of manufacturing a specific set-top box model to decline over time as our contract manufacturers generate efficiencies with scale of production and engineering cost reductions.  In addition, our equipment revenue from DISH Network depends on the timing of orders for set-top boxes and accessories from DISH Network based on its actual and projected subscriber growth plans.

 

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Item 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

While we also expect to sell equipment to other customers, the number of potential new customers for our EchoStar Technologies segment is small and may be limited as prospective customers that have been competitors of DISH Network may continue to view us as a competitor due to our common ownership with DISH Network.  We believe that our best opportunities for developing potential new customers for our EchoStar Technologies segment over the near term lie in international markets, including joint ventures.  Thus, our efforts in expanding our digital set-top box business are focused on international markets and we are not actively seeking set-top box opportunities with United States cable operators.  Over the years, 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.  As a result, our ability to generate revenue and income growth in future periods depends greatly on our success in entering the international markets.

 

We continue to focus on building and strengthening our brand recognition by providing unique and technologically advanced features and products, including Internet delivery of video content, whole-home HD DVR receivers and MPEG-4 digital compression technology, to our customers.  Products containing new technologies and features typically have higher initial selling prices and volumes.  These volumes decline over time as DISH Network’s demand is reduced due to their use of refurbished equipment.  Our success depends heavily on our ability to bring advanced technologies to market to keep pace with our competitors.  The revenues and associated margins we earn on sales are determined largely through periodic negotiations that could result in prices 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 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 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.  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.

 

Hughes Segment

 

Our Hughes segment is a global provider of broadband satellite technologies and services for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments. The Hughes segment uses its two owned satellites, SPACEWAY 3 and EchoStar XVII, and additional satellite capacity acquired from multiple third-party providers to provide 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.  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.

 

Beginning in October 2012, we introduced HughesNet Gen4 broadband Internet services to our customers in North America on EchoStar XVII, which was launched in July 2012.  Subsequently, in the fourth quarter of 2012, we enhanced our SPACEWAY 3 satellite platform to provide Gen4 services in regions of the U.S. for which EchoStar XVII does not provide service.  In October 2012, we entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”)

 

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with dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C (“dishNET”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, pursuant to which dishNET has the right, but not the obligation, to market, sell and distribute the Hughes satellite Internet service (the “Hughes service”).  dishNET pays us a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for the Hughes service based upon a subscriber’s service level and beginning January 1, 2014, certain volume subscription thresholds.  The Distribution Agreement also provides that dishNET has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase certain broadband equipment from us to support the sale of its service.  The Distribution Agreement has a five year term with automatic renewal for successive one year terms unless terminated by either party with a written notice 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 Hughes service to the then-current dishNET subscribers pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement.

 

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our Hughes segment had approximately 807,000 and 636,000 subscribers, respectively.  These subscribers include subscriptions with HughesNet services, through retail, wholesale and small/medium enterprise service channels.  Not included in the subscriber totals above were approximately 40,000 and 23,000 subscribers as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, receiving services through third-parties who have capacity arrangements with us.  Subscribers reported in previous periods included those receiving services through third-parties who have capacity arrangements with us and have been adjusted in this report to exclude such arrangements.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our Hughes segment had $1.101 billion and $1.063 billion, respectively, of contracted revenue backlog.  We define Hughes revenue backlog as our expected future revenue under customer contracts that are non-cancelable, excluding agreements with customers in our consumer market.

 

We continue our efforts in growing our consumer revenue, which depends on our success in adding new subscribers on our Hughes segment’s satellite networks.  Accordingly, we may need to adjust our service offerings in response to the offerings of our competitors, including ViaSat Communications, Inc.  In addition, we focus on expanding our enterprise business, both domestically and internationally.  However, the growth of the enterprise business relies heavily on global economic conditions.

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

Our EchoStar Satellite Services segment operates its business using ten of its owned and leased in-orbit satellites, including EchoStar XVI launched in November 2012.  We 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.  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.

 

We depend on DISH Network for a significant portion of the revenue for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment and we expect that DISH Network will continue to be the primary source of revenue for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment.  Therefore, the results of operations of our EchoStar Satellite Services segment are and will be closely linked to the performance of DISH Network’s pay-TV service as well as changes in DISH Network’s satellite capacity requirements.  In November 2012, we launched EchoStar XVI, which is fully leased to DISH Network beginning in the first quarter of 2013, for the delivery of direct-to-home (“DTH”) broadcast services to DISH Network customers in the United States.  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.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our EchoStar Satellite Services segment had contracted revenue backlog attributable to satellites currently in orbit of approximately $1.216 billion and $1.440 billion, respectively.  While we also expect to provide services to other customers, the number of potential new customers for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment is small and may be limited as prospective customers that have been competitors of DISH Network may continue to view us as a competitor due to our common ownership with DISH Network.

 

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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.

 

New Business Opportunities

 

We are exploring opportunities to selectively pursue partnerships, joint ventures and strategic acquisition opportunities, domestically and internationally.  We believe that investments in these types of opportunities 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.  With our extensive experience in designing, developing, and distributing digital set-top boxes and related products, we can leverage the broader adoption of advanced technologies within set-top boxes to create opportunities for us.  We believe that DTH satellite and broadband services are particularly well-suited for countries without extensive telecommunications and cable infrastructure, and we intend to continue to seek new investments and customer relationships with international DTH satellite service and broadband service providers.  Our available satellite capacity provides us, in certain cases, with the ability to initiate new services quickly.

 

In September 2013, we announced that we were in discussions with GVT, a subsidiary of Vivendi SA, to form a joint venture to provide pay-TV services in Brazil with the objective to offer a national service using IPTV and satellite distribution.

 

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, including Slingboxes and related hardware products, and sales of satellite broadband equipment and related equipment, primarily related to the Hughes service, 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, and 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, development of web-based applications for set-top boxes, professional services, facilities rental revenue and other services provided to DISH Network.  Beginning in October 2012, “Services and other revenue — DISH Network” also includes subscriber wholesale service fees for the Hughes service sold to dishNET.

 

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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 and 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 customers, consumer customers, and to DISH Network, 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, development of web-based applications for set-top boxes, professional services, facilities rental revenue, and other services provided to our customers, including DISH Network.

 

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

 

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 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.

 

Impairment of long-lived asset.  “Impairment of long-lived asset” includes our impairment of the EchoStar XII satellite.

 

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 long-term debt and capital lease obligations (net of capitalized interest), and amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net.  “Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net” primarily includes gains, net of any losses, on the sale or exchange of investments.

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net.  “Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net” includes our investments accounted for under the equity method.

 

Other, net.  “Other, net” primarily includes foreign exchange gains and losses, dividends received from our marketable investment securities, and certain reductions to our capital lease obligations as a result of a partial loss of satellite capacity associated with our satellites accounted for as capital leases.

 

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 tax benefit (provision), net” and “Depreciation and amortization.”  EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).  This “non-GAAP measure” is reconciled to “Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar” in our discussion of “Results of Operations”

 

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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 industry.

 

Subscribers.  Subscribers include subscriptions with HughesNet services, through retail, wholesale and small/medium enterprise service channels.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

$

360,744

 

$

256,935

 

$

103,809

 

40.4

 

Equipment revenue - other

 

77,084

 

143,764

 

(66,680

)

(46.4

)

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

163,067

 

129,842

 

33,225

 

25.6

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

248,013

 

234,180

 

13,833

 

5.9

 

Total revenue

 

848,908

 

764,721

 

84,187

 

11.0

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

378,665

 

342,230

 

36,435

 

10.6

 

% of Total equipment revenue

 

86.5

%

85.4

%

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

203,268

 

175,346

 

27,922

 

15.9

 

% of Total services and other revenue

 

49.4

%

48.2

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (including DISH Network)

 

84,299

 

95,039

 

(10,740

)

(11.3

)

% of Total revenue

 

9.9

%

12.4

%

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

 

17,030

 

17,448

 

(418

)

(2.4

)

% of Total revenue

 

2.0

%

2.3

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

124,742

 

110,778

 

13,964

 

12.6

 

Total costs and expenses

 

808,004

 

740,841

 

67,163

 

9.1

 

Operating income

 

40,904

 

23,880

 

17,024

 

71.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2,982

 

2,697

 

285

 

10.6

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(47,713

)

(33,840

)

(13,873

)

41.0

 

Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net

 

1,754

 

21,216

 

(19,462

)

(91.7

)

Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net

 

726

 

(1,003

)

1,729

 

*

 

Other, net

 

295

 

8,910

 

(8,615

)

(96.7

)

Total other expense, net

 

(41,956

)

(2,020

)

(39,936

)

*

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(1,052

)

21,860

 

(22,912

)

*

 

Income tax benefit, net

 

5,689

 

409

 

5,280

 

*

 

Net income

 

4,637

 

22,269

 

(17,632

)

(79.2

)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

317

 

(285

)

602

 

*

 

Net income attributable to EchoStar

 

$

4,320

 

$

22,554

 

$

(18,234

)

(80.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

168,104

 

$

164,066

 

$

4,038

 

2.5

 

Subscribers, end of period (1)

 

807,000

 

595,000

 

212,000

 

35.6

 

 


*Percentage is not meaningful.

(1)   Excludes 40,000 and 21,000 subscribers as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, receiving services through third-parties who have capacity arrangements with us.

 

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Equipment revenue — DISH Network.  “Equipment revenue — DISH Network” totaled $360.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $103.8 million, or 40.4%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $86.0 million, or 33.7%, to $341.2 million compared to the same period in 2012.  Our EchoStar Technologies segment offers multiple set-top boxes with different price points depending on their capabilities and functionalities.  The revenues and associated margins we earn on sales are determined largely through periodic negotiations that could result in prices reflecting, among other things, the set-top boxes and other equipment that meet our customers’ current sales and marketing priorities, the product and service alternatives available from other equipment suppliers, our ability to respond to customer requirements, and to differentiate ourselves from other equipment suppliers on bases other than pricing.  In addition, products containing new technologies and features typically have higher initial prices, which reduce over time as demand decreases or as DISH Network’s demand changes for new or refurbished units.  The increase in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to an 83.5% increase in unit sales of set-top boxes, offset partially by an 18.7% decrease in the weighted average price of set-top boxes.  Additionally, unit sales and the weighted average price of related accessories increased 11.7%, and 11.0%, respectively.

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network from our Hughes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $17.8 million, to $19.6 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily due to the commencement of broadband equipment sales to DISH Network pursuant to the Distribution Agreement we entered into with dishNET in October 2012.

 

Equipment revenue — other.  “Equipment revenue — other” totaled $77.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $66.7 million or 46.4%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Equipment revenue — other from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $50.5 million, or 60.4%, to $33.0 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was attributable to a 69.9% decrease in unit sales and a 16.2% decrease in the weighted average prices of set-top boxes sold to Bell TV and our other international customers.  Additionally, unit sales and the weighted average price of related accessories sold to Bell TV and other international customers decreased 8.7% and 27.8%, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.  The sales to Bell TV and other international customers may remain at the current levels in the near term, due to customer utilization of refurbished set-top boxes and lower overall demand in the respective markets that we sell these products.

 

Equipment revenue — other from our Hughes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $24.1 million, or 35.4%, to $44.0 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in sales of telecom systems equipment.

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network.  “Services and other revenue — DISH Network” totaled $163.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $33.2 million or 25.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $5.2 million, or 7.2%, to $77.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was due to an increase of $2.8 million in revenue earned from the sales of satellite uplink/downlink services and $4.7 million related to the development of web-based applications for set-top boxes.  The increase was partially offset by a $2.0 million decrease in other services provided to DISH Network.

 

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Services and other revenue — DISH Network from our Hughes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $9.9 million to $12.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to revenue earned pursuant to the Distribution Agreement we entered into with dishNET in October 2012.

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network from our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $19.5 million, or 41.5%, to $66.4 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was mainly due to an increase in the sales of transponder services provided to DISH Network.

 

Services and other revenue — other.  “Services and other revenue — other” totaled $248.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $13.8 million or 5.9%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Services and other revenue — other from our Hughes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $12.7 million, or 6.0%, to $225.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in sales of broadband services in our enterprise and consumer markets.

 

Services and other revenue— other from our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $0.8 million, or 4.2%, to $19.5 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was mainly due to an increase in sales of transponder services of $0.8 million provided in 2013 compared to 2012.

 

Cost of sales — equipment.  “Cost of sales — equipment” totaled $378.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $36.4 million, or 10.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Cost of sales — equipment from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $31.3 million, or 10.8%, to $320.1 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was attributable to an increase in equipment costs of $71.4 million, directly related to an increase in sales of set-top boxes and related accessories sold to DISH Network.  The increase was partially offset by a decrease in cost of sales of $40.5 million, primarily related to a decrease in sales of set-top boxes and related accessories to Bell TV and our other international customers.

 

Cost of sales — equipment from our Hughes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $2.8 million, or 4.6%, to $58.6 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was primarily attributable to the decrease of $15.0 million in the cost of sales of networking system equipment to customers in the enterprise market.  The decrease was partially offset by an increase in the cost of sales of broadband equipment sold to DISH Network of $12.2 million primarily related to the Distribution Agreement with dishNET.

 

Cost of sales — services and other.  “Cost of sales — services and other” totaled $203.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $27.9 million, or 15.9%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Cost of sales — services and other from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $4.6 million, or 8.8%, to $56.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily the result of an increase in cost of sales of $4.8 million as a result of an increase in support costs related to engineering and uplink services provided in 2013 compared to 2012.

 

Cost of sales — services and other from our Hughes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $10.4 million, or 9.9%, to $115.4 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in cost of sales of $8.2 million as a result of an increase in sales of broadband services in our enterprise market and $2.2 million of increased costs related primarily to the Distribution Agreement with dishNET.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses.  “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $84.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $10.7 million or 11.3%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was mainly due to a $4.8 million decrease in personnel and other employee-related expenses, $2.7 million decrease in professional fees, $5.4 million decrease in other general and administrative expenses, $3.9 million decrease in general administrative expenses as a result of an increase in services billed to DISH Network and a $0.9 million decrease in professional services provided to us by DISH Network pursuant to our cost-plus related party agreements.  These decreases in general and administrative expenses were partially offset by a $7.0 million increase in marketing and advertising expenses primarily incurred by our Hughes segment.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $124.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $14.0 million or 12.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily related to an increase in depreciation of $8.4 million from our Hughes segment primarily due to depreciation from EchoStar XVII, which was placed into service in October 2012, an increase in depreciation of $4.5 million associated with customer rental equipment from our Hughes segment, an increase in depreciation of $2.7 million associated with furniture, fixtures, equipment and other, and an increase of $6.1 million from our EchoStar Satellite Services segment, primarily due to the depreciation of EchoStar XVI, which was placed into service in January 2013.  The increase in depreciation was partially offset by a decrease in depreciation of $3.4 million on EchoStar VI, which was fully depreciated in August 2012, and a decrease in depreciation of $2.9 million on EchoStar XII due to the impairment of the satellite’s carrying amount that occurred in the second quarter of 2013.

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.  “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $47.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $13.9 million or 41.0%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was due to lower capitalized interest of $14.2 million associated with EchoStar XVII and EchoStar XVI which were placed into service in October 2012 and January 2013, respectively.

 

Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net.  “Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net” totaled $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $19.5 million, or 91.7%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was mainly related to a gain of $18.3 million recognized from the sales of strategic investments in two public companies in 2012.  The decrease was partially offset by a gain of $1.6 million recognized from the sale of a strategic investment in a public company in 2013.

 

Other, net.  “Other, net” totaled $0.3 million expense recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $8.6 million, or 96.7%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The change was primarily related to a non-recurring gain of $7.9 million recognized in 2012 resulting from a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite in 2012.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA was $168.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $4.0 million or 2.5%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily due to an increase in operating income of $31.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The increase was partially offset by a non-recurring gain of $7.9 million resulting from a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite in the third quarter of 2012 and a gain of $18.3 million recognized from the sales of a strategic investment in two public companies in the third quarter of 2012.  The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 

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Item 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

EBITDA

 

$

168,104

 

$

164,066

 

$

4,038

 

2.5

 

Interest expense, net

 

(44,731

)

(31,143

)

(13,588

)

43.6

 

Income tax benefit, net

 

5,689

 

409

 

5,280

 

*

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(124,742

)

(110,778

)

(13,964

)

12.6

 

Net income attributable to EchoStar

 

$

4,320

 

$

22,554

 

$

(18,234

)

80.8

 

 


*Percentage is not meaningful.

 

EBITDA for our EchoStar Technologies segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $43.0 million, an increase of $17.8 million, or 70.5%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in EBITDA for our EchoStar Technologies segment was primarily driven by an increase in revenue from DISH Network of $91.3 million in both service and equipment revenues, offset partially by a decrease of $50.5 million in other equipment revenue earned from the sales of set-top boxes and related accessories.  As a result of the increase in revenue, cost of sales increased $35.9 million.  In addition, general and administrative expenses decreased $9.7 million and administrative services charged to DISH Network in relation to our Professional Services Agreement decreased $4.0 million compared to the same period in 2012.

 

EBITDA for our Hughes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $65.6 million, a decrease of $10.0 million, or 13.2%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was attributable to a gain of $13.0 million recognized from the sale of a strategic investment in a public company in the third quarter of 2012, offset partially by higher operating income of $4.6 million.

 

EBITDA for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $68.8 million, an increase of $11.7 million, or 20.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in EBITDA for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment was primarily due to the increase of $19.5 million in the sales of transponder services provided to DISH Network.  The increase was partially offset by a non-recurring gain of $7.9 million resulting from a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite in the third quarter of 2012.

 

Income tax benefit, net.  Income tax benefit totaled approximately $5.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $5.3 million, compared to the same period in 2012.  Our effective income tax rate was 540.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to (1.9%) for the same period in 2012.  The variation in our current year effective tax rate from a U.S. federal statutory rate for the current period was primarily due to the release of the valuation allowance associated with capital loss carryforwards in conjunction with the sale of certain of our capital investments, higher state effective tax rates due to geographic distribution of income, and current year research and experimentation credits.  For the same period in 2012, the variation from a U.S. federal statutory rate was primarily attributable to the release of the valuation allowance associated with the sale of our capital investments.  In addition, significant fluctuations in the effective tax rate from a U.S. federal statutory rate resulted from our pre-tax income in the current year.

 

Net income attributable to EchoStar.  Net income attributable to EchoStar was $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $18.2 million, or 80.8%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was primarily attributable to gains of $18.3 million recognized from the sales of strategic investments in two public companies in the third quarter of 2012, a non-recurring gain of $7.9 million resulting from a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite in the third quarter of 2012, and a reduction in capitalization of interest expense of $14.2 million associated with our EchoStar XVII and EchoStar XVI satellites which were placed into service in October 2012 and January 2013, respectively.  The reductions in “Net income attributable to EchoStar” were partially offset by higher operating income, including depreciation, of $17.0 million and an increase of $5.3 million in income tax benefit.

 

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Item 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Segment Operating Results

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

All

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

 

 

Satellite

 

Other and

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Technologies

 

Hughes

 

Services

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

456,129

 

$

302,217

 

$

85,945

 

$

4,617

 

$

848,908

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

16,246

 

$

49,443

 

$

71

 

$

40,811

 

$

106,571

 

EBITDA

 

$

42,975

 

$

65,620

 

$

68,808

 

$

(9,299

)

$

168,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

416,120

 

$

285,974

 

$

65,682

 

$

(3,055

)

$

764,721

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

22,161

 

$

53,955

 

$

12,806

 

$

4,740

 

$

93,662

 

EBITDA

 

$

25,211

 

$

75,634

 

$

57,065

 

$

6,156

 

$

164,066

 

 

EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

$

456,129

 

$

416,120

 

$

40,009

 

9.6

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

16,246

 

$

22,161

 

$

(5,915

)

(26.7

)

EBITDA

 

$

42,975

 

$

25,211

 

$

17,764

 

70.5

 

 

Revenues

 

EchoStar Technologies segment total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $40.0 million, or 9.6%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily resulting from an increase in revenue from DISH Network of $91.3 million in both service and equipment revenues, offset partially by a decrease of $50.5 million in other equipment revenue earned from the sales of set-top boxes and related accessories.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

EchoStar Technologies segment capital expenditures for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $5.9 million, or 26.7%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to lower capital requirements related to our digital broadcast center and network operations.

 

EBITDA

 

EBITDA for our EchoStar Technologies segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $43.0 million, an increase of $17.8 million, or 70.5%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in EBITDA for our EchoStar Technologies segment was primarily driven by an increase in revenue from DISH Network of $91.3 million in both service and equipment revenues, offset partially by a decrease of $50.5 million in other equipment revenue earned from the sales of set-top boxes and related accessories.  As a result of the increase in revenue, cost of sales increased $35.9 million.  In addition, general and administrative expenses decreased $9.7 million and administrative services charged to DISH Network in relation to our Professional Services Agreement decreased $4.0 million compared to the same period in 2012.

 

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Item 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Hughes Segment

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

$

302,217

 

$

285,974

 

$

16,243

 

5.7

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

49,443

 

$

53,955

 

$

(4,512

)

(8.4

)

EBITDA

 

$

65,620

 

$

75,634

 

$

(10,014

)

(13.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

Hughes segment total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $16.2 million, or 5.7%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to an increase in service revenue of $22.6 million mainly attributable to revenue earned pursuant to the Distribution Agreement we entered into with dishNET in October 2012 and an increase in sales of broadband services in our enterprise and consumer markets, offset partially by a decrease in equipment revenue of $6.4 million.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Hughes segment capital expenditures for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $4.5 million, or 8.4%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily as a result of a decrease of $68.8 million in satellite expenditures related to EchoStar XVII, which was launched in July 2012.  The decrease in capital expenditures was partially offset by an increase of $64.3 million in expenditures related to customer rental equipment and machinery and equipment.

 

EBITDA

 

EBITDA for our Hughes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $65.6 million, a decrease of $10.0 million, or 13.2%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was attributable to a gain of $13.0 million recognized from the sale of a strategic investment in a public company in the third quarter of 2012, offset partially by higher operating income of $4.6 million.

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

$

85,945

 

$

65,682

 

$

20,263

 

30.9

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

71

 

$

12,806

 

$

(12,735

)

(99.4

)

EBITDA

 

$

68,808

 

$

57,065

 

$

11,743

 

20.6

 

 

Revenues

 

EchoStar Satellite Services segment total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $20.3 million, or 30.9%, compared to the same period in 2012, due to a $20.3 million increase in service revenue, primarily related to transponder services provided to DISH Network.

 

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Item 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Capital Expenditures

 

EchoStar Satellite Services segment capital expenditures for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $12.7 million, or 99.4%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily related to a decrease in satellite expenditures due to the launch of EchoStar XVI in November 2012.

 

EBITDA

 

EBITDA for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $68.8 million, an increase of $11.7 million, or 20.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in EBITDA for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment was primarily due to the increase of $19.5 million in the sales of transponder services provided to DISH Network.  The increase was partially offset by a non-recurring gain of $7.9 million resulting from a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite in the third quarter of 2012.

 

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Item 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012.

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

$

1,003,612

 

$

748,650

 

$

254,962

 

34.1

 

Equipment revenue - other

 

270,049

 

487,097

 

(217,048

)

(44.6

)

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

457,055

 

387,479

 

69,576

 

18.0

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

743,649

 

712,279

 

31,370

 

4.4

 

Total revenue

 

2,474,365

 

2,335,505

 

138,860

 

5.9

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

1,097,557

 

1,046,423

 

51,134

 

4.9

 

% of Total equipment revenue

 

86.2

%

84.7

%

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

571,892

 

513,208

 

58,684

 

11.4

 

% of Total services and other revenue

 

47.6

%

46.7

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (including DISH Network)

 

268,861

 

286,763

 

(17,902

)

(6.2

)

% of Total revenue

 

10.9

%

12.3

%

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

 

50,878

 

50,416

 

462

 

0.9

 

% of Total revenue

 

2.1

%

2.2

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

379,585

 

339,472

 

40,113

 

11.8

 

Impairment of long-lived asset

 

34,664

 

 

34,664

 

*

 

Total costs and expenses

 

2,403,437

 

2,236,282

 

167,155

 

7.5

 

Operating income

 

70,928

 

99,223

 

(28,295

)

(28.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

6,941

 

8,864

 

(1,923

)

(21.7

)

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(145,485

)

(109,258

)

(36,227

)

33.2

 

Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net

 

39,184

 

149,443

 

(110,259

)

(73.8

)

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net

 

(5,656

)

5,029

 

(10,685

)

*

 

Other, net

 

5,423

 

30,215

 

(24,792

)

(82.1

)

Total other income (expense), net

 

(99,593

)

84,293

 

(183,886

)

*

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(28,665

)

183,516

 

(212,181

)

*

 

Income tax benefit, net

 

27,217

 

704

 

26,513

 

*

 

Net income (loss)

 

(1,448

)

184,220

 

(185,668

)

*

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

533

 

(604

)

1,137

 

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

(1,981

)

$

184,824

 

$

(186,805

)

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

488,931

 

$

623,986

 

$

(135,055

)

(21.6

)

Subscribers, end of period (1)

 

807,000

 

595,000

 

212,000

 

35.6

 

 


*Percentage is not meaningful.

(1)   Excludes 40,000 and 21,000 subscribers as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, receiving services through third-parties who have capacity arrangements with us.

 

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Item 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network.  “Equipment revenue — DISH Network” totaled $1.004 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $255.0 million or 34.1%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $200.9 million, or 26.9%, to $946.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  Our EchoStar Technologies segment offers multiple set-top boxes with different price points depending on their capabilities and functionalities.  The revenues and associated margins we earn on sales are determined largely through periodic negotiations that could result in prices reflecting, among other things, the set-top boxes and other equipment that meet our customers’ current sales and marketing priorities, the product and service alternatives available from other equipment suppliers, our ability to respond to customer requirements, and to differentiate ourselves from other equipment suppliers on bases other than pricing.  In addition products containing new technologies and features typically have higher initial prices, which reduce over time as demand decreases or as DISH Network’s demand for new or refurbished units changes.  The increase in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to a 45.9% increase in unit sales of set-top boxes, offset partially by a 6.4% decrease in the weighted average price of set-top boxes.  Additionally, unit sales of related accessories increased 13.8%.  The weighted average price of related accessories remained flat year over year.

 

Equipment revenue — DISH Network from our Hughes segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $54.1 million to $56.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily due to the commencement of broadband equipment sales to DISH Network pursuant to the Distribution Agreement we entered into with dishNET in October 2012.

 

Equipment revenue — other.  “Equipment revenue — other” totaled $270.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $217.0 million or 44.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Equipment revenue — other from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $187.4 million, or 60.5%, to $122.2 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was attributable to a 53.0% decrease in unit sales and a 14.6% decrease in the weighted average price of set-top boxes sold to Bell TV and our other international customers.  Additionally, unit sales and the weighted average price of related accessories sold to Bell TV and our other international customers decreased 27.8% and 40.8%, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.  The sales to Bell TV and other international customers may remain at the current levels in the near term, due to customer utilization of refurbished set-top boxes and lower overall demand in the respective markets that we sell these products.

 

Equipment revenue — other from our Hughes segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $38.0 million, or 20.4%, to $147.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in sales of telecom systems equipment.

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network.  “Services and other revenue — DISH Network” totaled $457.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $69.6 million or 18.0%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $27.1 million, or 13.5%, to $228.4 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily due to an increase of $12.3 million in revenue earned from the sales of satellite uplink/downlink services and $13.8 million related to the development of web-based applications for set-top boxes.

 

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Item 2.         MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network from our Hughes segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $23.1 million to $29.4 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to revenue earned pursuant to the Distribution Agreement we entered into with dishNET in October 2012.

 

Services and other revenue — DISH Network from our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $26.1 million, or 16.9%, to $180.5 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was mainly due to a $25.2 million increase in the sales of transponder services provided to DISH Network and a $0.8 million increase in sales of uplink services.

 

Services and other revenue — other.  “Services and other revenue — other” totaled $743.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $31.4 million or 4.4%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Services and other revenue — other from our Hughes segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $24.4 million, or 3.8%, to $672.6 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in sales of broadband services in our enterprise and consumer markets.

 

Services and other revenue— other from our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $8.3 million, or 14.8%, to $64.4 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was mainly due to an increase in sales of transponder services of $8.9 million provided in 2013 compared to 2012.

 

Cost of sales — equipment.  “Cost of sales — equipment” totaled $1.098 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $51.1 million, or 4.9%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Cost of sales — equipment from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $21.3 million, or 2.4%, to $915.4 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was attributable to an increase in equipment costs of $169.2 million, related directly to higher sales of set-top boxes and related accessories sold to DISH Network.  The increase was partially offset by a decrease in cost of sales of $144.3 million, primarily related to a decrease in sales of set-top boxes and related accessories to Bell TV and our other international customers.

 

Cost of sales — equipment from our Hughes segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $21.9 million, or 13.7%, to $182.1 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the cost of sales of broadband equipment sold to DISH Network of $44.0 million, primarily related to the Distribution Agreement we entered into with dishNET.  The increase was partially offset by a decrease in cost of sales of $21.1 million, primarily the result of a decrease in sales of telecom systems equipment.

 

Cost of sales — services and other.  “Cost of sales — services and other” totaled $571.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $58.7 million, or 11.4%, compared to the same period in 2012.

 

Cost of sales — services and other from our EchoStar Technologies segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $27.0 million, or 19.6%, to $164.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to a $21.1 million increase in support costs related to engineering services provided in 2013 compared to 2012 and a $2.2 million increase in uplink/downlink costs.

 

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Item 2.         MANAGEENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Continued

 

Cost of sales — services and other from our Hughes segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $22.8 million, or 7.3%, to $334.5 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the cost of sales of $18.3 million as a result of an increase in sales of broadband services in our enterprise market and a $4.6 million increase in cost of sales primarily related to the Distribution Agreement we entered into with dishNET in October 2012.

 

Cost of sales — services and other from our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $4.3 million, or 9.2%, to $42.8 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in cost of sales of $8.4 million due to the termination of our satellite lease agreement with DISH Network for EchoStar I in July 2012, partially offset by a $3.9 million increase in cost of sales related to the increase in transponder revenue in 2013.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $268.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $17.9 million or 6.2%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was mainly due to a $17.7 million decrease in general and administrative expenses as a result of an increase in services billed to DISH Network, a $10.0 million decrease in other general and administrative expenses, a $5.2 million decrease in professional services, and a $3.6 million decrease in professional services provided to us by DISH Network pursuant to our cost-plus related party agreements.  These decreases in general and administrative expenses were partially offset by higher marketing and advertising expenses of $20.2 million incurred primarily by our Hughes segment.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $379.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $40.1 million or 11.8%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily related to an increase in depreciation of $25.3 million from our Hughes segment related to depreciation from EchoStar XVII, which was placed into service in October 2012, a $13.3 million increase in depreciation associated with customer rental equipment, and an $18.3 million increase in depreciation from our EchoStar Satellite Services segment, primarily due to the depreciation of EchoStar XVI, which was placed into service in January 2013.  These increases in depreciation were partially offset by a decrease in depreciation of $13.5 million on EchoStar VI, which was fully depreciated in August 2012, and a decrease in depreciation of $2.9 million on EchoStar XII due to the impairment of the satellite’s carrying amount that occurred in the second quarter of 2013.

 

Impairment of long-lived asset.  “Impairment of long-lived asset” totaled $34.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $34.7 million, compared to the same period in 2012, due to the impairment of our EchoStar XII satellite of $34.7 million in June 2013.

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.  “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $145.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $36.2 million or 33.2%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was mainly due to a decrease in capitalization of interest expense of $37.9 million associated with EchoStar XVII and EchoStar XVI which were placed into service in October 2012 and January 2013, respectively.

 

Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net.  “Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net” totaled $39.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $110.3 million or 73.8%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was mainly related to a decrease in gains of $110.6 million recognized on the sale of certain strategic investments in public companies in 2012.

 

Other, net.  “Other, net” totaled $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $24.8 million, or 82.1%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was primarily related to gains recognized in 2012 including a non-recurring dividend of $17.5 million received from one of our strategic investments and a gain of $5.9 million as a result of a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite.

 

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Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA was $488.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $135.1 million, or 21.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was primarily due to lower gains of $110.3 million recognized from the sale of certain strategic investments in several public companies in the third quarter of 2012 compared to 2013, the impairment of our EchoStar XII satellite of approximately $34.7 million in 2013, a decrease of $10.7 million in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, a decrease in gains of $5.9 million recognized in 2012 as a result of a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite, and a non-recurring dividend of $17.5 million received from one of our strategic investments in 2012.  These decreases were partially offset by a $46.5 million increase in operating income.  The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

EBITDA

 

$

488,931

 

$

623,986

 

$

(135,055

)

(21.6

)

Interest expense, net

 

(138,544

)

(100,394

)

(38,150

)

38.0

 

Income tax benefit, net

 

27,217

 

704

 

26,513

 

*

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(379,585

)

(339,472

)

(40,113

)

11.8

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

(1,981

)

$

184,824

 

$

(186,805

)

*

 

 


*Percentage is not meaningful.

 

EBITDA for our EchoStar Technologies segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $104.9 million, an increase of $16.3 million, or 18.4%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in EBITDA for our EchoStar Technologies segment was primarily driven by an $18.2 million increase in operating income.

 

EBITDA for our Hughes segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $203.0 million, a decrease of $12.1 million, or 5.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in gains on marketable investment securities of $10.5 million.

 

EBITDA for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $167.3 million, an increase of $4.5 million, or 2.8%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in EBITDA for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment was primarily due to a $34.3 million increase in revenue from an increase in the sales of transponder and uplink services provided in 2013 compared to 2012 and a decrease in cost of sales of $8.4 million related to the termination of our satellite lease contract with DISH Network on EchoStar I, effective July 2012.  The increase was partially offset by the impairment of our EchoStar XII satellite of $34.7 million in June 2013 and a decrease in gains of $5.9 million as a result of a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite.

 

Income tax benefit, net.  Income tax benefit totaled $27.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $26.5 million, compared to the same period in 2012.  Our effective income tax rate was 94.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to (0.4%) for the same period in 2012.  The variation in our current year effective tax rate from a U.S. federal statutory rate for the current period was primarily due to the release of the valuation allowance associated with capital loss carryforwards in conjunction with the sale of certain of our capital investments, higher state effective tax rates due to geographic distribution of income, current year research and experimentation credits, and reinstatement of the research and experimentation tax credit for 2012, as provided by the American Taxpayer Relief Act enacted on January 2, 2013.  For the same period in 2012, the variation from a U.S. federal statutory rate was primarily attributable to the release of the valuation allowance associated with the sale of certain capital investments.  In addition, significant fluctuation in the effective tax rate from a U.S. federal statutory rate resulted from our pre-tax losses in the current year.

 

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Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar.  Net loss attributable to EchoStar was $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $186.8 million, compared to Net income attributable to EchoStar of $184.8 million for the same period in 2012.  The change was primarily attributable to a decrease in gains of $110.3 million recognized from the sale of marketable investment securities and other investments in 2012, a decrease in capitalized interest of $37.9 million associated with EchoStar XVII and EchoStar XVI, which were placed into service in October 2012 and January 2013, respectively, the impairment of our EchoStar XII satellite of approximately $34.7 million in June 2013, a gain recognized in 2012 associated with a non-recurring dividend of $17.5 million received from one of our strategic investments, a decrease of $10.7 million in equity in earnings, a gain of $5.9 million as a result of a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite in 2012, and a decrease of $1.9 million in interest income.  These reductions in “Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar” were offset partially by an increase of $26.5 million in income tax benefit and an increase in operating income of $6.4 million.

 

Segment Operating Results

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

All

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

 

 

Satellite

 

Other and

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Technologies

 

Hughes

 

Services

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,308,670

 

$

906,564

 

$

245,019

 

$

14,112

 

$

2,474,365

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

43,898

 

$

139,276

 

$

12,403

 

$

69,266

 

$

264,843

 

EBITDA

 

$

104,947

 

$

202,995

 

$

167,281

 

$

13,708

 

$

488,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,270,415

 

$

843,017

 

$

210,703

 

$

11,370

 

$

2,335,505

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

51,946

 

$

230,350

 

$

70,758

 

$

18,331

 

$

371,385

 

EBITDA

 

$

88,648

 

$

215,060

 

$

162,737

 

$

157,541

 

$

623,986

 

 

EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,308,670

 

$

1,270,415

 

$

38,255

 

3.0

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

43,898

 

$

51,946

 

$

(8,048

)

(15.5

)

EBITDA

 

$

104,947

 

$

88,648

 

$

16,299

 

18.4

 

 

Revenues

 

EchoStar Technologies segment total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $38.3 million, or 3.0%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily as a result of a $228.0 million increase in both equipment and service revenues provided to DISH Network, offset partially by a $189.8 million decrease in other equipment and service revenues primarily due to a decrease in sales of set-top boxes and related accessories to Bell TV and our other international customers.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

EchoStar Technologies segment capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $8.0 million, or 15.5%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to lower capital requirements related to our digital broadcast center and network operations.

 

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EBITDA

 

EBITDA for our EchoStar Technologies segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $104.9 million, an increase of $16.3 million, or 18.4%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in EBITDA for our EchoStar Technologies segment was primarily driven by an $18.2 million increase in operating income.

 

Hughes Segment

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

$

906,564

 

$

843,017

 

$

63,547

 

7.5

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

139,276

 

$

230,350

 

$

(91,074

)

(39.5

)

EBITDA

 

$

202,995

 

$

215,060

 

$

(12,065

)

(5.6

)

 

Revenues

 

Hughes segment total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $63.5 million, or 7.5%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to an increase of $47.4 million in service revenue and a $16.1 million increase in equipment revenue, primarily the result of an increase in sales of broadband equipment and services to DISH Network pursuant to the Distribution Agreement we entered into with dishNET in October 2012, offset partially by a decrease in sales of telecom systems equipment.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Hughes segment capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $91.1 million, or 39.5%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to a decrease in satellite expenditures related to EchoStar XVII, which was launched in July 2012.

 

EBITDA

 

EBITDA for our Hughes segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $203.0 million, a decrease of $12.1 million, or 5.6%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in gains on marketable investment securities of $10.5 million.

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

 

 

For the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended September 30,

 

Variance

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

$

245,019

 

$

210,703

 

$

34,316

 

16.3

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

12,403

 

$

70,758

 

$

(58,355

)

(82.5

)

EBITDA

 

$

167,281

 

$

162,737

 

$

4,544

 

2.8

 

 

Revenues

 

EchoStar Satellite Services segment total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by $34.3 million, or 16.3%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily due to a $34.4 million increase in sales of transponder services to DISH Network.

 

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Capital Expenditures

 

EchoStar Satellite Services segment capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $58.4 million, or 82.5%, compared to the same period in 2012, primarily related to a decrease in satellite expenditures due to the launch of EchoStar XVI in November 2012.

 

EBITDA

 

EBITDA for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $167.3 million, an increase of $4.5 million, or 2.8%, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in EBITDA for our EchoStar Satellite Services segment was primarily due to a $34.3 million increase in revenue from an increase in the sales of transponder and uplink services provided in 2013 compared to 2012, and a decrease in cost of sales of $8.4 million related to the termination of our satellite lease contract with DISH Network on EchoStar I, effective July 2012.  The increase was partially offset by the impairment of our EchoStar XII satellite of $34.7 million in June 2013 and a decrease in gains of $5.9 million as a result of a reduction of the capital lease obligation for the AMC-16 satellite.

 

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 “Note 5. Investment Securities” of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding our marketable investment securities.  As of September 30, 2013, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities totaled $1.709 billion compared to $1.548 billion as of December 31, 2012, an increase of $161.4 million.  This increase in cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities was primarily driven by cash generated from operations of $391.3 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $264.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

We have investments in various debt and equity instruments including corporate bonds, corporate equity securities, government bonds, and variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”).  VRDNs are long-term floating rate 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 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, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we held VRDNs, within our current marketable investment securities portfolio, with fair values of $50.8 million and $66.1 million, respectively.

 

The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Cash flows from operating activities.  We typically reinvest the cash flows from operating activities in our business.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we reported net cash inflows from operating activities of $391.3 million, an increase of $41.0 million, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to lower net income of $6.8 million adjusted to exclude: (i) “Depreciation and amortization;” (ii) “Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net;” (iii) “Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net;” (iv) “Impairment of long-lived asset”, (v) “Deferred tax benefit;” and (vi) “Other, net.”  In addition, net cash inflows increased by $48.1 million resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities related to timing differences between the incurrence of expense and cash payments.

 

Cash flows from investing activities.  Our investing activities generally include purchases and sales of marketable investment securities, capital expenditures, and strategic investments.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we reported net cash outflows from investing activities of $309.2 million, an increased cash outflow of

 

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$79.1 million compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase in investing activities primarily related to lower proceeds of $295.5 million from net sales of marketable investment securities, which was partially offset by a $106.5 million reduction in capital expenditures in 2013 when compared to 2012 and the acquisition of regulatory authorizations in 2012.

 

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, capital lease obligations, and proceeds from the issuance of our common stock.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we reported net cash inflows from financing activities of $4.3 million, an increase of $44.5 million, compared to the same period in 2012.  The increase was primarily due to higher proceeds of $49.4 million received from Class A common stock option exercises and stock issued under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which was partially offset by higher repayments of long-term debt of $6.8 million.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2013, our satellite-related obligations were approximately $955.1 million.  Our satellite-related obligations include, among other things, payments related to our leased satellites, transponder service agreements, launch contracts, in-orbit incentives, the design and construction of EchoStar XIX, the construction of T2 and the lease of EchoStar XV.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Other than the transactions below, we generally do not engage in off-balance sheet financing activities or use derivative financial instruments for hedge accounting or speculative purposes.

 

As of September 30, 2013, we had $40.4 million of letters of credit and insurance bonds.  Of this amount, $8.0 million was secured by restricted cash; $14.5 million related to insurance bonds; and $17.9 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, 2013, we had foreign currency forward contracts with a notional value of $12.4 million in place to partially mitigate foreign currency exchange risk.  From time to time, we may enter into foreign currency forward contracts, or take other measures, to mitigate risks associated with foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency transactions.

 

Satellite Insurance

 

We generally do not carry insurance for any of the in-orbit satellites that we use because we believe that the premium costs are uneconomical relative to the risk of satellite failure.  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 and in-orbit insurance for SPACEWAY 3, EchoStar XVI and EchoStar XVII.  The loss of a satellite or other satellite malfunctions or anomalies could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance which we may not be able to mitigate by using available capacity on other satellites.  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.  In addition, the loss of a satellite or other satellite malfunctions or anomalies could affect our ability to comply with Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory obligations and our ability to fund the construction or acquisition of replacement satellites for our in-orbit fleet in a timely fashion, or at all.

 

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

 

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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.  As of September 30, 2013, our remaining obligations related to EchoStar XVI, EchoStar XVII, EchoStar XIX, TerreStar-2 and the launch contract with Arianespace, SA totaled $425.9 million.  There can be no assurance that we will have positive cash flows from 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, 2013, our total indebtedness was $2.433 billion, of which $431.3 million related to capital lease obligations.  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 $500.0 million of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2014.  As of September 30, 2013, we have not made any repurchase of outstanding shares of our Class A common stock under this plan.

 

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 six 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.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation has not materially affected our operations during the past three years.  We believe that our ability to increase the prices charged for our products and services in future periods will depend primarily on competitive pressures or contractual terms.

 

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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, 2013, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had a fair value of $1.709 billion.  Of the $1.709 billion, a total of $1.681 billion was invested in: (a) cash; (b) 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; (c) VRDNs convertible into cash at par value plus accrued interest generally in five business days or less; (d) debt instruments of the U.S. government and its agencies; 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 not affect the fair value of our cash, or materially affect the fair value of our cash equivalents due to their maturities of less than 90 days.  A change in interest rates would affect the fair value of current marketable debt securities portfolio; however, we normally hold these investments to maturity.  A hypothetical 10% change in average interest rates during 2013 would not have a material impact on the fair value of our cash, cash equivalents and debt securities portfolio due to the limited duration of our investments.

 

Our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable debt securities had an average annual rate of return for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of 0.7%.  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 2013 would result in a decrease of approximately $0.8 million in annual interest income.

 

Strategic Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of September 30, 2013, we held current strategic investments in the publicly traded common stock of several public companies with a fair value of $28.4 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 experience volatility.  The fair value of these 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.  A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the market price of our public strategic debt and equity investments would result in a decrease of approximately $2.8 million in the fair value of these investments.

 

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Item 3.         QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK — Continued

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities and Other Investments

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of September 30, 2013, we had $15.0 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 U.S. 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 (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, 2013, a hypothetical 10% increase in average interest rates would not have a material impact on the fair value of our restricted cash and marketable investment securities.

 

Other Investments

 

As of September 30, 2013, we had $168.9 million of noncurrent equity instruments that we hold for strategic business purposes and account for under the cost or equity methods of accounting.  The fair value of these instruments is not readily determinable.  We periodically review these investments and estimate fair value when there are indications of impairment.  A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of these debt and equity instruments would result in a decrease of approximately $16.9 million in the 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 Exchange Risk

 

We generally conduct our business in United States dollars.  Our international business is conducted in 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, 2013, we had $29.2 million of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables outstanding and foreign currency forward contracts with a notional value of $12.4 million in place to partially mitigate foreign currency exchange risk.  The estimated fair values of the foreign exchange contracts were not material as of September 30, 2013.  The impact of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates on the carrying amount of the net assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries would be an estimated loss of $20.8 million as of September 30, 2013.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

We generally do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes and we generally do not apply hedge accounting treatment to our derivative financial instruments.  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.

 

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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

 

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) that occurred during the third quarter of 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  We continue to review our internal control over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing its effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business.

 

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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.

 

California Institute of Technology

 

On October 1, 2013, the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”) filed suit against two of our indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Hughes Communications, Inc. and Hughes Network Systems, LLC, as well as against DISH Network Corporation, DISH Network L.L.C., and dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C., in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 7,116,710; 7,421,032; 7,916,781; and 8,284,833, each of which is entitled “Serial Concatenation of Interleaved Convolutional Codes forming Turbo-Like Codes.”  Caltech appears to assert that encoding data as specified by the DVB-S2 standard used by our Hughes segment, infringes each of the asserted patents.

 

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 our consumers.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

CreateAds, LLC

 

On February 7, 2013, CreateAds, LLC (“CreateAds”) filed suit against Hughes Network Systems, LLC, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 5,535,320, which is entitled “Method of Generating a Visual Design.”  CreateAds appears to assert that some portion of HughesNet web design services infringes its patent.

 

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 our consumers.  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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E-Contact Technologies, LLC

 

On February 22, 2012, E-Contact Technologies, LLC (“E-Contact”) filed suit against two of our indirect wholly-owned 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 appeared to assert that some portion of HughesNet email services infringed that patent.  On April 17, 2013, the Court ordered E-Contact to show cause as to why the case should not be dismissed in light of a number of E-Contact’s patent claims being invalidated in an associated case, E-Contact Technologies, Inc. v. Apple, Inc. et al., 1:11-cv-432 (E.D. Tex.).  On April 22, 2013, the Court granted a stipulated motion that dismissed with prejudice E-Contact’s claims against us.

 

Harbinger Capital Partners, LLC, et al.

 

On August 6, 2013, Harbinger Capital Partners, LLC, HGW US Holdings Company LP, Blue Line DZM Corp., and Harbinger Capital Partners SP, Inc. (collectively “Harbinger”), the majority and controlling shareholders of LightSquared, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“LightSquared”), filed an adversary proceeding against EchoStar Corporation, as well as against Charles W. Ergen, DISH Network Corporation, L-Band Acquisition, LLC (“LBAC”), SP Special Opportunities LLC (“SPSO”), SP Special Opportunities Holdings LLC, Sound Point Capital Management LP, and Stephen Ketchum.  The adversary proceeding was filed in the LightSquared bankruptcy cases pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, which cases are jointly administered under the caption In re LightSquared Inc., et al., Case No. 12-12080 (SCC).  Harbinger filed an amended complaint on August 30, 2013.  Harbinger has alleged, among other things, claims based on fraud, unfair competition, civil conspiracy and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage related to certain purchases of LightSquared secured debt by SPSO, an entity controlled by Mr. Ergen.  LightSquared has intervened to join in certain claims alleged against certain defendants other than us, LBAC and DISH Network Corporation.  Harbinger has alleged damages in excess of $4.0 billion.

 

On October 29, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court dismissed all of Harbinger’s claims in the action in their entirety.  The Bankruptcy Court Judge granted leave for LightSquared to file an amended pleading solely related to certain contract and other related claims under the credit agreement pursuant to which SPSO made certain purchases of LightSquared secured debt and dismissed all other claims alleged by LightSquared in the action.

 

We intend to vigorously defend this proceeding and cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of this proceeding or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

The Hopper Litigation

 

On May 24, 2012, DISH Network L.L.C., filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (“ABC”), CBS Corporation (“CBS”), Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., Fox Television Holdings, Inc., Fox Cable Network Services, L.L.C. (collectively, “Fox”) and NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBC”).  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 the Hopper™ set-top boxes we design and sell to DISH Network.  A consumer can use the PrimeTime Anytime feature 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.  A consumer can use the AutoHop feature 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.

 

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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 placeshifting 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, but remain separate cases.

 

As a result of certain parties’ competing counterclaims and 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 and contract claims regarding the NBC parties are pending in California.

 

On September 21, 2012, the United States District Court for the Central District of California heard the Fox plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Hopper set-top box’s PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features and, on November 7, 2012, entered an order denying the motion.  The Fox plaintiffs appealed and on July 24, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of the Fox plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction as to the PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features.  On August 7, 2013, the Fox plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc.  On March 27, 2013, at the request of the parties, the United States District Court for the Central District of California granted a stay of all proceedings in the action brought by the NBC plaintiffs, pending resolution of the appeal by the Fox plaintiffs.

 

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.  Additionally, the CBS plaintiffs have filed a counterclaim alleging that DISH fraudulently concealed the AutoHop feature when negotiating renewal of its CBS retransmission consent agreement.  On November 23, 2012, the ABC plaintiffs filed a motion in the New York action for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Hopper set-top box’s PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features, and on September 18, 2013, the New York court denied that motion.  The ABC plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal.  On February 21, 2013, the Fox plaintiffs filed a second motion for preliminary injunction against: (i) DISH, seeking to enjoin the Hopper Transfers™ feature in the second-generation Hopper set-top box, alleging breach of a retransmission consent agreement; and (ii) EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and DISH, seeking to enjoin the Sling placeshifting functionality in the second-generation Hopper set-top box, alleging copyright infringement by both defendants, and breach of the earlier-mentioned retransmission consent agreement by DISH.  A hearing on that motion was held on April 19, 2013 and on September 23, 2013, the Fox plaintiffs’ motion was denied.

 

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 Network.  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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Nazomi Communications, Inc.

 

On February 10, 2010, Nazomi Communications, Inc. (“Nazomi”) filed suit against Sling Media, Inc. (“Sling”), our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, as well as 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.  On August 14, 2012, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, to which the case had earlier been transferred, granted Sling’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement.  Nazomi’s appeal is pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

 

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.

 

Network Acceleration Technologies, LLC

 

On November 30, 2012, Network Acceleration Technologies, LLC (“NAT”) filed suit against Hughes Network Systems, LLC, our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,091,710 (the “710 patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Preventing Data Slow Down Over Asymmetric Data Transmission Links.”  NAT re-filed its case on July 19, 2013.  NAT 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, as well as an ongoing royalty obligation.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

 

Personalized Media Communications, Inc.

 

During 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. (“PMC”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation, 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 sub licensees.  A new trial date has not yet been set.

 

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 cause 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.

 

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Premier International Associates, LLC

 

On August 3, 2012, Premier International Associates, LLC (“Premier International Associates”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and DISH Network and its indirect 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.  On March 27, 2013, Premier International Associates dismissed the action against us and the DISH Network defendants with prejudice, pursuant to a settlement under which we and the DISH Network defendants made an immaterial payment in exchange for a license to certain patents and patent applications.

 

Shareholder Derivative Litigation

 

On December 5, 2012, Greg Jacobi, derivatively on behalf of EchoStar Corporation, filed suit (the “Jacobi Litigation”) against Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, R. Stanton Dodge, Tom A. Ortolf, C. Michael Schroeder, Joseph P. Clayton, David K. Moskowitz, and EchoStar Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada.  The complaint alleges that a March 2011 attempted grant of 1.5 million stock options to Charles Ergen breached defendants’ fiduciary duties, resulted in unjust enrichment, and constituted a waste of corporate assets.

 

On December 18, 2012, Chester County Employees’ Retirement Fund, derivatively on behalf of EchoStar Corporation, filed a suit (the “Chester County Litigation”) against Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, R. Stanton Dodge, Tom A. Ortolf, C. Michael Schroeder, Anthony M. Federico, Pradman P. Kaul, Joseph P. Clayton, and EchoStar Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.  The complaint similarly alleges that the March 2011 attempted grant of 1.5 million stock options to Charles Ergen breached defendants’ fiduciary duties, resulted in unjust enrichment, and constituted a waste of corporate assets.

 

On February 22, 2013, the Chester County Litigation was transferred to the District of Nevada, and on April 3, 2013, the Chester County Litigation was consolidated into the Jacobi Litigation.

 

Of the attempted grant of 1.5 million options to Mr. Ergen in 2011, only 800,000 were validly granted and remain outstanding.  We intend to vigorously defend these cases.  We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability.

 

Technology Development and Licensing, LLC

 

On January 22, 2009, Technology Development and Licensing, LLC (“TDL”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation 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 cause 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.

 

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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 for 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.”  On November 14, 2012, TQP filed suit in the same venue against Hughes Network Systems, LLC, our indirectly wholly owned subsidiary, alleging infringement of the same patent.  TQP is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.  On July 8, 2013, the Court granted a joint motion to dismiss the claims against Sling without prejudice.

 

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.

 

Other

 

In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of our 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.

 

Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

 

Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were no material changes in our risk factors as previously disclosed.

 

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 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

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Item 6.   EXHIBITS

 

(a)         Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

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 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

 

101(H)

 

 

The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, filed on November 12, 2013, 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 12, 2013

By:

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

 

(Duly Authorized Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 12, 2013

By:

/s/ David J. Rayner

 

 

David J. Rayner

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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