ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021
A Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® Company
March 18, 2022
Dear DISH Network Shareholder:
Thank you for your continued support of DISH Network. While DISH has grown to be an $18 billion company with
thousands of employees supporting a portfolio of brands, we find ourselves in a position not too different from
where we were on the eve of launching our first satellite in 1995 – our years of planning have prepared us and now
it is simply time to execute.
Our vision of changing the way the world communicates has remained our North Star. Serving our customers with a
best-in-class experience has been our top priority. Forty-one years ago, that meant bringing TV programming to
homes through a 10-foot dish. Today it means offering innovative TV experiences from DISH and Sling, connecting
millions of customers through our retail wireless brands, and disrupting the wireless industry with America’s First
Smart Network™.
In 2021, we generated strong cash flow from our pay-TV and retail wireless businesses in order to execute on our
wireless strategy. While the linear-TV business continues to decline, it remains a financially rewarding business for
us. We remain optimistic about new areas of growth including commercial opportunities, multi-dwelling units and
the travel/recreational vehicle markets. In an immensely competitive landscape, our financially disciplined approach
to the retail wireless business will continue to be a focus.
We are on track to meet our June 2022 FCC buildout requirements. We spent the year building our capabilities and
team, procuring spectrum in key positions, and pioneering best-of-breed technologies. We’ve forged creative and
strategic partnership deals with some of the world’s most successful companies. Our wireless network is currently
live in Las Vegas. We are testing, optimizing, and preparing to open it to customers. We will rapidly deploy in
numerous cities throughout the year.
Our network will be the first in the world built on 5G, O-RAN and cloud principles. It will transform how
connectivity is consumed. We will serve retail, enterprise and wholesale customers in unique and transformational
ways. It will be smarter and more secure with unprecedented control, flexibility and real-time provisioning
capabilities.
This will be the year that we start to bring it all together as we execute across the business. We appreciate your trust
and confidence as our adventure continues in 2022.
Sincerely,
Charles W. Ergen
Chairman of the Board of Directors
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
☒☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021
OR
☐☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO .
Commission file number: 001-39144
DISH Network Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
88-0336997
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
9601 South Meridian Boulevard
Englewood, Colorado
(Address of principal executive offices)
80112
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 723-1000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value
Trading
Symbol(s)
DISH
Name of each exchange on which registered
The Nasdaq Stock Market L.L.C.
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 ☒ No ☐
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 ☐ No ☒
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
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T
(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company ☐☐
Emerging growth company ☐☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised
financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial
reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒☒
As of June 30, 2021, the aggregate market value of Class A common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $10.4 billion 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 the last trading day of the month.
As of February 14, 2022, the registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of 290,571,195 shares of Class A common stock and 238,435,208 shares of Class B common
stock, each $0.01 par value.
The following documents are incorporated into this Form 10-K by reference:
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Item 1. Business
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9B. Other Information
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Signatures
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
i
1
19
41
41
41
41
42
43
70
71
71
71
72
72
72
72
73
73
73
73
80
81
F-1
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DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Unless otherwise required by the context, in this report, the words “DISH Network,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and
“us” refer to DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries, “EchoStar” refers to EchoStar Corporation and its
subsidiaries, and “DISH DBS” refers to DISH DBS Corporation, a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of DISH Network,
and its subsidiaries.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, in particular, statements about our plans, objectives and strategies, growth
opportunities in our industries and businesses, our expectations regarding future results, financial condition, liquidity and
capital requirements, our estimates regarding the impact of regulatory developments and legal proceedings, and other
trends and projections. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as
“future,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “will,” “would,”
“could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as
of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-
looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. Accordingly, actual performance, events or results
could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors,
including, but not limited to, those summarized below:
SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS
COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economic environment generally, and on us specifically, have
adversely impacted our business. Furthermore, any continuation or worsening of the pandemic and economic
environment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Competition and Economic Risks
We face intense and increasing competition from providers of video, broadband and/or wireless services, which
may require us to further increase subscriber acquisition and retention spending or accept lower subscriber
activations and higher subscriber churn.
Changing consumer behavior and new technologies in our Pay-TV business may reduce our subscriber
activations and may cause our subscribers to purchase fewer services from us or to cancel our services
altogether, resulting in less revenue to us.
We face certain risks competing in the wireless services industry and operating a facilities-based wireless
services business.
Our pay-TV competitors may be able to leverage their relationships with programmers to reduce their
programming costs and/or offer exclusive content that will place them at a competitive advantage to us.
Through the MNSA and NSA, we depend primarily on T-Mobile as well as AT&T, respectively, in providing
network services to our retail Wireless subscribers, and any system failure in the wireless networks, interruption
in the network services (including the shutdown of T-Mobile’s CDMA Network on March 31, 2022), and/or the
termination of the MNSA or NSA could negatively impact our subscriber activations, our subscriber churn rate
and our subscriber base, which in turn could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
i
Changes in how network operators handle and charge for access to data that travels across their networks could
adversely impact our Pay-TV business.
Economic weakness and uncertainty may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.
Operational and Service Delivery Risks
Any deterioration in our operational performance and subscriber satisfaction could adversely affect our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
If our subscriber activations decrease, or if our subscriber churn rate, subscriber acquisition costs or retention
costs increase, our financial performance will be adversely affected.
With respect to our Pay-TV business, programming expenses are increasing, which may adversely affect our
future financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on others to provide the programming that we offer to our Pay-TV subscribers and, if we fail to
obtain or lose access to certain programming, our Pay-TV subscriber activations and our subscriber churn rate
may be negatively impacted.
We may not be able to obtain necessary retransmission consent agreements at acceptable rates, or at all, from
local network stations.
Any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure and communications systems or those
of third parties that we use in our operations, including, without limitation, those caused by cyber-attacks or
other malicious activities, could disrupt or harm our business.
Our failure to effectively invest in, introduce, and implement new competitive products and services could
cause our products and services to become obsolete and could negatively impact our business.
We rely on a single vendor or a limited number of vendors to provide certain key products or services to us, and
the inability of these key vendors to meet our needs could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We depend on independent third parties to solicit orders for our services that represent a meaningful percentage
of our total gross new subscriber activations.
We have limited satellite capacity and failures or reduced capacity could adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We may have potential conflicts of interest with EchoStar due to our common ownership and management.
We rely on highly skilled personnel for our business, and any inability to hire and retain key personnel or hire
qualified personnel may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Acquisition and Capital Structure Risks
We have made substantial investments to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses and other related assets,
and we may be unable to realize a return on these assets.
We have made substantial non-controlling investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities related to
AWS-3 wireless spectrum licenses, and we may be unable to obtain a profitable return on these investments.
We may pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions to complement or expand our business that may not
be successful, and we may lose up to the entire value of our investment in these acquisitions and transactions.
We have substantial debt outstanding and may incur additional debt.
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.
ii
The conditional conversion features of our 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026 (the “Convertible Notes due
2026”), our 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024 (the “Convertible Notes due 2024”) and 0% Convertible Notes
due 2025 (the “Convertible Notes due 2025,” and collectively with the Convertible Notes due 2026 and the
Convertible Notes due 2024, the “Convertible Notes”), if triggered, may adversely affect our financial
condition.
The convertible note hedge and warrant transactions that we entered into in connection with the offering of the
Convertible Notes due 2026 may affect the value of the Convertible Notes due 2026 and our Class A common
stock.
We are subject to counterparty risk with respect to the convertible note hedge transactions.
From time to time a portion of our investment portfolio may be invested in securities that have limited liquidity
and may not be immediately accessible to support our financing needs.
We are controlled by one principal stockholder who is also our Chairman.
It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so may be beneficial to our shareholders,
because of our ownership structure.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights
of others.
We are, and may become, party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant
adverse impact on our business, particularly lawsuits regarding intellectual property.
Our services depend on FCC licenses that can expire or be revoked or modified and applications for FCC
licenses that may not be granted.
If our internal controls are not effective, our business, stock price and investor confidence in our financial
results may be adversely affected.
We may face other risks described from time to time in periodic and current reports we file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Other factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the
caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, those discussed in “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein and those discussed in other
documents we file with the SEC. All cautionary statements made or referred to herein should be read as being
applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear. Investors should consider the risks and uncertainties
described or referred to herein and should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-
looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update these forward-
looking statements.
iii
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Item 1. BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
PART I
DISH Network Corporation was organized in 1995 as a corporation under the laws of the State of Nevada. We started
offering the DISH® branded pay-TV service in March 1996 and started offering retail wireless services in July 2020.
Our common stock is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “DISH.” Our principal
executive offices are located at 9601 South Meridian Boulevard, Englewood, Colorado 80112 and our telephone number
is (303) 723-1000.
DISH Network Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries operate two primary business segments, Pay-TV and
Wireless. Our Wireless business segment operates in two business units, Retail Wireless and 5G Network Deployment.
Pay-TV
We offer pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and the SLING® brand (collectively “Pay-TV” services). The DISH
branded pay-TV service consists of, among other things, Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses
authorizing us to use direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) and Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) spectrum, our owned and
leased satellites, receiver systems, broadcast operations, a leased fiber optic network, in-home service and call center
operations, and certain other assets utilized in our operations (“DISH TV”). We also design, develop and distribute
receiver systems and provide digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission and
other services to third-party pay-TV providers. The SLING branded pay-TV services consist of, among other things,
multichannel, live-linear streaming over-the-top (“OTT”) Internet-based domestic, international and Latino video
programming services (“SLING TV”). As of December 31, 2021, we had 10.707 million Pay-TV subscribers in the
United States, including 8.221 million DISH TV subscribers and 2.486 million SLING TV subscribers.
Wireless – Retail Wireless
We entered the retail wireless business in 2020 as a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the Ting Mobile
Acquisition and we expanded the business in 2021 through the Republic Wireless Acquisition (each as defined below).
See Note 6 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information. We offer nationwide prepaid and postpaid retail wireless services to subscribers under our Boost Mobile,
Ting Mobile, Republic Wireless and Gen Mobile brands, as well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices. Prepaid
wireless subscribers generally pay in advance for monthly access to wireless talk, text, and data services. Postpaid
wireless subscribers are qualified to pay after receiving wireless talk, text, and data services. We are currently operating
our Retail Wireless business unit as a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) while we complete our 5G Network
Deployment. On July 14, 2021, we entered into a ten-year Network Services Agreement (the “NSA”) with AT&T to
provide us with network services. Under the NSA, we expect AT&T will become our primary network services
provider. As an MVNO, today we primarily depend on T-Mobile as well as AT&T to provide us with network services
under the MNSA (as defined below) and NSA, respectively. We acquired over 9 million subscribers as a result of the
Boost Mobile Acquisition, acquired over 200,000 subscribers as a result of the Ting Mobile Acquisition and acquired
over 200,000 subscribers as a result of the Republic Wireless Acquisition. As of December 31, 2021, we had 8.546
million retail Wireless subscribers.
1
Wireless – 5G Network Deployment
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the 3.45-
3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022) and made over $10 billion in non-controlling investments
in certain entities, for a total of approximately $30 billion. The $30 billion of investments related to wireless spectrum
licenses does not include $6 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such licenses. See Note 2 and
Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information. We plan to commercialize our wireless spectrum licenses through the completion of the nation’s first
cloud-native, Open Radio Access Network (“O-RAN”) based 5G network (our “5G Network Deployment”).
Recent Developments
Boost Mobile Acquisition
Asset Purchase Agreement
On July 26, 2019, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”) with T-Mobile and Sprint Corporation
(“Sprint” and together with T-Mobile, the “Sellers” and given the consummation of the Sprint/T-Mobile merger,
sometimes referred to as “NTM”) to acquire from NTM certain assets and liabilities associated with Sprint’s Boost
Mobile and Sprint-branded prepaid mobile services businesses (the “Prepaid Business”) for an aggregate purchase price
of $1.4 billion, as adjusted for specific categories of net working capital on the closing date (the “Boost Mobile
Acquisition”). Effective July 1, 2020 (the “Closing Date”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
APA and in accordance with the Final Judgment (as defined below), we and T-Mobile completed the Boost Mobile
Acquisition.
In connection with the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the consummation of the Sprint/T-Mobile merger, we, T-Mobile,
Sprint, Deutsche Telekom AG (“DT”) and SoftBank Group Corporation (“SoftBank”) came to an agreement with the
United States Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) on key terms and approval of the Transaction Agreements (as defined
below) and our wireless service business and spectrum. On July 26, 2019, we, T-Mobile, Sprint, DT and SoftBank
(collectively, the “Defendants”) entered into a Stipulation and Order (the “Stipulation and Order”) with the DOJ binding
the Defendants to a Proposed Final Judgment (the “Proposed Final Judgment”) which memorialized the agreement
between the DOJ and the Defendants. The Stipulation and Order and the Proposed Final Judgment were filed in the
United States District Court for the District of Columbia (the “District Court”) on July 26, 2019 and on April 1, 2020,
the Proposed Final Judgment was entered with the District Court (the Proposed Final Judgment as so entered with the
District Court, the “Final Judgment”) and the Sellers consummated the Sprint/T-Mobile merger.
The term of the Final Judgment is seven years from the date of its entry with the District Court or five years if the DOJ
gives notice that the divestitures, build-outs and other requirements have been completed to its satisfaction. A
Monitoring Trustee has been appointed by the District Court. The Monitoring Trustee has the power and authority to
monitor the Defendants’ compliance with the Final Judgment and settle disputes among the Defendants regarding
compliance with the provisions of the Final Judgment and may recommend action to the DOJ in the event a party fails to
comply with the Final Judgment. See Note 6 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Stipulation and Order and the Final Judgment, including our build-
out commitments.
2
Also in connection with the closing of the Boost Mobile Acquisition, we and T-Mobile entered into a transition services
agreement under which we will receive certain transitional services (the “TSA”), a master network services agreement
for the provision of network services by T-Mobile to us (the “MNSA”), an option agreement entitling us to acquire
certain decommissioned cell sites and retail stores of T-Mobile (the “Option Agreement”) and an agreement under which
we would purchase all of Sprint’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses, totaling approximately 13.5 MHz of nationwide wireless
spectrum for an additional approximately $3.59 billion (the “Spectrum Purchase Agreement” and together with the APA,
the TSA, the MNSA and the Option Agreement, the “Transaction Agreements”). See Note 6 in the Notes to our
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Transaction
Agreements.
Ting Mobile Acquisition
On August 1, 2020, we completed an asset purchase agreement with Tucows Inc. (“Tucows”) pursuant to which we
purchased the assets of Ting Mobile, including over 200,000 Ting Mobile subscribers (the “Ting Mobile Acquisition”).
In addition, we entered into a services agreement pursuant to which Tucows will act as a mobile virtual network enabler
for certain of our retail Wireless subscribers. See Note 6 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Republic Wireless Acquisition
On May 1, 2021, we completed an asset purchase agreement with Republic Wireless Inc. (“Republic Wireless”) pursuant
to which we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Republic Wireless, including approximately
200,000 Wireless subscribers (the “Republic Wireless Acquisition”). See Note 6 in the Notes to our Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
PAY-TV
Business Strategy – Pay-TV
Our Pay-TV business strategy is to be the best provider of video services in the United States by providing products with
the best technology, outstanding customer service, and great value. We promote our Pay-TV services as providing our
subscribers with a better “price-to-value” relationship than those available from other subscription television service
providers. We market our SLING TV services to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional satellite and cable pay-
TV services, as well as to current and recent traditional pay-TV subscribers who desire a lower cost alternative.
Products with the Best Technology. We offer a wide selection of local and national HD programming and are a
technology leader in our industry, offering award-winning DVRs (including our Hopper® whole-home HD
DVR), multiple tuner receivers, 1080p and 4K video on demand and external hard drives. We offer several
Sling TV services, including Sling Orange (our single-stream Sling domestic service), Sling Blue (our multi-
stream Sling domestic service), Sling International, and Sling Latino, among others, as well as add-on extras,
pay-per-view events and a cloud-based DVR service.
Outstanding Customer Service. We strive to provide outstanding customer service by improving the quality of
the initial installation of subscriber equipment, improving the reliability of our equipment, better educating our
customers about our products and services, and resolving customer problems promptly and effectively when
they arise.
Great Value. We have historically been viewed as the low-cost provider in the pay-TV industry in the United
States. However, today with DISH TV, we are focused on a message of Service, Value and Technology. For
example, for certain new and qualifying customers, we guarantee our pricing for certain programming packages
and equipment for a two-year commitment period. We also offer a differentiated customer experience with our
award-winning Hopper Platform that integrates voice control powered by Google Assistant, access to apps
including Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube, and the ability to watch live, recorded and On Demand content
anywhere with the DISH Anywhere mobile application. As another example, our Sling Orange service and our
Sling Blue service are two of the lowest priced live-linear online streaming services in the industry.
3
Products and Services – Pay-TV
DISH TV services. We offer a wide selection of video services under the DISH TV brand, with access to hundreds of
channels depending on the level of subscription. Our standard programming packages generally include programming
provided by national broadcast networks, local broadcast networks and national and regional cable networks. We also
offer programming packages that include regional and specialty sports channels, premium movie channels and Latino
and international programming. Our Latino and international programming packages allow subscribers to choose from
over 300 channels in over 20 languages.
In addition, we offer our DISH TV subscribers streaming access through DISH On Demand® to thousands of movies
and television shows via their TV or Internet-connected devices.
Our DISH TV subscribers also have the ability to use dishanywhere.com and our DISH Anywhere mobile applications
on Internet-connected devices to view authorized content, search program listings and remotely control certain features
of their DVRs. Dishanywhere.com and our DISH Anywhere mobile applications provide access to thousands of movies
and television shows.
SLING TV services. Our SLING TV services require an Internet connection and are available on multiple streaming-
capable devices including, among others, streaming media devices, TVs, tablets, computers, game consoles and phones.
We offer SLING domestic, SLING International, and SLING Latino video programming services. We offer domestic
SLING TV services as a single-stream service branded SLING Orange and a multi-stream service branded SLING Blue,
which includes, among other things, the ability to stream on up to three devices simultaneously. We also offer add-on
extras, pay-per-view events and a cloud-based DVR service.
Distribution Channels – Pay-TV
We operate in the consumer market in the United States and use print, radio, television and Internet media, on a local
and national basis to motivate potential subscribers to contact DISH TV and SLING TV, visit our websites or contact
independent third party retailers. We often offer our new DISH TV subscribers certain programming at no additional
charge and/or promotional pricing during a commitment period. We often offer our new Sling TV subscribers free trials
and/or streaming-capable devices at no additional charge and/or promotional pricing.
While we offer receiver systems and programming through direct sales channels, a meaningful percentage of our gross
new DISH TV subscriber activations are generated through independent third parties such as small retailers, direct
marketing groups, local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications
companies. In general, we pay these independent third parties a mix of upfront and monthly incentives to solicit orders
for our services and provide customer service. We offer our SLING TV services through direct sales channels and third-
party marketing agreements.
We incur significant upfront costs to provide our new DISH TV subscribers with in-home equipment, which most of our
new DISH TV subscribers lease from us. We also incur significant upfront costs to install satellite dishes and receivers
in the homes of our new DISH TV subscribers.
Competition – Pay-TV
Competition has intensified in recent years as the pay-TV industry has matured. We and our competitors increasingly
must seek to attract a greater proportion of new subscribers from each other’s existing subscriber bases rather than from
first-time purchasers of pay-TV services. We face substantial competition from established pay-TV providers and
broadband service providers and increasing competition from companies providing/facilitating the delivery of video
content via the Internet to computers, televisions, and other streaming and mobile devices, including wireless service
providers. In recent years, industry consolidation and convergence has created competitors with greater scale and
multiple product/service offerings. These developments, among others, have contributed to intense and increasing
competition, and we expect such competition to continue.
4
Many of our competitors have been especially aggressive by offering discounted programming and services for both new
and existing subscribers, including bundled offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other
promotional offers. Certain competitors have been able to subsidize the price of video services with the price of
broadband and/or wireless services.
Our Pay-TV services also face increased competition from programmers and other companies who distribute video
directly to consumers over the Internet, as well as traditional satellite television providers, cable companies and large
telecommunications companies that are increasing their Internet-based video offerings. We also face competition from
providers of video content, many of which are providers of our programming content, that distribute content over the
Internet including services with live-linear television programming, as well as single programmer offerings and offerings
of large libraries of on-demand content, including in certain cases original content. These product offerings include,
among others, Netflix, Hulu, Apple+, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Disney+, ESPN+, ViacomCBS, HBO Max, STARZ,
Peacock, Fubo and Philo.
Significant changes in consumer behavior regarding the means by which consumers obtain video entertainment and
information in response to digital media competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business.
In particular, consumers have shown increased interest in viewing certain video programming in any place, at any time
and/or on any broadband or internet-connected device they choose. Online content providers may cause our subscribers
to disconnect our DISH TV services (“cord cutting”), downgrade to smaller, less expensive programming packages
(“cord shaving”) or elect to purchase through these online content providers a certain portion of the services that they
would have historically purchased from us, such as pay per view movies.
Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances among cable television providers, telecommunications companies,
programming providers and others may result in, among other things, greater scale and financial leverage and increase
the availability of offerings from providers capable of bundling video, broadband and/or wireless services in competition
with our services and may exacerbate the risks described in our public filings. These transactions may affect us
adversely by, among other things, making it more difficult for us to obtain access to certain programming networks on
nondiscriminatory and fair terms, or at all.
For further information see “Item 1A – Risk Factors – Competition and Economic Risks – We face intense and
increasing competition from providers of video, broadband and/or wireless services, which may require us to further
increase subscriber acquisition and retention spending or accept lower subscriber activations and higher subscriber
churn.”
RETAIL WIRELESS
Business Strategy - Retail Wireless
We offer nationwide prepaid and postpaid retail wireless services to subscribers under our Boost Mobile, Ting Mobile,
Republic Wireless and Gen Mobile brands, as well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices. Prepaid wireless
subscribers generally pay in advance for monthly access to wireless talk, text, and data services. Postpaid wireless
subscribers are qualified to pay after receiving wireless talk, text, and data services. We are currently operating our
Retail Wireless business unit as an MVNO while we complete our 5G Network Deployment. On July 14, 2021, we
entered into a ten-year NSA with AT&T to provide us with network services. Under the NSA, we expect AT&T will
become our primary network services provider. As an MVNO, today we primarily depend on T-Mobile as well as
AT&T to provide us with network services under the MNSA and NSA, respectively.
Our retail wireless business strategy is to expand our current target segments and profitably grow our subscriber base by
acquiring and retaining high quality subscribers while we complete our 5G Network Deployment. We intend to acquire
high quality subscribers by providing competitive offers with innovative new value-added services that better meet those
subscribers’ needs and budget. We intend on retaining those subscribers through those compelling new value-added
services and outstanding customer service. As we work to integrate our retail wireless brands, one of our focuses is to
ensure that our Pay-TV subscribers are aware of the increased value available to them through our retail wireless brands.
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Products and Services - Retail Wireless
Currently, we offer Wireless subscribers competitive consumer plans with no annual service contracts and monthly
service plans including high-speed data and unlimited talk and text.
Distribution Channels - Retail Wireless
We operate in the consumer market in the United States and use, among other things, print, radio, television and Internet
media, on a local and national basis to motivate potential subscribers to contact us, visit our websites or contact
independent third party retailers.
We have both an indirect sales channel, which includes third-party owned retail stores and big box stores, and a direct
sales channel, which services customers online. Through the indirect sales channel, we utilize direct distribution
partners to facilitate product delivery to the third-party Boost Mobile retailers.
We have relationships with most large manufacturers of wireless devices. We can incur significant upfront costs to
subsidize wireless devices offered under promotional pricing to consumers.
Competition - Retail Wireless
The Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile brands operate within the prepaid wireless space and the Ting Mobile and Republic
Wireless brands operate within the postpaid wireless space. Retail wireless is a mature market with moderate year-over-
year organic growth. Competitors include providers who offer similar communication services, such as talk, text and
data. Competitive factors within the wireless communications services industry include, but are not limited to, pricing,
market saturation, service and product offerings, customer experience and service quality. We compete with a number
of national wireless carriers, including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, all of which are significantly larger than us, serve
a significant percentage of all wireless subscribers and enjoy scale advantages compared to us. Verizon, AT&T, and T-
Mobile are currently the only nationwide Mobile Network Operators (“MNOs”) in the United States.
Primary competitors to our Retail Wireless business unit include, but are not limited to, Metro PCS (owned by T-
Mobile), Cricket Wireless (owned by AT&T), Visible (owned by Verizon), Tracfone Wireless (owned by Verizon), and
other MVNOs such as Consumer Cellular and Mint Mobile.
5G NETWORK DEPLOYMENT
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the 3.45-
3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022) and made over $10 billion in non-controlling investments
in certain entities, for a total of approximately $30 billion. The $30 billion of investments related to wireless spectrum
licenses does not include $6 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such licenses. See Note 2 and
Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information.
DISH Network Spectrum
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the 3.45-
3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022). These wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain
interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. We plan to commercialize our
wireless spectrum licenses through the completion of the nation’s first cloud-native, Open Radio Access Network (“O-
RAN”) based 5G network (our “5G Network Deployment”). We have committed to deploy a facilities-based 5G
broadband network capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at different deadlines,
including 20% of the U.S. population by June 2022 and 70% by June 2023. We currently have over 50 markets under
construction and completed a friendly user trial, drive testing and user equipment testing in Las Vegas during the fourth
quarter of 2021. Our current construction is primarily focused on markets we intend to launch by June 2022 in
conjunction with the 20% population coverage requirement. However, we have also began construction of markets we
intend to launch by June of 2023 that support the 70% population coverage requirement.
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We will need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, complete our 5G
Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and any
additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses.
Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly. In
addition, as we complete our 5G Network Deployment we will incur significant additional expenses related to, among
other things, research and development, wireless testing and ongoing upgrades to the wireless network infrastructure.
We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required to complete our 5G Network
Deployment and to compete with other wireless service providers. See Note 2 and Note 16 in the Notes to our
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
DISH Network Non-Controlling Investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities Related to AWS-3 Wireless
Spectrum Licenses
During 2015, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C. (“American II”) and
American AWS-3 Wireless III L.L.C. (“American III”), we initially made over $10 billion in certain non-controlling
investments in Northstar Spectrum, LLC (“Northstar Spectrum”), the parent company of Northstar Wireless, L.L.C.
(“Northstar Wireless,” and collectively with Northstar Spectrum, the “Northstar Entities”), and in SNR Wireless
HoldCo, LLC (“SNR HoldCo”), the parent company of SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC (“SNR Wireless,” and
collectively with SNR HoldCo, the “SNR Entities”), respectively. On October 27, 2015, the FCC granted certain AWS-
3 wireless spectrum licenses (the “AWS-3 Licenses”) to Northstar Wireless and to SNR Wireless, respectively, which
are recorded in “FCC authorizations” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Under the applicable accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”),
Northstar Spectrum and SNR HoldCo are considered variable interest entities and, based on the characteristics of the
structure of these entities and in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we consolidate these entities into
our financial statements. See Note 2 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K for further information.
The AWS-3 Licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal
requirements. The Northstar Entities and/or the SNR Entities may need to raise significant additional capital in the
future, which may be obtained from third party sources or from us, so that the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities
may commercialize, build-out and integrate these AWS-3 Licenses, comply with regulations applicable to such AWS-3
Licenses and make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3 licenses
retained by the FCC. Depending upon the nature and scope of such commercialization, build-out and integration efforts,
regulatory compliance, and potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment, any loans, equity
contributions or partnerships could vary significantly.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain a profitable return on our non-controlling investments in the
Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities. See Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
From time to time we evaluate opportunities for strategic investments or acquisitions that may complement our current
services and products, enhance our technical capabilities, improve or sustain our competitive position, or otherwise offer
growth opportunities.
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GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
Our operations, particularly our Pay-TV operations, our wireless services business and our wireless spectrum licenses
are subject to significant government regulation and oversight, primarily by the FCC and, to a certain extent, by
Congress, other federal agencies and international, foreign, state and local authorities. Depending on the circumstances,
noncompliance with legislation or regulations promulgated by these authorities could result in limitations on, or the
suspension or revocation of, our licenses or registrations, the termination or loss of contracts or the imposition of
contractual damages, civil fines or criminal penalties, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. These governmental authorities could also adopt regulations or take other
actions that would adversely affect our business prospects.
Furthermore, any government policy changes, which may be substantial, could increase regulatory uncertainty. The
adoption or modification of laws or regulations relating to video programming distribution, satellite services, wireless
telecommunications, broadband, the Internet or other areas of our business could limit or otherwise adversely affect the
manner in which we currently conduct our business. In addition, the manner in which regulations or legislation in these
areas may be interpreted and enforced cannot be precisely determined, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
As detailed below, our Pay-TV operations are subject to FCC jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the FCC’s rules
for satellite licensing, placement of satellites, interference avoidance, spectrum sharing, and coordination with other
satellite systems. We must comply with FCC rules promulgating public interest requirements for DBS providers,
security functionality for video providers, technology standards, media ownership, carriage of cable programming, and
net neutrality. In addition, the Copyright Act and the Communications Act govern our carriage of broadcast signals.
Wireless services and our wireless spectrum licenses are subject to regulation by the FCC and, depending on the
jurisdiction, other federal, state and local, as well as international, governmental authorities and regulatory agencies,
including, among other things, regulations governing the licensing, construction, operation, sale and interconnection
arrangements of wireless telecommunications systems. In particular, the FCC imposes significant regulation on
licensees of wireless spectrum with respect to how radio spectrum is used by licensees, the nature of the services that
licensees may offer and how the services may be offered, and resolution of issues of interference between spectrum
bands. The FCC grants wireless licenses for terms of generally 10-12 years that are subject to renewal or revocation.
There can be no assurances that our wireless spectrum licenses will be renewed. Failure to comply with FCC build-out
requirements in a given license area may result in acceleration of other build-out requirements or in the modification,
cancellation, or non-renewal of licenses. For further information related to our licenses and build-out requirements
related to our wireless spectrum licenses see Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our Pay-TV and Wireless operations are subject to federal, state, and international laws relating to the collection, use,
retention, security, and transfer of personally identifiable information. The regulatory framework for privacy and
security issues worldwide is rapidly evolving and as a result implementation standards and enforcement practices are
likely to remain uncertain for the foreseeable future. Any failure by us, our suppliers, or other parties with whom we do
business to comply with this documentation or with other federal, state, or international regulations could result in
proceedings against us by governmental entities or others. In many jurisdictions, enforcement actions and consequences
for noncompliance are rising. In the United States, these include enforcement actions in response to rules and regulations
promulgated under the authority of federal agencies and state attorneys general and legislatures and consumer protection
agencies.
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 video programming distribution, satellite
services, wireless telecommunications, broadband, and Internet industries. Government regulations that are currently the
subject of judicial or administrative proceedings, legislative hearings or administrative proposals could change these
industries to varying degrees. We cannot predict either the outcome of such proceedings or any potential impact they
might have on these industries or on our operations.
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FCC Regulations Governing our Pay-TV Operations
FCC Jurisdiction over our DBS Operations. The Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications
Act”), gives the FCC broad authority to regulate the operations of satellite companies. Specifically, the Communications
Act gives the FCC regulatory jurisdiction over the following areas relating to communications satellite operations:
the assignment of satellite radio frequencies and orbital locations, the licensing of satellites and earth
stations, the granting of related authorizations, and evaluation of the fitness of a company to be a licensee;
approval for the relocation of satellites to different orbital locations or the replacement of an existing
satellite with a new satellite;
ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of such assignments, licenses, authorizations and
approvals, including required timetables for construction and operation of satellites;
avoiding interference with other radio frequency emitters; and
ensuring compliance with other applicable provisions of the Communications Act and FCC rules and
regulations.
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. Necessary federal approval of these applications may not be granted, may not be granted in a
timely manner, or may be granted subject to conditions that may be cumbersome.
Overview of our DBS Satellites, Authorizations and Contractual Rights for Satellite Capacity. 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 DBS orbital position has
500 MHz of available Ku-band spectrum that is divided into 32 frequency channels. Several of our satellites also
include spot-beam technology that enables us to increase the number of markets where we provide local channels, but
reduces the number of video channels that could otherwise be offered across the entire United States.
The FCC has licensed us to operate a total of 82 DBS frequency channels at the following orbital locations:
21 DBS frequency channels at the 119 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to the
continental United States (“CONUS”); and
29 DBS frequency channels at the 110 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to CONUS; and
32 DBS frequency channels at the 61.5 degree orbital location, capable of providing service to most of the
United States – of these 32 channels, 30 are licensed to us and we are authorized to use the additional two
channels under a grant of Special Temporary Authority.
In addition, we currently lease or have entered into agreements to lease capacity on satellites using the following
spectrum at the following orbital locations:
500 MHz of Ku-band FSS spectrum that is divided into 32 frequency channels at the 118.7 degree orbital
location, which is a Canadian FSS slot that is capable of providing service to CONUS, Alaska and Hawaii;
32 DBS frequency channels at the 129 degree orbital location, which is a Canadian DBS slot that is capable
of providing service to most of the United States; and
32 DBS frequency channels at the 72.7 degree orbital location, which is a Canadian DBS slot that is
capable of providing service to CONUS.
We also have month-to-month FSS capacity available from EchoStar on an FSS satellite located at the 121 degree orbital
location.
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Duration of our DBS 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 ten years. Our licenses are currently set to expire at various times.
In addition, at various times we have relied on special temporary authorizations for our operations. A special temporary
authorization is granted for a period of only 180 days or less, subject again to possible renewal by the FCC. From time
to time, we apply for authorizations to use new satellites at our existing orbital locations. Generally, our FCC licenses
and special temporary authorizations have been renewed, and our applications for new satellites at our existing orbital
locations have been approved, by the FCC on a routine basis, but there can be no assurance that the FCC will continue to
do so.
Opposition and Other Risks to our Licenses. Several third parties have opposed in the past, and we expect these or
other parties to oppose in the future, some of our FCC satellite authorizations and pending and future requests to the
FCC for extensions, modifications, waivers and approvals of our licenses. In addition, we must comply with numerous
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.
4.5 Degree Spacing “Tweener” Satellites. The FCC has proposed to allow so-called “tweener” DBS operations – DBS
satellites operating at orbital locations 4.5 degrees (half of the usual nine degrees) away from other DBS satellites. The
FCC granted authorizations to EchoStar and Spectrum Five for tweener satellites at the 86.5 and 114.5 degree orbital
locations, respectively. These authorizations were subsequently cancelled because the FCC determined that the
licensees did not meet certain milestone requirements. Tweener operations close to our licensed orbital locations could
cause harmful interference to our service and constrain our future operations. In September 2019, the FCC completed its
2006 rulemaking on the operating and service rules for tweener satellites. As a result, among other things, the FCC will
now accept new applications for tweener slots, and the applicant must show that either no other U.S. DBS operations
would be affected or that it has successfully coordinated with affected parties. We cannot predict whether any parties
will file for tweener slots and whether we will face interference or other operational constraints as a result.
Interference from Other Services Sharing Satellite Spectrum. The FCC has adopted rules that allow non-geostationary
orbit (“NGSO”) FSS satellites to operate on a co-primary basis in the same frequency band as our DBS and
geostationary orbit (“GSO”) FSS satellites. The FCC has also authorized the use of multichannel video distribution and
data service (“MVDDS”) licenses in the DBS band. MVDDS licenses were auctioned in 2004. MVDDS systems have
been commercially deployed in a few markets. We have MVDDS licenses in 82 out of 214 geographical license areas,
including Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and several other major metropolitan areas. Despite regulatory
provisions intended to protect DBS and FSS operations from harmful interference, there can be no assurance that
operations by other satellites or terrestrial communication services in the DBS and FSS bands will not interfere with our
DBS and FSS operations and adversely affect our business. Space Exploration Corporation (“Spacex”), OneWeb LLC
(“OneWeb”) and others have obtained FCC authority to launch and operate, or provide service from, NGSO satellite
systems using a variety of spectrum bands, including the 12.2-12.7 GHz band, which we use for our DBS service, and
where we also have certain licenses to provide one-way terrestrial MVDDS service. If these systems are launched and
put into operation, there can be no assurance that they will not interfere with our DBS operations and adversely affect
our business or that they will not hinder our ability to provide MVDDS service.
Satellite Competition from Additional Slots and Interference. DirecTV has obtained FCC authority to provide service
to the United States from a Canadian DBS orbital slot, and we have obtained authority to provide service to the United
States from a Canadian DBS orbital slot. The possibility that the FCC will allow service to the United States 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 authority to add orbital locations serving the
United States close to our licensed slots. Such operations could cause harmful interference to our satellites and constrain
our future operations.
Rules Relating to Broadcast Services. The FCC imposes different rules for “subscription” and “broadcast” services.
We believe that, because our DISH TV services offer a subscription programming service, we are not subject to many of
the regulatory obligations imposed upon broadcast licensees. However, we cannot be certain whether the FCC will find
in the future that we must comply with regulatory obligations as a broadcast licensee. If the FCC determines that we are
a broadcast licensee, it could require us to comply with all regulatory obligations imposed upon broadcast licensees,
which in certain respects are subject to more burdensome regulation than subscription television service providers.
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Public Interest Requirements. The FCC imposes certain public interest obligations on our DBS licenses. These
obligations require us to set aside four percent of our channel capacity exclusively for noncommercial programming for
which we must charge programmers below-cost rates and for which we may not impose additional charges on
subscribers. The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (“STELA”) required the FCC to decrease this
set-aside to 3.5 percent for satellite carriers who provide retransmission of state public affairs networks in 15 states and
are otherwise qualified. The FCC, however, has not yet determined whether we qualify for this decrease in set-aside.
The obligation to provide noncommercial programming may displace programming for which we could earn commercial
rates and could adversely affect our financial results. We cannot be sure that, if the FCC were to review our
methodology for processing public interest carriage requests, computing the channel capacity we must set aside or
determining the rates that we charge public interest programmers, it would find them in compliance with the public
interest requirements.
Separate Security, Plug and Play. The STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014 (“STELAR”) ended the “integration ban”
that required cable companies to separate security functionality from the other features of their set-top boxes and that
required leased cable set-top boxes to include CableCARDs effective December 2015. Set-top boxes used by DBS
providers were not subject to this separate security requirement. STELAR required the FCC to establish a working
group of technical experts to identify and report on downloadable security design options that are not unduly
burdensome and that promote competition with respect to the availability of navigation devices. The working group
released a report in August 2015, which declined to offer a consensus recommendation regarding downloadable security
design options. However, we cannot predict whether the FCC will take further action regarding downloadable security.
Also, the FCC adopted the so-called “plug and play” standard for compatibility between digital television sets and cable
systems. That standard was developed through negotiations involving the cable and consumer electronics industries, but
not the satellite television industry. The FCC’s adoption of the standard was accompanied by certain rules regarding
copy protection measures that were applicable to us. We appealed the FCC’s decision regarding the copy protection
measures to the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (“D.C. Circuit”) and on January 15, 2013 the D.C.
Circuit vacated the FCC’s decision. The FCC is also considering various proposals to establish two-way digital cable
“plug and play” rules. That proceeding also asks about means to incorporate all pay-TV providers into its “plug and
play” rules. The cable industry and consumer electronics companies have reached a “tru2way” commercial arrangement
to resolve many of the outstanding issues in this docket. We cannot predict whether the FCC will impose rules on our
DISH TV operations that are based on cable system architectures or the private cable/consumer electronics tru2way
commercial arrangement. Complying with the separate security and other “plug and play” requirements may not be
technically feasible or may require potentially costly modifications to our set-top boxes and operations. We cannot
predict the timing or outcome of this FCC proceeding.
In 2016, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding possible new regulations that would generally
require pay-TV providers, among others, to make their video services operate on third-party devices. Under the FCC’s
proposal, consumers would have the choice of accessing cable and satellite programming through the pay-TV operator’s
products and services, or through products and services offered by a third party. These regulations, if adopted, would
have the potential to impose new costs on our DISH TV business by, among other things, requiring us to deploy
additional hardware or software to enable our DISH TV services to operate with third-party devices. In February 2017,
the FCC closed this rulemaking proceeding and no regulations were adopted. However, we cannot be certain that the
FCC will not open a new proceeding in the future to pursue similar regulations.
Retransmission Consent. The Copyright Act generally gives satellite companies a statutory copyright license to
retransmit local broadcast channels by satellite back into the market from which they originated, subject to obtaining the
retransmission consent of local network stations that do not elect “must carry” status, as required by the
Communications Act. If we fail to reach retransmission consent agreements with such broadcasters, we cannot carry
their signals. This could have an adverse effect on our strategy to compete with cable and other satellite companies that
provide local signals. While we have been able to reach retransmission consent agreements with most of these local
network stations, from time to time there are stations with which we have not been able to reach an agreement. We
cannot be sure that we will secure these agreements or that we will secure new agreements on acceptable terms, or at all,
upon the expiration of our current retransmission consent agreements, some of which are short-term.
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In recent years, national broadcasters have used their ownership of certain local broadcast stations to require us to carry
additional cable programming in exchange for retransmission consent of their local broadcast stations. These
requirements may place constraints on available capacity on our satellites for other programming. Furthermore, the rates
we are charged for retransmitting local channels have been increasing substantially and may exceed our ability to
increase our prices to our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations. In addition, the broadcast stations’ demands for higher rates have resulted in more frequent
negotiating impasses and programming interruptions.
During these programming interruptions, our subscribers in the affected markets lack access to popular programming
and may switch to another multichannel distributor that may be able to provide them with such programming.
In 2015, the FCC commenced a rulemaking proceeding as required by STELAR to review its “totality of circumstances”
test for ensuring that television stations and MVPDs negotiate retransmission consent agreements in “good faith.” In
2016, the Chairman of the FCC announced that the FCC would not proceed at that time to adopt additional rules
governing good faith negotiations for retransmission consent. STELAR prohibits television stations from coordinating
or engaging in joint retransmission consent negotiations with any other local television stations, unless the stations are
“directly or indirectly under common de jure control,” expanding a previous FCC ruling prohibiting joint negotiations
only among the top four stations in a market. In addition, STELAR prohibits a local television station from limiting an
MVPD’s ability to carry other television signals that have been deemed by the FCC to be “significantly viewed” or to
carry any other television signal the MVPD is otherwise entitled to carry under the Communications Act, unless such
stations are “directly or indirectly under common de jure control” pursuant to FCC regulations. We cannot predict if
these restrictions on broadcasters will result in more effective retransmission consent negotiations.
ATSC 3.0. In April 2016, the broadcast industry petitioned the FCC to authorize the use of the “Next Generation TV”
broadcast television standard, ATSC 3.0. In November 2017, the FCC authorized television broadcasters to deploy the
ATSC 3.0 standard on a voluntary basis. We cannot predict the effect that supporting this new standard could have on
equipment costs, carriage obligations or the retransmission consent process.
Media Ownership Rules. Also in 2016, the broadcast industry petitioned the FCC to relax its media ownership rules,
which, among other things, limit the number of commonly owned TV stations per market and restrict
newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership and radio/TV cross-ownership. In November 2017, the FCC voted to: (i)
eliminate the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule; (ii) eliminate the radio/television cross-ownership rule; (iii)
relax the local television ownership rules to eliminate certain restrictions and modify others; and (iv) eliminate the
attribution rule for television joint-sales agreements (collectively, the “2017 Order”). Additionally, in December 2017,
the FCC initiated a rulemaking proceeding seeking comment on changes to the national television multiple-ownership
rule, including changes that could relax or eliminate the current limits that prevent entities from owning or controlling
television stations that, in the aggregate, reach more than 39 percent of the television households in the country. If the
FCC were to relax or eliminate some or all of the national television multiple-ownership rule, it could increase the
negotiating leverage that broadcasters hold in retransmission consent negotiations. In December 2018, the FCC initiated
a rulemaking proceeding to commence its periodic review of media ownership rules. We cannot predict whether the
FCC will change any of its media ownership rules or the effect that any changes to the media ownership rules could have
on our future retransmission consent negotiations. In 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated the
2017 Order. Pursuant to this decision in Prometheus Radio Project v. FCC, on December 20, 2019 the FCC amended its
rules to reverse the 2017 Order and reinstate the rules as they existed prior to the 2017 Order. The FCC, though,
petitioned for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court of the United States (the “Supreme Court”) to reverse the Third
Circuit’s decision. On April 1, 2021, in FCC v. Prometheus Radio Project, the Supreme Court reversed the Third
Circuit, finding that “the FCC’s analysis was reasonable and reasonably explained for purposes of the APA’s deferential
arbitrary and capricious standard.” On June 4, 2021, the FCC released an Order reinstating the rule changes from the
2017 Order. On the same day, the FCC also asked for public comment to refresh the record in its 2018 quadrennial
proceeding reviewing its media ownership rules in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling. We cannot predict how the FCC
may address media ownership issues going forward, either through the imposition of new rules or the relaxation of
remaining ownership restrictions.
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Digital HD Carry-One, Carry-All Requirement. To provide any full-power local broadcast signal in any market, we are
required to retransmit all qualifying broadcast signals in that market (“carry-one, carry-all”), including the carriage of
full-power broadcasters’ HD signals in markets in which we elect to provide local channels in HD. The carriage of
additional HD signals on our DISH TV services could cause us to experience significant capacity constraints and prevent
us from carrying additional popular national channels and/or carrying those national channels in HD.
Distant Signals. Pursuant to STELA, we obtained a waiver of a court injunction that previously prevented us from
retransmitting certain distant network signals under a statutory copyright license. Because of that waiver, we may
provide distant network signals to eligible subscribers. To qualify for that waiver, we are required to provide local
service in all 210 local markets in the United States on an ongoing basis. This condition poses a significant strain on our
capacity. Moreover, we may lose that waiver if we are found to have failed to provide local service in any of the 210
local markets. If we lose the waiver, the injunction could be reinstated. Furthermore, depending on the severity of the
failure, we may also be subject to other sanctions, which may include, among other things, damages.
Cable Act and Program Access. We purchase a large percentage of our programming from cable-affiliated
programmers. Pursuant to the Cable Act, cable providers had been prohibited from entering into exclusive contracts
with cable-affiliated programmers. The Cable Act directed that this prohibition expire after a certain period of time
unless the FCC determined that the prohibition continued to be necessary. On October 5, 2012, the FCC allowed this
prohibition to expire. While the FCC has issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at serving some of the
same objectives as the prohibition, there can be no assurances that such protections will be adopted or be as effective as
the prohibition if they are adopted. In the event that this decision is reconsidered by the FCC or reviewed by a court of
appeals, we cannot predict the timing or outcome of any subsequent FCC decision.
As a result of the expiration of this prohibition on exclusivity, we may be limited in our ability to obtain access at all, or
on nondiscriminatory terms, to programming from programmers that are affiliated with cable system operators. In
addition, any other changes in the Cable Act, and/or the FCC’s rules that implement the Cable Act, that currently limit
the ability of cable-affiliated programmers to discriminate against competing businesses such as ours, could adversely
affect our ability to acquire cable-affiliated programming at all or to acquire programming on nondiscriminatory terms.
Furthermore, the FCC had imposed program access conditions on certain cable companies as a result of mergers,
consolidations or affiliations with programmers. The expiration of the exclusivity prohibition in the Cable Act triggered
the termination of certain program access conditions that the FCC had imposed on Liberty Media Corporation
(“Liberty”). In July 2012, similar program access conditions that had applied to Time Warner Cable Inc. (“Time Warner
Cable”), which was acquired by Charter in 2016, expired as previously scheduled. These developments may adversely
affect our ability to obtain Liberty’s and Charter’s programming, or to obtain it on nondiscriminatory terms. In the case
of certain types of programming affiliated with Comcast through its control of NBCUniversal Media, LLC
(“NBCUniversal”), the prohibition on exclusivity expired in January 2018, and we can no longer rely on these
protections. We cannot predict the practical effect of the expiration of these conditions which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business.
In addition, affiliates of certain cable providers have denied us access to sports programming that they supply to their cable
systems terrestrially, rather than by satellite. The FCC has held that new denials of such service are unfair if they have the
purpose or effect of significantly hindering us from providing programming to consumers. However, we cannot be sure
that we can prevail in a complaint related to such programming and gain access to it. Our continuing failure to access such
programming could materially and adversely affect our ability to compete in regions serviced by these cable providers.
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MDU Exclusivity. The FCC has found that cable companies should not be permitted to have exclusive relationships with
multiple dwelling units (e.g., apartment buildings). In May 2009, the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s decision. While the
FCC requested comments in November 2007 on whether DBS and Private Cable Operators should be prohibited from
having similar relationships with multiple dwelling units, it has yet to make a formal decision. If the cable exclusivity ban
were to be extended to DBS providers, our ability to serve these types of buildings and communities would be adversely
affected. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of the FCC’s consideration of this proposal.
Open Internet (also known as “Net Neutrality”). In 2015, the FCC adopted Open Internet rules, which applied to both
fixed and mobile broadband access providers and prohibited them, among other things, from blocking or throttling
traffic, from paid prioritization, and from unreasonably interfering with, or disadvantaging, consumers’ or content
providers’ access to the Internet. In addition, because the FCC reclassified broadband access providers as common
carriers, these providers were subject to the general common carrier requirements of reasonableness and
nondiscrimination. The rules were affirmed by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. A number of
broadband access providers and their associations have filed a petition for certiorari with the United States Supreme
Court. In December 2017, the FCC reversed course and voted to reclassify broadband access providers as information
service providers, instead of common carriers. The FCC also voted to eliminate the majority of the Open Internet rules,
leaving only certain ISP transparency requirements in place. In October 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C.
Circuit upheld the FCC’s authority to eliminate certain open Internet protections, while vacating the FCC’s attempt to
preempt state or local open Internet protections and remanding on three other issues. We cannot be certain whether the
FCC will reinstate any open Internet protections in the future, or whether it will make further attempts to preempt state
or local authority to adopt open Internet laws or regulations.
To the extent that network operators implement usage-based pricing, including meaningful bandwidth caps, or otherwise
try to monetize access to their networks by data providers, we could incur greater operating expenses and our Pay TV
subscriber count could be negatively impacted. Furthermore, to the extent network operators create tiers of Internet
access service and either charge us for or prohibit us from being available through these tiers, our Pay TV business could
be negatively impacted. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to our Pay TV business resulting from changes
in how network operators handle and charge for access to data that travels across their networks.
Charter/Time Warner Cable. In May 2016, the FCC and the Department of Justice approved a merger transaction
between Charter, Time Warner Cable, and Advance/Newhouse Partnership. The FCC conditioned its approval on,
among other things, Charter not imposing data caps or usage-based pricing for its residential broadband service and a
requirement that Charter provide settlement-free interconnection. These conditions last for seven years, with Charter
having the option after four years to petition to shorten the term to five years. It is uncertain how these conditions may
be interpreted or enforced by the FCC; therefore, we cannot predict the practical effect of these conditions. In addition,
as these conditions are currently set to expire in 2023, we will not be able to rely on these protections beyond that date.
Definition of MVPD. In December 2014, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the definition of
an MVPD. Among other things, the FCC is considering whether the definition of an MVPD should apply to Internet-
based streaming services, thus making such services subject to the same regulations as an MVPD. The FCC is also
considering the appropriate treatment of purely Internet-based linear video programming services that cable operators
and DBS providers offer in addition to their traditional video services. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of this
rulemaking process.
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State and Local Regulation
We are also regulated by state and local authorities. While the FCC has preempted many state and local regulations that
impair the installation and use of towers for wireless operations and consumer satellite dishes, our business nonetheless
may be subject to state and local regulation, including, among others, zoning regulations that affect the ability to install
consumer satellite antennas or build out wireless telecommunications networks.
International Regulation
We are subject to regulation by the International Telecommunication Union (“ITU”). The orbital location and
frequencies for certain of our satellites are subject to the frequency registration and coordination process of the ITU.
The ITU Radio Regulations define the international rules, regulations, and rights for a satellite and associated earth
stations to use specific radio frequencies at a specific orbital location. These rules, which include deadlines for the
bringing of satellite networks into use, differ depending on the type of service to be provided and the frequencies to be
used by the satellite. On our behalf, various countries have made and may in the future make additional filings for the
frequency assignments at particular orbital locations that are used or to be used by our current satellite networks and
potential future satellite networks we may build or acquire.
Our satellite services also must conform to the ITU service plans for Region 2 (which includes the United States). If any
of our operations are not consistent with this plan, the ITU will only provide authorization on a non-interference basis
pending successful modification of the plan or the agreement of all affected administrations to the non-conforming
operations. Certain of our satellites are not presently entitled to any interference protection from other satellites that are
in conformance with the plan. Accordingly, unless and until the ITU modifies its service plans to include the technical
parameters of our non-conforming operations, our non-conforming satellites, along with those of other non-conforming
satellite operators, must not cause harmful electrical interference with other assignments that are in conformance with
the ITU service plans.
The ITU also endeavors to standardize frequency allocations globally, which has led it to work on standards for
terrestrial services as well as satellite operations. Combined with the work of international industry-led standards bodies
such as 3GPP, these efforts could have a significant effect on the development of our wireless services.
Registration in the UN Registry of Space Objects
The United States and other jurisdictions in which we license satellites are parties to the United Nations (“UN”)
Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. The UN Convention requires a satellite’s
launching state to register the satellite as a space object with an UN Registry of Space Objects. The act of registration
carries liability for the registering country in the event that the satellite causes third-party damage. Administrations may
place certain requirements on satellite licensees in order to procure the necessary launch or operational authorizations
that accompany registration of the satellite. In some jurisdictions, these authorizations are separate and distinct, with
unique requirements, from the authorization to use a set of frequencies to provide satellite services. There is no
guarantee that we will be able to procure such authorizations even if we already possess a frequency authorization.
Export Control Regulation
The delivery of satellites and related technical information for purposes of launch by foreign launch service providers is
subject to export control and prior approval requirements. We are required to obtain import and export licenses from the
United States government to receive and deliver certain components of direct-to-home satellite television systems. In
addition, the delivery of satellites and the supply of certain related ground control equipment, technical services and
data, and satellite communication/control services to destinations outside the United States are 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). There are also instances where export control regulations could apply
to our wireless operations.
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Regulations Governing our Wireless Operations
The FCC regulates many aspects of our wireless operations. Generally, the FCC has jurisdiction over the construction,
operation, acquisition and transfer of wireless communications systems. All wireless services require use of radio
frequency spectrum, the assignment and distribution of which is subject to FCC oversight. The FCC can also determine
what services can be offered and how they can be offered over certain frequency bands. For more information regarding
our FCC Licenses, see discussion above and Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Additionally, the FCC and the Federal Aviation Administration regulate the siting, lighting and construction of
transmitter towers and antennae. Tower siting and construction are also subject to state and local zoning, as well as
federal statutes regarding environmental and historic preservation. The future costs to comply with all relevant
regulations are to some extent unknown and changes to regulations, or the applicability of regulations, could result in
higher operating and capital expenses, or reduced revenues in the future. Furthermore, the FCC has also imposed certain
specific mandates on wireless carriers, including construction and geographic coverage requirements, technical operating
standards, provision of enhanced 911 services, roaming obligations and requirements for wireless tower and antenna
facilities.
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and other federal agencies also have jurisdiction over some consumer
protection and elimination and prevention of anticompetitive business practices with respect to the provision of non-
common carrier services.
Meanwhile, our 5G Network Deployment will involve significant deployment of certain equipment and therefore
increase the need for local permitting processes that allow for the placement of equipment on reasonable timelines and
terms. While the Communications Act generally preempts state and local governments from regulating the entry of, or
the rates charged by, wireless communications services providers, certain state and local governments regulate other
terms and conditions of wireless service, including billing, termination of service arrangements and the imposition of
early termination fees, advertising, network outages, the use of devices while driving, zoning and land use. The
Communications Act also does not prohibit states from regulating the other “terms and conditions” of wireless service.
For example, some states attempt to regulate wireless customer billing matters and impose reporting requirements.
Several states also have laws or regulations that address safety issues (e.g., use of wireless handsets while driving) and
taxation matters. In addition, wireless tower and antenna facilities are often subject to state and local zoning and land
use regulation, and securing approvals for new or modified facilities is often a lengthy and expensive process.
PATENTS AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
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 that we offer or that we may offer in the future. In general, if a court
determines that one or more of our products or services infringe intellectual property rights held by others, we may be
required to cease developing or marketing those products or services, to obtain licenses from the holders of the
intellectual property rights at a material cost, or to redesign those products or services in such a way as to avoid
infringing any patent claims. If those intellectual property rights are held by a competitor, we may be unable to obtain
the intellectual property rights at any price, which could adversely affect our competitive position.
We may not be aware of all intellectual property rights that our products or services 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 claim
of infringement is valid often involves expensive and protracted litigation, even if we are ultimately successful on the
merits.
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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 can be substantial, and in certain circumstances can be trebled. 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 our products do not infringe on
these rights and/or that these rights are not valid. Further, we cannot be certain that we would 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.
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 2022 or 2023. 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.
SEGMENT REPORTING DATA AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA DATA
For segment reporting data and principal geographic area data for 2021, 2020 and 2019, see Note 17 in the Notes to our
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
HUMAN CAPITAL
We believe that our future success will depend to a significant extent upon the performance of Charles W. Ergen, our
Chairman, and certain other executives. The loss of Mr. Ergen or of certain other key executives could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Although all of our executives have
executed agreements with certain non-competition restrictions that apply if they leave us, we do not have employment
agreements with any of them.
We believe that our wireless business, including our ability to meet build-out requirements, is dependent on our ability to
identify, hire, develop, motivate, and retain a new team of highly skilled personnel with knowledge of the wireless
industry. Our wireless business will be adversely affected if we fail to effectively identify, hire, develop, motivate, and
retain highly skilled personnel with knowledge of the wireless industry.
We had approximately 14,500 employees at December 31, 2021, most of whom were located in the United States. We
generally consider relations with our employees to be good. Approximately 35 employees in one of our field offices
have voted to have a union represent them in their employment relations with DISH Network. We have reached a
tentative deal with the union and the represented workers voted for ratifying the agreement. We anticipate signing a
collective bargaining agreement with the union in the near future to memorialize the deal.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly file our annual reports on
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC. 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 reports 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 https://ir.dish.com/.
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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 Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 and the rules of the SEC promulgated thereunder. Our code of ethics is available on our corporate website at
https://ir.dish.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.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
(furnished in accordance with Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K)
The following table and information below sets forth the name, age and position with DISH Network 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
Charles W. Ergen
W. Erik Carlson
Thomas A. Cullen
Timothy A. Messner
Paul W. Orban
David A. Scott
John W. Swieringa
Age
Position
68 Chairman and Director
52 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
62 Executive Vice President, Corporate Development
47 Executive Vice President and General Counsel
53 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
48 Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
44 President and Chief Operating Officer - Wireless
Charles W. Ergen. Mr. Ergen is our executive Chairman and has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of DISH
Network since its formation and, during the past five years, has held executive officer and director positions with DISH
Network and its subsidiaries. Mr. Ergen also serves as executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors of
EchoStar. Mr. Ergen co-founded DISH Network with his future spouse, Cantey Ergen, and James DeFranco, in 1980.
W. Erik Carlson. Mr. Carlson has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since December 2017. Mr. Carlson
is also a member of our Board of Directors beginning December 31, 2021. Mr. Carlson is a DISH Network veteran of
more than two decades, and has held numerous roles throughout the company. Most recently, Mr. Carlson served as
President and Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Mr. Carlson oversaw the company’s day-to-day operations including
Human Resources, Operations and Information Technology, Media Sales, Marketing, Programming, Product
Management, Acquisition and Retention, and Finance and Accounting organizations. Prior to that, Mr. Carlson
managed DISH Network’s In-Home Services, Customer Service Centers, Customer Billing, and Information Technology
organizations, as well as Manufacturing, which consists of equipment retrieval and refurbishment operations. Mr.
Carlson also served as Senior Vice President of Retail Services and Sales where he managed the company’s indirect
sales operations.
Thomas A. Cullen. Mr. Cullen has served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development for DISH Network since
July 2011. Mr. Cullen previously served as our Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Programming from
April 2009 to July 2011 and as our Executive Vice President, Corporate Development from December 2006 to
April 2009. Before joining DISH Network, Mr. Cullen held various executive positions in the telecommunications,
cable and wireless industries.
Timothy A. Messner. Mr. Messner has served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel since November 2017 and
is responsible for all legal affairs for DISH Network and its subsidiaries. Since joining DISH Network in August 2004,
Mr. Messner has held various positions of increasing responsibility in DISH Network’s legal department. Most recently,
Mr. Messner served as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for DISH Network.
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Paul W. Orban. Mr. Orban has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since July 2019 and is
responsible for all aspects of DISH Network’s finance, accounting, tax, treasury, internal audit and supply chain
departments. Mr. Orban served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from December 2015 to July
2019, our Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller from September 2006 to December 2015 and as our Vice
President and Corporate Controller from September 2003 to September 2006. He also served as EchoStar’s Senior Vice
President and Corporate Controller from 2008 to 2012 pursuant to a management services agreement between DISH
Network and EchoStar. Since joining DISH Network in 1996, Mr. Orban has held various other positions of increasing
responsibility in our accounting department. Prior to DISH Network, Mr. Orban was an auditor with Arthur Andersen
LLP.
David A. Scott. Mr. Scott has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of DISH Network
since February 2018 and is responsible for the recruiting, benefits administration, compensation, and leadership and
organizational development for DISH Network and its subsidiaries. Prior to DISH Network, Mr. Scott held various
positions at Walmart Inc. from 1997 to 2018, including, among others, Senior Vice President, Talent and Organizational
Effectiveness from 2016 to 2018, Senior Vice President, Human Resources from 2014 to 2016, and Vice President,
Human Resources from 2011 to 2014.
John W. Swieringa. Mr. Swieringa has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DISH Network’s Wireless
business segment since January 2022. Mr. Swieringa has responsibility for all operational aspects of DISH Network’s
Wireless and Pay-TV business segments. Mr. Swieringa previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer since December 2017 and as Group President, Retail Wireless since July 2020 and has had
responsibility for all aspects of DISH Network’s Retail Wireless business unit. Mr. Swieringa previously served as
Executive Vice President, Operations from December 2015 to December 2017, as Senior Vice President and Chief
Information Officer from March 2014 to December 2015 and as Vice President of Information Technology Customer
Applications from March 2010 to March 2014. Mr. Swieringa joined DISH Network in December 2007 serving in our
finance department.
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 DISH Network, executive officers serve at the
discretion of the Board of Directors.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. We may face other risks described from
time to time in periodic and current reports we file with the SEC. If any of the following events occur, our business,
financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economic environment generally, and on us specifically, have
adversely impacted our business. Furthermore, any continuation or worsening of the pandemic and economic
environment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A novel strain of coronavirus which causes the disease COVID-19 has resulted in a worldwide pandemic. COVID-19
has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world and resulted in global travel restrictions and business slowdowns or
shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic has also created unanticipated circumstances and uncertainty, disruption, and
significant volatility in the economic environment generally, which have adversely affected, and may continue to
adversely affect, our business operations and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many of our subscribers are impacted by
recommendations and/or mandates from federal, state, and local authorities to, among other things, practice social
distancing and to refrain from gathering in groups. While certain government regulations and/or mandates have eased,
or are expected to ease in 2022 and COVID-19 vaccines have become broadly available, governmental authorities are
continuing to monitor the situation and take various actions in an effort to slow or prevent an increase in the spread of
COVID-19.
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These recommendations and/or mandates have created, among other things, reduced in person selling opportunities and a
reduction in subscribers’ willingness to open direct mail marketing, allow our in-home technicians into their homes, and
visit our retail wireless locations which has had, and will continue to have, a negative impact on our gross subscriber
activations. The removal of such recommendations and/or mandates may not change subscribers’ behaviors. The future
impact from the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition and results of operations is uncertain and not
predictable and will depend largely on future developments, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the
pandemic within and outside the United States, the response by all levels of government in their efforts to contain or
combat the pandemic and to mitigate the economic disruptions, and the related impact on consumer confidence and
spending, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. We cannot predict with certainty how long the
COVID-19 pandemic will last, how effective vaccines may be, or what other government responses may occur.
The following risks and uncertainties related to our business, among others, could be impacted and/or exacerbated by the
COVID-19 pandemic and any resulting worsening of the economic environment:
We have faced, and could continue to face, fewer subscriber activations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
and the worsening of the global business and economic environment due to, among other things, the reduced
ability to perform our in-home service operations due to the impact of social distancing, and reduced on-
premises operations of our commercial subscribers.
Our revenue with respect to both our pay-TV and wireless services comes from subscribers whose spending
patterns may be affected by economic weakness and uncertainty, including any economic weakness and/or
uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Weakness in the capital markets, including, but not limited to, changes to interest rates, related to the COVID-
19 pandemic could make it more difficult for us to satisfy our substantial long-term payment obligations,
including, without limitation, payments related to our 5G Network Deployment, repayment and/or refinancing
of existing indebtedness, payments related to certain litigation and other contractual obligations.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and any resulting worsening of the global business and economic
environment, we may not be able to make sufficient investments in staffing, training, information systems, and
other initiatives, including in our call center, in-home service and Retail Wireless operations.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a large portion of the global workforce is working remotely, which
could have a material adverse effect on our information technology infrastructure and communications systems,
and our ability to monitor, prevent and respond to system failures and/or cyber-attacks. The capacity, reliability
and security of our information technology infrastructure (including our billing systems) and communications
systems, or those of third parties that we use in our operations, are important to the operation of our current
business, which would be significantly disrupted in the event of a system failure or cyber-attack.
Our supply chain has been impacted by COVID-19, and there have been and could be additional significant and
unanticipated interruptions and/or delays in the supply of materials and/or equipment across our supply chain,
due to, among other things, surges in COVID-19. Moreover, the recent surges in COVID-19 cases in areas
outside the United States and the stringent lockdowns implemented in response to such surges are causing
interruptions and/or delays that are adversely impacting, among other things, the software, hardware and testing
related to our 5G Network Deployment. In addition, there have been worldwide interruptions and delays in the
supply of electronic components including, but not limited to, semi-conductors, which have negatively
impacted our ability to obtain set-top boxes, wireless devices and wireless network equipment. Furthermore,
we may not be able to diversify sources of supply in a timely manner to mitigate these interruptions and/or
delays or find new suppliers on reasonable terms or at all. These interruptions and/or delays in our supply chain
could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our Pay-TV and Retail Wireless operations, our
ability to meet our build-out requirement deadlines for our wireless spectrum licenses and our 5G Network
Deployment generally.
To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic continues to adversely affect the U.S. and/or global economy and/or adversely
affects our businesses, results of operations or financial condition, it may also have the effect of increasing the likelihood
and/or magnitude of other risks described below.
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Competition and Economic Risks
We face intense and increasing competition from providers of video, broadband and/or wireless services, which may
require us to further increase subscriber acquisition and retention spending or accept lower subscriber activations
and higher subscriber churn.
Our Pay-TV business faces substantial competition from established pay-TV providers and broadband service providers
and increasing competition from companies providing/facilitating the delivery of video content via the Internet to
computers, televisions, and other streaming and mobile devices, including wireless service providers. In recent years,
the traditional pay-TV industry has matured, and industry consolidation and convergence has created competitors with
greater scale and multiple product/service offerings. Some of these services charge nominal or no fees for access to their
content, which could adversely affect demand for our Pay-TV services. Moreover, new technologies have been, and will
likely continue to be, developed that further increase the number of competitors we face with respect to video services,
including competition from piracy-based video offerings. These developments, among others, have contributed to
intense and increasing competition, which we expect to continue.
We face increasing competition from content providers and other companies who distribute video directly to consumers
over the Internet. These content providers and other companies, as well as traditional satellite television providers, cable
companies and large telecommunication companies, are rapidly increasing their Internet-based video offerings. See
“Item 1. Business – Overview – Competition” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations – Trends in our Pay-TV Segment” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information.
Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances among cable television providers, telecommunications companies,
programming providers and others may result in, among other things, greater scale and financial leverage and increase
the availability of offerings from providers capable of bundling video, broadband and/or wireless services in competition
with our services, and may exacerbate the risks described herein. Such providers may be able to, among other things,
utilize their increased leverage over third-party content owners and programmers to withhold online rights from us and
reduce the price they pay for programming at the expense of other MVPDs, including us; thwart our ability to compete
in the wireless market, by, among other things, refusing to enter into data roaming agreements with us; underutilize key
orbital spectrum resources that could be more efficiently used by us; foreclose or degrade our online video offerings at
various points in the broadband pipe; and impose data caps on consumers who access our online video offerings. See
“Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Trends in our Pay-
TV Segment – Programming” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
We believe that the availability and extent of programming, including unique programming services such as foreign
language, sports programming and original content, and other value-added services such as access to video via mobile
devices, continue to be significant factors in consumers’ choice among pay-TV providers. Other pay-TV providers may
have more successfully marketed and promoted their programming packages and value-added services and may also be
better equipped and have greater resources to increase their programming offerings and value-added services to respond
to increasing consumer demand. We may be required to make substantial additional investments in infrastructure to
respond to competitive pressure to deliver enhanced programming and other value-added services, and there can be no
assurance that we will be able to compete effectively with offerings from other pay-TV providers.
Furthermore, this increasingly competitive environment may require us to increase subscriber acquisition and retention
spending or accept lower subscriber activations and higher subscriber churn. Increasingly, we must seek to attract a
greater proportion of new subscribers from our competitors’ existing subscriber bases rather than from first-time
purchasers of pay-TV services. In addition, because other pay-TV providers may be seeking to attract a greater
proportion of their new subscribers from our existing subscriber base, we may be required to increase retention spending
and/or provide greater discounts or credits to acquire and retain subscribers who may spend less on our services. Our
SLING TV subscribers on average purchase lower priced programming services than DISH TV subscribers.
Accordingly, an increase in SLING TV subscribers has a negative impact on our Pay-TV average monthly revenue per
subscriber (“Pay-TV ARPU”). If our Pay-TV ARPU decreases or does not increase commensurate with increases in
programming or other costs, our margins may be reduced and the long-term value of a subscriber would then decrease
and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
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In addition, as a result of this increased competitive environment and the maturation of the pay-TV industry, future
growth opportunities of our DISH TV business may be limited and our margins may be reduced, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. Our gross new DISH
TV subscriber activations continue to be negatively impacted by stricter subscriber acquisition policies (including a
focus on attaining higher quality subscribers) and increased competitive pressures, including aggressive marketing, more
aggressive retention efforts, bundled discount offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other
discounted promotional offers. In addition, we face increased competitive pressures from content providers and other
companies who distribute video directly to consumers over the Internet. These content providers and other companies,
as well as traditional satellite television providers, cable companies and large telecommunication companies, are rapidly
increasing their Internet-based video offerings. There can be no assurance that our gross new DISH TV subscriber
activations, net DISH TV subscriber additions, and DISH TV churn rate will not continue to be negatively impacted and
that the pace of such negative impact will not accelerate. In the event that our DISH TV subscriber base continues to
decline, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
Changing consumer behavior and new technologies in our Pay-TV business may reduce our subscriber activations
and may cause our subscribers to purchase fewer services from us or to cancel our services altogether, resulting in
less revenue to us.
New technologies, products and services are driving rapid changes in consumer behavior as consumers seek more
control over when, where and how they consume content and access communications services. In particular, through
technological advancements and with the large increase in the number of consumers with broadband service, a
significant amount of video content has become available through online content providers for users to stream and view
on their personal computers, televisions, phones, tablets, videogame consoles, and other devices, in some cases without a
fee required to access the content. While our subscribers can use their traditional video subscription to access mobile
programming, an increasing number of subscribers are also using mobile devices as the sole means of viewing video,
and an increasing number of non-traditional video providers are developing content and technologies to satisfy that
demand. For example, these technological advancements, changes in consumer behavior, and the increasing number of
choices available to consumers regarding the means by which consumers obtain video content may cause DISH TV
subscribers to disconnect our services (“cord cutting”), downgrade to smaller, less expensive programming packages
(“cord shaving”) or elect to purchase through online content providers a certain portion of the services that they would
have historically purchased from us, such as pay per view movies. These technological advancements and changes in
consumer behavior and/or our failure to effectively anticipate or adapt to such changes, could reduce our gross new Pay-
TV subscriber activations and increase our subscriber churn rate, and could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
New technologies could also create new competitors for us. For instance, we face increasing consumer demand for the
delivery of digital video services via the Internet. We expect to continue to face increased competition from companies
who use the Internet to deliver digital video services as the speed and quality of broadband and wireless networks
continue to improve.
We face certain risks competing in the wireless services industry and operating a facilities-based wireless services
business.
As a result of the recent Boost Mobile, Ting Mobile and Republic Wireless acquisitions, among others, we have entered
the retail wireless business. We have made substantial investments to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses. We
plan to commercialize our wireless spectrum licenses through the completion of our 5G Network Deployment. A
wireless services business presents certain risks. Any of the following risks, among others, may have a material adverse
effect on our future business, results of operations and financial condition.
22
The wireless services industry is competitive. We have limited experience in the wireless services industry,
which is a competitive industry with increasing subscriber demands for data services that require increasing
capital resources to maintain a robust network. The wireless services industry has incumbent and established
competitors such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile with substantial market share. These companies have
greater financial, marketing and other resources than us, and have existing cost and operational advantages that
we lack. Market saturation is expected to continue to cause subscriber growth rates in the wireless services
industry to moderate in comparison to historical growth rates, leading to increased competition for subscribers.
As the industry matures, competitors increasingly must seek to attract a greater proportion of new subscribers
from each other’s existing subscriber bases rather than from first-time purchasers of wireless services.
Furthermore, the cost of attracting a new subscriber is generally higher than the cost associated with retaining
an existing subscriber. In addition, we face increasing competition from wireless telecommunications providers
who offer mobile video offerings. Wireless mobile video offerings have become more prevalent in the
marketplace as wireless telecommunications providers have expanded the fourth generation of wireless
communications and are entering the fifth generation. As previously noted, mergers and acquisitions, joint
ventures and alliances among cable television providers, telecommunications companies, programming
providers and others may result in, among other things, greater scale and financial leverage and increase the
availability of offerings from providers capable of bundling video, broadband and/or wireless services in
competition with our services. Such companies may be able to, among other things, pressure third-party
content owners and programmers to withhold online rights from us; utilize their increased leverage over third-
party content owners and programmers to reduce the price they pay for programming at the expense of other
MVPDs, including us; thwart our ability to compete in the wireless market, by, among other things, refusing to
enter into data roaming agreements with us; foreclose or degrade our online video offerings at various points in
the broadband pipe; and impose data caps on consumers who access our online video offerings. See “Item 1.
Business – Overview – Business Strategy Wireless” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Wireless – Retail Wireless” in this Annual Report on Form 10-
K for further information.
Our ability to compete effectively in the wireless services industry would be dependent on a number of
factors. Our ability to compete effectively in the wireless services industry would depend on, among other
things, our network quality, capacity and coverage; the pricing of our products and services; the quality of
subscriber service; our development of new and enhanced products and services; the reach and quality of our
sales and distribution channels; our ability to predict and adapt to future changes in technologies and changes in
consumer demands; and capital resources. It would also depend on how successfully we anticipate and respond
to various competitive factors affecting the industry, including, among others, new technologies and business
models, products and services that may be introduced by competitors, changes in consumer preferences, the
demand for and usage of data, video and other voice and non-voice services, demographic trends, economic
conditions, and discount pricing and other strategies that may be implemented by competitors. It may be
difficult for us to differentiate our products and services from other competitors in the industry, which may
limit our ability to attract and retain subscribers. Our success also may depend on our ability to access and
deploy adequate spectrum, deploy new technologies and offer attractive services to subscribers. For example,
we may not be able to obtain and offer certain technologies, features or services that are subject to competitor
patents or other exclusive arrangements.
We depend on third parties to provide us with infrastructure and products and services. We depend on
various key suppliers and vendors to provide us, directly or through other suppliers, with infrastructure,
equipment and services, such as switch and network equipment, handsets and other devices and equipment that
we would need in order to operate a wireless services business and provide products and services to our
subscribers. For example, handset and other device suppliers often rely on one vendor for the manufacture and
supply of critical components, such as chipsets, used in their devices. If these suppliers or vendors fail to
provide equipment or services on a timely basis or fail to meet performance expectations, we may be unable to
provide products and services as and when expected by our subscribers. Any difficulties experienced with
these suppliers and vendors could result in additional expense and/or delays in operating our wireless services.
Our efforts involve significant expense and require strategic management decisions on, and timely
implementation of, among other things, equipment choices, network deployment and management, and service
offerings. In addition, these suppliers and vendors may also be subject to litigation with respect to technology
on which we depend, including litigation involving claims of patent infringement.
23
Wireless services and our wireless spectrum licenses are subject to government regulation. Wireless services
and our wireless spectrum licenses are subject to regulation by the FCC and other federal, state and local, as
well as international, governmental authorities. These governmental authorities could adopt regulations or take
other actions that would adversely affect our business prospects, making it more difficult and/or expensive to
complete our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize our wireless spectrum licenses or acquire
additional licenses. The licensing, construction, operation, sale and interconnection arrangements of wireless
telecommunications systems are regulated by the FCC and, depending on the jurisdiction, other federal and
international, state and local regulatory agencies. In particular, the FCC imposes significant regulation on
licensees of wireless spectrum with respect to how radio spectrum is used by licensees, the nature of the
services that licensees may offer and how the services may be offered, and resolution of issues of interference
between spectrum bands. The FCC grants wireless licenses for terms of generally ten years that are subject to
renewal or revocation based on certain factors depending on the license including, among others, public interest
considerations, level and quality of services and/or operations provided by the licensee, frequency and duration
of any interruptions or outages of services and/or operations provided by the licensee, and the extent to which
service is provided to, and/or operation is provided in, rural areas and tribal lands. There can be no assurances
that our wireless spectrum licenses will be renewed or that we will be able to obtain additional licenses. Failure
to comply with FCC requirements in a given license area could result in revocation of the license for that
license area. In addition, the FCC uses its transactional “spectrum screen” to identify prospective wireless
transactions that may require additional competitive scrutiny. If a proposed transaction would exceed the
spectrum screen threshold, the FCC undertakes a more detailed analysis of relevant market conditions in the
impacted geographic areas to determine whether the transaction would reduce competition without offsetting
public benefits. If a proposed spectrum acquisition exceeds the spectrum screen trigger, such additional review
could extend the duration of the regulatory review process and there can be no assurance that such proposed
spectrum acquisition would ultimately be completed, in whole or in part.
Our pay-TV competitors may be able to leverage their relationships with programmers to reduce their programming
costs and/or offer exclusive content that will place them at a competitive advantage to us.
The cost of programming represents the largest percentage of our overall Pay-TV costs. Certain of our competitors own
directly or are affiliated with companies that own programming content that may enable them to obtain lower
programming costs or offer exclusive programming that may be attractive to prospective subscribers. Unlike our larger
cable and satellite competitors, some of which also provide internet or broadband based pay-TV services, we have not
made significant investments in programming providers. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to obtain access to
such programming networks on nondiscriminatory and fair terms, or at all. See “Changes in the Cable Act, and/or the
rules of the FCC that implement the Cable Act, may limit our ability to access programming from cable-affiliated
programmers at nondiscriminatory rates,” below and “Item 1. Business – Government Regulations – FCC Regulations
Governing our Pay-TV Operations – Cable Act and Program Access” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information.
Through the MNSA and NSA, we depend primarily on T-Mobile as well as AT&T, respectively, in providing network
services to our retail Wireless subscribers, and any system failure in the wireless networks, interruption in the
network services (including the shutdown of T-Mobile’s CDMA Network on March 31, 2022), and/or the termination
of the MNSA or NSA could negatively impact our subscriber activations, our subscriber churn rate and our
subscriber base, which in turn could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
As we offer retail wireless services and move forward with our 5G Network Deployment, we currently depend primarily
on T-Mobile as well as AT&T to provide us with network services pursuant to the MNSA and NSA, respectively. We
rely on T-Mobile and AT&T to maintain their wireless facilities and government authorizations and to comply with
government policies and regulations. If T-Mobile or AT&T fails to do so our subscriber activations and churn rate could
be negatively impacted, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
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Furthermore, T-Mobile provided notice that it intends to shutdown the CDMA Network on March 31, 2022. A
substantial portion of our retail Wireless subscribers currently receive services through T-Mobile’s CDMA Network.
The shutdown on this timeframe will require subscribers to obtain a new device, a new SIM card or receive a software
download in order to continue receiving wireless services from us under the MNSA. These required measures are
challenging to implement and could result in, among other things, a significant increase in our churn rate and negative
impact to our retail Wireless subscriber base.
We have incurred substantial costs to implement these measures, including for the procurement of replacement devices,
but there are many risks, including the procurement of an adequate number of replacement devices in a timely fashion.
As a result, there can be no assurance that the implementation of these measures will be successful in reducing or
controlling subscriber churn.
Moreover, these measures along with our associated subscriber communications could cause confusion and
dissatisfaction within our retail Wireless subscriber base, which could result in significant subscriber
churn. Consequently, the circumstances surrounding T-Mobile’s shutdown of its CDMA Network and our efforts in
responding to such shutdown could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Other risks related to T-Mobile’s and AT&T’s wireless networks and infrastructure include, but are not limited to: major
equipment failures, breaches of network or information technology security that affect their wireless networks,
including, but not limited to, cyber-attacks or breaches, transport facilities, communications switches, routers,
microwave links, cell sites or other equipment, power surges or outages, software defects and disruptions beyond T-
Mobile’s and AT&T’s control, such as natural disasters and acts of terrorism. Any impact on T-Mobile’s and/or
AT&T’s wireless network could disrupt our operations, require significant resources, result in a loss of retail wireless
subscribers or impair our ability to attract new retail wireless subscribers, which in turn could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Delays or failure to add network capacity, or
increased costs of adding capacity or operating the network, could limit our ability to increase our subscriber base, limit
our ability to increase our revenues, or cause a deterioration of our operating margin.
Changes in how network operators handle and charge for access to data that travels across their networks could
adversely impact our Pay-TV business.
With respect to our Pay-TV business, we rely upon the ability of consumers to access our SLING TV services and
certain DISH TV functionality through the Internet. If network operators block, restrict, slow-down or throttle or
otherwise impair access to our services over their networks, our business could be negatively affected. To the extent that
network operators implement usage-based pricing, including meaningful bandwidth caps, or otherwise try to monetize
access to their networks by data providers, we could incur greater operating expenses and our SLING TV subscriber
count could be negatively impacted. Furthermore, to the extent network operators create tiers of Internet access service
and either charge us for or prohibit us from being available through these tiers, our SLING TV business could be
negatively impacted.
In addition, many network operators that provide consumers with broadband service also provide these consumers with
video programming, and these network operators may have an incentive to use their network infrastructure in a manner
adverse to our continued growth and success. These risks may be exacerbated to the extent network operators are able to
provide preferential treatment to their data, including, for example, by offering wireless subscribers access to owned
video content over the Internet without counting against a subscriber’s monthly data caps (“zero rating”), which may
give an unfair advantage to the network operator’s own video content.
We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to our business that may result from changes in how network operators
handle and charge for access to data that travels across their networks.
25
Economic weakness and uncertainty may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.
Our ability to grow or maintain our business may be adversely affected by economic weakness and uncertainty, which
could result in the following:
Fewer subscriber activations and increased subscriber churn rate. We could face fewer subscriber
activations and increased subscriber churn rate due to, among other things: (i) certain economic factors that
impact consumers, including, among others, rising interest rates, a potential downturn in the housing market in
the United States (including a decline in housing starts) and higher unemployment, which could lead to a lack
of consumer confidence and lower discretionary spending; (ii) increased price competition for our products and
services; and (iii) the potential loss of independent third-party retailers, who generate a meaningful percentage
of our gross new DISH TV and retail Wireless subscriber activations, because many of them are small
businesses that are more susceptible to the negative effects of economic weakness. In particular, our DISH TV
churn rate and retail Wireless churn rate may increase with respect to subscribers who purchase our lower tier
programming packages and wireless services, and who may be more sensitive to economic weakness,
including, among others, our pay-in-advance subscribers.
Higher subscriber acquisition and retention costs. Our profits may be adversely affected by increased
subscriber acquisition and retention costs necessary to attract and retain subscribers during a period of
economic weakness.
Operational and Service Delivery Risks
Any deterioration in our operational performance and subscriber satisfaction could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
If our operational performance and subscriber satisfaction with respect to either or both of our Pay-TV or wireless
services were to deteriorate, we may experience a decrease in subscriber activations and an increase in our subscriber
churn rate, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. To
improve our operational performance, we continue to make investments in staffing, training, information systems, and
other initiatives, primarily in our call center, in-home service operations and Retail Wireless operations. These
investments are intended to help combat inefficiencies introduced by the increasing complexity of our business, improve
subscriber satisfaction, reduce subscriber churn, increase productivity, and allow us to scale better over the long run. We
cannot, however, be certain that our spending will ultimately be successful in improving our operational performance,
and if unsuccessful, we may have to incur higher costs to improve our operational performance. While we believe that
such costs will be outweighed by longer-term benefits, there can be no assurance when or if we will realize these
benefits at all.
If our subscriber activations decrease, or if our subscriber churn rate, subscriber acquisition costs or retention costs
increase, our financial performance will be adversely affected.
We may incur increased costs to acquire new subscribers and retain existing subscribers to either or both of our Pay-TV
or wireless services. For example, with respect to our Pay-TV business, our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations,
net DISH TV subscriber additions, and DISH TV churn rate continue to be negatively impacted by stricter subscriber
acquisition and retention policies for our DISH TV subscribers, including an emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher
quality subscribers. In addition, our subscriber acquisition costs could increase as a result of increased spending for
advertising and, with respect to our DISH TV services, the installation of more DVR receivers, which are generally more
expensive than other receivers. Retention costs with respect to our DISH TV services may be driven higher by increased
upgrades of existing subscribers’ equipment to DVR receivers.
For our retail wireless business, we are currently in the process of integrating our Retail Wireless operations and making
certain operational changes to enhance profitability. We are working to ensure that the subscribers we acquire and retain
are profitable under our MVNO economics. As an example, certain subscribers that use high amounts of data, may be
profitable for an MNO, but are not profitable under an MNVO. This has caused our net retail Wireless subscriber
additions to be negatively impacted.
26
Although we expect to continue to incur expenses, such as providing retention credits and other subscriber acquisition
and retention expenses, to attract and retain subscribers, there can be no assurance that our efforts will generate new
subscribers or result in a lower churn rate. Our subscriber acquisition costs and our subscriber retention costs can vary
significantly from period to period and can cause material variability to our net income (loss) and free cash flow. Any
material increase in subscriber acquisition or retention costs from current levels could have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
With respect to our Pay-TV business, programming expenses are increasing, which may adversely affect our future
financial condition and results of operations.
Our programming costs represent a significant component of our total expense and we expect these costs to continue to
increase on a per subscriber basis. The pay-TV industry has continued to experience an increase in the cost of
programming, especially local broadcast channels and sports programming. In addition, certain programming costs are
rising at a much faster rate than wages or inflation. These factors may be exacerbated by the increasing trend of
consolidation in the media industry, which may further increase our programming expenses. Our ability to compete
successfully will depend, among other things, on our ability to continue to obtain desirable programming and deliver it
to our subscribers at competitive prices.
When offering new programming, or upon expiration of existing contracts, programming suppliers have historically
attempted to increase the rates that they charge us for programming. We expect this practice to continue, which, if
successful, would increase our programming costs. In addition, our programming expenses may also increase as we add
programming to our video services or distribute existing programming to our subscribers through additional delivery
services, such as SLING TV. As a result, our margins may face further pressure if we are unable to renew our long-term
programming contracts on acceptable pricing and other economic terms. Alternatively, to attempt to mitigate the effect
of price increases or for other reasons, we may elect not to carry or may be unable to carry certain channels, which could
adversely affect our net Pay-TV subscriber additions.
In addition, increases in programming costs cause us to increase the rates that we charge our Pay-TV subscribers, which
could in turn cause our existing Pay-TV subscribers to disconnect our service or cause potential new Pay-TV subscribers
to choose not to subscribe to our service. Therefore, we may be unable to pass increased programming costs on to our
subscribers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on others to provide the programming that we offer to our Pay-TV subscribers and, if we fail to obtain or
lose access to certain programming, our Pay-TV subscriber activations and our subscriber churn rate may be
negatively impacted.
We depend on third parties to provide us with programming services. Our programming agreements have remaining
terms ranging from less than one to up to several years and contain various renewal, expiration and/or termination
provisions. We may not be able to renew these agreements on acceptable terms or at all, and these agreements may be
terminated prior to expiration of their original term.
In recent years, negotiations over programming carriage contracts generally remain contentious, and certain
programmers have, in the past, limited our access to their programming in connection with those negotiations and the
scheduled expiration of their programming carriage contracts with us. In recent years, our net Pay-TV subscriber
additions have been negatively impacted as a result of programming interruptions and threatened programming
interruptions in connection with the scheduled expiration of programming carriage contracts with content providers.
We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber
activations, and DISH TV churn rate resulting from programming interruptions or threatened programming interruptions
that may occur in the future. As a result, we may at times suffer from periods of lower net Pay-TV subscriber additions
or higher net Pay-TV subscriber losses.
27
We typically have a few programming contracts with major content providers up for renewal each year and if we are
unable to renew any of these agreements or the other parties terminate the agreements, there can be no assurance that we
would be able to obtain substitute programming, or that such substitute programming would be comparable in quality or
cost to our existing programming. In addition, failure to obtain access to certain programming or loss of access to
programming, particularly programming provided by major content providers and/or programming popular with our
subscribers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including,
among other things, our net Pay-TV subscriber additions.
Our programming signals in our Pay-TV business are subject to theft, and we are vulnerable to other forms of fraud that
could require significant expenditures to remedy. Increases in theft of our signal or our competitors’ signals could, in
addition to reducing gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, also cause our DISH TV churn rate to increase.
We may not be able to obtain necessary retransmission consent agreements at acceptable rates, or at all, from local
network stations.
The Copyright Act generally gives satellite companies a statutory copyright license to retransmit local broadcast
channels by satellite back into the market from which they originated, subject to obtaining the retransmission consent of
local network stations that do not elect “must carry” status, as required by the Communications Act. If we fail to reach
retransmission consent agreements with such broadcasters, we cannot carry their signals. This could have an adverse
effect on our strategy to compete with cable and other satellite companies that provide local signals. While we have
generally been able to reach retransmission consent agreements with most of these local network stations, from time to
time there are stations with which we have not been able to reach an agreement, resulting in the removal of their
channels primarily from our DISH TV lineup. There can be no assurance that we will secure these agreements or that
we will secure new agreements on acceptable terms, or at all, upon the expiration of our current retransmission consent
agreements, some of which are short-term. In recent years, national broadcasters have used their ownership of certain
local broadcast stations to require us to carry additional cable programming in exchange for retransmission consent of
their local broadcast stations. These requirements may place constraints on available capacity on our satellites for other
programming. Furthermore, the rates we are charged for retransmitting local channels have been increasing substantially
and may exceed our ability to increase our prices to our subscribers, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure and communications systems or those of
third parties that we use in our operations, including, without limitation, those caused by cyber-attacks or other
malicious activities, could disrupt or harm our business.
The capacity, reliability and security of our information technology hardware and software infrastructure (including our
billing systems) and communications systems, or those of third parties that we use in our operations, are important to the
operation of our businesses, which would suffer in the event of system failures or cyber-attacks. Likewise, our ability to
expand and update our information technology infrastructure in response to our growth and changing needs is important
to the continued implementation of our new service offering initiatives. Our inability to expand or upgrade our
technology infrastructure could have adverse consequences, which could include, among other things, the delayed
implementation of new service offerings, service or billing interruptions, and the diversion of developmental resources.
We rely on certain third parties for developing key components of our information technology and communications
systems and ongoing service, all of which affect our Pay-TV services and wireless services. Some of our key systems
and operations, including those supplied by third-party providers, are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery
planning cannot account for all eventualities. Interruption and/or failure of any of these systems could disrupt our
operations, interrupt our services, result in significant financial expenditures and damage our reputation, thus adversely
impacting our ability to provide our services, retain our current subscribers and attract new Pay-TV and Wireless
subscribers and complete our 5G Network Deployment.
28
In addition, although we take protective measures designed to secure our information technology systems and endeavor
to modify such protective measures as circumstances warrant, our information technology hardware and software
infrastructure and communications systems, or those of third parties that we use in our operations, may be vulnerable to
a variety of interruptions, including, without limitation, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures,
cyber-attacks and other malicious activities such as unauthorized access, physical or electronic break-ins, misuse,
computer viruses or other malicious code, computer denial of service attacks and other events that could disrupt or harm
our business. These protective measures may not be sufficient for all eventualities and may themselves be vulnerable to
hacking, malfeasance, system error or other irregularities.
For example, certain parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or subscribers into disclosing usernames,
passwords or other sensitive information, which may in turn be used to access our information technology systems. In
addition, third-party providers of some of our key systems may also experience interruptions to their information
technology hardware and software infrastructure and communications systems that could adversely impact us and over
which we may have limited or no control. We may obtain certain confidential, proprietary and personal information
about our subscribers, personnel and vendors, and may provide this information to third parties in connection with our
business. If one or more of such interruptions or failures occur to us or our third-party providers, it potentially could
jeopardize such information and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our or our third-
party providers’ information technology hardware and software infrastructure and communications systems, or otherwise
cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in lawsuits, government claims, investigations
or proceedings, significant losses or reputational damage. Due to the fast-moving pace of technology, it may be difficult
to detect, contain and remediate every such event.
We may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and
remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to financial losses. Furthermore, the amount and
scope of insurance we maintain may not cover all expenses related to such activities or all types of claims that may arise.
As a result of the increasing awareness concerning the importance of safeguarding personal information, the potential
misuse of such information and legislation that has been adopted or is being considered regarding the protection, privacy
and security of personal information, the potential liability associated with information-related risks is increasing,
particularly for businesses like ours that handle personal subscriber data. The occurrence of any network or information
system related events or security breaches could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial
condition and results of operations. Significant incidents could result in a disruption of our operations, subscriber
dissatisfaction, damage to our reputation or a loss of subscribers and revenues.
Our failure to effectively invest in, introduce, and implement new competitive products and services could cause our
products and services to become obsolete and could negatively impact our business.
Technology in the pay-TV and wireless industries changes rapidly as new technologies are developed, which could
cause our products and services to become obsolete. We and our suppliers may not be able to keep pace with
technological developments. Our operating results are dependent to a significant extent upon our ability to continue to
introduce new products and services, to upgrade existing products and services on a timely basis, and to reduce costs of
our existing products and services. We may not be able to successfully identify new product or service opportunities or
develop and market these opportunities in a timely or cost-effective manner.
The research and development of new, technologically advanced products is a complex and uncertain process requiring
high levels of innovation and investment. The success of new product and service development depends on many
factors, including among others, the following:
difficulties and delays in the development, production, timely completion, testing and marketing of products
and services;
the cost of the products and services;
proper identification of subscriber need and subscriber acceptance of products and services;
the development of, approval of and compliance with industry standards;
the amount of resources we must devote to the development of new technologies; and
the ability to differentiate our products and services and compete with other companies in the same markets.
29
If the new technologies on which we focus our research and development investments fail to achieve acceptance in the
marketplace, our competitive position could be negatively impacted, causing a reduction in our revenues and earnings.
For example, our competitors could use proprietary technologies that are perceived by the market as being superior. In
addition, delays in the delivery of components or other unforeseen problems associated with our technology may occur
that could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenue, offer new products and services and remain
competitive. Further, after we have incurred substantial costs, one or more of the products or services under our
development, or under development by one or more of our strategic partners, could become obsolete prior to it being
widely adopted.
If our products and services are not competitive, our business could suffer and our financial performance could be
negatively impacted. Our products and services may also experience quality problems, including outages and service
slowdowns, from time to time. If the quality of our products and services do not meet our subscribers’ expectations,
then our business, and ultimately our reputation, could be negatively impacted.
We rely on a single vendor or a limited number of vendors to provide certain key products or services to us, and the
inability of these key vendors to meet our needs could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Historically, we have contracted with and rely on a single vendor or a limited number of vendors to provide certain key
products or services to us such as information technology support, billing systems, security access devices, and many
components that we provide to subscribers in order to deliver our Pay-TV or wireless services. We also rely on a limited
number of vendors to supply our wireless devices and wireless network equipment that we resell to subscribers. If these
vendors are unable to meet our needs because they fail to perform adequately, are no longer in business, are experiencing
shortages or supply chain issues or discontinue a certain product or service we need, our business, financial condition
and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We have experienced in the past and may continue to experience shortages driven by raw material availability (which
may be negatively impacted by, among other things, trade protection policies such as tariffs and or/escalating trade
tensions, particularly with countries in Asia), manufacturing capacity, labor shortages, industry allocations, natural
disasters, logistical delays and significant changes in the financial or business conditions of its suppliers that negatively
impact our operations.
While alternative sources for these products and services exist, we may not be able to develop these alternative sources
quickly and cost-effectively, which could materially impair our ability to timely deliver our products to our subscribers
or operate our business. Furthermore, our vendors may request changes in pricing, payment terms or other contractual
obligations between the parties, which could require us to make substantial additional investments.
We depend on independent third parties to solicit orders for our services that represent a meaningful percentage of
our total gross new subscriber activations.
While we offer products and services through direct sales channels, a meaningful percentage of our total gross new
subscriber activations are generated through independent third parties such as small retailers, direct marketing groups,
local and regional consumer electronics stores, nationwide retailers, and telecommunications companies. Most of our
independent third-party retailers are not exclusive to us and some of our independent third-party retailers may favor our
competitors’ products and services over ours based on the relative financial arrangements associated with marketing our
products and services and those of our competitors. Furthermore, most of these independent third-party retailers are
significantly smaller than we are and may be more susceptible to economic weaknesses that make it more difficult for
them to operate profitably. Because our independent third-party retailers receive most of their incentive value at
activation and not over an extended period of time, our interests may not always be aligned with our independent third-
party retailers. It may be difficult to better align our interests with our independent third-party retailers because of their
capital and liquidity constraints. Loss of these relationships could have an adverse effect on our subscriber base and
certain of our other key operating metrics because we may not be able to develop comparable alternative distribution
channels.
30
We have limited satellite capacity and failures or reduced capacity could adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Operation of our DISH TV services requires that we have adequate satellite transmission capacity for the programming
we offer. While we generally have had in-orbit satellite capacity sufficient to transmit our existing channels and some
backup capacity to recover the transmission of certain critical programming, our backup capacity is limited.
Our ability to earn revenue from our DISH TV services depends on the usefulness of our owned and leased 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 each of our owned and leased satellites
ranges from 12 to 15 years. We can provide no assurance, however, as to the actual useful lives of any of these
satellites. Our operating results could be adversely affected if the useful life of any of our owned or leased satellites
were significantly shorter than the minimum design life.
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 manufacturing defects, problems with the power systems or control systems of the satellites and general failures
resulting from operating satellites in the harsh environment of space.
In the event of a failure or loss of any of our owned or leased satellites, we may need to acquire or lease additional
satellite capacity or relocate one of our other owned or leased satellites and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost
satellite, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Such a failure could result in a prolonged loss of critical programming. A relocation would require FCC approval, and
we cannot be certain that we could obtain such FCC approval. If we choose to use a satellite in this manner, such use
could adversely affect our ability to satisfy certain operational conditions associated with our authorizations and could
result in the loss of such authorizations, which would have an adverse effect on our ability to generate revenues.
From time to time, new satellites need to be built and launched. Satellite construction and launch is subject to significant
risks, including, among others, construction and launch delays, launch failure and incorrect orbital placement.
Other than in certain limited circumstances, we do not carry commercial in-orbit insurance on any of the satellites we
own, and generally do not use commercial insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of 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 owned in-orbit satellites fail, we could be required to record significant impairment charges.
We may have potential conflicts of interest with EchoStar due to our common ownership and management.
Questions relating to conflicts of interest may arise between EchoStar and us in a number of areas relating to our past
and ongoing relationships. Areas in which conflicts of interest between EchoStar and us could arise include, but are not
limited to, the following:
Cross officerships, directorships and stock ownership. We have certain overlap in directors and executive
officers with EchoStar. These individuals may have actual or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to
matters involving or affecting each company. Currently, our Board of Directors and executive officers includes
Charles W. Ergen, who serves as the Chairman of EchoStar and our Chairman. Mr. Ergen also has fiduciary
duties to EchoStar’s shareholders. For example, there is the potential for a conflict of interest when we or
EchoStar look at acquisitions and other business opportunities that may be suitable for both companies. In
addition, certain of our directors and officers own EchoStar stock. Mr. Ergen beneficially owns approximately
58.0% of EchoStar’s total equity securities (assuming conversion of all Class B common stock into Class A
common stock) and controls approximately 92.9% of the voting power of EchoStar. These ownership interests
could create actual, apparent or potential conflicts of interest when these individuals are faced with decisions
that could have different implications for us and EchoStar. Furthermore, Mr. Ergen is employed by both us and
EchoStar.
31
Intercompany agreements with EchoStar. In connection with and following the Spin-off, Share Exchange
Agreement and Master Transaction Agreement (as defined in Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), we and EchoStar have entered into certain
agreements pursuant to which we obtain certain products, services and rights from EchoStar, EchoStar obtains
certain products, services and rights from us, and we and EchoStar have indemnified each other against certain
liabilities arising from our respective businesses. See Note 20 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial
Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on our Related Party Transactions with
EchoStar. The terms of certain of these agreements were established while EchoStar was a wholly-owned
subsidiary of us and were not the result of arm’s length negotiations. The allocation of assets, liabilities, rights,
indemnifications and other obligations between EchoStar and us under the separation and other intercompany
agreements we entered into with EchoStar, in connection with the Spin-off, may have been different if agreed to
by two unaffiliated parties. Had these agreements been negotiated with unaffiliated third parties, their terms
may have been more favorable, or less favorable, to us. In addition, conflicts could arise between us and
EchoStar in the interpretation or any extension or renegotiation of these existing agreements.
Additional intercompany transactions. EchoStar and its subsidiaries have and may continue to enter into
transactions with us and our subsidiaries. Although the terms of any such transactions will be established based
upon negotiations between EchoStar and us and, when appropriate, subject to the approval of a committee of
the non-interlocking directors or in certain instances non-interlocking management, there can be no assurance
that the terms of any such transactions will be as favorable to us or our subsidiaries or affiliates as may
otherwise be obtained between unaffiliated parties.
Business opportunities. We have historically retained, and in the future may acquire, interests in various
companies that have subsidiaries or controlled affiliates that own or operate domestic or foreign services that
may compete with services offered by EchoStar. We may also compete with EchoStar when we participate in
auctions for spectrum or orbital slots for our satellites.
We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts of interest with EchoStar, 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 agreements with EchoStar that
would prevent either company from competing with the other.
We rely on highly skilled personnel for our business, and any inability to hire and retain key personnel or hire
qualified personnel may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We believe that our future success will depend to a significant extent upon the performance of Charles W. Ergen, our
Chairman, and certain other executives. The loss of Mr. Ergen or of certain other key executives could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Although all of our executives have
executed agreements with certain non-competition restrictions that apply if they leave us, we do not have employment
agreements with any of them. Mr. Ergen also serves as the Chairman of EchoStar. To the extent our officers are
performing services for EchoStar, this may divert their time and attention away from our business and may therefore
adversely affect our business.
In addition, technological innovation is important to our success and depends, to a significant degree, on the work of
technically skilled employees. If we are unable to attract and retain appropriately technically skilled employees, our
competitive position could be materially and adversely affected. Furthermore, we believe that our wireless business,
including our ability to meet build-out requirements, is dependent on our ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate, and
retain a team of highly skilled personnel with knowledge of the wireless industry. Our wireless business will be
adversely affected if we fail to effectively identify, hire, develop, motivate, and retain highly skilled personnel with
knowledge of the wireless industry.
32
Acquisition and Capital Structure Risks
We have made substantial investments to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses and other related assets, and we
may be unable to realize a return on these assets.
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the 3.45-
3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022). See Note 2 and Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for detailed information regarding these licenses, including
certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements.
We will need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, complete our 5G
Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and any
additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses.
Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly. In
addition, as we complete our 5G Network Deployment we will incur significant additional expenses related to, among
other things, research and development, wireless testing and ongoing upgrades to the wireless network infrastructure.
We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required to complete our 5G Network
Deployment and to compete with other wireless service providers.
There is no assurance that the FCC will find our 5G Network Deployment sufficient to meet the build-out requirements
to which our wireless spectrum licenses are subject. Failure to comply with FCC build-out requirements and/or renewal
requirements in a given license area could result in revocation of the license for that license area. The revocation of a
material portion of our wireless spectrum licenses would have a significant material adverse effect on our 5G Network
Deployment and our future business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, we may need to raise significant additional capital in the future to fund the efforts described above, which
may not be available on acceptable terms or at all. There can be no assurance that we will be able to develop and
implement a business model that will realize a return on these wireless spectrum licenses or that we will be able to
profitably deploy the assets represented by these wireless spectrum licenses, which may affect the carrying amount of
these assets and our future financial condition or results of operations.
Furthermore, the fair values of wireless spectrum licenses may vary significantly in the future. In particular, valuation
swings could occur if:
consolidation in the wireless industry allows or requires wireless carriers to sell significant portions of their
wireless spectrum holdings, which could in turn reduce the value of our spectrum holdings;
a sale of spectrum by one or more wireless providers occurs;
the FCC pursues certain policies designed to increase the number of wireless spectrum licenses available in
each of our markets; or
the FCC conducts additional wireless spectrum auctions.
If the fair value of our wireless spectrum licenses were to decline significantly, the value of these licenses could be
subject to impairment charges. We assess potential impairments to our indefinite-lived intangible assets annually or
more often if indicators of impairment arise to determine whether there is evidence that indicate an impairment condition
may exist.
We capitalize our interest expense associated with the acquisition or construction of certain assets, including, among
other things, our wireless spectrum licenses. As the carrying amount of these licenses exceeds the carrying value of our
long-term debt, materially all of our interest expense is being capitalized. This capitalized interest increases the carrying
amount of these licenses for purposes of impairment testing, under which we consider whether it is more likely than not
that the fair value of these licenses exceeds the carrying amount of these licenses. An increase in the carrying amount of
these licenses combined with other changes in circumstances and/or market conditions could result in an increased risk
of an impairment of these licenses in the future and an impairment of these assets may have a material adverse effect on
our business, results of operations and financial condition.
33
We have made substantial non-controlling investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities related to
AWS-3 wireless spectrum licenses, and we may be unable to obtain a profitable return on these investments.
During 2015, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries American II and American III, we initially made over $10 billion
in certain non-controlling investments in Northstar Spectrum, the parent company of Northstar Wireless (collectively,
the “Northstar Entities”), and in SNR HoldCo, the parent company of SNR Wireless (collectively, the “SNR Entities”),
respectively. Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless each participated in Auction 97 for the purpose of acquiring certain
AWS-3 licenses, and were granted 261 and 244 AWS-3 Licenses (the “AWS-3 Licenses”), respectively, which are
subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements. On November 23, 2020, the FCC released a Memorandum
Opinion and Order on Remand, FCC 20-160, that found that Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless are not eligible for
bidding credits based on the FCC’s determination that they remain under DISH Network’s de facto control. Northstar
Wireless and SNR Wireless have appealed the FCC’s order to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
See Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for detailed
information regarding these investments, including the operative agreements governing the investments, the FCC’s
determination of our de facto control, the potential re-auction payments for certain AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC,
and the build-out requirements for the AWS-3 Licenses.
We do not own or control the Northstar Licenses or the SNR Licenses nor do we control the Northstar Entities or the
SNR Entities. We do not have a right to require Northstar Manager or SNR Management to sell their respective
ownership interests in Northstar Spectrum and SNR Holdco to us. Northstar Manager, as the sole manager of Northstar
Spectrum, and SNR Management, as the sole manager of SNR Holdco, will have the exclusive right and power to
manage, operate and control Northstar Spectrum and SNR Holdco, respectively, subject to certain limited protective
provisions for the benefit of American II and American III, respectively. Northstar Manager and SNR Management will
have the ability, but not the obligation, to require Northstar Spectrum and SNR Holdco, respectively, to purchase
Northstar Manager’s and SNR Management’s ownership interests in those respective entities. The First Northstar Put
Window closed in the first quarter of 2021. The Second Northstar Put Window is currently open and expires on July 24,
2022. The First SNR Put Window closed in the first quarter of 2021. On November 15, 2021, we, through our wholly-
owned subsidiary American III received notice that SNR Management is exercising the SNR Put Right effective as of
November 15, 2021. Thus, we cannot be certain that the Northstar Licenses or the SNR Licenses will be developed in a
manner fully consistent with our current or future business plans.
In addition, we may need to make significant additional loans to the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities, or they may
need to partner with others, so that the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities may commercialize, build-out and
integrate the AWS-3 Licenses, comply with regulations applicable to the AWS-3 Licenses, and make any potential re-
auction payments for the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC. Depending upon the nature and scope of such
commercialization, build-out and integration efforts, regulatory compliance, and potential re-auction payments, any
loans, equity contributions or partnerships could vary significantly. There can be no assurance that we will be able to
obtain a profitable return on our non-controlling investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities. Any of the
following risks, among others, may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Furthermore, litigation surrounding designated entity structures, increased regulatory scrutiny or third party or
government lawsuits with respect to our non-controlling investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities could
result in fines, and in certain cases, license revocation and/or criminal penalties, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
34
We may pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions to complement or expand our business that 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 opportunities to buy or otherwise invest in other businesses or technologies that could
complement, enhance or expand our current businesses or products or that might otherwise offer us growth
opportunities. To pursue this strategy successfully, we must identify attractive acquisition or investment opportunities
and successfully complete transactions, some of which may be large and complex. We may not be able to identify or
complete attractive acquisition or investment opportunities due to, among other things, the intense competition for these
transactions. If we are not able to identify and complete such acquisition or investment opportunities, our future results
of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
We may be unable to obtain in the anticipated timeframe, or at all, any regulatory approvals required to complete
proposed acquisitions and other strategic transactions. Furthermore, the conditions imposed for obtaining any necessary
approvals could delay the completion of such transactions for a significant period of time or prevent them from
occurring at all. We may not be able to complete such transactions and such transactions, if executed, pose significant
risks and could have a negative effect on our operations. Any transactions that we are able to identify and complete may
involve a number of risks, including:
the diversion of our management’s attention from our existing businesses to integrate the operations and
personnel of the acquired or combined business or joint venture;
possible adverse effects on our operating results during the integration process;
a high degree of risk inherent in these transactions, which could become substantial over time, and higher
exposure to significant financial losses if the underlying ventures are not successful;
our possible inability to achieve the intended objectives of the transaction; and
the risks associated with complying with contractual provisions and regulations applicable to the acquired
business, which may cause us to incur substantial expenses.
In addition, we may not be able to successfully or profitably integrate, operate, maintain and manage our newly acquired
operations or employees. We may not be able to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies, and this
may lead to operational inefficiencies. In addition, the integration process may strain our financial and managerial
controls and reporting systems and procedures.
New acquisitions, joint ventures and other transactions may require the commitment of significant capital that would
otherwise be directed to investments in our existing business. To pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions, we
may need to raise additional capital in the future, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all.
In addition to committing capital to complete the acquisitions, substantial capital may be required to operate the acquired
businesses following their acquisition. These acquisitions may result in significant financial losses if the intended
objectives of the transactions are not achieved. Some of the businesses that we have acquired have experienced
significant operating and financial challenges in their recent history, which in some cases resulted in these businesses
commencing bankruptcy proceedings prior to our acquisition. We may acquire similar businesses in the future.
There is no assurance that we will be able to successfully address the challenges and risks encountered by these
businesses following their acquisition. If we are unable to successfully address these challenges and risks, our business,
financial condition and/or results of operations may suffer.
35
We have substantial debt outstanding and may incur additional debt.
As of December 31, 2021, our total long-term debt and finance lease obligations, including the debt of our subsidiaries,
was $21.417 billion. Our debt levels could have significant consequences, including, but not limited to,
making it more difficult to satisfy our obligations;
a dilutive effect on our outstanding equity capital or future earnings;
increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic conditions, including changes in interest rates;
requiring us to devote a substantial portion of our cash to make interest and principal payments on our debt,
thereby reducing the amount of cash available for other purposes. As a result, we would have limited financial
and operating flexibility in responding to changing economic and competitive conditions;
limiting our ability to raise additional debt because it may be more difficult for us to obtain debt financing on
attractive terms or at all; and
placing us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that are less leveraged.
In addition, we may incur substantial additional debt in the future. The terms of the indentures relating to our senior
notes permit us to incur additional debt. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the risks we now face could
intensify.
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 significant additional capital in the future, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at
all, to among other things, continue investing in our business, complete our 5G Network Deployment and to pursue
acquisitions and other strategic transactions (including significant investments in our Wireless business). Weakness in
the equity markets could make it difficult for us to raise equity financing without incurring substantial dilution to our
existing shareholders. Adverse changes in the credit markets, including, but not limited to, rising interest rates, could
increase our borrowing costs and/or make it more difficult for us to obtain financing for our operations or refinance
existing indebtedness.
In addition, economic weakness or weak results of operations may limit our ability to, among other things, generate
sufficient internal cash to fund investments, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other strategic transactions, as well as
to fund ongoing operations and service our debt. We may be unable to generate cash flows from operating activities
sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our debt and other obligations. If we are unable to
service our debt and other obligations from cash flows from operating activities, we may need to refinance or restructure
all or a portion of such obligations prior to maturity. Any refinancing or restructuring could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any
refinancing or restructuring would sufficiently meet any debt or other obligations then due. Furthermore, our borrowing
costs can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, which are based, in
significant part, on our performance as measured by their credit metrics. A decrease in these ratings would likely
increase our cost of borrowing and/or make it more difficult for us to obtain financing. A severe disruption in the global
financial markets could impact some of the financial institutions with which we do business, and such instability could
also affect our access to financing. 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.
36
The conditional conversion features of our Convertible Notes, if triggered, may adversely affect our financial
condition.
In the event the conditional conversion features of the Convertible Notes are triggered, holders of the Convertible Notes
will be entitled to convert the Convertible Notes at any time during specified periods at their option. If one or more
holders elect to convert their Convertible Notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely
shares of our Class A common stock, we would be required to make cash payments to satisfy all or a portion of our
conversion obligation based on the conversion rate, which could adversely affect our liquidity.
In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their Convertible Notes, we could be required under applicable
accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the Convertible Notes as a current rather
than long-term liability, which could result in a material reduction of our net working capital.
The convertible note hedge and warrant transactions that we entered into in connection with the offering of the
Convertible Notes due 2026 may affect the value of the Convertible Notes due 2026 and our Class A common stock.
In connection with the offering of the Convertible Notes due 2026, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions
with certain option counterparties (each an “option counterparty”). The convertible note hedge transactions are expected
generally to reduce the potential dilution upon conversion of the Convertible Notes due 2026 and/or offset any cash
payments we are required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Convertible Notes due 2026, as the
case may be. We also entered into warrant transactions with each option counterparty. The warrant transactions could
separately have a dilutive effect on our Class A common stock to the extent that the market price per share of our Class
A common stock exceeds the strike price of the warrants, unless we elect to settle the warrants in cash. In connection
with establishing its initial hedge of the convertible note hedge and warrant transactions, each option counterparty or an
affiliate thereof may have entered into various derivative transactions with respect to our Class A common stock
concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the Convertible Notes due 2026.
This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of our Class A common stock or the
Convertible Notes due 2026 at that time. In addition, each option counterparty or an affiliate thereof may modify its
hedge position by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to our Class A common stock and/or
purchasing or selling our Class A common stock or other securities of ours in secondary market transactions prior to the
maturity of the Convertible Notes due 2026 (and is likely to do so during any observation period related to a conversion
of the Convertible Notes due 2026). This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price
of our Class A common stock or the Convertible Notes due 2026. In addition, if any such convertible note hedge and
warrant transactions fail to become effective, each option counterparty may unwind its hedge position with respect to our
Class A common stock, which could adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock and the value of the
Convertible Notes due 2026.
We are subject to counterparty risk with respect to the convertible note hedge transactions.
Each option counterparty to the convertible note hedge transactions is a financial institution, and we will be subject to
the risk that it might default under the convertible note hedge transaction. Our exposure to the credit risk of an option
counterparty will not be secured by any collateral. Global economic conditions have from time to time resulted in the
actual or perceived failure or financial difficulties of many financial institutions, including the bankruptcy filing by
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and its various affiliates. If an option counterparty becomes subject to insolvency
proceedings, we will become an unsecured creditor in those proceedings with a claim equal to our exposure at that time
under our transactions with the option counterparty. Our exposure will depend on many factors but, generally, the
increase in our exposure will be correlated to the increase in the market price and in the volatility of our Class A
common stock. In addition, upon a default by an option counterparty, we may suffer adverse tax consequences and more
dilution than we currently anticipate with respect to our Class A common stock. We can provide no assurances as to the
financial stability or viability of any option counterparty.
37
From time to time a portion of our investment portfolio may be invested in securities that have limited liquidity and
may not be immediately accessible to support our financing needs.
From time to time a portion of our investment portfolio may be invested in strategic investments, and as a result, a
portion of our portfolio may have restricted liquidity. If the credit ratings of these securities deteriorate or there is a lack
of liquidity in the marketplace, we may be required to record impairment charges. Moreover, the uncertainty of
domestic and global financial markets can greatly affect the volatility and value of our marketable investment securities.
In addition, a portion of our investment portfolio may include strategic and financial investments in debt and equity
securities of public companies that are highly speculative and experience volatility. Typically, these investments are
concentrated in a small number of companies. The fair value of these investments can be significantly impacted by the
risk of adverse changes in securities markets generally, as well as risks related to the performance of the companies
whose securities we have invested in, risks associated with specific industries, and other factors. These investments are
subject to significant fluctuations in fair value due to the volatility of the securities markets and of the underlying
businesses. The concentration of these investments as a percentage of our overall investment portfolio fluctuates from
time to time based on, among other things, the size of our investment portfolio and our ability to liquidate these
investments. In addition, because our portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of companies, we may
experience a significant loss if any of these companies, among other things, defaults on its obligations, performs poorly,
does not generate adequate cash flow to fund its operations, is unable to obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms,
or at all, or files for bankruptcy, or if the sectors in which these companies operate experience a market downturn. To
the extent we require access to funds, we may need to sell these securities under unfavorable market conditions, record
impairment charges and fall short of our financing needs.
We are controlled by one principal stockholder who is also our Chairman.
Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, beneficially owns approximately 52.1% of our total equity securities (assuming
conversion of all Class B common stock into Class A common stock) and controls approximately 90.5% of the total
voting power. Through his voting power, Mr. Ergen has the ability to elect a majority of our directors and to control all
other matters requiring the approval of our stockholders. As a result, DISH Network is a “controlled company” as
defined in the Nasdaq listing rules and is, therefore, 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 is also the principal stockholder and Chairman of EchoStar.
It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so may be beneficial to our shareholders, because of
our ownership structure.
Certain provisions of our articles 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:
a capital structure with multiple classes of common stock: a Class A that entitles the holders to one vote per
share, a Class B that entitles the holders to ten votes per share, a Class C that entitles the holders to one vote per
share, except upon a change in control of our company in which case the holders of Class C are entitled to ten
votes per share;
a provision that authorizes the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock, which could be issued by our Board
of Directors to increase the number of outstanding shares and thwart a takeover attempt;
a provision limiting who may call special meetings of shareholders; and
a provision establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board of
Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by shareholders at shareholder meetings.
38
As discussed above, Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, controls approximately 90.5% of the total voting power of our
company. Such control by Mr. Ergen may make it impractical for any third party to effect a change in control of our
company. In addition, pursuant to our articles of incorporation we have a significant amount of authorized and unissued
stock which would allow our Board of Directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, thereby
protecting the continuity of its management, or which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to
obtain control of us.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights of
others.
We rely on our patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as licenses and other agreements with our
vendors and other parties, to use our technologies, conduct our operations and sell our products and services. Legal
challenges to our intellectual property rights and claims of intellectual property infringement by third parties could
require that we enter into royalty or licensing agreements on unfavorable terms, incur substantial monetary liability or be
enjoined preliminarily or permanently from further use of the intellectual property in question or from the continuation
of our business as currently conducted, which could require us to change our business practices or limit our ability to
compete effectively or could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Even if we believe any such challenges or claims are without merit, they can be time-consuming and costly to defend
and divert management’s attention and resources away from our business. Moreover, because of the rapid pace of
technological change, we rely on technologies developed or licensed by third parties, and if we are unable to obtain or
continue to obtain licenses from these third parties on reasonable terms, our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, we work with third parties such as vendors, contractors and suppliers for the development and manufacture
of components that are integrated into our products and services, and our products and services may contain technologies
provided to us by these third parties or other third parties. We may have little or no ability to determine in advance
whether any such technology infringes the intellectual property rights of others. Our vendors, contractors and suppliers
may not be required to indemnify us if a claim of infringement is asserted against us, or they may be required to
indemnify us only up to a maximum amount, above which we would be responsible for any further costs or damages.
Legal challenges to these intellectual property rights may impair our ability to use the products, services and
technologies that we need in order to operate our business and may materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, our digital content offerings depend in part on effective
digital rights management technology to control access to digital content. If the digital rights management technology
that we use is compromised or otherwise malfunctions, content providers may be unwilling to provide access to their
content. Changes in the copyright laws or how such laws may be interpreted could impact our ability to deliver content
and provide certain features and functionality, particularly over the Internet.
39
We are, and may become, party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant adverse
impact on our business, particularly lawsuits regarding intellectual property.
We are, and may become, subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business,
including among other things, intellectual property disputes. Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or
may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that may 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 or services infringes on
intellectual property held by others, we may be required to cease developing or marketing those products or services, to
obtain licenses from the holders of the intellectual property at a material cost, or to redesign those products or services in
such a way as to avoid infringing the intellectual property. If those intellectual property rights are held by a competitor,
we may be unable to obtain the intellectual property at any price, which could adversely affect our competitive position.
See “Item 1. Business – Patents and Other Intellectual Property” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information. We may not be aware of all intellectual property rights that our services or the products used in connection
with our services 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). Therefore, it is
difficult to evaluate the extent to which our services or the products used in connection with our services may infringe
claims contained in pending patent applications. Further, it is sometimes not possible to determine definitively whether
a claim of infringement is valid.
Our services depend 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, restrict, significantly condition, or fail to renew any of our licenses or
authorizations, or fail to grant our applications for FCC licenses that we may file from time to time, it could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As an example, a loss of a
frequency authorization would reduce the amount of spectrum available to us, potentially reducing the amount of DISH
TV services available to our DISH TV subscribers. 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 and enacts legislation that affects 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.
Wireless services and our wireless spectrum licenses are subject to regulation by the FCC and, depending on the
jurisdiction, other federal, state and local, as well as international, governmental authorities and regulatory agencies,
including, among other things, regulations governing the licensing, construction, operation, sale and interconnection
arrangements of wireless telecommunications systems. In particular, the FCC imposes significant regulation on
licensees of wireless spectrum with respect to how radio spectrum is used by licensees, the nature of the services that
licensees may offer and how the services may be offered, and resolution of issues of interference between spectrum
bands. The FCC grants wireless licenses for terms of generally 10-12 years that are subject to renewal or revocation.
There can be no assurances that our wireless spectrum licenses will be renewed. Failure to comply with FCC build-out
requirements in a given license area may result in acceleration of other build-out requirements or in the modification,
cancellation, or non-renewal of licenses. See Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
40
If our internal controls are not effective, our business, stock price and investor confidence in our financial results
may be adversely affected.
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, 2021. We depend on our third-party vendors’ internal controls and rely on these controls
when evaluating the effectiveness of our internal controls. 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, subscribers 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.
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.
Item 2. PROPERTIES
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our principal properties related to our business segments.
Leased From
Description/Use/Location
Corporate headquarters, Englewood, Colorado (1)
General offices, Littleton, Colorado
Customer call center, warehouse, service, and remanufacturing center, El Paso, Texas
Data Center, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Digital broadcast operations center, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Digital broadcast operations center, Gilbert, Arizona
Engineering offices and service center, Englewood, Colorado
General offices, Overland Park, Kansas
Warehouse and distribution center, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Warehouse and distribution center, Denver, Colorado
Warehouse and distribution center, Atlanta, Georgia
Warehouse, Denver, Colorado
Owned EchoStar
X
Segment(s)
Using Property
Pay-TV / Wireless
Wireless
Pay-TV
X
X
Pay-TV / Wireless X
X
X
Pay-TV / Wireless X
Pay-TV
Pay-TV
Wireless
Wireless
Pay-TV / Wireless
Pay-TV / Wireless
Pay-TV
X
Other
Third
Party
X
X
X
X
(1) See Note 20 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information on our Related Party Transactions with EchoStar.
In addition to the principal properties listed above, we operate numerous facilities for, among other things, our in-home
service operations, customer call centers and digital broadcast operations centers strategically located in regions
throughout the United States. Furthermore, we own or lease capacity on 12 satellites, which are a major component of
our DISH TV services. See further information under “Item 1. Business – Satellites” in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information
regarding certain legal proceedings in which we are involved.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
41
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our Class A common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “DISH.”
As of February 14, 2022, there were approximately 6,473 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 14, 2022, all
of the 238,435,208 outstanding shares of our Class B common stock were beneficially held by Charles W. Ergen, our
Chairman, and by certain entities established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family. There is currently no trading
market for our Class B common stock.
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.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table provides information regarding purchases of our Class A common stock made by us for the period
from October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
Period
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Programs
Maximum Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Programs (1)
(In thousands, except share data)
October 1, 2021 - October 31, 2021
November 1, 2021 - November 30, 2021
December 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Total
— $
— $
— $
— $
—
—
—
—
— $
— $
— $
— $
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
1,000,000
(1) Our Board of Directors previously authorized stock repurchases of up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding Class A
common stock through and including December 31, 2021. On November 1, 2021, our Board of Directors extended
this authorization such that we are currently authorized to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding Class A
common stock through and including December 31, 2022. Purchases under our repurchase program may be made
through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, subject to market
conditions and other factors. We may elect not to purchase the maximum amount of shares allowable under this
program and we may also enter into additional share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors.
42
Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of
operations together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes to our financial statements included
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This management’s discussion and analysis is intended to help provide
an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of our operations and contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts,
but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and
future financial results. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-
looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements.
Overview
We currently operate two primary business segments, Pay-TV and Wireless. Our Wireless business segment consists of
two business units, Retail Wireless and 5G Network Deployment.
Our Pay-TV business strategy is to be the best provider of video services in the United States by providing products with
the best technology, outstanding customer service, and great value. We offer Pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and
the SLING® brand. We promote our Pay-TV services as providing our subscribers with a better “price-to-value”
relationship than those available from other subscription television service providers. We market our SLING TV services
to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional satellite and cable pay-TV services, as well as to current and recent
traditional pay-TV subscribers who desire a lower cost alternative.
Our Retail Wireless business unit offers prepaid and postpaid retail wireless services to subscribers under our Boost
Mobile, Ting Mobile, Republic Wireless and Gen Mobile brands, as well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices.
We offer customers value by providing choice and flexibility in our wireless services. We offer competitive consumer
plans with no annual service contracts. Our retail wireless business strategy is to expand our current target segments and
profitably grow our subscriber base by acquiring and retaining high quality subscribers while we complete our 5G
Network Deployment. We intend to acquire high quality subscribers by providing competitive offers with innovative
new value-added services that better meet those subscribers’ needs and budget. We intend on retaining those subscribers
through those compelling new value-added services and outstanding customer service. As we work to integrate our
retail wireless brands, one of our focuses is to ensure that our Pay-TV subscribers are aware of the increased value
available to them through our retail wireless brands.
Our 5G Network Deployment business unit strategy is to commercialize our wireless spectrum licenses through the
completion of our 5G Network Deployment. We have committed to deploy a facilities-based 5G broadband network
capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at different deadlines, including 20% of the U.S.
population by June 2022 and 70% by June 2023. We currently have over 50 markets under construction and completed
a friendly user trial, drive testing and user equipment testing in Las Vegas during the fourth quarter of 2021. Our current
construction is primarily focused on markets we intend to launch by June 2022 in conjunction with the 20% population
coverage requirement. However, we have also began construction of markets we intend to launch by June of 2023 that
support the 70% population coverage requirement.
43
Recent Developments
COVID-19 Update
A novel strain of coronavirus which causes the disease COVID-19 has resulted in a worldwide pandemic. COVID-19
has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world and resulted in global travel restrictions and business slowdowns or
shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic has also created unanticipated circumstances and uncertainty, disruption, and
significant volatility in the economic environment generally, which have adversely affected, and may continue to
adversely affect, our business operations and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many of our subscribers are impacted by
recommendations and/or mandates from federal, state, and local authorities to, among other things, practice social
distancing and to refrain from gathering in groups. While certain government regulations and/or mandates have eased,
or are expected to ease in 2022 and COVID-19 vaccines have become broadly available, governmental authorities are
continuing to monitor the situation and take various actions in an effort to slow or prevent an increase in the spread of
COVID-19. COVID-19 continues to impact our business during 2022, in particular in the following areas:
In response to the pandemic and business disruption, first and foremost, we have prioritized the health and
safety of our employees. We have implemented increased health and safety practices including, among
other things, increased use of personal protective equipment for employees to protect them and our
subscribers.
Our DISH TV and Retail Wireless businesses have been and may be further impacted by: (i) government
recommendations and/or mandates for commercial establishments to operate at reduced capacity; and (ii)
reduced in person selling opportunities due to subscriber preferences and actions as well as government
restrictions.
Our supply chain has been impacted by COVID-19, and there have been and could be additional significant
and unanticipated interruptions and/or delays in the supply of materials and/or equipment across our supply
chain, due to, among other things, surges in COVID-19. Moreover, the recent surges in COVID-19 cases
in areas outside the United States and the stringent lockdowns implemented in response to such surges are
causing interruptions and/or delays that are adversely impacting, among other things, the software,
hardware and testing related to our 5G Network Deployment. In addition, there have been worldwide
interruptions and delays in the supply of electronic components including, but not limited to, semi-
conductors, which have negatively impacted our ability to obtain set-top boxes, wireless devices and
wireless network equipment. Furthermore, we may not be able to diversify sources of supply in a timely
manner to mitigate these interruptions and/or delays or find new suppliers on reasonable terms or at all.
These interruptions and/or delays in our supply chain could have a material adverse effect on our business,
including our Pay-TV and Retail Wireless operations, our ability to meet our build-out requirement
deadlines for our wireless spectrum licenses and our 5G Network Deployment generally.
We continue to monitor the evolving situation and guidance from international and domestic authorities, including
federal, state and local public health agencies and may take additional actions based on their recommendations. In these
circumstances, there may be developments beyond our control requiring us to adjust our operating plan. As such, given
the dynamic nature of this situation, we cannot reasonably estimate the impacts of COVID-19 on our financial condition,
results of operations or cash flows in the future.
44
Acquisitions
Boost Mobile Acquisition
Asset Purchase Agreement. Effective on July 1, 2020, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the APA
and in accordance with the Final Judgment, we completed the Boost Mobile Acquisition and DISH Network officially
entered into the retail wireless market, serving more than 9 million subscribers under the Boost Mobile brand.
In connection with the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the consummation of the Sprint/T-Mobile merger, we, T-Mobile,
Sprint, DT and SoftBank came to an agreement with the DOJ on key terms and approval of the Transaction Agreements
and our wireless service business and spectrum. On July 26, 2019, the Defendants entered into the Stipulation and Order
with the DOJ binding the Defendants to the Proposed Final Judgment, which memorialized the agreement between the
DOJ and the Defendants. The Stipulation and Order and the Proposed Final Judgment were filed in the District Court on
July 26, 2019 and on April 1, 2020, the Final Judgment was entered with the District Court.
Ting Mobile Acquisition
On August 1, 2020, we completed the Ting Mobile Acquisition. In addition, we entered into a services agreement
pursuant to which Tucows will act as a mobile virtual network enabler for certain of our retail Wireless subscribers.
Republic Wireless Acquisition
On May 1, 2021, we completed the Republic Wireless Acquisition. The consideration for the Republic Wireless
Acquisition consisted of an upfront cash payment and an earn-out provision.
We accounted for the Boost Mobile Acquisition, the Ting Mobile Acquisition and the Republic Wireless Acquisition as
business combinations. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair
values as of the acquisition date and are consolidated into our financial statements. See Note 6 in the Notes to our
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS
Service revenue. “Service revenue” consists principally of Pay-TV and Wireless subscriber revenue. Certain of the
amounts included in “Service revenue” are not recurring on a monthly basis.
Equipment sales and other revenue. “Equipment sales and other revenue” principally includes the sale of wireless
devices and the non-subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” principally includes Pay-TV programming expenses and other operating costs
related to our Pay-TV segment and costs of wireless services (including costs incurred under the MNSA and NSA).
Cost of sales - equipment and other. “Cost of sales – equipment and other” principally includes the cost of wireless
devices and other related items as well as costs related to the non-subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment. Costs are
generally recognized as products are delivered to customers and the related revenue is recognized.
45
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” consists primarily of
direct sales costs, advertising, third-party commissions related to the acquisition of subscribers, costs related to the
installation of equipment for our new Pay-TV subscribers, the cost of subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment for new
subscribers and employee-related costs associated with administrative services such as legal, information systems, and
accounting and finance.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” primarily includes interest
expense associated with our long-term debt (net of capitalized interest), prepayment premiums, amortization of debt
discounts and debt issuance costs associated with our long-term debt, and interest expense associated with our finance
lease obligations.
Other, net. The main components of “Other, net” are gains and losses realized on the sale and/or conversion of
marketable and non-marketable investment securities and derivative instruments, impairment of marketable and non-
marketable investment securities, unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair value of certain marketable
investment securities and derivative instruments, and equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). EBITDA is defined as “Net income
(loss) attributable to DISH Network” plus “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” and net of “Interest income,”
“Income tax (provision) benefit, net” and “Depreciation and amortization.” This “non-GAAP measure” is reconciled to
“Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network” in our discussion of “Results of Operations” below.
Operating income before depreciation and amortization (“OIBDA”). OIBDA is defined as “Operating income (loss)”
plus “Depreciation and amortization.” This “non-GAAP measure” is reconciled to “Operating income (loss)” in our
discussion of “Results of Operations” below.
DISH TV subscribers. We include customers obtained through direct sales, independent third-party retailers and other
independent third-party distribution relationships in our DISH TV subscriber count. We also provide DISH TV services
to hotels, motels and other commercial accounts. For certain of these commercial accounts, we divide our total revenue
for these commercial accounts by $34.99, and include the resulting number, which is substantially smaller than the
actual number of commercial units served, in our DISH TV subscriber count.
SLING TV subscribers. We include customers obtained through direct sales and third-party marketing agreements in
our SLING TV subscriber count. SLING TV subscriber additions are recorded net of disconnects. SLING TV
customers receiving service for no charge, under certain new subscriber promotions, are excluded from our SLING TV
subscriber count. For customers who subscribe to multiple SLING TV packages, each customer is only counted as one
SLING TV subscriber.
Pay-TV subscribers. Our Pay-TV subscriber count includes all DISH TV and SLING TV subscribers discussed above.
For customers who subscribe to both our DISH TV services and our SLING TV services, each subscription is counted as
a separate Pay-TV subscriber.
Pay-TV average monthly revenue per subscriber (“Pay-TV ARPU”). We are not aware of any uniform standards for
calculating ARPU and believe presentations of ARPU may not be calculated consistently by other companies in the
same or similar businesses. We calculate Pay-TV average monthly revenue per Pay-TV subscriber, or Pay-TV ARPU,
by dividing average monthly Pay-TV segment “Service revenue,” excluding revenue from broadband services, for the
period by our average number of Pay-TV subscribers for the period. The average number of Pay-TV subscribers is
calculated for the period by adding the average number of Pay-TV subscribers for each month and dividing by the
number of months in the period.
The average number of Pay-TV subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Pay-TV
subscribers for the month and dividing by two. SLING TV subscribers on average purchase lower priced programming
services than DISH TV subscribers, and therefore, as SLING TV subscribers increase as a percentage of total Pay-TV
subscribers, it has had a negative impact on Pay-TV ARPU.
46
DISH TV average monthly subscriber churn rate (“DISH TV churn rate”). We are not aware of any uniform
standards for calculating subscriber churn rate and believe presentations of subscriber churn rates may not be calculated
consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate DISH TV churn rate for any period
by dividing the number of DISH TV subscribers who terminated service during the period by the average number of
DISH TV subscribers for the same period, and further dividing by the number of months in the period. The average
number of DISH TV subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of DISH TV subscribers for
each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of DISH TV subscribers for each
month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending DISH TV subscribers for the month and dividing by two.
DISH TV SAC. Subscriber acquisition cost measures are commonly used by those evaluating traditional companies in
the pay-TV industry. We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating the “average subscriber acquisition
costs per new DISH TV subscriber activation,” or DISH TV SAC, and we believe presentations of pay-TV SAC may not
be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. Our DISH TV SAC is calculated
using all costs of acquiring DISH TV subscribers (e.g., subsidized equipment, advertising, installation, commissions and
direct sales, etc.) which are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” plus capitalized payments made
under certain sales incentive programs and the value of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new DISH
TV subscribers, divided by gross new DISH TV subscriber activations. We include all new DISH TV subscribers in our
calculation, including DISH TV subscribers added with little or no subscriber acquisition costs.
Wireless subscribers. We include prepaid and postpaid customers obtained through direct sales, independent third-party
retailers and other independent third-party distribution relationships in our Wireless subscriber count.
Wireless average monthly revenue per subscriber (“Wireless ARPU”). We are not aware of any uniform standards for
calculating ARPU and believe presentations of ARPU may not be calculated consistently by other companies in the
same or similar businesses. We calculate average monthly revenue per Wireless subscriber, or Wireless ARPU, by
dividing average monthly Retail Wireless business unit “Service revenue” for the period by our average number of
Wireless subscribers for the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers is calculated for the period by adding
the average number of Wireless subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The
average number of Wireless subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Wireless
subscribers for the month and dividing by two.
Wireless average monthly subscriber churn rate (“Wireless churn rate”). We are not aware of any uniform standards
for calculating subscriber churn rate and believe presentations of subscriber churn rates may not be calculated
consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate our “Wireless churn rate” for any
period by dividing the number of Wireless subscribers who terminated service during the period by the average number
of Wireless subscribers for the same period, and further dividing by the number of months in the period. The average
number of Wireless subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of Wireless subscribers for
each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers for each
month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Wireless subscribers for the month and dividing by two.
Free cash flow. We define free cash flow as “Net cash flows from operating activities” less “Purchases of property and
equipment” and “Capitalized interest related to FCC authorizations,” as shown on our Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows.
47
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Segments
Business Segments
We currently operate two primary business segments: (1) Pay-TV; and (2) Wireless. Our Wireless segment consists of
two business units, the Retail Wireless business unit and 5G Network Deployment business unit. Revenue and operating
income (loss) by segment are shown in the table below:
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020.
Revenue:
Pay-TV
Wireless
Eliminations
Total revenue
Operating income (loss):
Pay-TV
Wireless
Total operating income (loss)
* Percentage is not meaningful.
For the Years Ended December 31,
Variance
2021
2020
(In thousands)
Amount
%
$
$
$
$
12,928,707 $
4,957,272
(4,873)
17,881,106 $
12,897,413 $
2,599,842
(3,820)
15,493,435 $
31,294
2,357,430
(1,053)
2,387,671
3,075,580 $
127,455
3,203,035 $
2,903,183 $
(320,568)
2,582,615 $
172,397
448,023
620,420
0.2
90.7
(27.6)
15.4
5.9
*
24.0
Total revenue. Our consolidated revenue totaled $17.881 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of
$2.388 billion or 15.4% compared to the same period in 2020. The increase primarily resulted from the completion of
the Boost Mobile Acquisition on July 1, 2020.
Total operating income (loss). Our consolidated operating income totaled $3.203 billion for the year ended
December 31, 2021, an increase of $620 million or 24.0% compared to the same period in 2020. The change primarily
resulted from an increase in the operating income from our Pay-TV segment and the completion of the Boost Mobile
Acquisition on July 1, 2020. The years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were negatively impacted by operating
losses associated with our 5G Network Deployment business unit, including an “Impairment of long-lived assets” of
$356 million in 2020. See Note 2 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form
10-K for further information.
48
Pay-TV Segment
We offer Pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and the SLING® brand. As of December 31, 2021, we had 10.707
million Pay-TV subscribers in the United States, including 8.221 million DISH TV subscribers and 2.486 million SLING
TV subscribers.
We promote our Pay-TV services as providing our subscribers with better service, technology and value than those
available from other subscription television service providers. We offer a wide selection of video services under the
DISH TV brand, with access to hundreds of channels depending on the level of subscription. Our standard programming
packages generally include programming provided by national and regional cable networks. We also offer programming
packages that include local broadcast networks, specialty sports channels, premium movie channels and Latino and
international programming. We market our SLING TV services to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional
satellite and cable pay-TV services, as well as to current and recent traditional pay-TV subscribers who desire a lower
cost alternative. Our SLING TV services require an Internet connection and are available on multiple streaming-capable
devices including, among others, streaming media devices, TVs, tablets, computers, game consoles and phones. We
offer SLING domestic, SLING International, and SLING Latino video programming services.
Trends in our Pay-TV Segment
Competition
Competition has intensified in recent years as the pay-TV industry has matured. We and our competitors increasingly
must seek to attract a greater proportion of new subscribers from each other’s existing subscriber bases rather than from
first-time purchasers of pay-TV services. We face substantial competition from established pay-TV providers and
broadband service providers and increasing competition from companies providing/facilitating the delivery of video
content via the Internet to computers, televisions, and other streaming and mobile devices, including wireless service
providers. In recent years, industry consolidation and convergence has created competitors with greater scale and
multiple product/service offerings. These developments, among others, have contributed to intense and increasing
competition, and we expect such competition to continue.
We incur significant costs to retain our existing DISH TV subscribers, generally as a result of upgrading their equipment
to next generation receivers, primarily including our Hopper® receivers, and by providing retention credits. Our DISH
TV subscriber retention costs may vary significantly from period to period.
Many of our competitors have been especially aggressive by offering discounted programming and services for both new
and existing subscribers, including bundled offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other
promotional offers. Certain competitors have been able to subsidize the price of video services with the price of
broadband and/or wireless services.
Our Pay-TV services also face increased competition from programmers and other companies who distribute video
directly to consumers over the Internet, as well as traditional satellite television providers, cable companies and large
telecommunications companies that are increasing their Internet-based video offerings. We also face competition from
providers of video content, many of which are providers of our programming content, that distribute content over the
Internet including services with live-linear television programming, as well as single programmer offerings and offerings
of large libraries of on-demand content, including in certain cases original content. These product offerings include,
among others, Netflix, Hulu, Apple+, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Disney+, ESPN+, ViacomCBS, HBO Max, STARZ,
Peacock, Fubo and Philo.
Significant changes in consumer behavior regarding the means by which consumers obtain video entertainment and
information in response to digital media competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business.
49
In particular, consumers have shown increased interest in viewing certain video programming in any place, at any time
and/or on any broadband or internet-connected device they choose. Online content providers may cause our subscribers
to disconnect our DISH TV services (“cord cutting”), downgrade to smaller, less expensive programming packages
(“cord shaving”) or elect to purchase through these online content providers a certain portion of the services that they
would have historically purchased from us, such as pay per view movies.
Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances among cable television providers, telecommunications companies,
programming providers and others may result in, among other things, greater scale and financial leverage and increase
the availability of offerings from providers capable of bundling video, broadband and/or wireless services in competition
with our services and may exacerbate the risks described under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in
our public filings. These transactions may affect us adversely by, among other things, making it more difficult for us to
obtain access to certain programming networks on nondiscriminatory and fair terms, or at all.
Our Pay-TV subscriber base has been declining due to, among other things, the factors described above. There can be
no assurance that our Pay-TV subscriber base will not continue to decline and that the pace of such decline will not
accelerate. As our Pay-TV subscriber base continues to decline, it could have a material adverse long-term effect on our
business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
Programming
Our ability to compete successfully will depend, among other things, on our ability to continue to obtain desirable
programming and deliver it to our subscribers at competitive prices. Programming costs represent a large percentage of
our “Cost of services” and the largest component of our total expense. We expect these costs to continue to increase due
to contractual price increases and the renewal of long-term programming contracts on less favorable pricing terms and
certain programming costs are rising at a much faster rate than wages or inflation. In particular, the rates we are charged
for retransmitting local broadcast channels have been increasing substantially and may exceed our ability to increase our
prices to our subscribers. Going forward, our margins may face pressure if we are unable to renew our long-term
programming contracts on acceptable pricing and other economic terms or if we are unable to pass these increased
programming costs on to our subscribers.
Increases in programming costs have caused us to increase the rates that we charge to our subscribers, which could in
turn cause our existing Pay-TV subscribers to disconnect our service or cause potential new Pay-TV subscribers to
choose not to subscribe to our service. Additionally, even if our subscribers do not disconnect our services, they may
purchase through new and existing online content providers a certain portion of the services that they would have
historically purchased from us, such as pay-per-view movies.
Furthermore, our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV churn rate
may be negatively impacted if we are unable to renew our long-term programming carriage contracts before they expire.
Our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV churn rate have been
negatively impacted as a result of programming interruptions and threatened programming interruptions in connection
with the scheduled expiration of programming carriage contracts with content providers. On October 6, 2021, Tegna Inc.
(“Tegna”) removed its channels from our DISH TV programming lineup in 53 markets. On February 4, 2022, we and
Tegna signed a new programming carriage contract which restored these channels to our DISH TV programming lineup.
Although subscriber demand for local network stations has decreased in recent years as a result of, among other things,
programming being available to subscribers through alternative methods, including over the air antennas, there can be no
assurance that the removal of these or other channels will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business. In addition, we cannot predict with any certainty
the impact to our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV churn rate
resulting from additional programming interruptions or threatened programming interruptions that may occur in the
future. As a result, we may at times suffer from periods of lower net Pay-TV subscriber additions or higher net Pay-TV
subscriber losses.
50
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – PAY-TV Segment
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020.
Statements of Operations Data
Revenue:
Service revenue
Equipment sales and other revenue
Total revenue
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services
% of Service revenue
Cost of sales - equipment and other
Selling, general and administrative expenses
% of Total revenue
Depreciation and amortization
Total costs and expenses
For the Years Ended December 31,
Variance
2021
2020
Amount
%
(In thousands)
$
12,748,334
180,373
12,928,707
$
12,702,345
195,068
12,897,413
$
45,989
(14,695)
31,294
7,735,410
7,812,003
(76,593)
60.7 %
61.5 %
104,941
1,473,940
114,780
1,453,521
(9,839)
20,419
11.4 %
11.3 %
538,836
9,853,127
613,926
9,994,230
(75,090)
(141,103)
0.4
(7.5)
0.2
(1.0)
(8.6)
1.4
(12.2)
(1.4)
Operating income (loss)
$
3,075,580
$
2,903,183
$
172,397
5.9
Other data:
Pay-TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions)
DISH TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) **
SLING TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions)
Pay-TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions)
DISH TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) **
SLING TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions)
Pay-TV ARPU
DISH TV subscriber additions, gross (in millions) **
DISH TV churn rate **
DISH TV SAC
Purchases of property and equipment
OIBDA
$
$
$
$
10.707
8.221
2.486
(0.583)
(0.595)
0.012
95.94
0.835
1.40 %
823
173,485
3,614,416
$
$
$
$
11.290
8.816
2.474
(0.526)
(0.408)
(0.118)
91.77
1.094
1.38 %
851
317,196
3,517,109
$
$
$
$
(0.583)
(0.595)
0.012
(0.057)
(0.187)
0.130
4.17
(0.259)
0.02 %
(28)
(143,711)
97,307
(5.2)
(6.7)
0.5
(10.8)
(45.8)
*
4.5
(23.7)
1.4
(3.3)
(45.3)
2.8
* Percentage is not meaningful.
**During the first quarter of 2020, we removed approximately 250,000 subscribers representing commercial accounts
impacted by COVID-19 from our ending DISH TV subscriber count. During the year ended December, 31, 2020,
80,000 of these subscribers came off pause or had temporary rate relief end and were added to our DISH TV subscriber
count during the periods they returned in 2020, and 69,000 of these subscribers disconnected. During the three months
ended March 31, 2021, the remaining commercial accounts representing 101,000 subscribers disconnected. The effect
of the removal of the 250,000 subscribers, the addition of these 80,000 subscribers and disconnect of 170,000
subscribers was excluded from the calculation of our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, net DISH TV
subscriber additions/losses and DISH TV churn rate. See “Results of Operations – Pay-TV subscribers” for further
information.
51
Pay-TV Subscribers
DISH TV subscribers. We lost approximately 595,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the year ended December 31,
2021 compared to the loss of approximately 408,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the same period in 2020. This
increase in net DISH TV subscriber losses primarily resulted from lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and
a slightly higher DISH TV churn rate.
SLING TV subscribers. We added approximately 12,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the year ended
December 31, 2021 compared to the loss of approximately 118,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the same period in
2020. The increase in net SLING TV subscribers was primarily related to higher SLING TV subscriber activations. We
continue to experience increased competition, including competition from other subscription video on-demand and live-
linear OTT service providers. The year ended December 31, 2020 was negatively impacted by delays and cancellations
of sporting events as a result of COVID-19.
DISH TV subscribers, gross. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we activated approximately 835,000 gross new
DISH TV subscribers compared to approximately 1.094 million gross new DISH TV subscribers during the same period
in 2020, a decrease of 23.7%. This decrease in our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations was primarily related to
the lack of demand and channel removals, including Tegna, as well as increased competitive pressures, including
aggressive short term introductory pricing and bundled offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and
other discounted promotional offers, live-linear OTT service providers, and direct-to-consumer offerings by certain of
our programmers. Our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations continue to be negatively impacted by stricter
customer acquisition policies for our DISH TV subscribers, including an emphasis on acquiring higher quality
subscribers. Furthermore, we continue to assess the impact of COVID-19 and cannot predict with certainty the impact to
our gross new DISH TV subscribers as a result of, among other things, lower discretionary spending and reduced ability
to perform our in-home service operations due to the impact of social distancing.
DISH TV churn rate. Our DISH TV churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 1.40% compared to 1.38%
for the same period in 2020. Our DISH TV churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was negatively impacted
by programming interruptions in connection with the scheduled expiration of certain programming carriage contracts,
including Tegna. In addition, our DISH TV churn rate was positively impacted by COVID-19 beginning in the second
quarter of 2020, including, among other things, the recommendations and/or mandates from federal, state, and local
authorities that customers refrain from non-essential movements outside of their homes and the resulting increased
consumption of our Pay-TV services. Furthermore, COVID-19 had an impact on competitive pressures due to, among
other things, a reduction in customers’ willingness to allow competitors’ technicians into their homes. We continue to
assess the impact of COVID-19 and while certain government regulations and/or mandates have eased, or are expected
to ease in 2022, we cannot predict with certainty the impact to our DISH TV churn rate as a result of, among other
things, lower discretionary spending and reduced ability to perform our in-home service operations due to the impact of
social distancing. Our DISH TV churn rate continues to be adversely impacted by external factors, such as, among other
things, increased competitive pressures, including aggressive marketing, bundled discount offers combining broadband,
video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers, as well as cord cutting. Our DISH TV churn rate
continues to be positively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers. Our DISH
TV churn rate is also impacted by internal factors, such as, among other things, our ability to consistently provide
outstanding customer service, price increases, our ability to control piracy and other forms of fraud, and the level of our
retention efforts.
Our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and DISH TV churn rate have been
negatively impacted as a result of programming interruptions and threatened programming interruptions in connection
with the scheduled expiration of programming carriage contracts with content providers. On October 6, 2021, Tegna
removed its channels from our DISH TV programming lineup in 53 markets. On February 4, 2022, we and Tegna signed a
new programming carriage contract which restored these channels to our DISH TV programming lineup. Although
subscriber demand for local network stations has decreased in recent years as a result of, among other things,
programming being available to subscribers through alternative methods, including over the air antennas, there can be no
assurance that the removal of these or other channels will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business.
52
Beginning in March 2020, several federal, state, and local government agencies implemented recommendations,
guidelines, and orders regarding “social distancing” in an attempt to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19. As a result
of these actions, many bars, restaurants, and other commercial establishments were ordered to and in certain cases
continue to be recommended and/or ordered to suspend all non-essential “in-person” business operations and/or operate
at reduced capacity. In addition, airlines and hotels significantly reduced operations as a result of government actions
and/or related lower consumer demand. In an effort to avoid charging commercial customers for services in their
establishments which were no longer open to the public, we paused service or provided temporary rate relief for certain
of those commercial accounts. For certain commercial accounts, each subscription is counted as one DISH TV
subscriber. For other commercial accounts, as discussed above, we divide our total revenue for these commercial
accounts by $34.99, and include the resulting number, which is substantially smaller than the actual number of
commercial units served, in our DISH TV subscriber count. During the first quarter of 2020, we removed 250,000
subscribers from our ending DISH TV subscriber count for commercial accounts we placed on pause, or received
reduced revenue, or for which we anticipate the account to disconnect due to COVID-19. During the year ended
December 31, 2020, 80,000 of these subscribers came off pause or had temporary rate relief end and 69,000 of these
subscribers disconnected. We did not incur any significant expenses in connection with the return of the 80,000
commercial accounts and accordingly, those commercial accounts were added to our ending subscriber count during the
periods they returned in 2020 and were not recorded as gross new DISH TV subscriber activations. During the first
quarter of 2021, the remaining commercial accounts representing 101,000 subscribers disconnected.
We have not always met our own standards for performing high-quality installations, effectively resolving subscriber
issues when they arise, answering subscriber calls in an acceptable timeframe, effectively communicating with our
subscriber base, reducing calls driven by the complexity of our business, improving the reliability of certain systems and
subscriber equipment and aligning the interests of certain independent third-party retailers and installers to provide high-
quality service. Most of these factors have affected both gross new DISH TV subscriber activations as well as DISH TV
subscriber churn rate. Our future gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and our DISH TV subscriber churn rate
may be negatively impacted by these factors, which could in turn adversely affect our revenue.
Service revenue. “Service revenue” totaled $12.748 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $46
million or 0.4% compared to the same period in 2020. The increase in “Service revenue” compared to the same period
in 2020 was primarily related to an increase in Pay-TV ARPU, discussed below, partially offset by a lower average Pay-
TV subscriber base.
Pay-TV ARPU. Pay-TV ARPU was $95.94 during the year ended December 31, 2021 versus $91.77 during the same
period in 2020. The $4.17 or 4.5% increase in Pay-TV ARPU was primarily attributable to the DISH TV programming
package price increases effective in the first and fourth quarters of 2021 and first quarter of 2020, the SLING TV
programming package price increases effective in the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2020 and higher ad
sales revenue, partially offset by an increase in SLING TV subscribers as a percentage of our total Pay-TV subscriber
base. SLING TV subscribers on average purchase lower priced programming services than DISH TV subscribers, and
therefore, the increase in SLING TV subscribers as a percentage of our total Pay-TV subscriber base had a negative
impact on Pay-TV ARPU.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” totaled $7.735 billion during the year ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $77
million or 1.0% compared to the same period in 2020. The decrease in “Cost of services” was primarily attributable to a
lower average Pay-TV subscriber base and a decrease in variable and retention costs per subscriber, partially offset by
higher programming costs per subscriber. Variable and retention costs per subscriber decreased due to, among other
things, increased operational efficiencies, including a focused set of staffing reductions in 2020. Programming costs per
subscriber increased during the year ended December 31, 2021 due to rate increases in certain of our programming
contracts, including the renewal of certain contracts at higher rates, particularly for local broadcast channels. “Cost of
services” represented 60.7% and 61.5% of “Service revenue” during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively.
In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts to purchase programming content in which our payment
obligations are generally contingent on the number of Pay-TV subscribers to whom we provide the respective content.
Our “Cost of services” have and will continue to face further upward pressure from price increases and the renewal of
long-term programming contracts on less favorable pricing terms. In addition, our programming expenses will increase
to the extent we are successful in growing our Pay-TV subscriber base.
53
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $1.474 billion
during the year ended December 31, 2021, a $20 million or 1.4% increase compared to the same period in 2020. This
change was primarily driven by a $70 million reduction to litigation expense as a result of the Telemarketing Litigation
settlement during the year ended December 31, 2020, partially offset by a decrease in subscriber acquisition costs
resulting from fewer gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, reduced marketing expenditures and by cost cutting
initiatives in the Pay-TV segment, including a focused set of staffing reductions in 2020.
Depreciation and amortization. “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $539 million during the year ended
December 31, 2021, a $75 million or 12.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2020. This change was primarily driven
by a decrease in depreciation expense from equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers.
DISH TV SAC. DISH TV SAC was $823 during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $851 during the same
period in 2020, a decrease of $28 or 3.3%. This change was primarily attributable to a decrease in hardware costs per
activation and higher commercial additions compared to the same period in 2020, partially offset by an increase in
advertising costs per subscriber. The decrease in hardware costs per activation primarily resulted from lower average
costs per receiver due to receiver mix and a higher percentage of remanufactured receivers being activated on new
subscriber accounts. Commercial activations historically have lower DISH TV SAC than residential activations, and
therefore the increase in commercial activations have a positive impact on DISH TV SAC.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the amount of equipment capitalized under our lease program for
new DISH TV subscribers totaled $72 million and $151 million, respectively. This decrease in capital expenditures
primarily resulted from a decrease in gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and a higher percentage of
remanufactured receivers being activated on new subscriber accounts.
To remain competitive, we upgrade or replace subscriber equipment periodically as technology changes, and the costs
associated with these upgrades may be substantial. To the extent technological changes render a portion of our existing
equipment obsolete, we would be unable to redeploy all returned equipment and consequently would realize less benefit
from the DISH TV SAC reduction associated with redeployment of that returned lease equipment.
Our “DISH TV SAC” may materially increase in the future to the extent that we, among other things, transition to newer
technologies, introduce more aggressive promotions, or provide greater equipment subsidies. See further information
under “Liquidity and Capital Resources – Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs.”
For discussion of the Pay-TV results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended
December 31, 2019, see “Results of Operations - Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to the Year Ended
December 31, 2019” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
54
Wireless Segment
Our Wireless business segment operates in two business units, Retail Wireless and 5G Network Deployment. Revenue
and operating income (loss) by business unit are shown in the table below:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Retail Wireless
5G Network
Deployment
Eliminations Total Wireless
(In thousands)
Total revenue
Operating income (loss)
$
$
4,897,205 $
343,785 $
82,958 $
(216,330) $
(22,891) $
— $
4,957,272
127,455
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Retail Wireless
5G Network
Deployment
Eliminations Total Wireless
(In thousands)
Total revenue
Operating income (loss)
$
$
2,579,057 $
162,743 $
20,785 $
(483,311) $
— $
— $
2,599,842
(320,568)
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, total purchases of property and equipment for our wireless segment
were $1.012 billion and $96 million, respectively. This increase primarily resulted from capital expenditures related to
our 5G Network Deployment. We anticipate expenditures for our 5G Network Deployment to increase substantially in
2022.
Wireless – Retail Wireless
We entered the retail wireless business in 2020 as a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the Ting Mobile
Acquisition and we expanded the business in 2021 through the Republic Wireless Acquisition. See Note 6 in the Notes
to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. We offer nationwide prepaid and postpaid retail
wireless services to subscribers under our Boost Mobile, Ting Mobile, Republic Wireless and Gen Mobile brands, as
well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices. In 2021, LG Electronics Inc., a large provider of wireless devices,
announced they were closing their mobile business unit. We continue to work to procure wireless devices from
alternative suppliers, however, there can be no assurances we will be able to procure the supply needed to meet
subscriber demand and any inability to do so could negatively impact our Wireless subscriber activations, retail wireless
base and our results of operations. Prepaid wireless subscribers generally pay in advance for monthly access to wireless
talk, text, and data services. Postpaid wireless subscribers are qualified to pay after receiving wireless talk, text, and data
services. We are currently operating our Retail Wireless business unit as an MVNO while we complete our 5G Network
Deployment. On July 14, 2021, we entered into a ten-year NSA with AT&T to provide us with network services. Under
the NSA, we expect AT&T will become our primary network services provider. As an MVNO, today we primarily
depend on T-Mobile as well as AT&T to provide us with network services under the MNSA and NSA, respectively. A
substantial portion of our retail Wireless subscribers currently receive services through T-Mobile’s CDMA Network.
However, T-Mobile provided notice that it intends to shutdown the CDMA Network on March 31, 2022. A forced
migration of this scale on this time frame will potentially leave approximately a million low-income Boost subscribers
without service. Our Retail Wireless operations have been and continue to be disrupted by, among other things, having
our subscribers potentially lose service and/or face increased costs, which could result in a significant increase in our
Wireless churn rate. While we are working to mitigate the harms of this shutdown, we have incurred and expect to
continue to incur significant costs to upgrade subscriber wireless devices on this accelerated timeline. We have
implemented targeted efforts and promotions directed at impacted customers; however, there can be no assurance these
attempts will be successful. Wireless device shortages, among other things, have limited our ability to mitigate the
effects of the CDMA shutdown and negatively impact our Wireless churn rate, Wireless subscriber activations, retail
Wireless base and our results of operations.
55
In November 2020, DISH Network sought intervention from the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of
Justice (“Division”) under the Final Judgment (“FJ”) entered by Judge Kelly of the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia. On July 9, 2021, the Division issued a letter to DISH Network and T-Mobile in response to DISH
Network’s request, a copy of which was attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.
We acquired over 9 million subscribers as a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition, acquired over 200,000 subscribers as
a result of the Ting Mobile Acquisition and acquired over 200,000 subscribers as a result of the Republic Wireless
Acquisition. Our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended
December 31, 2021 and 2020 include the results of the Boost Mobile Acquisition from July 1, 2020, the Ting Mobile
Acquisition from August 1, 2020 and the Republic Wireless Acquisition from May 1, 2021. As of December 31, 2021,
we had 8.546 million retail Wireless subscribers.
Currently, we offer Wireless subscribers competitive consumer plans with no annual service contracts and monthly
service plans including high-speed data and unlimited talk and text.
Competition
Retail Wireless is a mature market with moderate year-over-year organic growth. Competitors include providers who
offer similar communication services, such as talk, text and data. Competitive factors within the wireless
communications services industry include, but are not limited to, pricing, market saturation, service and product
offerings, customer experience and service quality. We compete with a number of national wireless carriers, including
Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, all of which are significantly larger than us, serve a significant percentage of all wireless
subscribers and enjoy scale advantages compared to us. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are currently the only
nationwide MNOs in the United States.
Primary competitors to our Retail Wireless business unit include, but are not limited to, Metro PCS (owned by T-
Mobile), Cricket Wireless (owned by AT&T), Visible (owned by Verizon), Tracfone Wireless (owned by Verizon), and
other MVNOs such as Consumer Cellular and Mint Mobile.
Wireless – 5G Network Deployment
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the 3.45-
3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022) and made over $10 billion in non-controlling investments
in certain entities, for a total of approximately $30 billion. The $30 billion of investments related to wireless spectrum
licenses does not include $6 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such licenses. See Note 2 and
Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information.
DISH Network Spectrum
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the 3.45-
3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022). These wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain
interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. We plan to commercialize our
wireless spectrum licenses through the completion of our 5G Network Deployment. We have committed to deploy a
facilities-based 5G broadband network capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at different
deadlines, including 20% of the U.S. population by June 2022 and 70% by June 2023. We currently have
over 50 markets under construction and completed a friendly user trial, drive testing and user equipment testing in Las
Vegas during the fourth quarter of 2021. Our current construction is primarily focused on markets we intend to launch
by June 2022 in conjunction with the 20% population coverage requirement. However, we have also began construction
of markets we intend to launch by June of 2023 that support the 70% population coverage requirement.
56
We will need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, complete our 5G
Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and any
additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses.
Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly. In
addition, as we complete our 5G Network Deployment we will incur significant additional expenses related to, among
other things, research and development, wireless testing and ongoing upgrades to the wireless network infrastructure.
We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required to complete our 5G Network
Deployment and to compete with other wireless service providers. See Note 2 and Note 16 in the Notes to our
Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
DISH Network Non-Controlling Investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities Related to AWS-3 Wireless
Spectrum Licenses
During 2015, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C. (“American II”) and
American AWS-3 Wireless III L.L.C. (“American III”), we initially made over $10 billion in certain non-controlling
investments in Northstar Spectrum, LLC (“Northstar Spectrum”), the parent company of Northstar Wireless, L.L.C.
(“Northstar Wireless,” and collectively with Northstar Spectrum, the “Northstar Entities”), and in SNR Wireless
HoldCo, LLC (“SNR HoldCo”), the parent company of SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC (“SNR Wireless,” and
collectively with SNR HoldCo, the “SNR Entities”), respectively. On October 27, 2015, the FCC granted certain AWS-
3 wireless spectrum licenses (the “AWS-3 Licenses”) to Northstar Wireless and to SNR Wireless, respectively, which
are recorded in “FCC authorizations” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under the applicable accounting guidance in
Accounting Standards Codification 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), Northstar Spectrum and SNR HoldCo are
considered variable interest entities and, based on the characteristics of the structure of these entities and in accordance
with the applicable accounting guidance, we consolidate these entities into our financial statements. See Note 2 in the
Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
The AWS-3 Licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal
requirements. The Northstar Entities and/or the SNR Entities may need to raise significant additional capital in the
future, which may be obtained from third party sources or from us, so that the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities
may commercialize, build-out and integrate these AWS-3 Licenses, comply with regulations applicable to such AWS-3
Licenses, and make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3 licenses
retained by the FCC. Depending upon the nature and scope of such commercialization, build-out and integration efforts,
regulatory compliance, and potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment, any loans, equity
contributions or partnerships could vary significantly. See Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial
Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
We may need to raise significant additional capital in the future to fund the efforts described above, which may not be
available on acceptable terms or at all. There can be no assurance that we, the Northstar Entities and/or the SNR Entities
will be able to develop and implement business models that will realize a return on these wireless spectrum licenses or
that we, the Northstar Entities and/or the SNR Entities will be able to profitably deploy the assets represented by these
wireless spectrum licenses, which may affect the carrying amount of these assets and our future financial condition or
results of operations. See Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form
10-K for further information.
57
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Wireless Segment – Retail Wireless Business Unit
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020.
Statements of Operations Data
Revenue:
Service revenue
Equipment sales and other revenue
Total revenue
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services
% of Service revenue
Cost of sales - equipment and other
Selling, general and administrative expenses
% of Total revenue
Depreciation and amortization
Total costs and expenses
For the
Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
Variance
Amount
%
$
4,142,883
754,322
4,897,205
$
2,143,703
435,354
2,579,057
$ 1,999,180
318,968
2,318,148
93.3
73.3
89.9
2,450,516
1,282,022
1,168,494
91.1
59.2 %
59.8 %
1,347,396
578,675
806,198
239,035
541,198
339,640
11.8 %
9.3 %
176,833
4,553,420
89,059
2,416,314
87,774
2,137,106
67.1
*
98.6
88.4
Operating income (loss)
$
343,785
$
162,743
$
181,042
*
Other data:
Wireless subscribers, as of period end (in millions)
Wireless subscriber additions, gross (in millions)
Wireless subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions)
Wireless ARPU
Wireless churn rate
OIBDA
* Percentage is not meaningful.
8.546
4.143
(0.728)
39.00
4.59 %
520,618
$
$
9.055
2.093
(0.575)
38.24
$
4.76 %
$
251,802
(0.509)
2.050
(0.153)
0.76
(0.17)%
268,816
(5.6)
97.9
(26.6)
2.0
(3.6)
*
$
$
The results of the Boost Mobile Acquisition from July 1, 2020, the Ting Mobile Acquisition from August 1, 2020 and
the Republic Wireless Acquisition from May 1, 2021 are included in our Retail Wireless business unit. During the third
quarter of 2020, we added over 9 million Wireless subscribers as a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the Ting
Mobile Acquisition. During the second quarter of 2021, we acquired over 200,000 subscribers as a result of the
Republic Wireless Acquisition. We are currently in the process of integrating our Retail Wireless operations and have
made and continue to make targeted changes to our marketing, sales, and operations to further enhance our profitability.
We lost 728,000 net Wireless subscribers for the year ended December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of these
operational changes, competitive pressures, ongoing optimizations to the existing business, wireless device shortages
and the impact of the shutdown of the CDMA Network. While we took aggressive efforts to mitigate the impact of
shutdown of the CDMA Network on our Retail Wireless operations, wireless devices shortages impaired our ability to
both upgrade subscriber wireless devices and also activate gross new Wireless subscribers. As of December 31, 2021,
we have incurred approximately $250 million in wireless device upgrade expense primarily as a result of the CDMA
shutdown. During the first six months of 2022, we expect to continue to incur substantial costs as a result of the CDMA
shutdown, including without limitation, elevated Wireless churn. Consequently, the circumstances surrounding T-
Mobile’s shutdown of its CDMA Network and our efforts in responding to such shutdown could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our current results of operations are not necessarily indicative of future results, in part based on the ongoing integration
and operational changes we are currently implementing. Furthermore, we have and continue to face increased
competitive pressures, including aggressive competitor marketing, service promotions and deeper wireless device
subsidies. We expect wireless devices shortages to continue in 2022, which could have a negative impact on our gross
new Wireless subscriber activations.
58
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Wireless Segment – 5G Network Deployment Business Unit
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020.
Statements of Operations Data
Revenue:
Equipment sales and other revenue
Total revenue
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services
Cost of sales - equipment and other
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of long-lived assets
Total costs and expenses
For the Years Ended December 31,
Variance
2021
2020
(In thousands)
Amount
%
$
82,958 $
82,958
20,785 $
20,785
62,173
62,173
36
100,004
167,174
32,074
—
299,288
—
18,743
117,368
11,567
356,418
504,096
36
81,261
49,806
20,507
(356,418)
(204,808)
*
*
*
*
42.4
*
*
(40.6)
Operating income (loss)
$
(216,330) $
(483,311) $
266,981
55.2
Other data:
OIBDA
* Percentage is not meaningful.
$
(184,256) $
(471,744) $
287,488
60.9
Equipment sales and other revenue. “Equipment sales and other revenue” totaled $83 million for the year ended
December 31, 2021, an increase of $62 million compared to the same period in 2020. This increase primarily resulted
from leasing a portion of our 600 MHz spectrum licenses to T-Mobile, which began on September 11, 2020. The
spectrum lease with T-Mobile had an original annual value of $56 million during its 42 month term, however we expect
this amount to decrease as we exercise our right to terminate individual licenses prior to the end of their term. The
specific termination rights vary by license and we exercised our ability to terminate certain licenses in the first quarter of
2021 in accordance with our buildout schedule.
Cost of sales – equipment and other. “Cost of sales – equipment and other” totaled $100 million for the year ended
December 31, 2021, an increase of $81 million compared to the same period in 2020. The increase primarily resulted
from an increase in lease expense on communication towers and costs related to our 5G Network Deployment.
Selling, general and administrative expenses “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $167 million for
the year ended December 31, 2021, a $50 million increase compared to the same period in 2020. This change was
primarily driven by an increase in costs to support our 5G Network Deployment.
Impairment of long-lived assets. “Impairment of long-lived assets” of $356 million during the year ended
December 31, 2020 resulted from impairments of the T1 satellite and D1 satellites, as well as certain wireless equipment
and operating lease assets related to our narrowband IoT deployment which we no longer intend to complete. See Note
2 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
59
OTHER CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020.
Statements of Operations Data
Operating income (loss)
Other income (expense):
Interest income
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
Other, net
Total other income (expense)
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax (provision) benefit, net
Effective tax rate
Net income (loss)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling
interests, net of tax
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network
$
* Percentage is not meaningful.
For the Years Ended December 31,
Variance
2021
2020
Amount
%
$
3,203,035
(In thousands)
$
2,582,615
$
620,420
24.0
11,338
(16,174)
20,557
15,721
22,734
(12,974)
(20,164)
(10,404)
3,218,756
(762,810)
2,572,211
(698,275)
23.7 %
27.1 %
(11,396)
(3,200)
40,721
26,125
646,545
(64,535)
(50.1)
(24.7)
*
*
25.1
(9.2)
2,455,946
1,873,936
582,010
31.1
45,304
2,410,642
$
111,263
1,762,673
$
(65,959)
647,969
(59.3)
36.8
Interest income. “Interest income” totaled $11 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, a decrease of $11
million or 50.1% compared to the same period in 2020. This decrease primarily resulted from lower percentage returns
earned on our cash and marketable investment securities, partially offset by higher average cash and marketable
investment securities balances during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Other, net. “Other, net” income totaled $21 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $41
million compared to the same period in 2020. This change primarily resulted from a favorable determination pursuant to
the arbitration procedures under our APA with T-Mobile with respect to the disputed net working capital items, resulting
in a gain of $39 million in 2021 and a $9 million decrease in the unrealized loss recognized in 2021 compared to 2020 in
the fair value of our option to purchase certain of T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses under the Spectrum Purchase
Agreement. See Note 7 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for
further information.
Income tax (provision) benefit, net. Our income tax provision was $763 million during the year ended December 31,
2021, an increase of $65 million compared to the same period in 2020. The increase in the provision was primarily
related to an increase in “Income (loss) before income taxes,” partially offset by a decrease in our effective tax rate. Our
effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2020 was higher due to non-recurring state tax rate changes applied to
our deferred taxes as a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition, partially offset by a benefit recognized for the carryback
of net operating losses under the CARES Act.
60
Non-GAAP Performance Measures and Reconciliation
It is management’s intent to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance the understanding of our GAAP
financial information, and it should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements
prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding
GAAP measure so as not to imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure. We believe that
providing these non-GAAP measures in addition to the GAAP measures allows management, investors and other users
of our financial information to more fully and accurately assess both consolidated and segment performance. The non-
GAAP financial information presented may be determined or calculated differently by other companies and may not be
directly comparable to that of other companies.
Consolidated EBITDA
Consolidated EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute
for operating income, net income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Consolidated EBITDA is
used as a measurement of operating efficiency and overall financial performance and we believe it is a helpful measure
for those evaluating operating performance in relation to our competitors. Conceptually, EBITDA measures the amount
of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund capital expenditures. EBITDA
should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network
Interest, net
Income tax provision (benefit), net
Depreciation and amortization
Consolidated EBITDA
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
2,410,642 $
4,836
762,810
724,852
3,903,140 $
1,762,673
(9,760)
698,275
714,552
3,165,740
$
$
The changes in Consolidated EBITDA during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020,
were primarily a result of the factors described in connection with operating revenues and operating expenses, including
the negative impact of “Impairment of long-lived assets” of $356 million during the year ended December 31, 2020.
61
Segment OIBDA
Segment OIBDA, which is presented below, is a non-GAAP measure and does not purport to be an alternative to
operating income (loss) as a measure of operating performance. We believe this measure is useful to management,
investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating profitability of our business units on a
more variable cost basis as it excludes the depreciation and amortization expenses related primarily to capital
expenditures and acquisitions for those business units, as well as in evaluating operating performance in relation to our
competitors. Segment OIBDA is calculated by adding back depreciation and amortization expense to business unit
operating income (loss). See Note 17 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K for further information.
Segment operating income (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Pay-TV OIBDA
Segment operating income (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Retail Wireless OIBDA
Segment operating income (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
5G Network Deployment OIBDA
Consolidated operating income (loss)
Depreciation and amortization
Consolidated OIBDA
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
(In thousands)
3,075,580 $
538,836
3,614,416 $
343,785 $
176,833
520,618 $
(216,330) $
32,074
(184,256) $
3,203,035 $
724,852
3,927,887 $
2,903,183
613,926
3,517,109
162,743
89,059
251,802
(483,311)
11,567
(471,744)
2,582,615
714,552
3,297,167
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
The changes in OIBDA during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020, were primarily
a result of the factors described in connection with operating revenues and operating expenses, including the negative
impact of “Impairment of long-lived assets” of $356 million during the year ended December 31, 2020.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities
We consider all liquid investments purchased within 90 days of their maturity to be cash equivalents. See Note 7 in the
Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding
our marketable investment securities. As of December 31, 2021, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable
investment securities totaled $5.404 billion compared to $3.733 billion as of December 31, 2020, an increase of $1.671
billion. This increase in cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities primarily resulted from
cash generated from operating activities of $4.031 billion, $1.490 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of our 5 1/8%
Senior Notes due 2029 and a $337 million deposit refund from our participation in Auction 107. These increases were
partially offset by the repurchases and redemption of our 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021 with an aggregate principal
balance of $2.0 billion and capital expenditures of $1.964 billion (including capitalized interest related to FCC
authorizations).
62
Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Investment Securities
As of December 31, 2021, our restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities totaled $5.335
billion compared to $108 million as of December 31, 2020, an increase of $5.227 billion. This increase in restricted
cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities primarily resulted from $2.737 billion in net proceeds from
the issuance of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and $2.488 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of our 5
3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028, which include restrictions which may vary in nature depending on the ultimate use
of proceeds.
Debt Issuances and Maturity
On July 1, 2020, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our 7 3/8% Senior Notes due July 1, 2028.
Interest accrues at an annual rate of 7 3/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of
each year.
On December 21, 2020, we issued $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the 0% Convertible Notes due
December 15, 2025.
On May 24, 2021, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 1/8% Senior Notes due June 1, 2029.
Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of
each year.
On November 26, 2021, we issued $2.750 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due
December 1, 2026. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June
1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2022.
On November 26, 2021, we issued $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due
December 1, 2028. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 3/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June
1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2022.
Our 5 1/8% Senior Notes with an aggregate principal balance of $1.1 billion were redeemed on May 1, 2020.
Our 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021 with an aggregate principal balance of $2.0 billion were repurchased or redeemed as
of June 1, 2021.
Our 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022 with an aggregate principal balance of $2.0 billion mature on July 15, 2022. We
expect to fund this obligation from cash and marketable investment securities balances at that time. But, depending on
market conditions, we may refinance this obligation in whole or in part.
Cash Flow
The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Cash flows from operating activities. We typically reinvest the cash flow from operating activities in our business
primarily to grow our subscriber base, expand our infrastructure, make strategic investments, such as significant
investments in our Wireless business, including our 5G Network Deployment, and repay debt obligations. For the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we reported “Net cash flows from operating activities” of $4.031 billion and $3.312
billion, respectively.
Net cash flows from operating activities from 2020 to 2021 increased $719 million, primarily attributable to increases in
cash flows resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities principally attributable to timing differences between
book expense and cash payments, including taxes. In 2020, changes in operating assets and liabilities were negatively
impacted by the $210 million litigation settlement payment related to the Telemarketing Litigation. These increases
were partially offset by an $78 million decrease in income adjusted to exclude non-cash charges for “Impairment of
long-lived assets,” “Depreciation and amortization” expense, “Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments and
derivatives,” “Non-cash, stock-based compensation” expense, and “Deferred tax expense (benefit).”
63
Cash flows from investing activities. Our investing activities generally include purchases and sales of marketable
investment securities, acquisitions, strategic investments, including purchases and settlements of derivative financial
instruments, and purchases of wireless spectrum licenses, capital expenditures and capitalized interest. For the years
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we reported outflows from “Net cash flows from investing activities” of $4.410
billion and $3.862 billion, respectively.
The year ended December 31, 2021 was impacted by cash outflows primarily related to $2.618 billion in net purchases
of marketable investment securities and capital expenditures of $1.964 billion (including capitalized interest primarily
related to FCC authorizations), partially offset by a $337 million deposit refund from our participation in Auction 107.
The year ended December 31, 2020 was impacted by cash outflows primarily related to the closing of the Boost Mobile
Acquisition for a net aggregate purchase price of $1.313 billion, capital expenditures of $1.193 billion (including
capitalized interest related to FCC authorizations), a $1.388 billion payment to the FCC for the 3550-3650 MHz
Licenses, the 37 GHz, 39 GHZ and 47 GHz Licenses, and the 3.7-3.98 GHz Licenses.
During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, capital expenditures for wireless equipment totaled $1.012 billion
and $96 million, respectively. The increase in 2021 for wireless equipment primarily resulted from the build-out of our
5G Network Deployment. In addition, capital expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 for new
and existing DISH TV customer equipment totaled $104 million and $211 million, respectively. The decrease in 2021
for new and existing DISH TV customer equipment primarily resulted from lower gross new DISH TV subscriber
activations and a higher percentage of remanufactured receivers being activated on new subscriber accounts.
Cash flows from financing activities. Our financing activities generally include net proceeds related to the issuance of
equity and long-term and convertible debt, cash used for the repurchase, redemption or payment of long-term debt and
finance lease obligations, and repurchases of our Class A common stock. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and
2020, we reported “Net cash flows from financing activities” inflows of $4.659 billion and $1.499 billion, respectively.
The net cash inflows in 2021 primarily related to $2.737 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of our 5 1/4% Senior
Secured Notes due 2026, $2.488 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of our 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028,
$1.490 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of our 5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2029, partially offset by the repurchases
and redemption of our 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021 with an aggregate principal balance of $2.0 billion.
The net cash inflows in 2020 primarily related to $1.986 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of our 0% Convertible
Notes due 2025 and $998 million in net proceeds from the issuance of our 7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2028, partially offset
by the redemption of our 5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2020 with an aggregate principal balance of $1.1 billion, a $312
million payment for the Northstar Purchase Agreement and repayment of long-term debt and finance lease obligations of
$101 million.
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as “Net cash flows from operating activities” less “Purchases of property and equipment,” and
“Capitalized interest related to FCC authorizations,” as shown on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We
believe free cash flow is an important liquidity metric because it measures, during a given period, the amount of cash
generated that is available to repay debt obligations, make investments (including strategic wireless investments), fund
acquisitions and for certain other activities. Free cash flow is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and
should not be considered a substitute for “Operating income,” “Net income,” “Net cash flows from operating activities”
or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Since free cash flow includes investments in operating
assets, we believe this non-GAAP liquidity measure is useful in addition to the most directly comparable GAAP measure
“Net cash flows from operating activities.”
Free cash flow can be significantly impacted from period to period by changes in “Net income (loss)” adjusted to
exclude certain non-cash charges, operating assets and liabilities, “Purchases of property and equipment,” and
“Capitalized interest related to FCC authorizations.” These items are shown in the “Net cash flows from operating
activities” and “Net cash flows from investing activities” sections on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
included herein. Operating asset and liability balances can fluctuate significantly from period to period and there can be
no assurance that free cash flow will not be negatively impacted by material changes in operating assets and liabilities in
future periods, since these changes depend upon, among other things, management’s timing of payments and control of
inventory levels, and cash receipts.
64
In addition to fluctuations resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, free cash flow can vary significantly
from period to period depending upon, among other things, subscriber additions (losses), service revenue, subscriber
churn, subscriber acquisition and retention costs including amounts capitalized under our equipment lease programs for
DISH TV subscribers, operating efficiencies, increases or decreases in purchases of property and equipment,
expenditures related to our 5G Network Deployment and other factors.
The following table reconciles free cash flow to “Net cash flows from operating activities.”
Net cash flows from operating activities
Purchases of property and equipment (including capitalized interest related to FCC
authorizations)
Free cash flow
Operational Liquidity
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
2019
$
4,031,251 $
3,311,776 $
2,662,401
(1,963,527)
$
2,067,724 $
(1,192,506)
2,119,270 $
(1,482,448)
1,179,953
We make general investments in property such as satellites, wireless devices, set-top boxes, information technology and
facilities that support our Pay-TV segment and Retail Wireless business unit. We are also making significant additional
investments and will need to continue making these investments and/or partner with others to, among other things,
complete our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out, and integrate our wireless spectrum
licenses and related assets. Moreover, since we are primarily a subscriber-based company, we also make subscriber-
specific investments to acquire new subscribers and retain existing subscribers. While the general investments may be
deferred without impacting the business in the short-term, the subscriber-specific investments are less discretionary. Our
overall objective is to generate sufficient cash flow over the life of each subscriber to provide an adequate return against
the upfront investment. Once the upfront investment has been made for each subscriber, the subsequent cash flow is
generally positive, but there can be no assurances that over time we will recoup or earn a return on the upfront
investment.
There are a number of factors that impact our future cash flow compared to the cash flow we generate at a given point in
time. The first factor is our churn rate and how successful we are at retaining our current subscribers. To the extent we
lose subscribers from our existing base, the positive cash flow from that base is correspondingly reduced. The second
factor is how successful we are at maintaining our service margins. To the extent our “Cost of services” grow faster than
our “Service revenue,” the amount of cash flow that is generated per existing subscriber is reduced. Our Pay-TV service
margins have been reduced by, among other things, a shift to lower priced Pay-TV programming packages and higher
programming costs. Our Retail Wireless service margins are impacted by our MNSA agreement with T-Mobile and our
NSA agreement with AT&T and the speed with which we are able to convert retail Wireless subscribers onto our 5G
Network once operational. The third factor is the rate at which we acquire new subscribers. The faster we acquire new
subscribers, the more our positive ongoing cash flow from existing subscribers is offset by the negative upfront cash
flow associated with acquiring new subscribers. Conversely, the slower we acquire subscribers, the more our operating
cash flow is enhanced in that period. Finally, our future cash flow is impacted by the rate at which we complete our 5G
Network Deployment, incur litigation expense, and any cash flow from financing activities. We anticipate expenditures
for our 5G Network Deployment to increase substantially during 2022 and in future periods. As a result, our current
cash flow is not necessarily indicative of our future cash flows. In addition, declines in our Pay-TV and retail Wireless
subscriber base and any decrease in subscriber related-margins negatively impact our cash flow, and there can be no
assurances that our subscriber declines will not continue.
Subscriber Base – Pay TV Segment and Retail Wireless Business Unit
See “Results of Operations” above for further information.
65
Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs
We incur significant upfront costs to acquire Pay-TV and retail Wireless subscribers, including advertising, independent
third-party retailer incentives, payments made to third-parties, equipment and wireless device subsidies, installation
services, and/or new customer promotions. While we attempt to recoup these upfront costs over the lives of their
subscription, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in achieving that objective. With respect to our DISH
TV services, we employ business rules such as minimum credit requirements for prospective customers and contractual
commitments to receive service for a minimum term. We strive to provide outstanding customer service to increase the
likelihood of customers keeping their Pay-TV services over longer periods of time. Subscriber acquisition costs for
SLING TV subscribers are significantly lower than those for DISH TV subscribers. Our subscriber acquisition costs
may vary significantly from period to period.
We incur significant costs to retain our existing DISH TV subscribers, generally as a result of upgrading their equipment
to next generation receivers, primarily including our Hopper® receivers, and by providing retention credits. As with our
subscriber acquisition costs, our retention upgrade spending includes the cost of equipment and installation services. In
certain circumstances, we also offer programming at no additional charge and/or promotional pricing for limited periods
to existing customers in exchange for a contractual commitment to receive service for a minimum term. A component of
our retention efforts includes the installation of equipment for customers who move. Retention costs for retail Wireless
subscribers are primarily related to promotional pricing on upgraded wireless devices for qualified existing subscribers.
Our DISH TV subscriber retention costs may vary significantly from period to period.
Seasonality
Historically, the first half of the year generally produces fewer gross new DISH TV subscriber activations than the
second half of the year, as is typical in the pay-TV industry. In addition, the first and fourth quarters generally produce a
lower DISH TV churn rate than the second and third quarters. However, in recent years, as the pay-TV industry has
matured, we and our competitors increasingly must seek to attract a greater proportion of new subscribers from each
other’s existing subscriber bases rather than from first-time purchasers of pay-TV services. As a result, historical trends
in seasonality described above may not be indicative of future trends.
Our net SLING TV subscriber additions are impacted by, among other things, certain major sporting events and other
major television events. The first and third quarters generally produce higher gross new retail Wireless subscriber
activations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the historical trends discussed above, for net DISH TV subscriber
additions, net SLING TV subscriber additions and gross new retail Wireless subscriber activations, may not be
indicative of future trends.
Satellites
Operation of our DISH TV services requires that we have adequate satellite transmission capacity for the programming
that we offer. Moreover, competitive conditions may require that we expand our offering of new programming. While
we generally have had in-orbit satellite capacity sufficient to transmit our existing channels and some backup capacity to
recover the transmission of certain critical programming, our backup capacity is limited. In the event of a failure or loss
of any of our owned or leased satellites, we may need to acquire or lease additional satellite capacity or relocate one of
our other satellites and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost satellite. Such a failure could result in a prolonged
loss of critical programming or a significant delay in our plans to expand programming as necessary to remain
competitive and cause us to expend a significant portion of our cash to acquire or lease additional satellite capacity.
Stock Repurchases
Our Board of Directors previously authorized stock repurchases of up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding Class A common
stock. On November 1, 2021, our Board of Directors extended this authorization such that we are currently authorized
to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2022.
As of December 31, 2021, we may repurchase up to $1.0 billion under this program. During the years ended December
31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were no repurchases of our Class A common stock.
66
Covenants and Restrictions Related to our Long-Term Debt
We are subject to the covenants and restrictions set forth in the indentures related to our long-term debt. In particular,
the indentures related to our outstanding senior notes issued by DISH DBS Corporation (“DISH DBS”) contain
restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on the ability of DISH DBS and its restricted
subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) pay dividends or
make distributions on DISH DBS’ capital stock or repurchase DISH DBS’ capital stock; (iv) make certain investments;
(v) create liens; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) merge or consolidate with another company; and
(viii) transfer or sell assets. Should we fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of the debt under the senior
notes and our other long-term debt could become immediately payable. The senior notes also provide that the debt may
be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events occur. In addition, the Convertible Notes provide that, if a
“fundamental change” (as defined in the related indenture) occurs, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or
part of their Convertible Notes. As of the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we and DISH DBS were in
compliance with the covenants and restrictions related to our respective long-term debt.
Other
We are also vulnerable to fraud, particularly in the acquisition of new subscribers. While we are addressing the impact
of subscriber fraud through a number of actions, there can be no assurance that we will not continue to experience fraud,
which could impact our subscriber growth and churn. Economic weakness may create greater incentive for signal theft,
piracy and subscriber fraud, which could lead to higher subscriber churn and reduced revenue.
Obligations and Future Capital Requirements
Contractual Obligations
See Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information.
Future Capital Requirements
We expect to fund our future working capital, capital expenditures, other investments, and debt service requirements
from cash generated from operations, existing cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment
securities balances, and cash generated through raising additional capital. We will need to make significant additional
investments to, among other things, complete our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and
integrate our wireless spectrum licenses and related assets. The amount of capital required to fund our future working
capital, capital expenditure and other investment needs varies, depending on, among other things, the rate at which we
deploy our 5G network, the purchase of additional wireless spectrum licenses and the rate at which we acquire new
subscribers and the cost of subscriber acquisition and retention, including capitalized costs associated with our new and
existing subscriber equipment lease programs.
Certain of our capital expenditures for 2022 are expected to be driven by the rate at which we deploy our 5G network as
well as costs associated with subscriber premises equipment. These expenditures are necessary for the deployment of
our 5G network as well as to operate and maintain our DISH TV services. Consequently, we consider them to be non-
discretionary. Our capital expenditures vary depending on the number of satellites leased or under construction at any
point in time and could increase materially as a result of increased competition, significant satellite failures, or economic
weakness and uncertainty. Our DISH TV subscriber base has been declining and there can be no assurance that our
DISH TV subscriber base will not continue to decline and that the pace of such decline will not accelerate. In the event
that our DISH TV subscriber base continues to decline, it will have a material adverse long-term effect on our cash flow.
In addition, the Northstar and SNR Operative Agreements, as amended, provide for, among other things, the SNR Put
Right and the Northstar Put Right for a purchase price that equals the equity contribution to Northstar Spectrum and
SNR HoldCo, respectively, plus a fixed annual rate of return. During the fourth quarter of 2021 the SNR Put Right was
exercised. As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate value of Northstar Manager’s ownership interest in Northstar
Spectrum and SNR Management’s ownership interest in SNR HoldCo was $395 million, recorded as “Redeemable
noncontrolling interests” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
67
We expect to incur significant capital expenditures in 2022 related to our 5G Network Deployment, including capital
expenditures associated with our 5G Network Deployment, and the potential purchase of additional wireless spectrum
licenses. The amount of capital required will also depend on the levels of investment necessary to support potential
strategic initiatives that may arise from time to time. These factors, including a reduction in our available future cash
flows, could require that we raise additional capital in the future.
Volatility in the financial markets has made it more difficult at times for issuers of high-yield indebtedness, such as us,
to access capital markets at acceptable terms. These developments may have a significant effect on our cost of financing
and our liquidity position.
Boost Mobile Acquisition
See Note 6 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information
Wireless – 5G Network Deployment
See Note 16 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information.
Availability of Credit and Effect on Liquidity
The ability to raise capital has generally existed for us despite economic weakness and uncertainty. While modest
fluctuations in the cost of capital will not likely impact our current operational plans, significant fluctuations could have
a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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. Management bases its estimates, judgments
and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to
our consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions
are reflected prospectively in the period they occur. 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 our Consolidated Financial Statements
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Valuation of intangible assets with indefinite lives. We evaluate the carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite
lives annually, and also when events and circumstances warrant.
Wireless Spectrum Licenses. During 2021, we acquired the 3550-3650 MHz (CBRS) and 3.7-3.98 GHz wireless
licenses, together (the “C-Band Licenses”). During 2020, we acquired the 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz wireless
licenses and during 2019, we acquired the 24 GHz and 28 GHz wireless licenses, together (the “High-Band Licenses”).
In 2021, we combined our 600 MHz, 700 MHz, AWS-4, H Block, High-Band Licenses, C-Band Licenses and the
Northstar Licenses and SNR Licenses into a single unit of accounting. In 2020 and 2019, we combined our 600 MHz,
700 MHz, AWS-4, H Block, and the Northstar Licenses and SNR Licenses into a single unit of accounting, excluding
the High-Band Licenses. In 2021, 2020 and 2019, management performed a qualitative assessment to determine
whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of these licenses exceed the carrying amount. In our assessment, we
considered several factors, including, among other things, the projected financial performance of our Wireless segment,
the business enterprise value of our Wireless segment, and market transactions for wireless spectrum licenses including
auction results. In assessing these factors, we considered both macroeconomic conditions and industry and market
conditions. In contemplating all factors in their totality, we concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of
these licenses exceeds their carrying amount.
68
During 2020, our 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz wireless spectrum licenses were assessed as a single unit of accounting.
These licenses were purchased during 2020 through our participation in Auction 103. For 2020, management’s
assessment of the fair value of these licenses was determined based on the auction results.
During 2019, our 24 GHz and 28 GHz wireless spectrum licenses were assessed as a single unit of accounting. These
licenses were purchased during the fourth quarter 2019 through our participation in Auction 101 and Auction 102. For
2019, management’s assessment of the fair value of these licenses was determined based on the auction results.
During 2021, 2020, and 2019, our multichannel video distribution and data service (“MVDDS”) wireless spectrum
licenses were assessed as a single unit of accounting. For 2021, 2020 and 2019, management assessed these licenses
qualitatively. Our qualitative assessment focused on recent auction results and historical market activity. We concluded
that it is more likely than not that the fair value of these licenses exceeded their carrying amount.
Changes in circumstances or market conditions could result in a write-down of any of the above wireless spectrum
licenses in the future.
Income Taxes
Our income tax policy is to record the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of
assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating loss
and tax credit carryforwards. Determining necessary valuation allowances requires us to make assessments about the
timing of future events, including the probability of expected future taxable income and available tax planning
opportunities. We periodically evaluate our need for a valuation allowance based on both historical evidence, including
trends, and future expectations in each reporting period. Any such valuation allowance is recorded in either “Income tax
(provision) benefit, net” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) or
“Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Stockholders’ equity (deficit)” on our Consolidated Balance
Sheets. Future performance could have a significant effect on the realization of tax benefits, or reversals of valuation
allowances, as reported in our consolidated results of operations.
Management evaluates the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions based on applicable tax law,
regulations, case law, administrative rulings and pronouncements and the facts and circumstances surrounding the tax
position. Changes in our estimates related to the recognition and measurement of the amount recorded for uncertain tax
positions could result in significant changes in our “Income tax provision (benefit), net,” which could be material to our
consolidated results of operations.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation
of tax laws and the resolution of any tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our
consolidated financial statements.
Contingent Liabilities
A significant amount of management judgment is required in determining when, or if, an accrual should be recorded for
a contingency and the amount of such accrual. Estimates generally are developed in consultation with counsel and are
based on an analysis of potential outcomes. Due to the uncertainty of determining the likelihood of a future event
occurring and the potential financial statement impact of such an event, it is possible that upon further development or
resolution of a contingent matter, a charge could be recorded in a future period to “Selling, general and administrative
expenses” or “Litigation expense” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) that
would be material to our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
69
Business Combinations
When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the various components of the acquisition based upon the
fair value of each component using various valuation techniques, including the market approach, income approach
and/or cost approach. The accounting standard for business combinations requires identifiable assets, liabilities,
noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired to be recorded at acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value
of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant
estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows
and the discount rate utilized.
Backlog
We do not have any material backlog of our products.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information.
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risks Associated with Financial Instruments
Our investments and debt are exposed to market risks, discussed below.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Current Marketable Investment Securities
As of December 31, 2021, our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had a fair value of
$5.404 billion. Of that amount, a total of $5.402 billion was invested in: (a) cash; (b) money market funds; (c) debt
instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; (d) commercial paper and corporate notes with an overall
average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations; and/or (e) instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality
characteristics to the commercial paper and corporate obligations described above. The primary purpose of these
investing activities has been to preserve principal until the cash is required to, among other things, continue investing in
our business, pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions, fund ongoing operations, repay debt obligations and
expand our business. Consequently, the size of this portfolio can fluctuate significantly as cash is received and used in
our business for these or other purposes. The value of this portfolio is negatively impacted by credit losses; however,
this risk is mitigated through diversification that limits our exposure to any one issuer.
Interest Rate Risk
A change in interest rates would affect the fair value of our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment
securities portfolio; however, we normally hold these investments to maturity. Based on our December 31, 2021 current
non-strategic investment portfolio of $5.402 billion, a hypothetical 10% change in average interest rates would not have
a material impact on the fair value due to the limited duration of our investments.
Our cash, cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities had an average annual rate of return for the year
ended December 31, 2021 of 0.2%. 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 2021 would result in a decrease of approximately $1 million in annual interest income.
70
Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Investment Securities
As of December 31, 2021, we had $5.335 billion of restricted cash and marketable investment securities invested in:
(a) cash; (b) money market funds; (c) debt instruments of the United States Government and its agencies; and/or (d)
instruments with similar risk, duration and credit quality characteristics to commercial paper. Based on our
December 31, 2021 investment portfolio, a hypothetical 10% increase in average interest rates would not have a material
impact on the fair value of our restricted cash and marketable investment securities.
Long-Term Debt
As of December 31, 2021, we had long-term debt of $21.387 billion, excluding finance lease obligations and
unamortized deferred financing costs and debt discounts, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We estimated the fair
value of this debt to be approximately $21.425 billion using quoted market prices. The fair value of our debt is affected
by fluctuations in interest rates. A hypothetical 10% decrease in assumed interest rates would increase the fair value of
our debt by approximately $243 million. To the extent interest rates increase, our future costs of financing would
increase at the time of any future financings. As of December 31, 2021, all of our long-term debt consisted of fixed rate
indebtedness.
Derivative Financial Instruments
From time to time, we invest in speculative financial instruments, including derivatives. As of December 31, 2021, we
did not hold any material derivative financial instruments other than the option to purchase certain T-Mobile’s 800 MHz
spectrum licenses under the Spectrum Purchase Agreement. See Note 7 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial
Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our consolidated financial statements are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page F-1.
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls and procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-
15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that
evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. However, we are continually monitoring the
COVID-19 pandemic and any potential impact to our internal controls.
71
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 United States generally
accepted accounting principles.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i)
(ii)
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and
dispositions of our assets;
provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and
expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our directors; and
(iii)
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our 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 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 (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control
over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears in Item 15(a) of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
Item 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, 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 under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item will be set forth in our Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
72
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 2022 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, 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 2022 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, 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 2022 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1) Financial Statements
Report of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended
December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
None. All schedules have been included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits
Page
F-2
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
2.1*
2.2*
2.3*
Master Transaction Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2019, by and among DISH Network Corporation,
BSS Merger Sub Inc., EchoStar Corporation, and EchoStar BSS Corporation (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 2.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed July 29,
2019).
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2019, by and among T-Mobile US, Inc., Sprint
Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.2 to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed July 29, 2019).
First Amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated June 17, 2020, by and between DISH Network
and NTM (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH
Network Corporation filed June 17, 2020).
73
3.1(a)*
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) on the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation for the
quarter ended June 30, 2003), as amended by the Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation of DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Annex 1 on DISH Network
Corporation’s Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed on December 31, 2007) and as
further amended by the Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of DISH Network
Corporation, effective November 3, 2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed November 3, 2015).
3.1(b)*
Amended and Restated Bylaws of DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed November 7, 2019).
3.2(a)*
Articles of Incorporation of DISH DBS Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.4(a) to the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of DISH DBS Corporation), as amended by the Certificate of
Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of DISH DBS Corporation, dated as of August 25, 2003
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1(b) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH DBS
Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003), and as further amended by the Amendment of the
Articles of Incorporation of DISH DBS Corporation, effective December 12, 2008 (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH DBS Corporation filed
December 12, 2008).
3.2(b)*
Bylaws of DISH DBS Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.4(b) to the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 of DISH DBS Corporation).
4.1*
4.2*
4.3*
4.4*
4.5*
4.6*
4.7*
Registration Rights Agreement by and between DISH Network Corporation and Charles W. Ergen
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of DISH Network
Corporation, Registration No. 33-91276). P
Indenture, relating to the 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022, dated as of May 16, 2012 among DISH DBS
Corporation, the guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of
DISH Network Corporation filed May 16, 2012).
Indenture, relating to the 5% Senior Notes due 2023, dated as of December 27, 2012 among DISH DBS
Corporation, the guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of
DISH Network Corporation filed December 27, 2012).
Indenture, relating to the 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024, dated as of November 20, 2014 among DISH
DBS Corporation, the guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National
Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of
DISH Network Corporation filed November 21, 2014).
Indenture, relating to the 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026, dated as of June 13, 2016, among DISH DBS
Corporation, the guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as
Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network
Corporation filed June 13, 2016).
Indenture, relating to the 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024, dated as of March 17, 2017, by and
between DISH Network Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8 K of DISH Network Corporation filed March
20, 2017).
Indenture, relating to the 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026, dated as of August 8, 2016, by and between
DISH Network Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed August 8, 2016).
74
4.8*
4.9*
4.10*
4.11*
4.12*
4.13*
4.14*
4.15*
4.16*
4.17*
4.18*
10.1*
10.2*
10.3*
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 4.13 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH DBS Corporation filed March 29, 2018).
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 5% Senior Notes due 2023 (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 4.14 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH DBS Corporation filed March 29, 2018).
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024 (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 4.15 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH DBS Corporation filed March 29, 2018).
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026 (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 4.16 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH DBS Corporation filed March 29, 2018).
Description of Securities (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.16 to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation filed February 19, 2020).
Indenture, relating to the 7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2028, dated as of July 1, 2020, among DISH DBS
Corporation, the guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as
Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network
Corporation filed July 1, 2020).
Indenture, relating to the 0% Convertible Notes due 2025, dated as of December 21, 2020, by and between
DISH Network Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed December 22,
2020).
Indenture, relating to the 5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2029, dated as of May 24, 2021 among DISH DBS
Corporation, the guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank, National Association, as
Trustee (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network
Corporation filed May 24, 2021).
Indenture, relating to the 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and the 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes
due 2028, dated as of November 26, 2021, among DISH DBS Corporation, the guarantors named on the
signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee and Collateral Agent
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network
Corporation filed November 26, 2021).
Security Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2021, among DISH DBS Corporation, the guarantors
named on the signature pages thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as Collateral Agent
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network
Corporation filed November 26, 2021).
Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2021, between DISH DBS Corporation and
DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-
K of DISH Network Corporation filed November 26, 2021).
2002 Class B CEO Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Appendix A to DISH Network
Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated April 9, 2002). **
Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated February 4, 2004, between Telesat Canada and DISH
Network Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
of DISH Network Corporation filed May 6, 2004). ***
Letter Amendment to Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated March 25, 2004, between Telesat
Canada and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed May 6, 2004). ***
75
10.4*
10.5*
10.6*
10.7*
10.8*
10.9*
Second Amendment to Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated May 5, 2004, between Telesat
Canada and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed August 9, 2004). ***
Third Amendment to Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated October 12, 2004, between Telesat
Canada and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Annual Report
on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation filed March 16, 2005). ***
Incentive Stock Option Agreement (Form A) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed July 7, 2005). **
Incentive Stock Option Agreement (Form B) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed July 7, 2005). **
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Form A) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed July 7, 2005). **
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Form B) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed July 7, 2005). **
10.10*
Nonemployee Director Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed July 7, 2005). **
10.11*
10.12*
10.13*
10.14*
Separation Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 2.1 to the Amendment No. 1 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Corporation filed
December 12, 2007).
Tax Sharing Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network Corporation (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Amendment No. 1 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Corporation filed
December 12, 2007).
Employee Matters Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network Corporation
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Amendment No. 1 to the Form 10 of EchoStar
Corporation filed December 12, 2007).
Intellectual Property Matters Agreement between EchoStar Corporation, EchoStar Acquisition L.L.C.,
Echosphere L.L.C., DISH DBS Corporation, EIC Spain SL, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and DISH
Network Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Amendment No. 1 to the
Form 10 of EchoStar Corporation filed December 12, 2007).
10.15*
Form of Satellite Capacity Agreement between EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C.
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.28 to the Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 of EchoStar
Corporation filed December 26, 2007).
10.16*
DISH Network Corporation 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to DISH
Network Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A filed September 19, 2014). **
10.17*
10.18*
Amended and Restated DISH Network Corporation 2001 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan
(incorporated by reference to Appendix B to DISH Network Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on
Form 14A filed March 31, 2009). **
Amended and Restated DISH Network Corporation 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference
to Appendix C to DISH Network Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form 14A filed March 31,
2009). **
76
10.19*
10.20*
10.21*
10.22*
10.23*
10.24*
NIMIQ 5 Whole RF Channel Service Agreement, dated September 15, 2009, between Telesat Canada and
EchoStar Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.30 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of EchoStar Corporation filed March 1, 2010). ***
Professional Services Agreement, dated August 4, 2009, between EchoStar Corporation and DISH
Network Corporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
of EchoStar Corporation filed November 9, 2009). ***
Amended and Restated Investment Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2011, and First Amendment to
Amended and Restated Investment Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2011, between DISH Network
Corporation and DBSD North America, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited filed March 17, 2011).
Implementation Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2011, between DISH Network and ICO Global
Communications (Holdings) Limited (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report
on Form 8-K of ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited filed March 17, 2011).
Restructuring Support Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2011, between DISH Network and ICO Global
Communications (Holdings) Limited (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report
on Form 8-K of ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited filed March 17, 2011).
Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2011, by and among TerreStar Networks Inc., TerreStar
License Inc., TerreStar National Services Inc., TerreStar Networks Holdings (Canada) Inc., TerreStar
Networks (Canada) Inc., 0887729 B.C. Ltd., and Gamma Acquisition L.L.C. and DISH Network
Corporation (solely with respect to Section 6.19 thereof) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to
the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed June 16, 2011).
10.25*
Description of the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan dated November 30, 2012 (incorporated by reference
to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed December 6, 2012). **
10.26*
10.27*
10.28*
10.29*
First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 13, 2014, among American AWS-3
Wireless II L.L.C., Northstar Wireless, LLC and Northstar Spectrum, LLC, as amended on February 12,
2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH
Network Corporation filed May 11, 2015). ***
First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 13, 2014, among American AWS-3
Wireless III L.L.C., SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC and SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC, as amended on
February 12, 2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
DISH Network Corporation filed May 11, 2015). ***
First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated October 13, 2014, among
Northstar Spectrum, LLC, Northstar Manager, LLC and American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C., as amended
on February 12, 2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
of DISH Network Corporation filed May 11, 2015). ***
First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated October 13, 2014, among SNR
Wireless HoldCo, LLC, SNR Wireless Management, LLC and American AWS-3 Wireless III L.L.C., as
amended on February 12, 2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed May 11, 2015). ***
10.30*
Management Services Agreement dated September 12, 2014, between American AWS-3 Wireless II
L.L.C. and Northstar Wireless, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed May 11, 2015). ***
77
10.31*
10.32*
10.33*
10.34*
10.35*
Management Services Agreement dated September 12, 2014, between American AWS-3 Wireless III
L.L.C. and SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed May 11, 2015). ***
Second Amendment, dated October 1, 2015, to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated
October 13, 2014, among American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C., Northstar Wireless, LLC and Northstar
Spectrum, LLC, as first amended on February 12, 2015 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed October 2, 2015).
Guaranty of Certain Obligations to FCC, dated as of October 1, 2015, made by DISH Network
Corporation in favor of the Federal Communications Commission (Northstar Wireless) (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed
October 2, 2015).
Second Amendment, dated October 1, 2015, to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated
October 13, 2014, among American AWS-3 Wireless III L.L.C., SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC and SNR
Wireless HoldCo, LLC, as first amended on February 12, 2015 (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed October 2, 2015).
Guaranty of Certain Obligations to FCC, dated as of October 1, 2015, made by DISH Network
Corporation in favor of the Federal Communications Commission (SNR Wireless) (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed
October 2, 2015).
10.36*
Form of Base/Additional Note Hedge Transaction Confirmation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed August 8, 2016).
10.37*
Form of Base/Additional Warrant Transaction Confirmation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2
to the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed August 8, 2016).
10.38*
Description of the 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan dated December 2, 2016 (incorporated by reference
from the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed December 8, 2016). **
10.39*
10.40*
10.41*
10.42*
Share Exchange Agreement dated January 31, 2017, between DISH Network Corporation, DISH Network
L.L.C., DISH Operating L.L.C., EchoStar Corporation, EchoStar Broadcasting Holding Parent L.L.C.,
EchoStar Broadcasting Holding Corporation, EchoStar Technologies Holding Corporation, and EchoStar
Technologies L.L.C. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
of DISH Network Corporation filed May 1, 2017). ***
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated March 31, 2018, by and among American AWS-
3 Wireless II L.L.C., Northstar Wireless, LLC and Northstar Spectrum, LLC (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed May 8,
2018).
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated March 31, 2018, by and among American AWS-
3 Wireless III L.L.C., SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC and SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed
May 8, 2018).
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Northstar Spectrum, LLC, dated
March 31, 2018, by and between Northstar Manager, LLC and American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C.
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network
Corporation filed May 8, 2018).
78
10.43*
10.44*
10.45*
10.46*
10.47*
Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC,
dated March 31, 2018, by and between SNR Wireless Management, LLC, John Muleta and American
AWS-3 Wireless III L.L.C. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed May 8, 2018).
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, by and among American AWS-3
Wireless II L.L.C., Northstar Wireless, LLC and Northstar Spectrum, LLC (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed August 3,
2018).
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, by and among American AWS-3
Wireless III L.L.C., SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC and SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed
August 3, 2018).
Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Northstar Spectrum, LLC, dated
June 7, 2018, by and between Northstar Manager, LLC and American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C.
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network
Corporation filed August 3, 2018).
Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC,
dated June 7, 2018, by and between SNR Wireless Management, LLC, John Muleta and American AWS-
3 Wireless III L.L.C. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
of DISH Network Corporation filed August 3, 2018).
10.48*
Description of the 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan dated August 17, 2018 (incorporated by reference from
the Current Report on Form 8-K of DISH Network Corporation filed August 23, 2018). **
10.49*
Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed November 6, 2020). **
10.50*
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed November 6, 2020). **
10.51*
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed November 6, 2020). **
10.52*
10.53*
10.54*
10.55*
Master Network Service Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2020, by and among DISH Network Corporation,
DISH Purchasing Corporation, and T-Mobile USA, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to
the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed November 6, 2020).
License Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2020, by and among DISH Network Corporation and T-
Mobile USA, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
DISH Network Corporation filed November 6, 2020).
Purchase Agreement dated December 30, 2020, by and among American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C.,
Northstar Manager, LLC and Northstar Spectrum, LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.54 to
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation filed February 22, 2021).
Network Services Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2021, by and among DISH Wireless L.L.C. and AT&T
Mobility LLC (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
DISH Network Corporation filed November 4, 2021).***
99.1*
Department of Justice CDMA Letter to Defendants dated July 9, 2021 (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 99.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network Corporation filed August 9, 2021).
79
21
23
24
Subsidiaries of DISH Network Corporation.
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Power of Attorney authorizing Timothy A. Messner as signatory for Charles W. Ergen, Kathleen Q.
Abernathy, George R. Brokaw, James DeFranco, Cantey M. Ergen, Tom A. Ortolf and Joseph T. Proietti.
.
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
101
Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
The following materials from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of DISH Network Corporation for the
year ended December 31, 2021, filed on February 24, 2022, formatted in Inline eXtensible Business
Reporting Language (“iXBRL”): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’
Equity (Deficit), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) related notes to these financial
statements.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded in the Inline XBRL document.
*
Filed herewith.
Incorporated by reference.
**
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.
Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None
80
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.
SIGNATURES
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
By: /s/ Paul W. Orban
Paul W. Orban
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 24, 2022
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ W. Erik Carlson
W. Erik Carlson
/s/ Paul W. Orban
Paul W. Orban
/s/ James S. Allen
James S. Allen
*
Charles W. Ergen
*
Kathleen Q. Abernathy
*
George R. Brokaw
*
James DeFranco
*
Cantey M. Ergen
*
Tom A. Ortolf
*
Joseph T. Proietti
* By: /s/ Timothy A. Messner
Timothy A. Messner
Attorney-in-Fact
President and Chief Executive Officer and
Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting
Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022
Chairman
February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022
February 24, 2022
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
81
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Consolidated Financial Statements:
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 185)
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020
and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and
2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
F-2
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
DISH Network Corporation:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of DISH Network Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, 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, 2021, and the related
notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-
year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the
Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 based on
criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’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 the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based
on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to
error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the
consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such
procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 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.
F-2
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements
that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are
material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The
communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a
whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on
the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Sufficiency of audit evidence over revenue
As discussed in Notes 17 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company had $17.9 billion in revenue for the year
ended December 31, 2021, of which $12.9 billion was Pay-TV related and $5.0 billion was Wireless related. Both categories
of revenue have multiple revenue streams and the Company’s processes and information technology (IT) systems differ
between each revenue stream.
We identified the evaluation of sufficiency of audit evidence over certain revenue streams as a critical audit matter. The
number of revenue streams and the revenue-related IT applications required a high-degree of auditor judgment to evaluate the
sufficiency of audit evidence over revenue. Subjective auditor judgment was required to evaluate that accurate revenue data
was captured and aggregated throughout these various IT applications. Additionally, IT professionals with specialized skills
and knowledge were required to evaluate the nature and extent of evidence obtained over certain revenue streams.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We applied auditor judgment to
determine the nature and extent of procedures to be performed over revenue. For each revenue stream where procedures were
performed, we evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the
Company’s revenue recognition process, including accurate recording of revenue. We also evaluated the design and tested
the operating effectiveness of certain general IT and application controls. We involved IT professionals with specialized
skills and knowledge, who assisted in testing certain IT applications used by the Company in its revenue recognition
processes and the transfer of relevant revenue data between certain systems used in the revenue recognition processes. For
certain revenue streams, we assessed the recorded revenue by comparing total cash received during the year, adjusted for
reconciling items, to the revenue recognized. Such assessment also evaluated the relevance and reliability of reconciling
items to underlying documentation, including the changes in accounts receivable and deferred revenue.
We evaluated the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained by assessing the results of the procedures performed, including the
appropriateness of the nature and extent of such evidence.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Denver, Colorado
February 23, 2022
F-3
4
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Marketable investment securities
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $38,534 and $72,278, respectively
Inventory
Other current assets
Total current assets
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities
Property and equipment, net
FCC authorizations
Other investment securities
Operating lease assets
Other noncurrent assets, net
Intangible assets, net
Total noncurrent assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable
Deferred revenue and other
Accrued programming
Accrued interest
Other accrued expenses
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations
Total current liabilities
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 11)
Deferred tax liabilities
Operating lease liabilities
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion
Total liabilities
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Note 2)
Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):
Class A common stock, $.01 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 290,529,607 and 287,720,957
shares issued and outstanding, respectively
Class B common stock, $.01 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 238,435,208 shares issued and
outstanding
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Accumulated earnings (deficit)
Total DISH Network stockholders’ equity (deficit)
Noncontrolling interests
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
As of December 31,
2021
2020
$
$
$
2,428,188
2,975,518
942,561
534,937
641,978
7,523,182
5,334,768
3,257,787
28,632,665
150,941
1,493,410
934,293
674,679
40,478,543
48,001,725
848,224
761,347
1,376,770
288,308
1,179,427
2,061,810
6,515,886
19,355,206
4,226,266
1,453,395
527,859
25,562,726
32,078,612
3,370,092
362,953
1,104,202
380,349
1,804,562
7,022,158
108,369
2,182,333
26,903,939
149,706
104,271
1,009,045
760,126
31,217,789
38,239,947
395,397
855,718
1,388,407
264,118
1,095,486
2,085,620
6,084,746
13,616,408
3,869,570
63,526
474,404
18,023,908
24,108,654
395,222
350,648
2,905
2,384
4,735,484
281
10,785,617
15,526,671
1,220
15,527,891
48,001,725
$
2,877
2,384
5,400,774
(855)
8,374,975
13,780,155
490
13,780,645
38,239,947
$
$
$
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:
Service revenue
Equipment sales and other revenue
Total revenue
Costs and Expenses (exclusive of depreciation):
Cost of services
Cost of sales - equipment and other
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 2)
Depreciation and amortization
Total costs and expenses
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
$
$
16,890,729
990,377
17,881,106
$
14,846,024
647,411
15,493,435
12,616,442
191,242
12,807,684
10,185,942
1,552,341
2,214,936
—
724,852
14,678,071
9,094,007
939,721
1,806,122
356,418
714,552
12,910,820
8,377,341
192,821
1,728,069
—
630,577
10,928,808
Operating income (loss)
3,203,035
2,582,615
1,878,876
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
Other, net
Total other income (expense)
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax (provision) benefit, net
Net income (loss)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network
$
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common
stock:
Basic
Diluted
11,338
(16,174)
20,557
15,721
3,218,756
(762,810)
2,455,946
45,304
2,410,642
$
22,734
(12,974)
(20,164)
(10,404)
2,572,211
(698,275)
1,873,936
111,263
1,762,673
$
77,214
(23,687)
11,524
65,051
1,943,927
(451,358)
1,492,569
93,057
1,399,512
527,844
636,063
524,761
584,360
479,657
537,964
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network
$
$
4.57
3.79
$
$
3.36
3.02
$
$
2.92
2.60
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
$
2,455,946
$
1,873,936
$
1,492,569
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities
Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale
securities included in net income (loss)
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income (loss)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net
of tax
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DISH Network
1,787
(208)
(13)
(430)
1,136
2,457,082
(827)
(29)
(62)
81
(837)
1,873,099
223
1,127
(299)
(195)
856
1,493,425
45,304
2,411,778
$
111,263
1,761,836
$
93,057
1,400,368
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
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T
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 2)
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments and derivatives and other
Non-cash, stock-based compensation
Deferred tax expense (benefit)
Changes in allowance for credit losses and allowance for doubtful accounts, respectively
Change in long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities
Other, net
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net
Trade accounts receivable
Prepaid and accrued income taxes
Inventory
Other current assets
Trade accounts payable
Deferred revenue and other
Accrued programming and other accrued expenses
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities
Purchases of property and equipment
Capitalized interest related to FCC authorizations (Note 2)
Refund of FCC authorization deposit (Note 16)
Purchases of FCC authorizations, including deposits
Boost Mobile Acquisition (Note 6)
Other, net
Net cash flows from investing activities
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayment of long-term debt and finance lease obligations
Redemption and repurchases of senior notes
Northstar Spectrum LLC Purchase Agreement
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and stock issued under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Stock Rights Offering
Debt issuance costs
Other, net
Net cash flows from financing activities
$
2,455,946 $
1,873,936 $
1,492,569
724,852
—
19,724
51,680
602,044
(33,836)
(1,400)
98,278
209,456
81,197
(167,985)
(62,356)
101,034
(98,808)
51,425
4,031,251
(4,687,033)
2,069,343
(1,185,642)
(777,885)
337,490
(122,657)
—
(44,029)
(4,410,413)
(89,876)
(2,000,000)
—
6,750,000
—
58,303
—
(34,459)
(24,540)
4,659,428
714,552
356,418
21,822
64,954
899,173
28,622
(244,660)
4,735
(25,172)
(84,633)
58,291
(271,227)
73,268
(499)
(157,804)
3,311,776
(1,902,599)
1,944,748
(413,302)
(779,204)
—
(1,387,542)
(1,312,500)
(11,173)
(3,861,572)
(100,536)
(1,100,000)
(311,735)
1,000,000
2,000,000
27,414
—
(15,675)
2
1,499,470
630,577
—
(4,121)
14,262
228,250
2,314
228,557
92,471
49,183
50,101
(79,542)
67,398
46,892
26,172
(182,682)
2,662,401
(1,029,858)
1,799,966
(581,081)
(901,367)
—
(12,155)
—
6,659
(717,836)
(41,548)
(1,317,372)
—
—
—
36,435
998,408
—
(4,092)
(328,169)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period (Note 7)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period (Note 7)
$
4,280,266
3,453,994
7,734,260 $
949,674
2,504,320
3,453,994 $
1,616,396
887,924
2,504,320
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Business Activities
Principal Business
DISH Network Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries (which together with DISH Network Corporation
are referred to as “DISH Network,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our,” unless otherwise required by the
context) operate two primary business segments, Pay-TV and Wireless. Our Wireless business segment operates in
two business units, Retail Wireless and 5G Network Deployment.
Pay-TV
We offer pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and the SLING® brand (collectively “Pay-TV” services). The
DISH branded pay-TV service consists of, among other things, Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”)
licenses authorizing us to use direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) and Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) spectrum, our
owned and leased satellites, receiver systems, broadcast operations, a leased fiber optic network, in-home service
and call center operations, and certain other assets utilized in our operations (“DISH TV”). We also design, develop
and distribute receiver systems and provide digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking,
transmission and other services to third-party pay-TV providers. The SLING branded pay-TV services consist of,
among other things, multichannel, live-linear streaming over-the-top (“OTT”) Internet-based domestic, international
and Latino video programming services (“SLING TV”). As of December 31, 2021, we had 10.707 million Pay-TV
subscribers in the United States, including 8.221 million DISH TV subscribers and 2.486 million SLING TV
subscribers.
Wireless – Retail Wireless
We entered the retail wireless business in 2020 as a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the Ting Mobile
Acquisition and we expanded the business in 2021 through the Republic Wireless Acquisition (each as defined
below). See Note 6 for further information. We offer nationwide prepaid and postpaid retail wireless services to
subscribers under our Boost Mobile, Ting Mobile, Republic Wireless and Gen Mobile brands, as well as a
competitive portfolio of wireless devices. Prepaid wireless subscribers generally pay in advance for monthly access
to wireless talk, text, and data services. Postpaid wireless subscribers are qualified to pay after receiving wireless
talk, text, and data services. We are currently operating our Retail Wireless business unit as a mobile virtual
network operator (“MVNO”) while we complete our 5G Network Deployment. On July 14, 2021, we entered into a
ten-year Network Services Agreement (the “NSA”) with AT&T to provide us with network services. Under the
NSA, we expect AT&T will become our primary network services provider. As an MVNO, today we primarily
depend on T-Mobile as well as AT&T to provide us with network services under the MNSA (as defined below) and
NSA, respectively. We acquired over 9 million subscribers as a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition, acquired
over 200,000 subscribers as a result of the Ting Mobile Acquisition and acquired over 200,000 subscribers as a
result of the Republic Wireless Acquisition. Our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive
Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 include the results of the Boost Mobile Acquisition
from July 1, 2020, the Ting Mobile Acquisition from August 1, 2020 and the Republic Wireless Acquisition from
May 1, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, we had 8.546 million retail Wireless subscribers.
Wireless – 5G Network Deployment
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the
3.45-3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022) and made over $10 billion in non-controlling
investments in certain entities, for a total of approximately $30 billion. The $30 billion of investments related to
wireless spectrum licenses does not include $6 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such
licenses. See Note 2 and Note 16 for further information.
F-8
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
DISH Network Spectrum
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the
3.45-3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022). These wireless spectrum licenses are subject to
certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. We plan to commercialize
our wireless spectrum licenses through the completion of the nation’s first cloud-native, Open Radio Access
Network (“O-RAN”) based 5G network (our “5G Network Deployment”). We have committed to deploy a
facilities-based 5G broadband network capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at
different deadlines, including 20% of the U.S. population by June 2022 and 70% by June 2023. We currently have
over 50 markets under construction and completed a friendly user trial, drive testing and user equipment testing in
Las Vegas during the fourth quarter of 2021. Our current construction is primarily focused on markets we intend to
launch by June 2022 in conjunction with the 20% population coverage requirement. However, we have also began
construction of markets we intend to launch by June of 2023 that support the 70% population coverage requirement.
We will need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, complete our
5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and
any additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses.
Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly.
In addition, as we complete our 5G Network Deployment we will incur significant additional expenses related to,
among other things, research and development, wireless testing and ongoing upgrades to the wireless network
infrastructure. We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required to complete our
5G Network Deployment and to compete with other wireless service providers. See Note 2 and Note 16 for further
information.
DISH Network Non-Controlling Investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities Related to AWS-3
Wireless Spectrum Licenses
During 2015, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C. (“American II”) and
American AWS-3 Wireless III L.L.C. (“American III”), we initially made over $10 billion in certain non-controlling
investments in Northstar Spectrum, LLC (“Northstar Spectrum”), the parent company of Northstar Wireless, L.L.C.
(“Northstar Wireless,” and collectively with Northstar Spectrum, the “Northstar Entities”), and in SNR Wireless
HoldCo, LLC (“SNR HoldCo”), the parent company of SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC (“SNR Wireless,” and
collectively with SNR HoldCo, the “SNR Entities”), respectively. On October 27, 2015, the FCC granted certain
AWS-3 wireless spectrum licenses (the “AWS-3 Licenses”) to Northstar Wireless and to SNR Wireless,
respectively, which are recorded in “FCC authorizations” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under the applicable
accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), Northstar Spectrum
and SNR HoldCo are considered variable interest entities and, based on the characteristics of the structure of these
entities and in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we consolidate these entities into our financial
statements. See Note 2 for further information.
F-9
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The AWS-3 Licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal
requirements. The Northstar Entities and/or the SNR Entities may need to raise significant additional capital in the
future, which may be obtained from third party sources or from us, so that the Northstar Entities and the SNR
Entities may commercialize, build-out and integrate these AWS-3 Licenses, comply with regulations applicable to
such AWS-3 Licenses, and make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for
the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC. Depending upon the nature and scope of such commercialization, build-
out and integration efforts, regulatory compliance, and potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-
Auction Payment, any loans, equity contributions or partnerships could vary significantly. There can be no
assurance that we will be able to obtain a profitable return on our non-controlling investments in the Northstar
Entities and the SNR Entities. See Note 16 for further information.
Recent Developments
Boost Mobile Acquisition
Asset Purchase Agreement
On July 26, 2019, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”) with T-Mobile and Sprint Corporation
(“Sprint” and together with T-Mobile, the “Sellers” and given the consummation of the Sprint/T-Mobile merger,
sometimes referred to as “NTM”) to acquire from NTM certain assets and liabilities associated with Sprint’s Boost
Mobile and Sprint-branded prepaid mobile services businesses (the “Prepaid Business”) for an aggregate purchase
price of $1.4 billion as adjusted for specific categories of net working capital on the closing date (the “Boost Mobile
Acquisition”). Effective July 1, 2020 (the “Closing Date”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
the APA and in accordance with the Final Judgment (as defined below), we and T-Mobile completed the Boost
Mobile Acquisition.
In connection with the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the consummation of the Sprint/T-Mobile merger, we, T-
Mobile, Sprint, Deutsche Telekom AG (“DT”) and SoftBank Group Corporation (“SoftBank”) came to an
agreement with the United States Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) on key terms and approval of the Transaction
Agreements (as defined below) and our wireless service business and spectrum. On July 26, 2019, we, T-Mobile,
Sprint, DT and SoftBank (collectively, the “Defendants”) entered into a Stipulation and Order (the “Stipulation and
Order”) with the DOJ binding the Defendants to a Proposed Final Judgment (the “Proposed Final Judgment”) which
memorialized the agreement between the DOJ and the Defendants. The Stipulation and Order and the Proposed
Final Judgment were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (the “District Court”) on
July 26, 2019 and on April 1, 2020, the Proposed Final Judgment was entered with the District Court (the Proposed
Final Judgment as so entered with the District Court, the “Final Judgment”) and the Sellers consummated the
Sprint/T-Mobile merger.
The term of the Final Judgment is seven years from the date of its entry with the District Court or five years if the
DOJ gives notice that the divestitures, build-outs and other requirements have been completed to its satisfaction. A
Monitoring Trustee has been appointed by the District Court. The Monitoring Trustee has the power and authority
to monitor the Defendants’ compliance with the Final Judgment and settle disputes among the Defendants regarding
compliance with the provisions of the Final Judgment and may recommend action to the DOJ in the event a party
fails to comply with the Final Judgment. See Note 6 for further information on the Stipulation and Order and the
Final Judgment, including our build-out commitments.
F-10
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Also in connection with the closing of the Boost Mobile Acquisition, we and T-Mobile entered into a transition
services agreement under which we will receive certain transitional services (the “TSA”), a master network services
agreement for the provision of network services by T-Mobile to us (the “MNSA”), an option agreement entitling us
to acquire certain decommissioned cell sites and retail stores of T-Mobile (the “Option Agreement”) and an
agreement under which we would purchase all of Sprint’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses, totaling approximately 13.5
MHz of nationwide wireless spectrum for an additional approximately $3.59 billion (the “Spectrum Purchase
Agreement” and together with the APA, the TSA, the MNSA and the Option Agreement, the “Transaction
Agreements”). See Note 6 for further information on the Transaction Agreements.
Ting Mobile Acquisition
On August 1, 2020, we completed an asset purchase agreement with Tucows Inc. (“Tucows”) pursuant to which we
purchased the assets of Ting Mobile, including over 200,000 Ting Mobile subscribers (the “Ting Mobile
Acquisition”). In addition, we entered into a services agreement pursuant to which Tucows will act as a mobile
virtual network enabler for certain of our retail Wireless subscribers. See Note 6 for further information.
Republic Wireless Acquisition
On May 1, 2021, we completed an asset purchase agreement with Republic Wireless Inc. (“Republic Wireless”)
pursuant to which we purchased certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Republic Wireless, including
approximately 200,000 Wireless subscribers (the “Republic Wireless Acquisition”). See Note 6 for further
information.
We accounted for the Boost Mobile Acquisition, the Ting Mobile Acquisition and the Republic Wireless
Acquisition as business combinations. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their
estimated fair values as of the acquisition date and are consolidated into our financial statements. See Note 6 for
further information.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
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. Minority interests are
recorded as noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. See below for further information.
Non-consolidated investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly
influence the operating decisions of the investee. When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the
operating decisions of an investee, these equity securities are classified as either marketable investment securities or
other investments and recorded at fair value with changes recognized in “Other, net” within “Other Income
(Expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have
been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
F-11
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Northstar Wireless
Northstar Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northstar Spectrum, which is an entity owned by Northstar
Manager, LLC (“Northstar Manager”) and us. Under the applicable accounting guidance in ASC 810, Northstar
Spectrum is considered a variable interest entity and, based on the characteristics of the structure of this entity and in
accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we consolidate Northstar Spectrum into our financial
statements. The Northstar Operative Agreements, as amended, provide for, among other things, that Northstar
Manager has the ability, but not the obligation, to require Northstar Spectrum to purchase Northstar Manager’s
ownership interests in Northstar Spectrum (the “Northstar Put Right”) for a purchase price that equals its equity
contribution to Northstar Spectrum plus a fixed annual rate of return. The First Northstar Put Window closed in the
first quarter of 2021. The Second Northstar Put Window is currently open and expires on July 24, 2022. The value
of the Northstar Put Right has accrued to approximately $86 million as of December 31, 2021.
Northstar Purchase Agreement. On December 30, 2020, through our wholly owned subsidiary American II, we
entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Northstar Purchase Agreement”) with Northstar Manager and Northstar
Spectrum, pursuant to which American II purchased 80% of Northstar Manager’s Class B Common Interests in
Northstar Spectrum (the “Northstar Transaction”) for a purchase price of approximately $312 million. As a result of
the Northstar Transaction, through American II, we hold 97% of the Class B Common Interests in Northstar
Spectrum and Northstar Manager holds 3% of the Class B Common Interests in Northstar Spectrum. Other than the
change in ownership percentage of Northstar Spectrum, the Northstar Transaction did not modify or amend in any
way the existing arrangements between or among the Northstar parties. In the Northstar Purchase Agreement,
Northstar Manager waived its right to exercise the Northstar Put Right under the First Northstar Put Window.
Northstar Manager retains its right to exercise the Northstar Put Right during the Second Northstar Put Window.
In the event that the Northstar Put Right is exercised by Northstar Manager, the consummation of the sale will be
subject to FCC approval. Northstar Spectrum does not have a call right with respect to Northstar Manager’s
ownership interests in Northstar Spectrum. Although Northstar Manager is the sole manager of Northstar Spectrum,
Northstar Manager’s ownership interest is considered temporary equity under the applicable accounting guidance
and is thus recorded as part of “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” in the mezzanine section of our Consolidated
Balance Sheets. Northstar Manager’s ownership interest in Northstar Spectrum was initially accounted for at fair
value. Subsequently, Northstar Manager’s ownership interest in Northstar Spectrum is increased by the fixed annual
rate of return through “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the offset
recorded in “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax” on our Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The operating results of Northstar Spectrum attributable to
Northstar Manager are recorded as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, with
the offset recorded in “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax” on our Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 16 for further information.
SNR Wireless
SNR Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNR HoldCo, which is an entity owned by SNR Wireless
Management, LLC (“SNR Management”) and us. Under the applicable accounting guidance in ASC 810, SNR
HoldCo is considered a variable interest entity and, based on the characteristics of the structure of this entity and in
accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we consolidate SNR HoldCo into our financial statements.
The SNR Operative Agreements, as amended, provide for, among other things, that SNR Management has the
ability, but not the obligation, to require SNR HoldCo to purchase SNR Management’s ownership interests in SNR
HoldCo (the “SNR Put Right”) for a purchase price that equals its equity contribution to SNR HoldCo plus a fixed
annual rate of return. The First SNR Put Window closed in the first quarter of 2021. On November 15, 2021, we,
through our wholly-owned subsidiary American III received notice that SNR Management is exercising the SNR Put
Right effective as of November 15, 2021. The consummation of the sale is subject to approval by the FCC,
following our submission to the FCC, which we expect to file in the near-term. The value of the SNR Put Right has
accrued to approximately $309 million as of December 31, 2021. If approved by the FCC, the sale will result in the
elimination of all of our non-controlling interest as it related to SNR Wireless.
F-12
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
SNR HoldCo does not have a call right with respect to SNR Management’s ownership interests in SNR HoldCo.
Although SNR Management is the sole manager of SNR HoldCo, SNR Management’s ownership interest is
considered temporary equity under the applicable accounting guidance and is thus recorded as part of “Redeemable
noncontrolling interests” in the mezzanine section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets. SNR Management’s
ownership interest in SNR HoldCo was initially accounted for at fair value. Subsequently, SNR Management’s
ownership interest in SNR HoldCo is increased by the fixed annual rate of return through “Redeemable
noncontrolling interests” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the offset recorded in “Net income (loss)
attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss). The operating results of SNR HoldCo attributable to SNR Management are
recorded as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the offset recorded in
“Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations
and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 16 for further information.
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate value of Northstar Manager’s ownership interest in
Northstar Spectrum and SNR Management’s ownership interest in SNR HoldCo was $395 million and $351 million,
respectively, recorded as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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 expense for each reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other
things, allowances for credit losses (including those related to our installment billing programs), self-insurance
obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of
financial instruments, fair value of options granted under our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets
and liabilities acquired in business combinations, the fair value of our option to purchase T-Mobile’s 800 MHz
spectrum, relative standalone selling prices of performance obligations, finance leases, asset impairments, estimates
of future cash flows used to evaluate and recognize impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible
assets, incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) on lease right of use assets, nonrefundable upfront fees, independent
third-party retailer incentives, programming expenses and subscriber lives. Economic conditions may increase the
inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above. Actual results may differ from previously
estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our consolidated financial statements. Estimates and
assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they
occur.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all liquid investments purchased with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition
to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 may consist of money market funds,
government bonds, corporate notes and commercial paper. The cost of these investments approximates their fair
value.
Marketable Investment Securities
All equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in “Other, net” within “Other
Income (Expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
F-13
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
All debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. We report the temporary
unrealized gains and losses related to changes in market conditions of marketable debt securities as a separate
component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total stockholders’ equity (deficit),” net
of related deferred income tax on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The changes in the fair value of marketable
debt securities, which are determined to be company specific credit losses are recorded in “Other, net” within “Other
Income (Expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
We evaluate our debt investment portfolio to determine whether declines in the fair value of these securities are
related to credit loss. Management estimates credit losses on marketable debt securities utilizing a credit loss
impairment model on a quarterly basis. We estimate the expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of
marketable debt securities considering relevant issuer specific factors, including, but not limited to, a decrease in
credit ratings or an entity’s ability to pay.
Trade Accounts Receivable
General Accounts Receivable
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at cost less an allowance for expected credit losses that are not expected to
be recovered. We maintain allowances for credit losses resulting from the expected failure or inability of our
customers to make required payments. We recognize the allowance for expected credit losses at inception and
reassess quarterly based on management’s expectation of the asset’s collectability. Management estimates credit
losses on financial assets, including our trade accounts receivable, utilizing a current expected credit loss impairment
model. We estimate the expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of an asset considering relevant
historical loss information, credit quality of the customer base, current economic conditions and forecasts of future
economic conditions.
In determining the allowance for credit losses, management groups similar types of financial assets with consistent
risk characteristics. Pools identified by management include but are not limited to residential customers,
commercial customers and advertising services. The risk characteristics of the financial asset portfolios are
monitored by management and reviewed periodically. The forecasts for future economic conditions are based on
several factors including, but not limited to, changes in the unemployment rate, external economic forecasts and
current collection rates. Our estimates of the allowance for credit losses may not be indicative of our actual credit
losses requiring additional charges to be incurred to reflect the actual amount collected.
BoostUP! Receivable
We offer certain long-term subscribers of Boost Mobile the option to pay for their devices under an installment plan
(“BoostUP!”), which is generally over a period of 18 months. The BoostUP! receivable is presented in our
Consolidated Balance Sheets at its net realizable value, which is net of an allowance for credit losses. The
allowance for credit losses is estimated based on among other factors, historical loss information and current
economic conditions as well as forecasts of future economic conditions. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, “Trade
accounts receivable, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets includes $44 million and $114 million of BoostUP!
receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $5 million and $20 million, respectively.
Subscribers that participate in the BoostUP! program typically make a down payment and satisfy their obligation by
providing equal monthly payments during the duration of their financing arrangement. As Boost Mobile subscribers
are on a month to month contract for service with Boost Mobile and the BoostUP! arrangement provides that upon
an installment plan subscribers’s termination of the service the installment balance becomes due and payable
immediately, we do not impute interest on these instruments as the financial instruments are short term in nature.
F-14
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.
The cost of manufactured inventory includes the cost of materials, labor, freight-in, royalties and manufacturing
overhead. Net realizable value is calculated as the estimated selling price less reasonable costs necessary to
complete, sell, transport and dispose of the inventory.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, including capitalized expenditures related to our wireless projects and 5G Network
Deployment, are stated at cost less depreciation and impairment losses, if any. Our set-top boxes are generally
capitalized when they are installed in customers’ homes. If a satellite were to fail 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. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis
over useful lives ranging from two to 40 years. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred.
Renewals and improvements that add value or extend the asset’s useful life are capitalized. Costs related to the
procurement and development of software for internal-use are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful life of the software.
Asset Retirement Obligation
We record an asset retirement obligation for the estimated fair value of legal obligations associated with the
retirement of tangible long-lived assets and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related asset in
the period in which the obligation is incurred. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, we recognize changes
in the liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original
estimate. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the
estimated useful life of the asset. Our asset retirement obligations relate primarily to certain legal obligations to
remediate leased property on our communication towers and are recorded in “Property and equipment, net” with the
related liability recorded in “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our Consolidated
Balance Sheets.
Derivative Instruments
We may purchase and hold derivative financial instruments for, among other reasons, strategic or speculative purposes.
We record all derivative financial instruments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as either assets or
liabilities. Changes in the fair values of derivative financial instruments are recognized in our results of operations and
included in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss). We have not designated any derivative financial instrument for hedge accounting. As
of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we did not hold any material derivative financial instruments.
In addition, we have the option to purchase certain of T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses from T-Mobile at a
fixed price in the future as part of the Boost Mobile Acquisition. See Note 6 for further information. This
instrument meets the definition of a derivative and was valued at its acquisition date fair value of $713 million. The
derivative is remeasured quarterly. All changes in the derivative’s fair value are recorded in “Other, net” in our
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
F-15
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
We review our long-lived assets and identifiable finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Intangible assets
that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. For assets which are held and used in
operations, the asset would be impaired if the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeded its
undiscounted future net cash flows. Once an impairment is determined, the actual impairment recognized is the
difference between the carrying amount and the fair value as estimated using one of the following approaches:
income, cost and/or market. Assets which are to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or
fair value less costs to sell.
The carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted
cash flows from such asset or asset group is less than its carrying amount. In that event, a loss is recorded in
“Impairment of long-lived assets” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group. Fair
value, using the income approach, is determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model that uses the
estimated cash flows associated with the asset or asset group under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with
the risk involved. Fair value, utilizing the cost approach, is determined based on the replacement cost of the asset
reduced for, among other things, depreciation and obsolescence. Fair value, utilizing the market approach,
benchmarks the fair value against the carrying amount.
DBS Satellites
We currently evaluate our DBS satellite fleet for impairment as one asset group whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. We do not believe any triggering event has
occurred which would indicate impairment as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. We will continue to monitor the
DBS satellite fleet for indicators of impairment.
AWS-4 Satellites
We historically evaluated our AWS-4 satellite fleet for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. In light of, among other things, certain developments
related to the Sprint/T-Mobile merger, during the first quarter of 2020, we determined that revisions to the AWS-4
build-out deadlines were probable, which we determined to be a triggering event. Accordingly, we quantitatively
assessed the value of the AWS-4 satellites (T1 and D1) and wrote down the fair value of the satellites to their
estimated fair value of zero, resulting in a $103 million non-cash impairment charge in “Impairment of long-lived
assets” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Narrowband IoT Network
As discussed in Note 16, in March 2017 we notified the FCC that we planned to deploy a narrowband IoT network.
In October 2019, we paused work on the narrowband IoT deployment. In light of, among other things, certain
developments related to the Sprint/T-Mobile merger, during the first quarter of 2020, we determined that the
revision of certain of our build-out deadlines were probable. Based on this, we no longer intended to complete our
narrowband IoT deployment, which we considered a triggering event. As such, during the first quarter of 2020, we
reviewed the capitalized costs of equipment, labor and other assets related to the narrowband IoT deployment,
including our operating lease assets, and impaired those items that would not be utilized in our ongoing 5G Network
Deployment, resulting in a $253 million non-cash impairment charge in “Impairment of long-lived assets” on our
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
F-16
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Impairment of long-lived assets recorded during the year ended December 31, 2020 consisted of the following:
T1 satellite
D1 satellite
Construction in progress related to narrowband IoT deployment
Operating lease assets related to narrowband IoT deployment
Impairment of long-lived assets
Boost Mobile Intangible Assets
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2020
(In thousands)
$
$
48,120
55,000
226,742
26,556
356,418
Intangible assets include subscriber relationships, the Boost Mobile tradename and certain below market contracts.
The recorded fair value of intangible assets are amortized over their respective useful lives which range from one to
ten years. We do not believe any triggering event has occurred which would indicate impairment as of December
31, 2021 and 2020.
Ting Mobile Intangible Assets
The fair value of the customer relationships and the trade name at the acquisition date of Ting Mobile are recorded
in “Intangible assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These assets are amortized over their respective useful
lives which range from two to ten years. We do not believe any triggering event has occurred which would indicate
impairment as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Republic Wireless Intangible Assets
The fair value of the customer relationships and the trade name at the acquisition date of Republic Wireless are
recorded in “Intangible assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These assets are amortized over their
respective useful lives which range from one to eight years. We do not believe any triggering event has occurred
which would indicate impairment as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill
We do not amortize indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill but test these assets for impairment annually,
during the fourth quarter or more often if indicators of impairment arise. We have the option to first perform a
qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. However, we
may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative
impairment test. Our intangible assets with indefinite lives primarily consist of FCC licenses. Generally, we have
determined that our FCC licenses have indefinite useful lives due to the following:
FCC licenses are a non-depleting asset;
existing FCC licenses are integral to our business segments and will contribute to cash flows indefinitely;
replacement DBS satellite applications are generally authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions,
without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative and legal environment;
maintenance expenditures to obtain future cash flows are not significant;
FCC licenses are not technologically dependent; and
we intend to use these assets indefinitely.
F-17
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
DBS Licenses
We combine all of our indefinite-lived DBS licenses that we currently utilize or plan to utilize in the future into a
single unit of accounting. For 2021, 2020 and 2019, management performed a qualitative assessment to determine
whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the DBS licenses exceeds the carrying amount. In our
assessment, we considered several factors, including, among others, overall financial performance, industry and
market considerations, and relevant company specific events. In contemplating all factors in their totality, we
concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the DBS licenses exceeds its carrying amount. As
such, no further analysis was required.
Wireless Spectrum Licenses
During 2021, we acquired the 3550-3650 MHz (CBRS) and 3.7-3.98 GHz wireless licenses, together (the “C-Band
Licenses”). During 2020, we acquired the 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz wireless licenses and during 2019, we
acquired the 24 GHz and 28 GHz wireless licenses, together (the “High-Band Licenses”). In 2021, we combined
our 600 MHz, 700 MHz, AWS-4, H Block, High-Band Licenses, C-Band Licenses and the Northstar Licenses and
SNR Licenses into a single unit of accounting. In 2020 and 2019, we combined our 600 MHz, 700 MHz, AWS-4, H
Block, and the Northstar Licenses and SNR Licenses into a single unit of accounting, excluding the High-Band
Licenses. In 2021, 2020 and 2019, management performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more
likely than not that the fair value of these licenses exceed the carrying amount. In our assessment, we considered
several factors, including, among other things, the projected financial performance of our Wireless segment, the
business enterprise value of our Wireless segment, and market transactions for wireless spectrum licenses including
auction results. In assessing these factors, we considered both macroeconomic conditions and industry and market
conditions. In contemplating all factors in their totality, we concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair
value of these licenses exceeds their carrying amount.
During 2020, our 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz wireless spectrum licenses were assessed as a single unit of
accounting. These licenses were purchased during 2020 through our participation in Auction 103. For 2020,
management’s assessment of the fair value of these licenses was determined based on the auction results.
During 2019, our 24 GHz and 28 GHz wireless spectrum licenses were assessed as a single unit of accounting.
These licenses were purchased during the fourth quarter 2019 through our participation in Auction 101 and Auction
102. For 2019, management’s assessment of the fair value of these licenses was determined based on the auction
results.
During 2021, 2020, and 2019, our multichannel video distribution and data service (“MVDDS”) wireless spectrum
licenses were assessed as a single unit of accounting. For 2021, 2020 and 2019, management assessed these licenses
qualitatively. Our qualitative assessment focused on recent auction results and historical market activity. We
concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of these licenses exceeded their carrying amount.
Changes in circumstances or market conditions could result in a write-down of any of the above wireless spectrum
licenses in the future.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Substantially all our goodwill relates to our Wireless segment.
F-18
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
In conducting our annual impairment test for 2021, 2020 and 2019, we performed a qualitative assessment, which
considered several factors, including, among others, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, and
relevant company specific events and perception of the market. In contemplating all factors in their totality, we
determined that the fair value of our wireless segment, which consists of a single reporting unit, was in excess of the
carrying amount.
Capitalized Interest
We capitalize interest associated with the acquisition or construction of certain assets, including, among other
things, our wireless spectrum licenses, build-out costs associated with our 5G Network Deployment and satellites.
Capitalization of interest begins when, among other things, steps are taken to prepare the asset for its intended use
and ceases when the asset is ready for its intended use or when these activities are substantially suspended.
We are currently preparing for the commercialization of our 5G Network Deployment. As a result, the interest
expense related to the carrying amount of the 5G Network Deployment qualifying assets is being capitalized. The
qualifying assets exceed the carrying value of our long-term debt and finance lease obligations, therefore materially
all of our interest expense is being capitalized. However, as the qualifying assets are placed into service, we will
cease to capitalize interest on those assets.
Business Combinations
When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the various components of the acquisition based upon
the fair value of each component using various valuation techniques, including the market approach, income
approach and/or cost approach. The accounting standard for business combinations requires identifiable assets,
liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired to be recorded at acquisition date fair values. Transaction
costs related to the acquisition of the business are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with the issuance of debt
associated with a business combination are capitalized and included as a yield adjustment to the underlying debt’s
stated rate.
Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless the lives are
determined to be indefinite. Amortization of these intangible assets in general are recognized on a straight-line basis
over an average finite useful life primarily ranging from approximately one to 20 years or in relation to the estimated
discounted cash flows over the life of the intangible asset. See Note 6 for further information on the Boost Mobile
Acquisition, Ting Mobile Acquisition and Republic Wireless Acquisition.
Long-Term Deferred Revenue and Other Long-Term Liabilities
Certain programmers provide us up-front payments. Such amounts are deferred and recognized as reductions to
“Cost of services” on a straight-line basis over the relevant remaining contract term (generally up to ten years). The
current and long-term portions of these deferred credits are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in
“Deferred revenue and other” and “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities,” respectively.
Sales Taxes
We account for sales taxes imposed on our goods and services on a net basis on 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.
F-19
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Income Taxes
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.
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 for 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, on our Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Fair Value Measurements
We determine fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability
(an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants. Market or observable inputs are the preferred source of values, followed by
unobservable inputs or assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs. We apply
the following hierarchy in determining fair value:
Level 1, defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;
Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, including quoted prices
for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in
markets that are not active; and derivative financial instruments indexed to marketable investment
securities; and
Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with reasonably
available assumptions made by other participants therefore requiring assumptions based on the best
information available.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable
(net of allowance for credit losses) and current liabilities (excluding the “Current portion of long-term debt and
finance lease obligations”) was equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to
current market rates. See Note 7 for the fair value of our marketable investment securities and derivative
instruments.
Fair values for our publicly traded debt securities are based on quoted market prices, when available. The fair
values of private debt are based on, among other things, available trade information, and/or an analysis in which we
evaluate market conditions, related securities, various public and private offerings, and other publicly available
information. In performing this analysis, we make various assumptions regarding, among other things, credit
spreads, and the impact of these factors on the value of the debt securities. See Note 11 for the fair value of our
long-term debt.
F-20
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Convertible Long-Term Debt
Historically, for embedded conversion features, we valued and bifurcated the conversion option associated with
convertible notes (the “equity component”) from the host debt instrument. The initial value of the equity component
on the convertible notes was recorded in “Additional paid-in capital” within “Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)” on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets with the offset recorded as the debt discount. In accordance with ASU 2020-06 Debt –
Debt with Conversion and Other Options and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU
2020-06”), which we adopted during the first quarter of 2021, the equity component related to our convertible notes
of $1.051 billion has been reclassified from “Additional paid-in capital” within “Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)” to
“Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current portion” and the associated deferred taxes of $246
million has been reclassified from “Additional paid-in capital” within “Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)” to “Deferred
tax liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Deferred Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts
Costs of issuing debt are generally deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate
method over the terms of the respective notes. Any debt discount is deferred and amortized to interest expense
using the effective interest rate method over the terms of the respective notes.
See Note 11 for further information.
Revenue Recognition
Pay-TV Segment
Our Pay-TV segment revenue is primarily derived from Pay-TV programming services that we provide to our
subscribers. We also generate revenue from equipment rental fees and other hardware related fees, including DVRs
and fees from subscribers with multiple receivers; advertising services; fees earned from our in-home service
operations; broadband services; warranty services; sales of digital receivers and related equipment to third-party
pay-TV providers; satellite uplink and telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) services; and revenue from in-
home services. See Note 17 for further information, including revenue disaggregated by major source.
Our residential video subscribers contract for individual services or combinations of services, as discussed above,
the majority of which are generally distinct and are accounted for as separate performance obligations. We consider
our installations for first time DISH TV subscribers to be a service. However, since we provide a significant
integration service combining the installation with programming services, we have concluded that the installation is
not distinct from programming and thus the installation and programming services are accounted for as a single
performance obligation. We generally satisfy these performance obligations and recognize revenue as the services
are provided, for example as the programming is broadcast to subscribers, as this best represents the transfer of
control of the services to the subscriber.
In cases where a subscriber is charged certain nonrefundable upfront fees, those fees are generally considered to be
material rights to the subscriber related to the subscriber’s option to renew without having to pay an additional fee
upon renewal. These fees are deferred and recognized over the estimated period of time during which the fee
remains material to the customer, which we estimate to be less than one year. Revenues arising from our in-home
services that are separate from the initial installation, such as mounting a TV on a subscriber’s wall, are generally
recognized when these services are performed.
For our residential video subscribers, we have concluded that the contract term under Accounting Standard
Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) is one month and as a result the
revenue recognized for these subscribers for a given month is equal to the amount billed in that month, except for
certain nonrefundable upfront fees that are accounted for as material rights, as discussed above.
F-21
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Revenues from our advertising services are typically recognized as the advertisements are broadcast. Sales of
equipment to subscribers or other third parties are recognized when control is transferred under the contract.
Revenue from our commercial video subscribers typically follows the residential model described above, with the
exception that the contract term for most of our commercial subscribers exceeds one month and can be multiple
years in length. However, commercial subscribers typically do not receive time-limited discounts or free service
periods and accordingly, while they may have multiple performance obligations, revenue is equal to the amount
billed in a given month.
Wireless Segment
Our Wireless segment revenue is primarily derived from providing wireless services and selling wireless devices to
prepaid and postpaid subscribers. The majority of our subscribers are prepaid under the Boost Mobile and Gen
Mobile brands with a smaller subset of postpaid subscribers serviced under the Ting Mobile and Republic Wireless
brands. Prepaid subscribers prepay for their monthly service on a month-to-month contract. Postpaid subscribers
are qualified to pay for their service after it has been provided. For both our prepaid and postpaid customers the
contract term was determined to be one month.
We have both an indirect sales channel, which includes third-party owned retail stores and big box stores, as well as
a direct sales channel, which services customers online. Through the indirect sales channel, we utilize direct
distribution partners to facilitate product delivery to the third party Boost Mobile retailers. Although our retail
wireless business offers both products and services, we have determined that no bundled arrangements exist as the
wireless device and service sold are sold at different times, and in the case of the indirect sales channel, have
different customers. In the indirect channel, the customer for the wireless device is the direct distribution partner
whereas for the service the subscriber is the end consumer. Service revenues may also include other value added
services to subscribers, which may be recorded either gross or net within our Consolidated Statements of Operations
and Comprehensive Income (Loss) depending on whether we are deemed to be the principal or agent in the
relationship with the subscriber. Service revenues are recognized when the service has been provided and no further
obligation exists. Concessions given to subscribers are recorded as a reduction to revenue.
Equipment revenues are primarily related to the sale of wireless devices. Equipment revenue is recognized when
control of the product is transferred to our customer, either the direct distribution partner for the indirect sales
channel or the end user in the direct sales channel. Sales of equipment in the indirect sales channel often include
credits subsequently paid to the direct distribution partner as a reimbursement for any discount promotions offered
to the end consumer. These credits (payments to a customer) are accounted for as variable consideration when
estimating the amount of revenue to recognize from the sales of equipment to indirect dealers and are estimated
based on historical experience and other factors, such as expected promotional activity. For wireless devices sold
with a right of return, we defer a portion of equipment revenue and cost of sales to reflect this variable
consideration.
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition generally differs from the timing of invoicing to customers. When revenue is
recognized prior to invoicing, we record a receivable. When revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing, we
record deferred revenue. Our residential video subscribers are typically billed monthly, and the contract balances
for those customers arise from the timing of the monthly billing cycle. Our current Wireless subscribers, the
majority of which are prepaid, generate deferred revenue. We do not adjust the amount of consideration for
financing impacts as we apply a practical expedient when we anticipate that the period between transfer of goods
and services and eventual payment for those goods and services will be less than one year. See Note 18 for further
information, including balance and activity detail about our allowance for credit losses and deferred revenue related
to contracts with subscribers.
F-22
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Assets Recognized Related to the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Subscriber
We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a subscriber if we expect the benefit of
those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales incentive programs in both our Pay-
TV and Wireless segments, including those with our independent third-party retailers, meet the requirements to be
capitalized, and payments made under these programs are capitalized and amortized to expense over the estimated
subscriber life. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we capitalized $393 million, $316
million and $207 million, respectively, under these programs. The amortization expense related to these programs
was $391 million, $160 million and $76 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019,
respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had a total of $458 million and $456 million, respectively,
capitalized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts are capitalized in “Other current assets” and “Other
noncurrent assets, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and then amortized in “Selling, general and
administrative expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Leases
We enter into operating and finance leases for, among other things, communication towers, satellites, office space,
fiber and transport equipment, warehouses and distribution centers, vehicles and other equipment. Our leases have
remaining lease terms from one to 16 years, some of which include renewal options, and some of which include
options to terminate the leases within one year.
We determine if an arrangement is a lease and classify that lease as either an operating or finance lease at inception.
Operating leases are included in “Operating lease assets,” “Other accrued expenses” and “Operating lease liabilities”
on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases are included in “Property and equipment, net,” “Current portion
of long-term debt and finance lease obligations” and “Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current
portion” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on
the balance sheet and we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term on our
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 10 for further information on
our lease expenses.
Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities
represent the present value of our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU
assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the
lease term. When our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our IBR based on the information available at
commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Our IBR is based on an estimated secured
rate plus a credit spread as secured by our assets. The operating lease ROU asset also includes the impact of prepaid
or deferred lease payments. The length of our lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when
it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized
on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
We currently lease and historically have leased certain assets from EchoStar, including, among other things,
satellites, office space and data centers. See Note 20 for further information on our Related Party Transactions with
EchoStar. On May 19, 2019, we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement (as defined in Note 16) with
EchoStar and effective September 10, 2019, certain satellites and real estate assets leased from EchoStar were
transferred to us. See Note 20 for further information on the Master Transaction Agreement.
We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. Our
variable lease payments are immaterial and our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value
guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
F-23
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
DISH TV subscribers have the choice of leasing or purchasing the satellite receiver and other equipment necessary
to receive our DISH TV services. Most of our new DISH TV subscribers choose to lease equipment and thus we
retain title to such equipment. Equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers is capitalized and
depreciated over their estimated useful lives.
For equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers, we made an accounting policy election to combine
the equipment with our programming services as a single performance obligation in accordance with the revenue
recognition guidance as the programming services are the predominant component. The revenue related to
equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers would have otherwise been accounted for as an
operating lease.
Cost of Services
“Cost of services” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) principally
includes Pay-TV programming expenses and other operating costs related to our Pay-TV segment and costs of
wireless services (including costs incurred under the MNSA and NSA).
The cost of television programming distribution rights is generally incurred on a per subscriber basis and various
upfront carriage payments are recognized when the related programming is distributed to subscribers. Long-term
flat rate programming contracts are generally charged to expense using the straight-line method over the term of the
agreement. The cost of television programming rights to distribute live sporting events for a season or tournament is
charged to expense using the straight-line method over the course of the season or tournament. Costs incurred under
the MNSA and NSA are recognized as the services are performed or as incurred.
Cost of Sales – Equipment and Other
“Cost of sales – equipment and other” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Loss) principally includes the cost of wireless devices and other related items as well as costs related to the non-
subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment. Costs are generally recognized as products are delivered to customers and
the related revenue is recognized.
Advertising Costs
We recognize advertising expense when incurred as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses”
on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Advertising expenses totaled
$535 million, $528 million and $520 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included as a component of “Selling, general and
administrative expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Research and development costs totaled $29 million, $24 million and $21 million for the years ended December 31,
2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
New Accounting Pronouncements
We do not expect that any recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a material effect on our
consolidated financial statements.
F-24
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
3. Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
We present both basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS. Basic EPS excludes potential dilution and is
computed by dividing “Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network” 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 and if our 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026 issued August 8, 2016 (the “Convertible Notes
due 2026”), our 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024 issued March 17, 2017 (the “Convertible Notes due 2024”) and
our 0% Convertible Notes due 2025 issued December 21, 2020 (the “Convertible Notes due 2025,” and collectively
with the Convertible Notes due 2026 and the Convertible Notes due 2024, the “Convertible Notes”) were converted.
The potential dilution from stock awards is accounted for using the treasury stock method based on the average
market value of our Class A common stock.
The potential dilution from conversion of the Convertible Notes is accounted for using the if-converted method,
which requires that all of the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible
Notes will be included in the calculation of diluted EPS assuming conversion of the Convertible Notes at the
beginning of the reporting period (or at time of issuance, if later).
The following table presents EPS amounts for all periods and the basic and diluted weighted-average shares
outstanding used in the calculation.
Net income (loss)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network - Basic
Interest on dilutive Convertible Notes, net of tax (1)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network - Diluted
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021
2019
2020
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
$ 2,455,946 $ 1,873,936
111,263
1,762,673
—
$ 1,762,673
45,304
2,410,642
—
$ 2,410,642
$ 1,492,569
93,057
1,399,512
—
$ 1,399,512
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common
stock:
Basic (2)
Dilutive impact of Convertible Notes (3)
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding
Diluted
527,844
107,016
1,203
636,063
524,761
59,526
73
584,360
479,657
58,192
115
537,964
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network
$
$
4.57
3.79
$
$
3.36
3.02
$
$
2.92
2.60
(1) For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, materially all of our interest expense was
capitalized. See Note 2 for further information.
(2) The 2020 increase primarily resulted from the Master Transaction Agreement, as discussed in Note 20, and
the stock rights offering as discussed in Note 13.
(3) The impact of the potential dilution from conversion of our 0% Convertible Notes due 2025, as discussed
above, is included assuming conversion as of the December 21, 2020 issuance date into approximately 48.8
million shares of our Class A common stock.
F-25
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Certain stock awards to acquire our Class A common stock are not included in the weighted-average common shares
outstanding above, as their effect is anti-dilutive. In addition, vesting of performance/market based options and
rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock granted pursuant to our performance based stock incentive
plans (“Restricted Performance Units”) are both contingent upon meeting certain goals, some of which are not yet
probable of being achieved. Furthermore, the warrants that we issued to certain option counterparties in connection
with the Convertible Notes due 2026 are only exercisable at their expiration if the market price per share of our
Class A common stock is greater than the strike price of the warrants, which is approximately $86.08 per share,
subject to adjustments. As a consequence, the following are not included in the diluted EPS calculation.
Anti-dilutive stock awards
Performance/market based options (1)
Restricted Performance Units/Awards
Common stock warrants
Total
2021
As of December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
7,582
13,954
1,331
46,029
68,896
9,083
17,403
1,755
46,029
74,270
2019
5,471
7,966
1,484
46,029
60,950
(1) The increase primarily resulted from the grant of the Ergen 2020 Performance Award during the fourth
quarter of 2020. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 20% of the Ergen 2020 Performance Award had
vested. See Note 15 for further information.
4. Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
The following table presents certain supplemental cash flow and other non-cash data. See Note 10 for supplemental
cash flow and non-cash data related to leases.
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
(In thousands)
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)
Cash received for interest
Cash paid for income taxes
Capitalized interest (1)
Initial equity component of our 0% Convertible Notes due 2025, net of
deferred taxes of $99,823
Master Transaction Agreement, net of deferred tax of $166,161 (2)
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock
Convertible debt reclassified per ASU 2020-06 (1)
Deferred taxes reclassified per ASU 2020-06 (1)
Vendor financing
FCC licenses reclassification (3)
Purchases of wireless equipment
$
781,874 $
5,455
212,491
821,455
778,448 $
5,945
150,885
924,644
—
—
30,321
1,051,344
245,778
26,627
915,449
449,093
329,409
—
28,301
—
—
74,895
—
3,680
900,125
40,795
30,552
980,299
—
497,145
27,004
—
—
—
—
—
(1) See Note 2 for further information.
(2) See Note 20 for further information.
(3) See Note 16 for further information.
F-26
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
5. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table presents the tax effect on each component of “Other comprehensive income (loss).”
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
2019
Before
Tax
Net
Tax
(Expense) of Tax
Before
Tax
Amount Benefit
Amount Amount
Tax
Net
Before
(Expense) of Tax
(Expense) of Tax
Tax
Benefit Amount Amount Benefit Amount
Net
Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on
available-for-sale securities
Recognition of previously unrealized
(gains) losses on available-for-sale
securities included in net income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$ 1,787 $
(482) $
1,305 $
(827) $
61 $
(766) $
223 $
— $
223
(208)
49
(159)
(29)
7
(22)
1,127
(265)
862
(In thousands)
(13)
$ 1,566 $
3
(430) $
(10)
1,136 $
(62)
13
(49)
(299)
70
(918) $
81 $
(837) $
1,051 $
(195) $
(229)
856
The “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” is detailed in the following table, net of tax:
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
Unrealized/
Recognized
Gains
(Losses)
(In thousands)
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2019
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss)
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss)
Balance as of December 31, 2021
$
$
$
(93) $
(766)
—
—
(859) $
1,305
—
—
446 $
75 $
—
(22)
(49)
4 $
—
(159)
(10)
(165) $
(18)
(766)
(22)
(49)
(855)
1,305
(159)
(10)
281
6. Acquisitions
When we acquire a business, we recognize the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interests
at fair value. We expense all transaction costs related to the acquisition as incurred.
Boost Mobile Acquisition
Asset Purchase Agreement
Effective on July 1, 2020, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the APA and in accordance with
the Final Judgment, we completed the Boost Mobile Acquisition and DISH Network officially entered into the retail
wireless market, serving more than 9 million subscribers under the Boost Mobile brand.
F-27
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Consideration Transferred
The acquisition date fair value of consideration transferred in the Boost Mobile Acquisition totaled $1.346 billion,
summarized in the following table:
Cash consideration (1)
Net working capital (2)
Other funding (3)
Total consideration transferred
As of July 1, 2020
(In thousands)
1,400,000
33,524
(87,500)
1,346,024
$
$
(1) Represents agreed upon purchase price pursuant to the APA paid to T-Mobile on July 1, 2020.
(2) Represents the assigned value of net working capital acquired under the APA. During the third quarter of
2021, we obtained a favorable determination pursuant to the arbitration procedures under our APA with T-
Mobile with respect to the disputed net working capital items. The resulting changes in net working capital
were recorded, with the offsetting $39 million gain recorded in “Other, net” on our Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) due to the expiration of the one-year window
to finalize the purchase allocation.
(3) Represents receipt of payment from Softbank in connection with the Boost Mobile Acquisition on July 1,
2020.
Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed
We accounted for the Boost Mobile Acquisition as a business combination. The identifiable assets acquired and
liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date and are consolidated into
our financial statements. The assignment of fair value requires significant judgments regarding the estimates and
assumptions used to value the acquired assets and liabilities assumed. For the fair values of the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed, we utilized the cost, income and market approaches from the perspective of a market participant.
We used third-party valuation professionals to aid in the determination of the acquisition date fair values of certain
assets acquired. The following table summarizes the fair values for each major class of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The purchase allocation set forth below is final.
Trade accounts receivable
Inventory
Other current assets
Intangibles
Goodwill
Other noncurrent assets
Total assets
Trade accounts payable and other accrued expenses
Deferred revenue and other
Total liabilities
Total purchase price
As of July 1, 2020
(In thousands)
514,786
141,718
3,000
591,000
91,220
713,000
2,054,724
533,967
174,733
708,700
1,346,024
$
$
Acquired Receivables. The fair value of assets acquired, which represents the gross contractual amount, includes
accounts receivable of $539 million, with an associated allowance for credit losses of $24 million. Accounts
receivable is comprised of receivables due from master agents, BoostUp! receivables and other receivables. See
Note 2 for further discussion of BoostUP! receivables.
F-28
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Inventory. Inventory assets include $142 million of wireless devices.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill. Intangible assets includes $458 million of subscriber relationships, the Boost
Mobile tradename of $96 million and certain below market contracts for $37 million. The intangible assets will be
amortized over their respective useful lives which range from one to ten years. Goodwill has an assigned value of
$91 million, which represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed. The goodwill recognized includes, among other things, the assembled workforce of
Boost Mobile and intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The goodwill resulting from the
Boost Mobile Acquisition included in the wireless segment is generally expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
All of the goodwill acquired is allocated to the Retail Wireless reporting unit.
Other Noncurrent Assets. Other noncurrent assets includes our option to purchase certain T-Mobile’s 800 MHz
spectrum licenses with an assigned fair value of $713 million. This instrument meets the definition of a derivative
and all subsequent changes in the derivative’s fair value are recorded in “Other, net” on our Consolidated Statements
of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) until the option is either exercised or expires.
Liabilities. Liabilities include accounts payable, deferred revenue and accrued expenses.
Indemnification Assets and Contingent Liabilities. Pursuant to the APA, T-Mobile agreed to indemnify us against
certain specified matters and losses. We have not recorded either an indemnification asset or liability as the
potential liabilities and associated reimbursement by T-Mobile cannot be reasonably estimated. We expect that any
liability incurred related to these indemnified matters would be indemnified and reimbursed by T-Mobile. See Note
16 for further information.
Sales of equipment to indirect dealers often include credits subsequently paid to the dealer as a reimbursement for
promotions offered to the end consumer. These credits are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating
the amount of revenue to recognize from the sales of equipment to indirect dealers. At acquisition, we recorded a
contingent obligation related to these credits, based upon historical experience and other factors, such as expected
promotional activity. This amount is recorded in “Other accrued expenses” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Agreements in Connection with the APA
In connection with the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the consummation of the Sprint/T-Mobile merger, we, T-
Mobile, Sprint, DT and SoftBank came to an agreement with the DOJ on key terms and approval of the Transaction
Agreements and our wireless service business and spectrum. On July 26, 2019, the Defendants entered into the
Stipulation and Order with the DOJ binding the Defendants to the Proposed Final Judgment, which memorialized
the agreement between the DOJ and the Defendants. The Stipulation and Order and the Proposed Final Judgment
were filed in the District Court on July 26, 2019 and on April 1, 2020, the Final Judgment was entered with the
District Court.
The term of the Final Judgment is seven years from the date of its entry with the District Court or five years if the
DOJ gives notice that the divestitures, build-outs and other requirements have been completed to its satisfaction. A
Monitoring Trustee has been appointed by the District Court. The Monitoring Trustee has the power and authority
to monitor the Defendants’ compliance with the Final Judgment and settle disputes among the Defendants regarding
compliance with the provisions of the Final Judgment and may recommend action to the DOJ in the event a party
fails to comply with the Final Judgment.
Also in connection with the closing of the Boost Mobile Acquisition, we and T-Mobile entered into the TSA, the
MNSA, the Option Agreement, and the Spectrum Purchase Agreement for an additional approximately $3.59
billion.
F-29
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Transition Services Agreement
T-Mobile and DISH Network entered into the TSA upon the Closing Date of the Boost Mobile Acquisition,
pursuant to which T-Mobile provides certain transition services to us for the Prepaid Business for a period of two
years from July 1, 2020. Additionally, under the Final Judgment, we may apply to the DOJ for one or more
extensions of the term of the TSA, which the DOJ can approve or deny in its sole discretion, and the TSA
contemplates the option to renew the TSA for a third or additional years. The transition services are provided at
cost, which shall not exceed a specific amount in the first year, plus certain pass-through costs and out-of-pocket
expenses, during the first two years. If any transition services are renewed for a third year, the transition services
will be provided at cost plus a certain mark-up, plus certain additional costs.
Master Network Services Agreement
T-Mobile and DISH Network entered into an MNSA upon the Closing Date of the Boost Mobile Acquisition,
pursuant to which we also receive network services from T-Mobile for a period of seven years. As set forth in the
MNSA, T-Mobile provides to us, among other things, (i) legacy network services for Boost Mobile and certain other
prepaid end users on the Sprint network, (ii) T-Mobile network services for certain end users that have been
migrated to the T-Mobile network or provisioned on the T-Mobile network by or on behalf of us and
(iii) infrastructure mobile network operator services to assist in the access and integration of our network.
Pursuant to the terms of the MNSA, we face certain restrictions on making offerings that may combine the access to
services provided under the MNSA with access to the facilities or services provided by certain third parties, subject
to certain exceptions and carve-outs. We have the right to offer differentiated pricing, products and features to our
end users under our brands in conjunction with the services provided under the MNSA, subject to certain
qualifications and restrictions. We have certain restrictions on our ability to wholesale, sub-distribute or resell the
services provided under the MNSA to third parties. During and after the term of the MNSA, T-Mobile has agreed to
certain restrictions with respect to the use of certain information in the targeting of subscribers.
In the event of a “change of control” of DISH Network, the MNSA will terminate upon the earlier of two years
following the consummation of the change of control or the date on which the MNSA would have otherwise
terminated or expired in accordance with its terms. However, we would remain able to provision new users for six
months after the change of control and also retain access to roaming services on the T-Mobile network for both new
and existing users for the remainder of the original term of the MNSA. Generally, a change of control would occur
in the first 36 months of the term of the MNSA if (A) certain “permitted owners” no longer own 50% or more of our
voting power or a person or group of persons who are not permitted owners beneficially owns more than 50% of our
aggregate economic value or (B) we sell more than 50% of our wireless communications business assets (excluding
our wireless terrestrial spectrum licenses and entities that own our wireless terrestrial spectrum licenses). A
permitted owner generally includes Charles W. Ergen (including his family and certain related trusts and entities)
and certain financial investors. Following the first 36 months of the term of the MNSA (or earlier in certain
circumstances), a change of control would generally occur if any restricted persons own (1) more than 50% of our
voting power or economic value or (2) a majority of our wireless communications business assets (excluding our
wireless terrestrial spectrum licenses and entities that own our wireless terrestrial spectrum licenses). A “restricted
person” generally includes certain U.S. wireless providers and U.S. cable companies (with certain exceptions), as
well as any other entities that do not enter into a network usage agreement with T-Mobile restricting such person
from generally engaging in certain activities that are detrimental to the T-Mobile network.
F-30
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Spectrum Purchase Agreement
Pursuant to the Spectrum Purchase Agreement that was entered into upon the Closing Date of the Boost Mobile
Acquisition, we are expected to purchase all of Sprint’s 800 MHz spectrum (approximately 13.5 MHz of nationwide
spectrum). The covered spectrum must be divested within the later of three years from the Closing Date and five
days after receipt of FCC approval for the transfer, following an application for FCC approval to be filed three years
following the closing of the Sprint/T-Mobile merger. The DOJ may in its sole discretion agree to extend the
deadline for the spectrum divestiture for up to 60 days pursuant to the Final Judgment. T-Mobile may exercise an
option to lease back 4 MHz (2 MHz downlink + 2 MHz uplink) of the spectrum for two years following the closing
of the 800 MHz spectrum sale at the same per-Pop rate used to calculate the purchase price paid by us to T-Mobile –
a rate of approximately $68 million per year.
We and T-Mobile have made customary representations, warranties and covenants pursuant to the Spectrum
Purchase Agreement, including representations by T-Mobile regarding the validity of the licenses for the purchased
spectrum. Pursuant to the Spectrum Purchase Agreement, we and T-Mobile each indemnify the other against losses
suffered as a result of breaches of the other’s representations and warranties or covenants. The indemnification
provisions are subject to certain deductible and cap limitations and time limitations with respect to recovery for
losses.
If we breach the Spectrum Purchase Agreement prior to the closing or fail to deliver the purchase price following the
satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions, our sole liability to T-Mobile will be to pay T-Mobile a fee of
approximately $72 million. If T-Mobile fails to sell the spectrum to us following the satisfaction or waiver of all
closing conditions, our sole recourse will be to seek specific performance, and if (and only if) specific performance
is unavailable, to seek damages of up to approximately $72 million.
Option Agreement
The Option Agreement, which was entered into upon the Closing Date of the Boost Mobile Acquisition, provides us
an exclusive option to assume certain assets and liabilities under certain circumstances for any of the cell sites and
retail stores that T-Mobile decommissions during the term of the Option Agreement. T-Mobile must make a
minimum of 20,000 cell sites and 400 retail stores available to us pursuant to the Final Judgment. With respect to
each decommissioned site, we may choose to acquire: (a) only the lease for such site, (b) the lease and a
predetermined list of equipment at the site or (c) the lease and all of the equipment at the site.
Under the Final Judgment, T-Mobile must provide a detailed schedule which identifies each cell site that is
scheduled to be decommissioned within five years of the Closing Date. The Option Agreement will remain in place
for five years following the Closing Date.
Agreement with the DOJ: The Stipulation and Order and the Final Judgment
Certain of the provisions of the Stipulation and Order and the Final Judgment are also reflected in the terms of the
Transaction Agreements. In addition to the terms reflected in the Transaction Agreements, the Stipulation and
Order and the Final Judgment provide for other rights and obligations of the Sellers and us, including, but not
limited to, the following:
If we elect not to purchase the 800 MHz licenses pursuant to the Spectrum Purchase Agreement, we must
pay $360 million (equal to 10% of the Spectrum Purchase Agreement purchase price) to the United States.
However, we will not be required to make such payment if we have deployed a core network and offered
5G service to at least 20% of the U.S. population within three years of the Closing Date.
F-31
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
If we buy the 800 MHz spectrum pursuant to the Spectrum Purchase Agreement but fail to deploy all of the
800 MHz spectrum licenses for use in the provision of retail mobile wireless services by the expiration of
the Final Judgment, the DOJ may require us to forfeit to the FCC any of the 800 MHz licenses for spectrum
that are not being used to provide retail mobile wireless services, unless we are already providing
nationwide retail wireless service.
We and T-Mobile were required to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement for T-Mobile to lease
some or all of our 600 MHz spectrum licenses for deployment to retail consumers by T-Mobile. On
September 11, 2020, we and T-Mobile entered into an agreement to lease a portion of our 600 MHz
spectrum licenses for an original annual lease payment of approximately $56 million.
We and T-Mobile must agree to support eSIM technology on smartphones.
The Sellers must introduce the suppliers and distributors of the Prepaid Business to us and the Sellers may
not interfere in our negotiations with such suppliers and distributors.
On the first day of the fiscal quarter following the entry of the Final Judgment and of each 180-day period
thereafter, we are obligated to provide the DOJ with a description of our deployment efforts over the prior
quarter including: (i) the number of communication towers and small cells deployed, (ii) the spectrum
bands on which we have deployed equipment, (iii) progress in obtaining devices that operate on our
spectrum frequencies, (iv) POPs coverage of our network, (v) the number of our mobile wireless
subscriptions, (vi) the amount of traffic transmitted to our subscribers using our network and using T-
Mobile’s network, and (vii) whether there are or have been any efforts by T-Mobile to interfere with our
efforts to deploy and operate our network.
We cannot sell, lease or otherwise provide the right to use any of the divested assets to any national
facilities-based mobile wireless provider and may not sell any of the divested assets or similar assets back
to T-Mobile during the term of the Final Judgment, except that we may lease back to T-Mobile up to 4
MHz of the 800 MHz spectrum we will acquire (as discussed above).
We must comply with the June 14, 2023 AWS-4, Lower 700 MHz E Block, AWS H Block, and nationwide
5G broadband network build-out commitments made to the FCC, subject to verification by the FCC (as
described below). If we fail to comply with such build-out commitments, we may be subject to civil
contempt in addition to the substantial voluntary contributions and license forfeitures described below if we
fail to meet these commitments (as described below).
FCC Build-Out Commitments
In a letter filed with the FCC on July 26, 2019, we voluntarily committed to deploy a nationwide 5G broadband
network and meet revised timelines relating to the build-out of our AWS-4, Lower 700 MHz E Block, AWS H
Block and 600 MHz spectrum assets, subject to certain penalties. Pursuant to these commitments, we requested
multi-year extensions to deploy our AWS-4, Lower 700 MHz E Block, and AWS H Block spectrum, and we have
committed to build-out our 600 MHz licenses on an accelerated schedule to better align with our 5G Network
Deployment. We have also committed to offer 5G broadband service to certain population coverage targets, along
with minimum core network, communication tower and spectrum use targets, and have waived our right to deploy
any technology of our choice under the FCC’s “flexible use” rules with respect to these spectrum bands. Failure to
meet the various commitments would require us to pay voluntary contributions totaling up to $2.2 billion to the FCC
and would subject certain licenses in the AWS-4, Lower 700 MHz E Block, and AWS H Block spectrum to
forfeiture. We have also agreed not to sell our AWS-4 and 600 MHz spectrum for six years without prior DOJ and
FCC approval (unless such sale is part of a change of control of DISH Network). Additionally, we have agreed not
to lease a certain percentage of network capacity on our AWS-4 and 600 MHz spectrum for six years to the three
largest U.S. wireless carriers (i.e., AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile), without prior FCC approval. On November 5,
2019, the FCC released an Order that, among other things, approved the Sprint/T-Mobile merger, tolled our existing
March 7, 2020 build-out deadline for our AWS-4 and Lower 700 MHz E Block Licenses, and directed the FCC’s
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to adopt our commitments after a 30 day review period (the “FCC Merger
Order”).
F-32
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
On September 11, 2020, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued an Order adopting these
commitments. Our 5G deployment obligations for each of the four spectrum bands are generally set forth below.
With respect to the 600 MHz licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least 75% of the
population in each Partial Economic Area (which are service areas established by the FCC) no later than
June 14, 2025. Note that these commitments are earlier than the previous 600 MHz Final Build-Out
Requirement date of June 2029. See Note 16 for further information.
With respect to the AWS-4 licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least 20% of the U.S.
population and have deployed a core network no later than June 14, 2022, and offer 5G broadband service
to at least 70% of the U.S. population no later than June 14, 2023.
With respect to the Lower 700 MHz E Block licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least 20%
of the U.S. population who are covered by such licenses and have deployed a core network no later than
June 14, 2022, and offer 5G broadband service to at least 70% of the U.S. population who are covered by
such licenses no later than June 14, 2023.
With respect to the AWS H Block licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least 20% of the U.S.
population and have deployed a core network no later than June 14, 2022, and offer 5G broadband service
to at least 70% of the U.S. population no later than June 14, 2023.
Ting Mobile Acquisition
On August 1, 2020, we completed the Ting Mobile Acquisition. In addition, we entered into a services agreement
pursuant to which Tucows will act as a mobile virtual network enabler for certain of our retail Wireless subscribers.
The consideration for the Ting Mobile Acquisition is an earn-out provision and the fair value of the earn-out
provision has been assigned to a customer relationship intangible that is recorded in “Intangible assets, net” on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the estimated fair value of the earn-out liability
is recorded in “Other accrued expenses” and “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Republic Wireless Acquisition
On May 1, 2021, we completed the Republic Wireless Acquisition. The consideration for the Republic Wireless
Acquisition consisted of an upfront cash payment and an earn-out provision. The fair value of the consideration has
been assigned to customer relationship and tradename intangibles, and goodwill that are recorded in “Intangible
assets, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2021, the estimated fair value of the earn-out
liability is recorded in “Other accrued expenses” and “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities”
on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
F-33
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
7. Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investment
Securities
Our marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities consisted
of the following:
Marketable investment securities:
Current marketable investment securities:
Strategic - available-for-sale
Strategic - trading/equity
Other
Total current marketable investment securities
Restricted marketable investment securities (1)
Total marketable investment securities
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)
Other investment securities:
Other investment securities
Total other investment securities
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
$
152 $
1,895
2,973,471
2,975,518
28,696
3,004,214
5,306,072
150,941
150,941
195
—
362,758
362,953
24,467
387,420
83,902
149,706
149,706
Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash
equivalents, and other investment securities
$
8,461,227 $
621,028
(1) Restricted marketable investment securities and restricted cash and cash equivalents are included in “Restricted
cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Marketable Investment Securities
Our marketable investment securities portfolio may consist of debt and equity instruments. All equity securities are
carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All debt securities are classified as
available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value. We report the temporary unrealized gains and losses related to
changes in market conditions of marketable debt securities as a separate component of “Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total stockholders’ equity (deficit),” net of related deferred income tax on
our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The corresponding changes in the fair value of marketable debt securities, which
are determined to be company specific credit losses are recorded in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)”
on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 2 for further
information.
Current Marketable Investment Securities - Strategic
Our current strategic marketable investment securities portfolio includes and may include strategic and financial
debt and/or equity investments in private and public companies that are highly speculative and have experienced and
continue to experience volatility. As of December 31, 2021, this portfolio consisted of securities of a small number
of issuers, and as a result the value of that portfolio depends, among other things, on the performance of those
issuers. The fair value of certain of the debt and equity securities in this portfolio can be adversely impacted by,
among other things, the issuers’ respective performance and ability to obtain any necessary additional financing on
acceptable terms, or at all.
F-34
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Current Marketable Investment Securities - Other
Our current other marketable investment securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments
including, among others, commercial paper, corporate securities and United States treasury and/or agency securities.
Commercial paper consists mainly of unsecured short-term, promissory notes issued primarily by corporations with
maturities ranging up to 365 days. Corporate securities consist of debt instruments issued by corporations with
various maturities normally less than 18 months. U. S. Treasury and agency securities consist of debt instruments
issued by the federal government and other government agencies.
Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Investment Securities
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our restricted marketable investment securities, together with our restricted cash
and cash equivalents, included amounts required as collateral for our letters of credit and trusts.
In addition, our restricted marketable investment securities, together with our restricted cash and cash equivalents
include the proceeds from the issuance of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and our 5 3/4% Senior
Secured Notes due 2028, which include restrictions which may vary in nature depending on the ultimate use of
proceeds.
Other Investment Securities
We have strategic investments in certain debt and/or equity securities that are included in noncurrent “Other
investment securities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our debt securities are classified as available-for-sale
and our equity securities are accounted for using the equity method of accounting or recorded at fair value. Certain
of our equity method investments are detailed below.
NagraStar L.L.C. We own a 50% interest in NagraStar L.L.C. (“NagraStar”), a joint venture that is our primary
provider of encryption and related security systems intended to assure that only authorized customers have access to
our programming.
Invidi Technologies Corporation. In November 2016, we, AT&T Inc., and Cavendish Square Holding B.V., an
affiliate of WPP plc, entered into a series of agreements to acquire Invidi Technologies Corporation (“Invidi”), an
entity that provides proprietary software for the addressable advertising market.
TerreStar Solutions, Inc. In March 2019, we closed a transaction with TerreStar Solutions, Inc. (“TSI”) to acquire
additional equity securities of TSI, an entity that holds certain 2 GHz wireless spectrum licenses in Canada, in
exchange for certain Canadian assets, including, among other things, a portion of the satellite capacity on our T1
satellite, which we had acquired from TerreStar Networks, Inc. in 2012.
Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in securities that are not publicly traded depends on the
success of the issuers’ businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient capital, on acceptable terms or at all, and to
execute their business plans. Because private markets are not as liquid as public markets, there is also increased risk
that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that when we desire to sell them we will not be able to obtain
fair value for them.
F-35
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Fair Value Measurements
Our investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
Total
2021
Level 1 Level 2
As of December 31,
Level 3 Total
(In thousands)
2020
Level 1 Level 2
Level 3
Cash equivalents
(including restricted) $ 7,592,696 $ 83,302 $ 7,509,394 $
—
$ 3,330,296 $ 363,123 $ 2,967,173 $
—
Debt securities
(including
restricted):
U.S. Treasury and
agency securities
Commercial paper
Corporate securities
Other
Equity securities
Total
$
— $
— $
—
—
—
195
—
$ 3,004,214 $ 1,895 $ 3,002,167 $ 152 $ 387,420 $ 65,992 $ 321,233 $ 195
— $
—
—
—
1,895
2,533,875
462,999
5,445
1,895
2,533,875
462,999
5,293
—
— $
—
—
152
—
298,435
22,552
246
—
298,435
22,552
441
—
65,992 $ 65,992 $
—
—
—
—
— $
As of December 31, 2021, restricted and non-restricted marketable investment securities included debt securities of
$2.937 billion with contractual maturities within one year and $65 million with contractual maturities extending
longer than one year through and including five years. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities as a
result of our ability to sell these securities prior to maturity.
Derivative Instruments
We have the option to purchase certain of T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses from T-Mobile at a fixed price in
the future as part of the Boost Mobile Acquisition. See Note 6 for further information. This instrument meets the
definition of a derivative and was valued based upon, among other things, our estimate of the underlying asset price,
the expected term, volatility and the risk free rate of return. The instrument acquisition date fair value was $713
million. The derivative is remeasured quarterly. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the derivative’s fair value was
$678 million and $691 million, respectively, and are included in “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Consolidated
Balance Sheets. All changes in the derivative’s fair value are recorded in “Other, net” on our Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) until the option is either exercised or expires. See the
table below. We account for our option to purchase certain T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses under the
Spectrum Purchase Agreement as a Level 3 derivative.
Gains and Losses on Sales and Changes in Carrying Amounts of Investments and Other
“Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” included on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss) is as follows:
Other, net:
Marketable investment securities - realized and unrealized gains (losses)
Derivative instruments - net realized and/or unrealized gains (losses)
Costs related to early redemption of debt
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates
Other (Note 6)
Total
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
(In thousands)
(3,137) $
(13,000)
(3,587)
(1,051)
41,332
20,557 $
178 $
(22,000)
—
410
1,248
(20,164) $
4,604
—
(483)
(3,714)
11,117
11,524
$
$
F-36
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
8. Inventory
Inventory consisted of the following:
Finished goods
Work-in-process and service repairs
Raw materials
Total inventory
9. Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
Equipment leased to customers
Satellites
Satellites acquired under finance lease agreements
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Buildings and improvements
Land
Construction in progress
Total property and equipment
Accumulated depreciation
Property and equipment, net
Construction in progress consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
$
$
489,073 $
19,074
26,790
534,937 $
337,787
25,621
16,941
380,349
Depreciable
Life
(In Years)
2
4
Less than 1
2
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$
5
15
15
20
40
$
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
1,530,943 $
1,734,024
567,870
2,350,839
376,952
17,513
1,309,757
7,887,898
(4,630,111)
3,257,787 $
1,736,660
1,734,024
888,940
2,091,271
370,941
17,810
126,303
6,965,949
(4,783,616)
2,182,333
Pay-TV
Wireless
Total construction in progress
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
39,269 $
1,270,488
1,309,757 $
53,486
72,817
126,303
$
$
F-37
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Depreciation and amortization expense consisted of the following:
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
2019
Equipment leased to customers
Satellites (1)
Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Intangible assets (2)
Total depreciation and amortization
$
$
244,755 $
189,126
126,661
164,310
724,852 $
290,081 $
202,724
128,876
92,871
714,552 $
371,292
115,100
136,783
7,402
630,577
(1) The increase in 2020 resulted from the Master Transaction Agreement pursuant to which, on September 10,
2019, certain satellites were transferred to us. See Note 20 for further information.
(2) The increase in 2021 and 2020 resulted from the Republic Wireless Acquisition in 2021 and the Boost Mobile
Acquisition and the Ting Mobile Acquisition in 2020. See Note 6 for further information.
Cost of sales and operating expense categories included in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) do not include depreciation expense related to satellites or equipment
leased to customers.
Satellites
Pay-TV Satellites. We currently utilize 12 satellites in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the
equator, eight of which we own and depreciate over their estimated useful life. We currently utilize certain capacity
on one satellite that we lease from EchoStar, which is accounted for as an operating lease. We also lease three
satellites from third parties: Ciel II, which is accounted for as an operating lease, and Anik F3 and Nimiq 5, which
are accounted for as financing leases and are each depreciated over their economic life.
As of December 31, 2021, our pay-TV satellite fleet consisted of the following:
Satellites
Owned:
EchoStar VII
EchoStar X
EchoStar XI
EchoStar XIV
EchoStar XV
EchoStar XVI
EchoStar XVIII
EchoStar XXIII
Leased from EchoStar (1):
EchoStar IX
Leased from Other Third Party:
Anik F3
Ciel II
Nimiq 5
Launch
Date
February 2002
February 2006
July 2008
March 2010
July 2010
November 2012
June 2016
March 2017
August 2003
April 2007
December 2008
September 2009
Degree
Orbital
Location
Lease
Termination
Date
119
110
110
119
61.5
61.5
61.5
67.9
121
118.7
129
72.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Month to month
April 2022
July 2023
September 2024
(1) See Note 20 for further information on our Related Party Transactions with EchoStar.
F-38
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
AWS-4 Satellites
Satellites
Owned:
T1
D1
Launch
Date
July 2009
April 2008
Degree
Orbital
Location
Estimated
Useful Life
(Years)
111.1
92.85
14.25
N/A
GAAP requires that a long-lived asset be reviewed for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of the asset might not be recoverable.
During the first quarter 2020, in light of, among other things, certain developments related to the Sprint/T-Mobile
merger, we determined that revisions to the AWS-4 build-out deadlines were probable, which we determined to be a
triggering event. Accordingly, we quantitatively assessed the value of the AWS-4 satellites (T1 and D1) and wrote
down the fair value of the satellites to their estimated fair value of zero, resulting in a $103 million non-cash charge
recorded in “Impairment of long-lived assets” during the year ended December 31, 2020 on our Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Satellite Anomalies
Operation of our DISH TV services requires that we have adequate satellite transmission capacity for the
programming that we offer. While we generally have had in-orbit satellite capacity sufficient to transmit our
existing channels and some backup capacity to recover the transmission of certain critical programming, our backup
capacity is limited.
In the event of a failure or loss of any of our owned or leased satellites, we may need to acquire or lease additional
satellite capacity or relocate one of our other owned or leased satellites and use it as a replacement for the failed or
lost satellite. Such a failure could result in a prolonged loss of critical programming or a significant delay in our
plans to expand programming as necessary to remain competitive and thus may have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In the past, certain of our owned and leased satellites have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a
significant adverse impact on their remaining useful life and/or commercial operation. There can be no assurance
that future anomalies will not impact the remaining useful life and/or commercial operation of any of the owned and
leased satellites in our fleet. See Note 2 for further information on evaluation of impairment. There can be no
assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our owned or leased in-orbit
satellites were to fail. We generally do not carry commercial launch or in-orbit insurance on any of the satellites that
we own and therefore, we will bear the risk associated with any uninsured launch or in-orbit satellite failures.
F-39
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Intangible Assets
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our identifiable intangibles subject to amortization consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
2021
2020
Intangible
Assets
Accumulated
Amortization
Intangible
Assets
Accumulated
Amortization
$
$
$
63,361
135,131
41,500
582,395
822,387 $
(In thousands)
(59,462) $
(50,524)
(41,500)
(223,859)
(375,345) $
$
63,078
133,428
41,500
515,576
753,582 $
(58,453)
(40,283)
(23,000)
(89,301)
(211,037)
Technology-based
Trademarks (1)
Contract-based
Customer relationships (1)
Total
(1) The increase in intangible assets resulted from the Republic Wireless Acquisition in 2021. See Note 6 for
further information.
These identifiable intangibles are included in “Intangible assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization
of these intangible assets is recorded on a straight-line basis over an average finite useful life primarily ranging from
approximately one to 20 years. Amortization was $164 million, $93 million and $7 million for the years ended
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase in amortization expense during 2021 and 2020
primarily resulted from the Republic Wireless Acquisition in 2021 and the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the Ting
Mobile Acquisition in 2020.
Estimated future amortization of our identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2021 is as follows (in
thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Thereafter
Total
Goodwill
$
$
(In thousands)
140,865
137,072
78,179
19,862
18,166
52,898
447,042
Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and is not subject to amortization but is subject to impairment testing
annually or whenever indicators of impairment arise. The non-recurring measurement of fair value of goodwill is
classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our goodwill was $225 million
and $218 million, respectively, which substantially all relates to our wireless segment.
F-40
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
FCC Authorizations
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, our FCC Authorizations consisted of the following:
Owned:
DBS Licenses
700 MHz Licenses
MVDDS Licenses
AWS-4 Licenses
H Block Licenses
600 MHz Licenses
28 GHz Licenses
24 GHz Licenses
37 GHz, 39 GHz & 47 GHz Licenses
3550-3650 MHz Licenses
3.7-3.98 GHz Licenses
Subtotal
Non-controlling Investments:
Northstar
SNR
Total AWS-3 Licenses
Capitalized Interest (1)
Total
Post December 31, 2021 Wireless Spectrum Purchases (2)
3.45–3.55 GHz Licenses
Total
(1) See Note 2 for further information.
(2) See Note 16 for further information.
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
$
$
$
677,409 $
711,871
24,000
1,940,000
1,671,506
6,211,154
2,883
11,772
202,533
912,939
2,580
12,368,647
5,618,930
4,271,459
9,890,389
6,373,629
28,632,665 $
7,327,989
35,960,654
677,409
711,871
24,000
1,940,000
1,671,506
6,211,154
2,883
11,772
202,533
—
—
11,453,128
5,618,930
4,271,459
9,890,389
5,560,422
26,903,939
F-41
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
10. Leases
We enter into operating and finance leases for, among other things, communication towers, satellites, office space,
fiber and transport equipment, warehouses and distribution centers, vehicles and other equipment. Our leases have
remaining lease terms from one to 16 years, some of which include renewal options, and some of which include
options to terminate the leases within one year.
Our Anik F3, Nimiq 5 and QuetzSat-1 satellites are accounted for as financing leases. During the fourth quarter of
2021, our QuetzSat-1 finance lease expired. Substantially all of our remaining leases are accounted for as operating
leases.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
Operating lease cost (1)
$
89,565 $
71,863 $
Short-term lease cost (2)
12,956
11,870
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets
Interest on lease liabilities
Total finance lease cost
Total lease costs
65,967
14,693
80,660
183,181 $
71,318
21,007
92,325
176,058 $
$
223,825
12,077
35,004
10,800
45,804
281,706
(1) Pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement, effective September 10, 2019, approximately $495 million
of previously reported operating lease assets and the related liabilities for satellites and real estate assets
were transferred to us. See Note 20 for further information. These satellite and real estate assets are no
longer included in “Operating lease assets,” “Other current liabilities” and “Operating lease liabilities,” but
rather in “Property and equipment, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Lease expense related to
these satellites and real estate assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $159 million.
(2) Leases that have terms of 12 months or less.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases
Operating cash flows from finance leases
Financing cash flows from finance leases
$
$
$
72,479 $
12,868 $
62,679 $
72,352 $
21,007 $
65,979 $
227,451
10,800
34,358
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases (1)
Finance leases
$
$
1,467,983 $
— $
47,225 $
— $
118,381
187,339
Right-of-use assets and liabilities recognized at January 1, 2019 upon
adoption of ASC 842
$
733,584
(1) The increase in operating lease assets primarily related to communication tower leases.
F-42
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
Operating Leases:
Operating lease assets (1)
Other current liabilities
Operating lease liabilities (1)
Total operating lease liabilities
Finance Leases:
Property and equipment, gross (2)
Accumulated depreciation (2)
Property and equipment, net (2)
Other current liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
Total finance lease liabilities
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term:
Operating leases (1)
Finance leases
Weighted Average Discount Rate:
Operating leases
Finance leases
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
1,493,410 $
104,271
75,748 $
1,453,395
1,529,143 $
568,889 $
(499,188)
69,701 $
34,772 $
64,886
99,658 $
12.9 years
2.6 years
5.3%
11.0%
56,856
63,526
120,382
889,708
(754,292)
135,416
58,379
103,795
162,174
2.8 years
3.1 years
4.2%
10.4%
(1) The increase in operating lease assets and liabilities primarily related to communication tower leases.
(2) The decrease in finance leases is primarily related to the QuetzSat-1 finance lease, which expired in November
2021.
Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
For the Years Ending December 31,
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Thereafter
Total lease payments
Less: Imputed interest
Total
Less: Current portion
Long-term portion of lease obligations
Operating
Leases
Maturities of Lease Liabilities
Finance
Leases
(In thousands)
Total
$
$
101,935 $
114,271
126,116
140,519
156,264
1,630,118
2,269,223
(740,080)
1,529,143
(75,748)
1,453,395 $
43,149 $
41,029
30,707
—
—
—
114,885
(15,227)
99,658
(34,772)
64,886 $
145,084
155,300
156,823
140,519
156,264
1,630,118
2,384,108
(755,307)
1,628,801
(110,520)
1,518,281
F-43
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
11. Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations
Fair Value of our Long-Term Debt
The following table summarizes the carrying amount and fair value of our debt facilities as of December 31, 2021
and 2020:
As of December 31,
2021
2020
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
(In thousands)
6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021 (1)
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022 (2)
5% Senior Notes due 2023
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024
0% Convertible Notes due 2025
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2028
5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
5 1/8 % Senior Notes due 2029
Other notes payable
Subtotal
Unamortized debt discount on the Convertible Notes (3)
Unamortized deferred financing costs and other debt
discounts, net
Finance lease obligations (4)
Total long-term debt and finance lease obligations
(including current portion)
$
— $
— $ 2,000,000 $
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
2,750,000
1,000,000
2,500,000
1,500,000
137,069
2,039,700
1,541,670
966,990
2,060,180
2,016,880
2,122,700
2,844,030
2,792,900
1,017,060
2,520,650
1,365,645
137,069
21,387,069 $ 21,425,474
2,047,260
2,095,820
1,566,300
949,350
2,099,580
2,010,000
2,236,520
2,886,330
—
1,070,130
—
—
137,809
16,637,809 $ 17,099,099
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
—
1,000,000
—
—
137,809
—
(69,711)
99,658
(1,061,203)
(36,752)
162,174
$
21,417,016
$ 15,702,028
(1) As of June 1, 2021, we had repurchased or redeemed the principal balance of our 6 3/4% Senior Notes due
2021.
(2) Our 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022 mature on July 15, 2022 and have been reclassified to “Current portion of
long-term debt and finance lease obligations” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021.
(3) See Note 2 for further information.
(4) Disclosure regarding fair value of finance leases is not required.
We estimated the fair value of our publicly traded long-term debt using market prices in less active markets
(Level 2).
Unsecured Senior Notes
Our Senior Notes are:
general unsecured senior obligations of DISH DBS Corporation (“DISH DBS”);
ranked equally in right of payment with all of DISH DBS’ and the guarantors’ existing and future
unsecured senior debt; and
ranked effectively junior to our and the guarantors’ current and future secured senior indebtedness up to the
value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.
F-44
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The indentures related to our Senior Notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations
on the ability of DISH DBS and its restricted subsidiaries to:
incur additional debt;
pay dividends or make distributions on DISH DBS’ capital stock or repurchase DISH DBS’ capital stock;
make certain investments;
merge or consolidate with another company; and
create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
enter into transactions with affiliates;
transfer or sell assets.
In the event of a change of control, as defined in the related indentures, we would be required to make an offer to
repurchase all or any part of a holder’s Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal
amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of repurchase.
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022
On May 16, 2012 and July 26, 2012, we issued $1.0 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, aggregate principal
amount of our ten-year 5 7/8% Senior Notes due July 15, 2022. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 7/8% and is
payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year.
The 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022 are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the related indenture, together with
accrued and unpaid interest.
5% Senior Notes due 2023
On December 27, 2012, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5% Senior Notes due March 15,
2023. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on March 15 and
September 15 of each year.
The 5% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the related indenture, together with accrued and
unpaid interest.
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024
On November 20, 2014, we issued $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our ten-year 5 7/8% Senior Notes due
November 15, 2024. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 7/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on
May 15 and November 15 of each year.
The 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024 are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the related indenture, together with
accrued and unpaid interest.
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026
On June 13, 2016, we issued $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our ten-year 7 3/4% Senior Notes due July
1, 2026. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 7 3/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on January 1
and July 1 of each year.
The 7 3/4% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the related indenture, together with accrued and
unpaid interest.
F-45
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2028
On July 1, 2020, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our 7 3/8% Senior Notes due July 1, 2028.
Interest accrues at an annual rate of 7 3/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on January 1 and July 1
of each year.
The 7 3/8% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time prior to July 1, 2023 at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the related indenture, together
with accrued and unpaid interest. On or after July 1, 2023, we may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any
time at the redemption prices specified under the related indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. Prior
to July 1, 2023, we may also redeem up to 35% of the 7 3/8% Senior Notes at a specified premium with the net cash
proceeds from certain equity offerings or capital contributions.
5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2029
On May 24, 2021, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 1/8% Senior Notes due June 1, 2029.
Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 1 and December
1 of each year.
The 5 1/8% Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the related indenture, together with accrued and
unpaid interest. Prior to June 1, 2024, we may also redeem up to 35% of the 5 1/8% Senior Notes at a specified
premium with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings or capital contributions.
Convertible Notes
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
On March 17, 2017, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes due March 15, 2024
in a private placement. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 2 3/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears
on March 15 and September 15 of each year.
The Convertible Notes due 2024 are:
our general unsecured obligations;
ranked senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of
payment to the Convertible Notes due 2024;
ranked equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness;
ranked effectively junior to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of
the assets securing such indebtedness;
ranked structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; and
not guaranteed by our subsidiaries.
We may not redeem the Convertible Notes due 2024 prior to the maturity date. If a “fundamental change” (as
defined in the related indenture) occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes due 2024, holders may
require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes due 2024 at a repurchase price equal to 100%
of the principal amount of such Convertible Notes due 2024, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including,
the fundamental change repurchase date.
The indenture related to the Convertible Notes due 2024 does not contain any financial covenants and does not
restrict us from paying dividends, issuing or repurchasing our other securities, issuing new debt (including secured
debt) or repaying or repurchasing our debt.
F-46
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Subject to the terms of the related indenture, the Convertible Notes due 2024 may be converted at an initial
conversion rate of 12.1630 shares of our Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes
due 2024 (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $82.22 per share of our Class A common stock)
(the “Initial Conversion Rate”), at any time on or after October 15, 2023 through the second scheduled trading day
preceding the maturity date. Holders of the Convertible Notes due 2024 will also have the right to convert the
Convertible Notes due 2024 at the Initial Conversion Rate prior to October 15, 2023, but only upon the occurrence
of specified events described in the related indenture. The conversion rate is subject to anti-dilution adjustments if
certain events occur. Upon any conversion, we will settle our conversion obligation in cash, shares of our Class A
common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock, at our election.
0% Convertible Notes due 2025
On December 21, 2020, we issued $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes due
December 15, 2025 in a private placement. These notes will not bear interest, and the principal amount of the Notes
will not accrete.
The Convertible Notes due 2025 are:
our general unsecured obligations;
ranked senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of
payment to the Convertible Notes due 2025;
ranked equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness;
ranked effectively junior to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of
the assets securing such indebtedness;
ranked structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; and
not guaranteed by our subsidiaries.
We may not redeem the Convertible Notes due 2025 prior to the maturity date. If a “fundamental change” (as
defined in the related indenture) occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes due 2025, holders may
require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes due 2025 at a repurchase price equal to 100%
of the principal amount of such Convertible Notes due 2025, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including,
the fundamental change repurchase date.
The indenture related to the Convertible Notes due 2025 does not contain any financial covenants and does not
restrict us from paying dividends, issuing or repurchasing our other securities, issuing new debt (including secured
debt) or repaying or repurchasing our debt.
Subject to the terms of the related indenture, the Convertible Notes due 2025 may be converted at an initial
conversion rate of 24.4123 shares of our Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible
Notes due 2025 (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $40.96 per share of our Class A common
stock) (the “Initial Conversion Rate”), at any time on or after July 15, 2025 through the second scheduled trading
day preceding the maturity date. Holders of the Convertible Notes due 2025 will also have the right to convert the
Convertible Notes due 2025 at the Initial Conversion Rate prior to July 15, 2025, but only upon the occurrence of
specified events described in the related indenture. The conversion rate is subject to anti-dilution adjustments if
certain events occur. Upon any conversion, we will settle our conversion obligation in cash, shares of our Class A
common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock, at our election.
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
On August 8, 2016, we issued $3.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes due August 15, 2026
in a private unregistered offering. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 3 3/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash,
in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year.
F-47
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The Convertible Notes due 2026 are:
our general unsecured obligations;
ranked senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of
payment to the Convertible Notes due 2026;
ranked equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness;
ranked effectively junior to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of
the assets securing such indebtedness;
ranked structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; and
not guaranteed by our subsidiaries.
We may not redeem the Convertible Notes due 2026 prior to the maturity date. If a “fundamental change” (as
defined in the related indenture) occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes due 2026, holders may
require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes due 2026 at a specified make-whole price
equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Convertible Notes due 2026, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but
not including, the fundamental change repurchase date.
The indenture related to the Convertible Notes due 2026 does not contain any financial covenants and does not
restrict us from paying dividends, issuing or repurchasing our other securities, issuing new debt (including secured
debt) or repaying or repurchasing our debt.
Subject to the terms of the related indenture, the Convertible Notes due 2026 may be converted at an initial
conversion rate of 15.3429 shares of our Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes
due 2026 (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $65.18 per share of our Class A common stock)
(the “Initial Conversion Rate”), at any time on or after March 15, 2026 through the second scheduled trading day
preceding the maturity date. Holders of the Convertible Notes due 2026 will also have the right to convert the
Convertible Notes due 2026 at the Initial Conversion Rate prior to March 15, 2026, but only upon the occurrence of
specified events described in the related indenture.
The conversion rate is subject to anti-dilution adjustments if certain events occur. Upon any conversion, we will
settle our conversion obligation in cash, shares of our Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of
our Class A common stock, at our election.
Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions
In connection with the offering of the Convertible Notes due 2026, we entered into convertible note hedge
transactions with certain option counterparties. The convertible note hedge transactions cover, subject to anti-
dilution adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the Convertible Notes due 2026, the number of
shares of our Class A common stock underlying the Convertible Notes due 2026, which initially gives us the option
to purchase approximately 46 million shares of our Class A common stock at a price of approximately $65.18 per
share. The total cost of the convertible note hedge transactions was $635 million. Concurrently with entering into
the convertible note hedge transactions, we also entered into warrant transactions with each option counterparty
whereby we sold to such option counterparty warrants to purchase, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments,
up to the same number of shares of our Class A common stock, which initially gives the option counterparties the
option to purchase approximately 46 million shares of our Class A common stock at a price of approximately $86.08
per share. We received $376 million in cash proceeds from the sale of these warrants. For us, the economic effect
of these transactions is to effectively raise the initial conversion price from approximately $65.18 per share of our
Class A common stock to approximately $86.08 per share of our Class A common stock (thus effectively raising the
conversion premium on the Convertible Notes due 2026 from approximately 32.5% to approximately 75%). In
accordance with accounting guidance on hedge and warrant transactions, the net cost incurred in connection with the
convertible note hedge and warrant transactions are recorded as a reduction in “Additional paid-in capital” within
“Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016.
F-48
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
We will not be required to make any cash payments to each option counterparty or its affiliates upon the exercise of
the options that are a part of the convertible note hedge transactions, but will be entitled to receive from them a
number of shares of Class A common stock, an amount of cash or a combination thereof. This consideration is
generally based on the amount by which the market price per share of Class A common stock, as measured under the
terms of the convertible note hedge transactions, is greater than the strike price of the convertible note hedge
transactions during the relevant valuation period under the convertible note hedge transactions. Additionally, if the
market price per share of Class A common stock, as measured under the terms of the warrant transactions, exceeds
the strike price of the warrants during the measurement period at the maturity of the warrants, we will owe each
option counterparty a number of shares of Class A common stock in an amount based on the excess of such market
price per share of Class A common stock over the strike price of the warrants. However, as specified under the
terms of the warrant transactions, we may elect to settle the warrants in cash.
Senior Secured Notes
Our Senior Secured Notes are:
general senior secured obligations of DISH DBS Corporation (“DISH DBS”);
secured by security interests in substantially all existing and future tangible and intangible assets of DISH
DBS and its principal operating subsidiaries on a first priority basis, subject to certain exceptions;
ranked equally in right of payment with all of DISH DBS’ and the guarantors’ existing and future senior
debt;
ranked senior in right of payment and effectively senior to any of DISH DBS’ and the guarantors’ junior
lien or unsecured debt to the extent of the value of the pledged collateral that secures the Senior Secured
Notes; and
ranked effectively junior to DISH DBS’ and the guarantors’ obligations that are secured by assets that are
not part of the pledged collateral that secures the Senior Secured Notes, to the extent of the value of such
assets.
The indenture related to our Senior Secured Notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose
limitations on the ability of DISH DBS and its restricted subsidiaries to:
incur additional debt;
pay dividends or make distributions on DISH DBS’ capital stock or repurchase DISH DBS’ capital stock;
make certain investments;
merge or consolidate with another company; and
create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;
enter into transactions with affiliates;
transfer or sell assets.
In the event of a change of control, as defined in the related indenture, we would be required to make an offer to
repurchase all or any part of a holder’s Senior Secured Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate
principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the date of repurchase.
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
On November 26, 2021, we issued $2.750 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes
due December 1, 2026. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears
on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2022.
F-49
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time prior to June 1, 2026
(the “2026 Par Call Date”) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a “make-whole”
premium, as defined in the related indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. At any time on or after the
2026 Par Call Date, we may redeem the 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
redemption date. Prior to December 1, 2024, we may also redeem up to 35% of the 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes
due 2026 at a specified premium with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings or capital contributions.
At any time and from time to time during the 36-month period following the issue date of the 5 1/4% Senior Secured
Notes due 2026, we may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount during each twelve-month period
commencing with the issue date at a redemption price of 103% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
On November 26, 2021, we issued $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due
December 1, 2028. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 3/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on
June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2022.
The 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time prior to December 1,
2027 (the “2028 Par Call Date”) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a “make-whole”
premium, as defined in the related indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest. At any time on or after the
2028 Par Call Date, we may redeem the 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028, in whole at any time or in part from
time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
redemption date. Prior to December 1, 2024, we may also redeem up to 35% of the 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes
due 2028 at a specified premium with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings or capital contributions.
At any time and from time to time during the 36-month period following the issue date of the 5 3/4% Senior Secured
Notes due 2028, we may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount during each twelve-month period
commencing with the issue date at a redemption price of 103% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
Interest on Long-Term Debt
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022 (1)
5% Senior Notes due 2023
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2028
5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028
5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2029
Semi-Annual
Payment Dates
Annual
Debt Service
Requirements
(In thousands)
January 15 and July 15
March 15 and September 15
March 15 and September 15
May 15 and November 15
January 1 and July 1
February 15 and August 15
June 1 and December 1
January 1 and July 1
June 1 and December 1
June 1 and December 1
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
117,500
75,000
23,750
117,500
155,000
101,250
144,375
73,750
143,750
76,875
(1) Our 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022 mature on July 15, 2022 and have been reclassified to “Current portion of
long-term debt and finance lease obligations” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021.
Materially all of our interest expense is being capitalized, including the interest expense associated with the
amortization of the debt discounts on our Convertible Notes. See Note 2 for further information.
Our ability to meet our debt service requirements will depend on, among other factors, the successful execution of
our business strategy, which is subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond our control.
F-50
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Other Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations
Other long-term debt and finance lease obligations consisted of the following:
As of December 31,
2020
2021
(In thousands)
Satellites and other finance lease obligations
Notes payable related to satellite vendor financing and other debt payable in installments
through 2032 with interest rates ranging from approximately 4.0% to 8.8%
Total
Less: current portion
Other long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current portion
$
99,658 $
162,174
137,069
236,727
(61,810)
174,917 $
137,809
299,983
(85,620)
214,363
$
Finance Lease Obligations
Anik F3. Anik F3, an FSS satellite, was launched and commenced commercial operation in April 2007. This
satellite is accounted for as a finance lease and depreciated over the term of the satellite service agreement. We
lease 100% of the Ku-band capacity on Anik F3 for a period of 15 years, which expires in April 2022.
Nimiq 5. On May 19, 2019, we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement pursuant to which, on September 10,
2019, the satellite service agreement for Nimiq 5 was transferred to us. Nimiq 5 was launched in September 2009
and commenced commercial operation at the 72.7 degree west longitude orbital location during October 2009. This
satellite is accounted for as a finance lease and depreciated over the term of the satellite service agreement. We
lease 100% of the capacity on Nimiq 5, and this lease expires in September 2024. See Note 20 for further
information.
QuetzSat-1. On May 19, 2019, we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement pursuant to which, on September
10, 2019, the satellite service agreement for QuetzSat-1 was transferred to us. QuetzSat-1 was launched on
September 29, 2011 and in January 2013, QuetzSat-1 was moved to the 77 degree orbital location and commenced
commercial operations at that location in February 2013. This satellite is accounted for as a finance lease and
depreciated over the term of the satellite service agreement. We lease 100% of the capacity on QuetzSat-1, and this
lease expired in November 2021. See Note 20 for further information.
Ciel II. Ciel II, a Canadian DBS satellite, was launched in December 2008 and commenced commercial operation in
February 2009. This satellite was previously accounted for as a finance lease and depreciated over the term of the
satellite service agreement, however, as a result of an amendment, which was effective during the first quarter 2019,
Ciel II is now accounted for as an operating lease. We lease 100% of the capacity on Ciel II. The initial ten-year
term expired in January 2019 and as a result of an amendment, we renewed this lease through July 2023.
The summary of future maturities of our outstanding long-term debt as of December 31, 2021 is included in the
commitments table in Note 16.
12. Income Taxes and Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Our income tax policy is to record the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of
assets and liabilities and amounts reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as probable operating loss,
tax credit and other carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are offset by valuation allowances when we believe it is
more likely than not that net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We periodically evaluate our need for a
valuation allowance. Determining necessary valuation allowances requires us to make assessments about historical
financial information as well as the timing of future events, including the probability of expected future taxable
income and available tax planning opportunities.
F-51
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
We file consolidated tax returns in the United States. The income taxes of domestic and foreign subsidiaries not
included in the United States tax group are presented in our consolidated financial statements on a separate return
basis for each tax paying entity.
As of December 31, 2021, we had $2 million net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for federal income tax
purposes and $162 million of NOL carryforwards for state income tax purposes, which are partially offset by a
valuation allowance. In addition, there are $57 million of tax benefits related to credit carryforwards which are
partially offset by a valuation allowance. Portions of the state NOL and credit carryforwards expired in 2021.
The components of the (benefit from) provision for income taxes were as follows:
Current (benefit) provision:
Federal
State
Foreign
Total current (benefit) provision
Deferred (benefit) provision:
Federal
State
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance
Total deferred (benefit) provision
Total (benefit) provision
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
2019
$
$
126,435 $
31,944
2,387
160,766
(230,935) $
22,566
7,471
(200,898)
509,405
86,822
5,817
602,044
762,810 $
610,528
243,216
45,429
899,173
698,275 $
173,326
43,579
6,203
223,108
204,403
21,732
2,115
228,250
451,358
Our $3.219 billion of “Income (loss) before income taxes” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss) included income of $11 million related to our foreign operations.
The following table shows the principal reasons for the difference between the effective income tax rate and the
statutory federal tax rate:
Statutory rate
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
State apportionment changes
Cares Act NOL Carryback
Other, net
Total (benefit) provision for income taxes
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2021
% of pre-tax income/(loss)
2019
21.0
3.1
—
—
(0.4)
23.7
21.0
4.6
5.4
(2.3)
(1.6)
27.1
21.0
3.2
—
—
(1.0)
23.2
Deferred taxes arise because of the differences in the book and tax bases of certain assets and liabilities. Significant
components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
F-52
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Deferred tax assets:
NOL, interest, credit and other carryforwards
Accrued and prepaid expenses
Stock-based compensation
Unrealized (gains) losses on available for sale and other investments
Discount on convertible notes and convertible note hedge transaction, net
Deferred revenue
Total deferred tax assets
Valuation allowance
Deferred tax asset after valuation allowance
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation
Accrued and prepaid expenses
FCC authorizations and other intangible amortization
Bases difference in partnerships and cost method investments (1)
Discount on convertible notes and convertible note hedge transaction, net
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax asset (liability)
$
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
144,742 $
282,711
15,847
12,825
79,644
7,025
542,794
(79,605)
463,189
128,968
—
17,962
9,862
—
26,977
183,769
(73,788)
109,981
(858,707)
—
(2,933,660)
(897,088)
—
(4,689,455)
(4,226,266) $
(467,922)
(72,314)
(2,542,887)
(744,911)
(151,517)
(3,979,551)
(3,869,570)
$
(1) Included in this line item are deferred taxes related to, among other things, our non-controlling investments in
Northstar Spectrum and SNR HoldCo, including deferred taxes created by the tax amortization of the Northstar
Licenses and SNR Licenses.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
In addition to filing federal income tax returns, we and one or more of our subsidiaries file income tax returns in all
states that impose an income tax and a small number of foreign jurisdictions where we have immaterial operations.
We are subject to United States federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years
beginning in 2008 due to the carryover of previously incurred NOLs. We are currently under a federal income tax
examination for years 2008 through 2011, 2013 through 2016, and 2018.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits included in “Long-term deferred
revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows:
For the Years Ended December 31,
2019
2021
2020
(In thousands)
$ 378,467 $ 674,207 $ 385,394
244,257
61,909
(13,028)
(2,362)
(1,963)
$ 388,837 $ 378,467 $ 674,207
233
1,999
(296,265)
(831)
(876)
303
12,095
(1,400)
—
(628)
Unrecognized tax benefit
Balance as of beginning of period
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years
Reductions based on tax positions related to settlements with taxing authorities
Reductions based on tax positions related to the lapse of the statute of limitations
Balance as of end of period
F-53
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
We have $349 million in unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, could favorably affect our effective tax rate.
We do not expect any material portion of this amount to be paid or settled within the next twelve months. During
the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded $274 million of additional uncertain tax benefits related to a tax
position for certain provisions of the Tax Reform Act. As of December 31, 2020, these amounts were reversed as
new Federal Tax Regulations released in 2020 resolved these uncertainties. The position relates to a timing
difference and resolution with respect to the position did not impact our effective tax rate. Accrued interest and
penalties on uncertain tax positions are recorded as a component of “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized”
and “Other, net,” respectively, on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we recorded $16 million, $13 million and $22 million
in net interest and penalty expense to earnings, respectively. Accrued interest and penalties were $104 million and
$88 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The above table excludes these amounts.
13. Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Capital Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the following capital stock: (i) 1,600,000,000 shares of Class A common
stock, par value $0.01 per share; (ii) 800,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share;
(iii) 800,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and (iv) 20,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no outstanding shares of Class C
common stock or preferred stock.
The Class A, Class B and Class C common stock are equivalent except for voting rights. Holders of Class A and
Class C common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to
10 votes per share. Each share of Class B and Class C common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into
one share of Class A common stock. Our Class A common stock is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select
Market under the symbol “DISH.” Upon a change in control of DISH Network, each holder of outstanding shares of
Class C common stock is entitled to 10 votes for each share of Class C common stock held. Our principal
stockholder and certain entities established by him for the benefit of his family beneficially own all outstanding
Class B common stock. Together with all other stockholders, he also owns outstanding Class A common stock.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Our Board of Directors previously authorized stock repurchases of up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding Class A
common stock. On November 1, 2021, our Board of Directors extended this authorization such that we are currently
authorized to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding Class A common stock through and including
December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, we may repurchase up to $1.0 billion under this program. During
the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were no repurchases of our Class A common stock.
Stock Rights Offering
During November 2019, we launched a rights offering pursuant to which we distributed transferable subscription
rights pro rata to holders of record of our Class A and B common stock, and outstanding convertible notes (based on
the applicable conversion ratio for those notes as of the record date) on November 17, 2019. The subscription rights
entitled the holder to acquire newly-issued shares of our Class A common stock at a subscription price of $33.52 per
share.
Upon completion of the rights offering on December 13, 2019, we raised approximately $1.0 billion and issued
29,834,992 shares of DISH Network’s Class A common stock.
14. Employee Benefit Plans
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Our employees may participate in the DISH Network employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”), in which we are
authorized to issue up to 6.8 million shares of Class A common stock. At December 31, 2021, we had 1.9 million
F-54
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
shares of Class A common stock which remain available for issuance under the ESPP. Substantially all full-time
employees who have been employed by us for at least one calendar quarter are eligible to participate in the ESPP.
Employee stock purchases are made through payroll deductions. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees may not
deduct an amount which would permit such employee to purchase our capital stock under all of our stock purchase
plans at a rate which would exceed $25,000 in fair value of capital stock in any one year. The purchase price of the
stock is 85% of the closing price of the Class A common stock on the last business day of each calendar quarter in
which such shares of Class A common stock are deemed sold to an employee under the ESPP. During the years
ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, employee purchases of Class A common stock through the ESPP totaled
approximately 0.6 million, 0.8 million and 0.6 million shares, respectively.
401(k) Employee Savings Plan
We sponsor a 401(k) Employee Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) for eligible employees. Voluntary employee
contributions to the 401(k) Plan may be matched 50% by us, subject to a maximum annual contribution of $2,500
per employee. Forfeitures of unvested participant balances which are retained by the 401(k) Plan may be used to
fund matching and discretionary contributions. Our Board of Directors may also authorize an annual discretionary
contribution to the 401(k) plan, subject to the maximum deductible limit provided by the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. These contributions may be made in cash or in our stock.
The following table summarizes the expense associated with our matching contributions and discretionary
contributions:
Expense Recognized Related to the 401(k) Plan
Matching contributions, net of forfeitures
Discretionary stock contributions, net of forfeitures
$
$
15. Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Incentive Plans
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
(In thousands)
11,549
$
29,784
$
8,912
26,383
$
$
11,181
28,774
We maintain stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees. Stock awards under
these plans include both performance/market and non-performance based stock incentives. As of December 31,
2021, we had outstanding under these plans stock options to acquire 26.7 million shares of our Class A common
stock and 1.5 million restricted stock units and awards. Stock options granted on or prior to December 31, 2021
were granted with exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value of our Class A common stock at the date
of grant and with a maximum term of approximately ten years. While historically we have issued stock awards
subject to vesting, typically at the rate of 20% per year, some stock awards have been granted with immediate
vesting and other stock awards vest only upon the achievement of certain company-specific subscriber, operational
and/or financial goals. In addition, the Ergen 2020 Performance Award is subject to the achievement of specified
stock price targets. As of December 31, 2021, we had 62.2 million shares of our Class A common stock available
for future grant under our stock incentive plans.
F-55
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
Options Outstanding
As of December 31, 2021
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Options Exercisable
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Number
Exercisable
7.22 $
9.04 $
6.71 $
7.44 $
4.53 $
4.41 $
7.69 $
18.70
27.69
35.39
45.31
57.60
64.26
34.95
39,370
2,667,053
3,239,177
860,700
515,100
419,900
7,741,300
7.72 $
8.95 $
6.59 $
5.40 $
3.90 $
4.28 $
6.97 $
18.70
27.61
35.50
47.35
57.06
64.91
37.04
Number
Outstanding
206,500
12,963,749
8,293,326
2,516,602
1,798,126
924,600
26,702,903
$ 10.01 - $
$ 20.01 - $
$ 30.01 - $
$ 40.01 - $
$ 50.01 - $
$ 60.01 - $
$ 10.01 - $
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
70.00
Stock Award Activity
Our stock option activity was as follows:
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Options
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Options
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
Options
Total options outstanding, beginning of
period
Granted (1)
Exercised
Forfeited and cancelled
Total options outstanding, end of period
Performance/market based options
outstanding, end of period (2)
Exercisable at end of period
27,248,662 $
2,005,000 $
(1,316,485) $
(1,234,274) $
26,702,903 $
34.85
39.56
31.49
43.83
34.95
13,715,612 $
15,410,500 $
(714,595) $
(1,162,855) $
27,248,662 $
41.71
28.71
17.44
45.17
34.85
14,202,039 $
1,538,250 $
(714,061) $
(1,310,616) $
13,715,612 $
42.08
33.44
27.46
43.72
41.71
13,953,818 $
7,741,300 $
32.89
37.04
17,403,339 $
5,193,238 $
32.59
40.21
7,965,501 $
2,507,834 $
40.10
44.93
(1) Includes the Ergen 2020 Performance Award of 12,500,000 options granted on November 6, 2020.
(2) These stock options are included in the caption “Total options outstanding, end of period.” See discussion of
the 2013 LTIP, 2017 LTIP, 2019 LTIP, Ergen 2020 Performance Award and Other Employee Performance
Awards below.
We realized tax benefits from stock awards exercised as follows:
Tax benefit from stock awards exercised
$
4,153
$
7,576
$
1,239
Based on the closing market price of our Class A common stock on December 31, 2021, the aggregate intrinsic
value of our stock options was as follows:
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
2019
F-56
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Aggregate intrinsic value
$
Our restricted stock unit and award activity was as follows:
As of December 31, 2021
Options
Outstanding
Options
Exercisable
(In thousands)
64,449 $
13,448
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
Restricted
Stock
Units/Awards
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Restricted
Stock
Units/Awards
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Restricted
Stock
Units/Awards
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
1,863,110 $
79,288 $
(28,955) $
(425,937) $
35.04
42.41
43.26
33.62
1,504,370 $
1,696,000 $
(916,315) $
(420,945) $
50.81
33.07
53.82
42.56
1,760,225 $
— $
(11,175) $
(244,680) $
52.15
—
63.49
59.82
1,487,506 $
35.68
1,863,110 $
35.04
1,504,370 $
50.81
1,330,925 $
35.31
1,755,125 $
34.89
1,483,800 $
50.64
Total restricted stock
units/awards outstanding,
beginning of period
Granted
Vested (1)
Forfeited and cancelled
Total restricted stock
units/awards outstanding, end
of period
Restricted Performance
Units/Awards outstanding, end
of period (2)
(1) This change resulted from certain Other Employee Performance Awards that vested during the third quarter
2020.
(2) These stock units/awards are included in the caption “Total restricted stock units/awards outstanding, end of
period.” See discussion of the 2013 LTIP and Other Employee Performance Awards below.
Long-Term Performance-Based Plans
2013 LTIP. During 2013, we adopted a long-term, performance-based stock incentive plan (the “2013 LTIP”). The
2013 LTIP provides stock options and restricted stock units in combination, which vest based on company-specific
subscriber and financial performance conditions. Exercise of the stock awards is contingent on achieving these
performance conditions by September 30, 2022.
Although no awards vest until the Company attains the performance goals described above, compensation related to
the 2013 LTIP will be recorded based on management’s assessment of the probability of meeting the remaining
performance conditions. If the remaining performance conditions are probable of being achieved, we will begin
recognizing the associated non-cash, stock-based compensation expense on our Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) over the estimated period to achieve the performance condition.
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we determined that 30%, 10% and 20%, respectively,
of the 2013 LTIP performance conditions were probable of achievement. During the years ended December 31,
2018, 2017 and 2016, no additional 2013 LTIP performance conditions were deemed probable of achievement. As
of December 31, 2018, approximately 20% of the 2013 LTIP awards had vested. During 2018, management
determined the 2013 LTIP performance conditions were neither probable nor improbable of achievement. As a
result, we no longer recorded non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for the 2013 LTIP. During 2021,
management determined the 2013 LTIP performance conditions were not probable of achievement and as a result,
we reversed $13 million of non-cash, stock-based compensation expense. In 2020 and 2019, no non-cash, stock-
based compensation expense was recognized for the 2013 LTIP. Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense is
detailed in the table below titled “Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized.”
F-57
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
2017 LTIP. On December 2, 2016, we adopted a long-term, performance-based stock incentive plan (the “2017
LTIP”). The 2017 LTIP provided stock options, which were subject to vesting based on company-specific
subscriber and financial performance conditions. Awards were initially granted under the 2017 LTIP as of
January 1, 2017. Exercise of the stock awards was contingent on achieving these performance conditions by
December 31, 2020, however, none of the performance conditions were achieved.
During both the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we determined that 75% of the 2017 LTIP performance
conditions were probable of achievement. During 2019, management determined the 2017 LTIP performance
conditions were not probable of achievement and as a result, we reversed $13 million of non-cash, stock-based
compensation expense. In 2021 and 2020, no non-cash, stock-based compensation expense was recognized for the
2017 LTIP. Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense is detailed in the table below titled “Non-Cash, Stock-
Based Compensation Expense Recognized.”
2019 LTIP. On August 17, 2018, we adopted a long-term, performance-based stock incentive plan (the “2019
LTIP”). The 2019 LTIP provides stock options, which vest based on certain company-specific subscriber,
operational and/or financial performance conditions. Vesting of the stock awards is contingent on achieving these
conditions by December 31, 2023.
Although no awards vest until the Company attains the performance conditions described above, compensation
related to the 2019 LTIP will be recorded based on management’s assessment of the probability of meeting the
performance conditions. If the performance conditions are probable of being achieved, we will begin recognizing
the associated non-cash, stock-based compensation expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss) over the estimated period to achieve the performance condition.
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we determined that 90%, 95% and 90%, respectively,
of the 2019 LTIP performance conditions were probable of achievement. As a result, non-cash, stock-based
compensation expense was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, as indicated in the
table below titled “Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized.” As of December 31, 2021,
approximately 69% of the 2019 LTIP awards had vested.
2022 Incentive Plan. On December 30, 2021, we adopted a performance-based incentive plan (the “2022 Incentive
Plan”). The 2022 Incentive Plan provides stock options, which vest based on certain company-specific operational
and/or financial performance conditions. Awards were initially granted under the 2022 Incentive Plan as of
February 1, 2022. Exercise of the stock awards is contingent on achieving these conditions by December 31, 2026.
Although no awards vest until the Company attains the performance conditions described above, compensation
related to the 2022 Incentive Plan will be recorded based on management’s assessment of the probability of meeting
the performance conditions. If the performance conditions are probable of being achieved, we will begin
recognizing the associated non-cash, stock-based compensation expense on our Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) over the estimated period to achieve the performance condition.
Ergen 2020 Performance Award. On November 4, 2020, our Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors approved an award to Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, of long-term performance-based options (the
“Ergen 2020 Performance Award”) to purchase up to 12,500,000 shares of DISH Network’s Class A common
stock. The award is subject to the achievement of specified stock price targets during the approximate ten-year
period following the date of grant. The award was granted on November 6, 2020 and will expire on February 6,
2031.
F-58
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Although no awards will vest until the market conditions are satisfied, as of December 31, 2020, we began recording
non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for each vesting tranche based on the estimated achievement date of
the specified stock price target. The valuation and probability of achievement for each tranche is determined using a
Monte Carlo simulation. The same Monte Carlo simulation is used as the basis for determining the expected
achievement date. As the probability of achievement is factored in as part of the Monte Carlo simulation, the
expense for these tranches will be recognized concurrently over each tranche’s estimated achievement date even if
some or all of the options never vest. If the related milestone for a tranche is achieved earlier than is expected, all
unamortized expense for such tranche will be recognized immediately. Non-cash, stock-based compensation
expense was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, as indicated in the table below titled “Non-
Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized.” As of December 31, 2021, approximately 20% of the
Ergen 2020 Performance Award awards had vested.
Other Employee Performance Awards. In addition to the above long-term, performance stock incentive plans, we
have other stock awards that vest based on certain other company-specific subscriber, operational and/or financial
performance conditions. Exercise of these stock awards is contingent on achieving certain performance conditions.
Additional compensation related to these awards will be recorded based on management’s assessment of the
probability of meeting the remaining performance conditions. If the remaining performance conditions are probable
of being achieved, we will begin recognizing the associated non-cash, stock-based compensation expense on our
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) over the estimated period to achieve the
performance condition. See the table below titled “Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation
Expense.”
Although no awards vest until the performance conditions are attained, we determined that certain performance
conditions described above were probable of achievement and, as a result, recorded non-cash, stock-based
compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, as indicated in the table below titled
“Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized.”
The non-cash, stock-based compensation expense associated with these awards was as follows:
Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized (1)
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
2019
2019 LTIP
2017 LTIP
2013 LTIP
Ergen 2020 Performance Award
Other employee performance awards
Total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense recognized for
performance based awards
$
489 $
—
(13,610)
34,513
9,033
13,088 $
—
(819)
5,029
29,181
15,300
(13,974)
(1,313)
—
(569)
$
30,425 $
46,479 $
(556)
(1) “Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized” includes forfeitures.
F-59
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-
Based Compensation Expense
2019 LTIP 2017 LTIP 2013 LTIP
(In thousands)
Ergen 2020
Performance
Award
Other
Employee
Performance
Awards
Expense estimated to be recognized during 2022
Estimated contingent expense subsequent to 2022
Total estimated remaining expense over the term of
the plan
$
1,843 $
6,243
— $
—
— $
39,757
12,308 $
40,037
11,184
2,796
$
8,086 $
— $
39,757 $
52,345 $
13,980
Given the competitive nature of our business, small variations in subscriber churn, gross new subscriber activation
rates and certain other factors can significantly impact subscriber growth. Consequently, while it was determined
that achievement of certain other company-specific subscriber, operational and/or financial performance conditions
were not probable as of December 31, 2021, that assessment could change in the future.
Of the 26.7 million stock options and 1.5 million restricted stock units and awards outstanding under our stock
incentive plans as of December 31, 2021, the following awards were outstanding pursuant to our performance-based
stock incentive plans:
Performance Based Stock Options
2019 LTIP
2017 LTIP
2013 LTIP
Ergen 2020 Performance Award
Total
Restricted Performance Units/Awards
2013 LTIP
Other employee performance awards
Total
Stock-Based Compensation
As of December 31, 2021
Weighted-
Average
Grant Price
34.63
57.07
40.66
27.71
32.89
Number of
Awards
1,363,875 $
1,782,443 $
807,500 $
10,000,000 $
13,953,818 $
403,750
927,175
1,330,925
Total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for all of our employees is shown in the following table for the
years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and was allocated to the same expense categories as the base
compensation for such employees:
Cost of services
Selling, general and administrative
Total non-cash, stock-based compensation
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2021
(In thousands)
$
$
4,365 $
47,315
51,680 $
7,419 $
57,535
64,954 $
883
13,379
14,262
As of December 31, 2021, our total unrecognized compensation cost related to our non-performance based unvested
stock awards was $55 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 3.5 years.
Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on stock awards ultimately expected to vest.
F-60
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Valuation
The fair value of each stock option granted (excluding the Ergen 2020 Performance Award) for the years ended
December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was estimated at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation
model with the following assumptions:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Stock Options
Risk-free interest rate
Volatility factor
Expected term of options in years
Fair value of options granted
2021
1.02 %
0.44 % -
43.48 %
40.62 % -
-
5.6
- $ 18.23
5.5
$ 12.46
$
2020
1.72 %
0.17 % -
48.08 %
28.91 % -
-
5.5
- $ 12.10
3.3
5.50
$
2019
2.53 %
1.51 % -
32.08 %
28.86 % -
-
5.5
- $ 12.45
4.3
7.58
While we currently do not intend to declare dividends on our common stock, we may elect to do so from time to
time. Accordingly, the dividend yield percentage used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model was set at zero
for all periods. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of
traded stock options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Consequently, our estimate of fair
value may differ from other valuation models. Further, the Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input
of highly subjective assumptions. Changes in these subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value
estimate.
We will continue to evaluate the assumptions used to derive the estimated fair value of our stock options as new
events or changes in circumstances become known.
16. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
As of December 31, 2021, future maturities of our long-term debt, finance lease and contractual obligations are
summarized as follows:
Long-term debt obligations
Interest expense on long-term
debt
Finance lease obligations (1)
Interest expense on finance lease
obligations (1)
Other long-term obligations (2)
Operating lease obligations (1)
Purchase obligations
Total
Total
Payments due by period
2024
(In thousands)
$ 21,387,069 $ 2,028,344 $ 1,536,155 $ 3,035,746 $ 2,016,587 $ 7,753,954 $ 5,016,283
Thereafter
2025
2022
2023
2026
4,772,394
99,658
1,041,764
34,772
880,154
35,562
827,875
29,324
696,859
—
696,026
—
629,716
—
15,227
12,684,944
2,269,223
1,983,985
—
5,374,871
1,630,118
—
$ 43,212,500 $ 7,822,374 $ 3,644,069 $ 5,171,586 $ 4,085,960 $ 9,837,523 $ 12,650,988
—
1,226,968
156,264
4,311
—
1,226,826
140,519
5,169
5,467
1,047,258
114,271
25,202
1,383
1,141,111
126,116
10,031
8,377
2,667,910
101,935
1,939,272
(1) See Note 10 for further information on leases and the adoption of ASC 842.
(2) Represents minimum contractual commitments related to communication tower obligations, certain 5G
Network Deployment commitments, obligations under the NSA with AT&T, and satellite related and other
obligations.
In certain circumstances the dates on which we are obligated to make these payments could be delayed.
The table above does not include $389 million of liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits that were
accrued, as discussed in Note 12 and are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021.
We do not expect any portion of this amount to be paid or settled within the next 12 months.
F-61
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
The table above does not include all potential expenses we expect to incur for our 5G Network Deployment. We
currently expect capital expenditures, excluding capitalized interest, for our 5G Network Deployment to be
approximately $10 billion, including amounts incurred in 2021, of which approximately $1.773 billion is included in
the table above in “Other long-term obligations.” For further discussion see below.
AT&T Network Service Agreement. On July 14, 2021, DISH Wireless L.L.C., our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary,
and AT&T entered into a ten-year NSA, which will provide our Wireless subscribers coverage on AT&T’s network.
Under the NSA, AT&T becomes our primary network services provider, as we have committed to activate on
AT&T’s network at least a minimum percentage of certain of our MVNO subscribers in the U.S. who receive
services through a third-party network and to utilize AT&T’s network for a minimum specified percentage of our
domestic roaming data usage for our MNO subscribers. We have agreed to pay AT&T at least $5 billion over the
course of the ten-year term of the NSA, subject to certain terms and conditions, which commitment is included in
“Other long-term obligations” above.
The description of the NSA above is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by the actual terms of the NSA, a
redacted copy of which is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for this quarterly period ended September 30, 2021.
Wireless – 5G Network Deployment
We have directly invested approximately $20 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses (including the
3.45-3.55 GHz band licenses purchased in the first quarter of 2022) and made over $10 billion in non-controlling
investments in certain entities, for a total of approximately $30 billion. The $30 billion of investments related to
wireless spectrum licenses does not include $6 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such
licenses. See Note 2 for further information on capitalized interest.
Recent Wireless Spectrum Acquisitions
3550-3650 MHz. The auction for the Priority Access Licenses for the 3550-3650 MHz band (“Auction 105”) began
on July 23, 2020 and ended on August 25, 2020. On September 2, 2020, the FCC announced that Wetterhorn
Wireless L.L.C. (“Wetterhorn”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, was the winning bidder of 5,492
Priority Access Licenses in the 3550-3650 MHz band, with Wetterhorn’s aggregate winning bids totaling
approximately $913 million. During the second and third quarters 2020, we paid $83 million and $100 million,
respectively, to the FCC for our winning bids. On October 1, 2020, we paid the remaining balance of our winning
bids of approximately $730 million. On March 12, 2021, the FCC issued an order granting Wetterhorn’s application
to acquire the 3550-3650 MHz licenses (the “3550-3650 MHz Licenses”). The payments made in 2020 were
included in “Other current assets” as of December 31, 2020 and have been reclassified to “FCC authorizations” as of
December 31, 2021 on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
3.7-3.98 GHz. The auction for the Flexible-Use Service Licenses in the 3.7-3.98 GHz Band (“Auction 107”) began
on December 8, 2020 and ended on February 17, 2021. On February 24, 2021, the FCC announced that Little Bear
Wireless L.L.C. (“Little Bear”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, was the winning bidder of one
Flexible-Use Service License in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band, with Little Bear’s aggregate winning bid totaling
approximately $3 million. On November 2, 2020, we paid $340 million to the FCC as a deposit for Auction
107. On March 24, 2021, we received a $337 million refund for the balance of our deposit less our winning bid
amount. On July 23, 2021, the FCC issued an order granting Little Bear’s application to acquire the 20 MHz license
covering the Cheyenne, Wyoming Partial Economic Area in the 3.7-3.98 GHz band license (the “3.7-3.98 GHz
Licenses”).
F-62
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
3.45–3.55 GHz. The auction for the Flexible-Use Service Licenses in the 3.45–3.55 GHz band (“Auction 110”)
began on October 5, 2021 and ended January 4, 2022. On January 14, 2022, the FCC announced that Weminuche
L.L.C. (“Weminuche”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, was the winning bidder of 1,232 Flexible-
Use Service Licenses in the 3.45–3.55 GHz band, with Weminuche’s aggregate winning bids totaling approximately
$7.328 billion. During the third quarter of 2021, we paid $123 million to the FCC as a deposit for Auction 110,
which is included in “Other current assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021. In
January and February 2022, we paid the remaining balance of our winning bids of approximately $7.205 billion.
We paid this obligation from cash, restricted cash and marketable investment securities balances at that time. The
FCC has not yet issued the licenses to Weminuche.
Wireless Spectrum Licenses
These wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain
renewal requirements that are summarized in the table below:
Carrying
Amount
(In thousands)
Build-Out Deadlines
Interim
Final
Expiration
Date
$
Owned:
DBS Licenses (1)
700 MHz Licenses
AWS-4 Licenses
H Block Licenses
600 MHz Licenses
MVDDS Licenses (1)
LMDS Licenses (1)
28 GHz Licenses
24 GHz Licenses
37 GHz, 39 GHz and 47 GHz Licenses
3550-3650 MHz Licenses
3.7-3.98 GHz Licenses
Subtotal
Non-controlling Investments:
Northstar
SNR
Total AWS-3 Licenses
677,409
711,871 June 14, 2022 (2)
1,940,000 June 14, 2022 (2)
1,671,506 June 14, 2022 (2)
6,211,154
24,000
—
2,883
11,772
202,533
912,939
2,580 July 23, 2029 (6)
June 14, 2023 (3)
June 14, 2023 (3)
June 14, 2023 (4)
June 14, 2025 (5)
June 2023
June 2023
June 2023
June 2029
August 2024
September 2028
October 2, 2029 (6) October 2029
December 11, 2029 (6) December 2029
June 4, 2030 (6)
March 12, 2031 (6)
July 23, 2033 (6)
June 2030
March 2031
July 2036
12,368,647
5,618,930
4,271,459
9,890,389
October 2025 (7)
October 2025 (7)
October 2025 (7)
October 2025 (7)
Capitalized Interest (8)
Total as of December 31, 2021
6,373,629
28,632,665
$
Post December 31, 2021 Wireless Spectrum Purchases (9)
3.45–3.55 GHz Licenses
Total
$
7,327,989
35,960,654
(1) The build-out deadlines for these licenses have been met.
(2) For these licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least 20% of the United States population and have
developed a core network by this date.
(3) For these licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to 70% of the United States population by this date;
provided, however, if by June 14, 2023, we are offering 5G broadband service with respect to these licenses to
at least 50% of the population of the United States, the final deadline shall be further extended automatically to
June 14, 2025, for us to construct and offer 5G broadband service to at least 70% of the population in each
Economic Area (which is a service area established by the FCC) with respect to these licenses.
(4) For these licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least 70% of the United States population by this
date; provided, however, that if by June 14, 2023, we are offering 5G broadband service with respect to these
licenses to at least 50% of the population of the United States, the final deadline shall be further extended
automatically to June 14, 2025, for us to construct and offer 5G broadband service to at least 75% of the
population in each Economic Area with respect to these licenses.
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DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(5) For these licenses, we must offer 5G broadband service to at least 75% of the population in each Partial
Economic Area (which are service areas established by the FCC) by this date.
(6) There are a variety of build-out options and associated build-out metrics associated with these licenses.
(7) For these licenses, Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless must provide reliable signal coverage and offer service
to at least 75% of the population of each license area by this date. The AWS-3 interim build-out requirement
was not met and as a result, the AWS-3 expiration date and the AWS-3 final build-out requirement will be
accelerated by two years (from October 2027 to October 2025) for each AWS-3 License area in which
Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless do not meet the requirement.
(8) See Note 2 for further information.
(9) On January 14, 2022, the FCC announced that Weminuche, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, was
the winning bidder of 1,232 Flexible-Use Service Licenses in the 3.45–3.55 GHz band, with Weminuche’s
aggregate winning bids totaling approximately $7.328 billion. During the third quarter of 2021, we paid $123
million to the FCC as a deposit for Auction 110, which is included in “Other current assets” on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021. In January and February 2022, we paid the remaining
balance of our winning bids of approximately $7.205 billion. The FCC has not yet issued the licenses to
Weminuche. The 3.45-3.55 GHz band licenses of $7.328 billion are not included in “FCC authorizations” on
our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021.
Commercialization of Our Wireless Spectrum Licenses and Related Assets. We plan to commercialize our wireless
spectrum licenses through our 5G Network Deployment. We have committed to deploy a facilities-based 5G
broadband network capable of serving increasingly larger portions of the U.S. population at different deadlines,
including 20% of the U.S. population by June 2022 and 70% by June 2023. We currently have over 50 markets
under construction and completed a friendly user trial, drive testing and user equipment testing in Las Vegas during
the fourth quarter of 2021. Our current construction is primarily focused on markets we intend to launch by June
2022 in conjunction with the 20% population coverage requirement. However, we have also began construction of
markets we intend to launch by June of 2023 that support the 70% population coverage requirement. We currently
expect capital expenditures, excluding capitalized interest, for our 5G Network Deployment to be approximately $10
billion, including amounts incurred in 2021.
We will need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, complete our
5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and
any additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses.
Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly.
In addition, as we complete our 5G Network Deployment we will incur significant additional expenses related to,
among other things, research and development, wireless testing and ongoing upgrades to the wireless network
infrastructure. We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required to complete our
5G Network Deployment and to compete with other wireless service providers.
We may need to raise significant additional capital in the future to fund the efforts described above, which may not
be available on acceptable terms or at all. There can be no assurance that we will be able to develop and implement
a business model that will realize a return on these wireless spectrum licenses or that we will be able to profitably
deploy the assets represented by these wireless spectrum licenses, which may affect the carrying amount of these
assets and our future financial condition or results of operations.
F-64
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
DISH Network Non-Controlling Investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities Related to AWS-3
Wireless Spectrum Licenses
Non-Controlling Investments
During 2015, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries American II and American III, we initially made over $10
billion in certain non-controlling investments in Northstar Spectrum, the parent company of Northstar Wireless, and
in SNR HoldCo, the parent company of SNR Wireless, respectively. Under the applicable accounting guidance in
ASC 810, Northstar Spectrum and SNR HoldCo are considered variable interest entities and, based on the
characteristics of the structure of these entities and in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we
consolidate these entities into our financial statements. See Note 2 for further information.
Northstar Investment. As of 2015, through American II, we owned a non-controlling interest in Northstar Spectrum,
which was comprised of 85% of the Class B Common Interests and 100% of the Class A Preferred Interests of
Northstar Spectrum. Northstar Manager is the sole manager of Northstar Spectrum and owns a controlling interest
in Northstar Spectrum, which was comprised of 15% of the Class B Common Interests of Northstar Spectrum. As
of March 31, 2018, the total equity contributions from American II and Northstar Manager to Northstar Spectrum
were approximately $7.621 billion and $133 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, the total loans from
American II to Northstar Wireless under the Northstar Credit Agreement (as defined below) for payments to the
FCC related to the Northstar Licenses (as defined below) were approximately $500 million. See below for further
information.
Northstar Purchase Agreement. On December 30, 2020, through our wholly-owned subsidiary American II, we
entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Northstar Purchase Agreement”) with Northstar Manager and Northstar
Spectrum, pursuant to which American II purchased 80% of Northstar Manager’s Class B Common Interests in
Northstar Spectrum (the “Northstar Transaction”) for a purchase price of approximately $312 million. As a result of
the Northstar Transaction, through American II, we hold 97% of the Class B Common Interests in Northstar
Spectrum and Northstar Manager holds 3% of the Class B Common Interests in Northstar Spectrum. Other than the
change in ownership percentage of Northstar Spectrum, the Northstar Transaction did not modify or amend in any
way the existing arrangements between or among the Northstar parties. In the Northstar Purchase Agreement,
Northstar Manager waived its right to exercise the Northstar Put Right under the First Northstar Put Window.
Northstar Manager retains its right to exercise the Northstar Put Right during the Second Northstar Put Window.
See below for further information.
SNR Investment. As of 2015, through American III, we own a non-controlling interest in SNR HoldCo, which is
comprised of 85% of the Class B Common Interests and 100% of the Class A Preferred Interests of SNR HoldCo.
SNR Management is the sole manager of SNR HoldCo and owns a controlling interest in SNR HoldCo, which is
comprised of 15% of the Class B Common Interests of SNR HoldCo. As of March 31, 2018, the total equity
contributions from American III and SNR Management to SNR HoldCo were approximately $5.590 billion and $93
million, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, the total loans from American III to SNR Wireless under the SNR
Credit Agreement (as defined below) for payments to the FCC related to the SNR Licenses (as defined below) were
approximately $500 million. See below for further information.
AWS-3 Auction
Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless each filed applications with the FCC to participate in Auction 97 (the “AWS-
3 Auction”) for the purpose of acquiring certain AWS-3 Licenses. Each of Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless
applied to receive bidding credits of 25% as designated entities under applicable FCC rules. Northstar Wireless was
the winning bidder for AWS-3 Licenses with gross winning bid amounts totaling approximately $7.845 billion,
which after taking into account a 25% bidding credit, was approximately $5.884 billion. SNR Wireless was the
winning bidder for AWS-3 Licenses with gross winning bid amounts totaling approximately $5.482 billion, which
after taking into account a 25% bidding credit, was approximately $4.112 billion. In addition to the net winning
bids, SNR Wireless made a bid withdrawal payment of approximately $8 million.
F-65
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
FCC Order and October 2015 Arrangements. On August 18, 2015, the FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and
Order, FCC 15-104 (the “Order”) in which the FCC determined, among other things, that DISH Network has a
controlling interest in, and is an affiliate of, Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless, and therefore DISH Network’s
revenues should be attributed to them, which in turn makes Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless ineligible to
receive the 25% bidding credits (approximately $1.961 billion for Northstar Wireless and $1.370 billion for SNR
Wireless). On November 23, 2020, the FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order on Remand, FCC 20-160,
that found that Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless are not eligible for bidding credits based on the FCC’s
determination that they remain under DISH Network’s de facto control. Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless have
appealed the FCC’s order to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Letters Exchanged between Northstar Wireless and the FCC Wireless Bureau. As outlined in letters exchanged
between Northstar Wireless and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau of the FCC (the “FCC Wireless Bureau”),
Northstar Wireless paid the gross winning bid amounts for 261 AWS-3 Licenses (the “Northstar Licenses”) totaling
approximately $5.619 billion through the application of funds already on deposit with the FCC. Northstar Wireless
also notified the FCC that it would not be paying the gross winning bid amounts for 84 AWS-3 Licenses totaling
approximately $2.226 billion. As a result of the nonpayment of those gross winning bid amounts, the FCC retained
those licenses and Northstar Wireless owed the FCC an additional interim payment of approximately $334 million
(the “Northstar Interim Payment”), which is equal to 15% of $2.226 billion. The Northstar Interim Payment was
recorded as an expense during the fourth quarter of 2015. Northstar Wireless immediately satisfied the Northstar
Interim Payment through the application of funds already on deposit with the FCC and an additional loan from
American II of approximately $69 million. As a result, the FCC will not deem Northstar Wireless to be a “current
defaulter” under applicable FCC rules.
In addition, the FCC Wireless Bureau acknowledged that Northstar Wireless’ nonpayment of those gross winning
bid amounts does not constitute action involving gross misconduct, misrepresentation or bad faith. Therefore, the
FCC concluded that such nonpayment will not affect the eligibility of Northstar Wireless, its investors (including
DISH Network) or their respective affiliates to participate in future spectrum auctions (including Auction 1000 and
any re-auction of the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC). At this time, DISH Network (through itself, a
subsidiary or another entity in which it may hold a direct or indirect interest) expects to participate in any re-auction
of those AWS-3 licenses.
If the winning bids from re-auction or other award of the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC are greater than or
equal to the winning bids of Northstar Wireless, no additional amounts will be owed to the FCC. However, if those
winning bids are less than the winning bids of Northstar Wireless, then Northstar Wireless will be responsible for
the difference less any overpayment of the Northstar Interim Payment (which will be recalculated as 15% of the
winning bids from re-auction or other award) (the “Northstar Re-Auction Payment”). For example, if the winning
bids in a re-auction are $1, the Northstar Re-Auction Payment would be approximately $1.892 billion, which is
calculated as the difference between $2.226 billion (the Northstar winning bid amounts) and $1 (the winning bids
from re-auction) less the resulting $334 million overpayment of the Northstar Interim Payment. As discussed above,
at this time, DISH Network (through itself, a subsidiary or another entity in which it may hold a direct or indirect
interest) expects to participate in any re-auction. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the timing or
outcome of any re-auction or the amount of any Northstar Re-Auction Payment.
DISH Network Guaranty in Favor of the FCC for Certain Northstar Wireless Obligations. On October 1, 2015,
DISH Network entered into a guaranty in favor of the FCC (the “FCC Northstar Guaranty”) with respect to the
Northstar Interim Payment (which was satisfied on October 1, 2015) and any Northstar Re-Auction Payment. The
FCC Northstar Guaranty provides, among other things, that during the period between the due date for the payments
guaranteed under the FCC Northstar Guaranty and the date such guaranteed payments are paid: (i) Northstar
Wireless’ payment obligations to American II under the Northstar Credit Agreement will be subordinated to such
guaranteed payments; and (ii) DISH Network or American II will withhold exercising certain rights as a creditor of
Northstar Wireless.
F-66
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Letters Exchanged between SNR Wireless and the FCC Wireless Bureau. As outlined in letters exchanged between
SNR Wireless and the FCC Wireless Bureau, SNR Wireless paid the gross winning bid amounts for 244 AWS-3
Licenses (the “SNR Licenses”) totaling approximately $4.271 billion through the application of funds already on
deposit with the FCC and a portion of an additional loan from American III in an aggregate amount of
approximately $344 million (which included an additional bid withdrawal payment of approximately $3 million).
SNR Wireless also notified the FCC that it would not be paying the gross winning bid amounts for 113 AWS-3
Licenses totaling approximately $1.211 billion.
As a result of the nonpayment of those gross winning bid amounts, the FCC retained those licenses and SNR
Wireless owed the FCC an additional interim payment of approximately $182 million (the “SNR Interim Payment”),
which is equal to 15% of $1.211 billion. The SNR Interim Payment was recorded as an expense during the fourth
quarter of 2015. SNR Wireless immediately satisfied the SNR Interim Payment through a portion of an additional
loan from American III in an aggregate amount of approximately $344 million. As a result, the FCC will not deem
SNR Wireless to be a “current defaulter” under applicable FCC rules.
In addition, the FCC Wireless Bureau acknowledged that SNR Wireless’ nonpayment of those gross winning bid
amounts does not constitute action involving gross misconduct, misrepresentation or bad faith. Therefore, the FCC
concluded that such nonpayment will not affect the eligibility of SNR Wireless, its investors (including DISH
Network) or their respective affiliates to participate in future spectrum auctions (including Auction 1000 and any re-
auction of the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC). At this time, DISH Network (through itself, a subsidiary or
another entity in which it may hold a direct or indirect interest) expects to participate in any re-auction of those
AWS-3 licenses.
If the winning bids from re-auction or other award of the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC are greater than or
equal to the winning bids of SNR Wireless, no additional amounts will be owed to the FCC. However, if those
winning bids are less than the winning bids of SNR Wireless, then SNR Wireless will be responsible for the
difference less any overpayment of the SNR Interim Payment (which will be recalculated as 15% of the winning
bids from re-auction or other award) (the “SNR Re-Auction Payment”). For example, if the winning bids in a re-
auction are $1, the SNR Re-Auction Payment would be approximately $1.029 billion, which is calculated as the
difference between $1.211 billion (the SNR winning bid amounts) and $1 (the winning bids from re-auction) less the
resulting $182 million overpayment of the SNR Interim Payment. As discussed above, at this time, DISH Network
(through itself, a subsidiary or another entity in which it may hold a direct or indirect interest) expects to participate
in any re-auction. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the timing or outcome of any re-auction or the
amount of any SNR Re-Auction Payment.
DISH Network Guaranty in Favor of the FCC for Certain SNR Wireless Obligations. On October 1, 2015, DISH
Network entered into a guaranty in favor of the FCC (the “FCC SNR Guaranty”) with respect to the SNR Interim
Payment (which was satisfied on October 1, 2015) and any SNR Re-Auction Payment. The FCC SNR Guaranty
provides, among other things, that during the period between the due date for the payments guaranteed under the
FCC SNR Guaranty and the date such guaranteed payments are paid: (i) SNR Wireless’ payment obligations to
American III under the SNR Credit Agreement will be subordinated to such guaranteed payments; and (ii) DISH
Network or American III will withhold exercising certain rights as a creditor of SNR Wireless.
FCC Licenses. On October 27, 2015, the FCC granted the Northstar Licenses to Northstar Wireless and the SNR
Licenses to SNR Wireless, respectively, which are recorded in “FCC authorizations” on our Consolidated Balance
Sheets. The AWS-3 Licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements. By October 2021,
Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless must provide reliable signal coverage and offer service to at least 40% of the
population in each area covered by an individual AWS-3 License (the “AWS-3 Interim Build-Out Requirement”).
By October 2027, Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless must provide reliable signal coverage and offer service to at
least 75% of the population in each area covered by an individual AWS-3 License (the “AWS-3 Final Build-Out
Requirement”). The AWS-3 Interim Build-Out Requirement was not met and as a result, the AWS-3 License term
and the AWS-3 Final Build-Out Requirement will be accelerated by two years (from October 2027 to October 2025)
for each AWS-3 License area in which Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless do not meet the requirement.
F-67
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
If the AWS-3 Final Build-Out Requirement is not met, the authorization for each AWS-3 License area in which
Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless do not meet the requirement may terminate. These wireless spectrum licenses
expire in October 2027 unless they are renewed by the FCC. There can be no assurances that the FCC will renew
these wireless spectrum licenses.
Qui Tam. On September 23, 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia unsealed a qui tam
complaint that was filed by Vermont National Telephone Company (“Vermont National”) against us; our wholly-
owned subsidiaries, American AWS-3 Wireless I L.L.C., American II, American III, and DISH Wireless Holding
L.L.C.; Charles W. Ergen (our Chairman) and Cantey M. Ergen (a member of our board of directors); Northstar
Wireless; Northstar Spectrum; Northstar Manager; SNR Wireless; SNR HoldCo; SNR Management; and certain
other parties. See “Contingencies – Litigation – Vermont National Telephone Company” for further information.
D.C. Circuit Court Opinion. On August 29, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit (the “D.C. Circuit”) in SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC, et al. v. Federal Communications Commission, 868
F.3d 1021 (D.C. Cir. 2017) (the “Appellate Decision”) affirmed the Order in part, and remanded the matter to the
FCC to give Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless an opportunity to seek to negotiate a cure of the issues identified
by the FCC in the Order (a “Cure”). On January 26, 2018, SNR Wireless and Northstar Wireless filed a petition for
a writ of certiorari, asking the United States Supreme Court to hear an appeal from the Appellate Decision, which
the United States Supreme Court denied on June 25, 2018.
Order on Remand. On January 24, 2018, the FCC released an Order on Remand, DA 18-70 (the “Order on
Remand”) purporting to establish a procedure to afford Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless the opportunity to
implement a Cure pursuant to the Appellate Decision. On June 8, 2018, Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless each
filed amended agreements to demonstrate that, in light of such changes, each of Northstar Wireless and SNR
Wireless qualified for the very small business bidding credit that it sought in the AWS-3 Auction. Northstar
Wireless and SNR Wireless filed a Joint Application for Review of the Order on Remand requesting, among other
things, an iterative negotiation process with the FCC regarding a Cure, which was denied on July 12, 2018. The
pleading cycle established in the Order on Remand concluded in October 2018. On November 23, 2020, the FCC
issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order that concluded, among other things, that DISH Network retained de facto
control over Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless and denied the very small business bidding credit sought by
Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless, even though the parties had eliminated or significantly modified every
provision previously deemed to have been disqualifying by the FCC. Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless timely
filed an appeal of the FCC’s 2020 decision, which remains pending at the United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the appeal.
Northstar Operative Agreements
Northstar LLC Agreement. Northstar Spectrum is governed by a limited liability company agreement by and
between American II and Northstar Manager (the “Northstar Spectrum LLC Agreement”). Pursuant to the Northstar
Spectrum LLC Agreement, American II and Northstar Manager made pro-rata equity contributions in Northstar
Spectrum.
F-68
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
On March 31, 2018, American II, Northstar Spectrum, and Northstar Manager amended and restated the Northstar
Spectrum LLC Agreement, to, among other things: (i) exchange $6.870 billion of the amounts outstanding and
owed by Northstar Wireless to American II pursuant to the Northstar Credit Agreement (as defined below) for
6,870,493 Class A Preferred Interests in Northstar Spectrum (the “Northstar Preferred Interests”); (ii) replace the
existing investor protection provisions with the investor protections described by the FCC in Baker Creek
Communications, LLC, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 18709, 18715 (1998); (iii) delete the
obligation of Northstar Manager to consult with American II regarding budgets and business plans; and (iv) remove
the requirement that Northstar Spectrum’s systems be interoperable with ours. The Northstar Preferred Interests: (a)
are non-voting; (b) have a 12 percent mandatory quarterly distribution, which can be paid in cash or additional face
amount of Northstar Preferred Interests at the sole discretion of Northstar Manager; and (c) have a liquidation
preference equal to the then-current face amount of the Northstar Preferred Interests plus accrued and unpaid
mandatory quarterly distributions in the event of certain liquidation events or deemed liquidation events (e.g., a
merger or dissolution of Northstar Spectrum, or a sale of substantially all of Northstar Spectrum’s assets). As a
result of the exchange noted in (i) above, a principal amount of $500 million of debt remains under the Northstar
Credit Agreement, as described below.
On June 7, 2018, American II, Northstar Spectrum, and Northstar Manager amended and restated the Second
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated March 31, 2018, by and among American II,
Northstar Spectrum, and Northstar Manager, to, among other things: (i) reduce the mandatory quarterly distribution
for the Northstar Preferred Interests from 12 percent to eight percent from and after June 7, 2018; (ii) increase the
window for Northstar Manager to “put” its interest in Northstar Spectrum to Northstar Spectrum after October 27,
2020 from 30 days to 90 days; (iii) provide an additional 90-day window for Northstar Manager to put its interest in
Northstar Spectrum to Northstar Spectrum commencing on October 27, 2021; (iv) provide a right for Northstar
Manager to require an appraisal of the fair market value of its interest in Northstar Spectrum at any time from
October 27, 2022 through October 27, 2024, coupled with American II having the right to accept the offer to sell
from Northstar Manager; (v) allow Northstar Manager to sell its interest in Northstar Spectrum without American
II’s consent any time after October 27, 2020 (previously October 27, 2025); (vi) allow Northstar Spectrum to
conduct an initial public offering without American II’s consent any time after October 27, 2022 (previously
October 27, 2029); (vii) remove American II’s rights of first refusal with respect to Northstar Manager’s sale of its
interest in Northstar Spectrum or Northstar Spectrum’s sale of any AWS-3 Licenses; and (viii) remove American
II’s tag along rights with respect to Northstar Manager’s sale of its interest in Northstar Spectrum. Northstar
Manager had the right to put its interest in Northstar Spectrum to Northstar Spectrum for a 90-day period beginning
October 27, 2020, which Northstar Manager waived in connection with the Northstar Purchase Agreement.
On January 24, 2022, American II, Northstar Spectrum, and Northstar Manager amended and restated the Third
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated June 7, 2018, by and among American II,
Northstar Spectrum, and Northstar Manager, to, among other things: (i) increase the second window for Northstar
Manager to “put” its interest in Northstar Spectrum to Northstar Spectrum after October 27, 2021 from 90 days to
270 days. The Second Northstar Put Window is currently open and expires on July 24, 2022. The value of the
Northstar Put Right has accrued to approximately $86 million as of December 31, 2021.
F-69
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Northstar Wireless Credit Agreement. On October 1, 2015, American II, Northstar Wireless and Northstar
Spectrum amended the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 13, 2014, by and among
American II, as Lender, Northstar Wireless, as Borrower, and Northstar Spectrum, as Guarantor (as amended, the
“Northstar Credit Agreement”), to provide, among other things, that: (i) the Northstar Interim Payment and any
Northstar Re-Auction Payment will be made by American II directly to the FCC and will be deemed as loans under
the Northstar Credit Agreement; (ii) the FCC is a third-party beneficiary with respect to American II’s obligation to
pay the Northstar Interim Payment and any Northstar Re-Auction Payment; (iii) in the event that the winning bids
from re-auction or other award of the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC are less than the winning bids of
Northstar Wireless, the purchaser, assignee or transferee of any AWS-3 Licenses from Northstar Wireless is
obligated to pay its pro-rata share of the difference (and Northstar Wireless remains jointly and severally liable for
such pro-rata share); and (iv) during the period between the due date for the payments guaranteed under the FCC
Northstar Guaranty (as discussed below) and the date such guaranteed payments are paid, Northstar Wireless’
payment obligations to American II under the Northstar Credit Agreement will be subordinated to such guaranteed
payments.
On March 31, 2018, American II, Northstar Wireless, and Northstar Spectrum amended and restated the Northstar
Credit Agreement, to, among other things: (i) lower the interest rate on the remaining $500 million principal balance
under the Northstar Credit Agreement from 12 percent per annum to six percent per annum; (ii) eliminate the higher
interest rate that would apply in the case of an event of default; and (iii) modify and/or remove certain obligations of
Northstar Wireless to prepay the outstanding loan amounts.
On June 7, 2018, American II, Northstar Wireless, and Northstar Spectrum amended and restated the Northstar
Credit Agreement to, among other things: (i) extend the maturity date on the remaining loan balance from seven
years to ten years; and (ii) remove the obligation of Northstar Wireless to obtain American II’s consent for
unsecured financing and equipment financing in excess of $25 million.
SNR Operative Agreements
SNR LLC Agreement. SNR HoldCo is governed by a limited liability company agreement by and between
American III and SNR Management (the “SNR HoldCo LLC Agreement”). Pursuant to the SNR HoldCo LLC
Agreement, American III and SNR Management made pro-rata equity contributions in SNR HoldCo.
On March 31, 2018, American III, SNR Holdco, SNR Wireless Management, and John Muleta amended and
restated the SNR HoldCo LLC Agreement, to, among other things: (i) exchange $5.065 billion of the amounts
outstanding and owed by SNR Wireless to American III pursuant to the SNR Credit Agreement (as defined below)
for 5,065,415 Class A Preferred Interests in SNR Holdco (the “SNR Preferred Interests”); (ii) replace the existing
investor protection provisions with the investor protections described by the FCC in Baker Creek Communications,
LLC, Memorandum Opinion and Order, 13 FCC Rcd 18709, 18715 (1998); (iii) delete the obligation of SNR
Management to consult with American III regarding budgets and business plans; and (iv) remove the requirement
that SNR Management’s systems be interoperable with ours. The SNR Preferred Interests: (a) are non-voting; (b)
have a 12 percent mandatory quarterly distribution, which can be paid in cash or additional face amount of SNR
Preferred Interests at the sole discretion of SNR Management; and (c) have a liquidation preference equal to the
then-current face amount of the SNR Preferred Interests plus accrued and unpaid mandatory quarterly distributions
in the event of certain liquidation events or deemed liquidation events (e.g., a merger or dissolution of SNR Holdco,
or a sale of substantially all of SNR Holdco’s assets). As a result of the exchange noted in (i) above, a principal
amount of $500 million of debt remains under the SNR Credit Agreement, as described below.
F-70
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
On June 7, 2018, American III, SNR Holdco, SNR Management, and John Muleta amended and restated the Second
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated March 31, 2018, by and among American III,
SNR Holdco, SNR Management and John Muleta, to, among other things: (i) reduce the mandatory quarterly
distribution for the SNR Preferred Interests from 12 percent to eight percent from and after June 7, 2018;
(ii) increase the window for SNR Management to “put” its interest in SNR Holdco to SNR Holdco after October 27,
2020 from 30 days to 90 days; (iii) provide an additional 90-day window for SNR Management to put its interest in
SNR Holdco to SNR Holdco commencing on October 27, 2021; (iv) provide a right for SNR Management to require
an appraisal of the fair market value of its interest in SNR Holdco at any time from October 27, 2022 through
October 27, 2024, coupled with American III having the right to accept the offer to sell from SNR Management;
(v) allow SNR Management to sell its interest in SNR Holdco without American III’s consent any time after
October 27, 2020 (previously October 27, 2025); (vi) allow SNR Holdco to conduct an initial public offering
without American III’s consent any time after October 27, 2022 (previously October 27, 2029); (vii) remove
American III’s rights of first refusal with respect to SNR Management’s sale of its interest in SNR Holdco or SNR
Holdco’s sale of any AWS-3 Licenses; and (viii) remove American III’s tag along rights with respect to SNR
Management’s sale of its interest in SNR Holdco. SNR Management had the right to put its interest in SNR Holdco
to SNR Holdco for a 90-day period from October 27, 2020. The First SNR Put Window closed in the first quarter of
2021, was not exercised and expired in January 2021.
On November 15, 2021, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary American III received notice that SNR
Management is exercising the SNR Put Right effective as of November 15, 2021. The value of the SNR Put Right
has accrued to approximately $309 million as of December 31, 2021. The consummation of the sale is subject to
approval by the FCC, following our submission to the FCC, which we expect to file in the near-term. We expect to
fund this obligation from cash and marketable investment securities balances at that time.
SNR Credit Agreement. On October 1, 2015, American III, SNR Wireless and SNR HoldCo amended the First
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 13, 2014, by and among American III, as Lender, SNR
Wireless, as Borrower, and SNR HoldCo, as Guarantor (as amended, the “SNR Credit Agreement”), to provide,
among other things, that: (i) the SNR Interim Payment and any SNR Re-Auction Payment will be made by
American III directly to the FCC and will be deemed as loans under the SNR Credit Agreement; (ii) the FCC is a
third-party beneficiary with respect to American III’s obligation to pay the SNR Interim Payment and any SNR Re-
Auction Payment; (iii) in the event that the winning bids from re-auction or other award of the AWS-3 licenses
retained by the FCC are less than the winning bids of SNR Wireless, the purchaser, assignee or transferee of any
AWS-3 Licenses from SNR Wireless is obligated to pay its pro-rata share of the difference (and SNR Wireless
remains jointly and severally liable for such pro-rata share); and (iv) during the period between the due date for the
payments guaranteed under the FCC SNR Guaranty (as discussed below) and the date such guaranteed payments are
paid, SNR Wireless’ payment obligations to American III under the SNR Credit Agreement will be subordinated to
such guaranteed payments.
On March 31, 2018, American III, SNR Wireless, and SNR Holdco amended and restated the SNR Credit
Agreement, to, among other things: (i) lower the interest rate on the remaining $500 million principal balance under
the SNR Credit Agreement from 12 percent per annum to six percent per annum; (ii) eliminate the higher interest
rate that would apply in the case of an event of default; and (iii) modify and/or remove certain obligations of SNR
Wireless to prepay the outstanding loan amounts.
On June 7, 2018, American III, SNR Wireless, and SNR Holdco amended and restated the SNR Credit Agreement
to, among other things: (i) extend the maturity date on the remaining loan balance from seven years to ten years;
and (ii) remove the obligation of SNR Wireless to obtain American III’s consent for unsecured financing and
equipment financing in excess of $25 million.
As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate value of Northstar Manager’s ownership interest in
Northstar Spectrum and SNR Management’s ownership interest in SNR HoldCo was $395 million and $351 million,
respectively, recorded as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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The Northstar Entities and/or the SNR Entities may need to raise significant additional capital in the future, which
may be obtained from third party sources or from us, so that the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities may
commercialize, build-out and integrate these AWS-3 Licenses, comply with regulations applicable to such AWS-3
Licenses, and make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3
licenses retained by the FCC. Depending upon the nature and scope of such commercialization, build-out and
integration efforts, regulatory compliance, and potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction
Payment, any loans, equity contributions or partnerships could vary significantly. There can be no assurance that we
will be able to obtain a profitable return on our non-controlling investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR
Entities.
Satellite Insurance
We generally do not carry commercial launch or in-orbit insurance on any of the satellites we own. We generally 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. While we generally
have had in-orbit satellite capacity sufficient to transmit our existing channels and some backup capacity to recover
the transmission of certain critical programming, our backup capacity is limited. In the event of a failure or loss of
any of our owned or leased satellites, we may need to acquire or lease additional satellite capacity or relocate one of
our other owned or leased satellites and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost satellite.
Purchase Obligations
Our 2022 purchase obligations primarily consist of binding purchase orders for certain fixed contractual
commitments to purchase programming content, receiver systems and related equipment, broadband equipment,
digital broadcast operations, transmission costs, streaming delivery technology and infrastructure, engineering
services, and other products and services related to the operation of our Pay-TV services. In addition, our 2022
purchase obligations also include wireless devices related to our retail wireless business as well as transition services
pursuant to the TSA with T-Mobile. Our purchase obligations may fluctuate significantly from period to period due
to, among other things, management’s timing of payments and inventory purchases, which can materially impact our
future operating asset and liability balances, and our future working capital requirements.
Programming Contracts
In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts to purchase programming content in which our payment
obligations are generally contingent on the number of Pay-TV subscribers to whom we provide the respective
content. These programming commitments are not included in the “Commitments” table above. The terms of our
contracts typically range from one to ten years with annual rate increases. Our programming expenses will increase
to the extent we are successful in growing our Pay-TV subscriber base. In addition, programming costs per
subscriber continue to increase due to contractual price increases and the renewal of long-term programming
contracts on less favorable pricing terms.
MNSA Commitments
In connection with the Boost Mobile Acquisition, we and T-Mobile entered into an MNSA, pursuant to which we
receive network services from T-Mobile for a period of seven years. Our payment obligations are generally
contingent on, among other things, the number of retail Wireless subscribers. The commitment under the MNSA is
not included in the “Commitments” table above.
Rent Expense
Total rent expense for operating leases was $139 million, $99 million and $273 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019,
respectively.
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Patents and Intellectual Property
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 that we offer or that we may offer in the future. We may not
be aware of all intellectual property rights that our products or services may potentially infringe. Damages in patent
infringement cases can be substantial, and in certain circumstances can be trebled. Further, we cannot estimate the
extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain licenses with respect to patents held by others and the
availability and cost of any such licenses. Various parties have asserted patent and other intellectual property rights
with respect to components of our products and services. We cannot be certain that these persons do not own the
rights they claim, that our products do not infringe on these rights, and/or that these rights are not valid. Further, we
cannot be certain that we would 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.
Contingencies
Separation Agreement
On January 1, 2008, we completed the distribution of our technology and set-top box business and certain
infrastructure assets (the “Spin-off”) into a separate publicly-traded company, EchoStar. In connection with the
Spin-off, we entered into a separation agreement with EchoStar that provides, among other things, for the division of
certain liabilities, including liabilities resulting from litigation. Under the terms of the separation agreement,
EchoStar has assumed certain liabilities that relate to its business, including certain designated liabilities for acts or
omissions that occurred prior to the Spin-off. Certain specific provisions govern intellectual property related claims
under which, generally, EchoStar will only be liable for its acts or omissions following the Spin-off and we will
indemnify EchoStar for any liabilities or damages resulting from intellectual property claims relating to the period
prior to the Spin-off, as well as our acts or omissions following the Spin-off. On February 28, 2017, we and
EchoStar and certain of our respective subsidiaries completed the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange
Agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) that was previously entered into on January 31, 2017 (the “Share
Exchange”), pursuant to which certain assets that were transferred to EchoStar in the Spin-off were transferred back
to us. On September 10, 2019, we and EchoStar and certain of our respective subsidiaries completed the
transactions contemplated by the Master Transaction Agreement (the “Master Transaction Agreement”) that was
previously entered into on May 19, 2019, pursuant to which certain assets that were transferred to EchoStar in the
Spin-off were transferred back to us. The Share Exchange Agreement and the Master Transaction Agreement
contain additional indemnification provisions between us and EchoStar for certain liabilities and legal proceedings.
Litigation
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings (including those described below) concerning matters arising in
connection with the conduct of our business activities. Many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages, and
many of these proceedings seek an indeterminate amount of damages. We regularly evaluate the status of the legal
proceedings in which we are involved to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a
loss or an additional loss may have been incurred and to determine if accruals are appropriate. If accruals are not
appropriate, we further evaluate each legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of the possible loss or range of
possible loss can be made.
For certain cases described on the following pages, management is unable to provide a meaningful estimate of the
possible loss or range of possible loss because, among other reasons, (i) the proceedings are in various stages;
(ii) damages have not been sought; (iii) damages are unsupported and/or exaggerated; (iv) there is uncertainty as to
the outcome of pending appeals or motions; (v) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (vi) there
are novel legal issues or unsettled legal theories to be presented or a large number of parties. For these cases,
however, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of these
proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to
our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
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American Patents LLC
On November 23, 2020, American Patents LLC, filed a complaint against us, our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH
Network L.L.C. and Dish Network Service L.L.C., and a third party, Arcadyan Technology Corporation, in the
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges infringement of United States
Patent No. 7,088,782 (the “782 patent”), entitled “Time and Frequency Synchronization In Multi-Input and Multi-
Output (MIMO) Systems”; United States Patent No. 7,310,304 (the “304 patent”), entitled “Estimating Channel
Parameters in Multi-Input, Multi-Output (MIMO) Systems”; United States Patent No. 7,706,458 (the “458 patent”),
entitled “Time And Frequency Synchronization in Multi-Input, Multi-Output (MIMO) Systems”; and United States
Patent No. 6,847,803 (the “803 patent”), entitled “Method for Reducing Interference in a Receiver.” The four
patents are asserted against wireless 802.11 standard-compliant devices. The matter was dismissed with prejudice
on September 16, 2021. This matter is now concluded.
Broadband iTV, Inc.
On December 19, 2019, Broadband iTV, Inc. (“Broadband iTV”) filed a complaint against our wholly-owned
subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The
complaint alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 10,028,026 (the “026 patent”), entitled “System for
addressing on-demand TV program content on TV services platform of a digital TV services provider”; United
States Patent No. 10,506,269 (the “269 patent”), entitled “System for addressing on-demand TV program content on
TV services platform of a digital TV services provider”; United States Patent No. 9,998,791 (“the 791 patent”),
entitled “Video-on-demand content delivery method for providing video-on-demand services to TV service
subscribers”; and United States Patent No. 9,648,388 (the “388 patent”), entitled “Video-on-demand content
delivery system for providing video-on-demand services to TV services subscribers.” Generally, the asserted
patents relate to providing video on demand content to subscribers. Broadband iTV’s damages expert contended
that Broadband iTV was entitled to $162 million in damages.
On July 10, 2020, July 20, 2020, July 24, 2020 and July 31, 2020, DISH Network L.L.C. filed petitions with the
United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of, respectively, the 026 patent, the 791 patent,
the 269 patent and the 388 patent. On January 21, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to
institute proceedings on one of the petitions challenging the 026 patent; on January 27, 2021, it agreed to institute
proceedings on one of the petitions challenging the 269 patent; on February 4, 2021, it agreed to institute
proceedings on one of the petitions challenging the 791 patent; and on February 12, 2021, it agreed to institute
proceedings on one of the petitions challenging the 388 patent. Pursuant to an agreement between the parties, on
August 13, 2021, Broadband iTV dismissed its claims related to the 269 patent and DISH Network L.L.C. dismissed
its petition challenging the validity of the 269 patent. The United States Patent and Trademark Office heard oral
argument on the three remaining petitions on November 1, 2021.
On October 21, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted DISH Network L.L.C.’s
emergency appeal to have the case moved to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Pursuant
to a joint stipulation of the parties, the case was dismissed with prejudice on December 1, 2021. This matter is now
concluded.
Bunker IP LLC
On January 27, 2021, Bunker IP LLC (“Bunker”) filed a complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiary, DISH
Wireless L.L.C., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint alleges
infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,181,237 (the “237 patent), entitled “Control of a Multi-Mode, Multi-Band Mobile
Telephone via a Single Hardware and Software Man Machine Interface; and U.S. Patent No. 8,843,641 (the “641
patent”), entitled “Plug-In Connector System for Protected Establishment of a Network Connection.” Generally, the
237 patent relates to a mobile phone that can switch between two different protocols within a single chipset, and the
641 patent relates to a plug-in connector to a device, where the connector’s presence is authenticated to ensure
protected access to network resources. On May 19, 2021, pursuant to Bunker’s request, the Court dismissed the
case without prejudice. This matter is now concluded.
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Cedar Lane Technologies Inc.
On October 13, 2020, Cedar Lane Technologies Inc. (“Cedar Lane”) filed a complaint against our wholly-owned
subsidiary, DISH Network L.L.C., in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The
complaint alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,502,194 (the “194 patent”), entitled “System for
playback of network audio material on demand”; United States Patent No. 6,526,411 (the “411 patent”), entitled
“System and method for creating dynamic playlists”; United States Patent No. 6,721,489 (the “489 patent”), entitled
“Play list manager”; United States Patent No. 7,173,177 (the “177 patent”), entitled “User interface for simultaneous
management of owned and unowned inventory”; United States Patent No. 7,642,443 (the “443 patent”), entitled
“User interface for simultaneous management of owned and unowned inventory”; and United States Patent No.
8,165,867 (the “867 patent”), entitled “Methods for translating a device command.”
Generally, the asserted patents relate to streaming digital audio to a home audio system; aspects of play lists and
purchased content; and voice control. Cedar Lane is a non-practicing entity that has filed more than 75 patent
infringement lawsuits. On March 11, 2021, pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, the Court dismissed the case
without prejudice. This matter is now concluded.
City of Hallandale Beach Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Personnel Retirement Trust
On July 2, 2019, a putative class action lawsuit was filed by a purported EchoStar stockholder in the District Court
of Clark County, Nevada under the caption City of Hallandale Beach Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Personnel
Retirement Trust (“City of Hallandale”) v. Ergen, et al., Case No. A-19-797799-B. The lawsuit named as
defendants Mr. Ergen, the other members of the EchoStar Board, as well as EchoStar, certain of its officers, DISH
Network and certain of DISH Network’s and EchoStar’s affiliates. Plaintiff alleges, among other things, breach of
fiduciary duties in approving the transactions contemplated under the Master Transaction Agreement for inadequate
consideration and pursuant to an unfair and conflicted process, and that EchoStar, DISH Network and certain other
defendants aided and abetted such breaches. In the operative First Amended Complaint, filed on October 11, 2019,
the plaintiff dropped as defendants the EchoStar board members other than Mr. Ergen. The trial of this matter is
scheduled to start sometime during the five-week “stack” beginning September 7, 2021. See Note 20 for further
information on the Master Transaction Agreement. Plaintiff seeks equitable relief, including the issuance of
additional DISH Network Class A common stock, monetary relief and other costs and disbursements, including
attorneys’ fees.
The parties entered into a global settlement agreement, and on December 10, 2021, the Court entered an order
granting final approval of the settlement. This matter is now concluded.
ClearPlay, Inc.
On March 13, 2014, ClearPlay, Inc. (“ClearPlay”) filed a complaint against us, our wholly-owned subsidiary DISH
Network L.L.C., EchoStar, and its then wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., in the United
States District Court for the District of Utah. The complaint alleges willful infringement of United States Patent
Nos. 6,898,799 (the “799 patent”), entitled “Multimedia Content Navigation and Playback”; 7,526,784 (the “784
patent”), entitled “Delivery of Navigation Data for Playback of Audio and Video Content”; 7,543,318 (the “318
patent”), entitled “Delivery of Navigation Data for Playback of Audio and Video Content”; 7,577,970 (the “970
patent”), entitled “Multimedia Content Navigation and Playback”; and 8,117,282 (the “282 patent”), entitled “Media
Player Configured to Receive Playback Filters From Alternative Storage Mediums.” ClearPlay alleges that the
AutoHop™ feature of our Hopper® set-top box infringes the asserted patents. On February 11, 2015, the case was
stayed pending various third-party challenges before the United States Patent and Trademark Office regarding the
validity of certain of the patents asserted in the action. In those third-party challenges, the United States Patent and
Trademark Office found that all claims of the 282 patent are unpatentable, and that certain claims of the 784 patent
and 318 patent are unpatentable. ClearPlay appealed as to the 784 patent and the 318 patent, and on August 23,
2016, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the findings of the United States Patent
and Trademark Office.
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On October 31, 2016, the stay was lifted. On October 16, October 21, November 2, 2020 and November 9, 2020,
DISH Network L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office requesting ex parte
reexamination of the validity of the asserted claims of, respectively, the 784 patent, the 799 patent, the 318 patent
and the 970 patent; and on November 2, November 20, December 14 and December 15, 2020, the United States
Patent and Trademark Office granted each request for reexamination. On May 7, 2021, May 25, 2021, June 25,
2021 and July 7, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued Ex Parte Reexamination Certificates
confirming the patentability of the challenged claims of, respectively, the 799 patent, the 784 patent, the 318 patent
and the 970 patent. ClearPlay’s damages expert contends that ClearPlay is entitled to $543 million in damages.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Contemporary Display LLC
On June 4, 2018, Contemporary Display LLC (“Contemporary”) filed a complaint against us and DISH Network
L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The complaint alleges infringement of
United States Patent No. 6,028,643 (the “643 patent”), entitled “Multiple-Screen Video Adapter with Television
Tuner”; United States Patent No. 6,429,903 (the “903 patent”), entitled “Video Adapter for Supporting at Least One
Television Monitor”; United States Patent No. 6,492,997 (the “997 patent”), entitled “Method and System for
Providing Selectable Programming in a Multi-Screen Mode”; United States Patent No. 7,500,202 (the “202 patent”),
entitled “Remote Control for Navigating Through Content in an Organized and Categorized Fashion”; and United
States Patent No. 7,809,842 (the “842 patent”), entitled “Transferring Sessions Between Devices.” The 643 patent
and the 903 patent are directed to video adapters for use with multiple displays. The 997 patent is directed to a
system for presenting multiple video programs on a display device simultaneously. The 202 patent is directed to a
remote control for interacting with a set-top box having programmable features and “operational controls” on at
least three sides of the remote control. The 842 patent is directed to a system for managing online communication
sessions between multiple devices. Contemporary is an entity that seeks to license a patent portfolio without itself
practicing any of the claims recited therein.
In a First Amended Complaint filed on August 6, 2018, Contemporary added our wholly-owned subsidiary DISH
Network L.L.C. as a defendant. In a Second Amended Complaint filed on October 9, 2018, Contemporary named
only our wholly-owned subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C. as a defendant and dropped certain indirect infringement
allegations. On June 10, 2019, DISH Network L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark
Office challenging the validity of the asserted claims of the 842 patent, the 903 patent, the 643 patent and the 997
patent. On December 13, 2019 and January 7, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to
institute proceedings on each of our petitions. Following Contemporary’s decision not to file Patent Owner
Responses to DISH Network L.L.C.’s petitions on the 842 patent and the 903 patent, on April 24, 2020, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office entered judgments granting those petitions and canceling the challenged claims
of those patents. On November 25, 2020 and December 18, 2020, respectively, the United States Patent and
Trademark Office issued final written decisions invalidating all challenged claims of, respectively, the 643 patent
and the 997 patent. On February 12, 2021, Contemporary Display noticed an appeal to the United States Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit challenging the final written decision as to the 997 patent, and that appeal is fully
briefed and scheduled for oral argument on April 7, 2022. On July 11, 2019, the Court entered an order staying the
case pending resolution of the petitions. On January 31, 2020, pursuant to the parties’ joint motion, the Court
dismissed all claims arising from the 202 patent, and extended its stay of the litigation pending non-appealable
determinations on all of the petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Customedia Technologies, L.L.C.
On February 10, 2016, Customedia Technologies, L.L.C. (“Customedia”) filed a complaint against us and our
wholly-owned subsidiary DISH Network L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
The complaint alleges infringement of four patents: United States Patent No. 8,719,090 (the “090 patent”); United
States Patent No. 9,053,494 (the “494 patent”); United States Patent No. 7,840,437 (the “437 patent”); and United
States Patent No. 8,955,029 (the “029 patent”). Each patent is entitled “System for Data Management And On-
Demand Rental And Purchase Of Digital Data Products.” Customedia alleges infringement in connection with our
addressable advertising services, our DISH Anywhere feature, and our Pay-Per-View and video-on-demand
offerings. Customedia is an entity that seeks to license a patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims
recited therein.
In December 2016 and January 2017, DISH Network L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office challenging the validity of the asserted claims of each of the asserted patents. On June 12, 2017,
the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on our petitions challenging the 090
patent and the 437 patent; on July 18, 2017, it agreed to institute proceedings on our petitions challenging the 029
patent; and on July 28, 2017, it agreed to institute proceedings on our petitions challenging the 494 patent. These
instituted proceedings cover all asserted claims of each of the asserted patents.
Pursuant to an agreement between the parties, on December 20, 2017, DISH Network L.L.C. dismissed its petitions
challenging the 029 patent in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and on January 9, 2018, the parties
dismissed their claims, counterclaims and defenses as to that patent in the litigation. On March 5, 2018, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office conducted a trial on the remaining petitions. On June 11, 2018, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office issued final written decisions on DISH Network L.L.C.’s petitions challenging
the 090 patent and it invalidated all of the asserted claims. On July 25, 2018, the United States Patent and
Trademark Office issued final written decisions on DISH Network L.L.C.’s petitions challenging the 437 patent and
the 494 patent and it invalidated all of the asserted claims. Customedia appealed its losses. The Court of Appeals
for the Federal Circuit heard oral argument on November 6, 2019 on the appeal involving the 437 patent, and
summarily affirmed the patent’s invalidity on November 8, 2019.
On January 7, 2020, Customedia petitioned the Court of Appeals for rehearing or rehearing en banc, raising issues
about the constitutionality of the appointment of the administrative patent judges that heard the petition before the
United States Patent and Trademark Office, but the Court of Appeals denied rehearing on March 5, 2020. On July
31, 2020, Customedia filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court asking it to hear a further appeal, but its
petition was denied on October 13, 2020. On November 6, 2020, it filed a petition for rehearing on the United
States Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a further appeal, but on November 17, 2020, the Supreme Court rejected
that petition.
The Court of Appeals heard oral argument on the appeal involving the 090 patent and the 494 patent on December 3,
2019, and affirmed those patents’ invalidity on March 6, 2020. On May 5, 2020, Customedia filed petitions in the
Federal Circuit for rehearing and rehearing en banc, but those petitions were denied on June 9, 2020. On November
6, 2020, Customedia served a petition to the United States Supreme Court asking it to hear a further appeal. On
June 16, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a certificate cancelling the challenged claims
of the 437 patent and, on July 9, 2021, it issued certificates cancelling the challenged claims of the 090 and 494
patents. The litigation in the District Court has been stayed since August 8, 2017 pending resolution of the
proceedings at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Gravel Rating Systems LLC
On April 23, 2021, Gravel Rating Systems LLC (“Gravel Rating Systems”) filed a complaint in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against our wholly-owned subsidiary DISH Wireless L.L.C. The
complaint alleges infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,590,636 (the “636 patent”), entitled “Knowledge Filter.” The
complaint accuses the Boost Mobile website of infringing the 636 patent in connection with the way in which it
collects and stores user comments and ratings. Gravel Rating Systems has brought similar complaints against,
among others, T-Mobile, Costco, Lowe’s, Kohl’s and Target.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Innovative Foundry Technologies LLC
On December 20, 2019, Innovative Foundry Technologies LLC filed a complaint against us (as well as
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation; Broadcom Incorporated; Broadcom Corporation; and
Cypress Semiconductor Corporation) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The
complaint alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,580,122 (the “122 patent”), entitled “Transistor Device
Having an Enhanced Width Dimension and a Method of Making Same”; United States Patent No. 6,806,126 (the
“126 patent”), entitled “Method of Manufacturing a Semiconductor Component”; United States Patent No.
6,933,620 (the “620 patent”), entitled “Semiconductor Component and Method of Manufacture”; and United States
Patent No. 7,009,226 (the “226 patent”), entitled “In-Situ Nitride/Oxynitride Processing with Reduced Deposition
Surface Pattern Sensitivity.” On April 9, 2020, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation filed a
petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of the asserted claims of the
226 patent, and on April 14, 2020, it filed petitions challenging the validity of the asserted claims of the 126 patent
and 620 patent. On December 30, 2020, the Court entered an order severing and staying the claims against us and
certain other defendants not involved in the manufacturing of the accused chips. On April 22, 2021, the parties filed
a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice of all claims against us. This matter is now concluded.
Jones 401(k) Litigation
On December 20, 2021, four former employees filed a class action complaint in federal court in Denver against us,
our Board of Directors, and our Retirement Plan Committee alleging fiduciary breaches arising from the
management of our 401(k) Plan. The putative class, comprised of all participants in the Plan on or after January 20,
2016, alleges that the Plan had excessive recordkeeping and administrative expenses and that it maintained
underperforming funds.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or
determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Lecrew Licensing LLC
On September 30, 2021, Lecrew Licensing LLC filed a complaint against us in the United States District Court for
the District of Colorado. The complaint alleges infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,516,370 (the “370 patent”),
entitled “Method, Device, and System for Directing a Wireless Speaker from a Mobile Phone to Receive and Render
a Playlist from a Content Server on the Internet.” Pursuant to the plaintiff’s notice of voluntary dismissal, on
November 18, 2021, the case was dismissed without prejudice. This matter is now concluded.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Optic153 LLC
On January 29, 2021, Optic153 LLC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of
Texas against us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C and Dish Network Service L.L.C. The
complaint alleges infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,115,174 (the “174 patent”), entitled “Optical Signal Varying
Devices”; U.S. Patent No. 6,236,487 (the “487 patent”), entitled “Optical Communication Control System”; U.S.
Patent No. 6,344,922 (the “922 patent”), entitled “Optical Signal Varying Devices”; U.S. Patent No. 6,356,383 (the
“383 patent”), entitled “Optical Transmission Systems Including Optical Amplifiers Apparatuses and Methods”;
U.S. Patent No. 6,587,261 (the “261 patent”), entitled “Optical Transmission Systems Including Optical Amplifiers
Apparatuses and Methods of Use Therein”; and U.S. Patent No. 6,771,413 (the “413 patent”), entitled “Optical
Transmission Systems Including Optical Amplifiers, Apparatuses and Methods.” In general, the patents relate to
various aspects of the provisioning of fiber optics communications. On April 26, 2021, Optic153 filed a request for
dismissal of its claims against us, DISH Network L.L.C. and Dish Network Service L.L.C. This matter is now
concluded.
Realtime Data LLC and Realtime Adaptive Streaming LLC
On June 6, 2017, Realtime Data LLC d/b/a IXO (“Realtime”) filed an amended complaint in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (the “Original Texas Action”) against us; our wholly-owned
subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C. (then known as EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.),
Sling TV L.L.C. and Sling Media L.L.C.; EchoStar, and EchoStar’s wholly-owned subsidiary Hughes Network
Systems, L.L.C. (“HNS”); and Arris Group, Inc. Realtime’s initial complaint in the Original Texas Action, filed on
February 14, 2017, had named only EchoStar and HNS as defendants.
The amended complaint in the Original Texas Action alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 8,717,204
(the “204 patent”), entitled “Methods for encoding and decoding data”; United States Patent No. 9,054,728 (the
“728 patent”), entitled “Data compression systems and methods”; United States Patent No. 7,358,867 (the “867
patent”), entitled “Content independent data compression method and system”; United States Patent No. 8,502,707
(the “707 patent”), entitled “Data compression systems and methods”; United States Patent No. 8,275,897 (the “897
patent”), entitled “System and methods for accelerated data storage and retrieval”; United States Patent No.
8,867,610 (the “610 patent”), entitled “System and methods for video and audio data distribution”; United States
Patent No. 8,934,535 (the “535 patent”), entitled “Systems and methods for video and audio data storage and
distribution”; and United States Patent No. 8,553,759 (the “759 patent”), entitled “Bandwidth sensitive data
compression and decompression.”
Realtime alleges that our, Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C. and Arris Group, Inc. streaming video products and
services compliant with various versions of the H.264 video compression standard infringe the 897 patent, the 610
patent and the 535 patent, and that the data compression system in Hughes’ products and services infringe the 204
patent, the 728 patent, the 867 patent, the 707 patent and the 759 patent.
On July 19, 2017, the Court severed Realtime’s claims against us, DISH Network L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C., Sling
Media L.L.C. and Arris Group, Inc. (alleging infringement of the 897 patent, the 610 patent and the 535 patent) from
the Original Texas Action into a separate action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
(the “Second Texas Action”). On August 31, 2017, Realtime dismissed the claims against us, Sling TV L.L.C.,
Sling Media Inc., and Sling Media L.L.C. from the Second Texas Action and refiled these claims (alleging
infringement of the 897 patent, the 610 patent and the 535 patent) against Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media Inc., and
Sling Media L.L.C. in a new action in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado (the “Colorado
Action”). Also on August 31, 2017, Realtime dismissed DISH Technologies L.L.C. from the Original Texas Action,
and on September 12, 2017, added it as a defendant in an amended complaint in the Second Texas Action. On
November 6, 2017, Realtime filed a joint motion to dismiss the Second Texas Action without prejudice, which the
Court entered on November 8, 2017.
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On October 10, 2017, Realtime Adaptive Streaming LLC (“Realtime Adaptive Streaming”) filed suit against our
wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C., as well as Arris Group, Inc., in a
new action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (the “Third Texas Action”), alleging
infringement of the 610 patent and the 535 patent. Also on October 10, 2017, an amended complaint was filed in
the Colorado Action, substituting Realtime Adaptive Streaming as the plaintiff instead of Realtime, and alleging
infringement of only the 610 patent and the 535 patent, but not the 897 patent. On November 6, 2017, Realtime
Adaptive Streaming filed a joint motion to dismiss the Third Texas Action without prejudice, which the court
entered on November 8, 2017. Also on November 6, 2017, Realtime Adaptive Streaming filed a second amended
complaint in the Colorado Action, adding our wholly-owned subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH
Technologies L.L.C., as well as Arris Group, Inc., as defendants.
As a result, neither we nor any of our subsidiaries is a defendant in the Original Texas Action; the Court has
dismissed without prejudice the Second Texas Action and the Third Texas Action; and our wholly-owned
subsidiaries DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C. and Sling Media L.L.C. as well as
Arris Group, Inc., are defendants in the Colorado Action, which now has Realtime Adaptive Streaming as the named
plaintiff.
On July 3, 2018, Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C., DISH Network L.L.C., and DISH Technologies L.L.C. filed
petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of each of the asserted patents.
On January 31, 2019, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on our petitions
challenging all asserted claims of each of the asserted patents, and it held trial on the petitions on December 5, 2019.
On January 17, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office terminated the petitions as time-barred, but
issued a final written decision invalidating the 535 patent to third parties that had timely joined in our petition (and,
on January 10, 2020, issued a final written decision invalidating the 535 patent in connection with a third party’s
independent petition). On March 16, 2020, Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C., DISH Network L.L.C., and DISH
Technologies L.L.C. filed a notice of appeal from the terminated petitions to the United States Court of Appeals for
the Federal Circuit. On June 29, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office filed a notice of intervention
in the appeal. On March 16, 2021, the Court of Appeals dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. On April 29,
2021, Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C., DISH Network L.L.C., and DISH Technologies L.L.C. filed a petition
for rehearing, which was denied on June 28, 2021. On January 12, 2021, Realtime Adaptive Streaming filed a
notice of dismissal of its claims on the 535 patent. On July 30, 2021, the District Court granted summary judgment
in favor of DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C. and Sling Media L.L.C., holding
that the remaining asserted patent, the 610 patent, is invalid because it claims patent-ineligible abstract subject
matter. Realtime Adaptive Streaming has filed a notice of appeal from that ruling. On January 21, 2022, the
District Court granted the defendants’ motion to have the case declared “exceptional,” which entitles them to be
awarded attorneys’ fees.
Independently, on September 21, 2021, in connection with an ex parte reexamination of the validity of the 610
patent, an examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final office action rejecting each
asserted claim of the 610 patent. On February 15, 2022, Realtime Adaptive Streaming filed a notice of appeal to the
Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Realtime Adaptive Streaming is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing
any of the claims recited therein.
Scenic Licensing LLC
On October 27, 2021, Scenic Licensing LLC filed a complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiary Sling Media
L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The complaint alleges that the Sling Studio
product infringes U.S. Patent No. 8,677,420 (the “420 patent”), entitled “Personal monitoring and information
apparatus.”
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Sound View Innovations, LLC
On December 30, 2019, Sound View Innovations, LLC filed one complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiaries
DISH Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. and a second complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiary
Sling TV L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The complaint against DISH
Network L.L.C. and DISH Technologies L.L.C. alleges infringement of United States Patent No 6,502,133 (the “133
patent”), entitled “Real-Time Event Processing System with Analysis Engine Using Recovery Information,” and
both complaints allege infringement of United States Patent No. 6,708,213 (the “213 patent), entitled “Method for
Streaming Multimedia Information Over Public Networks”; United States Patent No. 6,757,796 (the “796 patent”),
entitled “Method and System for Caching Streaming Live Broadcasts transmitted Over a Network”; and United
States Patent No. 6,725,456 (the “456 patent”), entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Ensuring Quality of Service in
an Operating System.” All but the 133 patent are also asserted in the complaint against Sling TV L.L.C.
On May 21, 2020, June 3, 2020, June 5, 2020 and July 10, 2020, DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Technologies L.L.C.
and Sling TV L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of,
respectively, the 213 patent, the 133 patent, the 456 patent and the 796 patent. On November 25, 2020, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office declined to review the validity of the 213 patent, and on September 29, 2021,
denied a request for rehearing of that decision. On January 19, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office
agreed to institute proceedings on the 456 patent but declined to review the 133 patent. On February 24, 2021, the
United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the 796 patent. On January 18, 2022,
the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision holding that the challenged claim of
the 456 patent is patentable, and on February 8, 2022, it issued a final written decision holding that the challenged
claims of the 796 patent are patentable.
We intend to vigorously defend these cases. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
The plaintiff is an entity that seeks to license a patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited
therein.
Telemarketing Shareholder Derivative Litigation
On October 19, 2017, Plumbers Local Union No. 519 Pension Trust Fund (“Plumbers Local 519”), a purported
shareholder of the Company, filed a putative shareholder derivative action in the District Court for Clark County,
Nevada alleging, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty claims against the following current and former
members of the Company’s Board of Directors: Charles W. Ergen; James DeFranco; Cantey M. Ergen; Steven R.
Goodbarn; David K. Moskowitz; Tom A. Ortolf; Carl E. Vogel; George R. Brokaw; and Gary S. Howard
(collectively, the “Director Defendants”). In its complaint, Plumbers Local 519 contends that, by virtue of their
alleged failure to appropriately ensure the Company’s compliance with telemarketing laws, the Director Defendants
exposed the Company to liability for telemarketing violations, including those in the Krakauer Action. It also
contends that the Director Defendants caused the Company to pay improper compensation and benefits to
themselves and others who allegedly breached their fiduciary duties to the Company. Plumbers Local 519 alleges
causes of action for breach of fiduciary duties of loyalty and good faith, gross mismanagement, abuse of control,
corporate waste and unjust enrichment. Plumbers Local 519 is seeking an unspecified amount of damages.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
On November 13, 2017, City of Sterling Heights Police and Fire Retirement System (“Sterling Heights”), a
purported shareholder of the Company, filed a putative shareholder derivative action in the District Court for Clark
County, Nevada. Sterling Heights makes substantially the same allegations as Plumbers Union 519, and alleges
causes of action against the Director Defendants for breach of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets and unjust
enrichment. Sterling Heights is seeking an unspecified amount of damages. Pursuant to a stipulation of the parties,
on January 4, 2018, the District Court agreed to consolidate the Sterling Heights action with the Plumbers Local 519
action, and on January 12, 2018, the derivative plaintiffs filed an amended consolidated complaint that largely
duplicates the original Plumbers Local 519 complaint. Our Board of Directors has established a Special Litigation
Committee to review the factual allegations and legal claims in this action. On May 15, 2018, the District Court
granted the Special Litigation Committee’s motion to stay the case pending its investigation. The Special Litigation
Committee’s report was filed on November 27, 2018, and recommended that the Company not pursue the claims
asserted by the derivative plaintiffs. On December 20, 2018, the Special Litigation Committee filed a motion
seeking deferral to its determination that the claims should be dismissed. Following a two-day evidentiary hearing
on July 6-7, 2020, on July 17, 2020, the District Court entered an order granting the Special Litigation Committee’s
motion. On August 25, 2020, the derivative plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court, and
oral argument on that appeal occurred on February 7, 2022.
We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of these suits or determine the extent of any potential
liability or damages.
TQ Delta, LLC
On July 17, 2015, TQ Delta, LLC (“TQ Delta”) filed a complaint against us and our wholly-owned subsidiaries
DISH DBS Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
The Complaint alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,961,369 (the “369 patent”), which is entitled
“System and Method for Scrambling the Phase of the Carriers in a Multicarrier Communications System”; United
States Patent No. 8,718,158 (the “158 patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Scrambling the Phase of
the Carriers in a Multicarrier Communications System”; United States Patent No. 9,014,243 (the “243 patent”),
which is entitled “System and Method for Scrambling Using a Bit Scrambler and a Phase Scrambler”; United States
Patent No.7,835,430 (the “430 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier Modulation Messaging for Frequency
Domain Received Idle Channel Noise Information”; United States Patent No. 8,238,412 (the “412 patent”), which is
entitled “Multicarrier Modulation Messaging for Power Level per Subchannel Information”; United States Patent
No. 8,432,956 (the “956 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier Modulation Messaging for Power Level per
Subchannel Information”; and United States Patent No. 8,611,404 (the “404 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier
Transmission System with Low Power Sleep Mode and Rapid-On Capability.” On September 9, 2015, TQ Delta
filed a first amended complaint that added allegations of infringement of United States Patent No. 9,094,268 (the
“268 patent”), which is entitled “Multicarrier Transmission System With Low Power Sleep Mode and Rapid-On
Capability.” On May 16, 2016, TQ Delta filed a second amended complaint that added EchoStar Corporation and
its then wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. as defendants.
TQ Delta alleges that our satellite TV service, Internet service, set-top boxes, gateways, routers, modems, adapters
and networks that operate in accordance with one or more Multimedia over Coax Alliance Standards infringe the
asserted patents. TQ Delta has filed actions in the same court alleging infringement of the same patents against
Comcast Corp., Cox Communications, Inc., DirecTV, Time Warner Cable Inc. and Verizon Communications, Inc.
TQ Delta is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims
recited therein.
On July 14, 2016, TQ Delta stipulated to dismiss with prejudice all claims related to the 369 patent and the 956
patent. On July 20, 2016, we filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the
validity of all of the patent claims of the 404 patent and the 268 patent that have been asserted against us. Third
parties have filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all of the
patent claims that have been asserted against us in the action. On November 4, 2016, the United States Patent and
Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the third-party petitions related to the 158 patent, the 243
patent, the 412 patent and the 430 patent.
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On December 20, 2016, pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, the Court stayed the case until the resolution of all
petitions to the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all of the patent claims at
issue. On January 19, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted our motions to join the
instituted petitions on the 430 and 158 patents.
On February 9, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on our petition
related to the 404 patent, and on February 13, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to
institute proceedings on our petition related to the 268 patent. On February 27, 2017, the United States Patent and
Trademark Office granted our motions to join the instituted petitions on the 243 and 412 patents. On October 26,
2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued final written decisions on the petitions challenging the
158 patent, the 243 patent, the 412 patent and the 430 patent, and it invalidated all of the asserted claims of those
patents. On February 7, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued final written decisions on the
petitions challenging the 404 patent, and it invalidated all of the asserted claims of that patent on the basis of our
petition. On February 10, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision on
our petition challenging the 268 patent, and it invalidated all of the asserted claims. On March 12, 2018, the United
States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision on a third-party petition challenging the 268
patent, and it invalidated all of the asserted claims. All asserted claims have now been invalidated by the United
States Patent and Trademark Office. TQ Delta filed notices of appeal from the final written decisions adverse to it.
On May 9, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the invalidity of the 430 patent
and the 412 patent. On July 10, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the
invalidity of the asserted claims of the 404 patent. On July 15, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the
Federal Circuit affirmed the invalidity of the asserted claims of the 268 patent. On November 22, 2019, the United
States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the invalidity finding on the 243 patent and the 158 patent,
and then, on March 29, 2020, denied a petition for panel rehearing as to those findings. On April 13, 2021, the
Court lifted the stay. On April 23 and April 26, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued orders
granting requests for ex parte reexamination of, respectively, the 158 patent and the 243 patent.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Turner Network Sales, Inc.
On October 6, 2017, Turner Network Sales, Inc. (“Turner”) filed a complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiary
DISH Network L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The operative First
Amended Complaint alleges that DISH Network L.L.C. improperly calculated and withheld licensing fees owing to
Turner in connection with its carriage of CNN and other networks. On December 14, 2017, DISH Network L.L.C.
filed its operative first amended counterclaims against Turner. In the counterclaims, DISH Network L.L.C. seeks a
declaratory judgment that it properly calculated the licensing fees owed to Turner for carriage of CNN, and also
alleges claims for unrelated breaches of the parties’ affiliation agreement. On September 27, 2019, the Court
granted, in part, Turner’s motion for summary judgment, holding, in part, that Turner was entitled to recover
approximately $20 million in license fee payments that DISH Network L.L.C. had withheld after it discovered
previous over-payments. On February 12, 2020, the parties filed a stipulation to dismiss certain of their respective
claims. Trial on the remaining claims in this matter has been re-set for October 3, 2021. Turner’s damages expert
contends that Turner is entitled to approximately $206 million in damages. On July 13, 2021, pursuant to a joint
request of the parties, the Court dismissed the case with prejudice. This matter is now concluded.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Uniloc 2017 LLC
On January 31, 2019, Uniloc 2017 LLC (“Uniloc”) filed a complaint against our wholly-owned subsidiary Sling TV
L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The Complaint alleges infringement of
United States Patent No. 6,519,005 (the “005 patent”), which is entitled “Method of Concurrent Multiple-Mode
Motion Estimation for Digital Video”; United States Patent No. 6,895,118 (the “118 patent”), which is entitled
“Method of Coding Digital Image Based on Error Concealment”; United States Patent No. 9,721,273 (the “273
patent”), which is entitled “System and Method for Aggregating and Providing Audio and Visual Presentations Via
a Computer Network”); and United States Patent No. 8,407,609 (the “609 patent”), which is entitled “System and
Method for Providing and Tracking the Provision of Audio and Visual Presentations Via a Computer Network.”
Uniloc is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited
therein.
On June 25, 2019, Sling TV L.L.C. filed a petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging
the validity of all of the asserted claims of the 005 patent. On July 19, 2019 and July 22, 2019, respectively, Sling
TV L.L.C. filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all asserted
claims of the 273 patent and the 609 patent. On August 12, 2019, Sling TV L.L.C. filed a petition with the United
States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of all of the asserted claims of the 118 patent. On
October 18, 2019, pursuant to a stipulation of the parties, the Court entered a stay of the trial proceedings. On
January 9, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the petition
challenging the 005 patent. On January 15, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute
proceedings on the petition challenging the 273 patent. On February 4, 2020, the United States Patent and
Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on the petition challenging the 609 patent. On February 25, 2020,
the United States Patent and Trademark Office declined to institute proceedings on the petition challenging the 118
patent. On December 28, 2020, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision
upholding the validity of the challenged claims of the 273 patent. Sling TV L.L.C. filed a notice of appeal from that
decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and on February 2, 2022, the court vacated
the final written decision and remanded to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to reconsider its ruling.
On January 5, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a final written decision invalidating all
challenged claims of the 005 patent. On January 19, 2021, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a
final written decision invalidating all challenged claims of the 609 patent (and a second final written decision
invalidating all challenged claims of the 609 patent based on a third party’s petition).
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the
asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction
that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict
with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Vermont National Telephone Company
On September 23, 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia unsealed a qui tam complaint
that was filed by Vermont National against us; our wholly-owned subsidiaries, American AWS-3 Wireless I L.L.C.,
American II, American III, and DISH Wireless Holding L.L.C.; Charles W. Ergen (our Chairman) and Cantey M.
Ergen (a member of our board of directors); Northstar Wireless; Northstar Spectrum; Northstar Manager; SNR
Wireless; SNR HoldCo; SNR Management; and certain other parties. The complaint was unsealed after the United
States Department of Justice notified the Court that it had declined to intervene in the action. The complaint is a
civil action that was filed under seal on May 13, 2015 by Vermont National, which participated in the AWS-3
Auction through its wholly-owned subsidiary, VTel Wireless. The complaint alleges violations of the federal civil
False Claims Act (the “FCA”) based on, among other things, allegations that Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless
falsely claimed bidding credits of 25% in the AWS-3 Auction when they were allegedly under the de facto control
of DISH Network and, therefore, were not entitled to the bidding credits as designated entities under applicable FCC
rules.
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Vermont National seeks to recover on behalf of the United States government approximately $10 billion, which
reflects the $3.3 billion in bidding credits that Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless claimed in the AWS-3 Auction,
trebled under the FCA. Vermont National also seeks civil penalties of not less than $5,500 and not more than
$11,000 for each violation of the FCA.
On March 2, 2017, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia entered a stay of the litigation until
such time as the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (the “D.C. Circuit”) issued its opinion
in SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC, et al. v. F.C.C. The D.C. Circuit issued its opinion on August 29, 2017 and
remanded the matter to the FCC for further proceedings. See “Commitments – DISH Network Non-Controlling
Investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities Related to AWS-3 Wireless Spectrum Licenses” above for
further information. Thereafter, the Court maintained the stay until October 26, 2018. On February 11, 2019, the
Court granted Vermont National’s unopposed motion for leave to file an amended complaint. On March 28, 2019,
the defendants filed a motion to dismiss Vermont National’s amended complaint, and on March 23, 2021, the Court
granted the motion to dismiss. On April 21, 2021, Vermont National filed a notice of appeal. The briefing is now
complete, and oral argument has been scheduled for March 3, 2022.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of this
proceeding or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Waste Disposal Inquiry
The California Attorney General and the Alameda County (California) District Attorney are investigating whether
certain of our waste disposal policies, procedures and practices are in violation of the California Business and
Professions Code and the California Health and Safety Code. We expect that these entities will seek injunctive and
monetary relief. The investigation appears to be part of a broader effort to investigate waste handling and disposal
processes of a number of industries. While we are unable to predict the outcome of this investigation, we do not
believe that the outcome will have a material effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Other
In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the
ordinary course of business, including, among other things, disputes with programmers regarding fees. In our
opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our
financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, though the outcomes could be material to our operating results
for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
17. Segment Reporting
Operating segments are components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and
regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker(s) of an enterprise. Operating income is the primary
measure used by our chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment operating performance. We currently
operate two primary business segments: (1) Pay-TV; and (2) Wireless. See Note 1 for further information.
All other and eliminations primarily include intersegment eliminations related to intercompany debt and the related
interest income and interest expense, which are eliminated in consolidation.
The total assets, revenue and operating income by segment were as follows:
Total assets:
Pay-TV
Wireless
Eliminations
Total assets
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
$
$
43,799,761 $
33,310,090
(29,108,126)
48,001,725 $
36,251,281
29,921,237
(27,932,571)
38,239,947
Pay-TV
Wireless
All
Other &
Eliminations
Consolidated
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Total revenue
Depreciation and amortization
Operating income (loss)
Interest income
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
Other, net
Income tax (provision) benefit, net
Net income (loss)
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Total revenue
Depreciation and amortization
Operating income (loss) (1)
Interest income
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
Other, net
Income tax (provision) benefit, net
Net income (loss)
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Total revenue
Depreciation and amortization
Operating income (loss)
Interest income
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
Other, net
Income tax (provision) benefit, net
Net income (loss)
$
$
$
(In thousands)
12,928,707 $
538,836
3,075,580
1,346,502
(819,510)
(2,917)
(853,362)
2,746,293
4,957,272 $
186,016
127,455
6
(531,834)
23,474
90,552
(290,347)
(4,873) $ 17,881,106
724,852
3,203,035
11,338
(16,174)
20,557
(762,810)
2,455,946
—
—
(1,335,170)
1,335,170
—
—
—
12,897,413 $
613,926
2,903,183
1,676,953
(922,876)
2,020
(836,296)
2,822,984
2,599,842 $
100,626
(320,568)
4
(744,321)
(22,184)
138,021
(949,048)
(3,820) $ 15,493,435
714,552
2,582,615
22,734
(12,974)
(20,164)
(698,275)
1,873,936
—
—
(1,654,223)
1,654,223
—
—
—
12,810,248 $
621,810
1,961,700
1,588,023
(988,295)
10,940
(615,664)
1,956,705
1,673 $
8,767
(82,824)
—
(546,201)
584
164,306
(464,136)
(4,237) $ 12,807,684
630,577
1,878,876
77,214
(23,687)
11,524
(451,358)
1,492,569
—
—
(1,510,809)
1,510,809
—
—
—
(1) The year ended December 31, 2020 was negatively impacted by an “Impairment of long-lived assets” of $356
million. See Note 2 for further information.
F-86
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Geographic Information. Revenue is attributed to geographic regions based upon the location where the goods and
services are provided. All service revenue was derived from the United States. Substantially all of our long-lived
assets reside in the United States.
The following table summarizes revenue by geographic region:
Revenue:
United States
Canada and Mexico
Total revenue
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
2019
$
$
17,824,629 $
56,477
17,881,106 $
15,442,371 $
51,064
15,493,435 $
12,759,909
47,775
12,807,684
The revenue from external customers disaggregated by major revenue source was as follows:
Category:
Pay-TV subscriber and related revenue
Wireless services and related revenue
Pay-TV equipment sales and other revenue
Wireless equipment sales and other revenue
Eliminations
Total
18. Contract Balances
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
2019
$
$
12,748,334 $
4,142,883
180,373
814,389
(4,873)
17,881,106 $
12,702,345 $
2,143,703
195,068
456,139
(3,820)
15,493,435 $
12,616,442
—
193,806
1,673
(4,237)
12,807,684
Our valuation and qualifying accounts as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
Allowance for credit losses
For the years ended:
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Current
Period
Provision for
Expected
Credit
Losses
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
Write-offs
Charged
Against
Allowance Acquisitions
(In thousands)
Balance at
End of
Year
$
$
$
72,278 $
19,280 $
16,966 $
54,083 $
84,697 $
69,866 $
(87,919)
(56,075)
(67,552)
92 $
24,376 $
— $
38,534
72,278
19,280
Contract liabilities arise when we bill our customers and receive consideration in advance of providing the service.
Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when the service has been provided to the customer. Contract
liabilities are recorded in “Deferred revenue and other” and “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term
liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
F-87
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Contract liabilities
As of December 31,
2021
2020
$
(In thousands)
714,428 $
778,832
Our beginning of period contract liability recorded as customer contract revenue during 2021 was $776 million.
We apply a practical expedient and do not disclose the value of the remaining performance obligations for contracts
that are less than one year in duration, which represent a substantial majority of our revenue. As such, the amount of
revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is not necessarily indicative of our future revenue.
19. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Our quarterly results of operations are summarized as follows:
For the Three Months Ended
March 31 June 30
September 30 December 31
(In thousands, except per share data)
$ 4,497,853 $ 4,486,960 $
864,576
641,563
630,224
906,738
681,451
671,047
4,449,635 $ 4,446,658
714,016
565,412
552,329
717,705
567,520
557,042
$
1.20 $
1.27 $
1.05 $
1.04
$
0.99 $
1.06 $
0.88 $
0.87
$ 3,217,389 $ 3,187,090 $
144,078
99,274
73,099
637,650
480,406
452,343
4,531,591 $ 4,557,365
989,639
761,297
732,632
811,248
532,959
504,599
$
0.14 $
0.86 $
0.96 $
1.39
$
0.13 $
0.78 $
0.86 $
1.24
Year ended December 31, 2021:
Total revenue
Operating income (loss)
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH
Network
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH
Network
Year ended December 31, 2020:
Total revenue
Operating income (loss)
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH
Network
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH
Network
20. Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions with EchoStar
Following the Spin-off, we and EchoStar have operated as separate publicly-traded companies and neither entity has
any ownership interest in the other. However, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of both
companies is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain entities established by Mr.
Ergen for the benefit of his family.
F-88
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
In connection with and following the Spin-off, we and EchoStar have entered into certain agreements pursuant to
which we obtain certain products, services and rights from EchoStar, EchoStar obtains certain products, services and
rights from us, and we and EchoStar have indemnified each other against certain liabilities arising from our
respective businesses. Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, among other things, EchoStar transferred to us
certain assets and liabilities of the EchoStar technologies and EchoStar broadcasting businesses. Pursuant to the
Master Transaction Agreement, among other things, EchoStar transferred to us certain assets and liabilities of its
EchoStar Satellite Services segment. In connection with the Share Exchange and the Master Transaction
Agreement, we and EchoStar and certain of their subsidiaries entered into certain agreements covering, among other
things, tax matters, employee matters, intellectual property matters and the provision of transitional services. In
addition, certain agreements that we had with EchoStar have terminated, and we entered into certain new
agreements with EchoStar. We also may enter into additional agreements with EchoStar in the future. The
following is a summary of the terms of our principal agreements with EchoStar that may have an impact on our
financial condition and results of operations.
“Trade accounts receivable”
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, trade accounts receivable from EchoStar was $1 million and $1 million,
respectively. These amounts are recorded in “Trade accounts receivable” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
“Trade accounts payable”
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, trade accounts payable to EchoStar was $9 million and $6 million, respectively.
These amounts are recorded in “Trade accounts payable” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
“Equipment sales and other revenue”
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we received $6 million, $8 million and $6 million,
respectively, for services provided to EchoStar. These amounts are recorded in “Equipment sales and other
revenue” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The agreements
pertaining to these revenues are discussed below.
Real Estate Lease Agreements. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate
to EchoStar. The rent on a per square foot basis for each of the leases is comparable to per square foot rental rates of
similar commercial property in the same geographic areas, and EchoStar is responsible for its portion of the taxes,
insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. The term of each lease is set forth below:
El Paso Lease Agreement. During 2012, we began leasing certain space at 1285 Joe Battle Blvd., El Paso,
Texas to EchoStar for an initial period ending on August 1, 2015, which also provides EchoStar with
renewal options for four consecutive three-year terms. During the second quarter of 2015, EchoStar
exercised its first renewal option for a period ending on August 1, 2018 and in April 2018 EchoStar
exercised its second renewal option for a period ending in July 2021 and in May 2021 EchoStar exercised
its third renewal option for a period ending in July 2024.
90 Inverness Lease Agreement. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange, effective
March 1, 2017, EchoStar leases certain space from us at 90 Inverness Circle East, Englewood, Colorado for
a period ending in February 2023. EchoStar has the option to renew this lease for four three-year periods.
F-89
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Cheyenne Lease Agreement. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange, effective March 1,
2017, EchoStar began leasing certain space from us at 530 EchoStar Drive, Cheyenne, Wyoming for a
period ending in February 2019. In August 2018, EchoStar exercised its option to renew this lease for a
one-year period ending in February 2020. EchoStar has the option to renew this lease for 12 one-year
periods. In connection with the Master Transaction Agreement, we and EchoStar amended this lease to
provide EchoStar with certain space for a period ending in September 2022, with the option for EchoStar to
renew for a one-year period upon 180 days’ written notice prior to the end of the term.
Gilbert Lease Agreement. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange, effective March 1,
2017, EchoStar leased certain space from us at 801 N. DISH Dr., Gilbert, Arizona for a period ending in
March 2019. EchoStar exercised its option to renew this lease for a one-year period ending in February
2020. This lease was terminated effective September 10, 2019.
American Fork Occupancy License Agreement. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange,
effective March 1, 2017, we acquired the lease for certain space at 796 East Utah Valley Drive, American
Fork, Utah, and we began subleasing certain space at this location to EchoStar for a period ending in
August 2017. In June 2017, EchoStar exercised its five-year renewal option for a period ending in August
2022. This lease was terminated effective March 2019.
Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange, effective
March 1, 2017, we entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we provide certain collocation and antenna
space to HNS through February 2025 at the following locations: Cheyenne, Wyoming; Gilbert, Arizona; New
Braunfels, Texas; Monee, Illinois; Englewood, Colorado; and Spokane, Washington. During August 2017, we
entered into certain other agreements pursuant to which we provide certain collocation and antenna space to HNS
through August 2022 at the following locations: Monee, Illinois and Spokane, Washington. HNS has the option to
renew each of these agreements for four three-year periods. HNS may terminate certain of these agreements with
180 days’ prior written notice to us at the following locations: New Braunfels, Texas; Englewood, Colorado; and
Spokane, Washington. In September 2019, in connection with the Master Transaction Agreement, we entered into
an agreement pursuant to which we provide HNS with certain additional collocation space in Cheyenne, Wyoming
which expired in September 2020. In October 2019, HNS provided a termination notice for its New Braunfels,
Texas agreement, effective as of May 2020. The fees for the services provided under these agreements depend,
among other things, on the number of racks leased and/or antennas present at the location.
Also in connection with the Master Transaction Agreement, in September 2019, we entered into an agreement
pursuant to which we provide HNS with antenna space and power in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a period of five years
commencing no later than October 2020, with four three-year renewal terms, with prior written notice no more than
120 days but no less than 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term.
TT&C Agreement – Master Transaction Agreement. In September 2019, in connection with the Master Transaction
Agreement, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to EchoStar for a period
ending in September 2021, with the option for EchoStar to renew for a one-year period upon written notice at least
90 days prior to the initial expiration (the “MTA TT&C Agreement”). The fees for services provided under the
MTA TT&C Agreement are calculated at either: (i) a fixed fee or (ii) cost plus a fixed margin, which will vary
depending on the nature of the services provided. Either party is able to terminate the MTA TT&C Agreement for
any reason upon 12 months’ notice. In June 2021, we amended the MTA TT&C Agreement to extend the term until
September 2022 and added the option for EchoStar to renew for an additional three years.
F-90
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
“Cost of services”
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we incurred $15 million, $20 million and $197 million,
respectively, of costs for services provided to us by EchoStar. EchoStar was the supplier of the vast majority of our
transponder capacity. On May 19, 2019, we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement pursuant to which, on
September 10, 2019, certain satellites were transferred to us (see below). These amounts are recorded in “Cost of
services” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The agreements
pertaining to these expenses are discussed below.
Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement. Effective October 1, 2012, dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C.
(“dishNET Satellite Broadband”), our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, and HNS entered into a Distribution
Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) pursuant to which dishNET Satellite Broadband has the right, but not the
obligation, to market, sell and distribute the HNS satellite Internet service (the “Service”). dishNET Satellite
Broadband pays HNS a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for the Service based upon the subscriber’s
service level, and, beginning January 1, 2014, certain volume subscription thresholds. The Distribution Agreement
also provides that dishNET Satellite Broadband has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase certain broadband
equipment from HNS to support the sale of the Service. On February 20, 2014, dishNET Satellite Broadband and
HNS amended the Distribution Agreement which, among other things, extended the initial term of the Distribution
Agreement through March 1, 2024.
Thereafter, the Distribution Agreement automatically renews for successive one year terms unless either party gives
written notice of its intent not to renew to the other party at least 180 days before the expiration of the then-current
term. Upon expiration or termination of the Distribution Agreement, the parties will continue to provide the Service
to the then-current dishNET subscribers pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement.
Satellite Capacity Leased from EchoStar. We have entered into certain satellite capacity agreements pursuant to
which we lease certain capacity on certain satellites owned or leased by EchoStar. The fees for the services
provided under these satellite capacity agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the
applicable satellite, the number of transponders that are leased on the applicable satellite and the length of the lease.
See “Pay-TV Satellites” in Note 9 for further information. The term of each lease is set forth below:
EchoStar VII, X, XI and XIV. On March 1, 2014, we began leasing all available capacity from EchoStar on
the EchoStar VII, X, XI and XIV satellites. The term of each satellite capacity agreement generally
terminated upon the earlier of: (i) the end-of-life of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; or (iii) a
certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite. We
generally had the option to renew each satellite capacity agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end
of the respective satellite’s life. The satellite capacity agreement for EchoStar VII expired on June 30,
2018. On May 19, 2019, we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement pursuant to which, on
September 10, 2019, these satellites were transferred to us.
EchoStar IX. We lease certain satellite capacity from EchoStar on EchoStar IX. Subject to availability, we
generally have the right to continue to lease satellite capacity from EchoStar on EchoStar IX on a month-to-
month basis.
F-91
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
EchoStar XVI. In December 2009, we entered into a transponder service agreement with EchoStar to lease
all of the capacity on EchoStar XVI, a DBS satellite, after its service commencement date. EchoStar XVI
was launched in November 2012. Effective December 21, 2012, we and EchoStar amended the
transponder service agreement to, among other things, change the initial term to generally expire upon the
earlier of: (i) the end-of-life or replacement of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the
transponder(s) on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) four years following
the actual service commencement date. In July 2016, we and EchoStar amended the transponder service
agreement to, among other things, extend the initial term by one additional year and to reduce the term of
the first renewal option by one year. Prior to expiration of the initial term, we had the option to renew for
an additional five-year period. In May 2017, we exercised our first renewal option for an additional five-
year period ending in January 2023. We also had the option to renew for an additional five-year period
prior to expiration of the first renewal period in January 2023. During 2018, we and EchoStar further
amended the agreement to, among other things, allow us to place and use certain satellites at the 61.5
degree orbital location. On May 19, 2019, we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement pursuant to
which, on September 10, 2019, this satellite was transferred to us.
Nimiq 5 Agreement. During 2009, EchoStar entered into a fifteen-year satellite service agreement with Telesat
Canada (“Telesat”) to receive service on all 32 DBS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7 degree orbital
location (the “Telesat Transponder Agreement”). During 2009, EchoStar also entered into a satellite service
agreement (the “DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement”) with us, pursuant to which we received service from EchoStar on all
32 of the DBS transponders covered by the Telesat Transponder Agreement. The Telesat Transponder Agreement
was transferred to us on September 10, 2019 pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement. Also, in September
2019, we and EchoStar entered into an agreement whereby we compensate EchoStar for retaining certain obligations
to Telesat related to our performance under the Telesat Transponder Agreement.
QuetzSat-1 Lease Agreement. During 2008, EchoStar entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES
Latin America S.A. (“SES”), which provided, among other things, for the provision by SES to EchoStar of service
on 32 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite (“SES Transponder Agreement”). During 2008, EchoStar also
entered into a transponder service agreement (“QuetzSat-1 Transponder Agreement”) with us pursuant to which we
received service from EchoStar on 24 DBS transponders. During 2013, we and EchoStar entered into an agreement
pursuant to which we subleased five DBS transponders back to EchoStar.
Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the SES Transponder Agreement and QuetzSat-1
Transponder Agreement, the initial service term will expire in November 2021. Upon expiration of the initial term,
we have the option to renew the SES Transponder Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the
QuetzSat-1 satellite. The SES Transponder Agreement was transferred to us in September 2019 pursuant to the
Master Transaction Agreement. The SES Transponder Agreement expired in November 2021.
TT&C Agreement. Effective January 1, 2012, we entered into a TT&C agreement pursuant to which we received
TT&C services from EchoStar for certain satellites (the “TT&C Agreement”). In February 2018, we amended the
TT&C Agreement to, among other things, extend the term for one-year with four automatic one-year renewal
periods. The fees for services provided under the TT&C Agreement were calculated at either: (i) a fixed fee; or (ii)
cost plus a fixed margin, which will vary depending on the nature of the services provided. We and EchoStar were
able to terminate the TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 12 months’ notice. On May 19, 2019, we entered into a
Master Transaction Agreement pursuant to which, on September 10, 2019, the assets and employees that provide
these services were transferred to us.
F-92
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
“Cost of sales – equipment and other”
During the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we incurred $6 million, $5 million and $6 million,
respectively, for satellite hosting, operations and maintenance services as well as transmission of certain data. These
amounts are recorded in “Cost of sales – equipment and other” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss). The agreements pertaining to these expenses are discussed below.
DBSD North America Agreement. On March 9, 2012, we completed the DBSD Transaction. During the second
quarter of 2011, EchoStar acquired Hughes. Prior to our acquisition of DBSD North America and EchoStar’s
acquisition of Hughes, DBSD North America and HNS entered into an agreement pursuant to which HNS provides,
among other things, hosting, operations and maintenance services for DBSD North America’s satellite gateway and
associated ground infrastructure. This agreement generally may be terminated by us at any time for convenience.
TerreStar Agreement. On March 9, 2012, we completed the TerreStar Transaction. Prior to our acquisition of
substantially all the assets of TerreStar and EchoStar’s acquisition of Hughes, TerreStar and HNS entered into
various agreements pursuant to which HNS provides, among other things, hosting, operations and maintenance
services for TerreStar’s satellite gateway and associated ground infrastructure. These agreements generally may be
terminated by us at any time for convenience.
Hughes Equipment and Services Agreement. In February 2019, we and HNS entered into an agreement pursuant to
which HNS will provide us with HughesNet Service and HughesNet equipment for the transmission of certain data
related to our 5G Network Deployment. This agreement has an initial term of five years with automatic renewal for
successive one-year terms unless terminated by DISH Network with at least 180 days’ written notice to HNS or by
HNS with at least 365 days’ written notice to DISH Network.
“Selling, general and administrative expenses”
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we incurred $19 million, $13 million and $20 million,
respectively, for selling, general and administrative expenses for services provided to us by EchoStar. These
amounts are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The agreements pertaining to these expenses are discussed below.
Real Estate Lease Agreements. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate
from EchoStar. The rent on a per square foot basis for each of the leases is comparable to per square foot rental
rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area, and we are responsible for our portion of the
taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. The term of each lease is set forth below:
Meridian Lease Agreement. The lease for all of 9601 S. Meridian Blvd. in Englewood, Colorado was for a
period ending on December 31, 2019 and we and EchoStar amended this lease to, among other things,
extend the term thereof for one additional year until December 31, 2021. In December 2021, we and
EchoStar amended this lease to, among other things, extend the term thereof for one additional year until
December 31, 2022.
Santa Fe Lease Agreement. The lease for all of 5701 S. Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton, Colorado was for a
period ending on December 31, 2018. In December 2018, we and EchoStar amended this lease to, among
other things, extend the term thereof for one additional year until December 31, 2019. On May 19, 2019,
we entered into a Master Transaction Agreement pursuant to which, on September 10, 2019, this real estate
was transferred to us.
F-93
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Cheyenne Lease Agreement. The lease for certain space at 530 EchoStar Drive in Cheyenne, Wyoming is
for a period ending on December 31, 2031. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange,
EchoStar transferred ownership of a portion of this property to us, and, effective March 1, 2017, we and
EchoStar amended this lease agreement to: (i) terminate the lease of certain space at the portion of the
property that was transferred to us; and (ii) provide for the continued lease to us of certain space at the
portion of the property that EchoStar retained. On May 19, 2019, we entered into a Master Transaction
Agreement pursuant to which, on September 10, 2019, this real estate was transferred to us.
100 Inverness Lease Agreement. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange, effective
March 1, 2017, we lease certain space from EchoStar at 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado
for a period ending in December 2022. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon 180 days’
prior notice.
Professional Services Agreement. Prior to 2010, in connection with the Spin-off, we entered into various
agreements with EchoStar including the Transition Services Agreement, Satellite Procurement Agreement and
Services Agreement, which all expired on January 1, 2010 and were replaced by a Professional Services Agreement.
During 2009, we and EchoStar agreed that EchoStar shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to
receive the following services from us, among others, certain of which were previously provided under the
Transition Services Agreement: information technology, travel and event coordination, internal audit, legal,
accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services. Additionally,
we and EchoStar agreed that we shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage EchoStar to
manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for us (previously provided under the Satellite Procurement
Agreement) and receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from EchoStar (previously provided
under the Services Agreement) and other support services.
In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange on February 28, 2017, DISH Network and EchoStar
amended the Professional Services Agreement to, among other things, provide certain transition services to each
other related to the Share Exchange Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement, we and
EchoStar amended the Professional Services Agreement effective September 10, 2019 to, among other things,
provide certain transition services to each other related to the Master Transaction Agreement and to remove certain
services no longer necessary as a result of the Master Transaction Agreement. See above for further information on
the Master Transaction Agreement. During March 2020, we and EchoStar added a service under the Professional
Services Agreement whereby we provide EchoStar with rights to use certain satellite capacity in exchange for
certain credits to amounts owed by us to EchoStar under the TerreStar Agreement described above. The
Professional Services Agreement renewed on January 1, 2022 for an additional one-year period until January 1,
2023 and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier by either party
upon at least 60 days’ notice. However, either party may terminate the Professional Services Agreement in part with
respect to any particular service it receives for any reason upon at least 30 days’ notice.
Revenue for services provided by us to EchoStar under the Professional Services Agreement is recorded in
“Equipment sales and other revenue” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Loss).
City of Hallandale. During the second quarter of 2021, we and the other named defendants entered into a global
settlement agreement with the City of Hallandale. Under this settlement agreement, we expect to contribute an
immaterial amount to the settlement. See Note 16 for further information.
F-94
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Other Agreements - EchoStar
Tax Sharing Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a tax sharing agreement (the “Tax Sharing
Agreement”) with EchoStar which governs our respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the Spin-off
with respect to taxes for the periods ending on or before the Spin-off. Generally, all pre-Spin-off taxes, including
any taxes that are incurred as a result of restructuring activities undertaken to implement the Spin-off, are borne by
us, and we will indemnify EchoStar for such taxes. However, we are not liable for and will not indemnify EchoStar
for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free
distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”) because of: (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of EchoStar’s stock, stock options or
assets; (ii) any action that EchoStar takes or fails to take; or (iii) any action that EchoStar takes that is inconsistent
with the information and representations furnished to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in connection with the
request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with
respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions. In such case, EchoStar is solely liable for, and will indemnify
us for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses. The Tax Sharing Agreement will only
terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all
rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed.
In light of the Tax Sharing Agreement, among other things, and in connection with our consolidated federal income
tax returns for certain tax years prior to and for the year of the Spin-off, during 2013, we and EchoStar agreed upon
a supplemental allocation of the tax benefits arising from certain tax items resolved in the course of the IRS’
examination of these consolidated tax returns. As a result, we agreed to pay EchoStar $82 million of the tax benefit
we received or will receive. Any payment to EchoStar, including accrued interest, will be made at such time as
EchoStar would have otherwise been able to realize such tax benefit.
In addition, during 2013, we and EchoStar agreed upon a tax sharing arrangement for filing certain combined state
income tax returns and a method of allocating the respective tax liabilities between us and EchoStar for such
combined returns, through the taxable period ending on December 31, 2017 (the “State Tax Arrangement”). During
the third quarter of 2018, we and EchoStar amended the Tax Sharing Agreement and the 2013 agreements (the
“Amendment”).
Under the Amendment, among other things, we are entitled to apply the benefit of EchoStar’s 2009 net operating
losses to our federal tax return for the year ended December 31, 2008, in exchange for paying EchoStar over time
the value of the net annual federal income taxes paid by EchoStar that would have been otherwise offset by their
2009 net operating loss. In addition, the Amendment extends the term of the State Tax Arrangement for filing
certain combined state income tax returns to the earlier to occur of (1) termination of the Tax Sharing Agreement,
(2) a change in control of either us or EchoStar or, (3) for any particular state, if we and EchoStar no longer file a
combined tax return for such state. Beginning in 2020, DISH Network and EchoStar no longer file combined tax
returns in any states.
Tax Matters Agreement – Share Exchange. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange, we and
EchoStar entered into a Tax Matters Agreement, which governs certain rights, responsibilities and obligations with
respect to taxes of the Transferred Businesses pursuant to the Share Exchange. Generally, EchoStar is responsible
for all tax returns and tax liabilities for the Transferred Businesses for periods prior to the Share Exchange, and we
are responsible for all tax returns and tax liabilities for the Transferred Businesses from and after the Share
Exchange. Both we and EchoStar have made certain tax-related representations and are subject to various tax-
related covenants after the consummation of the Share Exchange. Both we and EchoStar have agreed to indemnify
each other if there is a breach of any such tax representation or violation of any such tax covenant and that breach or
violation results in the Share Exchange not qualifying for tax free treatment for the other party. In addition, we have
agreed to indemnify EchoStar if the Transferred Businesses are acquired, either directly or indirectly (e.g., via an
acquisition of us), by one or more persons and such acquisition results in the Share Exchange not qualifying for tax
free treatment. The Tax Matters Agreement supplements the Tax Sharing Agreement described above, which
continues in full force and effect.
F-95
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Tax Matters Agreement – Master Transaction Agreement. In connection with the completion of the Master
Transaction Agreement, we and EchoStar entered into a Tax Matters Agreement, which governs certain rights,
responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes of the BSS Business pursuant to the Master Transaction
Agreement. Generally, EchoStar is responsible for all tax returns and tax liabilities for the BSS Business for periods
prior to the Master Transaction Agreement, and we are responsible for all tax returns and tax liabilities for the BSS
Business from and after the Master Transaction Agreement. Both we and EchoStar have made certain tax-related
representations in contemplation of the Master Transaction Agreement. Both we and EchoStar have agreed to
indemnify each other if there is a breach of any such tax representation and that breach results in the Master
Transaction Agreement not qualifying for tax free treatment for the other party. In addition, we have agreed to
indemnify EchoStar if the BSS Business is acquired, either directly or indirectly (e.g., via an acquisition of us), by
one or more persons and such acquisition results in the Master Transaction Agreement not qualifying for tax free
treatment. The Tax Matters Agreement - Master Transaction Agreement supplements the Tax Sharing Agreement
described above, which continues in full force and effect.
Patent Cross-License Agreements. In December 2011, we and EchoStar entered into separate patent cross-license
agreements with the same third party whereby: (i) EchoStar and such third-party licensed their respective patents to
each other subject to certain conditions; and (ii) we and such third-party licensed our respective patents to each other
subject to certain conditions (each, a “Cross-License Agreement”). Each Cross License Agreement covers patents
acquired by the respective party prior to January 1, 2017 and aggregate payments under both Cross-License
Agreements total less than $10 million. In December 2016, we and EchoStar independently exercised our respective
options to extend each Cross-License Agreement to include patents acquired by the respective party prior to
January 1, 2022.
Rovi License Agreement. On August 19, 2016, we entered into a ten-year patent license agreement (the “Rovi
License Agreement”) with Rovi Corporation (“Rovi”) and, for certain limited purposes, EchoStar. EchoStar is a
party to the Rovi License Agreement solely with respect to certain provisions relating to the prior patent license
agreement between EchoStar and Rovi. There are no payments between us and EchoStar under the Rovi License
Agreement.
Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement. In March 2017, DISH Network L.L.C. (“DNLLC”) and HNS
entered into the MSA pursuant to which DNLLC, among other things: (i) has the right, but not the obligation, to
market, promote and solicit orders for the Hughes broadband satellite service and related equipment; and (ii) installs
Hughes service equipment with respect to activations generated by DNLLC. Under the MSA, HNS will make
certain payments to DNLLC for each Hughes service activation generated, and installation performed, by
DNLLC. Payments from HNS for services provided are recorded in “Service revenue” on our Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and
2019, these payments were $9 million, $16 million and $20 million, respectively. The MSA has an initial term
of five years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms. After the first anniversary of the MSA, either
party has the ability to terminate the MSA, in whole or in part, for any reason upon at least 90 days’ notice to the
other party. Upon expiration or termination of the MSA, HNS will continue to provide the Hughes service to
subscribers and make certain payments to DNLLC pursuant to the terms and conditions of the MSA. For the years
ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we purchased broadband equipment from HNS of $7 million, $13
million and $14 million under the MSA, respectively.
Employee Matters Agreement– Share Exchange. In connection with the completion of the Share Exchange,
effective March 1, 2017, we and EchoStar entered into an Employee Matters Agreement that addresses the transfer
of employees from EchoStar to us, including certain benefit and compensation matters and the allocation of
responsibility for employee-related liabilities relating to current and past employees of the Transferred
Businesses. We assumed employee-related liabilities relating to the Transferred Businesses as part of the Share
Exchange, except that EchoStar will be responsible for certain existing employee-related litigation as well as certain
pre-Share Exchange compensation and benefits for employees transferring to us in connection with the Share
Exchange.
F-96
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Employee Matters Agreement – Master Transaction Agreement. In connection with the completion of the Master
Transaction Agreement, effective September 10, 2019, we and EchoStar entered into an Employee Matters
Agreement that addresses the transfer of employees from EchoStar to us, including certain benefit and compensation
matters and the allocation of responsibility for employee-related liabilities relating to current and past employees of
the BSS Business. We assumed employee-related liabilities relating to the BSS Business as part of the Master
Transaction Agreement, except that EchoStar will be responsible for certain existing employee-related litigation as
well as certain pre-Master Transaction Agreement compensation and benefits for employees transferring to us in
connection with the Master Transaction Agreement.
Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement – Share Exchange. In connection with the completion of
the Share Exchange, effective March 1, 2017, we and EchoStar entered into an Intellectual Property and Technology
License Agreement (“IPTLA”), pursuant to which we and EchoStar license to each other certain intellectual
property and technology. The IPTLA will continue in perpetuity, unless mutually terminated by the
parties. Pursuant to the IPTLA, EchoStar granted to us a license to its intellectual property and technology for use
by us, among other things, in connection with our continued operation of the Transferred Businesses acquired
pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, including a limited license to use the “ECHOSTAR” trademark during a
transition period. EchoStar retains full ownership of the “ECHOSTAR” trademark. In addition, we granted a
license back to EchoStar, among other things, for the continued use of all intellectual property and technology
transferred to us pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement that is used in EchoStar’s retained businesses.
Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement – Master Transaction Agreement. In connection with the
completion of the Master Transaction Agreement, effective September 10, 2019, we and EchoStar entered into an
IPTLA (the “MTA IPTLA”), pursuant to which we and EchoStar license to each other certain intellectual property
and technology. The MTA IPTLA will continue in perpetuity, unless mutually terminated by the parties. Pursuant
to the MTA IPTLA, EchoStar granted to us a license to its intellectual property and technology for use by us, among
other things, in connection with our continued operation of the BSS Business acquired pursuant to the Master
Transaction Agreement, including a limited license to use the “ESS” and “ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES”
trademarks during a transition period. EchoStar retains full ownership of the “ESS” and “ECHOSTAR
SATELLITE SERVICES” trademarks. In addition, we granted a license back to EchoStar, among other things, for
the continued use of all intellectual property and technology transferred to us pursuant to the Master Transaction
Agreement that is used in EchoStar’s retained businesses.
F-97
DISH NETWORK CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
Related Party Transactions with NagraStar L.L.C.
We own a 50% interest in NagraStar, a joint venture that is our primary provider of encryption and related security
systems intended to assure that only authorized customers have access to our programming. Certain payments
related to NagraStar are recorded in “Cost of services” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income (Loss). In addition, certain other payments are initially included in “Inventory” and are
subsequently capitalized as “Property and equipment, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets or expensed as
“Selling, general and administrative expenses” or “Cost of services” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations
and Comprehensive Income (Loss) when the equipment is deployed. We record all payables in “Trade accounts
payable” or “Other accrued expenses” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our investment in NagraStar is
accounted for using the equity method.
The table below summarizes our transactions with NagraStar.
Purchases (including fees):
Purchases from NagraStar
$
45,944 $
53,902 $
56,284
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
2019
Amounts Payable and Commitments:
Amounts payable to NagraStar
Commitments to NagraStar
Related Party Transactions with Dish Mexico
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
$
$
11,988 $
5,630 $
9,038
3,260
Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”) is an entity that provides direct-to-home satellite services in
Mexico, which is owned 49% by EchoStar. We provide certain broadcast services and certain satellite services to
Dish Mexico, which are recorded in “Equipment sales and other revenue” on our Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
The table below summarizes our transactions with Dish Mexico:
Sales:
Satellite capacity
Uplink services
Total
Amounts Receivable:
Amounts receivable from Dish Mexico
2021
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
2019
$
$
20,761 $
4,025
24,786 $
$
21,850
5,095
26,945 $
6,736
5,620
12,356
As of December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
$
6,692 $
17,029
F-98
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE
The graph below sets forth the cumulative total return to our shareholders during the five years ended December 31, 2021.
The graph assumes the investment on December 31, 2016 of $100 in (i) our Class A Shares, (ii) an industry peer group and
(iii) the NASDAQ Composite Index and reflects reinvestment of dividends and market capitalization weighting. Although
the companies included in the industry peer group were selected because of similar industry characteristics, they are not
entirely representative of our business.
We have included an industry peer group (the “Peer Group”) comprised of: AT&T Inc., Charter Communications, Inc.,
Comcast Corporation, DISH Network Corporation, and Verizon Communications Inc. Although the companies included in
the industry peer group were selected because of similar industry characteristics, they are not entirely representative of our
business.
Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return
Assumes Initial Investment of $100
December 2021
350.00
300.00
250.00
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
DISH Network Corporation
NASDAQ Composite-Total Return
Peer Group
Total Return Analysis
DISH Network Corporation
NASDAQ Composite – Total Returns
Peer Group
12/31/2016
$ 100.00
$ 100.00
$ 100.00
12/31/2017
$ 82.43
$ 129.64
$ 104.00
12/31/2018
$ 43.10
$ 127.52
$ 92.33
12/31/2019
$ 61.23
$ 174.31
$ 124.07
12/31/2020
$ 55.83
$ 252.60
$ 125.77
12/31/2021
$ 56.00
$ 308.62
$ 119.57
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
Corporate Profile
Board of Directors
Executive Officers
Annual Meeting
The 2022 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders will be held on
April 29, 2022.
Shareholder Information
Investor Relations Department
DISH Network Corporation
9601 S. Meridian Blvd.
Englewood, CO 80112
ir.dish.com
For more information, please visit
the investor relations section of
our website at ir.dish.com.
Charles W. Ergen
Chairman
Charles W. Ergen
Chairman
Kathleen Q. Abernathy
Director
W. Erik Carlson
President & Chief Executive Officer
Thomas A. Cullen
Executive Vice President,
Corporate Development
Timothy A. Messner
Executive Vice President &
General Counsel
Paul W. Orban
Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
David A. Scott
Executive Vice President &
Chief Human Resources Officer
John W. Swieringa
President & Chief Operating Officer,
Wireless
George R. Brokaw
Director
W. Erik Carlson
Director
James DeFranco
Director
Cantey M. Ergen
Director
Tom A. Ortolf
Director
Joseph T. Proietti
Director
Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Company
PO Box 43070
Providence, RI 02940-3070
Indenture Trustees
US Bank National Association
Corporate Trust Administration
60 Livingston Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55107
Attn: Benjamin Krueger
Wells Fargo Bank
National Association
Corporate Trust Services
600 S. 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Attn: Lindsey Widdis
A Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® Company
9601 South Meridian Boulevard • Englewood, CO 80112 • 303.723.1000 • dish.com
(NASDAQ – DISH)