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EchoStar CORP - Quarter Report: 2012 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 


 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

T         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012.

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission File Number:  001-33807

 

EchoStar Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

 

26-1232727

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)

 

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

 

 

 

100 Inverness Terrace East

 

 

Englewood, Colorado

 

80112-5308

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

(303) 706-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

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 T   No  £

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer T

 

Accelerated filer £

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer £

 

Smaller reporting company £

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

As of April 30, 2012, the registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of 39,358,396 shares of Class A common stock and 47,687,039 shares of Class B common stock.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

i

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets —  March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (Unaudited)

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

4

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

37

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

48

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

50

 

 

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

51

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

53

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

54

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

None

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

None

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

55

 

 

 

 

Signatures

56

 



Table of Contents

 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

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

 

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

 

General Risks Affecting Our Business

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Table of Contents

 

Risks Affecting Our EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Risks Affecting Our EchoStar Satellite Services and Hughes Segments

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

ii



Table of Contents

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Other Risks

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

iii



Table of Contents

 

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

629,094

 

$

614,035

 

Marketable investment securities

 

1,053,650

 

1,082,407

 

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $18,893 and $18,484, respectively

 

240,486

 

212,960

 

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

 

284,407

 

229,852

 

Inventory

 

97,621

 

68,707

 

Deferred tax assets

 

38,340

 

23,492

 

Other current assets

 

67,673

 

76,284

 

Total current assets

 

2,411,271

 

2,307,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and marketable investment securities

 

23,987

 

24,286

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,092,470 and $2,003,875, respectively

 

2,509,702

 

2,453,546

 

FCC authorizations

 

469,810

 

469,810

 

Intangible assets, net

 

443,146

 

466,452

 

Goodwill

 

526,680

 

533,018

 

Marketable and other investment securities

 

147,315

 

140,439

 

Other noncurrent assets, net

 

155,558

 

148,449

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

4,276,198

 

4,236,000

 

Total assets

 

$

6,687,469

 

$

6,543,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

$

305,172

 

$

250,366

 

Trade accounts payable - DISH Network

 

19,002

 

16,374

 

Deferred revenue and other

 

49,778

 

54,090

 

Accrued interest

 

41,522

 

6,353

 

Accrued royalties

 

17,490

 

23,590

 

Accrued expenses and other

 

155,625

 

167,710

 

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

68,541

 

65,239

 

Total current liabilities

 

657,130

 

583,722

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

2,477,143

 

2,469,023

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

378,218

 

373,391

 

Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities

 

67,924

 

65,975

 

Total long-term obligations, net of current portion

 

2,923,285

 

2,908,389

 

Total liabilities

 

3,580,415

 

3,492,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Class A common stock, $.001 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 44,561,296 and 44,500,440 shares issued, and 39,028,978 and 38,968,122 shares outstanding, respectively

 

45

 

45

 

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

 

48

 

48

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,368,534

 

3,360,301

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

86,039

 

165,771

 

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

 

(258,899

)

(385,487

)

Treasury stock, at cost

 

(98,162

)

(98,162

)

Total EchoStar stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

3,097,605

 

3,042,516

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

9,449

 

9,110

 

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

3,107,054

 

3,051,626

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)

 

$

6,687,469

 

$

6,543,737

 

 

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

 

1



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

$

237,365

 

$

272,126

 

Equipment revenue - other

 

157,347

 

65,909

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

126,658

 

121,207

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

243,410

 

20,584

 

Total revenue

 

764,780

 

479,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses: (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below - Note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

337,166

 

293,384

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

167,830

 

61,460

 

Research and development expenses

 

17,350

 

8,859

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

96,979

 

44,772

 

General and administrative expenses - DISH Network

 

1,955

 

3,489

 

Depreciation and amortization (Notes 7 and 8)

 

114,090

 

57,014

 

Total costs and expenses

 

735,370

 

468,978

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

29,410

 

10,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2,879

 

2,677

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(38,621

)

462

 

Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments

 

127,995

 

665

 

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

 

 

3,304

 

Other, net

 

4,533

 

6,991

 

Total other income (expense)

 

96,786

 

14,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

126,196

 

24,947

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

305

 

(7,788

)

Net income (loss)

 

126,501

 

17,159

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(87

)

(5

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

126,588

 

$

17,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

86,684

 

85,466

 

Diluted

 

87,326

 

92,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

1.46

 

$

0.20

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

1.45

 

$

0.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss):

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

126,501

 

$

17,159

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

5,092

 

(192

)

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

 

43,429

 

6,771

 

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

 

(127,995

)

(665

)

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

(79,474

)

5,914

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

47,027

 

23,073

 

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

171

 

(5

)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

46,856

 

$

23,078

 

 

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 Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

126,501

 

$

17,159

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

114,090

 

57,014

 

Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates

 

(4,185

)

(5,008

)

Unrealized and realized (gains) losses on marketable investment securities and other investments

 

(127,995

)

(665

)

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

 

 

(3,304

)

Non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

6,918

 

2,981

 

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

 

(4,766

)

1,759

 

Other, net

 

6,511

 

353

 

Change in noncurrent assets

 

(3,681

)

1,570

 

Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net

 

(34,183

)

21,313

 

Net cash flows from operating activities

 

79,210

 

93,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable investment securities

 

(278,902

)

(551,508

)

Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities

 

348,754

 

488,781

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(114,007

)

(39,140

)

Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities

 

299

 

 

Purchase of strategic investments included in marketable and other investment securities

 

(374

)

(27,775

)

Proceeds from sale of strategic investments

 

 

15,437

 

Other, net

 

(4,554

)

51

 

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

(48,784

)

(114,154

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

(17,477

)

(13,019

)

Debt issuance costs

 

(229

)

 

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

 

1,297

 

14,153

 

Other

 

288

 

694

 

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

(16,121

)

1,828

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

754

 

(1,064

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

15,059

 

(20,218

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

614,035

 

141,814

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

629,094

 

$

121,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)

 

$

13,737

 

$

11,716

 

Capitalized interest

 

$

11,598

 

$

9,050

 

Cash received for interest

 

$

4,993

 

$

4,693

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

1,648

 

$

474

 

Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations

 

$

28,455

 

$

9,343

 

Capital expenditures included in accounts payable

 

$

7,652

 

$

9,463

 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.              Organization and Business Activities

 

Principal Business

 

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

 

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

 

·                  EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses 10 of our 11 owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related FCC licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”), United States government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Use of Estimates

 

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

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Fair values for our publicly traded debt securities are based on quoted market prices.  The fair values of our private debt is estimated based on an analysis in which we evaluate market conditions, related securities, various public and

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

private offerings, and other publicly available information.  In performing this analysis, we make various assumptions regarding, among other things, credit spreads, and the impact of these factors on the value of the notes.  See Note 9 for the fair value of our long-term debt.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands except per share amounts)

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

126,588

 

$

17,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

86,684

 

85,466

 

Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding

 

642

 

6,865

 

Diluted

 

87,326

 

92,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

1.46

 

$

0.20

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

1.45

 

$

0.19

 

 

As of March 31, 2012 and 2011, there were stock awards to purchase 4.4 million and 2.3 million shares, respectively, of our Class A common stock outstanding, not included in the weighted-average common shares outstanding above, as their effect is antidilutive.

 

Vesting of options and rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock granted pursuant to a performance-based stock incentive plan (“Restricted Performance Units”) is contingent upon meeting a certain company goal which is not yet probable of being achieved.  As a consequence, the following are also not included in the diluted EPS calculation.

 

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Performance-based options

 

659

 

689

 

Restricted Performance Units

 

74

 

92

 

Total

 

733

 

781

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

4.              Other Comprehensive Income Related Tax Effects

 

The following table presents the tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income. A full valuation allowance has been established against any deferred tax assets that are capital in nature.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

Before

 

Tax

 

Net

 

Before

 

Tax

 

Net

 

 

 

Tax

 

(Expense)

 

of Tax

 

Tax

 

(Expense)

 

of Tax

 

 

 

Amount

 

Benefit

 

Amount

 

Amount

 

Benefit

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

$

5,092

 

$

 

$

5,092

 

$

(192

)

$

 

$

(192

)

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

 

43,429

 

 

43,429

 

6,771

 

 

6,771

 

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

 

(127,995

)

 

(127,995

)

(665

)

 

(665

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(79,474

)

$

 

$

(79,474

)

$

5,914

 

$

 

$

5,914

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Marketable investment securities - current:

 

 

 

 

 

VRDNs

 

$

214,845

 

$

218,665

 

Strategic

 

120,170

 

216,090

 

Other

 

718,635

 

647,652

 

Total marketable investment securities - current

 

1,053,650

 

1,082,407

 

Restricted marketable investment securities (1)

 

3,181

 

3,939

 

Total

 

1,056,831

 

1,086,346

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)

 

20,806

 

20,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable and other investment securities - noncurrent:

 

 

 

 

 

Cost method

 

26,193

 

26,193

 

Equity method

 

121,122

 

114,246

 

Total marketable and other investment securities - noncurrent

 

147,315

 

140,439

 

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

 

$

1,224,952

 

$

1,247,132

 

 


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

 

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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.

 

Variable rate demand notes (“VRDNs”)

 

VRDNs are long-term floating rate municipal bonds with embedded put options that allow the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest.  All of the put options are secured by a pledged liquidity source.  Our VRDN portfolio is comprised of investments in many municipalities, 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 current strategic marketable investment securities are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience volatility.  As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, a significant portion of our strategic investment portfolio consisted of securities of several issuers and a significant portion of the value of that portfolio depends on the value of those issuers.

 

Other

 

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

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

 

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

 

Marketable and Other Investment Securities - Noncurrent

 

We account for our unconsolidated debt and equity investments under the fair value, equity and/or cost method of accounting.  We have several strategic investments in certain equity securities that are included in noncurrent “Marketable and other investment securities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Cost and Equity

 

Non-majority owned investments in equity securities are generally accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee.  However, when we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used.

 

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.

 

Fair Value

 

We elect the fair value method for certain debt and equity investments in affiliates when we believe the fair value method of accounting provides more meaningful information to our investors.  For our investments carried at fair

 

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Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

value, interest and dividends are measured at fair value and are recorded in “Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net” in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had accumulated net unrealized gains, net of related tax effect, of $95 million and $180 million, respectively, as a part of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total stockholders’ equity (deficit).”  A full valuation allowance has been established against any net deferred tax assets that are capital in nature.  The components of our available-for-sale investments are summarized in the table below.

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2012

 

As of December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment

 

Unrealized

 

Investment

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Securities

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Net

 

Securities

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

Net

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VRDNs

 

$

214,845

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

218,665

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Other (including restricted)

 

721,816

 

635

 

(1,017

)

(382

)

651,591

 

253

 

(2,715

)

(2,462

)

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

120,170

 

95,568

 

 

95,568

 

216,090

 

182,214

 

 

182,214

 

Total marketable investment securities

 

$

1,056,831

 

$

96,203

 

$

(1,017

)

$

95,186

 

$

1,086,346

 

$

182,467

 

$

(2,715

)

$

179,752

 

 

As of March 31, 2012, restricted and non-restricted marketable investment securities included debt securities of $831 million with contractual maturities of one year or less and $106 million with contractual maturities greater than one year.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities as a result of our ability to sell these securities prior to maturity.

 

Marketable Investment Securities in a Loss Position

 

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

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

Debt Securities

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized
Loss

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized
Loss

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Less than 12 months

 

$

428,083

 

$

(1,017

)

$

507,925

 

$

(2,709

)

12 months or more

 

 

 

3,931

 

(6

)

Total

 

$

428,083

 

$

(1,017

)

$

511,856

 

$

(2,715

)

 

9



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Our investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents (including restricted)

 

$

534,686

 

$

15,735

 

$

518,951

 

$

 

$

543,243

 

$

16,197

 

$

527,046

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VRDNs

 

$

214,845

 

$

 

$

214,845

 

$

 

$

218,665

 

$

 

$

218,665

 

$

 

Other (including restricted)

 

721,816

 

 

721,816

 

 

651,591

 

 

651,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities - strategic

 

120,170

 

120,170

 

 

 

216,090

 

216,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value

 

$

1,056,831

 

$

120,170

 

$

936,661

 

$

 

$

1,086,346

 

$

216,090

 

$

870,256

 

$

 

 

Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities and Other Investments

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we recognized $128 million and $1 million, respectively, of realized gains on sales of our debt and equity marketable investment securities.

 

Investment in TerreStar

 

In February 2008, we completed several transactions under a Master Investment Agreement between us, TerreStar Corporation and TerreStar Networks Inc. (“TerreStar”).  Under the Master Investment Agreement, we acquired, among other things, $50 million in aggregate principal amount of TerreStar Networks Inc.’s 6 1/2% Senior Exchangeable Paid-in-Kind Notes due June 15, 2014 (“Exchangeable Notes”).  TerreStar Networks, Inc. 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 Networks Inc.’s Chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the “TerreStar Networks Plan”) on February 15, 2012.

 

Pursuant to the TerreStar Networks Plan, which became effective March 29, 2012, our Exchangeable Notes were cancelled.  In satisfaction of our claims against TerreStar under the Exchangeable Notes, we have a right to receive a distribution, along with other general unsecured creditors, in accordance with the terms of the TerreStar Networks Plan.  The amount of any distribution we ultimately receive will vary depending upon and will be impacted by, among other things, the outcome of any claim objections, and will be substantially less than the amount we paid for the Exchangeable Notes.  Any proceeds received on this investment will be recognized as a gain in “Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and will directly impact our profitability.  As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had no investment in TerreStar.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

6.              Inventory

 

Inventory consists of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Finished goods

 

$

70,556

 

$

49,038

 

Raw materials

 

17,482

 

11,212

 

Work-in-process

 

9,583

 

8,457

 

Total inventory

 

$

97,621

 

$

68,707

 

 

7.              Property and Equipment

 

Depreciation and amortization expense consists of the following:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Satellites

 

$

37,059

 

$

23,125

 

Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other

 

50,573

 

25,377

 

Amortization of intangible assets and other

 

23,263

 

6,869

 

Buildings and improvements

 

3,195

 

1,643

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

114,090

 

$

57,014

 

 

The increase in our depreciation and amortization expense from the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in 2012 is primarily related to the Hughes Acquisition.

 

Cost of sales and other expense categories included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) do not include depreciation expense.

 

Satellites

 

We currently utilize 11 satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator, including the SPACEWAYTM 3 satellite, which was added to our satellite fleet as a result of the Hughes Acquisition in 2011.  Five of these satellites are leased.  Four of our leased satellites are accounted for as capital leases and are depreciated over the terms of the satellite service agreements, and the one satellite we lease from DISH Network is accounted for as an operating lease.  We depreciate our owned satellites on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each satellite.  See Note 14 for further discussion of our satellite leases with DISH Network.

 

Satellite Anomalies

 

Prior to 2012, certain of our satellites have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on their remaining useful life and/or commercial operation.  There can be no assurance that future anomalies will not further impact the remaining useful life and commercial operation of any of the satellites in our fleet.  See “Long-Lived Satellite Assets” below for further discussion of evaluation of impairment.  In addition, there can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail.  We generally do not carry in-orbit insurance on any of our satellites, other than SPACEWAY 3, EchoStar XVII/Jupiter and EchoStar XVI as discussed below, and therefore, we will bear the risk of any uninsured in-orbit

 

11



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

failures.  However, pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing certain portions of our indebtedness, we are required, subject to certain limitations on coverage, to maintain launch insurance for EchoStar XVII/Jupiter and EchoStar XVI and to maintain in-orbit insurance for EchoStar XVII/Jupiter, EchoStar XVI and SPACEWAY 3.  Satellite anomalies with respect to certain of our satellites are discussed below.

 

Owned Satellites

 

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

 

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

 

Leased Satellites

 

EchoStar I.  During first quarter 2012, it was determined that EchoStar I experienced a communications receiver anomaly.  While this anomaly did not impact the commercial operation of the satellite, there can be no assurance that future anomalies will not impact its future commercial operation.

 

AMC-16.  During 2012, AMC-16 experienced two additional solar-power anomalies, causing a partial power loss that further reduced its capacity.  Testing is being performed to determine the extent to which these anomalies impacted its commercial operations, the extent to which our monthly recurring payment under the applicable satellite services agreement may be further reduced and the extent to which our capital lease obligation may be further decreased. There can be no assurance that these anomalies or any future anomalies will not reduce its useful life or further impact its commercial operations.

 

Long-Lived Satellite Assets

 

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

 

12



Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

8.              Intangible Assets and Goodwill

 

Intangible Assets

 

Our identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Intangible

 

Accumulated

 

Intangible

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Assets

 

Amortization

 

Assets

 

Amortization

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Customer relationships

 

$

295,327

 

$

(86,995

)

$

295,327

 

$

(77,560

)

Contract-based

 

255,366

 

(154,137

)

255,366

 

(145,406

)

Technology-based (1)

 

153,185

 

(53,656

)

153,185

 

(49,307

)

Trademark portfolio

 

32,191

 

(1,861

)

32,191

 

(1,364

)

Favorable leases

 

4,707

 

(981

)

4,707

 

(687

)

Total

 

$

740,776

 

$

(297,630

)

$

740,776

 

$

(274,324

)

 

Amortization expense on these intangible assets is recorded on a straight-line basis over a useful life primarily ranging from approximately one to twenty years or in relation to the estimated discounted cash flows over the life of the intangible.  Amortization expense was $23 million and $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

Estimated future amortization of our identifiable intangible assets as of March 31, 2012 is as follows:

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2012 (remaining nine months)

 

$

67,726

 

2013

 

69,495

 

2014

 

78,082

 

2015

 

63,360

 

2016

 

42,263

 

Thereafter (1)

 

122,220

 

Total

 

$

443,146

 

 


(1)  On December 31, 2010, we acquired certain assets of Move Networks, Inc. which included in-process research and development (“R&D”).  In-process R&D assets acquired in a business combination initially are considered indefinite-lived assets until either the completion or abandonment of the associated R&D efforts.  Upon the successful completion of the development process, we will commence amortization of the balance over the estimated useful life of the project.  For purposes of the future amortization table, we include, among other things, the entire in-process R&D balance of $26 million in the category labeled “Thereafter” until such time that the R&D efforts are finalized or abandoned.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Goodwill

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we made adjustments to the allocation of our purchase price related to the Hughes Acquisition as summarized in the table below.

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2011

 

$

533,018

 

Adjustments to the Hughes Acquisition (non-deductible)

 

(6,338

)

Balance as of March 31, 2012

 

$

526,680

 

 

9.              Debt

 

Fair Value of our Debt

 

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

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019

 

$

1,100,000

 

$

1,155,000

 

$

1,100,000

 

$

1,138,500

 

7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021

 

900,000

 

969,750

 

900,000

 

936,000

 

Mortgages and other notes payable

 

6,567

 

6,567

 

6,644

 

6,644

 

Subtotal

 

2,006,567

 

$

2,131,317

 

2,006,644

 

$

2,081,144

 

Capital lease obligations (1)

 

539,117

 

NA

 

527,618

 

NA

 

Total debt and capital lease obligations

 

$

2,545,684

 

 

 

$

2,534,262

 

 

 

 


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

 

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

 

10.       Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock Incentive Plans

 

We maintain stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees.  Stock awards under these plans include both performance and non-performance based stock incentives.  As of March 31, 2012, we had outstanding under these plans stock options to acquire 8.7 million shares of our Class A common stock and 0.1 million restricted stock units.  Stock options granted prior to and on March 31, 2012 were granted with exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant and with a maximum term of ten years.  While historically we have issued stock awards subject to vesting, typically at the rate of 20% to 33% per year, some stock awards have been granted with immediate vesting and other stock awards vest only upon the achievement of certain company-wide objectives.  As of March 31, 2012, we had 4.8 million shares of our Class A common stock available for future grant under our stock incentive plans.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Similarly, each holder of DISH Network restricted stock units retained his or her DISH Network restricted stock units and received one EchoStar restricted stock unit for every five DISH Network restricted stock units that they held.

 

Consequently, the fair value of the DISH Network stock award and the new EchoStar stock award immediately following the Spin-off was equivalent to the fair value of such stock award immediately prior to the Spin-off.

 

The following stock awards were outstanding:

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2012

 

 

 

EchoStar Awards

 

DISH Network Awards

 

Stock Awards Outstanding

 

Stock
Options

 

Restricted
Stock
Units

 

Stock
Options

 

Restricted
Stock
Units

 

Held by EchoStar employees

 

7,916,296

 

89,940

 

2,580,701

 

94,999

 

Held by DISH Network employees

 

791,554

 

53,620

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Total

 

8,707,850

 

143,560

 

2,580,701

 

94,999

 

 

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

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Stock Award Activity

 

Our stock option activity was as follows:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Total options outstanding, beginning of period

 

8,778,413

 

$

27.22

 

Granted

 

15,000

 

$

28.14

 

Exercised

 

(24,803

)

$

17.80

 

Forfeited and cancelled

 

(60,760

)

$

29.99

 

Total options outstanding, end of period

 

8,707,850

 

$

27.23

 

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

 

658,700

 

$

25.30

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

3,742,230

 

$

26.03

 

 


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

 

We realized tax benefits from stock awards exercised as follows:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Tax benefit from stock awards exercised

 

$

1,236

 

$

2,170

 

 

Based on the closing market price of our Class A common stock on March 31, 2012, the aggregate intrinsic value of our stock options was as follows:

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Options
Outstanding

 

Options
Exercisable

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Aggregate intrinsic value

 

$

33,740

 

$

13,972

 

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Our restricted stock unit activity was as follows:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Restricted
Stock
Units

 

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Total restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of period

 

144,226

 

$

29.22

 

Granted

 

 

$

 

Vested

 

 

$

 

Forfeited and cancelled

 

(666

)

$

25.46

 

Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period

 

143,560

 

$

29.24

 

Restricted Performance Units outstanding, end of period (1)

 

73,610

 

$

26.62

 

 


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

 

Long-Term Performance-Based Plans

 

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

 

Contingent compensation related to the 2005 LTIP will not be recorded in our financial statements unless and until the achievement of the performance condition is probable.  The competitive nature of our industry and certain other factors can significantly impact achievement of the goal.  Consequently, while it was determined that achievement of the goal was not probable as of March 31, 2012, this assessment could change in the future.

 

If all of the stock awards under the 2005 LTIP were vested and the goal had been met, or if we had determined that achievement of the goal was probable during the three months ended March 31, 2012, we would have recorded total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for our employees as indicated in the table below.  If the goal is met and there are unvested stock awards at that time, the vested amounts would be expensed immediately on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), with the unvested portion recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period.

 

 

 

2005 LTIP

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

 

Total

 

Portion (1)

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

DISH Network awards held by EchoStar employees

 

$

16,292

 

$

16,140

 

EchoStar awards held by EchoStar employees

 

3,008

 

2,977

 

Total

 

$

19,300

 

$

19,117

 

 


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

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Of the 8.7 million stock options and 0.1 million restricted stock units outstanding under our stock incentive plans the following awards were outstanding pursuant to the 2005 LTIP:

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Number of
Awards

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Stock options

 

658,700

 

$

25.30

 

Restricted Performance Units

 

73,610

 

 

 

Total

 

732,310

 

 

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

During December 2011, DISH Network paid a dividend in cash of $2.00 per share on their outstanding Class A and Class B common stock to shareholders of record on November 17, 2011.  In light of such dividend, during January 2012, the exercise price of 2.6 million DISH Network stock options held by 194 of our employees was reduced by $2.00 per share (“DISH Network’s 2012 Stock Option Adjustment”).  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we incurred $3 million of additional non-cash, stock-based compensation expense in connection with DISH Network’s 2012 Stock Option Adjustment.  This amount is included in the table below.  Total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for all of our employees is shown in the following table and was allocated to the same expense categories as the base compensation for such employees:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Research and development expenses

 

$

1,061

 

$

603

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

5,857

 

2,378

 

Total non-cash, stock-based compensation

 

$

6,918

 

$

2,981

 

 

As of March 31, 2012, our total unrecognized compensation cost related to our non-performance based unvested stock awards was $42 million and includes compensation expense that we will recognize for DISH Network stock awards held by our employees as a result of the Spin-off.  This cost is based on an estimated future forfeiture rate of approximately 1.8% per year and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately three years.  Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on stock awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures.  Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  Changes in the estimated forfeiture rate can have a significant effect on share-based compensation expense since the effect of adjusting the rate is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Valuation

 

The fair value of each stock option for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was estimated at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

Stock Options

 

2012

 

2011

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

1.33

%

2.57

%

Volatility factor

 

40.36

%

34.68

%

Expected term of options in years

 

6.0

 

6.0

 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted

 

$

11.37

 

$

14.42

 

 

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

 

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

 

11.       Acquisition

 

Hughes Communications

 

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

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

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

 

 

 

Preliminary

 

 

 

Purchase Price

 

 

 

Allocation

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash

 

$

98,900

 

Marketable investment securities

 

22,148

 

Other current assets

 

282,471

 

Property and equipment

 

930,426

 

Intangibles

 

420,907

 

Goodwill (non-deductible)

 

509,860

 

FCC authorizations

 

400,000

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

55,776

 

Current liabilities

 

(293,029

)

Deferred tax liabilities

 

(220,928

)

Long-term liabilities

 

(22,239

)

Non-controlling interests

 

(9,679

)

Total purchase price

 

$

2,174,613

 

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2011 gives effect to the Hughes Acquisition as if it occurred on January 1, 2010.  These pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred if this transaction had occurred on such date and should not be used as a predictive measure of our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  The pro forma adjustments are based on currently available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable.

 

 

 

For the Three

 

 

 

Months Ended

 

Supplemental pro forma financial information (Unaudited)

 

March 31, 2011

 

 

 

(In thousands,
except per share
amounts)

 

Total revenue

 

$

743,109

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

(6,246

)

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

(0.07

)

Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar

 

$

(0.07

)

 

Effective June 9, 2011, revenue and expenses associated with the Hughes Acquisition are included within the Hughes segment in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  See Note 13 for further discussion.

 

12.       Commitments and Contingencies

 

Commitments

 

Acquisition of Brazilian Orbital Slot.  On August 30, 2011, we were declared the winner of the right to select an orbital slot in an auction conducted by ANATEL, the Brazilian communications regulatory authority.  We selected the 45 degree west longitude orbital location for a bid of approximately $80 million using an exchange rate of $1 to 1.8221 Brazilian Real as of March 31, 2012.  We must comply with certain post-auction regulatory and payment requirements before we will receive the orbital slot.  Once we receive the orbital slot, which is expected to occur

 

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Table of Contents

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

during May 2012, the slot will be used to expand our video and data capabilities in South America.  Pursuant to our obligations under the license for the orbital slot we will be required to make significant additional investments, which may affect our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

EchoStar XVI.  During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”), which is expected to be launched during the second half of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.  As of March 31, 2012, the remaining obligation related to EchoStar XVI is $68 million, which includes the launch contract, launch insurance and one-year of in-orbit insurance.

 

EchoStar XVII/Jupiter.  During June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVII/Jupiter, which is expected to launch in the summer of 2012.  Barrett Xplore Inc. has agreed to lease the user beams designed to operate in Canada, which represents a portion of the capacity available on EchoStar XVII/Jupiter.  As of March 31, 2012, the remaining obligation related to EchoStar XVII/Jupiter is $120 million, which includes the launch contract, launch insurance and one year of in-orbit insurance.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

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

 

On September 15, 2011, LVL Patent Group, LLC filed a complaint against us and our wholly-owned subsidiary, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., as well as DISH Network L.L.C. a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, and DirecTV, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,044,382, which is entitled “Data Transaction Assembly Server.”  On November 18, 2011, Cyberfone Systems, LLC (f/k/a LVL Patent Group, LLC) filed an amended complaint making the same claim.  DirecTV was dismissed from the case on January 4, 2012.

 

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

 

E-Contact Technologies, LLC

 

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

 

We, along with the third party service provider, intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us or our service provider 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.

 

Joao Control & Monitoring Systems

 

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

 

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

 

Nazomi Communications, Inc.

 

On February 10, 2010, Nazomi Communications, Inc. (“Nazomi”) filed suit against Sling Media, Inc., our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Nokia Corp, Nokia Inc., Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Western Digital Corp., Western Digital Technologies, Inc., Garmin Ltd., Garmin Corp., Garmin International, Inc., Garmin USA, Inc., Vizio Inc. and iOmega Corp in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,080,362 (the “‘362 patent”) and United States Patent No. 7,225,436 (the “‘436 patent”).  The ‘362 patent and the ‘436 patent relate to Java hardware acceleration.  The suit alleges that the Slingbox-Pro-HD product infringes the ‘362 patent and the ‘436 patent because the Slingbox-PRO HD allegedly incorporates an ARM926EJ-S processor core capable of Java hardware acceleration.  During 2010, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.

 

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.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

NorthPoint Technology, Ltd.

 

On July 2, 2009, NorthPoint Technology, Ltd. (“NorthPoint”) filed suit against us, DISH Network, and DirecTV in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,208,636 (the “‘636 patent”).  The ‘636 patent relates to the use of multiple low-noise block converter feedhorns, or LNBFs, which are antennas used for satellite reception.  On April 21, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued an order granting reexamination of the ‘636 patent.  On June 21, 2011, the District Court entered summary judgment in our favor, finding that all asserted claims of the ‘636 patent are invalid.  NorthPoint has appealed.

 

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

 

Personalized Media Communications, Inc.

 

During 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. (“PMC”) filed suit against us, DISH Network and Motorola Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 4,694,490, 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.  Trial is currently set for August 2012.

 

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

 

Semiconductor Ideas to the Market BV

 

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

 

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

 

Technology Development and Licensing L.L.C.

 

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

 

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

 

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Vigilos, LLC

 

On February 23, 2011, Vigilos, LLC filed suit against us, two of our subsidiaries, Sling Media, Inc. and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., and Monsoon Multimedia, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,839,731, which is entitled “System and Method for Providing Data Communication in a Device Network.”  Subsequently in 2011, Vigilos added DISH Network L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH Network, as a defendant in its First Amended Complaint and the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.  Later in 2011, Vigilos filed a Second Amended Complaint that added claims for infringement of a second patent, United States Patent No. 7,370,074, which is entitled “System and Method for Implementing Open-Protocol Remote Device Control.”

 

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

 

Other

 

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

 

13.       Segment Reporting

 

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

 

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

 

·                  EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses 10 of our 11 owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related FCC licenses to lease capacity on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to Dish Mexico, United States government service providers, state agencies, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

 

 

All

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar

 

Satellite

 

 

 

Other and

 

Consolidated

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

 

Technologies

 

Services

 

Hughes

 

Eliminations

 

Total

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

$

408,579

 

$

73,583

 

$

274,218

 

$

8,400

 

$

764,780

 

EBITDA (1)

 

24,487

 

52,200

 

69,202

 

130,226

 

276,115

 

Interest income

 

 

22

 

73

 

2,784

 

2,879

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(20

)

(13,794

)

(88

)

(24,719

)

(38,621

)

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

(277

)

(2,652

)

(5,218

)

8,452

 

305

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(19,503

)

(31,439

)

(55,588

)

(7,560

)

(114,090

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

4,687

 

$

4,337

 

$

8,381

 

$

109,183

 

$

126,588

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

405,383

 

$

68,771

 

$

 

$

5,672

 

$

479,826

 

EBITDA (1)

 

24,263

 

44,246

 

 

10,318

 

78,827

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

2,677

 

2,677

 

Interest expense, net

 

(2

)

(8,523

)

 

8,987

 

462

 

Income tax benefit (provision), net

 

1,334

 

(4,640

)

 

(4,482

)

(7,788

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(26,651

)

(23,625

)

 

(6,738

)

(57,014

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

(1,056

)

$

7,458

 

$

 

$

10,762

 

$

17,164

 

 


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

 

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Geographic Information and Transactions with Major Customers

 

Geographic Information.  Revenues are attributed to geographic regions based upon the location where the goods and services are provided.  North American revenue includes transactions with North American customers.  All other revenue includes transactions with customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America and the Middle East.  The following table summarizes total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to the North American and other foreign locations.

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

Long-lived assets, including FCC authorizations:

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

North America

 

$

3,914,949

 

$

3,888,286

 

All other

 

34,389

 

34,540

 

Total

 

$

3,949,338

 

$

3,922,826

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

Revenue:

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

North America

 

$

688,584

 

$

472,309

 

All other

 

76,196

 

7,517

 

Total

 

$

764,780

 

$

479,826

 

 

Transactions with Major Customers.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, our revenue included sales to two major customers.  The following table summarizes sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Total revenue

 

 

 

 

 

DISH Network:

 

 

 

 

 

EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

$

300,198

 

$

336,032

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

53,633

 

53,941

 

Hughes Segment

 

531

 

 

All Other and Eliminations

 

9,661

 

3,360

 

Total DISH Network

 

$

364,023

 

$

393,333

 

Bell TV (EchoStar Technologies Segment)

 

66,178

 

41,402

 

All other

 

334,579

 

45,091

 

Total revenue

 

$

764,780

 

$

479,826

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of total revenue

 

 

 

 

 

DISH Network

 

47.6

%

82.0

%

Bell TV

 

8.7

%

8.6

%

All other

 

43.7

%

9.4

%

 

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14.       Related Party Transactions

 

DISH Network

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“Equipment revenue — DISH Network”

 

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

 

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

 

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“Services and other revenue — DISH Network”

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

EchoStar XVI.  DISH Network will lease certain satellite capacity from us on EchoStar XVI after its service commencement date, and this lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of

 

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the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder(s) on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) ten years following the actual service commencement date.  Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the satellite.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.  EchoStar XVI is expected to be launched during the second half of 2012.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

TT&C Agreement.  In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provided TT&C services to DISH Network for a period ending on January 1, 2012 (the “Prior TT&C Agreement”).  The fees for services provided under the Prior TT&C Agreement were calculated

 

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at cost plus a fixed margin.  DISH Network was able to terminate the Prior TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 60 days notice.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

DISHOnline.com Services Agreement.  Effective January 1, 2010, DISH Network entered into a two-year agreement with us pursuant to which DISH Network will receive 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 for any reason upon at least 120 days notice to us.  In November 2011, DISH Network exercised its right to renew this agreement for a one-year period ending on December 31, 2012.

 

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

 

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

 

Move Networks Services Agreement.  In the fourth quarter 2011, we granted DISH Network the right to use Move Network’s software and video publishing systems, which facilitate the streaming, downloading and distribution of audio and video content to set-top boxes via the Internet.  The fees for the services provided under this agreement are based upon a fixed fee which varies based upon the number of set-top boxes in a given month that access Move Network’s software.  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 180 days notice to us.

 

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

 

Additionally, on August 5, 2011, we entered into a letter agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which certain assets used to support Blockbuster’s website were transferred to us and we agreed to provide certain technical and infrastructure support for the Blockbuster website.  The fees for the services provided under the letter agreement are calculated at cost plus a fixed margin, which varies depending upon the nature of the services provided.  The letter agreement provides that it shall continue in effect until the completion of a definitive agreement between DISH Network and us setting forth the terms of our support of the Blockbuster website.

 

RUS Implementation Agreement.  In September 2010, DISH Broadband L.L.C. (“DISH Broadband”), DISH Network’s wholly owned subsidiary, was selected by the Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) of the United States Department of Agriculture to receive up to approximately $14 million in broadband stimulus grant funds (the “Grant Funds”).  On June 8, 2011, we completed the Hughes Acquisition.  Effective November 2011, Hughes Communications and DISH Broadband entered into a RUS Implementation Agreement (the “RUS Agreement”) pursuant to which Hughes Communications provides certain portions of the equipment and broadband service used to implement DISH Broadband’s RUS program. The initial term of the RUS Agreement shall continue until the earlier of:  (i) September 24, 2013; or (ii) the date that the Grant Funds have been exhausted.  In addition, DISH Broadband may terminate the RUS Agreement for convenience upon 45 days’ prior written notice to Hughes Communications.

 

“General and administrative expenses — DISH Network”

 

Management Services Agreement.  We have a Management Services Agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network makes certain of its officers available to provide services (which are primarily legal and accounting services) to us.  Specifically, Paul W. Orban remains employed by DISH Network, but also served as our Senior Vice President and Controller through April 2012.  In addition, R. Stanton Dodge remains employed by DISH Network, but also served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary through November 

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

2011.  We make payments to DISH Network based upon an allocable portion of the personnel costs and expenses incurred by DISH Network with respect to such DISH Network officers (taking into account wages and fringe benefits).  These allocations are based upon the estimated percentages of time to be spent by the DISH Network executive officers performing services for us under the Management Services Agreement.  We also reimburse DISH Network for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by DISH Network for management services provided to us.  We and DISH Network evaluate all charges for reasonableness at least annually and make any adjustments to these charges as we and DISH Network mutually agree upon.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Other Agreements — DISH Network

 

Satellite Capacity Leased from DISH Network.  During 2009, we entered into a satellite capacity agreement pursuant to which we lease certain satellite capacity from DISH Network on EchoStar I.  The fee for the services provided under this satellite capacity agreement depends, among other things, upon the orbital location of the satellite and the length of the lease.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the amount of those fees included in “Cost of sales — services and other” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) was approximately $4 million and $6 million, respectively.  The lease generally terminates upon the earlier of:  (i) the end of life or replacement of the satellite (unless we determine to renew on a year-to-year basis); (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder on which service is being provided fails; or (iv) a certain date, which depends, among other things, upon 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.  We generally have the option to renew this lease on a year-to-year basis through the end of the satellite’s life.  There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised.

 

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

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

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 2011, we and DISH Network extended this agreement until December 31, 2012.  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.  During the each of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we purchased remanufactured receivers and related components from DISH Network for an aggregate amount of less than $1 million.

 

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 Code because of: (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of our stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that we take or fail to take; or (iii) any action that we take that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions.  In such case, we will be solely liable for, and will indemnify DISH Network for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses.  The tax sharing agreement will only terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

DBSD North America Agreement.  On March 9, 2012, DISH Network completed its acquisition of 100% of the equity of reorganized DBSD North America.  Prior to DISH Network’s acquisition of DBSD North America and our completion of the Hughes Acquisition, DBSD North America and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hughes, entered into an agreement pursuant to which our Hughes segment provides, among other things, hosting, operations and maintenance services of DBSD North America’s satellite gateway and associated ground infrastructure.  This agreement was renewed for a one year period ending on February 15, 2013, and renews for four successive one-year periods unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 30 days notice prior to the expiration of any renewal term.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, our Hughes segment provided services to DBSD North America for an aggregate amount of less than $1 million.

 

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.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, our Hughes segment provided services to TerreStar for an aggregate amount of less than $1 million.

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Other Agreements

 

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

 

Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”)

 

We contract with Hughes Systique for software development services.  In addition to our 45% ownership in Hughes Systique, Pradman Kaul, the President of Hughes Communications, Inc. and a member of our Board of Directors and his brother, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique, in the aggregate, owned approximately 26%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of March 31, 2012.  Furthermore, Mr. Pradman Kaul serves on the board of directors of Hughes Systique.  We are considered the “primary beneficiary” of Hughes Systique and as a result, we are required to consolidate Hughes Systique’s results of operations in our operating results.

 

NagraStar L.L.C.

 

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

 

The table below summarizes our transactions with NagraStar.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Purchases from NagraStar

 

$

2,942

 

$

1,795

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Amounts payable to NagraStar

 

$

3,899

 

$

2,965

 

Commitments to purchase from NagraStar

 

$

2,730

 

$

2,731

 

 

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ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

 

Dish Mexico

 

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

 

The following table summarizes our transactions with Dish Mexico.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Sales not related to the original contribution commitment associated with our investment:

 

 

 

 

 

Digital set-top boxes and related accessories

 

$

14,296

 

$

9,347

 

Sales of satellite services

 

$

2,130

 

$

2,130

 

Uplink services

 

$

2,352

 

$

1,705

 

Engineering services

 

$

562

 

$

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Amounts receivable from Dish Mexico

 

$

7,150

 

$

8,594

 

 

Joint Venture in Taiwan

 

During December 2009, we entered into a joint venture to provide a DTH satellite service in Taiwan and certain other targeted regions in Asia.  We own 50% and have joint control of the joint venture.  Pursuant to our joint venture arrangements, we sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and provide certain technical support services to the joint venture.  We have provided $18 million of cash to the joint venture, and an $18 million line of credit that the joint venture may only use to purchase set-top boxes from us.  This investment is subject to an evaluation for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis.  This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things, company business plans and current financial statements, if available, for factors that may indicate an impairment of our investment.  During 2010, we recorded a $14 million charge to fully impair this investmentIn December 2011, we entered into an agreement to sell all of our equity in the joint venture, other than an approximately 5% interest, to a third party for nominal consideration (the “JV Sale Transaction”).  Upon the closing of the JV Sale Transaction, which is subject to receipt of customary regulatory approvals, our line of credit will be terminated. We expect to close the JV Sale Transaction during the first half of 2012.  As of March 31, 2012, the remaining amount available under the line of credit was $10 million and if advanced would be subject to our evaluation for other-than-temporary impairment.

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

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

 

EchoStar Technologies Segment

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

EchoStar Satellite Services Segment

 

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

 

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our EchoStar Satellite Services segment had contracted revenue backlog attributable to satellites currently in-orbit of approximately $1.227 billion and $1.285 billion, respectively, and contracted backlog attributable to satellites under construction of $621 million for each period.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Hughes Segment

 

On June 8, 2011, we completed the Hughes Acquisition, pursuant to the Hughes Agreement by and between us, certain of our subsidiaries, including EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., and Hughes Communications, Inc.  Hughes Communications is the global leader in broadband satellite technologies and services and a leading provider of managed network services.  Together with Hughes Communications, we have an extensive fleet of owned and leased satellites, experienced personnel and communications facilities around the world.  The Hughes Acquisition significantly expands our ability to provide new video and data products and solutions.  For information about the

 

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risks related to the Hughes Acquisition, please see Item 1A.  “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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

 

In June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into a contract for construction of EchoStar XVII/Jupiter, our next-generation, geostationary high throughput satellite. EchoStar XVII/Jupiter will employ a multi-spot beam, bent pipe Ka-band architecture and will provide additional capacity for the HughesNet consumer broadband Internet service in North America.  We anticipate launching EchoStar XVII/Jupiter in the summer of 2012.

 

As of March 31, 2012, we had approximately 634,000 customers that subscribe to our Hughes segment’s consumer and small/medium enterprise service.  In addition, as of March 31, 2012, our Hughes segment had total revenue backlog, which we define as our expected future revenue under customer contracts that are non-cancelable and excluding agreements with our customers in our consumer market, of approximately $1.019 billion.

 

Additional Challenges for our Hughes Segment.  Our ability to continue to grow our consumer revenue will depend on our success in adding new subscribers on our satellite network and successful launch and deployment of our EchoStar XVII/Jupiter satellite as planned.  We may need to adjust our service offerings in response to the offerings of our competitors, including ViaSat Communications, following its commencement of service on the ViaSat-1 satellite which launched in October 2011.  In addition, following the commencement of service on ViaSat-1 and prior to the commencement of service on EchoStar XVII/Jupiter, ViaSat Communications may be in a better position to offer faster connection speeds more economically than us, which could adversely impact our ability to add new subscribers and our consumer revenues.

 

An additional focus in this business is our ability to grow our revenue in the enterprise business, both domestically and internationally.  The growth of the enterprise business is also impacted by global economic conditions.

 

International DTH Platforms

 

During 2008, we entered into a joint venture with 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 sold $14 million and $9 million of digital set-top boxes and related components and $2 million and $2 million of satellite services to Dish Mexico during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  We also sold $2 million of uplink services to Dish Mexico during each of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 and $1 million of engineering services to Dish Mexico during the three months ended March 31, 2012. We did not provide any engineering services to Dish Mexico during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

New Business Opportunities

 

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

 

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Adverse Economic Conditions

 

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

 

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

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The following discussion and analysis of our condensed consolidated results of operations, financial condition and liquidity are presented on a historical basis.  Our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 also include those of Hughes Communications, which we acquired on June 8, 2011.  Therefore, our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are not comparable to our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Services and other revenue - other.  “Services and other revenue - other” primarily includes the sale 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.  “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” primarily includes interest expense associated with our debt and capital lease obligations (net of capitalized interest), and amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

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

 

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

 

Other, net.  The primary components of “Other, net” are transaction costs related to acquisitions and equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates.

 

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

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

Variance

 

Statements of Operations Data

 

2012

 

2011

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment revenue - DISH Network

 

$

237,365

 

$

272,126

 

$

(34,761

)

(12.8

)

Equipment revenue - other

 

157,347

 

65,909

 

91,438

 

*

 

Services and other revenue - DISH Network

 

126,658

 

121,207

 

5,451

 

4.5

 

Services and other revenue - other

 

243,410

 

20,584

 

222,826

 

*

 

Total revenue

 

764,780

 

479,826

 

284,954

 

59.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - equipment

 

337,166

 

293,384

 

43,782

 

14.9

 

% of Total equipment revenue

 

85.4

%

86.8

%

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales - services and other

 

167,830

 

61,460

 

106,370

 

*

 

% of Total services and other revenue

 

45.4

%

43.3

%

 

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

 

17,350

 

8,859

 

8,491

 

95.8

 

% of Total revenue

 

2.3

%

1.8

%

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

98,934

 

48,261

 

50,673

 

*

 

% of Total revenue

 

12.9

%

10.1

%

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

114,090

 

57,014

 

57,076

 

*

 

Total costs and expenses

 

735,370

 

468,978

 

266,392

 

56.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

29,410

 

10,848

 

18,562

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2,879

 

2,677

 

202

 

7.5

 

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

 

(38,621

)

462

 

(39,083

)

*

 

Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments

 

127,995

 

665

 

127,330

 

*

 

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

 

 

3,304

 

(3,304

)

(100.0

)

Other, net

 

4,533

 

6,991

 

(2,458

)

(35.2

)

Total other income (expense)

 

96,786

 

14,099

 

82,687

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

126,196

 

24,947

 

101,249

 

*

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

305

 

(7,788

)

8,093

 

*

 

Effective tax rate

 

(0.2

)%

31.2

%

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

126,501

 

17,159

 

109,342

 

*

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(87

)

(5

)

(82

)

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

126,588

 

$

17,164

 

$

109,424

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

276,115

 

$

78,827

 

$

197,288

 

*

 

 


*  Percentage is not meaningful.

 

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Equipment revenue — DISH Network.  “Equipment revenue — DISH Network” totaled $237 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, a decrease of $35 million or 12.8% compared to the same period in 2011.  This change primarily related to a decline in average revenue per unit partially offset by an increase in unit sales of set-top boxes.  The decline in average revenue per unit was driven by a change in product mix and continued manufacturing efficiencies, which reduced our set-top box costs.  Pursuant to the receiver agreement set-top boxes are sold to DISH Network at a cost (decreasing as we reduce costs and increasing as costs increase) plus a dollar mark-up, or at cost plus a fixed margin, resulting in a decline in revenue per unit when lower set-top box costs are incurred.  See Note 14 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Equipment revenue - other.  “Equipment revenue - other” totaled $157 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $91 million compared to the same period in 2011.  This increase was primarily related to revenue of $54 million contributed by our Hughes segment from the sale of broadband equipment and networks to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets. Higher sales to Bell TV as a result of an increase in the number of units sold and higher average revenue per unit also contributed to the increase.

 

Services and other revenue - other. “Services and other revenue - other” totaled $243 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $223 million compared to the same period in 2011.  This increase was primarily related to services revenue of $220 million contributed by our Hughes segment from the sale of broadband services to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services.

 

Cost of sales — equipment.  “Cost of sales — equipment” totaled $337 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $44 million or 14.9% compared to the same period in 2011.  This change primarily related to a $46 million increase in costs associated with the sale of broadband equipment and networks sold to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets from our Hughes segment and an increase in costs related to Bell TV sales, discussed above.  This change was partially offset by lower cost of sales resulting from a decrease in sales of digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network.  “Cost of sales — equipment” represented 85.4% and 86.8% of total equipment revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The improvement in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from the decrease in sales of set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network which have lower margins as discussed above.

 

Cost of sales — services and other.  “Cost of sales — services and other” totaled $168 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $106 million compared to the same period in 2011.  This change primarily related to costs of $103 million associated with the sale of broadband services provided to customers in our enterprise and consumer markets, and customers’ maintenance and other contracted services from our Hughes segment.  “Cost of sales — services and other” represented 45.4% and 43.3% of total services and other revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The increase in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from an increase in revenue and expenses from our Hughes segment.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $99 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $51 million compared to the same period in 2011.  This change primarily related to an increase in marketing and advertising expenses, and other general and administrative expenses, of which $50 million was associated with our Hughes segment.  “Selling, general and administrative expenses” represented 12.9% and 10.1% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The increase in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from an increase in revenue and expenses from our Hughes segment as well as a decrease in equipment revenue from DISH Network.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $114 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $57 million compared to the same period in 2011.  The increase was primarily related to additional amortization and depreciation expense of $56 million from our Hughes segment.

 

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Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.  “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $39 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $39 million compared to the same period in 2011.  This change primarily related to an increase in interest expense related to the issuance of our 6 1/2% senior secured notes due 2019 and 7 5/8% senior notes due 2021 during the second quarter of 2011.

 

Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments.  “Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments” totaled $128 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $127 million compared to the same period in 2011.  This change primarily related to a $128 million gain related to the sale of marketable investment securities during 2012.

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  EBITDA was $276 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $197 million compared to the same period in 2011.  This change primarily related to a $128 million gain related to the sale of marketable investment securities during the first quarter 2012.  The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

EBITDA

 

$

276,115

 

$

78,827

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

(35,742

)

3,139

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

 

305

 

(7,788

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(114,090

)

(57,014

)

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar

 

$

126,588

 

$

17,164

 

 

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.  The income tax benefit totaled less than $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $8 million compared to an $8 million provision in the same period in 2011.  This change primarily related to a decrease in the effective tax rate, partially offset by an increase in “Income (loss) before income taxes.”  The decrease in our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was primarily related to the release of valuation allowances associated with our capital investments.

 

Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar.  Our net income attributable to EchoStar was $127 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $109 million compared to the same period in 2011.  This change was primarily related to the changes in revenue, expenses and “Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments” discussed above.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities

 

We consider all liquid investments purchased within 90 days of their maturity to be cash equivalents.  See “Item 3. — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for further discussion regarding our marketable investment securities.  As of March 31, 2012, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities totaled $1.683 billion compared to $1.696 billion as of December 31, 2011, a decrease of $13 million.  This decrease in cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities was primarily driven by capital expenditures of $114 million, partially offset by cash generated from operations of $79 million.

 

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 municipal bonds with embedded put options that allow the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest.  All of the put options are secured by a pledged liquidity source.  Our VRDN portfolio is comprised of investments in many municipalities, which are backed by financial institutions or other highly rated companies that serve as the pledged

 

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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.  As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we held VRDNs, within our current marketable investment securities portfolio, with fair values of $215 million and $219 million, respectively.

 

Cash Flows

 

The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

We typically reinvest the cash flows from operating activities in our business.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we reported “Net cash flows from operating activities” of $79 million.  This amount is primarily comprised of $127 million of net income and $114 million of non-cash charges for “Depreciation and amortization” expense, partially offset by unrealized and realized net gains on marketable investment securities and other investments of $128 million.  The increase in cash flows was also partially offset by changes in operating assets and liabilities related to timing differences between book expense and cash payments.

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

Our investing activities generally include purchases and sales of marketable investment securities, capital expenditures, acquisitions and strategic investments.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we reported net cash outflows from investing activities of $49 million, which was primarily related to capital expenditures of $114 million partially offset by net sales of marketable investment securities of $70 million.

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

Our financing activities generally include net proceeds related to the issuance of long-term debt, cash used for the repurchase, redemption or payment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, and repurchases of our Class A common stock.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we reported net cash outflows from financing activities of $16 million primarily resulting from repayment of debt of $17 million, partially offset by proceeds received from Class A stock option exercises and stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The repayment of debt of $17 million primarily related to capital lease obligations.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Acquisition of Brazilian Orbital Slot.  On August 30, 2011, we were declared the winner of the right to select an orbital slot in an auction conducted by ANATEL, the Brazilian communications regulatory authority.  We selected the 45 degree west longitude orbital location for a bid of approximately $80 million using an exchange rate of $1 to 1.8221 Brazilian Real as of March 31, 2012.  We must comply with certain post-auction regulatory and payment requirements before we will receive the orbital slot.  Once we receive the orbital slot, which is expected to occur during May 2012, the slot will be used to expand our video and data capabilities in South America.  Pursuant to our obligations under the license for the orbital slot we will be required to make significant additional investments, which may affect our future financial condition or results of operations.

 

EchoStar XVI.  During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”), which is expected to be launched during the second half of 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location.  DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.  As of March 31, 2012, the remaining obligation related to EchoStar XVI is $68 million, which includes the launch contract, launch insurance and one-year of in-orbit insurance.

 

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EchoStar XVII/Jupiter.  During June 2009, Hughes Communications entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVII/Jupiter, which is expected to launch in the summer of 2012.  Barrett Xplore Inc. has agreed to lease the user beams designed to operate in Canada, which represents a portion of the capacity available on EchoStar XVII/Jupiter.  As of March 31, 2012, the remaining obligation related to EchoStar XVII/Jupiter is $120 million, which includes the launch contract, launch insurance and one year of in-orbit insurance.

 

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 March 31, 2012, we had $24 million of contractual obligations to customers and other statutory/governmental agencies, which were secured by letters of credit and insurance bonds.  Of this amount, $4 million was secured by restricted cash; $1 million related to insurance bonds; and $19 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 March 31, 2012, we had a notional amount of $8 million in foreign currency forward contracts in place to partially mitigate foreign exchange risk.  We evaluate our derivative financial instruments from time to time, but there can be no assurance that we will not enter into additional foreign currency forward contracts, or take other measures, in the future to mitigate our foreign exchange risk.

 

Future Capital Requirements

 

We primarily rely on our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances, as well as cash flow generated through our operations to fund our investment needs.  Since we currently depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of our revenue, our cash flow from operations depends heavily on its needs for equipment and services.  To the extent that DISH Network’s gross subscriber additions decrease or DISH Network experiences a net loss of subscribers, sales of our digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network may further decline, which in turn could have a further material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.  In addition, we currently have two satellites under construction, EchoStar XVI and EchoStar XVII/Jupiter.  The expected future payments related to these satellites are $188 million.  As a result, 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 March 31, 2012, our total indebtedness was $2.546 billion.  Our liquidity requirements will be significant, primarily due to our debt service requirements. In addition, our future capital expenditures are likely to increase if we make additional investments in infrastructure necessary to support and expand our business, or if we decide to purchase one or more additional satellites.  Other aspects of our business operations may also require additional capital.  We periodically evaluate various strategic initiatives, the pursuit of which also could require us to raise significant additional capital.

 

Satellites

 

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

 

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Stock Repurchases

 

Pursuant to a stock repurchase plan approved by our Board of Directors, we are authorized to repurchase up to $500 million of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2012.  As of March 31, 2012, we have not made any repurchases 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 can not provide assurance that this will continue in the future.

 

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

 

Item 3.                       QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market Risks Associated with Financial Instruments and Foreign Currency

 

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

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of March 31, 2012, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had a fair value of $1.683 billion.  Of that amount, a total of $1.563 billion was invested in: (a) cash; (b) VRDNs convertible into cash at par value plus accrued interest generally in five business days or less; (c) debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; (d) commercial paper and corporate notes with an overall average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and/or (e) instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality characteristics to the commercial paper and corporate obligations described above.  The primary purpose of these investing activities has been to preserve principal until the cash is required to, among other things, fund operations, make strategic investments and expand the business.  Consequently, the size of this portfolio fluctuates significantly as cash is received and used in our business.  The value of this portfolio is negatively impacted by credit losses; however, this risk is mitigated through diversification that limits our exposure to any one issuer.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

A change in interest rates would affect the fair value of our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities portfolio; however, we normally hold these investments to maturity.  Based on our current non-strategic investment portfolio of $1.563 billion as of March 31, 2012, a hypothetical 10% change in average interest rates during 2012 would not have a material impact on their fair value due to the limited duration of our investments.

 

Our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had an average annual rate of return for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of 0.8%.  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%

 

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

 

decrease in average interest rates during 2012 would result in a decrease of approximately $1 million in annual interest income.

 

Strategic Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of March 31, 2012, we held current strategic and financial debt and equity investments of public companies with a fair value of $120 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 our strategic and financial debt and equity investments can be significantly impacted by the risk of adverse changes in securities markets generally, as well as risks related to the performance of the companies whose securities we have invested in, risks associated with specific industries, and other factors.  These investments are subject to significant fluctuations in fair value due to the volatility of the securities markets and of the underlying businesses.  In general, the debt instruments held in our strategic marketable investment securities portfolio are not significantly impacted by interest rate fluctuations as their value is more closely related to factors specific to the underlying business.  A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the price of our public strategic debt and equity investments would result in a decrease of approximately $12 million in the fair value of these investments.

 

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

 

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

 

As of March 31, 2012, we had $24 million of restricted cash and marketable investment securities invested in:  (a) cash; (b) VRDNs convertible into cash at par value plus accrued interest generally in five business days or less; (c) debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; (d) commercial paper and corporate notes with an overall average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and/or (e) instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality characteristics to the commercial paper described above.  Based on our March 31, 2012 investment portfolio, a hypothetical 10% increase in average interest rates would not have a material impact in the fair value of our restricted cash and marketable investment securities.

 

Other Investment Securities

 

As of March 31, 2012, we had $147 million of noncurrent public and nonpublic debt and equity instruments that we hold for strategic business purposes and account for under the cost, equity and/or fair value methods of accounting. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of these debt and equity instruments would result in a decrease of approximately $15 million in the fair value of these investments.

 

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

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We generally conduct our business in United States dollars.  Our international business is conducted in United States dollars and a variety of foreign currencies and it is therefore exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  Our objective in managing our exposure to foreign currency changes is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate fluctuations.  Accordingly, we may enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate risks associated with foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency transactions.  As of March 31, 2012, we had an estimated $36 million of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables outstanding, and $8 million of foreign currency forward contracts in

 

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

 

place to partially mitigate foreign currency risk.  The differences between the face amounts of the foreign exchange contracts and their estimated fair values were not material as of March 31, 2012.

 

The impact of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates on the fair value of foreign currency denominated net assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries would be an estimated loss of $14 million as of March 31, 2012.

 

Long-Term Debt

 

As of March 31, 2012, we had long-term debt of $2.007 billion, excluding capital lease obligations, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We estimated the fair value of this debt to be approximately $2.131 billion using quoted market prices for our publicly traded debt, which constitutes approximately 99% of our debt.  Our debt has fixed interest rates; however the fair value of our debt is affected by fluctuations in interest rates.  A hypothetical 10% decrease in assumed interest rates would increase the fair value of our debt by approximately $82 million.  To the extent interest rates increase, our costs of financing would increase if and when we refinance our debt.  As of March 31, 2012, a hypothetical 10% increase in assumed interest rates would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $14 million.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

In general we do not use derivative financial instruments for hedge accounting or speculative purposes; however, as of March 31, 2012, we had $8 million of foreign currency forward contracts in place to partially mitigate foreign exchange risk.  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.

 

Item 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

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

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

On September 15, 2011, LVL Patent Group, LLC filed a complaint against us and our wholly-owned subsidiary, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., as well as DISH Network L.L.C. a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, and DirecTV, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,044,382, which is entitled “Data Transaction Assembly Server.”  On November 18, 2011, Cyberfone Systems, LLC (f/k/a LVL Patent Group, LLC) filed an amended complaint making the same claim.  DirecTV was dismissed from the case on January 4, 2012.

 

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

 

E-Contact Technologies, LLC

 

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

 

We, along with the third party service provider, intend to vigorously defend this case.  In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us or our service provider 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.

 

Joao Control & Monitoring Systems

 

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

 

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

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION - Continued

 

Nazomi Communications, Inc.

 

On February 10, 2010, Nazomi Communications, Inc. (“Nazomi”) filed suit against Sling Media, Inc., our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Nokia Corp, Nokia Inc., Microsoft Corp., Amazon.com Inc., Western Digital Corp., Western Digital Technologies, Inc., Garmin Ltd., Garmin Corp., Garmin International, Inc., Garmin USA, Inc., Vizio Inc. and iOmega Corp in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,080,362 (the “‘362 patent”) and United States Patent No. 7,225,436 (the “‘436 patent”).  The ‘362 patent and the ‘436 patent relate to Java hardware acceleration.  The suit alleges that the Slingbox-Pro-HD product infringes the ‘362 patent and the ‘436 patent because the Slingbox-PRO HD allegedly incorporates an ARM926EJ-S processor core capable of Java hardware acceleration.  During 2010, the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.

 

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

 

NorthPoint Technology, Ltd.

 

On July 2, 2009, NorthPoint Technology, Ltd. (“NorthPoint”) filed suit against us, DISH Network, and DirecTV in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,208,636 (the “‘636 patent”).  The ‘636 patent relates to the use of multiple low-noise block converter feedhorns, or LNBFs, which are antennas used for satellite reception.  On April 21, 2011, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued an order granting reexamination of the ‘636 patent.  On June 21, 2011, the District Court entered summary judgment in our favor, finding that all asserted claims of the ‘636 patent are invalid.  NorthPoint has appealed.

 

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

 

Personalized Media Communications, Inc.

 

During 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. (“PMC”) filed suit against us, DISH Network and Motorola Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 4,694,490, 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.  Trial is currently set for August 2012.

 

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

 

Semiconductor Ideas to the Market BV

 

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

 

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

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION - Continued

 

Technology Development and Licensing L.L.C.

 

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

 

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

 

Vigilos, LLC

 

On February 23, 2011, Vigilos, LLC filed suit against us, two of our subsidiaries, Sling Media, Inc. and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., and Monsoon Multimedia, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,839,731, which is entitled “System and Method for Providing Data Communication in a Device Network.”  Subsequently in 2011, Vigilos added DISH Network L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of DISH Network, as a defendant in its First Amended Complaint and the case was transferred to the Northern District of California.  Later in 2011, Vigilos filed a Second Amended Complaint that added claims for infringement of a second patent, United States Patent No. 7,370,074, which is entitled “System and Method for Implementing Open-Protocol Remote Device Control.”

 

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

 

Other

 

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

 

Item 1A.   RISK FACTORS

 

Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, there were no material changes in our risk factors as previously disclosed.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION - Continued

 

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

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table provides information regarding repurchases of our Class A common stock from January 1, 2012 through March 31, 2012.

 

Period

 

Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased

 

Average
Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs

 

Maximum Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)

 

 

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

January 1 - January 31, 2012

 

 

$

 

 

$

500,000

 

February 1 - February 29, 2012

 

 

$

 

 

$

500,000

 

March 1 - March 31, 2012

 

 

$

 

 

$

500,000

 

Total

 

 

$

 

 

$

500,000

 

 


(1)   Our Board of Directors previously authorized stock repurchases of up to $500 million of our Class A common stock.  On November 2, 2011, our Board of Directors extended the plan, such that we are currently authorized to repurchase up to $500 million of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2012.  Purchases under our repurchase program may be made through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, subject to market conditions and other factors.  We may elect not to purchase the maximum amount of shares allowable under this program and we may also enter into additional share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION - Continued

 

Item 6.   EXHIBITS

 

(a)         Exhibits.

 

10.1+

Receiver Agreement dated January 1, 2012 between Echosphere L.L.C. and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. **

 

 

10.2+

Broadcast Agreement dated January 1, 2012 between EchoStar Broadcasting Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C.**

 

 

31.1+

Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

31.2+

Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

32.1+

Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

32.2+

Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

101+

The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, filed on May 7, 2012, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”):  (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (iv) related notes to these financial statements.*

 


+                                         Filed herewith.

 

*                                         In accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, the information in this Exhibit 101 shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by the specific reference in such filing.

 

**                                  Certain portions of the exhibit have been omitted and separately filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Michael T. Dugan

 

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

 

 

(Duly Authorized Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kenneth G. Carroll

 

 

Kenneth G. Carroll

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

Date:  May 7, 2012

 

 

 

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