UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form
(Mark One)
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED
OR
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO .
Commission File Number:
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
(
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
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. (Note: The registrant is a voluntary filer of reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ | |
Smaller reporting company Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
As of May 8, 2024, the registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of
The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions (H)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i | ||
1 | ||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) | 2 | |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity (Deficit) | 3 | |
4 | ||
5 | ||
54 | ||
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | * |
79 | ||
79 | ||
79 | ||
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | * |
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | * |
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | None |
Item 5. | Other Information | None |
79 | ||
80 |
*This item has been omitted pursuant to the reduced disclosure format as set forth in General Instructions (H)(2) of Form 10-Q.
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Unless otherwise required by the context, in this report, the words “DISH Network,” “DISH,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries, “EchoStar” refers to EchoStar Corporation, our parent company, and its subsidiaries, including us, and “DISH DBS” and “DDBS” refers to DISH DBS Corporation, our wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary and its subsidiaries.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, in particular, statements about our plans, objectives and strategies, growth opportunities in our industries and businesses, our expectations regarding future results, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, our estimates regarding the impact of regulatory developments and legal proceedings, and other trends and projections. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. Accordingly, actual performance, events or results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those summarized below:
SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to the Integration
● | Although we expect that the Merger will result in synergies and other benefits, those synergies and benefits may not be realized in the amounts anticipated, or may not be realized within the expected timeframe, or at all, and risks associated with the foregoing may also result from any extended delay in the Integration. |
Competition and Economic Risks
● | We face intense and increasing competition from providers of video, broadband and/or wireless services. Changing consumer behavior and new technologies in our Pay-TV and/or Wireless business may reduce our subscriber activations and may cause our subscribers to purchase fewer services from us or to cancel our services altogether, resulting in less revenue to us. |
● | We face certain risks competing in the wireless services industry and operating a facilities-based wireless services business. |
● | Our pay-TV competitors may be able to leverage their relationships with programmers to reduce their programming costs and/or offer exclusive content that will place them at a competitive advantage to us. |
● | Through the MNSA and the NSA, we depend on T-Mobile and AT&T to provide network services to our Wireless subscribers. Our failure to effectively manage these relationships, including without limitation, our minimum commitments, any system failure in their wireless networks, interruption in the services provided to us, and/or the termination of the MNSA or the NSA could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
● | We compete with the MNOs whose networks we rely on to provide wireless services to our customers, and they may seek to limit, reduce or terminate our network access to the extent that it becomes competitively advantageous to do so. |
● | If we are unable to take advantage of technological developments on a timely basis, or at all, we may experience a decline in demand for our services or face challenges in implementing or evolving our business strategy. |
i
Operational and Service Delivery Risks
● | Any deterioration in our operational performance, subscriber activations and churn rate and subscriber satisfaction could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
● | We depend on others to provide the programming that we offer to our Pay-TV subscribers and, if we fail to obtain or lose access to certain programming, our Pay-TV subscriber activations and our subscriber churn rate may be negatively impacted. |
● | We have limited satellite capacity and any failures or reduced capacity, caused by, among other things, operational and environmental risks, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
● | Extreme weather may result in risk of damage to our infrastructure and therefore our ability to provide services, and may lead to changes in federal, state and foreign government regulation, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. |
● | We rely on a single vendor or a limited number of vendors to provide certain key products or services to us, and the inability of these key vendors to meet our needs could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
● | We depend on independent third parties to solicit orders for our services that represent a meaningful percentage of our total gross new subscriber activations. |
Risks Related to our Human Capital
● | We rely on highly skilled personnel for our business, and any inability to hire and retain key personnel or to hire qualified personnel may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. |
● | Our business growth and customer retention strategies rely in part on the work of technically skilled employees. |
Risks Related to our Products and Technology
● | Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights of others. |
● | We are, and may become, party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant adverse impact on our business, particularly lawsuits regarding intellectual property. |
● | 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 revenue. |
Risks Related to Cybersecurity
● | We have experienced and may experience in the future consistent cyber-attacks and attempts to gain unauthorized access to our systems and any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure and communications systems or those of third parties that we use in our operations could disrupt or harm our business. |
● | The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our services and products depends on the continuing operation of our information technology and other enabling systems. |
Acquisition and Capital Structure Risks
● | We have substantial debt outstanding and may incur additional debt and covenants in our Indentures could limit our ability to undertake certain types of activities and adversely affect our liquidity. |
ii
● | We may pursue acquisitions, dispositions, capital expenditures, the development, acquisition and launch of new satellites and other strategic initiatives to complement or expand our business, which may not be successful and we may lose a portion or all of our investment in these acquisitions and transactions. |
● | We have made substantial investments to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses and other related assets, and we may be unable to realize a return on these assets. |
● | We will need additional capital, which may not be available on favorable terms, to fund current obligations, to continue investing in our business and to finance acquisitions and other strategic transactions. |
● | Our parent, EchoStar, is controlled by one principal stockholder, who is also our Chairman. |
Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business
● | Our services depend on FCC licenses that can expire or be revoked or modified and applications for FCC licenses that may not be granted. |
Other factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “10-K”) filed with the SEC, those discussed in “Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations” herein and in the 10-K and those discussed in other documents we file with the SEC. All cautionary statements made or referred to herein should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear. Investors should consider the risks and uncertainties described or referred to herein and should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
iii
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
As of | |||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
|
| |||||
Assets | |||||||||
Current Assets: | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | |
| ||||
Marketable investment securities | | | |||||||
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $ | | | |||||||
Inventory | | | |||||||
Prepaids and other assets | | | |||||||
Other current assets | | | |||||||
Total current assets | | | |||||||
Noncurrent Assets: | |||||||||
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities | | | |||||||
Property and equipment, net | | | |||||||
Regulatory authorizations, net | | | |||||||
Other investments, net | | | |||||||
Operating lease assets | | | |||||||
Other noncurrent assets, net | | | |||||||
Intangible assets, net | | | |||||||
Total noncurrent assets | | | |||||||
Total assets | $ | | $ | | |||||
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity (Deficit) | |||||||||
Current Liabilities: | |||||||||
Trade accounts payable | $ | | $ | | |||||
Deferred revenue and other | | | |||||||
Accrued programming | | | |||||||
Accrued interest | | | |||||||
Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche - Interest payable in cash (Note 8) | | — | |||||||
Other accrued expenses and liabilities | | | |||||||
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations (Note 8) | | | |||||||
Total current liabilities | | | |||||||
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion: | |||||||||
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 8) | | | |||||||
Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche (Note 8) | | — | |||||||
Deferred tax liabilities, net | | | |||||||
Operating lease liabilities | | | |||||||
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities | | | |||||||
Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche - Interest payable in kind (Note 8) | | — | |||||||
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion | | | |||||||
Total liabilities | | | |||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) | |||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Note 2) | — | | |||||||
Stockholder's Equity (Deficit): | |||||||||
Common stock, $ | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | | | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||
Accumulated earnings (deficit) | ( | | |||||||
Total DISH Network stockholder's equity (deficit) | | | |||||||
Noncontrolling interests | | | |||||||
Total stockholder's equity (deficit) | | | |||||||
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit) | $ | | $ | | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
Revenue: | . | |||||
Service revenue | $ | | $ | | ||
Equipment sales and other revenue | | | ||||
Total revenue | | | ||||
Costs and Expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization): | ||||||
Cost of services | | | ||||
Cost of sales - equipment and other | | | ||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | | | ||||
Total costs and expenses | | | ||||
Operating income (loss) | | | ||||
Other Income (Expense): | ||||||
Interest income | | | ||||
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized | ( | ( | ||||
Other, net (Note 4) | | ( | ||||
Total other income (expense) | ( | | ||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | ( | | ||||
Income tax (provision) benefit, net | ( | ( | ||||
Net income (loss) | ( | | ||||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax | | | ||||
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network | $ | ( | $ | | ||
Comprehensive Income (Loss): | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | ( | $ | | ||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | | | ||||
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities | | ( | ||||
Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss) | ( | ( | ||||
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit, net | — | ( | ||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | ||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | ( | | ||||
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax | | | ||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DISH Network | $ | ( | $ | | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
| Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||
Class A and B | Additional | Other | Accumulated |
| Redeemable | |||||||||||||||||
Common | Paid-In | Comprehensive | Earnings | Noncontrolling | Noncontrolling | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock |
| Capital |
| Income (Loss) |
| (Deficit) |
| Interests |
| Total |
| Interests |
| ||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Issuance of Class A common stock: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock awards | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||
Employee Stock Purchase Plan | | | — | — | — | | — | |||||||||||||||
Non-cash, stock-based compensation | — | | — | — | — | | — | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | — | — | | — | — | | — | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | | | | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network | — | — | — | | — | | — | |||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2023 | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
| Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||
Additional | Other | Accumulated | Redeemable | |||||||||||||||||||
Common | Paid-In | Comprehensive | Earnings | Noncontrolling | Noncontrolling | |||||||||||||||||
Stock | Capital | Income (Loss) | (Deficit) | Interests | Total | Interests | ||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Non-cash, stock-based compensation | — | | — | — | — | | — | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) and other | — | ( | | — | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||
Asset Transfer to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $ | — | ( | | ( | ( | ( | — | |||||||||||||||
Sale of Assets to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $ | — | | — | — | — | | — | |||||||||||||||
700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $ | — | | — | — | — | | — | |||||||||||||||
Conversion of outstanding redeemable noncontrolling interest in SNR HoldCo to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | | | ( | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | | | | |||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2024 | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | $ | — | ||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | |||||||
Net income (loss) |
| $ | ( | $ | | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | | | |||||
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments, impairments and other | | | |||||
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on derivatives | — | | |||||
Realized losses (gains) on Sale of Assets to EchoStar (Note 1) | ( | — | |||||
Non-cash, stock-based compensation | | | |||||
Deferred tax expense (benefit) | ( | | |||||
Changes in allowance for credit losses | | | |||||
Change in long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities | | | |||||
Other, net | | | |||||
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net | | | |||||
Net cash flows from operating activities | | | |||||
Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | |||||||
Purchases of marketable investment securities | ( | ( | |||||
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities | | | |||||
Purchases of property and equipment | ( | ( | |||||
Capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations (Note 2) | ( | ( | |||||
Purchases of regulatory authorizations, including deposits | ( | ( | |||||
Sale of Assets to EchoStar (Note 1) | | — | |||||
700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar (Note 1) | | — | |||||
Other, net | ( | | |||||
Net cash flows from investing activities | | ( | |||||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | |||||||
Repayment of long-term debt and finance lease obligations | ( | ( | |||||
Redemption and repurchases of senior notes | ( | ( | |||||
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | — | | |||||
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan | — | | |||||
Debt issuance costs and debt (discount) premium | — | | |||||
Proceeds from accrued interest in conjunction with the issuance of senior notes | — | | |||||
Other, net | ( | ( | |||||
Net cash flows from financing activities | ( | | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents | ( | | |||||
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period (Note 4) | | | |||||
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period (Note 4) | $ | | $ | | |||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1.Organization and Business Activities
Principal Business
DISH Network Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries (which together with DISH Network Corporation are referred to as “DISH Network,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our,” unless otherwise required by the context) operate three primary business segments. DISH Network is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “SATS.”
Recent Developments
Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805-50 Business Combinations – Related Issues, for transactions among entities under common control, generally the assets transferred and/or sold are recorded at the net carrying value of the assets. The difference between the net carrying value and the fair value of the assets transferred and/or sold is recorded in “Additional paid-in capital” or “Accumulated earnings (deficit)” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. If an asset transferred and/or sold among entities under common control is determined to be a financial asset, any gain or loss on the sale of the financial asset is recorded in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All transactions detailed below are transactions among entities under common control.
Sale of Assets to EchoStar. On January 10, 2024, we sold certain assets and equity interests to EchoStar, which included the sale of a financial asset (the “Sale of Assets to EchoStar”), for fair value of approximately $
Asset Transfer to EchoStar. On January 10, 2024, we transferred our wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold certain of our wireless spectrum licenses, including AWS-4, H-Block, CBRS (3550-3650 MHz), C-Band – Cheyenne (3.7-3.98 GHz), 12GHz (MVDDS), LMDS, 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 37GHz, 39GHz and 47GHz to EchoStar Wireless Holding L.L.C., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of our parent, EchoStar (together with the “Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche” defined below, the “Asset Transfer to EchoStar”). In addition, DISH DBS, in its capacity as “Lender” under the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement related to the Intercompany Loan between DISH Network and DISH DBS, has consummated the assignment pursuant to such terms, without any modification or amendment thereto, of its receivable in respect to the 2026 Tranche of $
5
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Tax Associated with the Asset Transfer to EchoStar. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded $
700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar. On March 12, 2024, we sold our wholly-owned subsidiary which holds the 700 MHz spectrum to a wholly-owned subsidiary of our parent, EchoStar (the “700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar”), for fair value of approximately $
The Sale of Assets to EchoStar, Asset Transfer to EchoStar and 700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar together are referred to as (the “Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar”).
Merger with EchoStar
On December 31, 2023, EchoStar completed the acquisition of DISH Network pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 2, 2023 (the “Amended Merger Agreement”), by and among EchoStar, EAV Corp., a Nevada corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and DISH Network, pursuant to which EchoStar acquired DISH Network by means of the merger of Merger Sub with and into DISH Network (the “Merger”), with DISH Network surviving the Merger as EchoStar’s wholly owned subsidiary. 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, 2023.
With the Merger complete, we are currently focused on the process of integrating our and EchoStar’s business in a manner that facilitates synergies, cost savings, growth opportunities and achieves other anticipated benefits (the “Integration”).
Future Capital Requirements
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Our cash and cash equivalents and marketable investment securities totaled $
Because we do not currently have committed financing to fund our operations for at least twelve months from the issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements, substantial doubt exists about our and our parent, EchoStar’s, ability to continue as a going concern. We do not currently have the necessary Cash on Hand and/or projected future cash flows to fund fourth quarter operations or the November 2024 debt maturity. To address our capital needs, we are in active discussions with funding sources to raise additional capital. We cannot provide assurances that we will be successful in obtaining such new financing necessary for us to have sufficient liquidity.
6
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Further, if we are not successful in these endeavors, then capital expenditures to meet future FCC build-out requirements and wireless customer growth initiatives will be adversely affected.
In addition, our parent, EchoStar, may not be able to provide additional liquidity in the future.
The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amount and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary should we not continue as a going concern.
Segments
We currently operate
Pay-TV
We offer pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and the SLING® brand (collectively “Pay-TV” services). The DISH branded pay-TV service consists of, among other things, Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses authorizing us to use direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) and Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) spectrum, our owned and leased satellites, receiver systems, broadcast operations, a leased fiber optic network, in-home service and call center operations, and certain other assets utilized in our operations (“DISH TV”). We also design, develop and distribute receiver systems and provide digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission and other services to third-party pay-TV providers. The SLING branded pay-TV services consist of, among other things, multichannel, live-linear and on-demand streaming over-the-top (“OTT”) Internet-based domestic, international, Latino and Freestream video programming services (“SLING TV”). As of March 31, 2024, we had
Retail Wireless
We offer nationwide prepaid and postpaid retail wireless services to subscribers primarily under our Boost Mobile® and Gen Mobile® brands (“Retail Wireless” services), as well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices. Prepaid wireless subscribers generally pay in advance for monthly access to wireless talk, text and data services. Postpaid wireless subscribers are qualified to pay after receiving wireless talk, text and data services, and may also qualify for device financing arrangements.
We are currently operating our Retail Wireless segment primarily as a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) as we continue our 5G Network Deployment and commercialize and grow customer traffic on our 5G Network, as defined below. We are transitioning our Retail Wireless segment to a mobile network operator (“MNO”) as our 5G Network has become commercially available and we grow customer traffic on our 5G Network. We are currently activating Boost Mobile subscribers with compatible devices onto our 5G Network in markets where we have reached voice over new radio (“VoNR”). We currently provide 5G VoNR reaching approximately 200 million Americans. Within our MVNO operations, today we depend on T-Mobile and AT&T to provide us with network services under the amended Master Network Services Agreement (“MNSA”) and Network Services Agreement (the “NSA”), respectively. Under the NSA, we expect AT&T will become our primary network services provider. As of March 31, 2024, we had
7
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
5G Network Deployment
We initially invested a total of over $30 billion in Wireless spectrum licenses, and a portion of these licenses were included in the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar. We currently have $24 billion of investments related to Wireless spectrum licenses, which does not include $6 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such licenses. See Note 1, Note 2 and Note 9 for further information.
We will need to raise additional capital in the future, which may not be available on favorable terms, to fund the efforts described below, as well as, among other things, make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC. There can be no assurance that we will be able to profitably deploy our Wireless spectrum licenses, which may affect the carrying amount of these assets and our future financial condition or results of operations. See Note 9 for further information.
Our Wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. We plan to commercialize our Wireless spectrum licenses through the completion of the nation’s first cloud-native, Open Radio Access Network (“O-RAN”) based 5G network (our “5G Network Deployment”). We have committed to deploy a facilities-based 5G broadband network (our “5G Network”) capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at different deadlines. On September 29, 2023, the FCC confirmed we have met all of our June 14, 2023 band-specific 5G deployment commitments, and
We may need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, continue our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and any additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses. Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly. In addition, as we continue our 5G Network Deployment, we have and may continue to incur significant additional expenses related to, among other things, research and development, wireless testing and ongoing upgrades to the wireless network infrastructure, software and third-party integration. As a result of these investments, among other factors, we plan to raise additional capital, which may not be available on favorable terms. We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required for our 5G Network Deployment and to compete effectively with other wireless service providers. See Note 9 for further information.
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.
8
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
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, 2023. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
“Cost of services.” Historically, as we built-out our 5G Network, certain direct costs related to our 5G Network Deployment, including lease expense on communication towers, transport, cloud services and other costs, were presented within “Cost of sales – equipment and other” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as our 5G Network service had not commenced. As we have commenced utilizing our 5G Network for commercial traffic, such amounts now represent costs of operating our 5G Network and are, beginning on January 1, 2024, presented within the “Cost of services” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The change has no impact on net income. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the direct costs related to our 5G Network Deployment included within the “Cost of sales – equipment and other” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) were $
Principles of Consolidation
We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and VIEs where we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary. Minority interests are recorded as noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. See below for further information. Non-consolidated 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, these equity securities are classified as either marketable investment securities or other investments, which will be initially recorded at cost, and based on observable market prices, will be adjusted to their fair value. We record fair value adjustments in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Northstar Wireless. Northstar Wireless, L.L.C. (“Northstar Wireless”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northstar Spectrum, LLC (“Northstar Spectrum”), which is an entity wholly-owned by us and, prior to October 12, 2023, by us and Northstar Manager, LLC (“NorthStar Manager”). On October 12, 2023, the FCC consented to the sale of Northstar Manager’s ownership interests in Northstar Spectrum, which we purchased for a total of approximately $
SNR Wireless. SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC (“SNR Wireless”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC (“SNR HoldCo”), which is an entity owned by us and our parent’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, EchoStar SNR Holdco L.L.C. and, prior to February 16, 2024, by us and SNR Wireless Management, LLC (“SNR Management”). On February 16, 2024, the FCC consented to the sale of SNR Management’s ownership interests in SNR HoldCo, which was purchased by EchoStar SNR HoldCo L.L.C. for a total of approximately $
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, 2023.
9
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain 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 based on historical experience, observable market inputs, and other reasonable assumptions in accounting for, among other things, allowances for credit losses (including those related to our installment billing programs), 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, inputs used to recognize revenue over time, including the relative standalone selling prices of performance obligations, finance leases, asset impairments, estimates of future cash flows used to evaluate and recognize impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets, incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) on lease right of use assets, nonrefundable upfront fees, independent third-party retailer incentives, programming expenses and subscriber lives. Economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above. 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.
Capitalized Interest
We capitalize interest associated with the acquisition or construction of certain assets, including, among other things, our Wireless spectrum licenses, build-out costs associated with our 5G Network Deployment and satellites. Capitalization of interest begins when, among other things, steps are taken to prepare the asset for its intended use and ceases when the asset is ready for its intended use or when these activities are substantially suspended.
We are currently commercializing our 5G Network Deployment. As a result, the interest expense related to the carrying amount of the 5G Network Deployment qualifying assets is being capitalized. Historically, the qualifying assets exceeded the carrying value of our long-term debt and finance lease obligations, therefore substantially all of our interest expense was being capitalized. As the qualifying assets, including certain bands of wireless spectrum licenses, have been placed into service with the deployment of our 5G Network, we no longer capitalize substantially all interest on those assets. We expect this trend to continue.
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; and 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 |
10
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
● | 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, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable (net of allowance for credit losses) and current liabilities (excluding the “Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations”) was equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates.
Fair values of our marketable investment securities are measured on a recurring basis based on a variety of observable market inputs. For our investments in publicly traded equity securities and U.S. government securities, fair value ordinarily is determined based on Level 1 measurements that reflect quoted prices for identical securities in active markets. Fair values of our investments in other marketable debt securities are generally based on Level 2 measurements as the markets for such debt securities are less active. We consider trades of identical debt securities on or near the measurement date as a strong indication of fair value and matrix pricing techniques that consider par value, coupon rate, credit quality, maturity and other relevant features may also be used to determine fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities. Additionally, we use fair value measurements from time to time in connection with other investments, asset impairment testing and the assignment of purchase consideration to assets and liabilities of acquired companies. Those fair value measurements typically include significant unobservable inputs and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are considered to occur at the beginning of the quarterly accounting period. There were
Furthermore, for any sale of a financial asset in a transaction among entities under common control the difference between the net carrying value and the fair value of the assets sold, if any, is recorded as a gain or loss on the sale of the financial asset in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Fair values for our publicly traded debt securities are based on quoted market prices, when available. The fair values of private debt are based on, among other things, available trade information, and/or an analysis in which we evaluate market conditions, related securities, various public and 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 debt securities. See Note 8 for the fair value of our long-term debt.
Assets Recognized Related to the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer
We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales incentive programs in our Pay-TV and Retail Wireless segments, including those with our independent third-party retailers, meet the requirements to be capitalized, and payments made under these programs are capitalized and amortized to expense over the estimated customer life or the contract term. These amounts are capitalized in “Prepaids and other assets” and “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and then amortized in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
11
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Advertising Costs
We recognize advertising expense when incurred as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Advertising expenses totaled $
Research and Development
Research and development costs, not incurred in connection with customer requirements, are expensed as incurred and are included as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Research and development costs totaled $
New Accounting Pronouncements
Joint Ventures. On August 23, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, Business Combinations — Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60) (“ASU 2023-05”), which requires an entity that qualifies as either a joint venture or a corporate joint venture as defined in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) master glossary to apply a new basis of accounting upon the formation of the joint venture. This standard will be effective for all joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. A joint venture that was formed before January 1, 2025 may elect to apply the amendments retrospectively if it has sufficient information. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period in which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2023-05 will have on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
Segment Reporting. On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reporting Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), which will enhance financial reporting by providing additional information about a public company’s significant segment expenses and more timely and detailed segment information reporting throughout the fiscal period. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2023-07 will have on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
Income Taxes. On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-9, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), which will enhance income tax disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires among other items disaggregated information in a reporting entity’s rate reconciliation table, clarification on uncertain tax positions and the related financial statement impact as well as information on income taxes paid on a disaggregated basis. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
12
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
3.Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
The following table presents certain supplemental cash flow and other non-cash data. See Note 7 for supplemental cash flow and non-cash data related to leases.
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest) |
| $ | | $ | | ||
Cash received for interest | | | |||||
Cash paid for income taxes, net of (refunds) | ( | | |||||
Capitalized interest (1) | | | |||||
Vendor financing | — | | |||||
Accrued capital expenditures | | | |||||
Asset retirement obligation | | | |||||
Asset Transfer to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $ | | — | |||||
Conversion of outstanding redeemable noncontrolling interest in SNR HoldCo to noncontrolling interest | | — |
(1) | See Note 2 for further information. |
(2) | See Note 1 for further information. |
Beginning in 2024, DISH Network and its domestic subsidiaries join with EchoStar in filing U.S. consolidated federal income tax returns and, in some states, combined or consolidated returns. The federal and state income tax provisions or benefits recorded by DISH Network are generally those that would have been recorded if DISH Network and its domestic subsidiaries had filed returns as a consolidated group independent of EchoStar. Cash is due and paid to EchoStar based on amounts that would be payable based on DISH Network consolidated or combined group filings. Amounts are receivable from EchoStar on a basis similar to when they would be receivable from the IRS or other state taxing authorities. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, no payments were made to EchoStar for income taxes.
EchoStar Exchange Offer
On March 4, 2024, EchoStar commenced a tender offer to eligible employees (which excludes EchoStar’s and our co-founders and the non-executive/non-employee members of EchoStar’s Board of Directors) to exchange eligible stock options (which excludes the Ergen 2020 Performance Award) for new options as detailed in its Schedule TO filed March 4, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Exchange Offer”), to, among other things, further align employee incentives with the current market. The Exchange Offer expired on April 1, 2024 and EchoStar accepted for exchange approximately
13
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
4.Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investments
Our marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments consisted of the following:
As of | ||||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
(In thousands) | ||||||
Marketable investment securities: | ||||||
Current marketable investment securities: | ||||||
Strategic - available-for-sale | $ | | $ | | ||
Strategic - trading/equity | | | ||||
Other | | | ||||
Total current marketable investment securities | | | ||||
Restricted marketable investment securities (1) | | | ||||
Total marketable investment securities | | | ||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1) | | | ||||
Other investments, net: | ||||||
Equity method investments (2) | | | ||||
Cost method investments | | | ||||
Fair value method investments | | | ||||
Total other investments, net | | | ||||
Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments, net | $ | | $ | | ||
(1) | Restricted marketable investment securities and restricted cash and cash equivalents are included in “Restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
(2) | This change primarily resulted from the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar. See Note 1 for further information. |
14
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Marketable Investment Securities
Our marketable investment securities portfolio may consist of debt and equity instruments. All equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value.
We report the temporary unrealized gains and losses related to changes in market conditions of marketable debt securities as a separate component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit),” net of related deferred income tax on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The corresponding changes in the fair value of marketable debt securities, which are determined to be company specific credit losses are recorded in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 2 for further information.
Current Marketable Investment Securities – Strategic
Our current strategic marketable investment securities portfolio includes and may include strategic and financial debt and/or equity investments in private and public companies that are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience volatility. As of March 31, 2024, this portfolio consisted of securities of a small number of issuers, and as a result the value of that portfolio depends, among other things, on the performance of those issuers. The fair value of certain of the debt and equity securities in this portfolio can be adversely impacted by, among other things, the issuers’ respective performance and ability to obtain any necessary additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all.
Current Marketable Investment Securities - Other
Our current other marketable investment securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments including, among others, commercial paper, corporate securities and United States treasury and/or agency securities.
Commercial paper consists mainly of unsecured short-term, promissory notes issued primarily by corporations with maturities ranging up to
Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Investment Securities
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our restricted marketable investment securities, together with our restricted cash and cash equivalents, included amounts required as collateral for our letters of credit and trusts.
Other Investments, net
We have strategic investments in certain debt and/or equity securities that are included in noncurrent “Other investments, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. Generally, our debt investments in non-publicly traded debt instruments without a readily determinable fair value are recorded at amortized cost. Our equity investments where we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Certain of our equity method investments are detailed below.
15
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
NagraStar L.L.C. We own a
Invidi Technologies Corporation. We own a
We also hold investments that are not accounted for using the equity method of accounting, which are measured at fair value. Investments in equity securities without readily determinable fair values are accounted for at cost, less impairment, and adjusted for observable price changes for identical or similar investments of the same issuer.
Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in securities that are not publicly traded depends on, among other things, the success of the issuers’ businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient capital, on acceptable terms or at all, and 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 Measurements
Our investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
As of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| |||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash equivalents (including restricted) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — |
| ||||||||
Debt securities (including restricted): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury and agency securities | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||
Commercial paper |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| — |
| |
| — | |||||||||
Corporate securities | | — | | — | | — | | — | |||||||||||||||||
Other | | — | | | | — | | | |||||||||||||||||
Equity securities | | | — | — | | | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
As of March 31, 2024, restricted and non-restricted marketable investment securities included debt securities of $
16
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Derivative Instruments
We had the option to purchase certain of T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses from T-Mobile at a fixed price pursuant to the License Purchase Agreement, as defined and detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. This instrument met the definition of a derivative and was valued based upon, among other things, our estimate of the underlying asset price, the expected term, volatility, the risk free rate of return and the probability of us exercising the option. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the derivative’s fair value was zero on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. All changes in the derivative’s fair value were recorded in “Other, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See the table below.
We did not exercise the option to purchase the 800 MHz spectrum licenses pursuant to the License Purchase Agreement, which expired on its own terms on April 1, 2024. As a result, the Amended Final Judgment, as defined and detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, requires T-Mobile to auction the spectrum licenses. We expected to take part in this auction, but T-Mobile has unilaterally barred our participation.
We accounted for our option to purchase certain T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses under the License Purchase Agreement as a Level 3 instrument within the fair value hierarchy.
Gains and Losses on Sales and Changes in Carrying Amounts of Investments and Other
“Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” included on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) is as follows:
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
Other, net: |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
| (In thousands) | |||||||
Marketable and non-marketable investment securities - realized and unrealized gains (losses) | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||
Sale of Assets to EchoStar - realized gains (losses) | | — | ||||||
Derivative instruments - net realized and/or unrealized gains (losses) | — | ( | ||||||
Gains (losses) related to early redemption of debt | — | | ||||||
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates | ( | ( | ||||||
Other | | | ||||||
Total | $ | | $ | ( | ||||
5.Inventory
Inventory consisted of the following:
As of | |||||||
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Finished goods | $ | | $ | | |||
Work-in-process and service repairs | | | |||||
Consignment | | | |||||
Raw materials | | | |||||
Total inventory | $ | | $ | | |||
17
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
6.Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
Depreciable | As of | ||||||||||
Life | March 31, | December 31, | |||||||||
| (In Years) |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
Equipment leased to customers | - | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Satellites | - | | | ||||||||
Satellites acquired under finance lease agreements | | | |||||||||
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other (1) | - | | | ||||||||
5G Network Deployment equipment (2) | - | | | ||||||||
Software and computer equipment | - | | | ||||||||
Buildings and improvements (1) | - | | | ||||||||
Land (1) | - | | | ||||||||
Construction in progress (1) | - | | | ||||||||
Total property and equipment | | | |||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | | $ | | |||||||
(1) | The change primarily relates to the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar. See Note 1 for further information. |
(2) | Includes 5G Network Deployment assets acquired under finance lease agreements. |
Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Equipment leased to customers | $ | | $ | | ||||
Satellites | | | ||||||
Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other | | | ||||||
5G Network Deployment equipment | | | ||||||
Software and computer equipment | | | ||||||
Intangible assets and other amortization expense | | | ||||||
Total depreciation and amortization | $ | | $ | | ||||
Cost of sales and operating expense categories included in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) do not include depreciation and amortization expense related to satellites, equipment leased to customers, or our 5G Network Deployment equipment and software.
18
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Activity relating to our asset retirement obligations was as follows:
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | | $ | | |||
Liabilities incurred | | | |||||
Accretion expense | | | |||||
Revision to estimated cash flows | — | — | |||||
Balance at end of period | $ | | $ | | |||
Total included in Other long-term liabilities | $ | | $ | | |||
The corresponding assets, net of accumulated depreciation, related to asset retirement obligations were $
Satellites
Pay-TV Segment. Our Pay-TV segment currently utilizes
As of March 31, 2024, our Pay-TV segment satellite fleet in service consisted of the following:
Degree | Lease | ||||||
Launch | Orbital | Termination | |||||
Satellites |
| Date |
| Location |
| Date | |
Owned: | |||||||
EchoStar X | February 2006 | 110 | N/A | ||||
EchoStar XI | July 2008 | 110 | N/A | ||||
EchoStar XIV | March 2010 | 119 | N/A | ||||
EchoStar XV | July 2010 | 61.5 | N/A | ||||
EchoStar XVI | November 2012 | 61.5 | N/A | ||||
EchoStar XVIII | June 2016 | 61.5 | N/A | ||||
EchoStar XXIII | March 2017 | 110 | N/A | ||||
Under Construction: | |||||||
EchoStar XXV (1) | 2026 | 110 | N/A | ||||
Leased from Other Third-Party: | |||||||
Anik F3 | April 2007 | 118.7 | April 2025 | ||||
Nimiq 5 | September 2009 | 72.7 | September 2024 | ||||
(1) | EchoStar XXV. On March 20, 2023, we entered into a contract with Maxar Space LLC for the construction of EchoStar XXV, a DBS satellite that is capable of providing service to the continental United States (“CONUS”) and is intended to be used at the 110 degree orbital location. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we entered into an agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp (“SpaceX”) for launch services for this satellite, which is expected to be launched during 2026. The EchoStar XXV contract was included in the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar. See Note 1 for further information. We plan to ultimately use this satellite for our Pay-TV segment. |
19
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
7.Leases
Lessee Accounting
We enter into non-cancelable operating and finance leases for, among other things, communication towers, satellites, satellite-related ground infrastructure, data centers, office space, dark fiber and transport equipment, warehouses and distribution centers, vehicles and other equipment. Substantially all of our leases have remaining lease terms from to
Our Nimiq 5 satellite is accounted for as finance lease within our Pay-TV segment. Substantially all of our remaining leases are accounted for as operating leases, including our Anik F3 satellite lease.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Operating lease cost (1) | $ | | $ | | |||
Short-term lease cost (2) |
| |
| | |||
Finance lease cost: | |||||||
Amortization of right-of-use assets |
| |
| | |||
Interest on lease liabilities | | | |||||
Total finance lease cost |
| |
| | |||
Total lease costs | $ | | $ | | |||
(1) | The increase in operating lease cost is primarily related to communication tower leases. |
(2) | Leases that have terms of 12 months or less. |
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | |||||||
Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | | $ | | |||
Operating cash flows from finance leases | $ | | $ | | |||
Financing cash flows from finance leases | $ | | $ | | |||
| |||||||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: | |||||||
Operating leases | $ | | $ | | |||
Finance leases | $ | — | $ | |
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
As of | |||||||
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2024 | 2023 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Operating Leases: | |||||||
Operating lease assets | $ | | $ | | |||
$ | | $ | | ||||
| |
| | ||||
$ | | $ | | ||||
Finance Leases: | |||||||
Property and equipment, gross | $ | | $ | | |||
Accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | |||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | | $ | | |||
$ | | $ | | ||||
| |
| | ||||
$ | | $ | | ||||
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term: | |||||||
Operating leases | |||||||
Finance leases | |||||||
Weighted Average Discount Rate: | |||||||
Operating leases | |||||||
Finance leases |
Maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024 were as follows:
Maturities of Lease Liabilities | ||||||||||
Operating | Finance | |||||||||
For the Years Ending December 31, | Leases | Leases | Total | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||
2024 (remaining nine months) | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
2025 | | | | |||||||
2026 | | | | |||||||
2027 | | | | |||||||
2028 | | — | | |||||||
Thereafter | | — | | |||||||
Total lease payments | | | | |||||||
Less: Imputed interest | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Total | | | | |||||||
Less: Current portion | ( | ( | ( | |||||||
Long-term portion of lease obligations | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
21
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
8.Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations
Fair Value of our Long-Term Debt
The following table summarizes the carrying amount and fair value of our debt facilities as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
As of | ||||||||||||||
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
Issuer |
| Carrying |
| Fair Value |
| Carrying |
| Fair Value | ||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024 (1) | DISH | — | — | | | |||||||||
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024 | DDBS | | | | | |||||||||
DISH | | | | | ||||||||||
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026 | DDBS | | | | | |||||||||
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026 | DISH | | | | | |||||||||
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 | DDBS | | | | | |||||||||
11 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 | DISH | | | | | |||||||||
7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2028 | DDBS | | | | | |||||||||
5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 | DDBS | | | | | |||||||||
5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2029 | DDBS | | | | | |||||||||
Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche (2) | | | — | — | ||||||||||
Other notes payable | | | | | ||||||||||
Subtotal | | $ | | | $ | | ||||||||
Unamortized deferred financing costs and other debt discounts, net | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
Finance lease obligations (3) | | | ||||||||||||
Total long-term debt and finance lease obligations (including current portion) | $ | | $ | | ||||||||||
|
(1) | We repurchased or redeemed the principal balance of our Convertible Notes due 2024 as of March 15, 2024, the instrument’s maturity date. |
(2) | In January 2024, DISH DBS assigned the Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche of $ |
(3) | Disclosure regarding fair value of finance 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).
22
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Convertible Notes
On December 21, 2020, we issued $
The Convertible Notes due 2025 are:
● | our general unsecured obligations; |
● | ranked senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes due 2025; |
● | ranked equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness; |
● | ranked effectively junior to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; |
● | ranked structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; and |
● | not guaranteed by our subsidiaries. |
We may not redeem the Convertible Notes due 2025 prior to the maturity date. If a “fundamental change” (as defined in the related indenture) occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes due 2025, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes due 2025 at a repurchase price equal to
The indenture related to the Convertible Notes due 2025 does not contain any financial covenants and does not restrict us from paying dividends, issuing or repurchasing our other securities, issuing new debt (including secured debt) or repaying or repurchasing our debt.
Subject to the terms of the related indenture, the Convertible Notes due 2025 may be converted at an initial conversion rate of
Convertible Notes due 2026
On August 8, 2016, we issued $
23
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
The Convertible Notes due 2026 are:
● | our general unsecured obligations; |
● | ranked senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes due 2026; |
● | ranked equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness; |
● | ranked effectively junior to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; |
● | ranked structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; and |
● | not guaranteed by our subsidiaries. |
We may not redeem the Convertible Notes due 2026 prior to the maturity date. If a “fundamental change” (as defined in the related indenture) occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes due 2026, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes due 2026 at a specified make-whole price equal to
The indenture related to the Convertible Notes due 2026 does not contain any financial covenants and does not restrict us from paying dividends, issuing or repurchasing our other securities, issuing new debt (including secured debt) or repaying or repurchasing our debt.
Subject to the terms of the related indenture, the Convertible Notes due 2026 may be converted at an initial conversion rate of
Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions
Merger with EchoStar. As defined and detailed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, in connection with the completion of the Merger, on December 31, 2023, we and EchoStar entered into a note hedge amendment letter agreement with each option counterparty pursuant to which, at the Effective Time, our right to purchase shares of DISH Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the applicable convertible note hedge transactions was changed into a right to purchase shares of EchoStar Class A Common Stock.
In addition, in connection with the completion of the Merger, on December 31, 2023, we and EchoStar entered into a warrant amendment letter agreement and warrant guarantee with each option counterparty, pursuant to which, at the Effective Time, each counterparty’s right to purchase shares of DISH Network Class A Common Stock pursuant to the applicable warrant transactions was changed into a right to purchase shares of EchoStar Class A Common Stock, and EchoStar guaranteed all of our obligations under the applicable warrant transactions.
24
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
In connection with the offering of the Convertible Notes due 2026, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions with certain option counterparties. The convertible note hedge transactions cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the Convertible Notes due 2026, the number of shares of DISH Network Class A Common Stock underlying the Convertible Notes due 2026, which initially gives us the option to purchase approximately
We will not be required to make any cash payments to each option counterparty or its affiliates upon the exercise of the options that are a part of the convertible note hedge transactions, but will be entitled to receive from them a number of shares of Class A common stock, an amount of cash or a combination thereof. This consideration is generally based on the amount by which the market price per share of Class A common stock, as measured under the terms of the convertible note hedge transactions, is greater than the strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions during the relevant valuation period under the convertible note hedge transactions. Additionally, if the market price per share of Class A common stock, as measured under the terms of the warrant transactions, exceeds the strike price of the warrants during the measurement period at the maturity of the warrants, we will owe each option counterparty a number of shares of Class A common stock in an amount based on the excess of such market price per share of Class A common stock over the strike price of the warrants. However, as specified under the terms of the warrant transactions, we may elect to settle the warrants in cash.
Intercompany Loan
The net proceeds from the offering of our Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and our Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “Senior Notes”) issued on November 26, 2021 were used by DISH DBS to make an intercompany loan to DISH Network pursuant to a Loan and Security Agreement dated November 26, 2021 (together with potential future advances to DISH Network, the “Intercompany Loan”) between DISH DBS and DISH Network in order to finance the purchase of wireless spectrum licenses and for general corporate purposes, including our 5G Network Deployment. The Intercompany Loan will mature in two tranches, with the first tranche maturing on December 1, 2026 (the “Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche”) and the second tranche maturing on December 1, 2028 (the “Intercompany Loan 2028 Tranche”). DISH DBS may make additional advances to DISH Network under the Intercompany Loan, and on February 11, 2022, DISH DBS advanced an additional $
25
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
After two years post issuance date, a minimum of
As of March 31, 2024, the total Intercompany Loan amount outstanding plus interest paid in kind was $
Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche. In January 2024, DISH DBS assigned the 2026 Tranche of $
The Intercompany Loan is secured by Weminuche’s interest in the wireless spectrum licenses for the 3.45-3.55 GHz Licenses with such cash proceeds up to the total loan amount outstanding including interest paid in kind. Under certain circumstances, DISH Network wireless spectrum licenses (valued based upon a third-party valuation) may be substituted for the collateral. The Intercompany Loan is not included as collateral for the Senior Secured Notes, and the Senior Secured Notes are subordinated to DISH DBS’s existing and certain future unsecured notes with respect to certain realizations under the Intercompany Loan and any collateral pledged as security for the Intercompany Loan.
9.Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
5G Network Deployment
We initially invested a total of over $
We will need to raise additional capital in the future, which may not be available on favorable terms, to fund the efforts described below, as well as, among other things, make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC. There can be no assurance that we will be able to profitably deploy our Wireless spectrum licenses, which may affect the carrying amount of these assets and our future financial condition or results of operations.
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DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Wireless Spectrum Licenses
Our Wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements that are summarized in the table below:
Carrying | Build-Out Deadlines | Expiration | ||||||||
Amount | Interim | Final | Date | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||
Owned: | ||||||||||
DBS Licenses (1) | $ | | ||||||||
600 MHz Licenses | | June 14, 2025 (3) | June 2029 | |||||||
3.45–3.55 GHz Licenses | | May 4, 2026 (4) | May 4, 2030 (4) | May 2037 | ||||||
1695-1710 MHz, 1755-1780 MHz, and 2155-2180 MHz (2) | | March 2026 | ||||||||
AWS-3 | | October 2025 (5) | October 2025 (5) | |||||||
Subtotal owned | | |||||||||
Noncontrolling Investments: | ||||||||||
SNR | | October 2025 (5) | October 2025 (5) | |||||||
Capitalized Interest (6) | | |||||||||
Total Regulatory authorizations, net | $ | | ||||||||
Leased from EchoStar (7): | ||||||||||
700 MHz Licenses (2) |
| | June 14, 2025 (8) | June 2033 | ||||||
AWS-4 Licenses (2) | | June 14, 2025 (8) | June 2033 | |||||||
H Block Licenses (2) | | June 14, 2025 (9) | June 2033 | |||||||
MVDDS Licenses (1) | | July 2024 | ||||||||
LMDS Licenses (1) | — | September 2028 | ||||||||
28 GHz Licenses | | October 2, 2029 (4) | October 2029 | |||||||
24 GHz Licenses | | December 11, 2029 (4) | December 2029 | |||||||
37 GHz, 39 GHz and 47 GHz Licenses | | June 4, 2030 (4) | June 2030 | |||||||
3550-3650 MHz Licenses | | March 12, 2031 (4) | March 2031 | |||||||
3.7-3.98 GHz Licenses | | July 23, 2029 (4) | July 23, 2033 (4) | July 2036 | ||||||
Total Leased from EchoStar | $ | | ||||||||
(1) | The build-out deadlines for these licenses have been met. |
(2) | The interim build-out deadlines for these licenses are in the past. |
(3) | For these licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least |
(4) | There are a variety of build-out options and associated build-out metrics associated with these licenses. |
(5) | For these licenses, we must provide reliable signal coverage and offer service to at least |
(6) | See Note 2 for further information. |
(7) | See Note 1 for further information on the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar and see Note 12 for Related Party Transactions with EchoStar. |
27
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
(8) | For these licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least |
(9) | For these licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least |
Commercialization of Our Wireless Spectrum Licenses and Related Assets. We plan to commercialize our Wireless spectrum licenses through our 5G Network Deployment. We have committed to deploy our 5G Network capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at different deadlines. On September 29, 2023, the FCC confirmed we have met all of our June 14, 2023 band-specific 5G deployment commitments, and two of our three nationwide 5G commitments. The single remaining 5G commitment, that at least
We may need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, continue our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and any additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses. Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly. In addition, as we continue our 5G Network Deployment, we have and may continue to incur significant additional expenses related to, among other things, research and development, wireless testing and ongoing upgrades to the wireless network infrastructure, software and third-party integration. As a result of these investments, among other factors, we plan to raise additional capital, which may not be available on favorable terms. We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required for our 5G Network Deployment and to compete effectively with other wireless service providers.
AWS-3 Auction
Northstar Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northstar Spectrum, which is an entity wholly-owned by us and, prior to October 12, 2023, by us and Northstar Manager. SNR Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNR HoldCo, which is an entity owned by us and our parent’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar SNR HoldCo L.L.C. and, prior to February 16, 2024, by us and SNR Management. See Note 2 for further information.
Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless each filed applications with the FCC to participate in Auction 97 (the “AWS-3 Auction”) for the purpose of acquiring certain AWS-3 Licenses. Each of Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless applied to receive bidding credits of
28
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
FCC Order and October 2015 Arrangements. On August 18, 2015, the FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order, FCC 15-104 (the “Order”) in which the FCC determined, among other things, that DISH Network has a controlling interest in, and is an affiliate of, Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless, and therefore DISH Network’s revenues should be attributed to them, which in turn makes Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless ineligible to receive the
Letters Exchanged between Northstar Wireless and the FCC Wireless Bureau. As outlined in letters exchanged between Northstar Wireless and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau of the FCC (the “FCC Wireless Bureau”), Northstar Wireless paid the gross winning bid amounts for
If the winning bids from re-auction or other award of the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC are greater than or equal to the winning bids of Northstar Wireless, no additional amounts will be owed to the FCC by Northstar Wireless. However, if those winning bids are less than the winning bids of Northstar Wireless, then we will be responsible for the difference less any overpayment of the Northstar interim payment, detailed below (which will be recalculated as
Letters Exchanged between SNR Wireless and the FCC Wireless Bureau. As outlined in letters exchanged between SNR Wireless and the FCC Wireless Bureau, SNR Wireless paid the gross winning bid amounts for
If the winning bids from re-auction or other award of the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC are greater than or equal to the winning bids of SNR Wireless, no additional amounts will be owed to the FCC by SNR Wireless. However, if those winning bids are less than the winning bids of SNR Wireless, then we and our parent, EchoStar, will be responsible for the difference less any overpayment of the SNR interim payment, detailed below (which will be recalculated as
29
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
D.C. Circuit Court Opinion. On August 29, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the “D.C. Circuit”) in SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC, et al. v. Federal Communications Commission, 868 F.3d 1021 (D.C. Cir. 2017) (the “Appellate Decision”) affirmed the Order in part, and remanded the matter to the FCC to give Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless an opportunity to seek to negotiate a cure of the issues identified by the FCC in the Order (a “Cure”). On January 26, 2018, SNR Wireless and Northstar Wireless filed a petition for a writ of certiorari, asking the United States Supreme Court to hear an appeal from the Appellate Decision, which the United States Supreme Court denied on June 25, 2018.
Order on Remand. On January 24, 2018, the FCC released an Order on Remand, DA 18-70 (the “Order on Remand”) purporting to establish a procedure to afford Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless the opportunity to implement a Cure pursuant to the Appellate Decision. On June 8, 2018, Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless each filed amended agreements to demonstrate that, in light of such changes, each of Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless qualified for the very small business bidding credit that it sought in the AWS-3 Auction. Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless filed a Joint Application for Review of the Order on Remand requesting, among other things, an iterative negotiation process with the FCC regarding a Cure, which was denied on July 12, 2018. The pleading cycle established in the Order on Remand concluded in October 2018. On November 23, 2020, the FCC issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order that concluded, among other things, that DISH Network retained de facto control over Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless and denied the very small business bidding credit sought by Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless, even though the parties had eliminated or significantly modified every provision previously deemed to have been disqualifying by the FCC. Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless timely filed an appeal of the FCC’s 2020 decision. On June 21, 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued an Opinion rejecting this challenge. On January 17, 2023, Northstar Wireless filed a petition for a writ of certiorari asking the United States Supreme Court to hear a further appeal, but that petition was denied on June 30, 2023.
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, 2023.
Contingencies
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 on the following pages, 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. 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.
30
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
ClearPlay, Inc.
On March 13, 2014, ClearPlay, Inc. (“ClearPlay”) filed a complaint against us, our wholly-owned subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C., EchoStar, and its then wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. The complaint alleges willful infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,898,799 (the “799 patent”), entitled “Multimedia Content Navigation and Playback”; 7,526,784 (the “784 patent”), entitled “Delivery of Navigation Data for Playback of Audio and Video Content”; 7,543,318 (the “318 patent”), entitled “Delivery of Navigation Data for Playback of Audio and Video Content”; 7,577,970 (the “970 patent”), entitled “Multimedia Content Navigation and Playback”; and 8,117,282 (the “282 patent”), entitled “Media Player Configured to Receive Playback Filters From Alternative Storage Mediums.” ClearPlay alleges that the AutoHop™ feature of our Hopper® set-top box infringes the asserted patents. On February 11, 2015, the case was stayed pending various third-party challenges before the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding the validity of certain of the patents asserted in the action.
In those third-party challenges, the United States Patent and Trademark Office found that all claims of the 282 patent are unpatentable, and that certain claims of the 784 patent and 318 patent are unpatentable. ClearPlay appealed as to the 784 patent and the 318 patent, and on August 23, 2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the findings of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. On October 31, 2016, the stay was lifted, and in May 2017, ClearPlay agreed to dismiss us and EchoStar as defendants, leaving DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. as the sole defendants.
On October 16, October 21, November 2, 2020 and November 9, 2020, DISH Network L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office requesting ex parte reexamination of the validity of the asserted claims of, respectively, the 784 patent, the 799 patent, the 318 patent and the 970 patent; and on November 2, November 20, December 14 and December 15, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted each request for reexamination. On May 7, 2021, May 25, 2021, June 25, 2021 and July 7, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued Ex Parte Reexamination Certificates confirming the patentability of the challenged claims of, respectively, the 799 patent, the 784 patent, the 318 patent and the 970 patent.
In October and November 2021, DISH Network L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office requesting ex parte reexamination of the validity of certain asserted claims of the 784 patent, the 799 patent and the 970 patent. In November and December, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted review of the challenged claims of the 799 patent and the 970 patent, but denied review of the challenged claims of the 784 patent. On January 24, 2022, an examiner of the United States Patent and Trademark Office affirmed the challenged claims of the 799 patent, and on January 19, 2023, an examiner of the United States Patent and Trademark Office affirmed the challenged claims of the 970 patent.
In an order dated January 31, 2023, the Court granted in part and denied in part DISH Network L.L.C.’s and DISH Technologies L.L.C.’s motion for summary judgment. Thereafter, ClearPlay narrowed its case to three asserted claims: one under the 799 patent and two under the 970 patent. Following a two-week trial, on March 10, 2023, the jury returned a verdict that DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. infringed each of the asserted patent claims (though not willfully), and awarded damages of $
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DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
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.
Data Breach Class Actions
On May 9, 2023, Susan Owen-Brooks, an alleged customer, filed a putative class action complaint against us in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. She purports to represent a nationwide class of all individuals in the United States who allegedly had private information stolen as a result of the February 23, 2023 Cyber-security Incident (and a North Carolina statewide subclass of the same individuals). On behalf of the nationwide class, she alleges claims for contractual breaches, negligence and unjust enrichment (and, on behalf of the North Carolina subclass only, violation of the North Carolina Deceptive Trade Practices Act), and seeks monetary damages, injunctive relief and a declaratory judgment. Since that filing,
We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Digital Broadcasting Solutions, LLC
On August 29, 2022, Digital Broadcasting Solutions, LLC filed a complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges infringement of U.S. Patent No. 8,929,710 (the “710 patent”) and U.S. Patent No. 9,538,122 (the “122 patent”), each entitled “System and method for time shifting at least a portion of a video program.” Generally, the plaintiff contends that the AutoHop feature of our Hopper® set-top boxes infringes the asserted patents. On June 21, 2023, the Court granted the motion of DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. to have the case transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
In May 2023, DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all claims of the 710 patent and the 122 patent and, on December 11, 2023, the United States Patent and Trademark Office entered decisions instituting each petition. On May 9, 2024, a magistrate judge issued an order granting the defendants’ motion to stay the case pending the petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and any related appeals.
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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DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Entropic Communications, LLC (first action)
On March 9, 2022, Entropic Communications, LLC (“Entropic”) filed a complaint against us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and Dish Network Service L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,130,576 (the “576 patent”), entitled “Signal Selector and Combiner for Broadband Content Distribution”; U.S. Patent No. 7,542,715 (the “715 Patent”), entitled “Signal Selector and Combiner for Broadband Content Distribution”; and U.S. Patent No. 8,792,008 (the “008 Patent”), entitled “Method and Apparatus for Spectrum Monitoring.” On March 30, 2022, Entropic filed an amended complaint alleging infringement of the same patents. Generally, the plaintiff accuses satellite antennas, low-noise block converters, signal selector and combiners, and set-top boxes and the manner in which they process signals for satellite television customers of infringing the asserted patents.
On October 24, 2022, this case was ordered to be transferred to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. A companion case against DirecTV was also ordered transferred to the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
In January and February of 2023, DISH Network L.L.C. and Dish Network Service L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all claims of the 715 patent, all claims of the 008 patent, and 25 claims of the 576 patent, which includes all of its asserted claims. In August and September 2023, the Patent Office denied institution on the petitions challenging the 715 patent and the 576 patent. In September 2023, at the parties’ joint request, the Patent Office dismissed the petition challenging the 008 patent, as Entropic agreed to drop its claims against DISH Network on that patent.
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. The plaintiff is an entity that seeks to license a patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.
Entropic Communications, LLC (second action)
On February 10, 2023, Entropic filed a second lawsuit against us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C., Dish Network Service L.L.C. and Dish Network California Service Corporation in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The complaint alleges infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,295,518 (the “518 patent”), entitled “Broadband network for coaxial cable using multi-carrier modulation”; U.S. Patent No. 7,594,249 (the “249 patent”), entitled “Network interface device and broadband local area network using coaxial cable”; U.S. Patent Nos. 7,889,759 (the “759 patent”), entitled “Broadband cable network utilizing common bit-loading”; U.S. Patent No. 8,085,802 (the “802 Patent”), entitled “Multimedia over coaxial cable access protocol”; U.S. Patent No. 9,838,213 (the “213 patent”), entitled “Parameterized quality of service architecture in a network”; U.S. Patent No. 10,432,422 (the “422 patent”), entitled “Parameterized quality of service architecture in a network”; U.S. Patent No. 8,631,450 (the “450 patent”), entitled “Broadband local area network”; U.S. Patent No. 8,621,539 (the “539 patent”), entitled “Physical layer transmitter for use in a broadband local area network”; U.S. Patent No. 8,320,566 (the “0,566 patent”), entitled “Method and apparatus for performing constellation scrambling in a multimedia home network”; U.S. Patent No. 10,257,566 (the “7,566 patent”), entitled “Broadband local area network”; U.S. Patent No. 8,228,910 (the “910 Patent”), entitled “Aggregating network packets for transmission to a destination mode”; and U.S. Patent No. 8,363,681 (the “681 patent”), entitled “Method and apparatus for using ranging measurements in a multimedia home network.”
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Generally, the patents relate to Multimedia over Coax Alliance standards and the manner in which we provide a whole-home DVR network over an on-premises coaxial cable network. Entropic has asserted the same patents in the same court against Comcast, Cox and DirecTV. On September 7, 2023, the Court granted the motion of DISH Network L.L.C., Dish Network Service L.L.C. and Dish Network California Service Corporation to dismiss the claims arising from the 7,566 patent and the 910 patent on the grounds that they claimed in eligible subject matter. In January and February 2024, DISH Network L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of the 249 patent, the 518 patent, the 759 patent, the 450 patent, the 539 patent, the ‘0,566 patent, and the ‘681 patent.
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.
Freedom Patents
On April 7, 2023, Freedom Patents LLC filed a complaint against us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and Dish Network Service L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges infringement of U.S. Patent No. 8,284,686 (the “686 Patent”), entitled “Antenna/Beam Selection Training in MIMO Wireless LANS with Different Sounding Frames”; U.S. Patent No. 8,374,096 (the “096 Patent”), entitled “Method for Selecting Antennas and Beams in MIMO Wireless LANs”; and U.S. Patent No. 8,514,815 (the “815 Patent”), entitled “Training Signals for Selecting Antennas and Beams in MIMO Wireless LANs.” Similar complaints were also filed against Acer, Altice, Charter, Comcast and Verizon. In general, the asserted patents relate to the 802.11 wireless standard, and the products accused of infringement are the Wireless Joey, its access point, and certain Ring, Nest and Linksys products that we sell. On March 15, 2024, the Court denied the defendants’ motion to transfer the case to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The parties have reached a settlement under which we, DISH Network L.L.C. and Dish Network Service L.L.C. will pay a non-material sum in exchange for dismissal of the litigation and a license to the asserted patents.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. The plaintiff is an entity that seeks to license a patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.
Lingam Securities Class Action (formerly Jaramillo)
On March 23, 2023, a securities fraud class action complaint was filed against us and Messrs. Ergen, Carlson and Orban in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The complaint is brought on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of our securities during the February 22, 2021 to February 27, 2023 class period. In general, the complaint alleges that DISH Network’s public statements during that period were false and misleading and contained material omissions, because they did not disclose that we allegedly maintained a deficient cyber-security and information technology infrastructure, were unable to properly secure customer data and our operations were susceptible to widespread service outages.
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In August 2023, the Court appointed a new lead plaintiff and lead plaintiff’s counsel, and, on October 20, 2023, they filed an amended complaint that abandoned the original allegations. In their amended complaint, plaintiffs allege that, during the class period, the defendants concealed problems concerning the 5G network buildout that prevented scaling and commercializing the network to obtain enterprise customers. The amended complaint adds as individual defendants James S. Allen, our Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer; John Swieringa, our President, Technology and Chief Operating Officer; Dave Mayo, our former Executive Vice President of Network Development; Marc Rouanne, our former Executive Vice President and Chief Network Officer; and Stephen Bye, our former Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. After the defendants filed a motion to dismiss, the plaintiffs filed a further amended complaint, asserting the same theory, on February 23, 2024. The new complaint drops Erik Carlson, John Swieringa, Paul Orban and James Allen as individual defendants.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Jones 401(k) Litigation
On December 20, 2021, four former employees filed a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against us, our Board of Directors, and our Retirement Plan Committee alleging fiduciary breaches arising from the management of our 401(k) Plan. The putative class, comprised of all participants in the Plan on or after January 20, 2016, alleges that the Plan had excessive recordkeeping and administrative expenses and that it maintained underperforming funds. On February 1, 2023, a Magistrate Judge issued a recommendation that the defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint be granted, and on March 27, 2023, the district court judge granted the motion. As permitted by the Court’s order, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on April 10, 2023, which is limited to allegations regarding the alleged underperformance of the Fidelity Freedom Funds.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Realtime Data LLC and Realtime Adaptive Streaming LLC
On June 6, 2017, Realtime Data LLC d/b/a IXO (“Realtime”) filed an amended complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (the “Original Texas Action”) against us; our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C. (then known as EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.), Sling TV L.L.C. and Sling Media L.L.C.; EchoStar, and EchoStar’s wholly-owned subsidiary Hughes Network Systems, L.L.C. (“HNS”); and Arris Group, Inc. Realtime’s initial complaint in the Original Texas Action, filed on February 14, 2017, had named only EchoStar and HNS as defendants.
The amended complaint in the Original Texas Action alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 8,717,204 (the “204 patent”), entitled “Methods for encoding and decoding data”; United States Patent No. 9,054,728 (the “728 patent”), entitled “Data compression systems and methods”; United States Patent No. 7,358,867 (the “867 patent”), entitled “Content independent data compression method and system”; United States Patent No. 8,502,707 (the “707 patent”), entitled “Data compression systems and methods”; United States Patent No. 8,275,897 (the “897 patent”), entitled “System and methods for accelerated data storage and retrieval”; United States Patent No. 8,867,610 (the “610 patent”), entitled “System and methods for video and audio data distribution”; United States Patent No. 8,934,535 (the “535 patent”), entitled “Systems and methods for video and audio data storage and distribution”; and United States Patent No. 8,553,759 (the “759 patent”), entitled “Bandwidth sensitive data compression and decompression.”
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Realtime alleges that our, Sling TV L.L.C.’s, Sling Media L.L.C.’s and Arris Group, Inc.’s streaming video products and services compliant with various versions of the H.264 video compression standard infringe the 897 patent, the 610 patent and the 535 patent, and that the data compression system in HNS’ products and services infringes the 204 patent, the 728 patent, the 867 patent, the 707 patent and the 759 patent.
On July 19, 2017, the Court severed Realtime’s claims against us, DISH Network L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C. and Arris Group, Inc. (alleging infringement of the 897 patent, the 610 patent and the 535 patent) from the Original Texas Action into a separate action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (the “Second Texas Action”). On August 31, 2017, Realtime dismissed the claims against us, Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media Inc., and Sling Media L.L.C. from the Second Texas Action and refiled these claims (alleging infringement of the 897 patent, the 610 patent and the 535 patent) against Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media Inc., and Sling Media L.L.C. in a new action in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado (the “Colorado Action”). Also on August 31, 2017, Realtime dismissed DISH Technologies L.L.C. from the Original Texas Action, and on September 12, 2017, added it as a defendant in an amended complaint in the Second Texas Action. On November 6, 2017, Realtime filed a joint motion to dismiss the Second Texas Action without prejudice, which the Court entered on November 8, 2017.
On October 10, 2017, Realtime Adaptive Streaming LLC (“Realtime Adaptive Streaming”) filed suit against our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C., as well as Arris Group, Inc., in a new action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (the “Third Texas Action”), alleging infringement of the 610 patent and the 535 patent. Also on October 10, 2017, an amended complaint was filed in the Colorado Action, substituting Realtime Adaptive Streaming as the plaintiff instead of Realtime, and alleging infringement of only the 610 patent and the 535 patent, but not the 897 patent. On November 6, 2017, Realtime Adaptive Streaming filed a joint motion to dismiss the Third Texas Action without prejudice, which the court entered on November 8, 2017. Also on November 6, 2017, Realtime Adaptive Streaming filed a second amended complaint in the Colorado Action, adding our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C., as well as Arris Group, Inc., as defendants.
As a result, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries is a defendant in the Original Texas Action; the Court has dismissed without prejudice the Second Texas Action and the Third Texas Action; and our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C. and Sling Media L.L.C. as well as Arris Group, Inc., are defendants in the Colorado Action, which now has Realtime Adaptive Streaming as the named plaintiff. Following settlements with the plaintiff, EchoStar and HNS were dismissed from the Original Texas Action in February 2019, and Arris Group, Inc. was dismissed from the Colorado Action in March 2021.
On July 3, 2018, Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C., DISH Network L.L.C., and DISH Technologies L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of each of the asserted patents. On January 31, 2019, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on our petitions, and it held trial on the petitions on December 5, 2019. On January 17, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office terminated the petitions as time-barred, but issued a final written decision invalidating the 535 patent to third parties that had timely joined in our petition (and, on January 10, 2020, issued a final written decision invalidating the 535 patent in connection with a third party’s independent petition). On March 16, 2020, Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C., DISH Network L.L.C., and DISH Technologies L.L.C. filed a notice of appeal from the terminated petitions to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On June 29, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office filed a notice of intervention in the appeal. On March 16, 2021, the Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. On April 29, 2021, Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C., DISH Network L.L.C., and DISH Technologies L.L.C. filed a petition for rehearing, which was denied on June 28, 2021. On January 12, 2021, Realtime Adaptive Streaming filed a notice of dismissal of its claims on the 535 patent.
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On July 30, 2021, the District Court granted summary judgment in favor of DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C. and Sling Media L.L.C., holding that the remaining asserted patent, the 610 patent, is invalid because it claims patent-ineligible abstract subject matter. Realtime Adaptive Streaming appealed that ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and on May 11, 2023, that Court affirmed the District Court’s summary judgment order. Independently, on September 21, 2021, in connection with an ex parte reexamination of the validity of the 610 patent, an examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final office action rejecting each asserted claim of the 610 patent as invalid over the cited prior art. On April 19, 2023, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board rejected Realtime Adaptive Streaming’s appeal and affirmed the examiner’s rejection of the asserted claims of the 610 patent. Realtime did not further appeal the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s determination and, thus, the asserted claims of the 610 patent were canceled. As a result, DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C. and Sling Media L.L.C. no longer face any possible exposure from this matter, and the liability phase of this case is concluded.
On January 21, 2022, the District Court granted the motion by DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C. and Sling Media L.L.C. to have the case declared “exceptional,” and on September 20, 2022, awarded them $
SafeCast Limited
On June 27, 2022, SafeCast Limited filed a complaint against us in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The complaint alleges that we infringe U.S. Patent No. 9,392,302, entitled “System for providing improved facilities in time-shifted broadcasts” (the “302 patent”). On the same day, it brought complaints in the same court asserting infringement of the same patent against AT&T, Google, HBO, NBCUniversal, Paramount and Verizon. On October 24, 2022, in response to the parties’ joint motion, the Court ordered the case against us transferred to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. On December 1, 2022, SafeCast filed an amended complaint naming our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. as defendants and withdrawing the allegations as to us. On June 22, 2023, DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. filed a petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of the asserted claims of the 302 patent. On August 28, 2023, the Court stayed the case pending resolution of the petition.
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. The plaintiff is an entity that seeks to license a patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.
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Sound View Innovations, LLC
On December 30, 2019, Sound View Innovations, LLC filed one complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. and a second complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiary Sling TV L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The complaint against DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. alleges infringement of United States Patent No 6,502,133 (the “133 patent”), entitled “Real-Time Event Processing System with Analysis Engine Using Recovery Information” and both complaints allege infringement of United States Patent No. 6,708,213 (the “213 patent), entitled “Method for Streaming Multimedia Information Over Public Networks”; United States Patent No. 6,757,796 (the “796 patent”), entitled “Method and System for Caching Streaming Live Broadcasts transmitted Over a Network”; and United States Patent No. 6,725,456 (the “456 patent”), entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Ensuring Quality of Service in an Operating System.” All but the 133 patent are also asserted in the complaint against Sling TV L.L.C.
On May 21, 2020, June 3, 2020, June 5, 2020 and July 10, 2020, DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C. and Sling TV L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of, respectively, the 213 patent, the 133 patent, the 456 patent and the 796 patent. On November 25, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office declined to review the validity of the 213 patent, and on September 29, 2021, denied a request for rehearing of that decision. On January 19, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the 456 patent but declined to review the 133 patent. On February 24, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the 796 patent. On January 18, 2022, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision holding that the challenged claim of the 456 patent is patentable, and on February 8, 2022, it issued a final written decision holding that the challenged claims of the 796 patent are patentable.
On March 22, 2022, DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C. and Sling TV L.L.C. filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from the adverse final written decision regarding the 456 patent, and on April 8, 2022, they filed a notice of appeal to the same court from the adverse final written decision regarding the 796 patent. The appeal on the 456 patent was voluntarily dismissed on December 6, 2022. The Federal Circuit heard oral argument on the 796 patent appeal on October 3, 2023, and affirmed the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s adverse final written decision on October 5, 2023.
On April 20, 2022, DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C. and Sling TV L.L.C. filed a petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office requesting ex parte reexamination of the validity of one of the asserted claims of the 213 patent, and reexamination was ordered on June 16, 2022. On January 18, 2023, they filed another petition requesting ex parte reexamination of the validity of the four additional asserted claims of the 213 patent, and reexamination was ordered on April 17, 2023. On November 13, 2023, the United States Patent and Trademark Office confirmed the patentability of the claim challenged in our first petition.
We intend to vigorously defend these cases. 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. The plaintiff is an entity that seeks to license a patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.
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State of Illinois ex rel. Rodriguez
In March 2020, two private “relators” filed this case in the Circuit Court of Cook County Illinois, County Department, Law Division, under the Illinois False Claims Act against DISH Wireless, Sprint and more than 60 Boost Mobile retailers in Illinois. The defendants only became aware of the lawsuit after it was unsealed in March 2022. The operative Second Amended Complaint alleges that the retailer defendants should have collected sales tax under the Retailers’ Occupation Tax Act on any amounts that Sprint or DISH Network rebated them to facilitate handset price discounts to Illinois consumers (“Prepaid Phone Rebates”) and on any phone activation fees the retailers charged to customers (“Device Setup Charges”). It further alleges that DISH Wireless and Sprint are liable for the alleged violations arising from the Device Setup Charges because of the way they allegedly managed the point-of-sale system that the retailer defendants used. The Plaintiffs seek to recover triple the amount of allegedly unpaid taxes, fines for each alleged violation, and attorneys’ fees and costs. On June 13, 2023, the Court denied the defendants’ motions to dismiss the complaint, but on January 2, 2024, it granted reconsideration and dismissed the complaint as to DISH Wireless and Sprint, with leave to amend. The Plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint on February 2, 2024.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
TQ Delta, LLC
On July 17, 2015, TQ Delta, LLC (“TQ Delta”) filed a complaint against us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH DBS Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The Complaint alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,961,369 (the “369 patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Scrambling the Phase of the Carriers in a Multicarrier Communications System”; United States Patent No. 8,718,158 (the “158 patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Scrambling the Phase of the Carriers in a Multicarrier Communications System”; United States Patent No. 9,014,243 (the “243 patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Scrambling Using a Bit Scrambler and a Phase Scrambler”; United States Patent No.7,835,430 (the “430 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier Modulation Messaging for Frequency Domain Received Idle Channel Noise Information”; United States Patent No. 8,238,412 (the “412 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier Modulation Messaging for Power Level per Subchannel Information”; United States Patent No. 8,432,956 (the “956 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier Modulation Messaging for Power Level per Subchannel Information”; and United States Patent No. 8,611,404 (the “404 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier Transmission System with Low Power Sleep Mode and Rapid-On Capability.”
On September 9, 2015, TQ Delta filed a first amended complaint that added allegations of infringement of United States Patent No. 9,094,268 (the “268 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier Transmission System With Low Power Sleep Mode and Rapid-On Capability.” On May 16, 2016, TQ Delta filed a second amended complaint that added EchoStar Corporation and its then wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. as defendants. TQ Delta alleges that our satellite TV service, Internet service, set-top boxes, gateways, routers, modems, adapters and networks that operate in accordance with one or more Multimedia over Coax Alliance Standards infringe the asserted patents.
TQ Delta has filed actions in the same court alleging infringement of the same patents against Comcast Corp., Cox Communications, Inc., DirecTV, Time Warner Cable Inc. and Verizon Communications, Inc. TQ Delta is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.
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On July 14, 2016, TQ Delta stipulated to dismiss with prejudice all claims related to the 369 patent and the 956 patent. On July 20, 2016, we filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all of the patent claims of the 404 patent and the 268 patent that have been asserted against us. Third parties filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all of the patent claims that have been asserted against us in the action. On November 4, 2016, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the third-party petitions related to the 158 patent, the 243 patent, the 412 patent and the 430 patent.
On December 20, 2016, pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, the Court stayed the case until the resolution of all petitions to the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all of the patent claims at issue. On January 19, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted our motions to join the instituted petitions on the 430 and 158 patents.
On February 9, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on our petition related to the 404 patent, and on February 13, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on our petition related to the 268 patent. On February 27, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted our motions to join the instituted petitions on the 243 and 412 patents. On October 26, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued final written decisions on the petitions challenging the 158 patent, the 243 patent, the 412 patent and the 430 patent, and it invalidated all of the asserted claims of those patents.
On February 7, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued final written decisions on the petitions challenging the 404 patent, and it invalidated all of the asserted claims of that patent on the basis of our petition. On February 10, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision on our petition challenging the 268 patent, and it invalidated all of the asserted claims.
On March 12, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision on a third-party petition challenging the 268 patent, and it invalidated all of the asserted claims. All asserted claims have now been invalidated by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. TQ Delta filed notices of appeal from the final written decisions adverse to it. On May 9, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the invalidity of the 430 patent and the 412 patent. On July 10, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the invalidity of the asserted claims of the 404 patent. On July 15, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the invalidity of the asserted claims of the 268 patent. On November 22, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the invalidity finding on the 243 patent and the 158 patent, and then, on March 29, 2020, denied a petition for panel rehearing as to those findings. On April 13, 2021, the Court lifted the stay, and the case is proceeding on the 243 patent and the 158 patent. On April 23 and April 26, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued orders granting requests for ex parte reexamination of, respectively, the 243 patent and the 158 patent, but on July 27, 2023, the United States Patent and Trademark Office confirmed the challenged claims of the 243 patent. In a proposed supplemental report, TQ Delta’s damages expert contends that TQ Delta is entitled to $
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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Uniloc 2017 LLC
On January 31, 2019, Uniloc 2017 LLC (“Uniloc”) filed a complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiary Sling TV L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The Complaint alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,519,005 (the “005 patent”), which is entitled “Method of Concurrent Multiple-Mode Motion Estimation for Digital Video”; United States Patent No. 6,895,118 (the “118 patent”), which is entitled “Method of Coding Digital Image Based on Error Concealment”; United States Patent No. 9,721,273 (the “273 patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Aggregating and Providing Audio and Visual Presentations Via a Computer Network”); and United States Patent No. 8,407,609 (the “609 patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Providing and Tracking the Provision of Audio and Visual Presentations Via a Computer Network.”
On June 25, 2019, Sling TV L.L.C. filed a petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all of the asserted claims of the 005 patent. On July 19, 2019 and July 22, 2019, respectively, Sling TV L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all asserted claims of the 273 patent and the 609 patent. On August 12, 2019, Sling TV L.L.C. filed a petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all of the asserted claims of the 118 patent. On October 18, 2019, pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, the Court entered a stay of the trial proceedings.
On January 9, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the petition challenging the 005 patent. On January 15, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the petition challenging the 273 patent. On February 4, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the petition challenging the 609 patent. On February 25, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office declined to institute proceedings on the petition challenging the 118 patent.
On December 28, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision upholding the validity of the challenged claims of the 273 patent. Sling TV L.L.C. appealed that decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and on February 2, 2022, the Federal Circuit vacated the final written decision and remanded to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to reconsider its ruling. On remand, on September 7, 2022, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a revised final written decision finding all challenged claims of the 273 patent invalid. On November 9, 2022, Uniloc filed a notice of appeal of that revised final written decision, and briefing was completed on August 11, 2023.
On January 5, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision invalidating all challenged claims of the 005 patent. On January 19, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision invalidating all challenged claims of the 609 patent (and a second final written decision invalidating all challenged claims of the 609 patent based on a third party’s petition).
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. Uniloc is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.
41
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
U.S. Bank Trust Company
On April 26, 2024, U.S. Bank Trust Company, in its capacity as Trustee under the Indentures for DISH DBS Corporation’s 5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 and 7.75% Senior Notes due 2026, filed an action in state court in New York City against DISH DBS Corporation, DISH Network L.L.C., EchoStar Intercompany Receivable Company L.L.C., DISH DBS Issuer LLC, and DBS Intercompany Receivable L.L.C. In its complaint, the Trustee contends that certain intracompany asset transfers in January 2024 breached the Indentures for those Notes, and that the transfers were intentional and constructive fraudulent transfers under the Colorado Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act. The Trustee seeks a declaratory judgment that DISH DBS Corporation breached the Indentures and that an Event of Default occurred under the DBS Indentures. It further asks the Court to unwind certain intracompany asset transfers and to award damages. On May 13, 2024, the defendants removed the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Vermont National Telephone Company
On September 23, 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia unsealed a qui tam complaint that, on May 13, 2015, Vermont National filed against us; our wholly-owned subsidiaries, American AWS-3 Wireless I L.L.C., American II, American III, and DISH Wireless Holding L.L.C.; Charles W. Ergen (our Chairman) and Cantey M. Ergen (a member of our Board of Directors, at that time); Northstar Wireless; Northstar Spectrum; Northstar Manager; SNR Wireless; SNR HoldCo; SNR Management; and certain other parties. The complaint alleges violations of the federal civil False Claims Act (the “FCA”) based on, among other things, allegations that Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless falsely claimed bidding credits of
Thereafter, the District Court maintained the stay until October 26, 2018. On February 11, 2019, the District Court granted Vermont National’s unopposed motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On March 28, 2019, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss Vermont National’s amended complaint, and on March 23, 2021, the District Court granted the motion to dismiss. On April 21, 2021, Vermont National filed a notice of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit and, on May 17, 2022, that court reversed the District Court’s dismissal of the complaint. On June 16, 2022, the Defendants-Appellees filed a petition for rehearing or rehearing en banc, but on August 17, 2022, that petition was denied. On August 25, 2023, the FCC provided a sworn declaration stating that “the FCC considers … SNR and Northstar to have fully and timely satisfied their obligations to pay money to the Government arising from the AWS-3 Auction.”
42
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
On that basis, on September 22, 2023, the Defendants filed a motion seeking partial summary judgment of no damages. On September 26, 2023, the Court denied the motion as premature. On March 8, 2024, the United States filed a motion to exercise its statutory prerogative to intervene in the case for the purpose of moving to dismiss it with prejudice, stating that the case is “unlikely to vindicate the United States’ interests and would needlessly expend the Government’s and this Court’s resources.”
We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of this proceeding 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 that arise in the ordinary course of business, including, among other things, disputes with programmers regarding fees. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial condition, 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.
10.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. Operating income is the primary measure used by our chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment operating performance. We currently operate three primary business segments: (1) Pay-TV; (2) Retail Wireless and (3) 5G Network Deployment. See Note 1 for further information.
All other and eliminations primarily include intersegment eliminations related to intercompany debt and the related interest income and interest expense, which are eliminated in consolidation.
The total assets, revenue and operating income, and purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds, (including capitalized interest related to Regulatory authorizations) by segment were as follows:
As of | |||||||
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Total assets: | |||||||
Pay-TV | $ | | $ | | |||
Retail Wireless | | | |||||
5G Network Deployment (1) | | | |||||
Eliminations | ( | ( | |||||
Total assets | $ | | $ | | |||
(1) | This change primarily resulted from the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar. See Note 1 for further information. |
43
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Revenue: | |||||||
Pay-TV | $ | | $ | | |||
Retail Wireless | | | |||||
5G Network Deployment | | | |||||
Eliminations | ( | ( | |||||
Total revenue | $ | | $ | | |||
Operating income (loss): | |||||||
Pay-TV | $ | | $ | | |||
Retail Wireless | ( | ( | |||||
5G Network Deployment | ( | ( | |||||
Eliminations | | — | |||||
Total operating income (loss) | $ | | $ | | |||
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds, (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations): | |||||||
Pay-TV | $ | | $ | | |||
Retail Wireless | — | — | |||||
5G Network Deployment | | | |||||
Total purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds, (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations) | $ | | $ | | |||
The revenue from external customers disaggregated by major revenue source was as follows:
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
Category: |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
| (In thousands) | ||||||
Pay-TV subscriber and related revenue | $ | | $ | | |||
Retail wireless services and related revenue | | | |||||
5G network deployment services and related revenue | | — | |||||
Pay-TV equipment sales and other revenue | | | |||||
Retail wireless equipment sales and other revenue | | | |||||
5G network deployment equipment sales and other revenue | | | |||||
Eliminations | ( | ( | |||||
Total | $ | | $ | | |||
44
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
11.Revenue Recognition
Contract Balances
Our valuation and qualifying accounts as of March 31, 2024 were as follows:
|
| ||||
For the Three Months Ended | |||||
March 31, 2024 | |||||
(In thousands) | |||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | | |||
Current period provision for expected credit losses | | ||||
Write-offs charged against allowance | ( | ||||
Acquisitions | — | ||||
Balance at end of period | $ | | |||
Contract liabilities arise when we bill our customers and receive consideration in advance of providing the service. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when the service has been provided to the customer. Contract liabilities are recorded in “Deferred revenue and other” and “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table summarizes our contract liability balances:
As of | |||||||
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
2024 | 2023 | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Contract liabilities | $ | | $ | | |||
Our beginning of period contract liability recorded as customer contract revenue during 2024 was $
Performance Obligations
Pay-TV and Retail Wireless Segments
We apply a practical expedient and do not disclose the value of the remaining performance obligations for contracts that are less than one year in duration, which represent a substantial majority of our revenue. As such, the amount of revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is not necessarily indicative of our future revenue.
45
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Contract Acquisition Costs
The following table presents the activity in our contract acquisition costs, net:
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | ||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | | $ | | ||||
Additions | | | ||||||
Amortization expense | ( | ( | ||||||
Balance at end of period | $ | | $ | | ||||
12.Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions with EchoStar, our Parent.
On January 1, 2008, DISH Network completed the distribution of its technology and set-top box business and certain infrastructure assets (the “Spin-off”) into a separate publicly-traded company, EchoStar. Following the Spin-off, DISH Network and EchoStar operated as separate publicly-traded companies until the Merger on December 31, 2023. See Note 1 for more information. After the Spin-off and prior to the Merger, we and EchoStar entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we obtain certain products, services and rights from EchoStar and EchoStar obtains certain products, services and rights from us.
On February 28, 2017, we and EchoStar and certain of our respective subsidiaries completed a transaction (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which certain assets that were transferred to EchoStar in the Spin-off were transferred back to us. On September 10, 2019, we and EchoStar and certain of our respective subsidiaries completed the transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement (the “Master Transaction Agreement”) pursuant to which certain assets that were transferred to EchoStar in the Spin-off were transferred back to us. On December 31, 2023, EchoStar completed the acquisition of DISH Network.
The following is a summary of the terms of our principal agreements with EchoStar that may have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
“Trade accounts receivable”
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, trade accounts receivable from EchoStar was $
“Trade accounts payable”
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, trade accounts payable to EchoStar was $
46
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
“Service revenue”
During both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we received $
TT&C Agreement – Master Transaction Agreement. In September 2019, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to EchoStar for a period ending in September 2021, with the option for EchoStar to renew for a
“Equipment sales and other revenue”
During both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we received $
Real Estate Lease Agreements. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate to EchoStar. The rent on a per square foot basis for each of the leases is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic areas, and EchoStar is responsible for its portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. The term of each lease is set forth below:
● | El Paso Lease Agreement. During 2012, we began leasing certain space at 1285 Joe Battle Blvd., El Paso, Texas to EchoStar for an initial period ending on August 1, 2015, which also provides EchoStar with renewal options for |
● | 90 Inverness Lease Agreement. Effective March 1, 2017, EchoStar leases certain space from us at 90 Inverness Circle East, Englewood, Colorado with an initial term that ended in February 2023 and renewal options for |
47
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
● | Cheyenne Lease Agreement. Effective March 1, 2017, EchoStar began leasing certain space from us at 530 EchoStar Drive, Cheyenne, Wyoming for a period ending in February 2019. In August 2018, EchoStar exercised its option to renew this lease for a |
Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements. Effective March 1, 2017, we entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we provide certain collocation and antenna space to HNS through February 2025 at the following locations: Cheyenne, Wyoming; Gilbert, Arizona; Monee, Illinois; Englewood, Colorado; and Spokane, Washington. During August 2017, we entered into certain other agreements pursuant to which we provide certain collocation and antenna space to HNS through August 2022 at the following locations: Monee, Illinois and Spokane, Washington. HNS has the option to renew each of these agreements for
Also in September 2019, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which we provide HNS with antenna space and power in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a period of
“Cost of services”
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we incurred $
Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement. Effective January 10, 2024, we and EchoStar, on behalf of certain wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into the Spectrum Manager Lease Agreement pursuant to which we have the right to lease the wireless spectrum licenses AWS-4, H-Block, CBRS (3550-3650 MHz), C-Band– Cheyenne (3.7-3.98 GHz), 12GHz (MVDDS), LMDS, 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 37GHz, 39GHz and 47GHz, and 700 MHz for a nominal fee. Under the applicable accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), these wireless spectrum licenses are intangible assets, and therefore excluded from the scope of ASC 842 and are not reflected on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. We have the right to use the wireless spectrum licenses for as long as EchoStar holds the licenses, subject to certain termination provisions.
48
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement. Effective October 1, 2012, dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C. (“dishNET Satellite Broadband”), our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, and HNS entered into a Distribution Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) pursuant to which dishNET Satellite Broadband has the right, but not the obligation, to market, sell and distribute the HNS satellite Internet service (the “Service”). dishNET Satellite Broadband pays HNS a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for the Service based upon the subscriber’s service level, and, beginning January 1, 2014, certain volume subscription thresholds. The Distribution Agreement also provides that dishNET Satellite Broadband has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase certain broadband equipment from HNS to support the sale of the Service. On February 20, 2014, dishNET Satellite Broadband and HNS amended the Distribution Agreement which, among other things, extended the initial term of the Distribution Agreement through March 1, 2024.
Thereafter, the Distribution Agreement automatically renews for successive
“Cost of sales – equipment and other”
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we incurred
DBSD North America Agreement. On March 9, 2012, we completed the DBSD Transaction. During the second quarter of 2011, EchoStar acquired Hughes. Prior to our acquisition of DBSD North America and EchoStar’s acquisition of Hughes, DBSD North America and HNS entered into an agreement pursuant to which HNS provides, among other things, hosting, operations and maintenance services for DBSD North America’s satellite gateway and associated ground infrastructure. This agreement generally may be terminated by us at any time for convenience. DBSD North America was included in the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar. See Note 1 for further information.
TerreStar Agreements. On March 9, 2012, we completed the TerreStar Transaction. Prior to our acquisition of substantially all the assets of TerreStar and EchoStar’s acquisition of Hughes, TerreStar and HNS entered into various agreements pursuant to which HNS 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 us at any time for convenience. TerreStar was included in the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar. See Note 1 for further information.
Hughes Equipment and Services Agreement. In February 2019, we and HNS entered into an agreement pursuant to which HNS will provide us with HughesNet Service and HughesNet equipment for the transmission of certain data related to our 5G Network Deployment. This agreement has an initial term of
49
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
“Selling, general and administrative expenses”
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, we incurred $
Real Estate Lease Agreements. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate from EchoStar. 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 we are responsible for our portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. The term of each lease is set forth below:
● | Meridian Lease Agreement. We lease all of 9601 S. Meridian Blvd. in Englewood, Colorado for a period ending on December 31, 2024. |
● | 100 Inverness Lease Agreement. Effective March 1, 2017, we lease certain space from EchoStar at 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado for a period ending in December 2024. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon |
Professional Services Agreement. Prior to 2010, we entered into various agreements with EchoStar 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 EchoStar agreed that EchoStar shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive the following services from us, 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 EchoStar agreed that we shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage EchoStar to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for us and receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from EchoStar and other support services. On February 28, 2017, DISH Network and EchoStar amended the Professional Services Agreement to, among other things, provide certain transition services to each other. In addition, we and EchoStar amended the Professional Services Agreement effective September 10, 2019 to, among other things, provide certain transition services to each other and to remove certain services no longer necessary.
During March 2020, we and EchoStar added a service under the Professional Services Agreement whereby we provide EchoStar with rights to use certain satellite capacity in exchange for certain credits to amounts owed by us to EchoStar under the TerreStar Agreement described above. The Professional Services Agreement renewed on January 1, 2024 for an additional
Revenue for services provided by us to EchoStar under the Professional Services Agreement is recorded in “Service revenue” and “Equipment sales and other revenue” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
50
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Other Agreements – EchoStar
Tax Sharing Agreement. We entered into a tax sharing agreement (the “Tax Sharing Agreement”) with EchoStar 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 us, and we will indemnify EchoStar for such taxes. However, we are not liable for and will not indemnify EchoStar for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) because of: (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of EchoStar’s stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that EchoStar takes or fails to take; or (iii) any action that EchoStar takes that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the Internal Revenue Service (“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, EchoStar is solely liable for, and will indemnify us 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.
In light of the Tax Sharing Agreement, among other things, and in connection with our consolidated federal income tax returns for certain tax years prior to and for the year of the Spin-off, during 2013, we and EchoStar agreed upon a supplemental allocation of the tax benefits arising from certain tax items resolved in the course of the IRS’ examination of these consolidated tax returns. As a result, we agreed to pay EchoStar $
In addition, during 2013, we and EchoStar agreed upon a tax sharing arrangement for filing certain combined state income tax returns and a method of allocating the respective tax liabilities between us and EchoStar for such combined returns, through the taxable period ending on December 31, 2017 (the “State Tax Arrangement”). During the third quarter of 2018, we and EchoStar amended the Tax Sharing Agreement and the 2013 agreements (the “Amendment”).
Under the Amendment, among other things, we are entitled to apply the benefit of EchoStar’s 2009 net operating losses to our federal tax return for the year ended December 31, 2008, in exchange for paying EchoStar over time the value of the net annual federal income taxes paid by EchoStar that would have been otherwise offset by their 2009 net operating loss.
The Amendment also contained provisions related to the term of the State Tax Arrangement. As discussed in prior filings, beginning in 2020, DISH Network and EchoStar no longer files a combined state tax return in any state. All requirements under the State Tax Arrangement were fulfilled in 2022.
As a result of the Merger discussed above, DISH Network and EchoStar are analyzing requirements to determine if combined returns are appropriate for tax years beginning in 2024.
51
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Patent Cross-License Agreements. In December 2011, we and EchoStar entered into separate patent cross-license agreements with the same third-party whereby: (i) EchoStar and such third-party licensed their respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions; and (ii) we and such third-party licensed our 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 $
Rovi License Agreement. On August 19, 2016, we entered into a
Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement. In March 2017, DISH Network L.L.C. (“DNLLC”) and HNS entered into the MSA pursuant to which DNLLC, among other things: (i) has the right, but not the obligation, to market, promote and solicit orders for the Hughes broadband satellite service and related equipment; and (ii) installs Hughes service equipment with respect to activations generated by DNLLC. Under the MSA, HNS will make certain payments to DNLLC for each Hughes service activation generated, and installation performed, by DNLLC. Payments from HNS for services provided are recorded in “Service revenue” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, these payments were less than $
Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement – Share Exchange. Effective March 1, 2017, we and EchoStar entered into an Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement (“IPTLA”), pursuant to which we and EchoStar license to each other certain intellectual property and technology. The IPTLA will continue in perpetuity, unless mutually terminated by the parties. Pursuant to the IPTLA, EchoStar granted to us a license to its intellectual property and technology for use by us, among other things, in connection with our continued operation of the Transferred Businesses acquired pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, including a limited license to use the “ECHOSTAR” trademark during a transition period. EchoStar retains full ownership of the “ECHOSTAR” trademark. In addition, we granted a license back to EchoStar, among other things, for the continued use of all intellectual property and technology transferred to us pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement that is used in EchoStar’s retained businesses.
52
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement – Master Transaction Agreement. Effective September 10, 2019, we and EchoStar entered into an IPTLA (the “MTA IPTLA”), pursuant to which we and EchoStar license to each other certain intellectual property and technology. The MTA IPTLA will continue in perpetuity, unless mutually terminated by the parties. Pursuant to the MTA IPTLA, EchoStar granted to us a license to its intellectual property and technology for use by us, among other things, in connection with our continued operation of the BSS Business acquired pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement, including a limited license to use the “ESS” and “ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES” trademarks during a transition period. EchoStar retains full ownership of the “ESS” and “ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES” trademarks. In addition, we granted a license back to EchoStar, among other things, for the continued use of all intellectual property and technology transferred to us pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement that is used in EchoStar’s retained businesses.
Related Party Transactions with NagraStar L.L.C.
We own a
The table below summarizes our transactions with NagraStar:
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Purchases (including fees): | ||||||||
Purchases from NagraStar |
| $ | |
| $ | | ||
As of | ||||||||
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | ||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Amounts Payable and Commitments: | ||||||||
Amounts payable to NagraStar |
| $ | |
| $ | | ||
Commitments to NagraStar |
| $ | |
| $ | | ||
53
Item 2.MANAGEMENT’S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following management’s narrative analysis of our results of operations together with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This management’s narrative 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, 2023 under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Overview
Recent Developments
Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar
Sale of Assets to EchoStar. On January 10, 2024, we sold certain assets and equity interests to EchoStar, which included the sale of a financial asset (the “Sale of Assets to EchoStar”).
Asset Transfer to EchoStar. On January 10, 2024, we transferred our wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold certain of our wireless spectrum licenses, including AWS-4, H-Block, CBRS (3550-3650 MHz), C-Band – Cheyenne (3.7-3.98 GHz), 12GHz (MVDDS), LMDS, 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 37GHz, 39GHz and 47GHz to EchoStar Wireless Holding L.L.C., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of our parent, EchoStar (together with the “Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche” defined below, the “Asset Transfer to EchoStar”). In addition, DISH DBS, in its capacity as “Lender” under the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement related to the Intercompany Loan between DISH Network and DISH DBS, has consummated the assignment pursuant to such terms, without any modification or amendment thereto, of its receivable in respect to the 2026 Tranche of $4.7 billion (the “Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche”) to DBS Intercompany Receivable L.L.C. DBS Intercompany Receivable L.L.C. has subsequently assigned its rights as lender thereunder to EchoStar Intercompany Receivable Company L.L.C., our parent, EchoStar’s direct wholly-owned subsidiary, such that amounts owed in respect of the 2026 Tranche will now be paid by us to EchoStar Intercompany Receivable L.L.C.
700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar. On March 12, 2024, we sold our wholly-owned subsidiary which holds the 700 MHz spectrum to a wholly-owned subsidiary of our parent, EchoStar (the “700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar”).
The Sale of Assets to EchoStar, Asset Transfer to EchoStar and 700 MHz Spectrum Sale to EchoStar together are referred to as (the “Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar”).
See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
54
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Merger with EchoStar
On December 31, 2023, EchoStar completed the acquisition of DISH Network pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 2, 2023 (the “Amended Merger Agreement”), by and among EchoStar, EAV Corp., a Nevada corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary (“Merger Sub”), and DISH Network, pursuant to which EchoStar acquired DISH Network by means of the merger of Merger Sub with and into DISH Network (the “Merger”), with DISH Network surviving the Merger as EchoStar’s wholly owned subsidiary. 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, 2023.
With the Merger complete, we are currently focused on the process of integrating our and EchoStar’s business in a manner that facilitates synergies, cost savings, growth opportunities and achieves other anticipated benefits (the “Integration”).
Segments
We currently operate three primary business segments: (1) Pay-TV; (2) Retail Wireless; and (3) 5G Network Deployment.
Our Pay-TV segment business strategy is to be the best provider of video services in the United States by providing products with the best technology, outstanding customer service and great value. We offer pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and the SLING® brand (collectively “Pay-TV” services). We promote our Pay-TV services by providing our subscribers with a better “price-to-value” relationship and experience than those available from other subscription television service providers. The DISH branded pay-TV service consists of, among other things, FCC licenses authorizing us to use direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) and Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) spectrum, our owned and leased satellites, receiver systems, broadcast operations, a leased fiber optic network, in-home service and call center operations and certain other assets utilized in our operations (“DISH TV”). We also design, develop and distribute receiver systems and provide digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission and other services to third-party pay-TV providers. The SLING branded pay-TV services consist of, among other things, multichannel, live-linear and on-demand streaming over-the-top (“OTT”) Internet-based domestic, international, Latino and Freestream video programming services (“SLING TV”). We market our SLING TV services to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional satellite and cable pay-TV services, as well as to current and recent traditional pay-TV subscribers who desire a lower cost alternative.
We offer nationwide prepaid and postpaid retail wireless services to subscribers primarily under our Boost Mobile® and Gen Mobile® brands (“Retail Wireless” services), as well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices. We offer customers value by providing choice and flexibility in our Retail Wireless services. We offer competitive consumer plans with no annual service contracts. Our Retail Wireless business strategy is to expand our current target segments and profitably grow our subscriber base by acquiring and retaining high quality subscribers while we continue our 5G Network Deployment. We intend to acquire high quality subscribers by providing competitive offers, choice and outstanding customer service that better meet those subscribers’ needs and budget.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
We are currently operating our Retail Wireless segment primarily as a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) as we continue our 5G Network Deployment and commercialize and grow customer traffic on our 5G Network, as defined below. We are transitioning our Retail Wireless segment to a mobile network operator (“MNO”) as our 5G Network has become commercially available and we grow customer traffic on our 5G Network. We are currently activating Boost Mobile subscribers with compatible devices onto our 5G Network in markets where we have reached voice over new radio (“VoNR”). We currently provide 5G VoNR reaching approximately 200 million Americans. Within our MVNO operations, today we depend on T-Mobile and AT&T to provide us with network services under the amended Master Network Services Agreement (“MNSA”) and Network Services Agreement (the “NSA”), respectively. Under the NSA, we expect AT&T will become our primary network services provider.
Our 5G Network Deployment segment strategy is to commercialize our Wireless spectrum licenses through the completion of the nation’s first cloud-native, Open Radio Access Network (“O-RAN”) based 5G network (our “5G Network Deployment”). We have committed to deploy a facilities-based 5G broadband network (our “5G Network”) capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at different deadlines. On September 29, 2023, the FCC confirmed we have met all of our June 14, 2023 band-specific 5G deployment commitments, and two of our three nationwide 5G commitments. The single remaining 5G commitment, that at least 70% of the U.S. population has access to average download speeds equal to 35 Mbps, was achieved in March 2024 using the drive test methodology previously agreed upon by us and the FCC and overseen by an independent monitor. We now have the largest commercial deployment of 5G VoNR in the world reaching approximately 200 million Americans and 5G broadband service reaching approximately 250 million Americans.
Future Capital Requirements
We expect to fund our future working capital, capital expenditures, other investments, and debt service requirements from cash generated from operations, existing cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities balances, and cash generated through raising additional capital. We may need to make significant additional investments to, among other things, continue our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate our Wireless spectrum licenses and related assets. The amount of capital required to fund our future working capital, capital expenditure and other investment needs varies, depending on, among other things, the rate at which we complete our 5G Network Deployment, the potential purchase of additional wireless spectrum licenses and the rate at which we acquire new subscribers, and the cost of subscriber acquisition and retention. Certain of our capital expenditures for 2024 are expected to be driven by the rate of our 5G Network Deployment as well as costs associated with subscriber premises equipment. These expenditures are necessary for our 5G Network Deployment as well as to operate and maintain our DISH TV services. Consequently, we consider them to be non-discretionary.
We do not currently have the necessary cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities and/or projected future cash flows to fund fourth quarter operations or the November 2024 debt maturity. To address our capital needs, we are in active discussions with funding sources to raise additional capital.
Our capital expenditures vary depending on, among other things, the number of satellites leased or under construction at any point in time and could increase materially as a result of increased competition, significant satellite failures, or economic weakness and uncertainty. Our DISH TV subscriber base has been declining and there can be no assurance that our DISH TV subscriber base will not continue to decline and that the pace of such decline will not accelerate. In the event that our DISH TV subscriber base continues to decline, it will have a material adverse long-term effect on our cash flow.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
We have and expect to continue to incur expenditures in 2024 related to our 5G Network Deployment, including, but not limited to, capital expenditures associated with our 5G Network Deployment and the potential purchase of additional wireless spectrum licenses. The amount of capital required will also depend on, among other things, our available liquidity, the growth of our Retail Wireless segment and the levels of investment necessary to support potential strategic initiatives that may arise from time to time. These factors, including, but not limited to, a reduction in our available future cash flows as a result of our 5G Network Deployment, will require us to raise additional capital in the future, which may not be available on favorable terms.
Volatility in the financial markets has made it more difficult at times for issuers of high-yield indebtedness, such as us, to access capital markets at favorable terms. These developments may have a significant effect on our cost of financing and our liquidity position.
Economic Environment
During 2023 and the first three months of 2024, we experienced inflationary pressures in our commodity and labor costs resulting from the macroeconomic environment in the United States, which has significantly impacted our overall operating results.
Operational Liquidity
We make general investments in property such as, among others, satellites, wireless devices, set-top boxes, information technology and facilities that support our Pay-TV and Retail Wireless segments. We are also making significant additional investments and may partner with others to, among other things, continue our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate our Wireless spectrum licenses and related assets. Moreover, since we are primarily a subscriber-based company, we also make subscriber-specific investments to acquire new subscribers and retain existing subscribers. While the general investments may be deferred without impacting the business in the short-term, the subscriber-specific investments are less discretionary. Our overall objective is to generate sufficient cash flow over the life of each subscriber to provide an adequate return against the upfront investment. Once the upfront investment has been made for each subscriber, the subsequent cash flow is generally positive, but there can be no assurance that over time we will recoup or earn a return on the upfront investment.
There are a number of factors that impact our future cash flow compared to the cash flow we generate at a given point in time. The first factor is our churn rate and how successful we are at retaining our current subscribers. To the extent we lose subscribers from our existing base, the positive cash flow from that base is correspondingly reduced. The second factor is how successful we are at maintaining our service margins. To the extent our “Cost of services” grow faster than our “Service revenue,” the amount of cash flow that is generated per existing subscriber is reduced. Our Pay-TV service margins have been reduced by, among other things, higher programming costs. Our Retail Wireless service margins are impacted by, among other things, our MNSA agreement with T-Mobile and our NSA agreement with AT&T and the speed with which we are able to convert Wireless subscribers onto our 5G Network. The third factor is the rate at which we acquire new subscribers. The faster we acquire new subscribers, the more our positive ongoing cash flow from existing subscribers is offset by the negative upfront cash flow associated with acquiring new subscribers. Conversely, the slower we acquire subscribers, the more our operating cash flow is enhanced in that period.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Finally, our future cash flow is impacted by, among other things, the rate at which we complete our 5G Network Deployment, incur litigation expense, and any cash flow from financing activities. We anticipate operating expenditures for our 5G Network Deployment to increase during 2024 as we continue to, among other things, deploy cell sites and communication towers to commercialize our 5G Network. Since we reached our 5G Network Deployment milestone of 70% of the U.S. population, we expect our capital expenditures will decline in the near term. However, as we prepare for our next build-out requirements in 2025, we expect our capital expenditures to increase as we approach this deadline. As a result, our historical cash flow is not necessarily indicative of our future cash flows. As of March 31, 2024, as a result of, among other things, capital expenditures for our 5G Network Deployment, we experienced negative cash flow. We expect that this trend will continue in 2024 and in future periods. In addition, declines in our Pay-TV and Wireless subscriber base and any decrease in subscriber-related margins negatively impact our cash flow, and there can be no assurance that our subscriber declines will not continue.
Availability of Credit and Effect on Liquidity
The ability to raise capital has generally existed for us despite economic weakness and uncertainty. While modest fluctuations in the cost of capital will not likely impact our current operational plans, significant fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Debt Issuances and Maturity
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased approximately $49 million of our 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024 in open market trades. The remaining balance of approximately $951 million matured and was redeemed on March 15, 2024.
Our 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024 with remaining balance of approximately $1.983 billion matures on November 15, 2024. We do not currently have the necessary cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities and/or projected future cash flows to fund the November 2024 debt maturity. To address our capital needs, we are in active discussions with funding sources to raise additional capital.
Covenants and Restrictions Related to our Long-Term Debt
We are subject to the covenants and restrictions set forth in the indentures related to our long-term debt. In particular, the indentures related to our outstanding senior notes issued by DISH DBS Corporation (“DISH DBS”) contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on the ability of DISH DBS and its restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions on DISH DBS’ capital stock or repurchase DISH DBS’ capital stock; (iv) make certain investments; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) merge or consolidate with another company; and (viii) transfer or sell assets. The indentures related to our outstanding senior secured notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability and certain of our subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock; (iv) make certain investments of spectrum collateral; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) merge or consolidate with another company; and (viii) transfer or sell assets. Should we fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of the debt under the senior notes, senior secured notes and our other long-term debt could become immediately payable. The senior notes and senior secured notes also provide that the debt may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events occur. In addition, the Convertible Notes provide that, if a “fundamental change” (as defined in the related indenture) occurs, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
As of the date of filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we and DISH DBS were in compliance with the covenants and restrictions related to our respective long-term debt.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS
Service revenue. “Service revenue” consists principally of Pay-TV and Wireless subscriber revenue. Certain of the amounts included in “Service revenue” are not recurring on a monthly basis.
Equipment sales and other revenue. “Equipment sales and other revenue” principally includes the sale of wireless devices, the non-subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment and the licensing of certain intellectual property.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” principally includes Pay-TV programming expenses and other operating costs related to our Pay-TV segment and costs of Wireless services (including costs incurred under the MNSA and NSA). Beginning on January 1, 2024, as we have commenced utilizing our 5G Network for commercial traffic, cost of Wireless services includes certain direct costs related to our 5G Network Deployment, including lease expense on communication towers, transport, cloud services and other costs.
Cost of sales - equipment and other. “Cost of sales – equipment and other” principally includes the cost of wireless devices and other related items, as well as costs related to the non-subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment. Costs are generally recognized as products are delivered to customers and the related revenue is recognized. In addition, prior to January 1, 2024, “Cost of sales – equipment and other” included certain direct costs related to our 5G Network Deployment, including lease expense on communication towers, transport, cloud services and other costs, which is now included in “Cost of services” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” consists primarily of direct sales costs, advertising and selling costs, third-party commissions related to the acquisition of subscribers and employee-related costs associated with administrative services such as legal, information systems, and accounting and finance. In addition, “Selling, general and administrative expenses” includes costs related to the installation of equipment for our new Pay-TV subscribers and the cost of subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment for new subscribers.
Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill. “Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill” includes our impairment losses related to our property and equipment, regulatory authorizations, goodwill and other intangible assets.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” primarily includes interest expense associated with our long-term debt (net of capitalized interest), prepayment premiums, amortization of debt discounts and debt issuance costs associated with our long-term debt, and interest expense associated with our finance lease obligations.
Other, net. The main components of “Other, net” are gains and losses realized on the sale and/or conversion of marketable and non-marketable investment securities and derivative instruments, impairment of marketable and non-marketable investment securities, unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair value of certain marketable and non-marketable investment securities and derivative instruments, foreign currency transaction gains and losses, and equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). EBITDA is defined as “Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network” plus “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” and net of “Interest income,” “Income tax (provision) benefit, net” and “Depreciation and amortization.” This “non-GAAP measure” is reconciled to “Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network” in our discussion of “Results of Operations” below.
Operating income before depreciation and amortization (“OIBDA”). OIBDA is defined as “Operating income (loss)” plus “Depreciation and amortization.” This “non-GAAP measure” is reconciled to “Operating income (loss)” in our discussion of “Results of Operations” below.
DISH TV subscribers. We include customers obtained through direct sales, independent third-party retailers and other independent third-party distribution relationships in our DISH TV subscriber count. We also provide DISH TV services to hotels, motels and other commercial accounts. For certain of these commercial accounts, we divide our total revenue for these commercial accounts by $34.99, and include the resulting number, which is substantially smaller than the actual number of commercial units served, in our DISH TV subscriber count.
SLING TV subscribers. We include customers obtained through direct sales and third-party marketing agreements in our SLING TV subscriber count. SLING TV subscriber additions are recorded net of disconnects. SLING TV customers receiving SLING TV Freestream service, or service for no charge, under certain new subscriber promotions, are excluded from our SLING TV subscriber count. For customers who subscribe to multiple SLING TV packages, each customer is only counted as one SLING TV subscriber.
Pay-TV subscribers. Our Pay-TV subscriber count includes all DISH TV and SLING TV subscribers discussed above. For customers who subscribe to both our DISH TV services and our SLING TV services, each subscription is counted as a separate Pay-TV subscriber.
Pay-TV average monthly revenue per subscriber (“Pay-TV ARPU”). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating ARPU and believe presentations of ARPU may not be calculated consistently by other companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate Pay-TV average monthly revenue per Pay-TV subscriber, or Pay-TV ARPU, by dividing average monthly Pay-TV segment “Service revenue,” excluding revenue from broadband services, for the period by our average number of Pay-TV subscribers for the period. The average number of Pay-TV subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of Pay-TV subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Pay-TV subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Pay-TV subscribers for the month and dividing by two. SLING TV subscribers on average purchase lower priced programming services than DISH TV subscribers, and therefore, as SLING TV subscribers increase as a percentage of total Pay-TV subscribers, it has had a negative impact on Pay-TV ARPU.
DISH TV average monthly subscriber churn rate (“DISH TV churn rate”). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating subscriber churn rate and believe presentations of subscriber churn rates may not be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate our DISH TV churn rate for any period by dividing the number of DISH TV subscribers who terminated service during the period by the average number of DISH TV subscribers for the same period, and further dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of DISH TV subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of DISH TV subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of DISH TV subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending DISH TV subscribers for the month and dividing by two.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
DISH TV SAC. Subscriber acquisition cost measures are commonly used by those evaluating traditional companies in the pay-TV industry. We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating the “average subscriber acquisition costs per new DISH TV subscriber activation,” or DISH TV SAC, and we believe presentations of pay-TV SAC may not be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. Our DISH TV SAC is calculated using all costs of acquiring DISH TV subscribers (e.g., subsidized equipment, advertising, installation, commissions and direct sales, etc.) which are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” plus capitalized payments made under certain sales incentive programs and the value of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new DISH TV subscribers, divided by gross new DISH TV subscriber activations. We include all new DISH TV subscribers in our calculation, including DISH TV subscribers added with little or no subscriber acquisition costs.
Wireless subscribers. We include prepaid and postpaid customers obtained through direct sales, independent third-party retailers and other independent third-party distribution relationships in our Wireless subscriber count. Our Wireless subscriber count includes all ACP/Gen Mobile subscribers discussed below. Our gross new Wireless subscriber activations exclude all ACP/Gen Mobile subscribers as we record these subscribers net of disconnects, as discussed below.
Affordable Connectivity Program/Gen Mobile subscribers (“ACP/Gen Mobile subscribers”). The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (“EBBP”) was launched by the FCC in February of 2021 to support broadband services and devices to help low-income individuals that meet certain eligibility criteria. The Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) replaced the EBBP on December 31, 2021. Our ACP/Gen Mobile subscribers have a significantly higher churn rate compared to our other Wireless subscribers and we incur lower costs to acquire these subscribers. Therefore, our ACP/Gen Mobile subscriber additions are recorded net of disconnects.
Wireless average monthly revenue per subscriber (“Wireless ARPU”). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating ARPU and believe presentations of ARPU may not be calculated consistently by other companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate average monthly revenue per Wireless subscriber, or Wireless ARPU, by dividing average monthly Retail Wireless segment “Service revenue” for the period by our average number of Wireless subscribers for the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of Wireless subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Wireless subscribers for the month and dividing by two.
Wireless average monthly subscriber churn rate (“Wireless churn rate”). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating subscriber churn rate and believe presentations of subscriber churn rates may not be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate our “Wireless churn rate” for any period by dividing the number of Wireless subscribers who terminated service during the period by the average number of Wireless subscribers for the same period, and further dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of Wireless subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Wireless subscribers for the month and dividing by two. ACP/Gen Mobile subscribers are excluded from our calculation of our Wireless churn rate.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Segments
Business Segments
We currently operate three primary business segments: (1) Pay-TV; (2) Retail Wireless; and (3) 5G Network Deployment. Revenue and operating income (loss) by segment are shown in the table below:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023.
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, | Variance | ||||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| Amount | % | ||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||
Revenue: | |||||||||||
Pay-TV | $ | 2,726,578 | $ | 2,972,131 | $ | (245,553) | (8.3) | ||||
Retail Wireless | 905,850 | 974,866 | (69,016) | (7.1) | |||||||
5G Network Deployment | 28,928 | 18,907 | 10,021 | 53.0 | |||||||
Eliminations | (21,467) | (8,922) | (12,545) | * | |||||||
Total revenue | $ | 3,639,889 | $ | 3,956,982 | $ | (317,093) | (8.0) | ||||
Operating income (loss): | |||||||||||
Pay-TV | $ | 670,243 | $ | 675,233 | $ | (4,990) | (0.7) | ||||
Retail Wireless | (74,417) | (18,207) | (56,210) | * | |||||||
5G Network Deployment | (570,034) | (333,603) | (236,431) | (70.9) | |||||||
Eliminations | 187 | — | 187 | * | |||||||
Total operating income (loss) | $ | 25,979 | $ | 323,423 | $ | (297,444) | (92.0) | ||||
*Percentage is not meaningful
Total revenue. Our consolidated revenue totaled $3.640 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $317 million or 8.0% compared to the same period in 2023. The net decrease primarily resulted from the decrease in revenue from our Pay-TV and Retail Wireless segments.
Total operating income (loss). Our consolidated operating income totaled $26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $297 million or 92.0% compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease primarily resulted from a decrease in operating income from our 5G Network Deployment and Retail Wireless segments.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Pay-TV Segment
We offer Pay-TV services under the DISH brand and the SLING brand. As of March 31, 2024, we had 8.178 million Pay-TV subscribers in the United States, including 6.258 million DISH TV subscribers and 1.920 million SLING TV subscribers.
We promote our Pay-TV services by providing our subscribers with better service, technology and value than those available from other subscription television service providers. We offer a wide selection of video services under the DISH TV brand, with access to hundreds of channels depending on the level of subscription. Our standard programming packages generally include programming provided by national cable networks. We also offer programming packages that include local broadcast networks, specialty sports channels, premium movie channels and Latino and international programming. We market our SLING TV services to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional satellite and cable pay-TV services, as well as to current and recent traditional pay-TV subscribers who desire a lower cost alternative. Our SLING TV services require an Internet connection and are available on multiple streaming-capable devices including, among others, streaming media devices, TVs, tablets, computers, game consoles and phones. We offer SLING domestic, SLING International, SLING Latino and SLING Freestream video programming services.
Trends in our Pay-TV Segment
Competition
Competition has intensified in recent years as the pay-TV industry has matured. We and our competitors increasingly must seek to attract a greater proportion of new subscribers from each other’s existing subscriber bases rather than from first-time purchasers of pay-TV services. We face substantial competition from established pay-TV providers and broadband service providers and increasing competition from companies providing/facilitating the delivery of video content via the Internet to computers, televisions, and other streaming and mobile devices, including wireless service providers. In recent years, industry consolidation and convergence has created competitors with greater scale and multiple product/service offerings. These developments, among others, have contributed to intense and increasing competition, and we expect such competition to continue.
We incur significant costs to retain our existing DISH TV subscribers, generally as a result of upgrading their equipment to next generation receivers, primarily including our Hopper® receivers, and by providing retention credits. Our DISH TV subscriber retention costs may vary significantly from period to period.
Many of our competitors have been especially aggressive by offering discounted programming and services for both new and existing subscribers, including, but not limited to, bundled offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other promotional offers. Certain competitors have been able to subsidize the price of video services with the price of broadband and/or wireless services.
Our Pay-TV services also face increased competition from programmers and other companies who distribute video directly to consumers over the Internet, as well as traditional satellite television providers, cable companies and large telecommunications companies that are rapidly increasing their Internet-based video offerings and direct-to-consumer exclusive and non-exclusive content. We also face competition from providers of video content, many of which are providers of programming content to us, that distribute content over the Internet including services with live-linear television programming, as well as single programmer offerings and offerings of large libraries of on-demand content, including in certain cases original content. These product offerings include, but are not limited to, Netflix, Hulu, Apple+, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Disney+, ESPN+, Paramount+, Max, STARZ, Peacock, Fubo, Philo and Tubi and certain bundles of these offerings.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Significant changes in consumer behavior regarding the means by which consumers obtain video entertainment and information in response to digital media competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business.
In particular, consumers have shown increased interest in viewing certain video programming in any place, at any time and/or on any broadband or Internet-connected device they choose. Online content providers may cause our subscribers to disconnect our DISH TV services (“cord cutting”), downgrade to smaller, less expensive programming packages (“cord shaving”) or elect to purchase through these online content providers a certain portion of the services that they would have historically purchased from us.
Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances among cable television providers, telecommunications companies, programming providers and others may result in, among other things, greater scale and financial leverage and increase the availability of offerings from providers capable of bundling video, broadband and/or wireless services in competition with our services and may exacerbate the risks described under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and elsewhere in our public filings. These transactions may affect us adversely by, among other things, making it more difficult for us to obtain access to certain programming networks on nondiscriminatory and fair terms, or at all.
Our Pay-TV subscriber base has been declining due to, among other things, the factors described above. There can be no assurance that our Pay-TV subscriber base will not continue to decline and that the pace of such decline will not accelerate. As our Pay-TV subscriber base continues to decline, it could have a material adverse long-term effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
Programming
Our ability to compete successfully will depend, among other things, on our ability to continue to obtain desirable programming and deliver it to our subscribers at competitive prices. Programming costs represent a large percentage of our “Cost of services” and the largest component of our total expense. We expect these costs to continue to increase due to contractual price increases and the renewal of long-term programming contracts on less favorable pricing terms and certain programming costs are rising at a much faster rate than wages or inflation. In particular, the rates we are charged for retransmitting local broadcast channels have been increasing substantially and may exceed our ability to increase our prices to our subscribers. Our ability to provide services under these agreements and negotiate acceptable terms depends on, among other things, the number of subscribers we have, our actual, perceived or anticipated financial condition and our negotiating power against each programmer, which can vary depending on the size and scale of such programmer. Going forward, our margins may face pressure if we are unable to renew our long-term programming contracts on acceptable pricing and other economic terms or if we are unable to pass these increased programming costs on to our subscribers.
Increases in programming costs have caused us to increase the rates that we charge to our subscribers, which could in turn cause our existing Pay-TV subscribers to disconnect our services or cause potential new Pay-TV subscribers to choose not to subscribe to our services. Additionally, even if our subscribers do not disconnect our services, they may purchase through new and existing online content providers a certain portion of the services that they would have historically purchased from us.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Furthermore, our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV churn rate may be negatively impacted if we are unable to renew our long-term programming carriage contracts. In the past, our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV churn rate have been negatively impacted as a result of programming interruptions and threatened programming interruptions in connection with the scheduled expiration of programming carriage contracts with content providers. There can be no assurance that the removal of any channels will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business.
We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV churn rate resulting from programming interruptions or threatened programming interruptions that may occur in the future. As a result, we may at times suffer from periods of lower net Pay-TV subscriber additions or higher net Pay-TV subscriber losses.
Other Developments
Adaptive Bitrate Streaming Patents
Through our subsidiaries, we hold dozens of issued United States and foreign patents that relate to Adaptive Bitrate Streaming. On September 9, 2022, the chief administrative law judge at the United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”) issued an Initial Determination holding that the video streaming in certain Peloton, NordicTrack and Mirror exercise equipment infringes four of those patents, and recommended that the ITC prevent the importation of the infringing products. On March 8, 2023, the ITC issued its Final Determination, which affirmed the Initial Determination for three of the four patents in all material aspects, and issued the recommended exclusion and cease and desist orders, which will become effective after a Presidential review period. On February 9, 2023, we entered into a confidential license agreement covering Mirror exercise equipment that resolves our litigation involving those products. On May 1, 2023, we entered into a $75 million license agreement covering Peloton exercise equipment that resolves our litigation involving those products. During the second quarter of 2023, we recorded the $75 million license agreement in “Equipment sales and other revenue” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). On March 6, 2024, we entered into a license agreement covering NordicTrack exercise equipment that resolves our litigation involving those products and received the initial payment.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Pay-TV Segment
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023.
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | Variance | |||||||||||
Statements of Operations Data |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| Amount |
| % |
| |||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 2,701,179 | $ | 2,944,482 | $ | (243,303) | (8.3) | |||||
Equipment sales and other revenue | 25,399 | 27,649 | (2,250) | (8.1) | ||||||||
Total revenue | 2,726,578 | 2,972,131 | (245,553) | (8.3) | ||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
|
| ||||||||||
Cost of services | 1,664,445 | 1,833,299 | (168,854) | (9.2) | ||||||||
% of Service revenue | 61.6 | % | 62.3 | % | ||||||||
Cost of sales - equipment and other | 16,992 | 21,065 | (4,073) | (19.3) | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 289,496 | 339,959 | (50,463) | (14.8) | ||||||||
% of Total revenue | 10.6 | % | 11.4 | % | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 85,402 | 102,575 | (17,173) | (16.7) | ||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 2,056,335 | 2,296,898 | (240,563) | (10.5) | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 670,243 | $ | 675,233 | $ | (4,990) | (0.7) | |||||
Other data: | ||||||||||||
Pay-TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) | 8.178 | 9.198 | (1.020) | (11.1) | ||||||||
DISH TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) | 6.258 | 7.098 | (0.840) | (11.8) | ||||||||
SLING TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) | 1.920 | 2.100 | (0.180) | (8.6) | ||||||||
Pay-TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) | (0.348) | (0.552) | 0.204 | 37.0 | ||||||||
DISH TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) | (0.213) | (0.318) | 0.105 | 33.0 | ||||||||
SLING TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) | (0.135) | (0.234) | 0.099 | 42.3 | ||||||||
Pay-TV ARPU | $ | 107.38 | $ | 102.71 | $ | 4.67 | 4.5 | |||||
DISH TV subscriber additions, gross (in millions) | 0.079 | 0.113 | (0.034) | (30.1) | ||||||||
DISH TV churn rate | 1.53 | % | 1.98 | % | (0.45) | % | (22.7) | |||||
DISH TV SAC | $ | 1,054 | $ | 1,055 | $ | (1) | (0.1) | |||||
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds | $ | 27,877 | $ | 35,563 | $ | (7,686) | (21.6) | |||||
OIBDA | $ | 755,645 | $ | 777,808 | $ | (22,163) | (2.8) | |||||
* Percentage is not meaningful.
Pay-TV Subscribers
DISH TV subscribers. We lost approximately 213,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the loss of approximately 318,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the same period in 2023. This decrease in net DISH TV subscriber losses primarily resulted from a lower DISH TV churn rate, partially offset by lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
SLING TV subscribers. We lost approximately 135,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the loss of approximately 234,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the same period in 2023. The decrease in net SLING TV subscriber losses was primarily related to lower SLING TV subscriber disconnects in 2024 due to our emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers, partially offset by lower SLING TV subscriber activations. We continue to experience increased competition, including competition from other subscription video on-demand and live-linear OTT service providers, many of which are providers of our content and offer football and other seasonal sports programming direct to subscribers on an a la carte basis.
DISH TV subscribers, gross. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we activated approximately 79,000 gross new DISH TV subscribers compared to approximately 113,000 gross new DISH TV subscribers during the same period in 2023, a decrease of 30.1%. This decrease in our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations was primarily related to the lack of demand, shifting consumer behavior and lower marketing expenditures, as well as increased competitive pressures, including, but not limited to, live-linear OTT service providers, aggressive short term introductory pricing and bundled offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers, and direct-to-consumer offerings by certain of our programmers. Our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations continue to be negatively impacted by an emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers.
DISH TV churn rate. Our DISH TV churn rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 1.53% compared to 1.98% for the same period in 2023. Our DISH TV churn rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was positively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers. Our DISH TV churn rate continues to be adversely impacted by external factors, such as, among other things, cord cutting, shifting consumer behavior and increased competitive pressures, including, but not limited to, live-linear OTT service providers, aggressive marketing, bundled discount offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers. Our DISH TV churn rate is also impacted by internal factors, such as, among other things, our ability to consistently provide outstanding customer service, price increases, our ability to control piracy and other forms of fraud and the level of our retention efforts. In addition, our DISH TV churn rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was briefly elevated due to the cyber-security incident.
Our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV churn rate have been negatively impacted as a result of programming interruptions and threatened programming interruptions in connection with the scheduled expiration of programming carriage contracts with content providers. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV subscriber churn rate resulting from programming interruptions or threatened programming interruptions that may occur in the future. As a result, we may at times suffer from periods of lower net Pay-TV subscriber additions or higher net Pay-TV subscriber losses.
We have not always met our own standards for performing high-quality installations, effectively resolving subscriber issues when they arise, answering subscriber calls in an acceptable timeframe, effectively communicating with our subscriber base, reducing calls driven by the complexity of our business, improving the reliability of certain systems and subscriber equipment and aligning the interests of certain independent third-party retailers and installers to provide high-quality service. Most of these factors have affected both gross new DISH TV subscriber activations as well as DISH TV subscriber churn rate. Our future gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and our DISH TV subscriber churn rate may be negatively impacted by these factors, which could in turn adversely affect our revenue.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Service revenue. “Service revenue” totaled $2.701 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $243 million or 8.3% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in “Service revenue” compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to lower average Pay-TV subscriber base, partially offset by an increase in Pay-TV ARPU, discussed below.
Pay-TV ARPU. Pay-TV ARPU was $107.38 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 versus $102.71 during the same period in 2023. The $4.67 or 4.5% increase in Pay-TV ARPU was primarily attributable to the DISH TV and SLING TV programming price increases and higher Pay-TV ad sales revenue. The DISH TV and SLING TV programming package price increases were effective in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” totaled $1.664 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $169 million or 9.2% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in “Cost of services” was primarily attributable to a lower average Pay-TV subscriber base and lower variable and retention costs per subscriber, partially offset by higher programming costs per subscriber. Programming costs per subscriber increased during the three months ended March 31, 2024 due to rate increases in certain of our programming contracts, including the renewal of certain contracts at higher rates, particularly for local broadcast channels. Variable and retention costs per subscriber during the three months ended March 31, 2023 were negatively impacted by approximately $30 million in cyber-security-related expenses to remediate the incident and provide additional customer support. “Cost of services” represented 61.6% and 62.3% of “Service revenue” during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts to purchase programming content in which our payment obligations are generally contingent on the number of Pay-TV subscribers to whom we provide the respective content. Our “Cost of services” have and will continue to face further upward pressure from price increases and the renewal of long-term programming contracts on less favorable pricing terms. In addition, our programming expenses will increase to the extent we are successful in growing our Pay-TV subscriber base.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $289 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, a $50 million or 14.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in subscriber acquisition costs resulting from lower marketing expenditures and lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and a decrease in personnel costs.
Depreciation and amortization. “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $85 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, a $17 million or 16.7% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in depreciation expense from equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers and the EchoStar XI satellite which became fully depreciated during the second quarter of 2023.
DISH TV SAC. DISH TV SAC was $1,054 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $1,055 during the same period in 2023, a decrease of $1 or 0.1%. This change was primarily attributable to a decrease in advertising costs per subscriber, partially offset by higher installation costs due to an increase in labor and other installation costs and higher commission costs due to our emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the amount of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new DISH TV subscribers totaled $7 million and $15 million, respectively. This decrease in capital expenditures primarily resulted from a decrease in gross new DISH TV subscriber activations.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
To remain competitive, we upgrade or replace subscriber equipment periodically as technology changes, and the costs associated with these upgrades may be substantial. To the extent technological changes render a portion of our existing equipment obsolete, we would be unable to redeploy all returned equipment and consequently would realize less benefit from the DISH TV SAC reduction associated with redeployment of that returned lease equipment.
Our “DISH TV SAC” may materially increase in the future to the extent that we, among other things, transition to newer technologies, introduce more aggressive promotions, or provide greater equipment subsidies.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Retail Wireless Segment
We offer nationwide prepaid and postpaid Retail Wireless services to subscribers primarily under our Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile brands, as well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices. Prepaid wireless subscribers generally pay in advance for monthly access to wireless talk, text and data services. Postpaid wireless subscribers are qualified to pay after receiving wireless talk, text and data services, and may also qualify for device financing arrangements.
Boost Mobile postpaid. During 2023, we launched our nationwide expansion of our Boost Mobile postpaid wireless service. At the end of the third quarter of 2023, we began offering the iPhone 15 on our 5G Network and expanded our Boost Mobile postpaid offering through a distribution partnership with Amazon. We currently offer a broad range of premium wireless devices on our 5G Network.
We are currently operating our Retail Wireless segment primarily as an MVNO as we continue our 5G Network Deployment and commercialize and grow customer traffic on our 5G Network. We are transitioning our Retail Wireless segment to an MNO as our 5G Network has become commercially available and we grow customer traffic on our 5G Network. We are currently activating Boost Mobile subscribers with compatible devices onto our 5G Network in markets where we have reached VoNR. We currently provide 5G VoNR reaching approximately 200 million Americans. Within our MVNO operations, today we depend on T-Mobile and AT&T to provide us with network services under MNSA and NSA, respectively. Under the NSA, we expect AT&T will become our primary network services provider.
As of March 31, 2024 we had 7.297 million Wireless subscribers. Currently, we offer Wireless subscribers competitive consumer plans with no annual service contracts and monthly service plans including high-speed data and unlimited talk and text, and device financing arrangements for certain qualified subscribers.
During the second half of 2022, we began the process of migrating subscribers off the Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”) with T-Mobile, including the billing systems, and onto our own billing and operational support systems. The migration of subscribers to our new billing and operational support systems accelerated during the fourth quarter of 2022 and continued in the first and second quarters of 2023. The migration of subscribers during the first and second quarters of 2023 negatively impacted our Wireless churn rate and our results of operations. During the second quarter of 2023, we completed the migration of subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile and onto our own billing and operational support systems.
ACP Subscribers. A portion of our subscriber base and revenue is comprised of subscribers who receive benefits under ACP. The ACP program was projected to end in April 2024 unless Congress appropriated additional funding and the FCC began taking steps to wind down the ACP program and stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024. Households enrolled in the ACP continued to receive the benefit on their service through April 2024. In May 2024, households may receive a partial benefit and after May 2024 ACP will end and households will no longer receive their benefit, unless Congress appropriates additional funding.
As of March 31, 2024, we had approximately 600,000 ACP subscribers, representing 8% of our Wireless subscriber base. We currently have plans in place to retain and/or migrate these subscribers to lower priced service plans. Generally, ACP subscribers have lower Wireless ARPU than other Wireless subscribers and as a result, any loss of ACP subscribers will have a nominal impact on pre-tax net income. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact of the loss of the ACP benefit to our Wireless subscriber base, net Wireless subscriber activations and results of operations.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
If ACP funding is ultimately restored or replaced, there can be no assurance that the timing of the restoration or replacement will not lead to service interruptions and negatively impact, among other things, our net Wireless subscriber activations and results of operations. In addition, the restoration or replacement of ACP with one having different eligibility requirements and/or funding levels could negatively impact, among other things, our net Wireless subscriber activations and results of operations or impose additional costs on our business.
Competition
Retail wireless is a mature market with moderate year over year organic growth. Competitors include, among others, providers who offer similar wireless communications services, such as talk, text and data. Competitive factors within the wireless communications services industry include, but are not limited to, pricing, market saturation, service and product offerings, customer experience and service quality. We compete with a number of national wireless carriers, including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, all of which are significantly larger than us, serve a significant percentage of all wireless subscribers and enjoy scale advantages compared to us. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are currently the only nationwide MNOs in the United States.
Additional primary competitors to our Retail Wireless segment include, but are not limited to, Metro PCS (owned by T-Mobile), Cricket Wireless (owned by AT&T), Visible (owned by Verizon), Tracfone Wireless (owned by Verizon), and other MVNOs such as Consumer Cellular, Mint Mobile (T-Mobile has reached an agreement to acquire), Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS –Retail Wireless Segment
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023.
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | Variance | |||||||||||
Statements of Operations Data |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Amount |
| % |
| ||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 804,265 | $ | 867,111 | $ | (62,846) | (7.2) | |||||
Equipment sales and other revenue | 101,585 | 107,755 | (6,170) | (5.7) | ||||||||
Total revenue | 905,850 | 974,866 | (69,016) | (7.1) | ||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
|
| ||||||||||
Cost of services | 460,814 | 497,972 | (37,158) | (7.5) | ||||||||
% of Service revenue | 57.3 | % | 57.4 | % | ||||||||
Cost of sales - equipment and other | 289,542 | 263,833 | 25,709 | 9.7 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 173,012 | 178,423 | (5,411) | (3.0) | ||||||||
% of Total revenue | 19.1 | % | 18.3 | % | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 56,899 | 52,845 | 4,054 | 7.7 | ||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 980,267 | 993,073 | (12,806) | (1.3) | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | (74,417) | $ | (18,207) | $ | (56,210) | * | |||||
Other data: | ||||||||||||
Wireless subscribers, as of period end (in millions) | 7.297 | 7.913 | (0.616) | (7.8) | ||||||||
Wireless subscriber additions, gross (in millions) | 0.580 | 0.785 | (0.205) | (26.1) | ||||||||
Wireless subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) ** | (0.081) | (0.081) | — | * | ||||||||
Wireless ARPU | $ | 36.69 | $ | 36.43 | $ | 0.26 | 0.7 | |||||
Wireless churn rate | 3.05 | % | 4.24 | % | (1.19) | % | (28.1) | |||||
OIBDA | $ | (17,518) | $ | 34,638 | $ | (52,156) | * | |||||
* Percentage is not meaningful.
**Includes ACP/Gen Mobile subscribers.
Wireless subscribers. We lost approximately 81,000 net Wireless subscribers during each of the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The three months ended March 31, 2024 was positively impacted by a lower Wireless churn rate, partially offset by lower gross new Wireless subscriber activations and lower net ACP/Gen Mobile subscriber additions compared to the same period in 2023.
Wireless subscribers, gross. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we activated approximately 580,000 gross new Wireless subscribers compared to approximately 785,000 gross new Wireless subscribers during the same period in 2023, a decrease of 26.1%. This decrease in our gross new Wireless subscriber activations was primarily related to increased competitive pressures, including aggressive competitor marketing, discounted service plans and deeper wireless device subsidies. In addition, our gross new Wireless subscribers for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was negatively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Wireless churn rate. Our Wireless churn rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 3.05% compared to 4.24% for the same period in 2023. Our Wireless churn rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was positively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers, partially offset by competitive pressures, including deeper wireless device subsidies. In addition, our Wireless churn rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was negatively impacted by migrating subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile and onto our new billing and operational support systems.
Service revenue. “Service revenue” totaled $804 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $63 million or 7.2% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in “Service revenue” compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to a lower average Wireless subscriber base, partially offset by an increase in Wireless ARPU, discussed below.
Wireless ARPU. Wireless ARPU was $36.69 during the three months ended March 31, 2024 versus $36.43 during the same period in 2023. The $0.26 or 0.7% increase in Wireless ARPU was primarily attributable to, among other things, a shift in subscriber plan mix to higher priced service plans.
Equipment sales and other revenue. “Equipment sales and other revenue” totaled $102 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $6 million or 5.7% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in “Equipment sales and other revenue” compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to a decrease in units shipped and higher promotional subsidies, partially offset by higher revenue per unit shipped due to unit mix. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we shipped a higher percentage of devices that are compatible with our 5G Network and other devices that have a higher revenue per unit.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” totaled $461 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $37 million or 7.5% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in “Cost of services” compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily attributable to a lower average Wireless subscriber base and lower network services costs per subscriber, partially offset by higher monthly dealer incentive costs. In the third quarter of 2023, we realigned our commission structure with current business objectives to acquire higher quality, long-term subscribers, which resulted in higher monthly dealer incentive costs. The three months ended March 31, 2023 was negatively impacted by the migration of subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile and onto our new billing and operational support systems. We incurred duplicative costs related to our TSA with T-Mobile and our own billing and operational support systems as we migrated subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile.
Cost of sales – equipment and other. “Cost of sales – equipment and other” totaled $290 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $26 million or 9.7% compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in “Cost of sales – equipment and other” compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to higher costs per unit shipped due to unit mix, partially offset by a decrease in units shipped and higher vendor rebates. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we shipped a higher percentage of devices that are compatible with our 5G Network and other devices that have a higher cost per unit.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $173 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, a $5 million or 3.0% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in costs to support the Retail Wireless segment and lower sales commissions, partially offset by higher marketing expenditures mainly related to the third quarter of 2023 nationwide expansion of our Boost Mobile postpaid wireless service and offering of the iPhone 15 on our 5G Network. The three months ended March 31, 2023 was negatively impacted by costs of migrating subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile and onto our new billing and operational support systems.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
5G Network Deployment Segment
We initially invested a total of over $30 billion in Wireless spectrum licenses, and a portion of these licenses were included in the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar. We currently have $24 billion of investments related to Wireless spectrum licenses, which does not include $6 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such licenses. See Note 1, Note 2 and Note 9 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
We will need to raise additional capital in the future, which may not be available on favorable terms, to fund the efforts described below, as well as, among other things, make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC. There can be no assurance that we will be able to profitably deploy our Wireless spectrum licenses, which may affect the carrying amount of these assets and our future financial condition or results of operations. See Note 9 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Our Wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. We plan to commercialize our Wireless spectrum licenses through our 5G Network Deployment. We have committed to deploy our 5G Network capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at different deadlines. On September 29, 2023, the FCC confirmed we have met all of our June 14, 2023 band-specific 5G deployment commitments, and two of our three nationwide 5G commitments. The single remaining 5G commitment, that at least 70% of the U.S. population has access to average download speeds equal to 35 Mbps, was achieved in March 2024 using the drive test methodology previously agreed upon by us and the FCC and overseen by an independent monitor. We now have the largest commercial deployment of 5G VoNR in the world reaching approximately 200 million Americans and 5G broadband service reaching approximately 250 million Americans.
We may need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, continue our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and any additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses. Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly. In addition, as we continue our 5G Network Deployment, we have and may continue to incur significant additional expenses related to, among other things, research and development, wireless testing and ongoing upgrades to the wireless network infrastructure, software and third-party integration. As a result of these investments, among other factors, we plan to raise additional capital, which may not be available on favorable terms. We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required for our 5G Network Deployment and to compete effectively with other wireless service providers. See Note 9 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS –5G Network Deployment Segment
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023.
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | Variance | |||||||||||
Statements of Operations Data |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Amount |
| % |
| ||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||||
Service revenue | $ | 4 | $ | — | $ | 4 | * | |||||
Equipment sales and other revenue | 28,924 | 18,907 | $ | 10,017 | 53.0 | |||||||
Total revenue | 28,928 | 18,907 | 10,021 | 53.0 | ||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
| |||||||||||
Cost of services | 311,154 | — | 311,154 | * | ||||||||
Cost of sales - equipment and other | — | 184,997 | (184,997) | * | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 50,622 | 69,886 | (19,264) | (27.6) | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 237,186 | 97,627 | 139,559 | * | ||||||||
Total costs and expenses | 598,962 | 352,510 | 246,452 | 69.9 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | (570,034) | $ | (333,603) | $ | (236,431) | (70.9) | |||||
Other data: | ||||||||||||
OIBDA | $ | (332,848) | $ | (235,976) | $ | (96,872) | (41.1) | |||||
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds | $ | 387,702 | $ | 671,647 | $ | (283,945) | (42.3) |
* Percentage is not meaningful.
Cost of services and Cost of sales – equipment and other. “Cost of services” and “Cost of sales – equipment and other” totaled $311 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $126 million compared to the same period in 2023. Beginning on January 1, 2024, as we have commenced utilizing our 5G Network for commercial traffic, “Cost of services” includes certain direct costs related to our 5G Network Deployment, including lease expense on communication towers, transport, cloud services and other costs which were previously reported in “Cost of sales – equipment and other.” The increase primarily resulted from an increase in lease expense on communication towers, transport, cloud services and other costs related to our 5G Network. See Note 2 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $51 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, a $19 million or 27.6% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in costs to support the 5G Network Deployment segment.
Depreciation and amortization. “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $237 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, a $140 million increase compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by an increase in depreciation and amortization expense related to 5G Network Deployment assets being placed in service. We expect our depreciation and amortization expense to increase as we continue to place 5G Network Deployment assets into service.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
OTHER CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023.
For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | Variance | |||||||||||
Statements of Operations Data |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| Amount |
| % |
| |||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 25,979 | $ | 323,423 | $ | (297,444) | (92.0) | |||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||||
Interest income | 12,653 | 40,533 | (27,880) | (68.8) | ||||||||
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized | (170,635) | (7,772) | (162,863) | * | ||||||||
Other, net | 127,342 | (30,521) | 157,863 | * | ||||||||
Total other income (expense) | (30,640) | 2,240 | (32,880) | * | ||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (4,661) | 325,663 | (330,324) | * | ||||||||
Income tax (provision) benefit, net | (5,570) | (82,425) | 76,855 | 93.2 | ||||||||
Effective tax rate | (119.5) | % | 25.3 | % | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | (10,231) | 243,238 | (253,469) | * | ||||||||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax | 3,648 | 20,533 | (16,885) | (82.2) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network | $ | (13,879) | $ | 222,705 | $ | (236,584) | * | |||||
* Percentage is not meaningful.
Interest income. “Interest income” totaled $13 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $28 million compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease primarily resulted from lower average cash and marketable investment securities balances and lower percentage returns earned on our cash and marketable investment securities during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $171 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $163 million compared to the same period in 2023. This increase primarily resulted from the reduction of capitalized interest related to the qualifying assets being placed into service and the Sale and Transfer of Assets to EchoStar, which included the Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche, which was previously eliminated in consolidation and held by DISH DBS. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, as the qualifying assets, including certain bands of wireless spectrum licenses, have been placed into service with the deployment of our 5G Network, we no longer capitalize substantially all interest on those assets and as a result, capitalized interest was reduced. See Note 1, Note 2 and Note 8 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Other, net. “Other, net” income totaled $127 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to expense of $31 million during the same period in 2023. This change primarily resulted from the $128 million gain on a sale of a financial asset to EchoStar. In addition, this change resulted from the $29 million decrease in the fair value of our option to purchase certain of T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to no change during the three months ended March 31, 2024. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Income tax (provision) benefit, net. Our income tax provision was $6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $82 million during the same period in 2023. This change was primarily related to a decrease in “Income (loss) before income taxes” and the change in the effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was impacted by federal and state valuation allowances and the sale of a financial asset to EchoStar. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Non-GAAP Performance Measures and Reconciliation
It is management’s intent to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance the understanding of our GAAP financial information, and it should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as not to imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure. We believe that providing these non-GAAP measures in addition to the GAAP measures allows management, investors and other users of our financial information to more fully and accurately assess both consolidated and segment performance. The non-GAAP financial information presented may be determined or calculated differently by other companies and may not be directly comparable to that of other companies.
Consolidated EBITDA
Consolidated 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. Consolidated EBITDA is used as a measurement of operating efficiency and overall financial performance and we believe it is a helpful measure for those evaluating operating performance in relation to our competitors. 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.
For the Three Months Ended | |||||||
March 31, | |||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network | $ | (13,879) | $ | 222,705 | |||
Interest, net | 157,982 | (32,761) | |||||
Income tax provision (benefit), net | 5,570 | 82,425 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 367,074 | 245,697 | |||||
Consolidated EBITDA | $ | 516,747 | $ | 518,066 | |||
The changes in Consolidated EBITDA during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, were primarily a result of the factors described in connection with operating revenues and operating expenses, as well as the impact from changes in the fair value of our option to purchase certain of T - Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Segment OIBDA
Segment OIBDA, which is presented below, is a non-GAAP measure and does not purport to be an alternative to operating income (loss) as a measure of operating performance. We believe this measure is useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating profitability of our business segments on a more variable cost basis as it excludes the depreciation and amortization expenses related primarily to capital expenditures and acquisitions for those business segments, as well as in evaluating operating performance in relation to our competitors. Segment OIBDA is calculated by adding back depreciation and amortization expense to business segments operating income (loss). See Note 10 to the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | Pay-TV | Retail Wireless | 5G Network Deployment |
| Consolidated | |||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Segment operating income (loss) | $ | 670,243 | $ | (74,417) | $ | (570,034) | $ | 187 | $ | 25,979 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 85,402 | 56,899 | 237,186 | (12,413) | 367,074 | |||||||||||
OIBDA | $ | 755,645 | $ | (17,518) | $ | (332,848) | $ | (12,226) | $ | 393,053 | ||||||
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
Segment operating income (loss) | $ | 675,233 | $ | (18,207) | $ | (333,603) | $ | — | $ | 323,423 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 102,575 | 52,845 | 97,627 | (7,350) | 245,697 | |||||||||||
OIBDA | $ | 777,808 | $ | 34,638 | $ | (235,976) | $ | (7,350) | $ | 569,120 | ||||||
The changes in OIBDA during the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, were primarily a result of the factors described in connection with operating revenues and operating expenses.
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Item 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusion regarding disclosure controls and procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 9 “Commitments and Contingencies – Litigation” in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding certain legal proceedings in which we are involved.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors.
Item 6.EXHIBITS
Exhibits.
31.1◻ | ||
31.2◻ | ||
32.1◻ | ||
32.2◻ | ||
101◻ | The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 filed on May 15, 2024, formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (“iXBRL”): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity (Deficit), (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) related notes to these financial statements. | |
104◻ | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded in the Inline XBRL document). |
◻ | Filed herewith. | ||||
* | Incorporated by reference. | ||||
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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.
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Hamid Akhavan | |
Hamid Akhavan | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
(Duly Authorized Officer) | ||
By: | /s/ Paul W. Orban | |
Paul W. Orban | ||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, DISH (Principal Financial Officer) | ||
By: | /s/ James S. Allen | |
James S. Allen | ||
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | ||
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
Date: May 15, 2024
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