Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K/A

(Amendment No. 1)

(Mark One)    

ý

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009

OR

o

 

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

Commission file number: 001-33807

EchoStar Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada   26-1232727
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

100 Inverness Terrace East
Englewood, Colorado

 

80112 5308
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 706-4000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class   Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o    No ý

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ý   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

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

As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of Class A common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $611 million based upon the closing price of the Class A common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as of the close of business on that date.

As of February 12, 2010, the Registrant's outstanding common stock consisted of 37,157,617 shares of Class A common stock and 47,687,039 shares of Class B common stock, each $0.001 par value.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following documents are incorporated into this Form 10-K by reference:

Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.


EXPLANATORY NOTE

Except as set forth in this Explanatory Note, this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 ("Amendment No. 1") does not modify or update any of the disclosures contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 to reflect any events that occurred after its filing on March 1, 2010.

This Amendment No. 1 includes, as Exhibit 99.3, the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes (collectively, the "TerreStar Financial Statements") of our noncontrolled affiliate, TerreStar Corporation ("TerreStar"). We are required to include the TerreStar Financial Statements in Form 10-K/A due to TerreStar meeting certain tests of significance under Securities and Exchange Commission Rule S-X 3-09. The TerreStar Financial Statements have been prepared by TerreStar in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The management of TerreStar is solely responsible for the form and content of the TerreStar Financial Statements. We have no responsibility for the form or content of the TerreStar Financial Statements since we do not control TerreStar and are not involved in the day-to-day management of TerreStar.

This Amendment No. 1 also includes a revision to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations" and Part II, Item 8, Note 15, "Commitments and Contingencies" to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. In the original filing, in the table under the caption "Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements" in Item 7 and the corresponding table within Note 15, the line item "Purchase and other obligations" inadvertently excluded purchase obligations that were outstanding as of December 31, 2009 but were subsequently satisfied. As of December 31, 2009, total "Purchase and other obligations," as corrected, were approximately $731 million and "Total Commitments," as corrected, were approximately $2.746 billion. Because none of these revisions affect the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the period ended December 31, 2009, each of them remains unchanged.

Additionally, we have determined that the line item "Purchase and other obligations" in the table within the "Commitments and Contingencies" footnote (Note 10) and the corresponding table under Item 2, "Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations" included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and the line item "Purchase obligations" in the table within the "Commitments and Contingencies" footnote (Note 14) and the corresponding table under, Item 7, "Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 inadvertently included certain purchase obligations that had been satisfied prior to the relevant balance sheet date. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, these line items, as corrected, were approximately $695 million and $692 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, "Total Commitments," as corrected, were approximately $2.580 billion and $2.450 billion, respectively. Because none of these revisions affect the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the period ended September 30, 2009, each of them remains unchanged. Because none of these revisions affect the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the period ended December 31, 2008, each of them remains unchanged.

As discussed in Item 7 "Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations" and Item 8, Note 15, "Commitments and Contingencies," our "Purchase and other obligations" primarily consist of binding purchase orders for digital set-top boxes and related components and we have corresponding commitments from our customers for the substantial majority of these obligations.


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

       

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   
i
 

Item 1.

 

Business

    1  

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

    16  

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

    32  

Item 2.

 

Properties

    33  

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

    33  

Item 4.

 

Reserved

    None  

 

PART II

       

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   
40
 

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

    41  

Item 7.

 

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

    44  

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    71  

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

    74  

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

    74  

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

    74  

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

    75  

 

PART III

       

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   
75
 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

    75  

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

    75  

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

    75  

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

    75  

 

PART IV

       

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

   
76
 

 

Signatures

   
81
 

 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-1  

Table of Contents

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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

For further discussion see Item 1A. Risk Factors. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

General Risks Affecting Our Business

i


Table of Contents

Risks Affecting Our "Digital Set-Top Box" Business

ii


Table of Contents

Risks Affecting Our "Satellite Services" Business

Risks Relating to the Spin-Off

Risks Relating to our Common Stock and the Securities Market

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

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

iii


Table of Contents


PART I

Item 1.    BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

EchoStar Corporation ("EchoStar," the "Company," "we," "us" and/or "our") had not conducted independent operations prior to its separation ("Spin-off") from DISH Network Corporation ("DISH Network") on January 1, 2008 through a distribution of 100% of the common stock of EchoStar to the holders of DISH Network's common stock. The Spin-off was made pursuant to a separation agreement by which DISH Network contributed to us the subsidiaries and assets that operated DISH Network's digital set-top box business, satellite services, digital broadcast operations, certain real estate and other assets and liabilities. We and DISH Network now operate as separate publicly-traded companies, and neither entity has any ownership interest in the other. However, a substantial majority of the voting power of both companies is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, the Chairman of our Board of Directors.

We currently operate two primary business units:

Our experience with digital set-top boxes and satellite delivery systems enables us to provide end-to-end pay TV delivery systems incorporating our satellite and backhaul capacity, customized digital set-top boxes and related components, and network design and management.

Related Party Transactions

During November 2008, we entered into a joint venture for a direct-to-home, or DTH, service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., or Dish Mexico. Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide certain broadcast services and satellite capacity and sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and related equipment to Dish Mexico. Subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approvals and compliance with various other arrangements, we committed to provide approximately $112 million of value over an initial ten year period, of which $74 million has been satisfied in the form of cash, equipment and services, leaving $38 million remaining under this commitment. Of the remaining commitment, approximately $19 million is expected to be paid in cash and the remaining amounts may be satisfied in the form of certain services or equipment. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold $36 million of set-top boxes and related accessories to Dish Mexico that are not related to the original commitment associated with our investment in Dish Mexico.

During December 2009, we entered into a joint venture, to provide a DTH service in Taiwan and certain other targeted regions in Asia. We own 50% and have joint control of the entity. Pursuant to these arrangements, we sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and provide certain technical support services. We have provided $18 million of cash, and an $18 million line of credit that the joint venture

1


Table of Contents


may only use to purchase set-top boxes from us. As of December 31, 2009, no amounts have been drawn on the line of credit.

We were organized in October 2007 as a corporation under the laws of the State of Nevada. Our Class A common stock is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "SATS." Our principal executive offices are located at 100 Inverness Terrace E., Englewood, Colorado 80112-5308 and our telephone number is (303) 706-4000.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

Expand "Digital Set-Top Box" business to additional customers.    Historically, many of our potential customers viewed us as a competitor due to our affiliation with DISH Network. Our separation from DISH Network was intended in part to enhance our opportunities to sell digital set-top boxes to a broader group of pay TV distributors in the United States as well as internationally. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in entering into any of these commercial relationships (particularly if we continue to be perceived as affiliated with DISH Network as a result of common ownership and related management).

Leverage satellite capacity and related infrastructure.    Our "Satellite Services" business benefits from excess satellite and fiber capacity. While DISH Network is our primary customer for satellite services, we believe market opportunities exist to lease our capacity to a broader customer base, including providers of pay TV service, satellite-delivered IP, corporate communications and government services.

Offer end-to-end pay TV delivery systems.    We intend to leverage our approximately 1,000 engineers to customize infrastructure solutions for a broad base of customers. For example, as recently demonstrated by our Dish Mexico joint venture, we are offering customers end-to-end pay TV delivery systems incorporating our satellite and backhaul capacity, customized digital set-top boxes and network design and management.

Capitalize on change in regulations.    Changes in federal law and regulations applicable to the set-top box industry may create opportunities for us to expand our business. For instance, the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, requires cable providers to use removable security modules to provide conditional access security for television content. The FCC intended for this regulation to spur competition in the retail set-top box market, providing an even playing field between leased cable set-top boxes and retail-bought, cable-ready TVs and set-top box equipment. We believe this new regulation may create an opportunity for us to compete on a more level field in the domestic market for cable set-top boxes.

Exploit international opportunities.    We believe that direct-to-home satellite service is particularly well-suited for countries without extensive cable infrastructure, and we intend to continue to try to secure new investments and customer relationships with international direct-to-home satellite service providers.

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

Act on the set-top box replacement cycle.    The broader adoption of high definition television by consumers will require more advanced compression and security technologies within set-top boxes. This may launch a replacement cycle, particularly among direct-to-home and cable providers with substantial bases of legacy equipment, which may create additional market opportunities for us.

2


Table of Contents

Significantly expand our marketing and sales capabilities.    Historically, our sales and marketing efforts have been limited in scope and focused on international opportunities because the majority of our products and services were provided to DISH Network pursuant to purchase orders, as opposed to long-term contracts. In addition, we historically did not actively seek opportunities with other multi-channel video providers in light of our relationship with DISH Network, which is a competitor to many of these video providers. Therefore, to successfully implement our business strategy, we are expanding our marketing and sales capabilities both domestically and internationally. In particular, we are expanding our marketing and sales capabilities and efforts with domestic pay TV providers other than DISH Network.

"DIGITAL SET-TOP BOX" BUSINESS

Our Products

Digital Set-Top Boxes.    Our digital set-top boxes permit consumers to watch, control and record television programming through digital video recorder, or DVR, technology integrated with satellite receivers. Certain of our digital set-top boxes are also capable of incorporating IPTV functionality, which allows consumers to download movies, music and other content via the Internet through an Ethernet connection.

Our current digital set-top box offerings include:

3


Table of Contents

In addition to digital set-top boxes, we also design and develop related products such as satellite dishes, remote controls, Sling enabled devices, digital-to-analog converter boxes, which will allow consumers to view, record and play back local over-the-air analog and digital broadcasts on analog TV sets, and other devices and accessories.

Digital Broadcast Operations.    We operate a number of digital broadcast centers in the United States. Our principal digital broadcast centers are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Gilbert, Arizona. We also have six regional digital broadcast centers that allow us to maximize the use of the spot beam capabilities of our satellites and our customers' satellites. Programming and other data is received at these centers by fiber or satellite, it is then processed, compressed, and encrypted and then uplinked to our satellites and our customers' satellites for transmission to end users. In addition, we have the capability to aggregate content at our digital broadcast centers and offer transport services for over 300 channels of MPEG-4 IP encapsulated standard-definition and high-definition programming from our satellite located at the 85 degree orbital location. We intend to offer these wholesale programming transport services to telecommunication companies, rural cable operators, local exchange carriers and wireless broadband providers.

Our Customers

Historically, the primary customer of our "Digital Set-Top Box" business has been DISH Network. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, DISH Network accounted for approximately 81.3%, 86.5% and 83.8% of our total revenue, respectively. In addition, Bell TV, a direct-to-home satellite service provider in Canada, accounted for 10.5%, 8.4% and 10.7%, respectively, of our total revenue for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. We also currently sell our digital set-top boxes to other international direct-to-home satellite service providers, although these customers do not account for a significant amount of our total revenue.

In the near term, we expect to rely on DISH Network to remain the primary customer of our "Digital Set-Top Box" business and the primary source of our total revenue. We have entered into commercial agreements with DISH Network pursuant to which we are obligated to sell digital set-top boxes and related products to DISH Network at our cost plus a fixed margin until January 1, 2011. However, DISH Network is under no obligation to purchase our digital set-top boxes or related products during or after this period.

A substantial majority of our international revenue during each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, was attributable to sales of digital set-top boxes to Bell TV. In early 2009, we completed a multi-year contract extension with Bell TV that makes us the exclusive provider of digital set-top boxes to Bell TV, subject to certain limited exceptions. The agreement includes fixed pricing over the term of the agreement as well as providing future engineering development for enhanced Bell TV service offerings.

Our Competition

As we seek to establish ourselves in the digital set-top box industry as an independent business, we face substantial competition. Many of our primary competitors, such as Motorola, Inc. and Cisco Systems, Inc., which owns Scientific Atlanta, Pace and Technicolor have established longstanding relationships with their customers. Although some of the competitors own the conditional access technology deployed by their customers, the FCC mandated removable security in digital cable systems, which allows us to compete for this type of business. In addition, we may face competition from international developers of digital set-top box systems that may be able to develop and manufacture products and services at costs that are substantially lower than ours. Our ability to compete in the digital set-top box industry will also depend heavily on our ability to successfully bring new technologies to market to keep pace with our competitors.

4


Table of Contents

Our Manufacturers

Although we design, engineer and distribute digital set-top boxes and related products, we are not generally engaged in the manufacturing process. Rather, we outsource the manufacturing of our digital set-top boxes and related products to third party manufacturers who manufacture our products according to specifications supplied by us. We depend on a few manufacturers, and in some cases a single manufacturer, for the production of digital set-top boxes and related products. Although there can be no assurance, we do not believe that the loss of any single manufacturer would materially impact our business. Sanmina-SCI Corporation and Jabil Circuit, Inc. currently manufacture the majority of our digital set-top boxes.

"SATELLITE SERVICES" BUSINESS

We operate six owned and four leased in-orbit satellites. We also have one owned satellite and one leased satellite under construction. In addition, we have suspended construction on the CMBStar satellite.

Our transponder capacity is currently used by our customers for a variety of applications:

Our Customers

We lease transponder capacity on our satellite fleet primarily to DISH Network, but also to a small number of government entities, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers and private enterprise customers. Currently, due to our limited base of customers, we have a substantial amount of excess capacity. For the year ended December 31, 2009, DISH Network accounted for approximately 87.6% of our total satellite services revenue. We have entered into certain commercial agreements with DISH Network pursuant to which we are obligated to provide DISH Network with satellite services at fixed prices for varying lengths of time depending on the satellite. See "Related Party Transactions with DISH Network—Satellite Capacity Agreements" in Note 19 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion. However, DISH Network may terminate these agreements upon 60 days notice. While we expect to continue to provide satellite services to DISH Network, its satellite capacity requirements may change for a variety of reasons, including DISH Network's ability to construct and launch its own satellites. Any termination or reduction in the services we provide to DISH Network may increase excess capacity on our satellites and require that we aggressively pursue alternative sources of revenue for this business. Our other satellite service sales are generally characterized by shorter-term contracts or spot market sales. Future costs associated with our excess capacity will negatively impact our margins if we do not generate revenue to offset these costs.

5


Table of Contents

Our Competition

We compete against larger, well-established satellite service companies, such as Intelsat Corporation, SES Americom and Telesat Holdings, Inc., in an industry that is characterized by long-term leases and high switching costs. Therefore, it will be difficult to displace customers from their current relationships with our competitors. Intelsat and SES Americom maintain key North American orbital slots which may further limit competition and competitive pricing. In addition, our satellite service business could face significant competition from suppliers of terrestrial communications capacity.

While we believe that there may be opportunities to capture new business as a result of market trends such as the increased communications demands of homeland security initiatives, there can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively compete against our competitors due to their significant resources and operating history.

OTHER BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

We intend to evaluate new strategic development opportunities both in North America, Asia and in other international markets. We also plan to expand our business and support the development of new satellite-delivered services, such as mobile video services. The expertise we obtain through these strategic investments may also help us to improve and expand the services that we provide to our existing customers.

OUR SATELLITE FLEET

Our satellite fleet consists of both owned and leased satellites detailed in the table below.

Satellites
  Launch
Date
  Degree
Orbital
Location
  Original
Useful Life/
Lease Term
(In Years)
 

Owned:

                 

EchoStar III

  October 1997     61.5     12  

EchoStar IV

  May 1998     77     12  

EchoStar VI

  July 2000     72.7     12  

EchoStar VIII

  August 2002     77     12  

EchoStar IX

  August 2003     121     12  

EchoStar XII

  July 2003     61.5     10  

Leased from DISH Network:

                 

EchoStar I

  December 1995     77     12  

Leased from Other Third Parties:

                 

AMC-15

  December 2004     105     10  

AMC-16

  January 2005     85     10  

Nimiq 5

  September 2009     72.7     15  

Under Construction:

                 

QuetzSat-1 (leased)

  2011     77     10  

EchoStar XVI (owned)

  2012     61.5     15  

CMBStar (owned)

  construction suspended              

Prior to 2009, certain satellites in our fleet have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on their remaining life and commercial operation. There can be no assurance that future anomalies will not further impact the remaining life and commercial operation of any of these satellites. See "Long-Lived Satellite Assets" in Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of evaluation of

6


Table of Contents


impairment. There can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail. We do not anticipate carrying insurance for any of the in-orbit satellites that we own, and we will bear the risk associated with any in-orbit satellite failures. Recent developments with respect to our satellites are discussed below.

Owned Satellites

EchoStar III.    EchoStar III was originally designed to operate a maximum of 32 DBS transponders in CONUS mode at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at over 230 watts per channel, and was equipped with a total of 44 traveling wave tube amplifiers ("TWTAs") to provide redundancy. As a result of TWTA failures in previous years and an additional pair of TWTA failures during August 2009, only 14 transponders are currently available for use. Due to redundancy switching limitations and specific channel authorizations, we are currently operating on 13 of our FCC authorized frequencies at the 61.5 degree orbital location. While the failures have not impacted commercial operation of the satellite, it is likely that additional TWTA failures will occur from time to time in the future and such failures could impact commercial operation of the satellite.

EchoStar XII.    Prior to 2009, EchoStar XII experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of electrical power available from its solar arrays. During March and May 2009, EchoStar XII experienced more of these anomalies, which further reduced the electrical power available to operate EchoStar XII. We currently operate EchoStar XII in CONUS/spot beam hybrid mode. If we continue to operate the satellite in this mode, as a result of this loss of electrical power, we would be unable to use the full complement of its available transponders for the remaining useful life of the satellite. However, since the number of useable transponders on EchoStar XII depends on, among other things, whether EchoStar XII is operated in CONUS, spot beam, or hybrid CONUS/spot beam mode, we are unable to determine at this time the actual number of transponders that will be available at any given time or how many transponders can be used during the remaining estimated life of the satellite. Additionally, there can be no assurance that future anomalies will not cause further losses, which could impact the remaining useful life or commercial operation of EchoStar XII. As a result of the May 2009 anomalies on EchoStar XII, we determined that we had a triggering event related to EchoStar XII. See discussion of evaluation of impairment in "Long-Lived Satellite Assets" in Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this triggering event we performed an impairment review of the satellite using an undiscounted cash flow model and concluded that the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with EchoStar XII were still in excess of its carrying value and therefore no impairment was required.

Satellite Capacity Leased to/from DISH Network

Satellite Capacity Agreements.    In connection with the Spin-off and subsequent to the Spin-off, we entered into certain satellite capacity agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leases certain satellite capacity on certain satellites owned or leased by us. In December 2009, we entered into a satellite capacity agreement pursuant to which we lease certain satellite capacity on a satellite owned by DISH Network. The fees for the services provided under these satellite capacity agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite and the frequency on which the applicable satellite provides services. The term of each of the leases is set forth below:

7


Table of Contents

Leased Satellites

Nimiq 5.    Nimiq 5 was launched in September 2009 and commenced commercial operation at the 72.7 degree orbital location during October 2009, where it provides additional high-powered capacity to our satellite fleet. See Note 19 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.

Satellites Under Construction

QuetzSat-1.    During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES Latin America S.A. ("SES") to lease all of the capacity on QuetzSat-1. QuetzSat-1 is expected to be launched in 2011 and will operate at the 77 degree orbital location. Upon expiration of the initial term, we have the option to renew the transponder service agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite. DISH Network has agreed to lease 24 of the 32 DBS transponders on this satellite from us.

EchoStar XVI.    During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a DBS satellite, which is expected to be completed during 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree orbital location. DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.

CMBStar.    During 2008, we suspended construction of the CMBStar satellite and recorded an $85 million impairment. We continue to explore alternative uses for this satellite, including potentially reconfiguring the satellite and shifting its proposed orbital location in a manner that would be more cost effective than designing and constructing a new satellite.

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

We are subject to comprehensive regulation by the FCC for our domestic operations. We are also regulated by other federal agencies, state and local authorities, the International Telecommunication Union ("ITU") and certain foreign governments. Depending upon the circumstances, noncompliance with legislation or regulations promulgated by these entities could result in suspension or revocation of our licenses or authorizations, the termination or loss of contracts or the imposition of contractual damages, civil fines or criminal penalties.

8


Table of Contents

The following summary of regulatory developments and legislation in the United States is not intended to describe all present and proposed government regulation and legislation affecting the satellite and digital set-top box equipment markets. Government regulations that are currently the subject of judicial or administrative proceedings, legislative hearings or administrative proposals could change our industry to varying degrees. We cannot predict either the outcome of these proceedings or any potential impact they might have on the industry or on our operations.

Regulations Applicable to Satellite Operations

FCC Jurisdiction over our Satellite Operations.    The Communications Act gives the FCC broad authority to regulate the operations of satellite operators. Specifically, the Communications Act gives the FCC regulatory jurisdiction over the following areas relating to communications satellite operations:

To obtain FCC satellite licenses and authorizations, satellite operators must satisfy strict legal, technical and financial qualification requirements. Once issued, these licenses and authorizations are subject to a number of conditions including, among other things, satisfaction of ongoing due diligence obligations, construction milestones, and various reporting requirements. Applications for new or modified satellites and earth stations are necessary for further development and expansion of satellites services. Necessary federal approval of these applications may not be granted, or may not be granted in a timely manner.

Overview of Our Satellite Licenses and Authorizations.    This overview describes our satellite licenses and authorizations.

Our satellites are located in orbital positions, or slots, that are designated by their western longitude. An orbital position describes both a physical location and an assignment of spectrum in the applicable frequency band. Each transponder on our satellites typically exploits one frequency channel. Two of our satellites also include spot-beam technology which enables us to provide services on a local or regional basis, but reduces the number of video channels that could otherwise be offered across the entire United States.

We have U.S. DBS licenses for 30 frequencies at the 61.5 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to the Eastern and Central United States. We are also currently operating on the two unassigned frequencies at the 61.5 degree orbital location under a conditional special temporary authorization. That authority requires periodic renewal. The licensing of those two channels is under FCC review, and also subject to an FCC moratorium on new DBS applications. The FCC has previously found that existing DBS providers will not be eligible for the two unassigned channels at the 61.5 degree orbital location. There is a pending petition for reconsideration of that decision.

We also have the FCC authority to provide service at a Mexican DBS orbital slot at the 77 degree orbital location and at a Canadian DBS orbital slot at the 72.7 degree orbital location. In addition, we

9


Table of Contents


hold licenses or have entered into agreements to lease capacity on satellites at fixed satellite services orbital locations including:

More recently, we were granted authority for a "tweener" DBS satellite at the 86.5 degree orbital location. That authorization will be conditioned on final FCC licensing and service rules in the "tweener" proceeding, in which the FCC is examining permitting satellites to operate from orbital locations 4.5 degrees (half of the usual nine degrees) away from traditional DBS satellites. The FCC has also granted authorizations to Spectrum Five for a tweener satellite at the 114.5 degree orbital location.

We were also granted authority to launch and operate five satellites in the 17/24 GHz Broadcasting-Satellite Service ("BSS") at the 62.15, 75, 79, 107 and 110.4 degree orbital locations. These authorizations are conditioned on the results of a pending rulemaking addressing potential interference between DBS and 17/24 GHz BSS operations. The FCC has also authorized DirecTV to operate a satellite in the 17/24 GHz BSS band at 110.9 degrees, and therefore the available spectrum at the nominal 110 degrees orbital location is split equally between DirecTV and us.

Use of these licenses and conditional authorizations is subject to certain technical and due diligence requirements, including the requirement to construct and launch satellites according to specific milestones and deadlines. There can be no assurance that we will develop acceptable plans to meet these deadlines, or that we will be able to utilize these orbital slots.

Each of our FSS and 17/24 GHz BSS satellite licenses is subject to a bond requirement of $3 million, all or part of which may be forfeited if we do not meet the milestones for a particular satellite. In 2009, we surrendered our licenses for Ka-band satellites at the 97° W.L. and 113° W.L. orbital locations. We have requested that the bond funds for these satellites be released to us rather than being paid to the FCC. We cannot be sure that the FCC will approve these requests.

Before we may launch and operate a satellite, the FCC must grant us a license. Under an FCC rule, if a licensee does not meet construction or launch milestones under three satellite licenses within any three-year period, a rebuttable presumption is established that the licensee obtained one or more of those licenses for speculative purposes. As a result, the FCC will not grant any further satellite license applications from that licensee beyond two pending applications and/or licensed-but-unbuilt satellites, unless the applicant is able to rebut that presumption, the applicant demonstrates that it is likely to build and launch its satellites or the FCC grants a waiver. The FCC has also stated that the voluntary surrender of a satellite license counts as a missed milestone. On May 27, 2009, the FCC dismissed our application for a C-band satellite at the 85 degree orbital location (without prejudice to refiling) on the grounds that we had surrendered three satellite licenses within a three-year period. Unless we can convince the FCC to reconsider its decision, rebut the resulting presumption, make the required demonstration or the FCC grants a waiver, we will need to wait until we have fewer than two pending applications and/or licensed-but-unbuilt satellites before the FCC will grant us additional satellite licenses. We currently have several pending applications and/or licensed-but-unbuilt satellites, none of which are affected by the FCC's dismissal of this application. We re-filed our application for a C-band

10


Table of Contents


satellite at the 85 degree orbital location on May 28, 2009. In our refiled application, we asked the FCC to reconsider its decision, we sought to rebut the presumption and make the required demonstration, and we asked for a waiver of the rule. There can be no assurance that the FCC will grant our refiled application or that it will not dismiss any future satellite applications we may file on the same grounds.

In addition, we have a number of modification, special temporary authority, and license applications pending with the FCC. We cannot be sure that the FCC will grant any of our applications, or that the authorizations, if granted, will not be subject to onerous conditions. Moreover, the cost of building, launching and insuring a satellite can be as much as $300 million or more, and we cannot be sure that we will be able to construct and launch all of the satellites for which we have requested authorizations.

Duration of our Satellite Licenses.    Generally speaking, all of our satellite licenses are subject to expiration unless renewed by the FCC. The term of each of our DBS licenses is 10 years; our FSS and 17/24 GHz BSS licenses generally are for 15 year terms. In addition, our special temporary authorizations are granted for periods of only 180 days or less, subject to possible renewal by the FCC.

Opposition and other Risks to our Licenses.    Several third parties have opposed, and we expect them to continue to oppose, some of our FCC satellite authorizations and pending requests to the FCC for extensions, modifications, waivers and approvals of our licenses. In addition, we may not have fully complied with all of the FCC reporting, filing and other requirements in connection with our satellite authorizations. Consequently, it is possible the FCC could revoke, terminate, condition or decline to extend or renew certain of our authorizations or licenses.

Reverse Band (17/24 GHz BSS) Spectrum.    Recently authorized 17/24 GHz BSS operations may interfere with the uplink operations of DBS satellites. At this time, no applications (other than our own application at 61.25 degrees) have been filed to operate a 17/24 GHz BSS satellite near our DBS satellites at 61.5 degrees. We cannot be certain that such an application will not be filed in the future. Furthermore, the FCC has a pending rulemaking to decide how to protect DBS satellites from 17/24 GHz BSS operations, and we cannot predict if and how the final rules will affect either our DBS operations at 61.5 degrees or our 17/24 GHz BSS authorizations.

Interference from Other Services Sharing Satellite Spectrum.    The FCC has adopted rules that allow non-geostationary orbit satellite services to operate on a co-primary basis in the same frequency band as DBS and Ku-band-based fixed satellite services. The FCC has also authorized the use of terrestrial communication services ("MVDDS") in the DBS band. MVDDS licenses were auctioned in 2004. While, to our knowledge, no MVDDS systems have been commercially deployed, several systems are now being tested, and may soon be deployed. Despite regulatory provisions to protect DBS operations from harmful interference, there can be no assurance that operations by other satellites or terrestrial communication services in the DBS band will not interfere with our DBS operations and adversely affect our business.

International Satellite Competition and Interference.    As noted above, we have received authority to provide service to the U.S. from a Mexican orbital slot at 77 degrees, and a Canadian orbital slot at 72.7 degrees. DirecTV and DISH Network L.L.C. have received similar authorizations to provide service to the U.S. from foreign orbital slots. The possibility that the FCC will allow service to the U.S. from additional foreign slots may permit additional competition against us from other satellite providers. It may also provide a means by which to increase our available satellite capacity in the United States. In addition, a number of administrations, such as Great Britain and The Netherlands, have requested to add orbital locations serving the U.S. close to our licensed slots. Such operations could cause harmful interference into our satellites and constrain our future operations at those slots if such "tweener" operations are approved by the FCC. The risk of harmful interference will depend upon the final rules adopted in the FCC's "tweener" proceeding.

11


Table of Contents

The International Telecommunication Union.    Our satellites also must conform to ITU requirements and regulations. We have cooperated, and continue to cooperate, with the FCC in the preparation of ITU filings and responses. We have "requests for modification" that have been filed by the United States government relating to certain of our satellites. In the event such a "request for modification" is not granted by the ITU, we will have to enter into coordination agreements with adjacent operators or operate the applicable satellite(s) on a non-interference basis. If we cannot enter into coordination agreements with adjacent operators or operate on a non-interference basis, we may have to cease operating such satellite(s) at the affected orbital location. We cannot predict when the ITU will act upon these "requests for modifications".

Regulations Applicable to Our "Digital Set-Top Box" Business

FCC Jurisdiction over Set-Top Box Operations.    Our digital set-top boxes and similar devices must also comply with FCC technical standards and requirements. The FCC has specific Part 15 regulations for television broadcast receivers and television interface devices.

Plug and Play.    Traditionally, cable companies sold or leased set-top boxes with integrated security functionality to subscribers. Cable companies were required pursuant to the FCC's "plug and play" rules to separate the security functionality from their set-top boxes by July 1, 2007. The FCC's stated goal for these rules was to increase competition and encourage the sale of set-top boxes in the retail market. The development of a retail market for cable set-top boxes could provide us with an opportunity to expand sales of set-top boxes and related equipment for use in non-DBS households. The cable industry and consumer electronics companies have reached a "tru2way" commercial arrangement to resolve many of the outstanding issues in the cable "plug and play" docket. EchoStar has licensed tru2way technology for use with cable set-top boxes. DBS set-top boxes are not currently subject to separate security requirements. The FCC is considering an expansion of the scope of the cable "plug and play" rules, and "all-video provider" set-top box solutions. We cannot predict whether the FCC will impose rules on DBS providers that are based on cable "plug and play" rules or the concepts from the private tru2way commercial arrangement. If the FCC were to extend or expand its separate security rules or the tru2way commercial arrangement to include DBS providers, sales of our set-top boxes to DBS providers may be negatively impacted. Specifically, if a retail DBS set-top box market develops capable of accepting removable security modules, we risk reduced sales if competitors produce DBS set-top boxes.

Export Control Regulation

We are required to obtain import and export licenses from the United States government to receive and deliver components of direct-to-home satellite television systems. In addition, the delivery of satellites and the supply of certain related ground control equipment, technical data, and satellite communication/control services to destinations outside the United States is subject to export control and prior approval requirements from the United States government (including prohibitions on the sharing of certain satellite-related goods and services with China).

Broadband Service Regulation

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") has allocated $7.2 billion to expand access to broadband services. Of this amount, $2.5 billion is administered by the Rural Utilities Service ("RUS") for deployment of broadband projects in rural, unserved and underserved communities across the United States and $4.7 billion has been allocated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") of the United States Department of Commerce to fund broadband initiatives throughout the U.S, including unserved and underserved areas. Our proposals for broadband stimulus funds in the first round of funding were not granted. The agencies have announced a second round of funding that will total several billion dollars. This will include a set-aside of at least

12


Table of Contents


$100 million for satellite projects. We are currently evaluating whether to submit second round applications for funding and we cannot be sure if any such applications will be granted, or that they will be granted on acceptable terms. If any of our applications are granted and we accept the terms of such grant(s), we may become subject to certain regulations promulgated by the agencies.

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that cover or affect products or services related to those that we offer. In general, if a court determines that one or more of our products infringes valid intellectual property rights held by others, we may be required to cease developing or marketing those products, obtain licenses from the holders of the intellectual property at a material cost, or redesign those products in such a way as to avoid infringement. If those intellectual property rights are held by a competitor, we may be unable to obtain a license to such intellectual property at any price, which could adversely affect our competitive position.

We may not be aware of all intellectual property rights that our products may potentially infringe. In addition, patent applications in the United States are confidential until the Patent and Trademark Office either publishes the application or issues a patent (whichever arises first) and, accordingly, our products may infringe claims contained in pending patent applications of which we are not aware. Further, the process of determining definitively whether a patent claim is valid and whether a particular product infringes a valid patent claim often involves expensive and protracted litigation, even if we are ultimately successful on the merits.

We cannot estimate the extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain intellectual property licenses or the availability and cost of any such licenses. Those costs, and their impact on our results of operations, could be material. Damages in patent infringement cases may also be trebled in certain circumstances. To the extent that we are required to pay unanticipated royalties to third parties, these increased costs of doing business could negatively affect our liquidity and operating results. We are currently defending multiple patent infringement actions. We cannot be certain the courts will conclude these companies do not own the rights they claim, that these rights are not valid or that our products do not infringe on these rights. We also cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain licenses from these persons on commercially reasonable terms or, if we were unable to obtain such licenses, that we would be able to redesign our products to avoid infringement. See "Item 3—Legal Proceedings."

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

We are subject to the requirements of federal, state, local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations. These include laws regulating air emissions, water discharge and waste management. We attempt to maintain compliance with all such requirements. We do not expect capital or other expenditures for environmental compliance to be material in 2010 or 2011. Environmental requirements are complex, change frequently and have become more stringent over time. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that these requirements will not change or become more stringent in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business.

GEOGRAPHIC AREA DATA AND TRANSACTIONS WITH MAJOR CUSTOMERS

For principal geographic area data and transactions with major customers for 2009, 2008 and 2007, see Note 16 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

13


Table of Contents

EMPLOYEES

We have approximately 2,400 employees. In addition, DISH Network provides us with certain management and administrative services, which include the services of certain employees of DISH Network. See "Certain Intercompany Agreements—Management Services Agreement and Professional Services Agreement" set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly file an annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The public may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. As an electronic filer, our public filings are also maintained on the SEC's Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.

WEBSITE ACCESS

Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act also may be accessed free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we have electronically filed such material with, or furnished it to, the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.echostar.com.

We have adopted a written code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer and senior financial officers, in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder. Our code of ethics is available on our corporate website at http://www.echostar.com. In the event that we make changes in, or provide waivers of, the provisions of this code of ethics that the SEC requires us to disclose, we intend to disclose these events on our website.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
(furnished in accordance with Item 401 (b) of Regulation S-K, pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K)

The following table sets forth the name, age and position with EchoStar of each of our executive officers, the period during which each executive officer has served as such, and each executive officer's business experience during the past five years:

Name
  Age   Position

R. Stanton Dodge

    42   Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Director

Michael T. Dugan

    61   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Charles W. Ergen

    57   Chairman

Bernard L. Han

    45   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mark W. Jackson

    49   President, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.

Roger J. Lynch

    47   Executive Vice President, Advanced Technologies

Dean A. Olmstead

    54   President, EchoStar Satellite Services

Steven B. Schaver

    55   President, EchoStar International Corporation

14


Table of Contents

R. Stanton Dodge.    Mr. Dodge is currently the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of DISH Network and EchoStar and is responsible for all legal and government affairs of DISH Network, EchoStar and their subsidiaries. Mr. Dodge also serves as a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Dodge serves as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary pursuant to a management services agreement between DISH Network and EchoStar that was entered into in connection with the Spin-off of EchoStar from DISH Network. Since joining DISH Network in November 1996, he has held various positions of increasing responsibility in DISH Network's legal department, and assumed responsibility for human resources at DISH Network in January 2010.

Michael T. Dugan.    Mr. Dugan was named President and Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar in November 2009. Mr. Dugan also serves as a member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Dugan served as a senior advisor to EchoStar since the Spin-off of EchoStar from DISH Network on January 1, 2008. From May 2004 to December 2007, he was a Director of DISH Network, and served DISH Network alternately as Chief Technical Officer and senior advisor from time to time.

Charles W. Ergen.    Mr. Ergen serves as our Chairman. Mr. Ergen served as our Chief Executive Officer from our formation in 2007 until November 2009. Mr. Ergen is also the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of DISH Network Corporation, a position that he has held since DISH Network's formation in 1980. During the past ten years he has also held various executive officer and director positions with DISH Network's subsidiaries.

Bernard L. Han.    Mr. Han serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and is currently responsible for all accounting, finance and information technology functions of EchoStar. Mr. Han serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to a management services agreement between DISH Network and EchoStar that was entered into in connection with the Spin-off. Mr. Han also serves as Chief Operating Officer of DISH Network. From October 2002 to May 2005, Mr. Han served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Mark W. Jackson.    Mr. Jackson is currently the President of EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and oversees all day to day operations of our "Digital Set-Top Box" business. Mr. Jackson served as the President of EchoStar Technologies Corporation from June 2004 through December 2007.

Roger J. Lynch.    Mr. Lynch has served as our Executive Vice President, Advanced Technologies since November 2009. Mr. Lynch also serves as Executive Vice President, Advanced Technologies at DISH Network. Prior to joining EchoStar, Mr. Lynch served as Chairman and CEO of Video Networks International, Ltd., an IPTV technology company in the United Kingdom from 2002 through 2009.

Dean A. Olmstead.    Mr. Olmstead joined EchoStar as President of EchoStar Satellite Services in January 2008 and is responsible for all aspects of our "Satellite Services" business. From May 2006 until January 2008, Mr. Olmstead served as an advisor to Loral Space & Communications ("Loral") on strategic and growth opportunities for Loral's satellite service businesses, which completed a merger with Telesat in October 2007, and he served on Loral's Board of Directors. From March 2005 to September 2006, he was President of Arrowhead Global Solutions, which was acquired by CapRock Communications in May 2007. Prior to March 2005, Mr. Olmstead was President and CEO of SES Americom and a member of the SES Global Executive Committee.

Steven B. Schaver.    Mr. Schaver was named President of EchoStar International Corporation in April 2000. Mr. Schaver served as DISH Network's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer from 1996 to 2000.

There are no arrangements or understandings between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which any executive officer was selected as such. Pursuant to the Bylaws of EchoStar, executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

15


Table of Contents

Item 1A.    RISK FACTORS

The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of or that we currently believe to be immaterial also may become important factors that affect us. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition or results of operation could be materially and adversely affected.

General Risks Affecting Our Business

Weak economic conditions, including high unemployment and reduced consumer spending, may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.

Our ability to grow or maintain our business may be adversely affected by weak economic conditions, including the effect of wavering consumer confidence, high unemployment and other factors that may adversely affect the "Digital Set-Top Box" business and providers of pay-TV services, who are our primary customers. In particular, the weak economic conditions may result in the following:

We currently depend on DISH Network Corporation, or DISH Network, and Bell TV for substantially all of our revenue. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, orders from or a decrease in selling prices of digital set-top boxes, transponder leasing, digital broadcast operations and/or other products or services to, DISH Network or Bell TV would significantly reduce our revenue and adversely impact our results of operations.

DISH Network accounted for approximately 81.3%, 86.5% and 83.8% of our revenue in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. In addition, Bell TV accounted for approximately 10.5%, 8.4% and 10.7% of our revenue in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Any reduction in sales to DISH Network or Bell TV or in the prices they pay for the products and services they purchase from us could have a significant negative impact on our business. In addition, because substantially all of our revenue is tied to DISH Network and Bell TV, our success also depends to a significant degree on the continued success of DISH Network and Bell TV in attracting new subscribers and in marketing programming packages to subscribers that will require the purchase of new digital set-top boxes, and in particular, new digital set-top boxes at the high-end of our product range that incorporate high-definition, multiple tuners and other advanced technology. Moreover, DISH Network has no future obligation to purchase digital set-top boxes from us and existing orders may be cancelled or reduced on short notice. Cancellations or reductions of

16


Table of Contents


customer orders, which could rise in weak economic conditions, could result in the loss of anticipated sales without allowing us sufficient time to reduce our inventory and operating expenses.

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

DISH Network is currently our primary customer of digital set-top boxes and digital broadcast operation services. These products and services are provided pursuant to contracts that generally expire on January 1, 2011. However, DISH may renew those contracts in their discretion for up to one additional year. Thereafter, if we are unable to extend those contracts on similar terms with DISH Network, or if we are otherwise unable to obtain acceptable contracts from third parties following a termination by DISH, there could be a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.

There are a relatively small number of potential new customers for our digital set-top boxes, satellite services and digital broadcast operations, and we expect this customer concentration to continue for the foreseeable future. Therefore, our operating results will likely continue to depend on sales to a relatively small number of customers, as well as the continued success of these customers. In addition, we may from time to time enter into customer agreements providing for exclusivity periods during which we may sell a specified product only to that customer. If we do not develop relationships with new customers, we may not be able to expand our customer base or maintain or increase our revenue.

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

If we are unsuccessful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, we are not successful in developing and deploying potential new alternative technology and we are unable to reach a license agreement with Tivo on reasonable terms, we would be subject to substantial liability and would be prohibited from offering DVR functionality that would in turn place us at a significant disadvantage to our competitors and significantly decrease sales of digital set-top boxes to DISH Network and others.

In June 2009, the United States District Court granted Tivo's motion for contempt finding that our next-generation DVRs continue to infringe Tivo's intellectual property and awarded Tivo an additional $103 million dollars in supplemental damages and interest for the period from September 2006 through April 2008. In September 2009, the District Court partially granted Tivo's motion for contempt sanctions. In partially granting Tivo's motion for contempt sanctions, the District Court awarded $2.25 per DVR subscriber per month for the period from April 2008 to July 2009 (as compared to the award for supplemental damages for the prior period from September 2006 to April 2008, which was based on an assumed $1.25 per DVR subscriber per month). By the District Court's estimation, the

17


Table of Contents


total award for the period from April 2008 to July 2009 is approximately $200 million (the enforcement of the award has been stayed by the District Court pending our appeal of the underlying June 2009 contempt order).

If we are unsuccessful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, we are not successful in developing and deploying potential new alternative technology and we are unable to reach a license agreement with Tivo on reasonable terms, we would be required to cease distribution of digital set-top boxes with DVR functionality. In that event, our sales of digital set-top boxes to DISH Network and others would likely significantly decrease and could even potentially cease for a period of time. Furthermore, the inability to offer DVR functionality would place us at a significant disadvantage to our competitors and make it even more difficult for us to penetrate new markets for digital set-top boxes. The adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations if the District Court's contempt order is upheld is likely to be significant.

If we are successful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, but unsuccessful in defending against any subsequent claim that our original alternative technology or any potential new alternative technology infringes Tivo's patent, we could be prohibited from distributing DVRs. In that event we would be at a significant disadvantage to our competitors who could continue offering DVR functionality and the adverse effect on our business could be material.

Because both we and DISH Network are defendants in the Tivo lawsuit, we and DISH Network are jointly and severally liable to Tivo for any final damages and sanctions that may be awarded by the District Court. DISH Network has agreed with us that it is obligated under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off to indemnify us for substantially all liability arising from this lawsuit. We have agreed to contribute an amount equal to our $5 million intellectual property liability limit under the Receiver Agreement. We and DISH Network have further agreed that our $5 million contribution would not exhaust our liability to DISH Network for other intellectual property claims that may arise under the Receiver Agreement. Therefore, during the second quarter of 2009, we recorded a charge included in "General and administrative expenses—DISH Network" on our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) of $5 million to reflect this contribution. We and DISH Network also agreed that we would each be entitled to joint ownership of, and a cross-license to use, any intellectual property developed in connection with any potential new alternative technology.

Because we are jointly and severally liable with DISH Network, to the extent that DISH Network does not or is unable to pay any damages or sanctions arising from this lawsuit, we would then be liable for any portion of these damages and sanctions not paid by DISH Network. Any amounts that DISH Network may be required to pay could impair its ability to pay us and also negatively impact our future liquidity.

If we become liable for any portion of these damages or sanctions, we may be required to raise additional capital at a time and in circumstances in which we would normally not raise capital. Therefore, any capital we raise may be on terms that are unfavorable to us, which might adversely affect our financial position and results of operations and might also impair our ability to raise capital on acceptable terms in the future to fund our own operations and initiatives.

Adverse developments in DISH Network's business may adversely affect us.

If DISH Network's gross subscriber additions are adversely affected by the weak economic conditions in the U.S, or for any other reason, we may experience a decline in our sales of digital set-top boxes to DISH Network.

18


Table of Contents


We currently have substantial unused satellite capacity, and our results of operations may be materially adversely affected if we are not able to utilize more of this capacity.

While we are currently evaluating various opportunities to make profitable use of our satellite capacity (including, but not limited to, supplying satellite capacity for new international ventures), we do not have firm plans to utilize all of our satellite capacity. In addition, especially in light of a possible decrease in demand for satellite services as a result of the weak economic conditions, there can be no assurance that we can successfully develop the business opportunities we currently plan to pursue with this capacity. If we are unable to lease our excess satellite capacity, our margins would be negatively impacted and we may be required to record additional impairments related to our other satellites.

As a result of our Spin-off from DISH Network, our financial statements for 2007 do not reflect all the assets and lines of business that are reflected in our 2008 and 2009 financial statements, potentially making it more difficult to compare growth and other metrics in 2008 and 2009 with prior periods.

The financial information included in this report for 2007, which was prior to the Spin-off, does not reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows we would have achieved as an independent publicly-traded company during 2007. This is primarily a result of the following factors:

Our sales to DISH Network could be terminated or substantially curtailed on short notice which would have a detrimental effect on us.

DISH Network has no obligations to continue to purchase our products and only certain obligations to continue to purchase certain of our services. Therefore, our relationship with DISH Network could be terminated or substantially curtailed with little or no advance notice. Any material reduction in our sales to DISH Network would have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.

19


Table of Contents

Furthermore, because there are a relatively small number of potential customers for our products and services, if we lose DISH Network as a customer, it will be difficult for us to replace our historical revenues from DISH Network.

We may need additional capital, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, to continue investing in our business and to finance acquisitions and other strategic transactions.

We may need to raise additional capital in the future to among other things, continue investing in our business, construct and launch new satellites, and pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions.

Weak financial markets have continued to make it difficult for certain borrowers to access capital markets at acceptable terms or at all. Instability in the equity markets could make it difficult for us to raise equity financing without incurring substantial dilution to our existing shareholders. In particular, it may be difficult for us to raise debt financing on acceptable terms in light of the fact that we have never previously raised debt financing. In addition, weak economic conditions may limit our ability to generate sufficient internal cash to fund investments, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other strategic transactions. We cannot predict with any certainty whether or not we will be impacted by weak economic conditions. As a result, these conditions make it difficult for us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities because we may not have access to funding sources necessary for us to pursue organic and strategic business development opportunities.

We may experience significant financial losses on our existing investments.

We have entered into certain strategic transactions and investments in North America, Asia and elsewhere. These investments involve a high degree of risk and could diminish our ability to fund our stock buyback program, invest capital in our business or return capital to our shareholders. The current volatility in the financial markets and overall economic uncertainty increases the risk that the actual amounts realized in the future on our debt and equity investments will differ significantly from the fair values currently assigned to them. These investments could also expose us to significant financial losses and may restrict our ability to make other investments or limit alternative uses of our capital resources. In particular, the laws, regulations and practices of certain countries may make it harder for our investments to be successful. If our investments suffer losses, whether or not as a result of the current weak financial market condition, our financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, the companies in which we invest or with whom we partner may not be able to compete effectively or there may be insufficient demand for the services and products offered by these companies.

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

Our future success may depend on the existence of, and our ability to capitalize on, opportunities to buy other businesses or technologies or partner with other companies that could complement, enhance or expand our current business or products or that might may otherwise offer us growth opportunities. We may pursue acquisitions, joint ventures or other business combination activities to complement or expand our business. In addition, we have entered, and may continue to enter, into strategic transactions and investments in North America, Asia and elsewhere. Any such acquisitions, transactions or investments that we are able to identify and complete may involve a number of risks, including, but not limited to, the following:

20


Table of Contents

New acquisitions, joint ventures and other transactions may require the commitment of significant capital that would otherwise be directed to investments in our existing businesses or be distributed to shareholders. Commitment of this capital may cause us to defer or suspend any share repurchases or capital expenditures that we otherwise may have made.

We intend to make significant investments in new products, services, technologies and business areas that may not be profitable.

We have made and will continue to make significant investments in research, development, and marketing for new products, services and related technologies, including new digital set-top box designs, as well as entry into new business areas. Investments in new technologies and business areas are inherently speculative and commercial success thereof depends on numerous factors including innovativeness, quality of service and support, and effectiveness of sales and marketing. We may not achieve revenue or profitability from such investments for a number of years, if at all. Moreover, even if such products, services, technologies and business area become profitable, their operating margins may be minimal.

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

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that cover or affect products or services related to those that we offer. In general, if a court determines that one or more of our products infringes valid intellectual property rights held by others, we may be required to cease developing or marketing those products, to obtain licenses from the holders of the intellectual property at a material cost, or to redesign those products in such a way as to avoid infringement. If those intellectual property rights are held by a competitor, we may be unable to license the necessary intellectual property rights at any price, which could adversely affect our competitive position. Please see further discussion under Item 1. Business—Patents and Trademarks of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

Prior to our Spin-off from DISH Network, our business was operated by DISH Network as part of its broader corporate organization, rather than as an independent company. DISH Network's senior management oversaw the strategic direction of our businesses and DISH Network performed various corporate functions for us, including, but not limited to:

21


Table of Contents

Because we are now an independent company, neither DISH Network nor any of its affiliates have any obligation to provide these functions to us other than those services provided pursuant to the management services agreement and the professional services agreement between us and DISH Network. See "Related Party Transactions with DISH Network—Professional Services Agreement" and "Related Party Transactions with DISH Network—Management Services Agreement" set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions." If, once the management services agreement and the professional services agreement terminate, we do not have in place our own systems and business functions, we do not have agreements with other providers of these services or we are not able to make these changes cost effectively, we may not be able to operate our business effectively and our profitability may decline. If DISH Network does not continue to perform effectively the services that are called for under the management services agreement and the professional services agreement, we may not be able to operate our business effectively. Although DISH Network has no obligation to provide us services after expiration of the management services agreement and the professional services agreement, we anticipate continuing to receive services from DISH Network following the initial terms of these agreements, and may enter into subsequent similar agreements if we determine that it is beneficial for us to do so.

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

Our businesses change rapidly as new technologies are developed. If we are unable to properly respond to technological developments, our existing products may become obsolete and demand for our products may decline. For example, if changes in technology allow digital television subscribers to use devices such as personal computers, cable ready televisions or network based digital video recording services in place of set-top boxes, our customers may not need to purchase our digital set-top boxes to provide their digital television subscribers with digital video recording and other digital set-top box features. Our competitors may also introduce technologies that compete favorably with our digital set-top boxes or that cause our digital set-top boxes to no longer be of significant benefit to our customers.

We and our suppliers may not be able to keep pace with technological developments. If we fail to timely obtain such technologies from our suppliers or introduce products and services with superior technologies, if the new technologies developed by us or our partners fail to achieve sustained acceptance in the marketplace or become obsolete, or if our competitors obtain or develop proprietary technologies that are perceived by the market as being superior to ours, we could suffer a material adverse effect on our future competitive position that could in turn decrease our revenues and earnings. Further, after we have incurred substantial research and development costs, one or more of the technologies under our development, or under development by one or more of our strategic partners, could become obsolete prior to its introduction.

Our response to technological development depends, to a significant degree, on the work by technically skilled employees. Competition for the services of such employees is intense. Although we have strived to attract and retain these employees, we may not succeed in this respect. If we are unable to attract and retain technically skilled employees, we may not be able to properly respond to changes in technologies and, as a result, our competitive position could be materially and adversely affected.

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

We believe that our future success will depend to a significant extent upon the performance of Mr. Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and certain other executives. Certain of these executives will also continue to devote significant time to their employment at DISH Network. The loss of Mr. Ergen or of certain other key executives or the ability of these certain other key executives to devote sufficient time and effort to our business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and

22


Table of Contents


results of operations. Although all of our executives will have certain agreements limiting their ability to work for or consult with competitors if they leave us, we do not have employment agreements with any of them.

Risks Affecting Our "Digital Set-Top Box" Business

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

Our historical revenues consist primarily of sales of our digital set-top boxes. In addition, we currently derive, and expect to continue to derive in the near term, nearly all of our revenue from sales of our digital set-top boxes to DISH Network and Bell TV. If the weak economic conditions persist, demand for digital set-top boxes from our two significant customers could decrease and, consequently, our revenue and profitability could be adversely affected.

Furthermore, continued market acceptance of our digital set-top boxes is critical to our future success. If we are not able to expand sales of our digital set-top boxes to other providers of digital television, including cable operators, which is harder to accomplish in weak economic conditions, and as a result of many potential customers perceiving us as a competitor due to our affiliation with DISH Network, our growth prospects will be limited, and our revenues will be substantially impacted if sales of our digital set-top boxes to providers of satellite-delivered digital television decline.

Our business may suffer if direct-to-home satellite service providers, who currently comprise our customer base, do not compete successfully with existing and emerging alternative platforms for delivering digital television, including cable television operators, terrestrial broadcasters and IPTV.

Our existing customers are direct-to-home satellite video providers, which compete with cable television operators and terrestrial broadcasters for the same pool of viewers. As technologies develop, other means of delivering information and entertainment to television viewers are evolving. For example, some telecommunications companies, such as AT&T and Verizon Communications, are seeking to compete with terrestrial broadcasters, cable television network operators and direct-to-home satellite services by offering IPTV, which allows telecommunications companies to stream television programs through telephone lines or fiber optic lines. These telecommunications companies are upgrading their older copper wire telephone lines with high-bandwidth fiber optic lines in larger markets. These fiber lines provide significantly greater capacity, enabling the telecommunications companies to offer substantial HD programming content. In addition, cable operators are increasingly offering on-demand television services to compete against the programming packages offered by direct-to-home satellite video providers. To the extent that the terrestrial broadcasters, telecommunications companies and cable television network operators compete successfully against direct-to-home satellite services for viewers, the ability of our existing customer base to attract and retain subscribers may be adversely affected. As a result, demand for our satellite television digital set-top boxes could decline and we may not be able to sustain our current revenue levels.

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

Our products were initially designed for, and have been deployed mostly by, providers of satellite-delivered digital television. To date, we have not made any significant sales of our digital set-top boxes to cable operators. In addition, the cable set-top box market is highly competitive and we expect competition to intensify in the future. In particular, we believe that most cable set-top boxes are sold by a small number of well entrenched competitors who have long-standing relationships with cable operators. This competition, and our perception by many potential customers as a competitor due to our affiliation with DISH Network, may make it more difficult for us to sell cable set-top boxes, and

23


Table of Contents


may result in pricing pressure, low profit margins, high sales and marketing expenses and limited market share, any of which could, to a certain extent, adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We may be exposed to the risk of inflation or stable component pricing which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

The substantial majority of our revenues are derived from the sale of digital set-top boxes. A significant portion of the production costs of digital set-top boxes relate to the purchase of electronic components, the costs of which have historically fallen over time. To the extent that component pricing does not decline or is impacted by inflation, we may not be able to pass on the impact of increasing raw materials prices or labor and other costs, to our customers, and we may not be able to operate profitably. For example, we entered into a digital set-top box contract extension with Bell TV under which we supply digital set-top boxes to Bell TV at fixed prices over the duration of the contract. Under this fixed-price arrangement, we bear any risk of inflation because we are not able to pass any increase in our component pricing on to Bell TV.

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

The average selling price and gross margins of our digital set-top boxes has been decreasing and may decrease even further due to, among other things, an increase in the sales of lower-priced digital set top boxes to DISH Network and increased pricing pressure on our average selling prices, including sales to BellTV as a result of our contract extension with BellTV. Furthermore, our ability to increase the average selling prices of our digital set-top boxes is limited and our average selling price may decrease even further in response to competitive pricing pressures, new product introductions by us or our competitors, lack of demand for our new product introductions or other factors. If we are unable to increase or at least maintain the average selling prices of our digital set-top boxes, or if such selling prices further decline, and we are unable to respond in a timely manner by developing and introducing new products and continually reducing our product costs, our revenues and gross margin may be negatively affected, which will harm our financial position and results of operations.

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

Our commercial success in selling our digital set-top boxes to cable television operators depends significantly on our ability to obtain licenses to use the conditional access systems deployed by these operators in our digital set-top boxes. In many cases, the intellectual property rights to these conditional access systems are owned by the set-top box manufacturer that currently provides the cable television operator with its set-top boxes. We cannot assure you that we will able to obtain required licenses on commercially favorable terms, if at all. If we do not obtain the necessary licenses, we may be delayed or prevented from pursuing the development of some potential products with cable television operators. Our failure to obtain a license to use the conditional access systems that we may require to develop or commercialize our digital set-top boxes with cable television operators in turn, would harm our ability to grow our customer base and revenue.

Growth in our "Digital Set-Top Box" business likely requires expansion of our sales to international customers, and we may be unsuccessful in expanding international sales.

We believe that to grow our digital set-top box revenue and business and to build a large customer base, we must increase sales of our digital set-top boxes in international markets. We have had limited success in selling our digital set-top boxes internationally. To succeed in these sales efforts, we believe we must hire additional sales personnel and develop and manage new relationships with cable

24


Table of Contents


operators and other providers of digital television in international markets. In addition, we may be subject to greater risks than our competitors as a result of such international expansion. We could be harmed financially and operationally by tariffs, taxes and other trade barriers that may be imposed on our products or services, or by political and economic instability in the countries in which we provide service. If we ever need to pursue legal remedies against our customers or our business partners located outside of the United States, it may be difficult for us to enforce our rights against them. Furthermore, we may be subject to currency risks with respect to payments from our international customers and our international customers may have difficulty obtaining U.S. currency and/or remitting payment due to currency exchange controls.

If we do not succeed in our efforts to sell to these target markets and customers and deal with these challenges in our international operations, the size of our total addressable market may be limited. This, in turn, would harm our ability to grow our customer base and revenue.

The digital set-top box business is extremely competitive.

Currently, there are many significant competitors in the set-top box business including several established companies who have sold set-top boxes to major cable operators in the United States for many years. These competitors include companies such as Motorola, Cisco Systems, which owns Scientific Atlanta, Pace and Technicolor. In addition, a number of rapidly growing companies have recently entered the market, many of them with set-top box offerings similar to our existing satellite set-top box products. We also expect additional competition in the future from new and existing companies who do not currently compete in the market for set-top boxes. As the set-top box business evolves, our current and potential competitors may establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties, including software and hardware companies that could acquire significant market share, which could adversely affect our business. We also face competition from set-top boxes that have been internally developed by digital video providers. Any of these competitive threats, alone or in combination with others, could seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

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

The set-top box market is intensely competitive, and market leadership changes frequently as a result of new products, designs and pricing. We expect to face additional competition from companies, principally located in Asia, which offer low cost set-top boxes, including set-top boxes that are modeled after our products or products of our principal competitors. The entry of these new competitors may result in increased pricing pressure in the market. If market prices are substantially reduced by such new entrants, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In particular, it may be difficult for us to make profitable sales in international markets where these new competitors are present and in which we have not previously made sales of set-top boxes.

If we do not continue to distinguish our products, particularly our retail products, through distinctive, technologically advanced features and design, as well as continue to build and strengthen our brand recognition, our business could be harmed as we may not be able to effectively compete on price alone against new low cost market entrants that are principally located in Asia. If we do not otherwise compete effectively, demand for our products could decline, our gross margins could decrease, we could lose market share, and our revenues and earnings could decline.

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

Our digital set-top boxes are highly complex and can have defects in design, manufacture or associated software. Set-top boxes often contain "bugs" that can unexpectedly interfere with their operation.

25


Table of Contents


Defects may also occur in components and products that we purchase from third-parties. There can be no assurance that we will be able to detect and fix all defects in the digital set-top boxes that we sell. We could incur significant expenses, lost revenue, and harm to our reputation if we fail to detect or effectively address such issues through design, testing or warranty repairs.

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

We are substantially dependent upon the ability of our customers to promote the delivery of premium programming packages that utilize technology incorporated into our digital set-top boxes, such as HD technology and IPTV, to generate future revenues.

However, our customers may be unsuccessful in promoting value-added services or may promote alternative packages, such as free programming packages, in lieu of promoting packages that utilize our high-end digital set-top box offerings. If our customers are unable to develop and effectively market compelling reasons for their subscribers to continue to purchase our more advanced digital set-top boxes, it will be difficult for us to sustain our historical revenues. This risk is exacerbated by the weak economic conditions under which consumers become more cost-sensitive in their discretionary spending.

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

We obtain many components for our digital set-top boxes from a single supplier or a limited group of suppliers. Our reliance on a single or limited group of suppliers, particularly foreign suppliers, and our increasing reliance on subcontractors, involves several risks. These risks include a potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components, and reduced control over pricing, quality, and timely delivery of these components. We do not generally maintain long-term agreements with any of our suppliers or subcontractors. An inability to obtain adequate deliveries or any other circumstances requiring us to seek alternative sources of supply could affect our ability to ship our digital set-top boxes on a timely basis, which could damage our relationships with current and prospective customers and harm our business, resulting in a loss of market share, and reduce revenues and income.

We generally maintain low inventory levels and do not make binding long-term commitments to suppliers. As a result, it may be difficult in the future to obtain components required for our products or to increase the volume of components if demand for our products increases.

The weak economic conditions may cause certain suppliers that we rely on to cease operations which, in turn, may cause us to suffer disruptions to our supply chain or incur higher production costs.

Our future growth depends on growing demand for HDTV.

Future demand for our digital set-top boxes will depend significantly on the growing demand for high definition television, or HDTV. The effective delivery of HDTV will depend on digital television operators developing and building infrastructure to provide wide-spread HDTV programming. If the deployment of or demand for HDTV, is not as widespread or as rapid as we or our customers expect, our revenue growth will be limited.

Risks Affecting Our "Satellite Services" Business

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

In our "Satellite Services" business, we compete against larger, well-established satellite service companies, such as Intelsat, SES Americom and Telesat Holdings. Because the satellite services

26


Table of Contents


industry is relatively mature, our growth strategy depends largely on our ability to displace current incumbent providers, which often have the benefit of long-term contracts with customers. These long-term contracts and other factors result in relatively high switching costs for customers, making it more difficult for us to displace customers from their current relationships with our competitors. In addition, the supply of satellite capacity has increased in recent years, which makes it more difficult for us to sell our services in certain markets and to price our capacity at acceptable levels. Competition may cause downward pressure on prices and further reduce the utilization of our fleet capacity, both of which could have an adverse effect on our financial performance. Our "Satellite Services" business also competes with fiber optic cable and other terrestrial delivery systems, which may have a cost advantage, particularly in point-to-point applications where such delivery systems have been installed.

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

Satellites are subject to significant operational risks while in orbit. These risks include malfunctions, commonly referred to as anomalies, which have occurred in our satellites and the satellites of other operators as a result of various factors, such as satellite manufacturers' errors, problems with the power systems or control systems of the satellites and general failures resulting from operating satellites in the harsh environment of space.

Although we work closely with the satellite manufacturers to determine and eliminate the cause of anomalies in new satellites and provide for redundancies of many critical components in the satellites, we may experience anomalies in the future, whether of the types described above or arising from the failure of other systems or components.

Any single anomaly or series of anomalies could materially and adversely affect our operations and revenues and our relationship with current customers, as well as our ability to attract new customers for our satellite services. In particular, future anomalies may result in the loss of individual transponders on a satellite, a group of transponders on that satellite or the entire satellite, depending on the nature of the anomaly. Anomalies may also reduce the expected useful life of a satellite, thereby reducing the revenue that could be generated by that satellite, or create additional expenses due to the need to provide replacement or back-up satellites.

Meteoroid events pose a potential threat to all in-orbit satellites. The probability that meteoroids will damage those satellites increases significantly when the Earth passes through the particulate stream left behind by comets. Occasionally, increased solar activity also poses a potential threat to all in-orbit satellites.

Some decommissioned spacecraft are in uncontrolled orbits which pass through the geostationary belt at various points and present hazards to operational spacecraft, including our satellites. We may be required to perform maneuvers to avoid collisions and these maneuvers may prove unsuccessful or could reduce the useful life of the satellite through the expenditure of fuel to perform these maneuvers. The loss, damage or destruction of any of our satellites as a result of an electrostatic storm, collision with space debris, malfunction or other event could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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

Our ability to earn revenue depends on the usefulness of our satellites, each of which has a limited useful life. A number of factors affect the useful lives of the satellites, including, among other things, the quality of their construction, the durability of their component parts, the ability to continue to maintain proper orbit and control over the satellite's functions, the efficiency of the launch vehicle used, and the remaining on-board fuel following orbit insertion. Generally, the minimum design life of

27


Table of Contents


each of our satellites ranges from 12 to 15 years. We can provide no assurance, however, as to the actual useful lives of the satellites.

In the event of a failure or loss of any of our satellites, we may relocate another satellite and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost satellite, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such a relocation would require FCC approval and, among other things, a showing to the FCC that the replacement satellite would not cause additional interference compared to the failed or lost satellite. We cannot be certain that we could obtain such FCC approval.

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

Satellite construction and launch are subject to significant risks, including delays, launch failure and incorrect orbital placement. Certain launch vehicles that may be used by us have either unproven track records or have experienced launch failures in the past. The risks of launch delay and failure are usually greater when the launch vehicle does not have a track record of previous successful flights. Launch failures result in significant delays in the deployment of satellites because of the need both to construct replacement satellites, which can take more than three years, and to obtain other launch opportunities. Construction and launch delays could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenues. If we decide not to procure launch insurance, or we decide to procure launch insurance but we are unable to do so or are unable to obtain launch insurance at rates we deem commercially reasonable, and a significant launch failure were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate revenues and fund future satellite procurement and launch opportunities. In addition, the occurrence of launch failures whether on our satellites or those of others may significantly reduce the availability of launch insurance on our satellites or make launch insurance premiums uneconomical.

Our "Satellite Services" business is subject to risks of adverse government regulation.

Our "Satellite Services" business is subject to varying degrees of regulation in the United States by the FCC, and other entities, and in foreign countries by similar entities. These regulations are subject to the political process and have been in constant flux over the past decade. Moreover, a substantial number of foreign countries in which we have, or may in the future make, an investment, regulate, in varying degrees, the ownership of satellites and the distribution and ownership of programming services and foreign investment in programming companies. Further material changes in law and regulatory requirements must be anticipated, and there can be no assurance that our business and the business of our affiliates will not be adversely affected by future legislation, new regulation or deregulation.

Our business depends on FCC licenses that can expire or be revoked or modified and applications for FCC licenses that may not be granted.

If the FCC were to cancel, revoke, suspend, or fail to renew any of our licenses or authorizations, or fail to grant our applications for FCC licenses, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Specifically, loss of a frequency authorization would reduce the amount of spectrum available to us, potentially reducing the amount of services available to our customers. The materiality of such a loss of authorizations would vary based upon, among other things, the location of the frequency used or the availability of replacement spectrum. In addition, Congress often considers legislation that could affect us and enacts legislation that does affect us, and FCC proceedings to implement the Communications Act and enforce its regulations are ongoing. We cannot predict the outcomes of these legislative or regulatory proceedings or their effect on our business.

28


Table of Contents

We may not be aware of certain foreign government regulations.

Because regulatory schemes vary by country, we may be subject to regulations in foreign countries of which we are not presently aware. If that were to be the case, we could be subject to sanctions by a foreign government that could materially and adversely affect our ability to operate in that country. We cannot assure you that any current regulatory approvals held by us are, or will remain, sufficient in the view of foreign regulatory authorities, or that any additional necessary approvals will be granted on a timely basis or at all, in all jurisdictions in which we wish to operate new satellites, or that applicable restrictions in those jurisdictions will not be unduly burdensome. The failure to obtain the authorizations necessary to operate satellites internationally could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate revenue and our overall competitive position.

We, our customers and companies with whom we do business may be required to have authority from each country in which we or they provide services or provide our customers use of our satellites. Because regulations in each country are different, we may not be aware if some of our customers and/or companies with which we do business do not hold the requisite licenses and approvals.

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

There are a limited number of manufacturers that are able to design and build satellites according to the technical specifications and standards of quality we require, including Astrium Satellites, Boeing Satellite Systems, Lockheed Martin, Space Systems/Loral and Thales Alenia Space. There are also a limited number of launch service providers able to launch such satellites, including International Launch Services, Arianespace, United Launch Alliance and Sea Launch Company, which has launched several of our satellites and is currently in bankruptcy. The loss of any of our manufacturers or launch service providers could result in the delay of the design, construction or launch of our satellites. Even if alternate suppliers for such services are available, we may have difficulty identifying them in a timely manner, we may incur significant additional expense in changing suppliers, and this could result in difficulties or delays in the design, construction or launch of our satellites. Any delays in the design, construction or launch of our satellites could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We currently have no commercial insurance coverage on the satellites we own and could face significant impairment charges if one of our satellites fails.

Generally, we do not carry launch or in-orbit insurance on the satellites we use. We currently do not carry in-orbit insurance on any of our satellites and do not use commercial insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of launch or in-orbit failures because we believe that the cost of insurance premiums is uneconomical relative to the risk of such failures. If one or more of our in-orbit satellites fail, we could be required to record significant impairment charges.

Risks Relating to the Spin-Off

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

Questions relating to conflicts of interest may arise between DISH Network and us in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships. Areas in which conflicts of interest between DISH Network and us could arise include, but are not limited to, the following:

29


Table of Contents

30


Table of Contents

We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts, and, even if we do so, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with an unaffiliated party.

We do not have any agreements with DISH Network that restrict us from selling our products to competitors of DISH Network, nor do we have any agreement that prevents DISH Network from purchasing products from our competitors. We also do not have any agreements with DISH Network that would prevent us from competing with each other.

In addition, the corporate opportunity policy set forth in our articles of incorporation addresses potential conflicts of interest for officers and directors of DISH Network who are also officers or directors of us. This policy could restrict our ability to take advantage of certain corporate opportunities.

Risks Relating to our Common Stock and the Securities Market

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

We periodically evaluate and test our internal control over financial reporting to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009. If in the future we are unable to report that our internal control over financial reporting is effective (or if our auditors do not agree with our assessment of the effectiveness of, or are unable to express an opinion on, our internal control over financial reporting), investors, customers and business partners could lose confidence in the accuracy of our financial reports, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business, investor confidence in our financial results may weaken, and our stock price may suffer.

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

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company that a shareholder may consider favorable. These provisions include the following:

In addition, pursuant to our certificate of incorporation we have a significant amount of authorized and unissued stock that would allow our Board of Directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, thereby protecting the continuity of management, or which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us.

31


Table of Contents


We are controlled by one principal shareholder who is our Chairman.

Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, beneficially owns approximately 46.3% of our total equity securities and possesses approximately 61.2% of the total voting power. Mr. Ergen's beneficial ownership of us excludes 16,276,214 shares of our Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of our Class B Common Stock currently held by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family. These trusts beneficially own approximately 32.1% of our total equity securities and possess approximately 31.7% of our total voting power. Thus, Mr. Ergen has the ability to elect a majority of our directors and to control all other matters requiring the approval of our shareholders. As a result of Mr. Ergen's voting power, we are a "controlled company" as defined in the Nasdaq listing rules and, therefore, are not subject to Nasdaq requirements that would otherwise require us to have (i) a majority of independent directors; (ii) a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors; (iii) compensation of our executive officers determined by a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors; and (iv) director nominees selected, or recommended for the Board's selection, either by a majority of the independent directors or a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors. Mr. Ergen also beneficially owns approximately 51.2% of the total equity and 83.5% of the total voting power of DISH Network and continues to be the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of DISH Network, which directly and through its subsidiaries continues to be our largest customer, accounting for a substantial majority of our revenues. Mr. Ergen's beneficial ownership of DISH Network excludes 22,023,267 shares of DISH Network Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of shares of DISH Network Class B Common Stock currently held by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family. These trusts beneficially own approximately 10.0% of the total equity securities and possess approximately 8.5% of the total voting power of DISH Network.

We may face other risks described from time to time in periodic and current reports we file with the SEC.

Item 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

32


Table of Contents

Item 2.    PROPERTIES

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our principal properties related to our "Digital Set-Top Box" business ("STB") and our "Satellite Services" business ("SS"). We operate various facilities in the United States and abroad. We believe that our facilities are well maintained and are sufficient to meet our current and projected needs. We own or lease capacity on ten satellites which are used in our Satellite Services business.

Description/Use/Location
  Segment(s)
Using
Property
  Owned   Leased

Corporate headquarters and administrative offices, Englewood, Colorado

  STB/SS   X    

Engineering offices and service center, Englewood, Colorado

  STB/SS   X    

Engineering offices, Englewood, Colorado

  STB   X    

EchoStar Data Networks engineering offices, Atlanta, Georgia

  STB       X

Digital broadcast operations center, Cheyenne, Wyoming

  STB/SS   X    

Digital broadcast operations center, Gilbert, Arizona

  STB/SS   X    

Regional digital broadcast operations center, Monee, Illinois

  STB/SS   X    

Regional digital broadcast operations center, New Braunfels, Texas

  STB/SS   X    

Regional digital broadcast operations center, Quicksburg, Virginia

  STB/SS   X    

Regional digital broadcast operations center, Spokane, Washington

  STB/SS   X    

Regional digital broadcast operations center, Orange, New Jersey

  STB/SS   X    

Micro digital broadcast operations center, Atlanta, Georgia

  STB       X

Micro digital broadcast operations center, St. Louis, Missouri

  STB       X

Micro digital broadcast operations center, Jackson, Mississippi

  STB       X

Spacecraft autotrack operations center, Baker, Montana

  SS       X

Spacecraft autotrack operations center, Black Hawk, South Dakota

  SS   X    

Engineering offices and warehouse, Almelo, The Netherlands

  STB   X    

Engineering offices, Steeton, England

  STB   X    

Sling corporate headquarters and data center, San Francisco, California

  STB       X

Sling sales and engineering office, New York, New York

  STB       X

Sling Engineering office, India

  STB       X

Engineering office, Ukraine

  STB       X

We lease portions of certain of our owned facilities to DISH Network. See "Related Party Transactions with DISH Network—Real Estate Lease Agreements" set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions." Also, see further discussion under "Item 1. Business—"Satellite Services" Business—Our Customers" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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

33


Table of Contents

Acacia

During 2004, Acacia Media Technologies, ("Acacia") filed a lawsuit against us and DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit also named DirecTV, Comcast, Charter, Cox and a number of smaller cable companies as defendants. Acacia is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,132,992, 5,253,275, 5,550,863, 6,002,720 and 6,144,702, which relate to certain systems and methods for transmission of digital data. On September 25, 2009, the Court granted summary judgment to defendants on invalidity grounds, and dismissed the action with prejudice. The plaintiffs have appealed.

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

Broadcast Innovation, L.L.C.

During 2001, Broadcast Innovation, L.L.C. ("Broadcast Innovation") filed a lawsuit against DISH Network, DirecTV, Thomson Consumer Electronics and others in United States District Court in Denver, Colorado. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,076,094 (the '094 patent) and 4,992,066 (the '066 patent). The '094 patent relates to certain methods and devices for transmitting and receiving data along with specific formatting information for the data. The '066 patent relates to certain methods and devices for providing the scrambling circuitry for a pay television system on removable cards. Subsequently, DirecTV and Thomson settled with Broadcast Innovation leaving DISH Network as the only defendant.

During 2004, the judge issued an order finding the '066 patent invalid. Also in 2004, the District Court found the '094 patent invalid in a parallel case filed by Broadcast Innovation against Charter and Comcast. In 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the '094 patent finding of invalidity and remanded the Charter case back to the District Court. During June 2006, Charter filed a reexamination request with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Federal Circuit Court has stayed the Charter case pending reexamination, and our case has been stayed pending resolution of the Charter case.

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

Finisar Corporation

Finisar Corporation ("Finisar") obtained a $100 million verdict in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against DirecTV for patent infringement. Finisar alleged that DirecTV's electronic program guide and other elements of its system infringe United States Patent No. 5,404,505 (the '505 patent).

34


Table of Contents

During 2006, we and DISH Network, together with NagraStar LLC, filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Finisar that asks the Court to declare that we do not infringe, and have not infringed, any valid claim of the '505 patent. During April 2008, the Federal Circuit reversed the judgment against DirecTV and ordered a new trial. During January 2010, the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court's grant of summary judgment to DirecTV, and dismissed the action with prejudice. We are evaluating the impact of the Federal Circuit's decision.

We intend to vigorously prosecute 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 modify our system architecture. We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Global Communications

During April 2007, Global Communications, Inc. ("Global") filed a patent infringement action against us and DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,947,702 (the '702 patent), which relates to satellite reception. In October 2007, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted our request for reexamination of the '702 patent and issued an initial Office Action finding that all of the claims of the '702 patent were invalid. At the request of the parties, the District Court stayed the litigation until the reexamination proceeding is concluded and/or other Global patent applications issue.

During June 2009, Global filed a patent infringement action against us and DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 7,542,717 (the '717 patent), which relates to satellite reception. In December 2009, we and DISH Network settled the Texas and Florida actions with Global on terms and conditions that did not have a material impact on our results of operations.

Guardian Media

During 2008, Guardian Media Technologies LTD ("Guardian") filed suit against us, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., DISH Network, DirecTV and several other defendants in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 4,930,158 and 4,930,160. Both patents are expired and relate to certain parental lock features. On September 9, 2009, Guardian voluntarily dismissed the case against us with prejudice.

Multimedia Patent Trust

On February 13, 2009, Multimedia Patent Trust ("MPT") filed suit against us, DISH Network, DirecTV and several other defendants in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 4,958,226, 5,227,878, 5,136,377, 5,500,678 and 5,563,593, which relate to video encoding, decoding and compression technology. MPT is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.

In December 2009, we and DISH Network reached a settlement with MPT that did not have a material impact on our results of operations. DISH Network has determined that it is obligated under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off to indemnify us for all of the settlement relating to the period prior to the Spin-off and a portion of the settlement relating to the period after the Spin-off. We have agreed that our contribution towards the settlement shall not be applied against our aggregate liability cap under that certain Receiver Agreement entered into in connection with the

35


Table of Contents


Spin-off dated December 31, 2007 between EchoSphere L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network, and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., a subsidiary of us.

Nazomi Communications

On February 10, 2010, Nazomi Communications, Inc. ("Nazomi") filed suit against Sling Media, Inc, a subsidiary of ours, and several other defendants, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,080,362 ("the '362 patent") and United States Patent No. 7,225,436 ("the '436 patent"). The '362 patent and the '436 patent relate to Java hardware acceleration. The suit alleges that the Slingbox-Pro-HD product infringes the '362 patent and the '436 patent because the Slingbox-PRO HD allegedly incorporates an ARM926EJ-S processor core capable of Java hardware acceleration.

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.

NorthPoint Technology

On July 2, 2009, NorthPoint Technology, Ltd filed suit against us, DISH Network, and DirecTV in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 6,208,636 (the '636 patent). The '636 patent relates to the use of multiple low-noise block converter feedhorns, or LNBFs, which are antennas used for satellite reception.

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

Personalized Media Communications

During 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. filed suit against us, DISH Network and Motorola, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 4,694,490, 5,109,414, 4,965,825, 5,233,654, 5,335,277, and 5,887,243, which relate to satellite signal processing.

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

Technology Development Licensing

On January 22, 2009, Technology Development and Licensing LLC filed suit against us and DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 35,952, which relates to certain favorite channel features. In July 2009, the

36


Table of Contents


Court granted our motion to stay the case pending two re-examination petitions before the Patent and Trademark Office.

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

Tivo Inc.

During January 2008, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part the April 2006 jury verdict concluding that certain of our digital video recorders, or DVRs, infringed a patent held by Tivo. In its January 2008 decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed the jury's verdict of infringement on Tivo's "software claims," and upheld the award of damages from the District Court. The Federal Circuit, however, found that we did not literally infringe Tivo's "hardware claims," and remanded such claims back to the District Court for further proceedings. On October 6, 2008, the Supreme Court denied our petition for certiorari. As a result, DISH Network paid approximately $105 million to Tivo.

We also developed and deployed "next-generation" DVR software. This improved software was automatically downloaded to our current customers' DVRs, and is fully operational (our "original alternative technology"). The download was completed as of April 2007. We received written legal opinions from outside counsel that concluded our original alternative technology does not infringe, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, either the hardware or software claims of Tivo's patent. Tivo filed a motion for contempt alleging that we are in violation of the Court's injunction. We opposed this motion on the grounds that the injunction did not apply to DVRs that have received our original alternative technology, that our original alternative technology does not infringe Tivo's patent, and that we were in compliance with the injunction.

In June 2009, the United States District Court granted Tivo's motion for contempt, finding that our original alternative technology was not more than colorably different than the products found by the jury to infringe Tivo's patent, that the original alternative technology still infringed the software claims, and that even if the original alternative technology was "non-infringing," the original injunction by its terms required that DISH Network disable DVR functionality in all but approximately 192,000 digital set-top boxes in the field. The District Court awarded Tivo $103 million in supplemental damages and interest for the period from September 2006 through April 2008, based on an assumed $1.25 per subscriber per month royalty rate. DISH Network posted a bond to secure that award pending appeal of the contempt order.

On July 1, 2009, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals granted a permanent stay of the District Court's contempt order pending resolution of our appeal. In so doing, the Federal Circuit found, at a minimum, that we had a substantial case on the merits. Oral argument on our appeal of the contempt ruling took place on November 2, 2009 before three judges of the Federal Circuit.

The District Court held a hearing on July 28, 2009 on Tivo's claims for contempt sanctions, but has ordered that enforcement of any sanctions award will be stayed pending our appeal of the contempt order. Tivo sought up to $975 million in contempt sanctions for the period from April 2008 to June 2009 based on, among other things, profits Tivo alleges DISH Network made from subscribers using DVRs. We opposed Tivo's request arguing, among other things, that sanctions are inappropriate because we made good faith efforts to comply with the Court's injunction. We also challenged Tivo's calculation of profits.

37


Table of Contents

On August 3, 2009, the Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO") issued an initial office action rejecting the software claims of United States Patent No. 6,233,389 (the'389 patent) as being invalid in light of two prior patents. These are the same software claims that we were found to have infringed and which underlie the contempt ruling now pending on appeal. We believe that the PTO's conclusions are relevant to the issues on appeal as well as the pending sanctions proceedings in the District Court. The PTO's conclusions support our position that our original alternative technology is more than colorably different than the devices found to infringe by the jury; that our original alternative technology does not infringe; and that we acted in good faith to design around Tivo's patent.

On September 4, 2009, the District Court partially granted Tivo's motion for contempt sanctions. In partially granting Tivo's motion for contempt sanctions, the District Court awarded $2.25 per DVR subscriber per month for the period from April 2008 to July 2009 (as compared to the award for supplemental damages for the prior period from September 2006 to April 2008, which was based on an assumed $1.25 per DVR subscriber per month). By the District Court's estimation, the total award for the period from April 2008 to July 2009 is approximately $200 million (the enforcement of the award has been stayed by the District Court pending DISH Network's appeal of the underlying June 2, 2009 contempt order). The District Court also awarded Tivo its attorneys' fees incurred during the contempt proceedings. On February 8, 2010, we and Tivo submitted a stipulation to the District Court that the attorneys' fees and costs, including expert witness fees and costs, that Tivo incurred during the contempt proceedings amount to $6 million.

In light of the District Court's finding of contempt, and its description of the manner in which it believes our original alternative technology infringed the '389 patent, we are also developing and testing potential new alternative technology in an engineering environment. As part of our development process, we downloaded several of our design-around options to less than 1,000 subscribers for "beta" testing.

If we are unsuccessful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, we are not successful in developing and deploying potential new alternative technology and we are unable to reach a license agreement with Tivo on reasonable terms, we would be required to cease distribution of digital set-top boxes with DVR functionality. In that event, our sales of digital set-top boxes to DISH Network and others would likely significantly decrease and could even potentially cease for a period of time. Furthermore, the inability to offer DVR functionality would place us at a significant disadvantage to our competitors and make it even more difficult for us to penetrate new markets for digital set-top boxes. The adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations if the District Court's contempt order is upheld is likely to be significant.

If we are successful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, but unsuccessful in defending against any subsequent claim that our original alternative technology or any potential new alternative technology infringes Tivo's patent, we could be prohibited from distributing DVRs. In that event we would be at a significant disadvantage to our competitors who could continue offering DVR functionality and the adverse effect on our business could be material.

Because both we and DISH Network are defendants in the Tivo lawsuit, we and DISH Network are jointly and severally liable to Tivo for any final damages and sanctions that may be awarded by the Court. DISH Network has agreed that it is obligated under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off to indemnify us for substantially all liability arising from this lawsuit. We have agreed to contribute an amount equal to our $5 million intellectual property liability limit under the Receiver Agreement. We and DISH Network have further agreed that our $5 million contribution would not exhaust our liability to DISH Network for other intellectual property claims that may arise under the Receiver Agreement. Therefore, during the second quarter of 2009, we recorded a charge included in "General and administrative expenses—DISH Network" on our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) of $5 million to reflect this contribution. We and DISH Network

38


Table of Contents


also agreed that we would each be entitled to joint ownership of, and a cross-license to use, any intellectual property developed in connection with any potential new alternative technology.

Because we are jointly and severally liable with DISH Network, to the extent that DISH Network does not or is unable to pay any damages or sanctions arising from this lawsuit, we would then be liable for any portion of these damages and sanctions not paid by DISH Network. Any amounts that DISH Network may be required to pay could impair its ability to pay us and also negatively impact our future liquidity.

If we become liable for any portion of these damages or sanctions, we may be required to raise additional capital at a time and in circumstances in which we would normally not raise capital. Therefore, any capital we raise may be on terms that are unfavorable to us, which might adversely affect our financial position and results of operations and might also impair our ability to raise capital on acceptable terms in the future to fund our own operations and initiatives.

Other

In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

39


Table of Contents


PART II

Item 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

Market Information.    Our Class A common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "SATS." The high and low closing sale prices of our Class A common stock during 2009 and 2008 on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (as reported by Nasdaq) are set forth below.

2009
  High   Low  

First Quarter

  $ 16.64   $ 13.13  

Second Quarter

    17.46     14.54  

Third Quarter

    19.77     14.66  

Fourth Quarter

    20.94     17.85  

 

2008
  High   Low  

First Quarter

  $ 40.16   $ 28.27  

Second Quarter

    38.09     28.29  

Third Quarter

    33.88     24.10  

Fourth Quarter

    23.67     13.04  

As of February 12, 2010, there were approximately 11,081 holders of record of our Class A common stock, not including stockholders who beneficially own Class A common stock held in nominee or street name. As of February 12, 2010, 31,410,825 of the 47,687,039 outstanding shares of our Class B common stock were held by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and the remaining 16,276,214 were held in a trust for members of Mr. Ergen's family. There is currently no trading market for our Class B common stock.

Dividends.    We currently do not intend to declare dividends on our common stock. Payment of any future dividends will depend upon our earnings, capital requirements and other factors the Board of Directors considers appropriate. We currently intend to retain our earnings, if any, to support future growth and expansion although we expect to repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time. See further discussion under "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.    See "Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

40


Table of Contents

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The following table provides information regarding repurchases of our Class A common stock from October 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

Period
  Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
  Average
Price Paid
per Share
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
  Maximum Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
 
 
   
   
   
  (In thousands)
 

October 1 - October 31, 2009

      $       $ 440,619  

November 1 - November 2, 2009

    945   $ 18.01     945   $ 440,602  

November 3, 2009 - November 30, 2009(a)

      $       $ 500,000  

December 1 - December 31, 2009

        $       $ 500,000  
                     

Total

    945           945   $ 500,000  
                     

(a)
In November 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion of our Class A common stock during 2008. Effective November 2008, our Board of Directors extended the plan and authorized a reduction in the maximum dollar value of shares that may be repurchased, such that we were currently authorized to repurchase up to $500 million of our outstanding Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2009, subject to a limitation to purchase no more than 20% of our outstanding common stock. On November 3, 2009, our Board of Directors extended the plan and authorized an increase in the maximum dollar value of shares that may be repurchased under the plan, such that we are currently authorized to repurchase up to $500 million of our outstanding shares through and including December 31, 2010. This authorization is not subject to a limitation to purchase no more than 20% of our outstanding common stock. Purchases under the program may be made through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, subject to market conditions and other factors. We may elect not to purchase all of the shares authorized for repurchase under this program and we may also enter into additional share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors.

Item 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The accompanying consolidated financial statements for 2009 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Within this report, we have included both "combined" financial statements prior to the Spin-off and "consolidated" financial statements following the Spin-off, as discussed below. Throughout the remainder of this report, we refer to both as "consolidated."

After Spin-off—Principles of Consolidation.    The financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the periods presented after the Spin-off are presented on a consolidated basis and represent the "Digital Set-Top Box" business, satellites, digital broadcast operations assets, certain real estate and other net assets contributed to us as part of the Spin-off. We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and variable interest entities where we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary. Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used. All significant intercompany accounts and

41


Table of Contents


transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Prior to Spin-off—Principles of Combination.    The financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the periods presented prior to the Spin-off are presented on a combined basis and principally represent the "Digital Set-Top Box" business and certain other net assets. The assets and liabilities presented have been reflected on a historical basis, as prior to the Spin-off such assets and liabilities were 100% owned by DISH Network. Our historical financial statements do not include the satellites, digital broadcast operations assets, certain real estate and other assets and related liabilities that were contributed to us by DISH Network in the Spin-off. Also, the financial statements for the periods presented prior to the Spin-off do not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had we been a stand-alone entity during the periods presented and do not reflect our combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had we been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

The financial data for the three years ended December 31, 2007 has been derived from our audited financial statements for the corresponding periods. This data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto for the three years ended December 31, 2009, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this report.

The following tables present selected information relating to our consolidated financial condition and results of operations for the past five years.

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,  
Statements of Operations Data:
  2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
 
  (In thousands, except per share amounts)
 

Revenue

  $ 1,903,559   $ 2,150,520   $ 1,544,065   $ 1,525,320   $ 1,513,691  

Total costs and expenses

    1,898,667     2,791,114     1,630,444     1,562,767     1,546,755  
                       

Operating income (loss)

  $ 4,892   $ (640,594 ) $ (86,379 ) $ (37,447 ) $ (33,064 )
                       

Net income (loss)

  $ 364,704   $ (958,188 ) $ (85,300 ) $ (34,162 ) $ (44,940 )
                       

Basic and diluted net income (loss)

 
$

364,704
 
$

(958,188

)

$

(85,300

)

$

(34,162

)

$

(44,940

)

Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding

    85,765     89,324     89,712 (1)   89,712 (1)   89,712 (1)

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding

    86,059     89,324     89,712 (1)   89,712 (1)   89,712 (1)

Basic net income (loss) per share

  $ 4.25   $ (10.73 ) $ (0.95 ) $ (0.38 ) $ (0.50 )

Diluted net income (loss) per share

  $ 4.24   $ (10.73 ) $ (0.95 ) $ (0.38 ) $ (0.50 )

(1)
For all periods prior to the completion of the Spin-off on January 1, 2008, basic and diluted earnings per share are computed using our shares outstanding as of January 1, 2008.

42


Table of Contents

 
  As of December 31,  
Balance Sheet Data:
  2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Cash, cash equivalents and current marketable securities

  $ 829,162   $ 828,661   $ 532,267   $ 323,576   $ 106,109  

Total assets

  $ 3,468,068   $ 2,889,799   $ 1,260,910   $ 517,821   $ 229,392  

Capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, including current portion

  $ 446,369   $ 346,439   $ 3,709   $   $ 495  

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)

  $ 2,664,850   $ 2,211,586   $ 1,207,518   $ 502,283   $ 217,132  

 

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,  
Cash Flow Data:
  2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Net cash flows from:

                               
 

Operating activities

  $ 196,276   $ 118,048   $ (88,109 ) $ (36,374 ) $ (14,193 )
 

Investing activities

  $ (114,278 ) $ (569,742 ) $ (500,767 ) $ (54,781 ) $ (16,700 )
 

Financing activities

  $ (83,135 ) $ 435,079   $ 600,337   $ 104,534   $ 39,782  

43


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Overview

Effective January 1, 2008, DISH Network completed its distribution to us (the "Spin-off") of its set-top box business and certain infrastructure and other assets, including certain of its satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real estate and other assets and related liabilities. We currently operate two primary business units: (i) our "Digital Set-Top Box" business, and (ii) our "Satellite Services" business.

"Digital Set-Top Box" Business

Our "Digital Set-Top Box" business designs, develops and distributes digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, including our Slingbox "placeshifting" technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers, telecommunication and cable companies and, with respect to Slingboxes, directly to consumers via retail outlets. Most of our digital set-top boxes are sold to DISH Network, but we also sell a significant number of digital set-top boxes to Bell TV in Canada, Dish Mexico and other international customers. As part of the Spin-off, DISH Network contributed Sling Media, Inc., a leading innovator in the digital-lifestyle space to us, to complement our existing product line. Slingbox "placeshifting" technology allows consumers to watch and control their home digital video and audio content anywhere in the world via a broadband Internet connection.

Our "Digital Set-Top Box" business also provides digital broadcast operations including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management and other services provided primarily to DISH Network.

We believe opportunities exist to expand our business by selling equipment and services in both the United States and international markets. As a result of our extensive experience with digital set-top boxes and digital broadcast operations, we can provide end-to-end pay TV delivery systems incorporating our satellite and backhaul capacity, customized digital set-top boxes and related components, and network design and management.

During November 2008, we entered into a joint venture for a direct-to-home, or DTH, service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., or Dish Mexico. Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide certain broadcast services and satellite capacity and sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and related equipment to Dish Mexico. Subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approvals and compliance with various other arrangements, we committed to provide approximately $112 million of value over an initial ten year period, of which $74 million has been satisfied in the form of cash, equipment and services, leaving $38 million remaining under this commitment. Of the remaining commitment, approximately $19 million is expected to be paid in cash and the remaining

44


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


amounts may be satisfied in the form of certain services or equipment. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold $36 million of set-top boxes and related accessories to Dish Mexico that are not related to the original commitment associated with our investment in Dish Mexico.

During December 2009, we entered into a joint venture, to provide a DTH service in Taiwan and certain other targeted regions in Asia. We own 50% and have joint control of the entity. Pursuant to these arrangements, we sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and provide certain technical support services. We have provided $18 million of cash, and an $18 million line of credit that the joint venture may only use to purchase set-top boxes from us. As of December 31, 2009, no amounts have been drawn on the line of credit.

Dependence on DISH Network.    We currently depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of the revenue for our "Digital Set-Top Box" business and we expect for the foreseeable future that DISH Network will continue to be the primary source of revenue for each of our businesses. Therefore, our results of operations are and will for the foreseeable future be closely linked to the performance of DISH Network's satellite pay-TV business. In addition, while we expect to sell equipment to other customers, the number of potential new customers for our "Digital Set-Top Box" business is small and may be limited by our common ownership and related management with DISH Network, our current customer concentration is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Changes in DISH Network subscriber growth could have a material adverse affect on our digital set-top box sales. In particular, factors that have an adverse affect on DISH Network may have an adverse impact on us. To the extent that DISH Network subscriber growth decreases as a result of weak economic conditions in the United States or otherwise, sales of our digital set-top boxes to DISH Network may decline.

The impact to us of any weakening of DISH Network subscriber growth may be offset over the near term by an increase in sales to DISH Network resulting from the upgrade of DISH Network subscribers to advanced products such as high definition ("HD") receivers, digital video recorders ("DVRs") and HD DVRs, as well as by the upgrade of DISH Network digital set-top boxes to new technologies such as MPEG-4 digital compression technology or Slingbox placeshifting technology. However, there can be no assurance that any of these factors will mitigate any weakening of subscriber growth at DISH Network. In addition, although we expect DISH Network to continue to purchase products and services from us, there can be no assurance that DISH Network will continue to purchase products and services from us in the future.

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

Our future success may also depend on the extent to which prospective customers that have been competitors of DISH Network are willing to purchase products and services from us. Many of these customers may continue to view us as a competitor as a result of common ownership and related management with DISH Network. If we do not develop relationships with new customers, we may not

45


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


be able to expand our customer base and our ability to increase or even maintain our revenue will be impacted.

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

Furthermore, if we do not continue to distinguish our products through distinctive, technologically advanced features and design, as well as continue to build and strengthen our brand recognition, our business could be harmed as we may not be able to effectively compete on price alone in both domestic and international markets against low cost competitors that are principally located in Asia. If we do not otherwise compete effectively, demand for our products could decline, our gross margins could decrease, we could lose market share, our revenues and earnings may decline and our growth prospects would be diminished.

The economic downturn and tightened credit markets may cause certain suppliers that we rely on to cease operations which, in turn, may cause us to suffer disruptions to our supply chain or incur higher production costs.

Our ability to sustain or increase profitability will also depend in large part on our ability to control or reduce our costs of producing digital set-top boxes. The market for our digital set-top boxes, like other electronic products, has been characterized by regular reductions in selling prices and production costs. Therefore, we will likely be required to reduce production costs to maintain the margins we earn on digital set-top boxes and the profitability of our "Digital Set-Top Box" business. Our ability to reduce production costs could be impacted by the economic conditions which could cause inflated pricing as a result of a shortage of available parts.

"Satellite Services" Business

Our satellite services segment consists principally of transponder leasing provided primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to government entities, Internet service providers, broadcast news organizations and private enterprise customers. We also deliver our ViP-TV transport service, offering MPEG-4 encoded Internet Protocol, or IP, streams of video and audio channels to telecommunication companies and small cable operators. We began operating the "Satellite Services" business following the completion of the Spin-off using our owned and leased in-orbit satellites, multiple digital broadcast centers and other transmission assets. We are also pursuing expanding our business offerings by providing value added services such as telemetry, tracking and control services to third parties. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to effectively compete against our competitors due to their significant resources and operating history.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") has allocated $7.2 billion to expand access to broadband services. Of this amount, $2.5 billion is administered by the Rural Utilities Service

46


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

("RUS") for deployment of broadband projects in rural, unserved and underserved communities across the United States and $4.7 billion has been allocated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") of the United States Department of Commerce to fund broadband initiatives throughout the U.S, including unserved and underserved areas. Our proposals for broadband stimulus funds in the first round of funding were not granted. The agencies have announced a second round of funding that will total several billion dollars. This will include a set-aside of as least $100 million for satellite projects. We are currently evaluating whether to submit second round applications for funding and we cannot be sure if any such applications will be granted, or that they will be granted on acceptable terms. If any of our applications are granted and we accept the terms of such grant(s), we may become subject to certain regulations promulgated by the agencies.

Dependence on DISH Network.    We currently depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of the revenue for our "Satellite Services" business. Therefore, our results of operations are and will for the foreseeable future be closely linked to the performance of DISH Network's satellite pay-TV business.

While we expect to continue to provide satellite services to DISH Network for the foreseeable future, its satellite capacity requirements may change for a variety of reasons, including the launch of its own additional satellites. Any termination or reduction in the services we provide to DISH Network would increase excess capacity on our satellites and require that we aggressively pursue alternative sources of revenue for this business.

During September 2009, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with DISH Network for capacity on the Nimiq 5 satellite. Pursuant to this agreement, DISH Network will receive service from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by our satellite service agreement with Telesat. DISH Network began receiving service on 16 of these DBS transponders upon service commencement of the satellite on October 10, 2009 and will receive service on the remaining 16 DBS transponders over a phase-in period that will be completed in 2012.

During November 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with DISH Network for capacity on the QuetzSat-1 satellite. QuetzSat-1 is expected to be launched in 2011 and will operate at the 77 degree orbital location. Pursuant to this agreement, DISH Network will receive service from us on 24 of the 32 DBS transponders covered by our satellite service agreement with SES Latin America S.A. ("SES").

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

Additional Challenges for our "Satellite Services" Business.    Our ability to expand revenues in the "Satellite Services" business will likely require that we displace incumbent suppliers that generally have well established business models and often benefit from long-term contracts with customers. As a result, to grow our "Satellite Services" business we may need to develop or otherwise acquire access to new satellite-delivered services so that we may offer customers differentiated services. In addition, as our satellite fleet ages, we will be required to evaluate replacement alternatives such as acquiring, leasing or constructing additional satellites, with or without customer commitments for capacity.

However, there can be no assurance that we would be able to develop successful alternative services or the sales and marketing expertise necessary to sell such services profitably.

47


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Adverse Economic Conditions

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

Furthermore, unfavorable events in the economy, including continued or further deterioration in the credit and equity markets could cause consumer demand for pay-TV services and consequently sales of our digital set-top boxes to DISH Network, Bell TV and other international customers to decline materially because consumers may delay purchasing decisions or reduce or reallocate their discretionary spending.

Future Capital Sources

We primarily rely on our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances, as well as cash flow generated through operations to fund our investment needs. In addition, we will receive $103 million during the first quarter 2010 from DISH Network for the assignment of a launch contract. Since we currently depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of our revenue, our cash flow from operations depend heavily on their needs for equipment and services. As a result, there can be no assurances that we will always have positive cash flows from operations and should our cash flows turn negative, our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances may be reduced. In addition, if we are unsuccessful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, we are not successful in developing and deploying potential new alternative technology and we are unable to reach a license agreement with Tivo on reasonable terms, we would be required to cease distribution of digital set-top boxes with DVR functionality. In that event, our sales of digital set-top boxes to DISH Network and others would likely significantly decrease and could even potentially cease for a period of time. Furthermore, the inability to offer DVR functionality would place us at a significant disadvantage to our competitors and make it even more difficult for us to penetrate new markets for digital set-top boxes. The adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations if the District Court's contempt order is upheld is likely to be significant.

If we are successful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, but unsuccessful in defending against any subsequent claim that our original alternative technology or any potential new alternative technology infringes Tivo's patent, we could be prohibited from distributing DVRs. In that event we would be at a significant disadvantage to our competitors who could continue offering DVR functionality and the adverse effect on our business could be material.

Because both we and DISH Network are defendants in the Tivo lawsuit, we and DISH Network are jointly and severally liable to Tivo for any final damages and sanctions that may be awarded by the

48


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


Court. DISH Network has agreed that it is obligated under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off to indemnify us for substantially all liability arising from this lawsuit. We have agreed to contribute an amount equal to our $5 million intellectual property liability limit under the Receiver Agreement. We and DISH Network have further agreed that our $5 million contribution would not exhaust our liability to DISH Network for other intellectual property claims that may arise under the Receiver Agreement. Therefore, during the second quarter of 2009, we recorded a charge included in "General and administrative expenses—DISH Network" on our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) of $5 million to reflect this contribution. We and DISH Network also agreed that we would each be entitled to joint ownership of, and a cross-license to use, any intellectual property developed in connection with any potential new alternative technology.

Because we are jointly and severally liable with DISH Network, to the extent that DISH Network does not or is unable to pay any damages or sanctions arising from this lawsuit, we would then be liable for any portion of these damages and sanctions not paid by DISH Network. Any amounts that DISH Network may be required to pay could impair its ability to pay us and also negatively impact our future liquidity.

If we become liable for any portion of these damages or sanctions, we may be required to raise additional capital at a time and in circumstances in which we would normally not raise capital. Therefore, any capital we raise may be on terms that are unfavorable to us, which might adversely affect our financial position and results of operations and might also impair our ability to raise capital on acceptable terms in the future to fund our own operations and initiatives.

Other Risks

Our profitability is affected by our marketable investment securities which are accounted for at fair value. These securities had a fair value of $434 million and $108 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The fluctuations in fair value of these investments are recorded in "Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and directly impact our profitability. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded a $313 million gain on these investments compared to a $318 million loss for the same period in 2008. These investments are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience significant volatility. The fair value of these investments can be significantly impacted by the risk of adverse changes in securities markets generally, as well as risks related to the performance of the company whose securities we have invested in, their ability to obtain sufficient capital to execute their business plans, risks associated with their specific industries, and other factors.

Our profitability is also affected by costs associated with our efforts to expand our sales, marketing, product development and general and administrative capabilities in all of our businesses. As we expand internationally, we may also incur additional costs to conform our digital set-top boxes to comply with local laws or local specifications and to ship our digital set-top boxes to our international customers.

2008 Impairments of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived and Long-Lived Assets

For the year ended December 31, 2009, following periodic assessments of the carrying value of our tangible and intangible assets, we recorded no impairments.

For the year ended December 31, 2008, following periodic assessments of the carrying value of our tangible and intangible assets, we recorded impairments of our AMC-14, AMC-15, AMC-16 and

49


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


CMBStar satellites, certain FCC licenses and the fair value of goodwill carried in our "Digital Set-Top Box" business, detailed below.

Satellites

AMC-14 Casualty Loss.    During 2008, AMC-14 experienced a launch anomaly and failed to reach its intended orbit. SES Americom subsequently declared the AMC-14 satellite a total loss due to a lack of viable options to reposition the satellite to its proper geostationary orbit. Therefore, we have no obligation to make any future monthly lease payments to SES Americom with respect to the satellite. However, we did make up-front payments with respect to the satellite prior to launch and recorded capitalized interest and insurance costs related to the satellite. These amounts, net of insurance proceeds of $41 million, totaled $13 million and were written-off during 2008 and were attributed to our "Satellite Services" segment.

AMC-15 and AMC-16 Impairments.    In connection with the Spin-off, we assumed satellite lease agreements for AMC-15 and AMC-16, two in-orbit satellites with substantial unused satellite capacity. These assets are part of our "Satellite Services" business. These satellites had substantial unused capacity, our initial business plan contemplated that we would generate cash inflows sufficient to support their carrying values. However, due to fewer opportunities for profitable alternative uses of the satellite capacity and lower demand for satellite services due to the weak economy, we determined that an impairment triggering event had occurred. Based on the results of our 2008 impairment analysis, we recorded impairment charges of aggregating $218 million with respect to these satellites, although we continue to explore opportunities to generate revenues from these assets.

CMBStar Impairment.    In connection with the Spin-off, DISH Network contributed to us a satellite under construction, CMBStar. In April 2008, we notified the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of China that we were suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite pending, among other things, further analysis relating to efforts to meet the satellite performance criteria and/or confirmation that alternative performance criteria would be acceptable. During the second and third quarters of 2008, we continued to explore remedies and alternative uses for this satellite. During the fourth quarter of 2008, there were significant adverse change in the business climate and we were unable to secure a commercial agreement for an alternative use. As a result, we performed an impairment analysis which determined that the undiscounted cash flows would not recover the carrying amount of this satellite. Based on the results of our impairment analysis, we recorded an impairment charge of $85 million with respect to CMBStar. We continue to explore alternative uses for this satellite, including potentially reconfiguring the satellite and shifting its proposed orbital location in a manner that would be more cost effective than designing and constructing a new satellite.

Digital Set-Top Business Goodwill Impairment.    In 2008, the estimated fair value of our reporting units was based on discounted cash flow models derived from internal forecasts. Goodwill carried in our "Digital Set-Top Box" business, primarily related to our 2007 acquisition of Sling Media. Assessment of goodwill requires that we consider, among other factors, the fair value of our net assets as compared to our current equity market capitalization. In the fourth quarter 2008, our stock price was negatively impacted by, among other things, the deteriorating macroeconomic environment and market liquidity and our common stock traded at a discount to our book value, which was an indication of a possible goodwill impairment. As a result of our impairment analysis, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $247 million. Notwithstanding the goodwill impairment, we continue to capitalize on the Sling's "placeshifting" technology that allows consumers to watch and control their Pay TV content via a broadband internet connection.

50


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Basis of Presentation

Within this report, we have included both "combined" financial statements prior to the Spin-off and "consolidated" financial statements following the Spin-off, as discussed below. Throughout the remainder of this report, we refer to both as "consolidated."

After Spin-off—Principles of Consolidation.    The financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the periods presented after the Spin-off are presented on a consolidated basis and represent the "Digital Set-Top Box" business, satellites, digital broadcast operations assets, certain real estate and other net assets contributed to us as part of the Spin-off. We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and variable interest entities where we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary. Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Prior to Spin-off—Principles of Combination.    The financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the periods presented prior to the Spin-off are presented on a combined basis and principally represent the "Digital Set-Top Box" business and certain other net assets. The assets and liabilities presented have been reflected on a historical basis, as prior to the Spin-off such assets and liabilities were 100% owned by DISH Network. Our historical financial statements do not include the satellites, digital broadcast operations assets, certain real estate and other assets and related liabilities that were contributed to us by DISH Network in the Spin-off. Also, the financial statements for the periods presented prior to the Spin-off do not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had we been a stand-alone entity during the periods presented and do not reflect our combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had we been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Our historical statements of operations include expense allocations for certain corporate functions historically provided to us by DISH Network, including, among other things, treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, investor relations and information technology. In certain cases, these allocations were made on a specific identification basis. Otherwise, the expenses related to services provided to us by DISH Network were allocated to us based on the relative percentages, as compared to DISH Network's other businesses, of headcount or other appropriate methods depending on the nature of each item of cost to be allocated. Pursuant to transition services agreements we entered into with DISH Network prior to the Spin-off, DISH Network has continued to provide us with certain of these services at prices agreed upon by DISH Network and us for a period of two years from the date of the Spin-off at cost plus an additional amount that is equal to a fixed percentage of DISH Network's cost, which is believed to be fair value pricing.

Acquisition of Sling Media, Inc.    Our financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Sling Media, Inc. ("Sling Media") from the acquisition date of October 19, 2007.

51


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS

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

Equipment revenue—other.    "Equipment revenue—other" primarily includes sales of digital set-top boxes and related components to Bell TV, Dish Mexico and other international and domestic customers, including sales of Slingboxes and related hardware products.

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

Services and other revenue—other.    "Services and other revenue—other" primarily includes revenue associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking and other services provided to customers other than DISH Network.

Cost of sales—equipment.    "Cost of sales—equipment" principally includes costs associated with digital set-top boxes and related components sold to DISH Network, Bell TV, Dish Mexico and other international and domestic customers, including costs associated with Slingboxes and related hardware products.

Cost of sales—services and other.    "Cost of sales—services and other" principally includes costs associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking, signal processing, conditional access management, telemetry, tracking and control, professional services, facilities rental revenue, and other services.

Research and development expenses.    "Research and development expenses" consist primarily of costs associated with the design and development of our digital set-top boxes, Slingboxes and related components, including among other things, salaries and consulting fees.

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

Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets.    "Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets" consists primarily of impairments of goodwill, FCC authorizations and satellites.

Interest income.    "Interest income" consists primarily of interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities, including accretion on debt securities.

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.    "Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized" primarily includes interest expense associated with our capital lease obligations.

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

52


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


consists primarily of gains and losses realized on the sale or exchange of investments and "other-than-temporary" impairments of marketable and other investment securities.

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

Other, net.    The main component of "Other, net" is primarily equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA").    EBITDA is defined as "Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common shareholders" plus "Interest expense" net of "Interest income," "Income taxes" and "Depreciation and amortization." This "non-GAAP measure" is reconciled to "Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common shareholders" in our discussion of "Results of Operations" below.

53


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2008.

 
  For the Years Ended
December 31,
  Variance  
 
  2009   2008   Amount   %  
 
  (In thousands)
   
   
 

Revenue:

                         

Equipment revenue—DISH Network

  $ 1,174,763   $ 1,491,556   $ (316,793 )   (21.2 )

Equipment revenue—other

    302,787     246,655     56,132     22.8  

Services and other revenue—DISH Network

    373,226     367,890     5,336     1.5  

Services and other revenue—other

    52,783     44,419     8,364     18.8  
                   
 

Total revenue

    1,903,559     2,150,520     (246,961 )   (11.5 )
                   

Costs and Expenses:

                         

Cost of sales—equipment

    1,267,172     1,494,641     (227,469 )   (15.2 )
   

% of Total equipment revenue

    85.8 %   86.0 %            

Cost of sales—services and other

    203,123     220,817     (17,694 )   (8.0 )
   

% of Total services and other revenue

    47.7 %   53.6 %            

Research and development expenses

    44,009     34,901     9,108     26.1  
   

% of Total revenue

    2.3 %   1.6 %            

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    140,234     163,813     (23,579 )   (14.4 )
   

% of Total revenue

    7.4 %   7.6 %            

Depreciation and amortization

    244,129     264,197     (20,068 )   (7.6 )

Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets

        612,745     (612,745 )   (100.0 )
                   
   

Total costs and expenses

    1,898,667     2,791,114     (892,447 )   (32.0 )
                   

Operating income (loss)

    4,892     (640,594 )   645,486     NM  
                   

Other Income (Expense):

                         

Interest income

    26,441     34,694     (8,253 )   (23.8 )

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

    (32,315 )   (31,909 )   (406 )   (1.3 )

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

    119,461     (89,795 )   209,256     NM  

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

    313,000     (317,994 )   630,994     NM  

Other, net

    (6,120 )   (9,270 )   3,150     34.0  
                   
   

Total other income (expense)

    420,467     (414,274 )   834,741     NM  
                   

Income (loss) before income taxes

    425,359     (1,054,868 )   1,480,227     NM  

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

    (60,655 )   96,680     (157,335 )   NM  
   

Effective tax rate

    14.3 %   9.2 %            
                   

Net income (loss)

  $ 364,704   $ (958,188 ) $ 1,322,892     NM  
                   

Other Data:

                         

EBITDA

  $ 675,362   $ (793,456 ) $ 1,468,818     NM  
                   

54


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Equipment revenue—DISH Network.    "Equipment revenue—DISH Network" totaled $1.175 billion during the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of $317 million or 21.2% compared to the same period in 2008. This change related primarily to a decrease in unit sales of set-top boxes, a decline in average revenue per unit and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in accessory sales. The decline in average revenue per unit was driven by continued manufacturing efficiencies and a change to one of our component vendor contracts. This contract change reduced our set-top box costs for 2009 and 2008, which resulted in a corresponding reduction in revenue of $40 million. Pursuant to the receiver agreement, discussed below, set-top boxes are sold to DISH Network at cost plus a fixed margin resulting in a decline in revenue per unit when lower set-top box costs are incurred.

In the near term, we expect DISH Network to remain the primary customer of our "Digital Set-Top Box" business and the primary source of our total revenue. Pursuant to the commercial agreements we entered into with DISH Network, we are obligated to sell digital set-top boxes to DISH Network through January 1, 2011, although DISH Network has no obligation to purchase digital set-top boxes from us during or after this period. In addition, if DISH Network's subscriber growth declines, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

Equipment revenue—other.    "Equipment revenue—other" totaled $303 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $56 million or 22.8% compared to the same period in 2008. This change resulted primarily from sales of $36 million to Dish Mexico, and a $20 million increase in sales to Bell TV. Although the number of units sold to Bell TV increased, the average revenue per unit to Bell TV decreased compared to the same period in 2008 due to a change in sales mix and as a result of the early 2009 amendment to our agreement with Bell TV, discussed below. The sales to Dish Mexico were in addition to the original commitment associated with our investment in Dish Mexico.

A substantial majority of our international revenue during the year ended December 31, 2009 was attributable to sales of equipment to Bell TV. In early 2009, we completed a multi-year contract extension with Bell TV that makes us the exclusive provider of certain digital set-top boxes to Bell TV. The agreement includes fixed pricing over the term of the agreement as well as providing future engineering development for enhanced Bell TV service offerings. There can be no assurance that sales to Bell TV will continue at historical levels, and any decline could adversely affect our gross margins and profitability.

Services and other revenue—DISH Network.    "Services and other revenue—DISH Network" totaled $373 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $5 million or 1.5% compared to the same period in 2008. The change was driven primarily by an increase in uplink services provided to DISH Network related to support for new satellites and new services like HD programming, partially offset by a decrease in transponder leasing and other services provided to DISH Network.

During October 2009, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with DISH Network for capacity on the Nimiq 5 satellite. Pursuant to this agreement, DISH Network will receive service from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by our transponder contract with Telesat. DISH Network began receiving service on 16 of these DBS transponders upon service commencement of the satellite on October 10, 2009 and will receive service on the remaining 16 DBS transponders over a phase-in period that will be completed in 2012.

Services and other revenue—other.    "Services and other revenue—other" totaled $53 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $8 million or 18.8% compared to the same period in 2008. The change was driven primarily by an increase in transponder leasing provided to customers other than DISH Network.

55


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Cost of sales—equipment.    "Cost of sales—equipment" totaled $1.267 billion during the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of $227 million or 15.2% compared to the same period in 2008. This change primarily resulted from a decrease in sales to DISH Network, partially offset by sales to Dish Mexico and an increase in sales to Bell TV. "Cost of sales—equipment" represented 85.8% and 86.0% of total equipment sales during the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Cost of sales—services and other.    "Cost of sales—services and other" totaled $203 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of $18 million or 8.0% compared to the same period in 2008. This change primarily resulted from a decrease in costs associated with fiber backhaul and a decline in other services provided to DISH Network. "Cost of sales—services and other" represented 47.7% and 53.6% of total "Services and other revenue" during the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The improvement in this expense to revenue ratio was primarily driven by an increase in transponder leasing and uplink services revenue with relatively low variable costs.

Research and development expenses. "Research and development expenses" totaled $44 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $9 million or 26.1% compared to the same period in 2008. This increase was related to the development of set-top box products for domestic and international cable, direct-to-home and IPTV customers, including the development and integration of Slingbox placeshifting technology into existing and future products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.    "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $140 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of $24 million or 14.4% compared to the same period in 2008. This decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction of our marketing and advertising expenses for Slingboxes and related hardware products and the collection of previously reserved receivables. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" represented 7.4% and 7.6% of "Total revenue" during the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease in the ratio of the expenses to "Total revenue" was primarily attributable to the decrease in "Total revenue" relative to the decrease in expense, previously discussed.

Depreciation and amortization.    "Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $244 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a $20 million or 7.6% decrease compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease in "Depreciation and amortization" expense was primarily due to less depreciation expense on AMC-15 and AMC-16, which we impaired in 2008 by a combined amount of $218 million. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense mainly associated with uplink equipment placed in service during 2009.

Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets.    "Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets" totaled $613 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 and resulted from impairments of goodwill, satellites, and FCC authorizations.

Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments.    "Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments" totaled a net gain of $119 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a $209 million increase compared to the same period in 2008. This change was attributable to an increase in net gains of $42 million on the sale and exchange of marketable and non-marketable investment securities and a decline of $167 million in impairments on our marketable and other investment securities during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

56


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net.    "Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net" totaled a net gain of $313 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, a $631 million increase compared to the same period in 2008. This change is attributable to increases in fair value related to investments accounted for under the fair value method.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.    EBITDA was $675 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $1.469 billion compared to the same period in 2008. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2009 was positively impacted by changes in "Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments" of $209 million and "Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net" of $631 million and "Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets" of $613 million. The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 
  For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2009   2008  
 
  (In thousands)
 

EBITDA

  $ 675,362   $ (793,456 )

Less:

             
 

Interest expense, net

    5,874     (2,785 )
 

Income tax provision, net

    60,655     (96,680 )
 

Depreciation and amortization

    244,129     264,197  
           

Net income (loss)

  $ 364,704   $ (958,188 )
           

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

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.    During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded an income tax provision totaling $61 million, an increase of $157 million compared to the same period in 2008. This change resulted primarily from the increase in "Income (loss) before income taxes," partially offset by the increase in our effective tax rate. During the year ended December 31, 2009, our effective tax rate was positively impacted by the release of $105 million of certain previously recognized valuation allowances established against certain deferred tax assets that are capital in nature. During the year ended December 31, 2008 our effective tax rate was negatively impacted by the establishment of a $178 million valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses on marketable investment securities accounted for at fair value and the impairment of certain marketable and non-marketable investment securities.

57


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Net income (loss).    Our net income was $365 million during the year ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $1.323 billion compared to the same period in 2008. This increase was primarily attributable to the changes in revenue and expenses discussed above.

The December 31, 2008 financial statements were revised to reflect an immaterial adjustment. See Note 2 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15.

58


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2007.

 
  For the Years Ended
December 31,
  Variance  
 
  2008   2007   Amount   %  
 
  (In thousands)
   
   
 

Revenue:

                         

Equipment revenue—DISH Network

  $ 1,491,556   $ 1,280,296   $ 211,260     16.5  

Equipment revenue—other

    246,655     247,213     (558 )   (0.2 )

Services and other revenue—DISH Network

    367,890     13,677     354,213     NM  

Services and other revenue—other

    44,419     2,879     41,540     NM  
                   
 

Total revenue

    2,150,520     1,544,065     606,455     39.3  
                   

Costs and Expenses:

                         

Cost of sales—equipment

    1,494,641     1,437,712     56,929     4.0  
   

% of Total equipment revenue

    86.0 %   94.1 %            

Cost of sales—services and other

    220,817     16,272     204,545     NM  
   

% of Total services and other revenue

    53.6 %   98.3 %            

Research and development expenses

    34,901     66,320     (31,419 )   (47.4 )
   

% of Total revenue

    1.6 %   4.3 %            

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    163,813     100,435     63,378     63.1  
   

% of Total revenue

    7.6 %   6.5 %            

Depreciation and amortization

    264,197     9,705     254,492     NM  

Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets

    612,745         612,745     NM  
                   
   

Total costs and expenses

    2,791,114     1,630,444     1,160,670     71.2  
                   

Operating income (loss)

    (640,594 )   (86,379 )   (554,215 )   NM  
                   

Other Income (Expense):

                         

Interest income

    34,694     10,459     24,235     NM  

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

    (31,909 )   (796 )   (31,113 )   NM  

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

    (89,795 )   3,071     (92,866 )   NM  

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

    (317,994 )       (317,994 )   NM  

Other, net

    (9,270 )   (9,550 )   280     2.9  
                   
   

Total other income (expense)

    (414,274 )   3,184     (417,458 )   NM  
                   

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (1,054,868 )   (83,195 )   (971,673 )   NM  

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

    96,680     (2,105 )   98,785     NM  
   

Effective tax rate

    9.2 %   2.5 %            
                   

Net income (loss)

  $ (958,188 ) $ (85,300 ) $ (872,888 )   NM  
                   

Other Data:

                         

EBITDA

  $ (793,456 ) $ (83,153 ) $ (710,303 )   NM  
                   

Equipment revenue—DISH Network.    "Equipment revenue—DISH Network" totaled $1.492 billion during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $211 million or 16.5% compared to the same period in 2007. This change resulted primarily from an increase in the margins earned on the sale of

59


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


digital set-top boxes and related components sold to DISH Network. Following the Spin-off, digital set-top boxes and related components, which were previously sold to DISH Network at cost, are sold at cost plus an agreed upon margin, discussed below. In addition, this change resulted from an increase in the sale of advanced digital set-top boxes, such as HD receivers and HD DVRs, and related components, partially offset by a decrease in unit sales of digital set-top boxes.

Equipment revenue—other.    "Equipment revenue—other" totaled $247 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007. In 2008, the increases in sales of digital set-top boxes and related components to Bell TV and in the sales of Slingboxes and related equipment were offset by a decrease in the sales of digital set-top boxes and related components to other international customers.

Services and other revenue—DISH Network.    "Services and other revenue—DISH Network" totaled $368 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $354 million compared to the same period during 2007. This change principally resulted from the sales of services to DISH Network including satellite and transponder leasing, digital broadcast operations, professional fees and other services in connection with the Spin-off.

Services and other revenue—other.    "Services and other revenue—other" totaled $44 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $42 million compared to the same period during 2007. This change principally resulted from the increase in satellite and transponder leasing and other services provided to customers other than DISH Network which we started to provide after the Spin-off.

Cost of sales—equipment.    "Cost of sales—equipment" totaled $1.495 billion during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $57 million or 4.0% compared to the same period in 2007. This change primarily resulted from an increase in sales of digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network and Bell TV and an increase in the sales of Slingboxes and related equipment, partially offset by a decrease in the cost of sales to other international customers. "Cost of sales—equipment" represented 86.0% and 94.1% of total equipment sales during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Prior to the Spin-off, digital set-top boxes and related components were historically sold to DISH Network at cost. The decrease in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from the sale of digital set-top boxes and related components sold to DISH Network at cost plus a fixed margin, offset by a decline in margins on sales of digital set-top boxes and related components to Bell TV during the year ended December 31, 2008.

Cost of sales—services and other.    "Cost of sales—services and other" totaled $221 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $205 million compared to the same period in 2007. This increase principally resulted from the costs associated with digital broadcast operations and professional services primarily provided to DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off. "Satellite services, digital broadcast operations and other cost of sales" represented 53.6% and 98.3% of total "Satellite services, digital broadcast operations and other revenue" during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in this expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from the introduction of DISH Network sales with margins which did not exist in the prior year. The majority of the costs associated with our satellites utilized in our "Satellite Services" business are included in "Depreciation and amortization" expense discussed below.

Research and development expenses.    "Research and development expenses" totaled $35 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of $31 million or 47.4% compared to the same period in 2007. The 2007 amount includes $22 million of in-process research and development costs associated

60


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


with the acquisition of Sling Media during 2007. "Research and development expenses" represented 1.6% and 4.3% of "Total revenue" during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in the ratio of those expenses to "Total revenue" was primarily attributable to the decrease in the expenses discussed above.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.    "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $164 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $63 million or 63.1% compared to the same period in 2007. This increase was attributable to selling costs and certain management and administrative expenses including non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, primarily associated with the acquisition of Sling Media in 2007. In addition, this change resulted from an increase in our allowance for uncollectible accounts in 2008. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" represented 7.6% and 6.5% of "Total revenue" during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in the ratio of those expenses to "Total revenue" was primarily attributable to the increase in expenses relative to the growth in revenue, discussed previously.

Depreciation and amortization.    "Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $264 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, a $254 million increase compared to the same period in 2007. The increase was primarily attributable to expense associated with the contribution of satellites, digital broadcast assets, real estate and other assets by DISH Network to us in connection with the Spin-off.

Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets.    "Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets" of $613 million during the year ended December 31, 2008 resulted from impairments of goodwill, satellites, and FCC authorizations. See Note 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 and "Item 1. Business—Asset Impairments" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Interest income.    "Interest income" totaled $35 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, a $24 million increase compared to the same period in 2007. This increase resulted from the interest earned on cash and marketable investment securities contributed by DISH Network to us in the Spin-off.

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized.    "Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized" totaled $32 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, a $31 million increase compared to the same period in 2007. This change resulted from the interest expense associated with capital leases contributed by DISH Network to us in the Spin-off.

Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments.    "Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments" totaled a net loss of $90 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, a $93 million increase compared to the same period in 2007. This increase was primarily attributable to the $174 million of other-than-temporary impairments of marketable investment securities and other investments, partially offset by a $68 million gain on the sale of a company which held certain FCC authorizations for a publicly traded stock.

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net.    "Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net" totaled a net loss of $318 million during the year ended December 31, 2008. This change is attributable to decreases in fair value related to investments accounted for under the fair value method. See Note 4 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

61


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.    EBITDA was a negative $793 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, a decrease of $710 million compared to the same period in 2007. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2008 was negatively impacted by: (i) the impairment of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets of $613 million, (ii) $90 million of unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments, and (iii) $318 million of unrealized losses on investments accounted for at fair value discussed above. The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.

 
  For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
  2008   2007  
 
  (In thousands)
 

EBITDA

  $ (793,456 ) $ (83,153 )

Less:

             
 

Interest expense, net

    (2,785 )   (9,663 )
 

Income tax provision, net

    (96,680 )   2,105  
 

Depreciation and amortization

    264,197     9,705  
           

Net income (loss)

  $ (958,188 ) $ (85,300 )
           

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

Income tax (provision) benefit, net.    Our income tax benefit was $97 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $99 million compared to the same period in 2007. This increase was primarily attributable to losses before income taxes, partially offset by the establishment of a $178 million valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses on marketable investment securities and other investments.

Net income (loss).    Our net loss was $958 million during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $873 million compared to the same period in 2007. This increase was primarily attributable to: (i) the impairment of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets of $613 million, (ii) $90 of unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments, and (iii) $318 million of unrealized losses on investments accounted for at fair value discussed above.

The December 31, 2008 financial statements were revised to reflect an immaterial adjustment. See Note 2 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

62


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities

We consider all liquid investments purchased within 90 days of their maturity to be cash equivalents. See "Item 7A.—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion regarding our marketable investment securities. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities totaled $829 million. The cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities activity was primarily related to cash generated from operations of $196 million and net sales of marketable investment securities of $223 million partially offset by capital expenditures of $214 million, purchases of strategic investments of $114 million, the repayment of capital lease obligation, mortgages and other notes payable of $56 million and repurchases of our Class A common stock of $30 million.

We have investments in various debt and equity instruments including corporate bonds, corporate equity securities, government bonds, and variable rate demand notes ("VRDNs"). VRDNs are long-term floating rate municipal bonds with embedded put options that allow the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest. All of the put options are secured by a pledged liquidity source. Our VRDN portfolio is comprised of investments in many municipalities, which are backed by financial institutions or other highly rated companies that serve as the pledged liquidity source. While they are classified as marketable investment securities, the put option allows VRDNs to be liquidated on a same day or on a five business day settlement basis. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we held VRDNs with fair values of $399 million and $622 million, respectively.

The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.

Cash flows from operating activities.    We typically reinvest the cash flow from operating activities in our business. For the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, we reported net cash inflows from operating activities of $196 million and $118 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we reported cash outflows from operating activities of $88 million.

The $78 million improvement in net cash inflows from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 was primarily attributable to an increase in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $19 million and an increase in net income of $57 million adjusted to exclude non-cash changes in: (i) "Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets" (ii) "Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net," (iii) "Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments" (iv) "Depreciation and amortization" expense, and (v) "Deferred tax expense (benefit)."

The $206 million improvement in net cash inflows from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily attributable to a $242 million increase in net income, adjusted to exclude non-cash changes in: (i) "Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets," (ii) "Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net," (iii) "Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments," (iv) "Depreciation and amortization" expense, and (v) "Deferred tax expense (benefit)."

This increase was partially offset by a decline in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $26 million, including a $276 million increase in net receivables from DISH Network,

63


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


partially offset by an increase in cash inflows related to changes in accounts payable of $151 million and in accrued expenses of $60 million.

Prior to the Spin-off, our operating cash flows did not necessarily reflect what our operating cash flow would have been as a separate company as our historical operations did not include our "Satellite Services Business" and our equipment sales were provided to DISH Network at cost.

Cash flows from investing activities.    Our investing activities generally include purchases and sales of marketable investment securities, capital expenditures and strategic investments. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we reported net cash outflows from investing activities of $114 million, $570 million and $501 million, respectively.

The decrease in net cash outflows from investing activities from 2008 to 2009 of $455 million primarily resulted from net sales of marketable investment securities of $450 million.

The increase in net cash outflows from investing activities from 2007 to 2008 of $69 million primarily resulted from an increase in net purchases of marketable investment securities, an increase in cash used for purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by a decrease in cash used for the purchases of strategic investments, including the effect of the 2007 acquisition of Sling Media.

Cash flows from financing activities.    Our financing activities generally include cash used for payment of capital lease obligations, mortgages or other notes payable, and repurchases of our Class A common stock. For the year ended December 31, 2009 we reported net cash outflows from financing activities of $83 million. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 we reported net cash inflows from financing activities of $435 million and $600 million, respectively.

The decline in net cash flow from financing activities from 2008 to 2009 of $518 million principally resulted from the 2008 contribution from DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off of $544 million, partially offset by a decrease in repurchases of common stock during 2009 compared to 2008.

The decrease in net cash inflow from financing activities from 2007 to 2008 of $165 million principally resulted from the repurchase of common stock of $68 million, repayment of debt of $47 million and a $601 million decrease in advances from owner, partially offset by the $544 million contribution from DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off.

Satellites

As our satellite fleet ages, we will be required to evaluate replacement alternatives such as acquiring, leasing or constructing additional satellites, with or without customer commitments for capacity.

64


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Obligations and Future Capital Requirements

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement

As of December 31, 2009 future maturities of our contractual obligations are summarized as follows:

 
  Payments due by period  
 
  Total   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   Thereafter  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Long-term debt obligations

  $ 7,235   $ 693   $ 748   $ 808   $ 873   $ 942   $ 3,171  

Capital lease obligations

    439,134     53,513     56,828     62,893     69,461     72,491     123,948  

Interest expense on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

    218,871     39,502     34,668     29,337     23,442     16,925     74,997  

Satellite-related obligations

    1,336,936     230,099     195,575     121,322     88,226     84,977     616,737  

Operating lease obligations

    13,059     6,153     3,899     1,700     847     460      

Purchase and other obligations

    730,693     728,493     2,200                  
                               

Total

  $ 2,745,928   $ 1,058,453   $ 293,918   $ 216,060   $ 182,849   $ 175,795   $ 818,853  
                               

The above table reflects the revision of previously reported amounts for "Purchase and other obligations." As a result, total "Purchase and other obligations" as of December 31, 2009 was revised from approximately $494 million as originally filed on March 1, 2010 in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 to approximately $731 million, as reported above. Therefore, "Total Commitments" as of December 31, 2009 was revised from approximately $2.509 billion as originally filed on March 1, 2010 in our Form 10-K for the year ended on December 31, 2009 to approximately $2.746 billion, as reported above.

The table above does not include $15 million of liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits which were accrued, discussed in Note 10 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009. We do not expect any portion of this amount to be paid or settled within the next twelve months.

In certain circumstances the dates on which we are obligated to make these payments could be delayed. These amounts will increase to the extent we procure insurance for our satellites or contract for the construction, launch or lease of additional satellites.

During November 2008, we entered into a joint venture for a direct-to-home, or DTH, service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., or Dish Mexico. Pursuant to these arrangements, we provide certain broadcast services and satellite capacity and sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and related equipment to Dish Mexico. Subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approvals and compliance with various other arrangements, we committed to provide approximately $112 million of value over an initial ten year period, of which $74 million has been satisfied in the form of cash, equipment and services, leaving $38 million remaining under this commitment, included in the table captioned "Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements" under "Purchase and other obligations." Of the remaining commitment, approximately $19 million is expected to be paid in cash and the remaining amounts may be satisfied in the form of certain services or equipment. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we sold $36 million of set-top boxes and related accessories to Dish Mexico that are not related to the original commitment associated with our investment in Dish Mexico.

During December 2009, we entered into a joint venture, to provide a DTH service in Taiwan and certain other targeted regions in Asia. We own 50% and have joint control of the entity. Pursuant to

65


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


these arrangements, we sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and provide certain technical support services. We have provided $18 million of cash, and an $18 million line of credit that the joint venture may only use to purchase set-top boxes from us. As of December 31, 2009, no amounts have been drawn on the line of credit.

In general, we do not engage in off-balance sheet financing activities.

Satellite-Related Obligations

Satellites Under Construction.    As of December 31, 2009, we had entered into the following contracts to construct new satellites which are contractually scheduled to be completed within the next three years. Future commitments related to these satellites are included in the table above under "Satellite-related obligations."

QuetzSat-1.    During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES to lease all of the capacity on QuetzSat-1. QuetzSat-1 is expected to be launched in 2011 and will operate at the 77 degree orbital location. Upon expiration of the initial term, we have the option to renew the transponder service agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite. DISH Network has agreed to lease 24 of the 32 DBS transponders on this satellite from us.

EchoStar XVI.    During November 2009, we entered into a contract for the construction of EchoStar XVI, a DBS satellite, which is expected to be completed during 2012 and will operate at the 61.5 degree orbital location. DISH Network has agreed to lease all of the capacity on this satellite from us for a portion of its useful life.

Purchase and Other Obligations

Our purchase and other obligations primarily consist of binding purchase orders for digital set-top boxes and related components and we have corresponding commitments from our customers for the substantial majority of these obligations. Our purchase and other obligations can fluctuate significantly from period to period due to, among other things, management's control of inventory levels, and can materially impact our future operating asset and liability balances, and our future working capital requirements.

Satellite Insurance

We do not carry insurance for any of the in-orbit satellites that we own because we believe that the premium costs are uneconomical relative to the risk of satellite failure. The loss of a satellite or other satellite malfunctions or anomalies could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance which we may not be able to mitigate by using available capacity on other satellites. There can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail. In addition, the loss of a satellite or other satellite malfunctions or anomalies could affect our ability to comply with FCC regulatory obligations and our ability to fund the construction or acquisition of replacement satellites for our in-orbit fleet in a timely fashion, or at all.

Future Capital Requirements

We primarily rely on our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances, as well as cash flow generated through operations to fund our investment needs. On December 21, 2009, we assigned our rights under one of our launch service contracts to DISH Network for $103 million. DISH Network expects to use this launch service for EchoStar XV, which is scheduled to launch in late 2010. Since we

66


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


currently depend on DISH Network for a substantial portion of our revenue, our cash flow from operations depend heavily on their needs for equipment and services. As a result, there can be no assurances that we will always have positive cash flows from operations and should our cash flows turn negative, our existing cash and marketable investment securities balances may be reduced.

Our future capital expenditures are likely to increase if we make additional investments in infrastructure necessary to support and expand our "Satellite Services" business, or if we decide to purchase one or more additional satellites. Other aspects of our business operations may also require additional capital. We periodically evaluate various strategic initiatives, the pursuit of which also could require us to raise significant additional capital. We may also use a significant portion of our existing cash to fund our stock buyback program of up to $500 million of our Class A common stock, all of which remained available as of December 31, 2009.

However, there can be no assurance that we could raise all required capital or that required capital would be available on acceptable terms or at all. Weak economic conditions have made it more difficult for borrowers to access capital markets on acceptable terms or at all, which may significantly constrain our ability to obtain financing to support our business operations. This may have a significant effect on our cost of financing and our liquidity position and may, as a result, cause us to defer or abandon profitable business strategies that we would otherwise pursue if financing were available on acceptable terms. In addition, we have no experience as a separate entity in raising capital and we may be unable to raise sufficient additional capital when we need it, on reasonable terms or at all. The instability in the equity markets has made it difficult for us to raise equity financing without incurring substantial dilution of our existing shareholders, and debt-financing arrangements may require us to pledge certain assets and enter into covenants that could restrict certain business activities or our ability to incur further indebtedness and may contain other terms that are not favorable to our shareholders or us. If we are unable to obtain adequate funds on reasonable terms, we may be required to curtail operations significantly or obtain funds by entering into financing, supply or joint venture agreements on unattractive terms.

In addition, if we are unsuccessful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, we are not successful in developing and deploying potential new alternative technology and we are unable to reach a license agreement with Tivo on reasonable terms, we would be required to cease distribution of digital set-top boxes with DVR functionality. In that event, our sales of digital set-top boxes to DISH Network and others would likely significantly decrease and could even potentially cease for a period of time. Furthermore, the inability to offer DVR functionality would place us at a significant disadvantage to our competitors and make it even more difficult for us to penetrate new markets for digital set-top boxes. The adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations if the District Court's contempt order is upheld is likely to be significant.

If we are successful in overturning the District Court's ruling on Tivo's motion for contempt, but unsuccessful in defending against any subsequent claim that our original alternative technology or any potential new alternative technology infringes Tivo's patent, we could be prohibited from distributing DVRs. In that event we would be at a significant disadvantage to our competitors who could continue offering DVR functionality and the adverse effect on our business could be material.

Because both we and DISH Network are defendants in the Tivo lawsuit, we and DISH Network are jointly and severally liable to Tivo for any final damages and sanctions that may be awarded by the Court. DISH Network has agreed that it is obligated under the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off to indemnify us for substantially all liability arising from this lawsuit. We have agreed to contribute an amount equal to our $5 million intellectual property liability limit under the Receiver

67


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


Agreement. We and DISH Network have further agreed that our $5 million contribution would not exhaust our liability to DISH Network for other intellectual property claims that may arise under the Receiver Agreement. Therefore, during the second quarter of 2009, we recorded a charge included in "General and administrative expenses—DISH Network" on our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) of $5 million to reflect this contribution. We and DISH Network also agreed that we would each be entitled to joint ownership of, and a cross-license to use, any intellectual property developed in connection with any potential new alternative technology.

Because we are jointly and severally liable with DISH Network, to the extent that DISH Network does not or is unable to pay any damages or sanctions arising from this lawsuit, we would then be liable for any portion of these damages and sanctions not paid by DISH Network. Any amounts that DISH Network may be required to pay could impair its ability to pay us and also negatively impact our future liquidity.

If we become liable for any portion of these damages or sanctions, we may be required to raise additional capital at a time and in circumstances in which we would normally not raise capital. Therefore, any capital we raise may be on terms that are unfavorable to us, which might adversely affect our financial position and results of operations and might also impair our ability to raise capital on acceptable terms in the future to fund our own operations and initiatives.

On February 26, 2010, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which we and a Mexican joint venture partner will acquire all of the outstanding share capital of Satélites Mexicanos S.A. de C.V., ("Satmex"), a Mexican satellite operator that operates three satellites and two satellite uplink facilities, delivering video, audio and data services. Under the terms of the agreement, Satmex will be acquired in exchange for approximately $267 million in cash, plus up to $107 million in cash on Satmex's balance sheet at closing, as a result of which total cash of up to $374 million may be available for Satmex's stakeholders. The transaction is conditioned upon a number of conditions such as, among other things, the successful completion of the offer to purchase Satmex's existing senior secured notes, receipt of certain corporate approvals on behalf of the stakeholders of Satmex, certain actions with respect to construction of a replacement satellite for Satmex 5 and completion of an evaluation of the operational capabilities of Satmex's satellites, as well as other closing conditions such as receipt of regulatory approvals.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") has allocated $7.2 billion to expand access to broadband services. Of this amount, $2.5 billion is administered by the Rural Utilities Service ("RUS") for deployment of broadband projects in rural, unserved and underserved communities across the United States and $4.7 billion has been allocated to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") of the United States Department of Commerce to fund broadband initiatives throughout the U.S, including unserved and underserved areas. Our proposals for broadband stimulus funds in the first round of funding were not granted. The agencies have announced a second round of funding that will total several billion dollars. This will include a set-aside of at least $100 million for satellite projects. We are currently evaluating whether to submit second round applications for funding and we cannot be sure if any such applications will be granted, or that they will be granted on acceptable terms. If any of our applications are granted and we accept the terms of such grant(s), we may become subject to certain regulations promulgated by the agencies.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect amounts reported therein.

68


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)


Management bases its estimates, judgments and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates. The following represent what we believe are the critical accounting policies that may involve a high degree of estimation, judgment and complexity. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, including those discussed below, see Note 2 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

69


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

70


Table of Contents

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

New Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Deliverable Arrangements

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13 ("ASU 2009-13"), Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements. ASU 2009-13 changes the requirements for establishing separate units of accounting in a multiple element arrangement and requires the allocation of arrangement consideration to each deliverable to be based on the relative selling price. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, ASU 2009-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements when adopted, as required, on January 1, 2011.

Seasonality

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

Inflation

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

Backlog

We do not have any material backlog.

Item 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risks Associated With Financial Instruments

The primary purpose of our investing activities has been to preserve principal until the cash is required to, among other things, fund operations, make strategic investments and expand the business.

71


Table of Contents

Item 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (Continued)


Consequently, the size of this portfolio fluctuates significantly as cash is received and used in our business. The value of this portfolio is negatively impacted by credit losses; however, this risk is mitigated through diversification that limits our exposure to any one issuer.

Our investments are exposed to risks, discussed below.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities

As of December 31, 2009, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had a fair value of $829 million. Of that amount, a total of $702 million was invested in: (a) cash; (b) debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; (c) commercial paper and corporate notes with an overall average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and (d) instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality characteristics to the commercial paper described above. The primary purpose of these investing activities has been to preserve principal until the cash is required to, among other things, fund operations, make strategic investments and expand the business. Consequently, the size of this portfolio fluctuates significantly as cash is received and used in our business. The value of this portfolio is negatively impacted by credit losses; however, this risk is mitigated through diversification that limits our exposure to any one issuer.

Interest Rate Risk

A change in interest rates would affect the fair value of our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities portfolio. Based on our December 31, 2009 current non-strategic investment portfolio of $702 million, a hypothetical 10% increase in average interest rates would result in a decrease of approximately $12 million in fair value of this portfolio. We normally hold these investments to maturity; however, the hypothetical loss in fair value would be realized if we sold the investments prior to maturity.

Our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had an average annual rate of return for the year ended December 31, 2009 of 1.3%. A change in interest rates would affect our future annual interest income from this portfolio, since funds would be re-invested at different rates as the instruments mature. A hypothetical 10% decrease in average interest rates during 2009 would result in a decrease of approximately $1 million in annual interest income.

Strategic Marketable Investment Securities

As of December 31, 2009, we held strategic and financial debt and equity investments of public companies with a fair value of $127 million. These investments, which are held for strategic and financial purposes, are concentrated in a small number of companies, are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience volatility. The fair value of our strategic and financial debt and equity investments can be significantly impacted by the risk of adverse changes in securities markets generally, as well as risks related to the performance of the companies whose securities we have invested in, risks associated with specific industries, and other factors. These investments are subject to significant fluctuations in fair value due to the volatility of the securities markets and of the underlying businesses. In general, the debt instruments held in our strategic marketable investment securities portfolio are not significantly impacted by interest rate fluctuations as their value is more closely related to factors specific to the underlying business. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the price of our public strategic debt and equity investments would result in a decrease of approximately $13 million in the fair value of these investments.

72


Table of Contents

Item 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (Continued)

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

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

As of December 31, 2009, we had $18 million of restricted cash and marketable investment securities invested in: (a) cash; (b) debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; (c) commercial paper and corporate notes with an overall average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and (d) instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality characteristics to the commercial paper described above. Based on our December 31, 2009 investment portfolio, a hypothetical 10% increase in average interest rates would not have a material impact in the fair value of our restricted cash and marketable investment securities.

Other Investment Securities

As of December 31, 2009, we had $562 million of nonpublic debt and equity instruments that we hold for strategic business purposes. We account for these investments under the cost, equity and fair value methods of accounting.

Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are not publicly traded depends on the success of those companies' businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient capital to execute their business plans. Because private markets are not as liquid as public markets, there is also increased risk that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that when we desire to sell them we will not be able to obtain fair value for them.A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the price of these nonpublic debt and equity instruments would result in a decrease of approximately $56 million in the fair value of these investments.

Long-Term Debt

As of December 31, 2009, we had $446 million of capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, of which $439 million represents our capital lease obligations, which are not subject to fair value disclosure requirements.

Derivative Financial Instruments

In general, we do not use derivative financial instruments for hedging or speculative purposes, but we may do so in the future.

73


Table of Contents

Item 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are included in this report beginning on page F-4.

Item 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

Item 9A.    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.

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.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears in Item 45(a) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

74


Table of Contents


Item 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.


PART III

Item 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERANCE

The information required by this Item with respect to the identity and business experience of our directors will be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Election of Directors," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The information required by this Item with respect to the identity and business experience of our executive officers is set forth on page 13 of this report under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant."

Item 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Executive Compensation and Other Information," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the captions "Election of Directors," "Equity Security Ownership" and "Equity Compensation Plan Information," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption "Principal Accounting Fees and Services," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

75


Table of Contents


PART IV

Item 15.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(3)
Exhibits

Item 15 on pages 76 through 79 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 is amended by the addition of the following exhibits:

  2.1 * Form of Separation Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

3.1

*

Articles of Incorporation of EchoStar Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

3.2

*

Bylaws of EchoStar Holding Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

4.1

*

Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate of EchoStar Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.1

*

Form of Tax Sharing Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.2

*

Form of Employee Matters Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).**

 

10.3

*

Form of Intellectual Property Matters Agreement between EchoStar Corporation, EchoStar Acquisition LLC, Echosphere L.L.C., DISH DBS Corporation, EIC Spain SL, EchoStar Technologies Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.4

*

Form of Management Services Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.5

*

Manufacturing Agreement, dated as of March 22, 1995, between HTS and SCI Technology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Dish Ltd., Commission File No. 33-81234).

 

10.6

*

Agreement between HTS, EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and ExpressVu Inc., dated January 8, 1997, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1996, as amended, Commission File No. 0-26176).

 

10.7

*

Agreement to Form NagraStar L.L.C., dated as of June 23, 1998, by and between Kudelski S.A., DISH Network Corporation and EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1998, Commission File No. 0-26176).

76


Table of Contents

  10.8 * Satellite Service Agreement, dated as of March 21, 2003, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite Corporation and DISH Network (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, Commission File No.0-26176).***

 

10.9

*

Amendment No. 1 to Satellite Service Agreement dated March 31, 2003 between SES Americom Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.10

*

Satellite Service Agreement dated as of August 13, 2003 between SES Americom Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.11

*

Satellite Service Agreement, dated February 19, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.12

*

Amendment No. 1 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated March 10, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.13

*

Amendment No. 3 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated February 19, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.14

*

Amendment No. 2 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated April 30, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.15

*

Amendment No. 4 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated October 21, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.16

*

Amendment No. 3 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated November 19, 2004 between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 1, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.17

*

Amendment No. 5 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated November 19, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.18

*

Amendment No. 6 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated December 20, 2004, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2004, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

77


Table of Contents

  10.19 * Amendment No. 4 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated April 6, 2005, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.20

*

Amendment No. 5 to Satellite Service Agreement, dated June 20, 2005, between SES Americom, Inc., EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2005, Commission File No. 0-26176).***

 

10.21

*

Form of EchoStar Corporation 2008 Class B CEO Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to Amendment No. 3 of EchoStar Corporation's Form 10 dated December 28, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).**

 

10.22

*

Form of Satellite Capacity Agreement between EchoStar Holding Corporation and EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.28 to Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 of EchoStar Corporation filed on December 26, 2007, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.23

*

Pricing Agreement, dated March 11, 2008, by and among EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., Bell ExpressVu Inc., in its capacity as General Partner of Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership, Bell Distribution Inc, and Bell Canada (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, Commission File No.001-33807).***

 

10.24

*

QuetzSat-1 Satellite Service Agreement, dated November 24, 2008, between SES Latin America S.A. and EchoStar 77 Corporation, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).***

 

10.25

*

QuetzSat-1 Transponder Service Agreement, dated November 24, 2008, between EchoStar 77 Corporation, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar, and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).***

 

10.26

*

Bell TV Pricing Amendment, dated February 6, 2009, between EchoStar and Bell TV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).***

 

10.27

*

Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14 filed on March 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.28

*

Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14 filed on March 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.29

*

Amended and Restated EchoStar Corporation 2008 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14 filed on March 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.30

*

NIMIQ 5 Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated September 15, 2009, between Telesat Canada and EchoStar (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).***

78


Table of Contents

  10.31 * NIMIQ 5 Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated September 15, 2009, between EchoStar and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).***

 

10.32

*

Professional Services Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).***

 

10.33

*

Allocation Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.34

*

Amendment to form of Satellite Capacity Agreement (Form A) between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.35

*

Amendment to Form of Satellite Capacity Agreement (Form B) between EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

10.36

*

EchoStar XVI Satellite Capacity Agreement between EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. and DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).***

 

10.37

*

Assignment of Rights Under Launch Service Contract from EchoStar to DISH Orbital II L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of EchoStar Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2009, Commission File No. 001-33807).

 

21


Subsidiaries of EchoStar Corporation.

 

23.1


Consent of Friedman LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

23.2


Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

23.3


Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

24.1


Powers of Attorney authorizing signature of Charles W. Ergen, Joseph P. Clayton, David K. Moskowitz, Tom A. Ortolf and C. Michael Schroeder.

 

31.1


Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

31.2


Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

32.1


Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

32.2


Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

99.1

*

Amendment No. 1 to Receiver Agreement dated December 31, 2007 between EchoSphere L.L.C. and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, Commission File No.001-33807).***

79


Table of Contents

  99.2 * Amendment No. 1 to Broadcast Agreement dated December 31, 2007 between EchoStar and EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EchoStar for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, Commission File No.001-33807).***

 

99.3


Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of TerreStar Corporation.

Filed herewith.

*
Incorporated by reference.

**
Constitutes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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

80


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

 

 

By:

 

/s/ BERNARD L. HAN

Bernard L. Han
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 17, 2010

81


Table of Contents

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
  Page

Consolidated Financial Statements:

   
 

Report of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
F-2
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008

  F-4
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

  F-5
 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

  F-6
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

  F-7
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  F-8

F-1


Table of Contents


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
EchoStar Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of EchoStar Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. We also have audited EchoStar Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). EchoStar Corporation's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on EchoStar Corporation's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

F-2


Table of Contents

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of EchoStar Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, EchoStar Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.

    /s/ KPMG LLP

Denver, Colorado
March 1, 2010, except for Commitments in note 15, as to which the date is March 17, 2010

 

 

F-3


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
  As of December 31,  
 
  2009   2008  

Assets

             

Current Assets:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 23,330   $ 24,467  
 

Marketable investment securities

    805,832     804,194  
 

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

    373,454     297,629  
 

Trade accounts receivable—other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,605 and $7,182, respectively

    84,178     29,216  
 

Inventory

    53,014     46,493  
 

Deferred tax assets

    5,053     9,484  
 

Other current assets

    18,997     17,230  
           

Total current assets

    1,363,858     1,228,713  
           

Noncurrent Assets:

             
 

Restricted cash and marketable investment securities

    18,003     2,846  
 

Property and equipment, net

    1,233,185     1,182,048  
 

FCC authorizations

    69,810     69,810  
 

Deferred tax assets

        8,047  
 

Intangible assets, net

    151,813     185,143  
 

Marketable and other investment securities

    562,019     156,717  
 

Other noncurrent assets, net

    69,380     56,475  
           

Total noncurrent assets

    2,104,210     1,661,086  
           
   

Total assets

  $ 3,468,068   $ 2,889,799  
           

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)

             

Current Liabilities:

             
 

Trade accounts payable—other

  $ 171,335   $ 205,660  
 

Trade accounts payable—DISH Network

    38,347     21,570  
 

Accrued royalties

    22,052     27,042  
 

Accrued expenses and other

    78,070     62,282  
 

Current portion of capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable

    54,206     52,778  
           

Total current liabilities

    364,010     369,332  
           

Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:

             
 

Capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, net of current portion

    392,163     293,661  
 

Deferred tax liabilities

    31,588      
 

Other long-term liabilities

    15,457     15,220  
           

Total long-term obligations, net of current portion

    439,208     308,881  
           
   

Total liabilities

    803,218     678,213  
           

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)

             

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):

             
 

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

         
 

Class A common stock, $.001 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 42,655,772 shares and 42,382,704 shares issued, and 37,157,314 shares and 38,764,208 shares outstanding, respectively

    43     42  
 

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

    48     48  
 

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

         
 

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

         
 

Additional paid-in capital

    3,278,680     3,248,327  
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    77,120     (10,598 )
 

Accumulated earnings (deficit)

    (593,484 )   (958,188 )
 

Treasury stock, at cost

    (97,557 )   (68,045 )
           

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)

    2,664,850     2,211,586  
           
   

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)

  $ 3,468,068   $ 2,889,799  
           

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

F-4


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2009   2008   2007  

Revenue:

                   

Equipment revenue—DISH Network

  $ 1,174,763   $ 1,491,556   $ 1,280,296  

Equipment revenue—other

    302,787     246,655     247,213  

Services and other revenue—DISH Network

    373,226     367,890     13,677  

Services and other revenue—other

    52,783     44,419     2,879  
               
 

Total revenue

    1,903,559     2,150,520     1,544,065  
               

Costs and Expenses:

                   

Cost of sales—equipment

    1,267,172     1,494,641     1,437,712  

Cost of sales—services and other (exclusive of depreciation shown below—Note 6)

    203,123     220,817     16,272  

Research and development expenses

    44,009     34,901     66,320  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    116,737     138,459     59,455  

General and administrative expenses—DISH Network

    23,497     25,354     40,980  

Depreciation and amortization (Note 6)

    244,129     264,197     9,705  

Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets

        612,745      
               
   

Total costs and expenses

    1,898,667     2,791,114     1,630,444  
               

Operating income (loss)

    4,892     (640,594 )   (86,379 )
               

Other Income (Expense):

                   

Interest income

    26,441     34,694     10,459  

Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized

    (32,315 )   (31,909 )   (796 )

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

    119,461     (89,795 )   3,071  

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

    313,000     (317,994 )    

Other, net

    (6,120 )   (9,270 )   (9,550 )
               
   

Total other income (expense)

    420,467     (414,274 )   3,184  
               

Income (loss) before income taxes

    425,359     (1,054,868 )   (83,195 )

Income tax (provision) benefit, net

    (60,655 )   96,680     (2,105 )
               

Net income (loss)

  $ 364,704   $ (958,188 ) $ (85,300 )
               

Comprehensive Income (Loss):

                   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  $ 569   $ (2,947 ) $ 4,127  

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

    212,070     (209,005 )   4,493  

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

    (124,921 )   146,954     (5,729 )
               

Comprehensive income (loss)

  $ 452,422   $ (1,023,186 ) $ (82,409 )
               

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

                   

Basic

    85,765     89,324     89,712  
               

Diluted

    86,059     89,324     89,712  
               

Earnings per share—Class A and B common stock:

                   

Basic net income (loss) per share

  $ 4.25   $ (10.73 ) $ (0.95 )
               

Diluted net income (loss) per share

  $ 4.24   $ (10.73 ) $ (0.95 )
               

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

F-5


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 
  Class A and B
Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Accumulated
Earnings/
(Deficit)
  Net
Investment
in
EchoStar
  Treasury
Stock
  Total  

Balance, December 31, 2006

  $   $   $ 63,805   $   $ 438,477   $   $ 502,282  
                               

Advances from owner

                    782,486         782,486  

Stock-based compensation

                    5,159         5,159  

Foreign currency translation

            4,127                 4,127  

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net

            (1,236 )               (1,236 )

Net income (loss)

                    (85,300 )       (85,300 )
                               

Balance, December 31, 2007

  $   $   $ 66,696   $   $ 1,140,822   $   $ 1,207,518  
                               

Contribution from DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off

    90     3,230,578     (12,296 )       (1,140,822 )       2,077,550  

Issuances of Class A common stock:

                                           
 

Exercise of stock options

        4,877                     4,877  
 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

        1,398                     1,398  

Class A common stock repurchases, at cost

                        (68,045 )   (68,045 )

Stock-based compensation and other, net of tax

        11,474                     11,474  

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net

            (62,051 )               (62,051 )

Foreign currency translation

            (2,947 )               (2,947 )

Net income (loss)

                (958,188 )           (958,188 )
                               

Balance, December 31, 2008

  $ 90   $ 3,248,327   $ (10,598 ) $ (958,188 ) $   $ (68,045 ) $ 2,211,586  
                               

Capital transaction with DISH Network in connection with the launch contract (Note 19)

        14,460                     14,460  

Issuances of Class A common stock:

                                           
 

Exercise of stock options

    1     217                     218  
 

Employee benefits

        1,391                     1,391  
 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

        1,803                     1,803  

Class A common stock repurchases, at cost

                        (29,512 )   (29,512 )

Stock-based compensation

        13,371                     13,371  

Income tax (expense) benefit related to stock awards and other

        (889 )                   (889 )

Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net

            87,149                 87,149  

Foreign currency translation

            569                 569  

Net income (loss)

                364,704             364,704  
                               

Balance, December 31, 2009

  $ 91   $ 3,278,680   $ 77,120   $ (593,484 ) $   $ (97,557 ) $ 2,664,850  
                               

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

F-6


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2009   2008   2007  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

                   

Net income (loss)

  $ 364,704   $ (958,188 ) $ (85,300 )

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

                   
 

Depreciation and amortization

    244,129     264,197     9,705  
 

Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates

    5,517     7,176     403  
 

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

    (119,461 )   89,795     (2,555 )
 

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

    (313,000 )   317,994      
 

Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets

        612,745      
 

Non-cash, stock-based compensation

    13,371     23,605     5,159  
 

Deferred tax expense (benefit)

    45,344     (162,011 )   360  
 

Other, net

    (12,584 )   (26,352 )   8,968  
 

Change in noncurrent assets

    (6,785 )   (36,230 )   (111 )
 

Changes in current assets and current liabilities:

                   
   

Trade accounts receivable—other

    (52,797 )   (7,861 )   (7,119 )
   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

    (1,576 )   7,130     (772 )
   

Trade accounts receivable—DISH Network

    27,088     (297,629 )    
   

Inventory

    (6,521 )   (15,493 )   (21,316 )
   

Other current assets

    (1,376 )   47,679     (16,863 )
   

Trade accounts payable—other

    (15,255 )   164,304     13,640  
   

Trade accounts payable—DISH Network

    16,777     21,570      
   

Accrued expenses and other

    8,701     65,617     7,692  
               
     

Net cash flows from operating activities

    196,276     118,048     (88,109 )
               

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

                   

Purchases of marketable investment securities

    (2,050,495 )   (3,069,716 )    

Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities

    2,273,523     2,842,567      

Purchases of property and equipment

    (213,921 )   (229,870 )   (144,309 )

Proceeds from insurance settlement

        40,750      

Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities

    (15,009 )        

Purchase of strategic investments included in marketable and other investment securities

    (114,164 )   (148,736 )   (40,000 )

Investment in Sling Media, net of in-process research and development and cash acquired

            (319,928 )

Other, net

    5,788     (4,737 )   3,470  
               
     

Net cash flows from investing activities

    (114,278 )   (569,742 )   (500,767 )
               

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

                   

Repayment of capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable

    (55,644 )   (47,217 )   (178 )

Contribution of cash and cash equivalents from DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off

        544,065      

Changes in advances from owner

            600,515  

Repurchases of Class A common stock (Note 11)

    (29,512 )   (68,045 )    

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

    2,021     6,276      
               
     

Net cash flows from financing activities

    (83,135 )   435,079     600,337  
               

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (1,137 )   (16,615 )   11,461  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    24,467     41,082     29,621  
               

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 23,330   $ 24,467   $ 41,082  
               

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

                   

Cash paid for interest

  $ 31,767   $ 31,812   $ 1,201  
               

Cash received for interest

  $ 11,717   $ 23,470   $ 1,458  
               

Cash paid for income taxes

  $ 31,500   $ 47,758   $ 2,384  
               

Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock

  $ 1,391   $   $  
               

Capital transaction with DISH Network in connection with the launch contract (Note 19)

  $ 102,913   $   $  
               

Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations

  $ 155,574   $ 16,531   $  
               

Non-cash investing activities

  $   $ 15,862   $  
               

Non-cash proceeds from the sale of a company which held certain FCC authorizations

  $   $ 132,900   $  
               

Net assets contributed in connection with the Spin-off, excluding cash and cash equivalents

  $   $ 1,533,485   $  
               

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

F-7


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Organization and Business Activities

Principal Business

EchoStar Corporation ("EchoStar," the "Company," "we," "us" and/or "our") had not conducted independent operations prior to its separation ("Spin-off") from DISH Network Corporation ("DISH Network") on January 1, 2008 through a distribution of 100% of the common stock of EchoStar to the holders of DISH Network's common stock. The Spin-off was made pursuant to a separation agreement by which DISH Network contributed to us the subsidiaries and assets that operated DISH Network's digital set-top box business, satellite services, digital broadcast operations, certain real estate and other assets and liabilities. We and DISH Network now operate as separate publicly-traded companies, and neither entity has any ownership interest in the other. However, a substantial majority of the voting power of both companies is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, the Chairman of our Board of Directors.

We currently operate two primary business units:

F-8


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Organization and Business Activities (Continued)

The table below summarizes the assets and liabilities which were contributed to us in connection with the Spin-off in addition to the assets included in our historical financial statements. The contribution was accounted for at DISH Network's historical cost given the nature of the distribution.

 
  January 1, 2008  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Assets

       

Current Assets:

       
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 544,065  
 

Marketable investment securities

    455,935  
 

Trade accounts receivable, net

    3,900  
 

Inventories, net

    9,957  
 

Other current assets

    9,061  
       

Total current assets

    1,022,918  

Restricted cash and marketable investment securities

    3,150  

Property and equipment, net

    1,302,767  

FCC authorizations

    123,121  

Intangible assets, net

    142,898  

Other noncurrent assets, net

    20,335  
       
   

Total assets

  $ 2,615,189  
       

Liabilities

       

Current Liabilities:

       
 

Deferred revenue and other accrued expenses

  $ 11,586  
 

Current portion of capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable

    39,168  
       

Total current liabilities

    50,754  
       

Long-term obligations, net of current portion:

       
 

Capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, net of current portion

    339,542  
 

Deferred tax liabilities

    147,343  
       

Total long-term obligations, net of current portion

    486,885  
       
   

Total liabilities

    537,639  
       

Net assets contributed

  $ 2,077,550  
       

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Within this report, we have included both "combined" financial statements prior to the Spin-off and "consolidated" financial statements following the Spin-off, as discussed below. Throughout the remainder of this report, we refer to both as "consolidated." Further, in connection with the

F-9


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


preparation of the consolidated financial statements, we have evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of these financial statements on March 1, 2010.

After Spin-off—Principles of Consolidation.    The financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the periods presented after the Spin-off are presented on a consolidated basis and represent the "Digital Set-Top Box" business, satellites, digital broadcast operations assets, certain real estate and other net assets contributed to us as part of the Spin-off. We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and variable interest entities where we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary. Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Prior to Spin-off—Principles of Combination.    The financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the periods presented prior to the Spin-off are presented on a combined basis and principally represent the "Digital Set-Top Box" business and certain other net assets. The assets and liabilities presented have been reflected on a historical basis, as prior to the Spin-off such assets and liabilities were 100% owned by DISH Network. Our historical financial statements do not include the satellites, digital broadcast operations assets, certain real estate and other assets and related liabilities that were contributed to us by DISH Network in the Spin-off. Also, the financial statements for the periods presented prior to the Spin-off do not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had we been a stand-alone entity during the periods presented and do not reflect our combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had we been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Our historical statements of operations include expense allocations for certain corporate functions historically provided to us by DISH Network, including, among other things, treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, investor relations and information technology. In certain cases, these allocations were made on a specific identification basis. Otherwise, the expenses related to services provided to us by DISH Network were allocated to us based on the relative percentages, as compared to DISH Network's other businesses, of headcount or other appropriate methods depending on the nature of each item of cost to be allocated. Pursuant to transition services agreements we entered into with DISH Network prior to the Spin-off, DISH Network has continued to provide us with certain of these services at prices agreed upon by DISH Network and us for a period of two years from the date of the Spin-off at cost plus an additional amount that is equal to a fixed percentage of DISH Network's cost, which is believed to be fair value pricing.

Acquisition of Sling Media, Inc.    Our financial statements reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Sling Media, Inc. ("Sling Media") from the acquisition date of October 19, 2007.

F-10


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we identified a $14 million adjustment related to investments in certain marketable investment securities that should have been recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2008. We determined that the impact of the prior period amount is not considered material to our consolidated results of operations or financial position for the year ended December 31, 2008. Consistent with the provisions of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 ("SAB 108") "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in the Current Year Financial Statements," we revised our previously issued 2008 consolidated financial statements as reflected in the December 31, 2008 Consolidated Balance Sheets as presented in this Form 10-K.

The revision increased the loss in our previously reported "Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net," changing "Total other income (expense)," "Income (loss) before income taxes," "Net income (loss)" for 2008 by $14 million and our basic and diluted net loss per share by $0.16 to $10.73. Further, our "Other noncurrent assets, net," "Total noncurrent assets," "Total assets," "Accumulated earnings (deficit)," "Total EchoStar stockholders' equity (deficit)," "Total stockholders' equity (deficit)" and "Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)" were decreased by $14 million. The revision had no impact on the 2008 total cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for each reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowance for sales returns, warranty obligations, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of options granted under our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, capital leases, asset impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets, and royalty obligations. Illiquid credit markets and general weak economic conditions have increased 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 the Consolidated Financial Statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they occur.

Accounting Standards Codification

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 168, "The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—A Replacement of FASB Statement No. 162" ("SFAS 168"). SFAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the "Codification") as the single source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The Codification does not change current GAAP, but is intended to simplify user access to all authoritative

F-11


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


GAAP by providing all the authoritative literature in one place related to a particular topic. The Codification did not have any impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, it affects the way we reference authoritative accounting literature in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, this Annual Report on Form 10-K and all subsequent applicable public filings will reference the Codification as the source of authoritative literature.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the majority of our consolidated foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar because their sales and purchases are predominantly denominated in that currency. However, for our subsidiaries where the functional currency is the local currency, we translate assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rate and revenue and expenses based on the exchange rates at the time such transactions arise, if known, or at the average rate for the period. The difference is recorded to equity as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded at the exchange rate at the time of the transaction and subsequent gains and losses related to changes in the foreign currency are included in "Other, net" income or expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 net transaction losses were less than $1 million, $1 million and $4 million, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 primarily consist of money market funds, government bonds, corporate notes and commercial paper. The cost of these investments approximates their fair value.

Marketable Investment Securities

We currently classify all marketable investment securities as available-for-sale, except for the fair value method securities discussed below. We adjust the carrying value of our available-for-sale securities to fair value and report the related temporary unrealized gains and losses as a separate component of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" within "Total stockholders' equity (deficit)," net of related deferred income tax. Declines in the fair value of a marketable investment security which are determined to be "other-than-temporary" are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), thus establishing a new cost basis for such investment.

We evaluate our marketable investment securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether declines in the fair value of these securities are other-than-temporary. This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things:

F-12


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Declines in the fair value of investments below cost basis are generally accounted for as follows:

Length of Time Investment
Has Been In a Continuous
Loss Position
  Treatment of the Decline in Value
(absent specific factors to the contrary)
Less than six months   Generally, considered temporary.

Six to nine months

 

Evaluated on a case by case basis to determine whether any company or market-specific factors exist which would indicate that such decline is other-than-temporary.

Greater than nine months

 

Generally, considered other-than-temporary. The decline in value is recorded as a charge to earnings.

In situations where the fair value of a debt security is below its carrying amount, we consider the decline to be other-than-temporary and record a charge to earnings if any of the following factors apply:

In general, we use the first in, first out method to determine the cost basis on sales of marketable investment securities.

Accounts Receivable

Management estimates the amount of required allowances for the potential non-collectability of accounts receivable based upon past collection experience and consideration of other relevant factors. However, past experience may not be indicative of future collections and therefore additional charges could be incurred in the future to reflect differences between estimated and actual collections.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Proprietary products are built by contract manufacturers to our specifications. We depend on a few manufacturers, and in some cases a single manufacturer, for the production of our digital set-top boxes and related components. Manufactured inventories include materials, labor, freight-in and royalties.

F-13


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from one to forty years. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. Renewals and betterments are capitalized.

The cost of satellites under construction, including certain amounts prepaid under our satellite service agreements, is capitalized during the construction phase, assuming the eventual successful launch and in-orbit operation of the satellite. If a satellite were to fail during launch or while in-orbit, the resultant loss would be charged to expense in the period such loss was incurred. The amount of any such loss would be reduced to the extent of insurance proceeds estimated to be received, if any.

Long-Lived Assets

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. This evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For assets which are held and used in operations, the asset would be impaired if the carrying value of the asset exceeded its undiscounted future net cash flows. Once an impairment is determined, the actual impairment is reported as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value as estimated using discounted cash flows. Assets which are to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. We consider relevant cash flow, estimated future operating results, trends and other available information in assessing whether the carrying value of assets are recoverable.

Intangible Assets and FCC Authorizations

We do not amortize goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, but test for impairment annually or whenever indicators of impairments arise. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Generally, we have determined that our FCC licenses have indefinite useful lives due to the following:

In conducting our annual impairment test in 2009, we determined that the estimated fair value of the FCC licenses, calculated using the discounted cash flow analysis, exceeded their carrying amount.

Marketable and Other Investment Securities—Cost and Equity Method

Generally, we account for our unconsolidated equity investments under either the equity method or cost method of accounting. Because these equity securities are generally not publicly traded, it is not practical to regularly estimate the fair value of the investments; however, these investments are subject

F-14


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


to an evaluation for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things, company business plans and current financial statements, if available, for factors that may indicate an impairment of our investment. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, cash flow concerns, material litigation, violations of debt covenants and changes in business strategy. The fair value of these equity investments is not estimated unless there are identified changes in circumstances that may indicate an impairment exists and these changes are likely to have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. When impairments occur related to our foreign investments, any "Cumulative translation adjustment" associated with these investments will remain in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" within "Total stockholders' equity (deficit)" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets until the investments are sold or otherwise liquidated; at which time, they will be released into our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Marketable and Other Investment Securities—Fair Value Method

We elect the fair value method for certain investments in affiliates whose debt and equity are publicly traded, when we believe the fair value method of accounting provides more meaningful information to our investors. Changes in the fair value of marketable investment securities, non-marketable convertible debt, and interest on debt investment securities accounted for at fair value are recognized as "Unrealized gains (losses) of investments accounted for at fair value, net" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The fair value of the non-marketable convertible debt is determined each reporting period based upon inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the debt, either directly or indirectly. The fair value analysis takes into consideration the price of the underlying company stock as well as changes in the credit market, including yield curves and interest rates.

Sales Taxes

We account for sales taxes imposed on our goods and services on a net basis in our "Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)." Since we primarily act as an agent for the governmental authorities, the amount charged to the customer is collected and remitted directly to the appropriate jurisdictional entity.

Income Taxes

After Spin-off.    We establish a provision for income taxes currently payable or receivable and for income tax amounts deferred to future periods. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated future tax effects of differences that exist between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are offset by valuation allowances when we believe it is more likely than not that such net deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Prior to Spin-off.    Prior to the Spin-off, our income tax expense was recorded as if we filed a consolidated tax return separate from DISH Network, notwithstanding that a majority of our operations were historically included in the U.S. consolidated income tax return filed by DISH Network. Our valuation allowance was also determined on the separate tax return basis. Additionally, EchoStar's tax attributes (i.e. net operating losses) were determined based on U.S. consolidated tax rules describing

F-15


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


the apportioning of these items upon departure (i.e. Spin-off) from the DISH Network consolidated group.

DISH Network manages its tax position for the benefit of its entire portfolio of businesses. DISH Network's tax strategies were not necessarily reflective of the tax strategies that we have followed as a stand-alone company, nor were they necessarily strategies that optimized our stand-alone position.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

From time to time, we engage in transactions where the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty. We record a liability when, in management's judgment, a tax filing position does not meet the more likely than not threshold. For tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold, we may record a liability depending on management's assessment of how the tax position will ultimately be settled. We adjust our estimates periodically based on ongoing examinations by and settlements with various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our uncertain tax positions as a component of "Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized" and "Other, net," respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents, marketable investment securities, trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, and current liabilities is equal to or approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. Disclosure regarding fair value of capital leases is not required.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when an arrangement exists, prices are determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured and the goods or services have been delivered. If any of these criteria are not met, revenue recognition is deferred until such time as all of the criteria are met. Revenue from equipment sales are generally recognized upon shipment to customers. Revenue from digital broadcast operations and satellite services and other is recognized when the related services are performed.

Cost of Equipment and Other Sales

Cost of equipment and other sales associated with digital set-top boxes, Slingboxes and related components includes materials, labor, freight-in and royalties. We have designed and developed digital set-top boxes, antennae and other equipment for DISH Network and international satellite service providers and other international customers. Prior to the Spin-off, digital set-top boxes and related components were sold to DISH Network at cost. The costs associated with digital broadcast operations and satellite services and other are recognized as the services are performed or as incurred.

Research and Development

The cost of research and development is charged to expense as incurred.

F-16


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

New Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Deliverable Arrangements

In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13 ("ASU 2009-13"), Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements. ASU 2009-13 changes the requirements for establishing separate units of accounting in a multiple element arrangement and requires the allocation of arrangement consideration to each deliverable to be based on the relative selling price. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, ASU 2009-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements when adopted, as required, on January 1, 2011.

3. Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share

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

The number of shares presented for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 represent the actual weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the years. Prior to January 1, 2008, we were a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network and had only a nominal number of shares outstanding. Accordingly for all periods prior to the completion of the Spin-off on January 1, 2008, basic and diluted earnings per share are computed using our shares outstanding as of January 1, 2008.

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

 
  For the Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2009   2008   2007  
 
  (In thousands, except per
share amounts)

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 364,704   $ (958,188 ) $ (85,300 )
               

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

                   

Basic

    85,765     89,324     89,712  

Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding

    294          
               

Diluted

    86,059     89,324     89,712  
               

Earnings per share—Class A and B common stock:

                   

Basic net income (loss) per share

  $ 4.25   $ (10.73 ) $ (0.95 )
               

Diluted net income (loss) per share

  $ 4.24   $ (10.73 ) $ (0.95 )
               

F-17


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

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

We had a net loss for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, therefore, the effect of stock awards is excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share since the effect is anti-dilutive. As of December 31, 2009, there were stock awards to purchase 4.7 million shares of Class A common stock outstanding, not included in the above denominator, as their effect is antidilutive.

Vesting of options and rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock ("Restricted performance units") granted pursuant to a long-term, performance based stock incentive plan is contingent upon meeting a certain long-term company goal which has not yet been achieved. As a consequence, the following are also not included in the diluted EPS calculation:

 
  For the years ended
December 31,
 
 
  2009   2008   2007  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Performance-based options

    724     886     2,424  

Restricted performance units

    100     109     65  
               
 

Total

    824     995     2,489  
               

F-18


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Other Investment Securities

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

 
  As of December 31,  
 
  2009   2008  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Marketable investment securities:

             

Current marketable investment securities—VRDNs

  $ 398,630   $ 621,740  

Current marketable investment securities—strategic

    126,622     151,050  

Current marketable investment securities—other

    280,580     31,404  
           
 

Total marketable investment securities—current

    805,832     804,194  

Restricted marketable investment securities(1)

    2,995     2,846  
           
 

Total

    808,827     807,040  
           

Restricted cash and cash equivalents(1)

   
15,008
   
 
           

Marketable and other investment securities—noncurrent:

             

Marketable and other investment securities—cost method

    33,288     27,913  

Marketable and other investment securities—equity method

    94,826     20,841  

Marketable and other investment securities—fair value method

    433,905     107,963  
           
 

Total marketable and other investment securities—noncurrent

    562,019     156,717  
           

Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and other investment securities

  $ 1,385,854   $ 963,757  
           

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

Marketable Investment Securities—Current

Our current marketable investment securities portfolio consists of various debt and equity instruments, all of which are classified as available-for-sale (see Note 2).

Current Marketable Investment Securities—VRDNs

Variable rate demand notes ("VRDNs") are long-term floating rate municipal bonds with embedded put options that allow the bondholder to sell the security at par plus accrued interest. All of the put options are secured by a pledged liquidity source. Our VRDN portfolio is comprised of investments in many municipalities, which are backed by financial institutions or other highly rated companies that serve as the pledged liquidity source. While they are classified as marketable investment securities, the put option allows VRDNs to be liquidated on a same day or on a five business day settlement basis.

F-19


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Other Investment Securities (Continued)

Current Marketable Investment Securities—Strategic

Our strategic marketable investment securities are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience volatility. As of December 31, 2009, a significant portion of our strategic investment portfolio consisted of securities of several issuers and the value of that portfolio therefore depends on those issuers.

Current Marketable Investment Securities—Other

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

Restricted Marketable Investment Securities

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, restricted marketable investment securities included amounts required under our letters of credit or surety bonds.

Marketable and Other Investment Securities—Noncurrent

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

Marketable and Other Investment Securities—Cost and Equity

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

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

Marketable and Other Investment Securities—Fair Value

We elect the fair value method for certain investments in affiliates whose debt and equity are publicly traded, when we believe the fair value method of accounting provides more meaningful information to our investors. For our investments carried at fair value, interest and dividends are measured at fair value and are recorded in "Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net."

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had accumulated net unrealized gains of $77 million, with no related tax effect, and net unrealized losses of $10 million, with no related tax effect, respectively, as a part of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" within "Total stockholders' equity (deficit)."

F-20


Table of Contents


ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4. Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Other Investment Securities (Continued)


A full valuation allowance has been established against any deferred tax assets that are capital in nature. The components of our available-for-sale investments are detailed in the table below.