e10vq
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
|
|
|
þ |
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2008.
OR
|
|
|
o |
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO .
Commission File Number: 001-33807
EchoStar Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
|
Nevada
|
|
26-1232727 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
|
|
90 Inverness Circle E. |
|
|
Englewood, Colorado
|
|
80112 |
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
|
(Zip code) |
(303) 706-4000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Large accelerated filer
o |
|
Accelerated filer
o |
|
Non-accelerated filer þ |
|
Smaller reporting company o |
|
|
|
|
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
|
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
As of May 1, 2008, the registrants outstanding common stock consisted of 42,065,985 shares of
Class A common stock and 47,687,039 shares of Class B common stock.
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We make forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 throughout this report. Whenever you read a statement that is not simply a statement
of historical fact (such as when we describe what we believe, intend, plan, estimate,
expect or anticipate will occur and other similar statements), you must remember that our
expectations may not be correct, even though we believe they are reasonable. We do not guarantee
that any future transactions or events described herein will happen as described or that they will
happen at all. You should read this report completely and with the understanding that actual
future results may be materially different from what we expect. Whether actual events or results
will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:
|
|
|
We may not realize the potential benefits that we expect from our separation
(Spin-off) from DISH Network. Certain of these benefits depend upon market acceptance of
our separation from DISH Network which we cannot predict and which may be affected by
significant cross-ownership by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer as well as
interlocks between management and the board of directors of us and DISH Network. |
|
|
|
|
We will incur significant costs as a newly independent company, which may exceed our
estimates. There will also be negative effects arising from our separation from DISH
Network, including loss of access to its financial resources. |
|
|
|
|
We currently depend on DISH Network for substantially all of our revenue, and the loss
of, or a significant reduction in orders from, or a decrease in selling prices of set-top
boxes, transponder leasing, digital broadcast operations and/or other services to DISH
Network would significantly reduce our revenue and adversely impact our operating results.
In addition, a second customer, Bell ExpressVu, accounts for a majority of our revenue that
is not from DISH Network. |
|
|
|
|
We currently have substantial unused satellite capacity. Future costs associated with
this excess capacity will negatively impact our margins if we do not generate revenue to
offset these costs. In addition, because a substantial portion of the capacity of each of
our AMC-15, AMC-16 and EchoStar IX satellites remains without long-term anticipated use by
DISH Network, there is a significant risk that in the future, in addition to reporting
lower than expected revenues and profitability, we could be required to record a
substantial impairment charge relating to one or more of these satellites. We currently
estimate that these potential charges could aggregate up to $250 million, which, if
incurred would have a material adverse effect on our reported operating results and
financial position. |
|
|
|
|
We are suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite and
may record an
impairment charge. During April 2008, we notified the State Administration of Radio, Film
and Television of China that we were suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite
pending, among other things, further analysis relating to efforts to meet the satellite
performance criteria and/or confirmation that alternative performance criteria would be
acceptable. We are also currently evaluating potential alternative uses for the CMBStar
satellite. Therefore, we could be required to record an impairment charge
relating to the CMBStar satellite. We currently estimate that this potential charge could
be as much as $100 million, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial position. |
|
|
|
|
Our 2007 combined financial information included in this report is not indicative of our
future financial position, future results of operations or future cash flows, nor does it
necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of
operations or cash flows would have been as a separate company during the periods prior to the Spin-off that
are presented in this report. We were not profitable during the three months ended March
31, 2007, as our operations have historically been dedicated primarily to support DISH
Network and we provided our products and services to DISH Network at cost. |
|
|
|
|
We may face actual or perceived conflicts of interest with DISH Network in a number of
areas relating to our past, ongoing and future relationships, including (i)
cross-officerships, directorships and stock ownership, (ii) intercompany transactions,
(iii) intercompany agreements, and (iv) business
opportunities. |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to increase our income or to generate additional revenues will depend in
part on our ability to grow our business. This may require significant additional capital
that may not be available on terms that would be attractive to us or at all. In
particular, current dislocations in the credit markets, which have
significantly impacted the availability and pricing of financing, particularly in the high
yield debt and leveraged credit markets, may significantly constrain our ability to obtain
financing to support our growth initiatives. These developments in the credit markets may
have a significant effect on our cost of financing and our liquidity position and may, as a
result, cause us to defer or abandon profitable business strategies that we would otherwise
pursue if financing were available on acceptable terms. |
i
|
|
|
|
We may also use a significant portion of our existing cash and marketable securities to
fund stock buyback programs. Our board of directors has approved a program in which we may
repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our Class A common stock during 2008. There can be no
assurance however, that we will repurchase any of our common stock, which will depend on
our managements and Board of Directors views of the relative benefits of alternative uses
of our capital. |
|
|
|
|
If DISH Network enters into a business combination transaction, or if Mr. Ergen no
longer controls a majority of the voting power of DISH Network or of us, our relationship
with DISH Network could be terminated or substantially curtailed with little or no advance
notice. Any material reduction in our sales due to a change in control of DISH Network
would have a significant material adverse effect on our business and financial position. |
|
|
|
|
Our future success may depend on our ability to identify and successfully exploit
opportunities to acquire other businesses or technologies to complement, enhance or expand
our current business or products or otherwise offer us growth opportunities. We may not be
able to pursue these growth opportunities successfully. |
|
|
|
|
We have entered into certain strategic transactions and investments, and we may increase
our strategic investment activity in the United States and in international markets. These
investments, which we believe could become substantial over time, involve a high degree of
risk, are concentrated in a few companies and could expose us to significant financial
losses if the underlying ventures are not successful. These investment opportunities may
also cause us to defer or suspend share repurchases. |
|
|
|
|
Our business relies on intellectual property, some of which is owned by third parties,
the patents and proprietary rights of which we may inadvertently infringe. We may be
required to cease developing or marketing infringing products, to obtain licenses from the
holders of the intellectual property at a material cost, or to redesign those products in
such a way as to avoid infringing the patent claims of others. |
|
|
|
|
We depend on sales of set-top boxes for the majority of our revenue, and if sales of our
set-top boxes decline, our business and financial position will suffer. |
|
|
|
|
Our commercial success in selling our set-top boxes to cable operators
and other providers of digital television depends significantly on our ability to obtain licenses to use the conditional access
systems deployed by these operators in our set-top boxes. The owners of these conditional
access systems are in many cases competitors of ours. There can be no assurance we will be
able to obtain such licenses on acceptable terms or at all. |
|
|
|
|
In order to grow our set-top box revenue and business and to build a large customer
base, we believe we will be required to increase our sales of set-top boxes in
international markets. We have limited experience selling our set-top boxes
internationally. To succeed in expanding these sales efforts, we believe we must hire
additional sales personnel and develop and manage new relationships with cable operators
and other providers of digital television in international markets. |
|
|
|
|
The future growth of our satellite and transponder leasing, digital broadcast
operations, facility rental, professional services and related businesses, will depend on a
number of factors, including: the level of market acceptance and demand for these services,
our ability to introduce new services that meet market demand, our ability to develop
relationships with and make sales of these services to cable operators and other providers
of digital television that are competitors of our former parent, DISH Network, our ability
to maintain the health, capacity and control of our existing satellite network, the
effectiveness of our competitors in developing and offering similar services and products
and our ability to hire additional sales personnel to development and manage new customer
relationships. |
|
|
|
|
Our set-top boxes are extremely complex and can have defects in design, manufacture or
associated software. We could incur significant expenses, lost revenue, and reputational
harm if we fail to detect or effectively address such issues through design, testing or
warranty repairs. |
|
|
|
|
We obtain many components for our set-top boxes from a single supplier or a limited
group of suppliers. Our reliance on a single or limited group of suppliers, particularly
foreign suppliers, and our increasing
reliance on subcontractors, involves several risks. These risks include a potential
inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components, and reduced control over
pricing, quality, and timely delivery of these components. |
ii
|
|
|
|
Future demand for our set-top boxes will depend significantly on the growing market
acceptance of high definition television, or HDTV. The effective delivery of HDTV will
depend on digital television operators developing and building infrastructure to provide
wide-spread HDTV programming. |
|
|
|
|
If we are unsuccessful in subsequent appeals in the Tivo case or in defending against
claims that our alternate technology infringes Tivos patent, we could be prohibited from
distributing DVRs or be required to modify or eliminate certain user-friendly DVR features
that we currently offer to consumers. The adverse affect on our business could be
material. We could also have to pay substantial damages. |
|
|
|
|
The fixed satellite services industry is highly competitive and is characterized by
long-term leases and high switching costs. It will be difficult to displace customers from
their current relationships with our competitors and we may face competition from others in
the future. |
|
|
|
|
Satellites are subject to significant operational risks while in orbit. While we believe
that our satellite fleet is generally in good condition, certain satellites in our fleet
have experienced malfunctions or anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse
impact on their commercial operation. There can be no assurance that we can recover
critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to
fail. Therefore, the loss of a satellite or other satellite malfunctions or anomalies could
have a material adverse effect on us. |
|
|
|
|
We are subject to comprehensive governmental regulation by the FCC for our domestic
satellite operations. We are also regulated by other federal agencies, state and local
authorities and the International Telecommunication Union. Domestic and international
regulations regarding the licensing, authorization and operations of satellite
communications providers may restrict our fixed satellite services operations. |
|
|
|
|
We do not anticipate carrying insurance for any of the in-orbit satellites that we will
own, and we will bear the risk of any failures in our in-orbit satellites. Because we bear
this risk, failures in our in-orbit satellites could have a material adverse effect on our
reported operating results and financial position. |
|
|
|
|
We may face other risks described from time to time in periodic and current reports we
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). |
All cautionary statements made herein should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking
statements wherever they appear. In this connection, investors should consider the risks described
herein and should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no
responsibility for updating forward-looking information contained or incorporated by reference
herein or in other reports we file with the SEC.
In this report, the words EchoStar, the Company, we, our and us refer to EchoStar
Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. DISH Network refers to
DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
iii
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
665,059 |
|
|
$ |
41,082 |
|
Marketable investment securities |
|
|
677,527 |
|
|
|
491,185 |
|
Trade accounts receivable DISH Network |
|
|
478,299 |
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts receivable Other, net of allowance for uncollectible
accounts of $43 and $51, respectively |
|
|
58,353 |
|
|
|
34,154 |
|
Insurance receivable |
|
|
40,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories, net |
|
|
36,417 |
|
|
|
21,043 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
30,831 |
|
|
|
23,290 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
1,987,236 |
|
|
|
610,754 |
|
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities |
|
|
3,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
of $1,272,805 and $32,857, respectively |
|
|
1,494,993 |
|
|
|
213,837 |
|
FCC authorizations |
|
|
165,994 |
|
|
|
42,873 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
206,220 |
|
|
|
71,646 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
247,856 |
|
|
|
248,428 |
|
Non-marketable investment securities |
|
|
114,097 |
|
|
|
59,160 |
|
Other noncurrent assets, net |
|
|
45,080 |
|
|
|
14,212 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
4,264,626 |
|
|
$ |
1,260,910 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity (Deficit) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts payable DISH Network |
|
$ |
280,735 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Trade accounts payable Other |
|
|
127,231 |
|
|
|
22,786 |
|
Deferred revenue and other DISH Network |
|
|
6,306 |
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenue and other |
|
|
2,174 |
|
|
|
4,055 |
|
Accrued expenses and other |
|
|
80,845 |
|
|
|
22,191 |
|
Current portion of capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable |
|
|
52,220 |
|
|
|
1,365 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
549,511 |
|
|
|
50,397 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term obligations, net of current portion: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, net of current portion |
|
|
334,679 |
|
|
|
2,344 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
133,593 |
|
|
|
651 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
839 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion |
|
|
469,111 |
|
|
|
2,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
1,018,622 |
|
|
|
53,392 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity (Deficit): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized,
none issued and outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock, $.001 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized,
42,062,197 shares and no shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
|
|
Class B common stock, $.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized,
47,687,039 shares and no shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
Class C common stock, $.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized,
none issued and outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class D common stock, $.001 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized,
none issued and outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
3,232,260 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
7,953 |
|
|
|
66,696 |
|
Accumulated earnings (deficit) |
|
|
5,701 |
|
|
|
|
|
Owners net investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,140,822 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity (deficit) |
|
|
3,246,004 |
|
|
|
1,207,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity (deficit) |
|
$ |
4,264,626 |
|
|
$ |
1,260,910 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
1
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment sales DISH Network |
|
$ |
371,694 |
|
|
$ |
398,840 |
|
Equipment sales other |
|
|
74,822 |
|
|
|
45,108 |
|
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other services DISH Network |
|
|
92,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
FSS and other services other |
|
|
15,585 |
|
|
|
3,815 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
|
554,571 |
|
|
|
447,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales equipment |
|
|
382,425 |
|
|
|
427,699 |
|
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other cost of sales |
|
|
52,516 |
|
|
|
3,334 |
|
Research and development expense |
|
|
13,666 |
|
|
|
14,121 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
24,979 |
|
|
|
19,086 |
|
General and administrative expenses DISH Network |
|
|
6,354 |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization (Note 11) |
|
|
60,970 |
|
|
|
1,495 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
540,910 |
|
|
|
465,735 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
13,661 |
|
|
|
(17,972 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income (Expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
21,369 |
|
|
|
374 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(8,283 |
) |
|
|
(267 |
) |
Casualty loss expense (Note 6) |
|
|
(12,799 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
(3,285 |
) |
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
(2,998 |
) |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
10,663 |
|
|
|
(18,029 |
) |
Income tax (provision) benefit, net (Note 9) |
|
|
(4,962 |
) |
|
|
(475 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
5,701 |
|
|
$ |
(18,504 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share Class A and B common stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share weighted-average common shares outstanding |
|
|
89,727 |
|
|
|
89,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share weighted-average common shares outstanding |
|
|
91,313 |
|
|
|
89,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share Class A and B common stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income (loss) |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income (loss) |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
5,701 |
|
|
$ |
(18,504 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
60,970 |
|
|
|
1,495 |
|
Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates |
|
|
1,580 |
|
|
|
164 |
|
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments |
|
|
1,043 |
|
|
|
(1,471 |
) |
Non-cash, stock-based compensation recognized |
|
|
5,470 |
|
|
|
1,007 |
|
Deferred tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
(10,567 |
) |
|
|
160 |
|
Other, net |
|
|
12,630 |
|
|
|
196 |
|
Change in noncurrent assets |
|
|
(9,654) |
|
|
|
70 |
|
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net |
|
|
(74,817 |
) |
|
|
11,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
(7,644) |
|
|
|
(5,062 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Investing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of marketable investment securities |
|
|
(129,235 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities |
|
|
239,233 |
|
|
|
23,417 |
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
|
(61,777 |
) |
|
|
(52,719 |
) |
Purchase of strategic investments included in noncurrent assets and other |
|
|
(57,174 |
) |
|
|
(40,000 |
) |
Other |
|
|
(505 |
) |
|
|
(242 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
(9,458 |
) |
|
|
(69,544 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable |
|
|
(9,466 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Contribution of cash and cash equivalents from DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off (Note 1) |
|
|
649,784 |
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in
advances from owner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,062 |
|
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and Class A common stock issued
under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
|
|
761 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
641,079 |
|
|
|
77,062 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
623,977 |
|
|
|
2,456 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
|
|
41,082 |
|
|
|
29,621 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
|
$ |
665,059 |
|
|
$ |
32,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest |
|
$ |
8,027 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash received for interest |
|
$ |
4,025 |
|
|
$ |
446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for income taxes |
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vendor financing |
|
$ |
13,946 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets contributed in connection with the Spin-off |
|
$ |
2,085,747 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Organization and Business Activities
Principal Business
The spin-off by DISH Network Corporation (DISH Network) of technology and infrastructure assets
to EchoStar Corporation (EchoStar, the Company, we, and/or us) was completed on January 1,
2008 through a distribution of 100% of the common stock of EchoStar to the holders of record of
DISH Networks common stock (the Spin-off). The Spin-off was made pursuant to a separation
agreement by which DISH Network contributed to EchoStar the subsidiaries and assets that operated
its set-top box business, fixed satellite services, digital broadcast
operations, certain real estate and
other assets and liabilities. The Company has received a private letter ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service and an opinion from tax counsel indicating that the Spin-off was tax free to the
stockholders of DISH Network and EchoStar.
The EchoStar business consists of the following segments:
|
|
|
Equipment sales and digital broadcast operations Equipment sales include the sales of
set-top boxes and related components including Slingboxes to DISH Network and international
customers. Digital broadcast operations include satellite uplinking/downlinking,
transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management, telemetry,
tracking and control, and other services provided primarily to DISH Network. |
|
|
|
|
Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) FSS consists of fixed satellite services provided
primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to other customers. |
The table
below summarizes the assets and liabilities which were contributed to us in
connection with the Spin-off in addition to the assets included in our historical financial
statements. The contribution was accounted for at DISH Networks historical cost given the nature
of the distribution.
4
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, 2008 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
Current Assets: |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
649,784 |
|
Marketable investment securities |
|
|
350,216 |
|
Trade accounts receivable, net |
|
|
3,900 |
|
Inventories, net |
|
|
9,957 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
9,061 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
1,022,918 |
|
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities |
|
|
3,150 |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
1,302,767 |
|
FCC authorizations |
|
|
123,121 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
142,898 |
|
Other noncurrent assets, net |
|
|
20,335 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
2,615,189 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenue and other accrued expenses |
|
$ |
11,586 |
|
Current portion of capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable |
|
|
39,168 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
50,754 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term obligations, net of current portion: |
|
|
|
|
Capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, net of current portion |
|
|
339,542 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
139,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion |
|
|
478,688 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
529,442 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets contributed |
|
$ |
2,085,747 |
|
|
|
|
|
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) and with the
instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information.
Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and notes required for complete
financial statements. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments)
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Certain prior year amounts have
been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. For further information, refer to
the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K/A for the year ended December 31,2007
(2007 10-K/A).
The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this quarterly report for the periods
presented prior to the Spin-off are presented on a combined basis and principally represent the
digital set-top box business and other net assets transferred to us as part of the Spin-off. The
assets and liabilities presented have been reflected on a historical basis, as prior to the
Spin-off such assets and liabilities were 100% owned by DISH Network. Our historical combined
financial statements do not include the satellites, digital broadcast operations assets, certain
real estate and other assets and related liabilities that were contributed to us by DISH Network in
the Spin-off. Also, the combined financial statements for the periods presented prior to the
Spin-off do not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had EchoStar been
a stand-alone entity during the periods presented and do not reflect EchoStars combined results of
operations, financial position and cash flows had we been a stand-alone company during the periods
presented. The results of operations and the cash flows for any
interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a fiscal year
or any other future period.
5
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Principles of Consolidation
We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries and investments in entities in which we have
controlling influence. Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method
when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the issuer. When we
do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an issuer, the cost
method is used. For entities that are considered variable interest entities we apply the
provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities An Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (FIN 46R). All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses for each reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things,
allowances for uncollectible accounts, inventory allowances, warranty obligations, self-insurance
obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss
contingencies, fair values of financial instruments, fair value of options granted under our
stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business
combinations, capital leases, asset impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible
assets, and royalty obligations. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and
such differences may be material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Estimates and
assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively
beginning in the period they occur.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
5,701 |
|
|
$ |
(18,504 |
) |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
|
|
(1,200 |
) |
|
|
(132 |
) |
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities |
|
|
(41,337 |
) |
|
|
2,097 |
|
Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale
securities included in net income (loss) |
|
|
(974 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized holding
gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities |
|
|
16,573 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income (loss) |
|
$ |
(21,237 |
) |
|
$ |
(16,539 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) presented on the accompanying Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of the accumulated net unrealized gains (losses) on
available-for-sale securities and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated Other |
|
|
|
Comprehensive Income |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Balance, December 31, 2007 |
|
$ |
66,696 |
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income adjustments in connection with the Spin-off |
|
|
(32,779 |
) |
Foreign currency translation |
|
|
(1,200 |
) |
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net |
|
|
(41,337 |
) |
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized holding gains
(losses) on available-for-sale securities |
|
|
16,573 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
7,953 |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share (SFAS 128) requires
entities to present both basic earnings per share (EPS) and diluted EPS. Basic EPS excludes
dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common
shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if
stock options were exercised.
The number of shares presented for the three months ended March 31, 2008 represents the actual
weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period. Prior to January 1, 2008, there were
no shares of EchoStar common stock outstanding. Accordingly for all periods prior to the
completion of the Spin-off on January 1, 2008, basic and diluted earnings per share are computed
using EchoStars shares outstanding as of January 1, 2008. The potential dilution from stock
options exercisable into common stock was computed using the treasury stock method based on the
average market value of our Class A common stock. The following table reflects the basic and
diluted weighted-average shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share.
Earnings per share amounts for all periods are presented below in accordance with the requirements
of SFAS 128.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator for basic net income (loss) per share Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
5,701 |
|
|
$ |
(18,504 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per common share
weighted-average common shares outstanding |
|
|
89,727 |
|
|
|
89,712 |
|
Dilutive impact of options outstanding |
|
|
1,586 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share
weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding |
|
|
91,313 |
|
|
|
89,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share Class A and B common stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income (loss) |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income (loss) |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2008, there were options to purchase 0.4 million shares of Class A common stock
outstanding not included in the above denominator as their effect is antidilutive.
Vesting of options and rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock granted pursuant to our
long-term incentive plans is contingent upon meeting certain long-term goals which have not yet
been achieved. As a consequence, the following are not included in the diluted EPS calculation:
7
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three |
|
|
Months Ended |
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
(In thousands) |
Performance based options |
|
|
1,938 |
|
Restricted performance units |
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2,056 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements
Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements (SFAS 157), for all financial instruments and non-financial instruments
accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis. SFAS 157 establishes a new framework for
measuring fair value and expands related disclosures. Broadly, the SFAS 157 framework requires
fair value to be determined 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. SFAS 157 establishes market or
observable inputs as the preferred source of values, followed by unobservable
inputs or assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs.
|
|
|
Level 1, defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets; |
|
|
|
|
Level 2, defined as observable inputs including quoted prices for similar assets; and |
|
|
|
|
Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists,
therefore requiring assumptions based on the best information available. |
Our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable investment securities |
|
$ |
677,527 |
|
|
$ |
665,042 |
|
|
$ |
12,485 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other
investment securities
|
|
|
50,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets at fair value |
|
$ |
727,870 |
|
|
$ |
665,042 |
|
|
$ |
12,485 |
|
|
$ |
50,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in Level 3 instruments are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
realized/unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
realized/unrealized |
|
|
gains/(losses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
gains/(losses) |
|
|
included in Other |
|
|
Purchases, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at |
|
|
included in |
|
|
comprehensive |
|
|
issuances and |
|
|
Balance at |
|
|
|
January 1, 2008 |
|
|
earnings |
|
|
income |
|
|
settlements |
|
|
March 31,
2008 |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other investment
securities |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
50,343 |
|
|
$ |
50,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets at
fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
50,343 |
|
|
$ |
50,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
New Accounting Pronouncements
Revised Business Combinations
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R (revised
2007), Business Combinations (SFAS 141R). SFAS 141R replaces SFAS 141 and establishes
principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements
the identifiable assets acquired, including goodwill, the liabilities assumed and any
non-controlling interest in the acquiree. SFAS 141R also establishes disclosure requirements to
enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the
business combination. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 141R to have a material impact on our financial
position or results of operations.
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160,
Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 establishes
accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other
than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the
noncontrolling interest, changes in a parents ownership interest and the valuation of retained
noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 also establishes
reporting requirements to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and
the interests of the noncontrolling owners. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 160 will have
on our financial position and results of operations.
3. Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Incentive Plans
In
connection with the Spin-off, as provided in DISH Networks
existing stock incentive plan and consistent with the Spin-off
exchange ratio, each
DISH Network stock option was converted into two options as follows:
|
|
|
an adjusted DISH Network stock option for the same number of shares that were
exercisable under the original DISH Network stock option, with an exercise price
equal to the exercise price of the original DISH Network stock option multiplied by
0.831219. |
|
|
|
|
a new EchoStar stock option for one-fifth of the number of shares that were
exercisable under the original DISH Network stock option, with an exercise price
equal to the exercise price of the original DISH Network stock option multiplied by
0.843907. |
Similarly, each holder of DISH Network restricted stock units retained his or her DISH Network
restricted stock units and received one EchoStar restricted stock unit for every five DISH Network
restricted stock units that they held.
Consequently, the fair value of the DISH Network stock award and the new EchoStar stock award
immediately following the Spin-off was equivalent to the fair value of such stock award immediately
prior to the Spin-off.
We maintain stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees.
Awards under these plans include both performance and non-performance based equity incentives. As
of March 31, 2008, we had outstanding under our plans options to acquire 6.4 million shares of our
Class A common stock and 0.3 million restricted stock awards. In general, stock options granted
through March 31, 2008 were granted with exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value
of our Class A common stock at the date of grant and with a
maximum term of ten years. Historically, our options have been subject to vesting, typically at the rate of 20% to 25% per
year,
9
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
however, some options have been granted with immediate vesting. As of March 31, 2008, we had
9.5 million shares of our Class A common stock available for future grant under our stock incentive
plans.
As of March 31, 2008, the following EchoStar stock incentive awards were outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EchoStar |
|
|
|
EchoStar Stock |
|
|
Restricted |
|
Stock Awards Outstanding |
|
Options |
|
|
Stock Units |
|
Held by EchoStar employees |
|
|
2,943,768 |
|
|
|
237,006 |
|
Held by DISH Network employees |
|
|
3,475,665 |
|
|
|
101,047 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
6,419,433 |
|
|
|
338,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, as of March 31, 2008 the following outstanding DISH Network stock incentive awards
were held by our employees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISH |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Network |
|
|
|
DISH Network |
|
|
Restricted |
|
Stock Awards Outstanding |
|
Stock Options |
|
|
Stock Units |
|
Held by EchoStar
employees |
|
|
5,776,239 |
|
|
|
1,178,332 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We are responsible for fulfilling all stock incentive awards related to EchoStar common stock and
DISH Network is responsible for fulfilling all stock incentive awards related to DISH Network
common stock regardless of whether such stock incentive awards are held by our or DISH Networks
employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, based on the requirements of SFAS 123R, our non-cash,
stock-based compensation expense, resulting from awards outstanding at the Spin-off date, is based
on the stock incentive awards held by our employees regardless of whether such awards were issued
by EchoStar or DISH Network. Accordingly, non-cash, stock-based compensation that we expense with
respect to DISH Network stock incentive awards is included in Additional paid-in capital on our
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
10
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Stock Award Activity
Our stock option activity (including performance and non-performance based options) for the three
months ended March 31, 2008 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
Total options outstanding, beginning of period |
|
|
4,182,755 |
|
|
$ |
22.96 |
|
Granted |
|
|
2,386,000 |
|
|
|
29.54 |
|
Exercised |
|
|
(25,333 |
) |
|
|
22.43 |
|
Forfeited and Cancelled |
|
|
(123,989) |
|
|
|
29.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total options outstanding, end of period |
|
|
6,419,433 |
|
|
|
25.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance based options outstanding, end of period * |
|
|
1,938,150 |
|
|
|
16.69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at end of period |
|
|
1,273,201 |
|
|
|
29.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
These options, which are included in the caption Total options outstanding, end of period,
were issued pursuant to two separate long-term, performance-based stock incentive plans, which are
discussed below. Vesting of these options is contingent upon meeting certain long-term goals which
management has determined are not probable as of March 31, 2008. |
We realized less than $1 million of tax benefits from stock options exercised during the three
month ended March 31, 2008. Based on the closing market price of our Class A common stock on March
31, 2008, the aggregate intrinsic value of our outstanding stock options was $35 million. Of that
amount, options with an aggregate intrinsic value of $6 million were exercisable at the end of the
period.
Our restricted stock award activity (including performance and non-performance based options) for
the three months ended March 31, 2008 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Grant Date |
|
|
|
Awards * |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
Total restricted stock awards outstanding, beginning of period |
|
|
343,386 |
|
|
$ |
29.69 |
|
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited and Cancelled |
|
|
(5,333 |
) |
|
|
35.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total restricted stock awards outstanding, end of period |
|
|
338,053 |
|
|
|
29.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted performance units outstanding, end of period * |
|
|
118,053 |
|
|
|
26.33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
These restricted performance units, which are included in the caption Total restricted stock
awards outstanding, end of period, were issued pursuant to a long-term, performance-based stock
incentive plan, which is discussed below. Vesting of these restricted performance units is
contingent upon meeting a long-term Company goal which management has determined is not probable as of
March 31, 2008. |
11
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Long-Term Performance-Based Plans
We have two long-term, performance-based stock incentive plans, the 1999 LTIP and the 2005 LTIP.
The 1999 LTIP provided stock options to key employees which vest over five years at the rate of 20%
per year. Exercise of the options is also contingent on achieving a company specific goal in
relation to an industry-related metric prior to December 31, 2008. The 2005 LTIP provides stock
options and restricted performance units, either alone or in combination, which vest over seven
years at the rate of 10% per year during the first four years, and at the rate of 20% per year
thereafter. Exercise of the options is also subject to a performance
condition that a company-specific
goal is achieved prior to March 31, 2015.
Contingent compensation related to the 1999 LTIP and the 2005 LTIP will not be recorded in our
financial statements unless and until the achievement of the performance condition is probable.
The competitive nature of the pay TV business and certain other factors can significantly impact
achievement of the goal. Consequently, while it was determined that achievement of either of the
goals was not probable as of March 31, 2008, that assessment could change with respect to either
goal at any time. In accordance with SFAS 123R, if all of the awards under each plan were vested
and each goal had been met during the three months ended March 31, 2008, we would have recorded
total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for our employees as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, 2008 |
|
Total Contingent Compensation |
|
1999 LTIP |
|
|
2005 LTIP |
|
DISH Network awards held by EchoStar employees |
|
$ |
10,356 |
|
|
$ |
17,947 |
|
EchoStar awards held by EchoStar employees |
|
|
2,103 |
|
|
|
3,644 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
12,459 |
|
|
$ |
21,591 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If the goals are met and there are unvested options at that time, the vested amounts would be
expensed immediately in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, with the unvested
portion recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period. During the three months ended March
31, 2008, if we had determined each goal was probable, we would have recorded total non-cash,
stock-based compensation expense for our employees as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, 2008 |
|
Contingent Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested Portion at March 31, 2008 |
|
1999 LTIP |
|
|
2005 LTIP |
|
DISH Network awards held by EchoStar employees |
|
$ |
10,356 |
|
|
$ |
4,962 |
|
EchoStar awards held by EchoStar employees |
|
|
2,103 |
|
|
|
1,008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
12,459 |
|
|
$ |
5,970 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Of the 6.4 million options outstanding under our stock incentive plans as of March 31, 2008, the
following options were outstanding pursuant to the 1999 LTIP and the 2005 LTIP:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Exercise |
Long-Term Performance-Based Plans |
|
Options |
|
Price |
1999
LTIP
|
|
|
1,038,800 |
|
|
$ |
8.96 |
|
2005
LTIP
|
|
|
905,350 |
|
|
$ |
25.60 |
|
Further, pursuant to the 2005 LTIP, there were also 118,053 outstanding restricted performance
units as of March 31, 2008 with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $26.33. No awards were
granted under the 1999 LTIP or 2005 LTIP during the three months ended March 31, 2008.
12
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Stock-Based Compensation
Total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, net of related tax effects, for all of our
employees is shown in the following table for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 and
was allocated to the same expense categories as the base compensation for such employees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other
cost of sales |
|
$ |
127 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
1,195 |
|
|
|
268 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
3,233 |
|
|
|
362 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-cash, stock based compensation |
|
$ |
4,555 |
|
|
$ |
630 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2008, our total unrecognized compensation cost related to our non-performance based
unvested stock options was $60 million and includes compensation expense that we will recognize for
DISH Network stock options held by our employees as a result of the Spin-off. This cost is based
on an estimated future forfeiture rate of approximately 6.5% per year and will be recognized over a
weighted-average period of approximately three years. Share-based compensation expense is
recognized based on awards ultimately expected to vest and is reduced for estimated forfeitures.
SFAS 123R requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in
subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Changes in the estimated
forfeiture rate can have a significant effect on share-based compensation expense since the effect
of adjusting the rate is recognized in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.
The fair value of each award for the three months ended March 31, 2008 was estimated at the date of
the grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
2.74 |
% |
Volatility factor |
|
|
19.98 |
% |
Expected term of options in years |
|
|
6.1 |
|
Weighted-average fair value of options granted |
|
$ |
7.85 |
|
We do not currently plan to pay dividends on our common stock, and therefore the dividend yield
percentage is set at zero. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed
for use in estimating the fair value of traded 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 model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions.
Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.
Therefore, we do not believe the existing models provide as reliable a single measure of the fair
value of stock-based compensation awards as a market-based model would.
We will continue to evaluate the assumptions used to derive the estimated fair value of options for
our stock as new events or changes in circumstances become known.
13
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
4. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Finished goods |
|
$ |
17,210 |
|
|
$ |
16,969 |
|
Raw materials |
|
|
11,981 |
|
|
|
4,042 |
|
Work-in-process |
|
|
7,479 |
|
|
|
205 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal |
|
|
36,670 |
|
|
|
21,216 |
|
Inventory allowance |
|
|
(253 |
) |
|
|
(173 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories, net |
|
$ |
36,417 |
|
|
$ |
21,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. Investment Securities
Marketable Investment Securities
We currently classify all marketable investment securities as available-for-sale. We adjust the
carrying value of our available-for-sale securities to fair value and report the related temporary
unrealized gains and losses as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) within Total stockholders equity (deficit), net of related deferred income tax.
Declines in the fair value of a marketable investment security which are estimated to be other
than temporary are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, thus
establishing a new cost basis for such investment. We evaluate our marketable investment
securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether declines in the fair value of these
securities are other than temporary. This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other
things, the fair value of our marketable investment securities compared to the carrying amount, the
historical volatility of the price of each security and any market and company specific factors
related to each security. Generally, absent specific factors to the contrary, declines in the fair
value of investments below cost basis for a continuous period of less than six months are
considered to be temporary. Declines in the fair value of investments for a continuous period of
six to nine months are evaluated on a case by case basis to determine whether any company or
market-specific factors exist which would indicate that such declines are other than temporary.
Declines in the fair value of investments below cost basis for a continuous period greater than
nine months are considered other than temporary and are recorded as charges to earnings, absent
specific factors to the contrary.
When an impairment occurs related to a foreign investment, any Cumulative translation adjustment
associated with the investment remains in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within
Total stockholders equity (deficit) on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets until the
investment is sold or otherwise liquidated; at which time, it will be released into our Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Operations.
As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the fair values of our marketable investment securities
and strategic marketable investment securities were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Marketable investment securities |
|
$ |
174,229 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Marketable investment securities strategic |
|
|
503,298 |
|
|
|
491,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total marketable investment securities |
|
$ |
677,527 |
|
|
$ |
491,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
increase in our marketable investment securities from
December 31, 2007 was primarily due to
the contribution of marketable investment securities from DISH Network in connection with the
Spin-off (see Note 1).
14
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Our strategic marketable investment securities are highly speculative and are concentrated in a
small number of companies. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2008 our
strategic investments have experienced and continue to experience volatility. If the fair value of
our strategic marketable investment securities portfolio does not remain above cost basis or if we
become aware of any market or company specific factors that indicate that the carrying value of
certain of our securities is impaired, we may be required to record charges to earnings in future
periods equal to the amount of the decline in fair value.
As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, we had accumulated unrealized gains net of related tax
effect of $6 million and $64 million as a part of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
within Total stockholders equity (deficit), respectively. During the three months ended March
31, 2008 we recorded aggregate charges to earnings for other than temporary declines in the fair
value of certain of our marketable investment securities of $1 million, and established a new cost
basis for this security. During three months ended March 31, 2007, we did not record any charge to
earnings for other than temporary declines in the fair value of our marketable investment
securities. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, we recognized
realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on marketable
investment securities of less than $1 million in
losses and a $2 million gain, respectively.
Marketable Investment Securities in a Loss Position. The following table reflects the length of
time that the individual securities have been in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by
investment category. The unrealized losses on our investments in corporate securities represent
investments in the marketable common stock of four companies and losses on our investments in
corporate debt represent investments in the marketable corporate debt of two companies, each of
which are in the communications industry. We are not aware of any specific factors which
indicate the unrealized loss in these investments is due to anything other than temporary market
fluctuations. In addition, we have the ability and intent to hold our investments in Corporate
bonds until maturity when the issuers are required to redeem them at their full face value.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
Primary |
|
Maturity |
|
|
Less than Six Months |
|
|
Six to Nine Months |
|
|
Nine Months or More |
|
Investment |
|
Reason for |
|
in |
|
|
Fair |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
Fair |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
|
Fair |
|
|
Unrealized |
|
Category |
|
Unrealized Loss |
|
Years |
|
|
Value |
|
|
Loss |
|
|
Value |
|
|
Loss |
|
|
Value |
|
|
Loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate bonds |
|
Temporary market fluctuations |
|
|
5-6 |
|
|
$ |
278,040 |
|
|
$ |
(19,556 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Corporate equity
securities |
|
Temporary market fluctuations |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
119,752 |
|
|
|
(14,619 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
397,792 |
|
|
$ |
(34,175 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Marketable Investment Securities
We also have several strategic investments in certain non-marketable equity securities which are
included in Non-Marketable Investment Securities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Non-Marketable Investment Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value method |
|
$ |
50,343 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Cost method |
|
|
45,219 |
|
|
|
39,046 |
|
Equity method |
|
|
18,535 |
|
|
|
20,114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
114,097 |
|
|
$ |
59,160 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Generally, we account for our unconsolidated equity investments under either the equity method or
cost method of accounting. Because these equity securities are generally not publicly traded, it
is not practical to regularly estimate the fair value of the investments; however, these
investments are subject to an evaluation for other than temporary impairment on a quarterly basis.
This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things, company business plans and
current financial statements, if available, for factors that may indicate an impairment of our
investment. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, cash flow concerns, material
litigation, violations of debt covenants and changes in business strategy. The fair value of these
equity investments is not estimated unless there are identified changes in circumstances that may
indicate an impairment exists and these changes are likely to have a significant adverse effect on
the fair value of the investment. During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 we did not
record any impairment charges with respect to these investments, respectively.
Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are not publicly
traded depends on the success of those companies businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient
capital to execute their business plans. Because private markets are not as liquid as public
markets, there is also increased risk that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that
when we desire to sell them we will not be able to obtain fair value for them.
We also have an investment in non-marketable convertible debt which is included in Non-Marketable
Investment Securities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. This debt is fair valued each
reporting period based upon inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the
debt, either directly or indirectly with changes in fair value recorded in the statement of
operations. The fair value analysis takes into consideration the price of the underlying company
stock as well as changes in the credit market, including yield curves and interest rates.
Investment in TerreStar
On February 7, 2008, we completed several transactions under a Master Investment Agreement, dated
as of February 5, 2008 between us, and TerreStar Corporation and TerreStar Networks. Under the Master Investment Agreement, we acquired $50 million in aggregate
principal amount of TerreStar Networks 61/2% Senior Exchangeable Paid-in-Kind Notes due June 15,
2014 (Exchangeable Notes). In addition, we acquired $50 million aggregate principal amount of
TerreStar Networks 15% Senior Secured Paid-in-Kind Notes due February 15, 2014, which is included
in Marketable investment securities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Exchangeable Notes are guaranteed by TerreStar License Inc. and TerreStar National Services,
Inc. and will mature on June 15, 2014. The Exchangeable Notes are exchangeable for shares of
TerreStar Corporation common stock based on a price of $5.57 per share following effectiveness of
TerreStar Corporation stockholder approval. TerreStar Networks may be obligated to repurchase all
or a part of the Exchangeable Notes under certain circumstances, including upon a change of control
of TerreStar Networks or if stockholder approval of the issuance of TerreStar Corporation common
stock is not effective by July 23, 2008. The Exchangeable Notes will bear interest at 6.5% per
annum, with such interest being payable in additional Exchangeable Notes through March 2011.
Additional cash interest may be payable in the event that certain milestones leading to the
effectiveness of the stockholder approval are not met. We account for the Exchangeable Notes at
fair value with the changes in fair value reported in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
We also entered into a Purchase Money Credit Agreement with TerreStar and Harbinger Capital
Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. and Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund LP
(collectively, Harbinger), in which we and Harbinger have each committed to provide up to $50
million in secured financing, the proceeds of which may be advanced to TerreStar Networks from time
to time as required for TerreStar Networks to make required payments in connection with a
communications satellite to be constructed and launched for TerreStar Networks. Pursuant to a
Security Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2008, from TerreStar Networks in favor of US Bank
National
16
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Association, as Collateral Agent, TerreStar Networks granted a security interest to the
Collateral Agent in certain of TerreStar Networks assets to be financed by the proceeds of the
loan, including, among other things, the communications satellite and related raw materials,
work-in-progress, and finished goods. As of March 31, 2008,
we had advanced approximately $7 million to TerreStar under the terms of this agreement which are
included in Non-marketable Investment Securities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets,
accounted for at cost. An additional $10 million was advanced to TerreStar subsequent to March 31,
2008.
We also entered into a Spectrum Agreement with TerreStar Corporation and TerreStar Networks. Under
the Spectrum Agreement, one of our subsidiaries has entered into an agreement with TerreStar
Corporation for the 1.4 GHz spectrum that we acquired from DISH Network in the Spin-off. TerreStar
Corporation has the option exercisable on or before July 23, 2008, to acquire the intermediate
holding company through which we hold the spectrum, in exchange for the issuance by TerreStar
Corporation of 30 million shares of its common stock. The issuance of these common shares and
exercise by TerreStar Corporation of its option is subject to the effectiveness of shareholder
approval of the issuance of these shares.
Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities
As of March 31, 2008, restricted cash and marketable investment securities included amounts
required for our letters of credit.
6. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciable |
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
Life |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
(In Years) |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Land |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
30,033 |
|
|
$ |
2,509 |
|
Buildings and improvements |
|
|
1-40 |
|
|
|
199,717 |
|
|
|
17,482 |
|
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other |
|
|
1-10 |
|
|
|
584,285 |
|
|
|
41,292 |
|
Satellites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EchoStar III |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
234,083 |
|
|
|
|
|
EchoStar IV fully depreciated |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
78,511 |
|
|
|
|
|
EchoStar VI |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
244,305 |
|
|
|
|
|
EchoStar VIII |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
175,801 |
|
|
|
|
|
EchoStar IX |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
127,376 |
|
|
|
|
|
EchoStar XII |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
190,051 |
|
|
|
|
|
Satellites acquired under capital leases |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
551,628 |
|
|
|
|
|
Construction in process |
|
|
|
|
|
|
352,008 |
|
|
|
185,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,767,798 |
|
|
$ |
246,694 |
|
Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,272,805 |
) |
|
|
(32,857 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,494,993 |
|
|
$ |
213,837 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The majority of the increase in property and equipment in the table above is associated with the
assets contributed to us in connection to the Spin-off (see Note 1).
17
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Construction in process consists of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Progress amounts for satellite construction and launch costs |
|
$ |
242,412 |
|
|
$ |
185,411 |
|
Digital broadcast equipment |
|
|
90,241 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
19,355 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction in progress |
|
$ |
352,008 |
|
|
$ |
185,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Satellites
In connection with the Spin-off, DISH Network contributed six of its owned satellites and two of
its satellite lease agreements to us. The two leased satellites are accounted for as capital
leases pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, Accounting for Leases
(SFAS 13) and are depreciated over the ten-year terms of the satellite service agreements.
We believe that overall our satellites are generally in good condition. Prior to 2008, certain of
these satellites have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on
their commercial operation. Certain of these anomalies are discussed below.
EchoStar III.
EchoStar III was originally designed to operate a maximum of 32 transponders at approximately 120
watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at over 230 watts per channel, and was
equipped with a total of 44 transponders to provide redundancy. As a result of past traveling wave
tube amplifier (TWTA) failures, only 18 transponders are currently available for use. Due to
redundancy switching limitations and specific channel authorizations, we can only operate on 15 of
the 19 FCC authorized frequencies at the 61.5 degree location. While we do not expect a large
number of additional TWTAs to fail in any year, and the failures have not reduced the original
minimum 12-year design life of the satellite, it is likely that additional TWTA failures will occur
from time to time in the future, and those failures will further impact commercial operation of the
satellite. See discussion of evaluation of impairment in Long-Lived Assets below.
EchoStar IV.
EchoStar IV currently operates at the 77 degree orbital location, which is licensed by the
government of Mexico. The satellite was originally designed to operate a maximum of 32
transponders at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at
over 230 watts per channel. As a result of past TWTA failures, only six transponders are currently
available for use and the satellite has been fully depreciated. There can be no assurance that
further material degradation, or total loss of use, of EchoStar IV will not occur in the immediate
future. See discussion of evaluation of impairment in Long-Lived Assets below.
EchoStar VI.
EchoStar VI was originally equipped with 108 solar array strings, approximately 102 of which are
required to assure full power availability for the original minimum 12-year useful life of the
satellite. Prior to 2007, EchoStar VI experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of 17 solar
array strings. During the fourth quarter 2007, five additional solar array strings failed,
reducing the number of functional solar array strings to 86. While the useful life of the
satellite has not been affected, commercial operability has been reduced. The satellite was
designed to operate 32 transponders at approximately 125 watts per channel, switchable to 16
transponders operating at approximately 225
18
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
watts per channel. The power reduction resulting from
the solar array failures currently limits us to operation of a maximum of 26 transponders in
standard power mode, or 13 transponders in high power mode. These numbers are expected to decrease
to 25 and 12, respectively, by September 2008. The number of transponders to which power can
be provided is expected to continue to decline in the future at the rate of approximately one
transponder every three years. See discussion of evaluation of impairment in Long-Lived Assets
below.
EchoStar VIII.
EchoStar VIII was designed to operate 32 transponders at approximately 120 watts per channel,
switchable to 16 transponders operating at approximately 240 watts per channel. EchoStar VIII also
includes spot-beam technology. This satellite has experienced several anomalies since launch, but
none have reduced the 12-year estimated useful life of the satellite. However, there can be no
assurance that future anomalies will not cause further losses which could materially impact its
commercial operation, or result in a total loss of the satellite. See discussion of evaluation of
impairment in Long-Lived Assets below.
EchoStar IX.
EchoStar IX was designed to operate 32 FSS transponders operating at approximately 110 watts per
channel, along with transponders that can provide services in the Ka-Band (a Ka-band payload).
The satellite also includes a C-band payload which is owned by a third party. Prior to 2007,
EchoStar IX experienced the loss of one of its three momentum wheels, two of which are utilized
during normal operations. A spare wheel was switched in at the time and the loss did not reduce
the 12-year estimated useful life of the satellite. During September 2007, the satellite
experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of three solar array strings. An investigation of the
anomalies is continuing. The anomalies have not impacted commercial operation of the satellite to
date. However, there can be no assurance future anomalies will not cause further losses, which
could impact the remaining life or commercial operation of the satellite. See discussion of
evaluation of impairment in Long-Lived Assets below.
EchoStar XII.
EchoStar XII was designed to operate 13 transponders at 270 watts per channel in CONUS mode which
provides service to the entire continental United States, or 22 spot beams using a combination of
135 and 65 watt TWTAs. We currently operate the satellite in spot beam/CONUS hybrid mode.
EchoStar XII has a total of 24 solar array circuits, approximately 22 of which are required to
assure full power for the original minimum 12-year design life of the satellite. Since late 2004,
eight solar array circuits on EchoStar XII have experienced anomalous behavior resulting in both
temporary and permanent solar array circuit failures. The cause of the failures is still being
investigated. The design life of the satellite has not been affected. However, these temporary
and permanent failures have resulted in a reduction in power to the satellite which will preclude
us from using the full complement of transponders on EchoStar XII for the 12-year design life of
the satellite. The extent of this impact is being investigated. There can be no assurance future
anomalies will not cause further losses, which could further impact commercial operation of the
satellite or its useful life. See discussion of evaluation of impairment in Long-Lived Assets
below.
AMC-14
In connection with the Spin-off, DISH Network contributed its AMC-14 satellite services contract to
us. SES Americom has announced that it has declared to insurers that the AMC-14 satellite is now
considered a total loss, due to a lack of viable options to reposition the satellite to its proper
geostationary orbit. Therefore, we have no obligation to make any future monthly lease payments to
SES Americom with respect to the satellite. However, we did make up-front payments with respect to
the satellite prior to launch and recorded capitalized interest and insurance costs related to the
satellite. These amounts, net of expected insurance proceeds of
$41 million, totaled $13 million and were written-off during
the three months ended March 31, 2008 in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
19
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
AMC-16.
DISH Network contributed its AMC-16 satellite services contract to us in connection with the
Spin-off. During the first quarter of 2008 SES Americom notified us that the satellite had
experienced an anomaly and is no longer capable of operating at full capacity. Pursuant to the
satellite services agreement, we are entitled to a reduction of our monthly recurring payment in
the event of a partial loss of satellite capacity. We will record a reduction in our
capital lease
obligation and corresponding asset when the new monthly recurring payment is finalized with SES
Americom.
Long-Lived Satellite Assets
We account for impairments of long-lived satellite assets in accordance with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets (SFAS 144). SFAS 144 requires a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested
for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that its carrying amount may
not be recoverable. Based on the guidance under SFAS 144, we evaluate our satellites for
recoverability at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the
cash flows of other assets and liabilities. While certain of the anomalies discussed above, and
previously disclosed, may be considered to represent a significant adverse change in the physical
condition of a particular satellite, based on the redundancy designed within each satellite, these
anomalies are not considered to be significant events that would require evaluation for impairment
recognition pursuant to the guidance under SFAS 144.
In connection with the Spin-off, we performed an impairment analysis in accordance with SFAS 144
and currently expect the undiscounted cash flows of each satellite to be greater than the current
carrying amounts. Should we be unable to achieve our business plan, or if conditions require us to
change that plan, one or more of our satellites could become partially or fully impaired, which
could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
7. Goodwill, FCC Authorizations and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and FCC Authorizations
We account for our goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (SFAS 142), which
requires goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives not be amortized, but to be
tested for impairment annually or whenever indicators of impairments arise. Intangible assets that
have finite useful lives continue to be amortized over their
estimated useful lives. Generally, we have determined that our FCC licenses have
indefinite useful lives due to the following:
|
|
|
FCC spectrum is a non-depleting asset; |
|
|
|
|
replacement 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 in order to obtain future cash flows are not significant;
and |
|
|
|
|
we intend to use these assets indefinitely. |
20
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Intangible Assets
As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our identifiable intangibles subject to amortization
consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
|
December 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
Intangible |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Intangible |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Contract-based |
|
$ |
190,566 |
|
|
$ |
(62,632 |
) |
|
$ |
4,640 |
|
|
$ |
(373 |
) |
Customer relationships |
|
|
27,602 |
|
|
|
(7,685 |
) |
|
|
23,600 |
|
|
|
(1,967 |
) |
Technology-based |
|
|
69,797 |
|
|
|
(11,428 |
) |
|
|
50,297 |
|
|
|
(4,551 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
287,965 |
|
|
$ |
(81,745 |
) |
|
$ |
78,537 |
|
|
$ |
(6,891 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of these intangible assets, recorded on a straight line basis over an average finite
useful life primarily ranging from approximately three to 20 years, was $8 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2008.
21
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Estimated future amortization of our identifiable intangible assets as of March 31, 2008 is as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ending December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2008 (remaining nine months) |
|
$ |
24,382 |
|
2009 |
|
|
32,176 |
|
2010 |
|
|
30,209 |
|
2011 |
|
|
24,028 |
|
2012 |
|
|
23,182 |
|
2013 |
|
|
23,174 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
49,069 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
206,220 |
|
|
|
|
|
8. Long-Term Debt
Capital Lease Obligations, Mortgages and Notes Payable
Capital lease obligations, mortgages and notes payable consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Capital lease obligations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Satellites financed under capital lease obligations |
|
$ |
360,949 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Other equipment financed under capital lease obligations with an interest rate of 3.1% |
|
|
13,946 |
|
|
|
|
|
8% note payable for EchoStar IX satellite vendor financing, payable over 14 years from launch |
|
|
8,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other mortgages and notes payable in installments through 2017 with interest ranging from 2% to 21% |
|
|
3,865 |
|
|
|
3,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
386,899 |
|
|
$ |
3,709 |
|
Less current portion |
|
|
(52,220 |
) |
|
|
(1,365 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, net of current portion |
|
$ |
334,679 |
|
|
$ |
2,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Lease Obligations
In connection with the Spin-off, the satellite lease contracts for AMC-15 and AMC-16 were
contributed to EchoStar. These satellites are accounted for as capital leases pursuant to SFAS 13
and are depreciated over the ten-year terms of the satellite service agreements.
AMC-15. AMC-15, an FSS satellite, commenced commercial operation during January 2005. This lease
will be renewable by us on a year to year basis following the initial term, and will provide us
with certain rights to replacement satellites.
AMC-16. AMC 16, an FSS satellite, commenced commercial operation during February 2005. This lease
is renewable by us on a year to year basis following the initial term, and will provide us with
certain rights to replacement satellites.
22
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Future minimum lease payments under these capital lease obligations, together with the present
value of the net minimum lease payments as of March 31, 2008 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2008 (remaining nine months) |
|
$ |
75,466 |
|
2009 |
|
|
89,918 |
|
2010 |
|
|
86,351 |
|
2011 |
|
|
86,351 |
|
2012 |
|
|
86,351 |
|
2013 |
|
|
86,351 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
81,673 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total minimum lease payments |
|
|
592,461 |
|
Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily
insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments |
|
|
(98,541 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net minimum lease payments |
|
|
493,920 |
|
Less: Amount representing interest |
|
|
(119,026 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Present value of net minimum lease payments |
|
|
374,894 |
|
Less: Current portion |
|
|
(50,027 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations |
|
$ |
324,869 |
|
|
|
|
|
9. Income Tax
As of March 31, 2008, we had net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) for federal income tax
purposes of approximately $35 million and tax benefits related to credit
carryforwards of approximately $.5 million. The NOLs and
credit carryforwards begin to expire in the year 2024.
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 our Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheets, as well as probable operating loss, tax credit and other carryforwards. We follow
the guidelines set forth in SFAS 109 regarding the recoverability of any tax assets recorded on the
balance sheet and provide any necessary valuation allowances as required. In accordance with SFAS
109, 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.
In
connection with the Spin-off, our tax basis of assets and liabilities changed
significantly. Furthermore, we had income before taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008
and project taxable ordinary income into the future. As a result of the Spin-off and the related
tax requirements governing the use of our tax assets by DISH Network, we adjusted our
deferred tax assets and corresponding valuation allowance to report our net deferred tax assets at an amount that is more likely than not
realizable. The use of our deferred tax assets by DISH Network and
related effect on our valuation
allowance was recorded as a deemed distribution to DISH Network. As
of March 31, 2008, we had a valuation allowance against deferred
tax assets that are capital in nature, that we currently believe
are not realizable.
23
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
The actual
tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2008 reconciles to the
amounts computed by applying the statutory Federal tax rate to income before taxes as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
% of pre-tax (income)/loss |
Statutory rate |
|
|
(35.0 |
) |
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit |
|
|
(2.4 |
) |
Foreign taxes and income not U.S. taxable |
|
|
(4.3 |
) |
Stock option compensation |
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
Other |
|
|
(3.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total benefit (provision) for income taxes |
|
|
(46.5 |
) |
|
|
|
24
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
Future maturities of our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments due by period |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Satellite-related obligations |
|
$ |
1,085,399 |
|
|
$ |
306,446 |
|
|
$ |
172,977 |
|
|
$ |
86,491 |
|
|
$ |
54,472 |
|
|
$ |
48,761 |
|
|
$ |
47,662 |
|
|
$ |
368,590 |
|
Capital lease obligations |
|
|
374,895 |
|
|
|
39,713 |
|
|
|
46,319 |
|
|
|
47,420 |
|
|
|
52,463 |
|
|
|
57,971 |
|
|
|
63,989 |
|
|
|
67,020 |
|
Operating lease obligations |
|
|
13,290 |
|
|
|
4,776 |
|
|
|
4,951 |
|
|
|
2,592 |
|
|
|
943 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase obligations |
|
|
651,693 |
|
|
|
632,527 |
|
|
|
15,833 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mortgages and other notes payable |
|
|
12,004 |
|
|
|
1,785 |
|
|
|
2,588 |
|
|
|
1,090 |
|
|
|
748 |
|
|
|
808 |
|
|
|
872 |
|
|
|
4,113 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
2,137,281 |
|
|
$ |
985,247 |
|
|
$ |
242,668 |
|
|
$ |
140,926 |
|
|
$ |
108,626 |
|
|
$ |
107,564 |
|
|
$ |
112,527 |
|
|
$ |
439,723 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contingencies
Separation Agreement
In connection with the Spin-off, we have entered into a separation agreement with DISH Network,
which provides for, among other things, the division of liability resulting from litigation. Under
the terms of the separation agreement, we have assumed liability for any acts or omissions that
relate to our business whether such acts or omissions occurred before or after the Spin-off.
Certain exceptions are provided, including for intellectual property related claims generally,
whereby we will only be liable for our acts or omissions that occurred following the Spin-off.
Therefore, we have been indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages
resulting from intellectual property claims relating to the period prior to the effective date of
the Spin-off.
Acacia
During 2004, Acacia Media Technologies, (Acacia) filed a lawsuit against us and DISH Network in
the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit also named
DirecTV, Comcast, Charter, Cox and a number of smaller cable companies as defendants. Acacia is an
intellectual property holding company which seeks to license the patent portfolio that it has
acquired. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,132,992 (the 992 patent),
5,253,275 (the 275 patent), 5,550,863 (the 863 patent), 6,002,720 (the 720 patent) and 6,144,702
(the 702 patent). The 992, 863, 720 and 702 patents have been asserted against us.
The patents relate to various systems and methods related to the transmission of digital data. The
992 and 702 patents have also been asserted against several Internet content providers in the
United States District Court for the Central District of California. During 2004 and 2005, the
Court issued Markman rulings which found that the 992 and 702 patents were not as broad as Acacia
had contended, and that certain terms in the 702 patent were indefinite. The Court issued
additional claim construction rulings on December 14, 2006, March 2, 2007, October 19, 2007, and
February 13, 2008. On March 12, 2008, the Court issued an order outlining a schedule for filing
dispositive invalidity motions based on its claim constructions. Acacia has agreed to stipulate
that all claims in the suit are invalid according to various of the Courts claim constructions and
argues that the case should proceed immediately to the Federal Circuit. The Court has set a
hearing for May 6, 2008, at which time it will determine whether the parties will proceed with
additional invalidity motions or enter final judgment based on Acacias agreement that all asserted
claims are invalid.
Acacias various patent infringement cases have been consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of California. We intend to vigorously
defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the
patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may
include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain
user-friendly features
25
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
that we currently offer to consumers. We are being indemnified by DISH
Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period
prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the
outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Broadcast Innovation, L.L.C.
In 2001, Broadcast Innovation, L.L.C. (Broadcast Innovation) filed a lawsuit against DISH
Network, DirecTV, Thomson Consumer Electronics and others in Federal District Court in Denver,
Colorado. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,076,094 (the 094 patent)
and 4,992,066 (the 066 patent). The 094 patent relates to certain methods and devices for
transmitting and receiving data along with specific formatting information for the data. The 066
patent relates to certain methods and devices for providing the scrambling circuitry for a pay
television system on removable cards. We examined these patents and believe that they are not
infringed by any of our products or services. Subsequently, DirecTV and Thomson settled with
Broadcast Innovation leaving us as the only defendant.
During 2004, the judge issued an order finding the 066 patent invalid. Also in 2004, the Court
ruled the 094 patent invalid in a parallel case filed by Broadcast Innovation against Charter and
Comcast. In 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the 094
patent finding of invalidity and remanded the case back to the District Court. During June 2006,
Charter filed a reexamination request with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The
Court has stayed the case pending reexamination. Our case remains stayed pending resolution of the
Charter case.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we
infringe any of the patents, we may be subject to substantial
damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially
modify certain user-friendly features that we currently offer to consumers. We are being
indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit
relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any
degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or
damages.
Datasec
During April 2008, Datasec Corporation (Datasec) sued us, DISH Network and DirecTV Corporation
in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement
of U.S. Patent No. 6,075,969 (the 969 patent). The 969 patent was issued in 2000 to inventor
Bruce Lusignan, and is entitled Method for Receiving Signals from a Constellation of Satellites
in Close Geosynchronous Orbit.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we
infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include
treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to modify our system architecture. We
are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this
suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with
any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability
or damages.
Finisar Corporation
Finisar Corporation (Finisar) obtained a $100 million verdict in the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Texas against DirecTV for patent infringement. Finisar alleged that
DirecTVs electronic program guide and other elements of its system infringe United States Patent
No. 5,404,505 (the 505 patent).
In July 2006, DISH Network, together with NagraStar LLC, filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment
in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Finisar that asks the
Court to declare that they and we do not infringe, and have not infringed, any valid claim of the
505 patent. Trial is not currently scheduled. The
District Court has stayed our action until the Federal Circuit has resolved DirecTVs appeal.
During April 2008, the
26
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Federal Circuit reversed the judgment against DirecTV and ordered a new
trial. We are evaluating the Federal Circuits decision to determine the impact on our action.
We intend to vigorously prosecute this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that
we infringe this patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages
and/or an injunction that could require us to modify our system architecture. We are being
indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit
relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any
degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or
damages.
Global Communications
On April 19, 2007, Global Communications, Inc., which we refer to as Global, filed a patent
infringement action against DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Texas. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,947,702 (the 702
patent). This patent, which involves satellite reception, was issued in September 2005. On
October 24, 2007, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted our request for
reexamination of the 702 patent and issued an Office Action finding that all of the claims of the
702 patent were invalid. Based on the PTOs decision, we have asked the District Court to stay
the litigation until the reexamination proceeding is concluded.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we
infringe the 702 patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble
damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly
features that we currently offer to consumers. We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any
potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the
effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the
suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Personalized Media Communications
In February 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. filed suit against us, DISH Network and
Motorola, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging
infringement of United States Patent Nos. 4,694,490 (the 490 patent), 5,109,414 (the 414
patent), 4,965,825 (the 825 patent), 5,233,654 (the 654 patent), 5,335,277 (the 277 patent),
and 5,887,243 (the 243 patent), all of which were issued to John Harvey and James Cuddihy as
named inventors. The 490 patent, the 414 patent, the 825 patent, the 654 patent and the 277
patent are defined as the Harvey Patents. The Harvey Patents are entitled Signal Processing
Apparatus and Methods. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that our DBS system receives
program content at broadcast reception and satellite uplinking facilities and transmits such
program content, via satellite, to remote satellite receivers. The lawsuit further alleges that
we infringe the Harvey Patents by transmitting and using a DBS signal specifically encoded to
enable the subject receivers to function in a manner that infringes the Harvey Patents, and by
selling services via DBS transmission processes which infringe the Harvey Patents.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we
infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include
treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain
user-friendly features that we currently offer to consumers. We are being indemnified by DISH
Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period
prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the
outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
27
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Superguide
During 2000, Superguide Corp. (Superguide) filed suit against us. DISH Network, DirecTV, Thomson
and others in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina,
Asheville Division, alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,038,211 (the 211 patent),
5,293,357 (the 357 patent) and 4,751,578 (the 578 patent) which relate to certain electronic
program guide functions, including the use of electronic program guides to control VCRs.
Superguide sought injunctive and declaratory relief and damages in an unspecified amount.
On summary judgment, the District Court ruled that none of the asserted patents were infringed by
us. These rulings were appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
During 2004, the Federal Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part the District Courts
findings and remanded the case back to the District Court for further proceedings. In 2005,
Superguide indicated that it would no longer pursue infringement allegations with respect to the
211 and 357 patents and those patents have now been dismissed from the suit. The District Court
subsequently entered judgment of non-infringement in favor of all defendants as to the 211 and
357 patents and ordered briefing on Thomsons license defense as to the 578 patent. During
December 2006, the District Court found that there were disputed issues of fact regarding Thomsons
license defense, and ordered a trial solely addressed to that issue. That trial took place in
March 2007. In July 2007, the District Court ruled in favor of Superguide. As a result,
Superguide will be able to proceed with its infringement action against us, DirecTV and Thomson.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we
infringe the 578 patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble
damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly
electronic programming guide and related features that we currently offer to consumers. We are
being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit
relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any
degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or
damages.
Tivo Inc.
On January 31, 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed in part and
reversed in part the April 2006 jury verdict concluding that certain of our digital video
recorders, or DVRs, infringed a patent held by Tivo. In its decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed
the jurys verdict of infringement on Tivos software claims, upheld the award of damages from
the district court, and ordered that the stay of the district courts injunction against us, which
was issued pending appeal, will dissolve when the appeal becomes final. The Federal Circuit,
however, found that we did not literally infringe Tivos hardware claims, and remanded such
claims back to the district court for further proceedings. We are appealing the Federal Circuits
ruling to the United States Supreme Court.
In addition, we have developed and deployed next-generation DVR software to our customers DVRs.
This improved software is fully operational and has been automatically downloaded to current
customers (the Design-Around). We have formal legal opinions from outside counsel that conclude
that our Design-Around does not infringe, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, either
the hardware or software claims of Tivos patent.
If the Federal Circuits decision is upheld and Tivo decides to challenge the Design-Around, we
will mount a vigorous defense. If we are unsuccessful in subsequent appeals or in defending
against claims that the Design-Around infringes Tivos patent, we could be prohibited from
distributing DVRs, or be required to modify or eliminate certain user-friendly features in DVRs
that we currently sell to our customers. In that event we would be at a significant disadvantage
to our competitors who could offer this functionality and, while we would attempt to provide that
functionality through other means, the adverse affect on our business could be material. We could
also have to pay substantial additional damages. We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any
potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the
effective date of the Spin-off. Although we
28
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
believe that we do not infringe under any of the claims asserted against us and DISH Network, we
cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any
potential liability or damages.
Other
In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims
which arise in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability
with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position,
results of operations or liquidity.
11. Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization expense consists of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Satellites |
|
$ |
34,786 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other |
|
|
16,562 |
|
|
|
1,087 |
|
Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization |
|
|
8,222 |
|
|
|
294 |
|
Buildings and improvements |
|
|
1,400 |
|
|
|
114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total depreciation and amortization |
|
$ |
60,970 |
|
|
$ |
1,495 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales and operating expense categories included in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations do not include depreciation expense related to satellites.
12. Segment Reporting
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS 131) establishes standards for reporting information
about operating segments in annual financial statements of public business enterprises and requires
that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim financial
reports issued to stockholders. Operating segments are components of an enterprise for which
separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision
maker(s) of an enterprise. Total assets by segment have not been specified because the information
is not available to the chief operating decision-maker. Under this definition, we currently
operate as two business units.
|
|
|
Equipment sales and digital broadcast operations Equipment sales include the sales of
set-top boxes and related components including Slingboxes to DISH Network and international
customers. Digital broadcast operations include satellite uplinking/downlinking,
transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management, telemetry,
tracking and control, and other services provided primarily to DISH Network. |
|
|
|
|
Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) FSS consists of fixed satellite services provided
primarily to DISH Network, and secondarily to other customers. |
29
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
The All Other category consists of revenue and net income (loss) from other operating segments
for which the disclosure requirements of SFAS 131 do not apply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment sales and digital broadcast operations |
|
$ |
493,615 |
|
|
$ |
447,763 |
|
FSS |
|
|
56,204 |
|
|
|
|
|
All other |
|
|
4,752 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
554,571 |
|
|
$ |
447,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment sales and digital broadcast operations |
|
$ |
6,318 |
|
|
$ |
(18,504 |
) |
FSS |
|
|
(17,093 |
) |
|
|
|
|
All other |
|
|
16,476 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net income (loss) |
|
$ |
5,701 |
|
|
$ |
(18,504 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13. Geographic Information and Transactions with Major Customers
Geographic Information
The following table summarizes total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to foreign locations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
States |
|
|
Europe |
|
|
Asia |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Long-lived assets,
including FCC
authorizations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
1,898,479 |
|
|
$ |
12,471 |
|
|
$ |
204,113 |
|
|
$ |
2,115,063 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2007 |
|
$ |
379,826 |
|
|
$ |
12,679 |
|
|
$ |
184,279 |
|
|
$ |
576,784 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
519,683 |
|
|
$ |
34,888 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
554,571 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2007 |
|
$ |
428,702 |
|
|
$ |
19,061 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
447,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transactions with Major Customers
During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, the North America revenue primarily includes
sales to two major customers. The following table summarizes sales to each customer and its
percentage of total revenue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Total revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISH Network |
|
$ |
464,164 |
|
|
$ |
398,840 |
|
Bell ExpressVu |
|
|
42,963 |
|
|
|
35,289 |
|
Other |
|
|
47,444 |
|
|
|
13,634 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
554,571 |
|
|
$ |
447,763 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of total revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISH Network |
|
|
83.7 |
% |
|
|
89.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bell ExpressVu |
|
|
7.7 |
% |
|
|
7.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
14. Non-Marketable Investment Securities Accounted for Using the Equity Method
We own 50% of NagraStar L.L.C. (NagraStar), a joint venture that is our exclusive provider of
encryption and related security technology used in our set-top boxes. Although we do not
consolidate NagraStar, we have the ability to significantly influence its operating policies;
therefore, we account for our investment in NagraStar under the equity method of accounting.
Summarized financial information for NagraStar is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Balance Sheets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
$ |
112,331 |
|
|
$ |
109,619 |
|
Noncurrent assets |
|
|
1,420 |
|
|
|
872 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
113,751 |
|
|
$ |
110,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Owners Equity (Deficit) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current and total liabilities |
|
$ |
76,687 |
|
|
$ |
70,331 |
|
Owners equity (deficit) |
|
|
37,064 |
|
|
|
40,160 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and owners equity (deficit) |
|
$ |
113,751 |
|
|
$ |
110,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Statement of Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
8,308 |
|
|
$ |
19,997 |
|
Operating, selling, general administrative expenses, net |
|
|
12,065 |
|
|
|
18,736 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
(3,836 |
) |
|
|
1,199 |
|
Other income (expense) |
|
|
741 |
|
|
|
757 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(3,095 |
) |
|
$ |
1,956 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15. Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions with NagraStar
During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, we purchased security access devices from
NagraStar of $8 million and $19 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007,
amounts payable to NagraStar totaled $2 million and $3 million, respectively. Additionally, as of
March 31, 2008, we were committed to purchase $34 million of security access devices from
NagraStar.
Related Party Transactions with DISH Network
Following
the Spin-off, we and DISH Network have operated as separate public
companies and DISH Network has no
ownership interest in us. However, we are both under the common control of our Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors, Charles W. Ergen.
We and DISH Network entered into certain transitional services agreements pursuant to which we will
obtain certain services and rights from DISH Network, DISH Network will obtain certain services and
rights from us, and we and DISH Network have indemnified each other against certain liabilities
arising from our respective businesses.
31
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
The
following is a summary of the terms of the principal
agreements that we have entered into with DISH Network that have an impact on our results of
operations.
In the near term, we expect that DISH Network will remain our principal customer. Pursuant to the
commercial agreements we entered into with DISH Network, we will sell equipment, including set-top
boxes, to DISH Network and we will provide digital broadcast operations and other products and
services to DISH Network. Generally, all agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off
are based on pricing at cost plus an additional amount equal to an agreed percentage of our cost,
which will vary depending on the nature of the products and services provided. These commercial
agreements also provide for an arbitration mechanism in the event we are unable to reach agreement
with DISH Network as to the additional amounts payable for products and services, under which the
arbitrator will determine the additional amounts payable by reference to fair market value of the
products and services supplied.
Equipment sales DISH Network
|
|
|
Receiver Agreement. We entered into a receiver agreement for the sale of receivers and
other satellite television programming accessories to DISH Network. Under the receiver
agreement, DISH Network will have the right but not the obligation to purchase receivers
and accessories from us for a two year period. Additionally, we will provide DISH Network
with standard manufacturer warranties for the goods sold under the receiver agreement. DISH
Network may terminate the receiver agreement for any reason upon sixty days written notice.
We may also terminate this agreement if certain entities were to acquire DISH Network.
DISH Network has the right, but not the obligation, to extend the receiver agreement
annually for up to two years. The receiver agreement also includes an indemnification
provision, whereby the parties will indemnify each other for certain intellectual property
matters. |
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other services DISH Network
|
|
|
Broadcast Agreement. We entered into a broadcast agreement with DISH Network, whereby
DISH Network receives broadcast services, including teleport services such as transmission
and downlinking, channel origination, and channel management services from us, thereby
enabling DISH Network to deliver satellite television programming to subscribers. The
broadcast agreement has a term of two years beginning on January 1, 2008; however, DISH
Network has the right, but not the obligation, to extend the agreement annually for
successive one-year periods for up to two additional years. DISH Network may terminate
channel origination services and channel management services for any reason and without any
liability upon sixty days written notice to us. If DISH Network terminates teleport
services for a reason other than
our breach, DISH Network shall pay us a sum equal to the aggregate amount of the remainder
of the expected cost of providing the teleport services. |
|
|
|
|
Real Estate Lease Agreements. We entered into lease agreements with DISH Network so
that DISH Network can continue to operate certain properties that were contributed to us in
the Spin-off. 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 is responsible for a portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the
premises. The term of each of the leases is set forth below: |
Inverness Lease Agreement. The lease for 90 Inverness Circle East in Englewood,
Colorado, is for a period of two years.
Meridian Lease Agreement. The lease for 9601 S. Meridian Blvd. in Englewood, Colorado,
is for a period of two years with annual renewal options for up to three additional
years.
32
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
Santa Fe Lease Agreement. The lease for 5701 S. Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton, Colorado, is
for a period of two years with annual renewal options for up to three additional years.
|
|
|
Product Support Agreement. DISH Network needs us to provide product support (including
engineering and technical support services and IPTV functionality) for all receivers and
related accessories that our subsidiaries have sold and will sell to DISH Network. As a
result, we entered into a product support agreement, under which DISH Network has the
right, but not the obligation, to receive product support services in respect of such
receivers and related accessories. The term of the product support agreement is the
economic life of such receivers and related accessories, unless terminated earlier. DISH
Network may terminate the product support agreement for any reason upon sixty days prior
written notice. |
|
|
|
|
Satellite Capacity Agreements. We entered into satellite capacity agreements whereby a
DISH Network subsidiary, on a transitional basis, leases satellite capacity on satellites
owned by us and/or slots licensed by us. The fees for the services to be provided under
the satellite capacity agreements are based on spot market prices for similar satellite
capacity and depend upon, among other things, the orbital location of the satellite and the
frequency on which the satellite provides services. Generally, each satellite capacity
agreement will terminate upon the earlier of: (i) the end of life or replacement of the
satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date that the transponder on which
service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) two years from the effective
date of such agreement. |
|
|
|
|
Services Agreement. We entered into a services agreement with DISH Network under which
DISH Network has the right, but not the obligation, to receive logistics, procurement and
quality assurance services from us. This agreement has a term of two years. This
limited-term agreement is designed to facilitate the separation of us and DISH Network.
DISH Network may terminate the services agreement with respect to a particular service for
any reason upon sixty days prior written notice. |
General and administrative expenses DISH Network
|
|
|
Management Services Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a
management services agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network makes
certain of its officers available to provide services (which are primarily legal and
accounting services) to EchoStar. Specifically, Bernard L. Han, R. Stanton Dodge and Paul
W. Orban remain employed by DISH Network, but serve as EchoStars Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and Senior Vice
President and Controller, respectively. In addition, Carl E. Vogel remains employed by DISH
Network but provides services to EchoStar as an advisor. We will make payments to DISH
Network based upon an allocable portion of the personnel costs and expenses incurred by
DISH Network with respect to such DISH Network officers (taking into account wages and
fringe benefits). These allocations will be based upon the estimated percentages of time
to be spent by the DISH Network executive officers
performing services for us under the management services agreement. We will also reimburse
DISH Network for direct out-of-pocket costs incurred by DISH Network for management services
provided to us. We and DISH Network evaluate all charges for reasonableness at least
annually and make any adjustments to these charges as we and DISH Network mutually agree
upon. |
|
|
|
|
The management services agreement will continue in effect until January 1, 2009, and will be
renewed automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier
(i) by us at any time upon at least 30 days prior written notice, (ii) by DISH Network at
the end of any renewal term, upon at least 180 days prior notice; and (iii) by DISH Network
upon written notice to us, following certain changes in control. |
|
|
|
|
Transition Services Agreement. We entered into a transition services agreement with
DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network, or one of its subsidiaries, provides certain
transitional services to us. Under the transition services agreement, we have the right,
but not the obligation, to receive the following services from DISH Network: finance,
information technology, benefits administration, travel and event coordination, human
resources, human resources development (training), program management, internal |
33
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
audit and
corporate quality, legal, accounting and tax, and other support services. The transition
services agreement has a term of two years. |
Tax Sharing Agreement
|
|
|
We entered into a tax sharing agreement with DISH Network which governs our and DISH
Networks 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, will be borne by DISH Network, and DISH
Network will indemnify us for such taxes. However, DISH Network will not be liable for and
will not indemnify us for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or
certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any
provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code because of (i) a direct or indirect
acquisition of any of our stock, stock options or assets, (ii) any action that we take or
fail to take or (iii) any action that we take that is inconsistent with the information and
representations furnished to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter
ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with
respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions. In such case, we will be solely
liable for, and will indemnify DISH Network for, any resulting taxes, as well as any
losses, claims and expenses. The tax sharing agreement terminates 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. |
Other DISH Network Transactions
|
|
|
Nimiq 5 Lease Agreement. On March 11, 2008, we entered into a transponder service
agreement (the Transponder Agreement) with Bell ExpressVu Inc., in its capacity as
General Partner of Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership (Bell ExpressVu), which provides,
among other things, for the provision by Bell ExpressVu to us of service on sixteen (16)
BSS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7° W.L. orbital location.. The Nimiq 5
satellite is expected to be launched in the second half of 2009. Bell ExpressVu currently
has the right to receive service on the entire communications capacity of the Nimiq 5
satellite pursuant to an agreement with Telesat Canada. On March 11, 2008, we also entered
into a transponder service agreement with DISH Network L.L.C. (DISH L.L.C.), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH L.L.C. will receive service
from EchoStar on all of the BSS transponders covered by the Transponder Agreement (the
DISH Agreement). DISH Network guaranteed certain of our obligations under the
Transponder Agreement. |
|
|
|
|
Under the terms of the Transponder Agreement, we will make certain up-front payments to Bell
ExpressVu through the service commencement date on the Nimiq 5 satellite and thereafter will
make certain monthly payments to Bell ExpressVu for the remainder of the service term.
Unless earlier terminated under the
terms and conditions of the Transponder Agreement, the service term will expire fifteen
years following the actual service commencement date of the Nimiq 5 satellite. Upon
expiration of this initial term, we have the option to continue to receive service on the
Nimiq 5 satellite on a month-to-month basis. Upon a launch failure, in-orbit failure or
end-of-life of the Nimiq 5 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, we have certain
rights to receive service from Bell ExpressVu on a replacement satellite. |
|
|
|
|
Under the terms of the DISH Agreement, DISH L.L.C. will make certain monthly payments to us
commencing when the Nimiq 5 satellite is placed into service (the In-Service Date) and
continuing through the service term. Unless earlier terminated under the terms and
conditions of the DISH Agreement, the service term will expire ten years following the
In-Service Date. Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH L.L.C. has the option to renew
the DISH Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the Nimiq 5 satellite.
Upon a launch failure, in-orbit failure or end-of-life of the Nimiq 5 satellite, and in
certain other circumstances, DISH L.L.C. has certain rights to receive service from EchoStar
on a replacement satellite. |
34
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
(Unaudited)
16. Subsequent Events
CMBStar
We are
suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite and may record an impairment
charge. During April 2008, we notified the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of
China that we were suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite pending, among other things,
further analysis relating to efforts to meet the satellite performance criteria and/or confirmation
that alternative performance criteria would be acceptable. We are also currently evaluating
potential alternative uses for the CMBStar satellite. Therefore, we
could be required to record an impairment charge relating to the CMBStar satellite. We currently estimate that this
potential charge could be as much as $100 million, which would have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations and financial position.
35
|
|
|
Item 2. |
|
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS |
Overview
The Spin-off. Effective January 1, 2008, DISH Network Corporation (DISH Network) completed its
distribution to us (the Spin-off) of its set top box business and certain infrastructure and
other assets, including certain of its satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real
estate and other assets and related liabilities. Our business now consists of the following
segments:
|
|
|
Equipment sales and digital broadcast operations - Equipment sales include sales of
set-top boxes and related components, including Slingboxes, primarily to DISH Network, but
also to certain other customers, most of whom operate primarily in international markets.
Digital broadcast operations include satellite and transponder leasing, satellite
uplinking/downlinking, signal processing, conditional access management, telemetry,
tracking and control, and other services provided primarily to DISH Network. |
|
|
|
|
Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) - FSS consists of fixed satellite services provided
primarily to DISH Network. |
Dependence on DISH Network. We currently depend on DISH Network for substantially all of the
revenue for each of our primary businesses. We expect that for the foreseeable future, DISH
Network will continue to be the primary source of revenue for each of these businesses. Therefore,
our results of operations are and will for the foreseeable future be closely linked to the
performance of DISH Networks satellite pay-TV business.
Changes in DISH Network subscriber growth could have a material adverse affect on our set-top box
sales. However, the impact to us of declining DISH Network subscriber growth may be offset over
the near term by an increase in sales to DISH Network resulting from the upgrade of DISH Network
subscribers to advanced products such as high definition (HD) receivers, digital video recorders
(DVRs) and HD DVRs, as well as by the upgrade of DISH set-top boxes to new technologies such as
MPEG-4. However we cannot assure you that any of these factors will mitigate declining subscriber
growth at DISH Network. In addition, because all of our sales to DISH Network are made pursuant to
short-term contracts, we can not assure you that DISH Network will continue to purchase products
and services from us on a long-term basis.
We expect to experience significant pressure on margins we earn on the sale of set-top boxes and
other equipment, including on sales to DISH Network. This pressure may be due to advancements in
the technology and functionality of set-top boxes and other equipment, as well as DISH Networks
right under our commercial agreements to terminate on 60 days notice. We expect that the margins
we earn on sales will be determined largely through periodic negotiations which are likely to
result in pricing that will reflect, among other things, the set-top boxes and other equipment that
best meet our customers current sales and marketing priorities, the product and service
alternatives available from other equipment suppliers, and our ability to respond to customer
requirements and to differentiate ourselves from other equipment suppliers on bases other than
pricing.
In addition, because the number of potential new customers for our set-top box, fixed satellite
services and digital broadcast operations businesses is small and is likely to be limited by our
relationship with DISH Network, our current customer concentration is likely to continue for the
foreseeable future. Our future success may also depend on the extent to which prospective customers
that have been competitors of DISH Network are willing to purchase products and services from us.
Many of these customers may continue to view us as a competitor given the common ownership and
management team we continue to share with DISH Network.
Additional Challenges for our Set-top Box Business. We believe that our best opportunities for
developing potential new customers for our set-top box business lie in international markets, and
we therefore expect our performance in international markets to be a significant factor in
determining whether we will be able to generate revenue and income growth in future periods.
However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to sustain or grow our international
business.
In addition, unfavorable events in the economy, including a continuation or further deterioration
in the credit and equity markets, could cause consumer demand for pay-TV services and consequently
sales of our set-top boxes to materially decline because consumers may delay purchasing decisions
or change or reduce their discretionary spending.
36
Item 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
-
Continued
Our ability to sustain or increase profitability will also depend in large part on our ability to
control or reduce our costs of producing set-top boxes. The market for our set-top boxes, like
other electronic products, has been characterized by regular reductions in selling prices and
production costs. Therefore, we will likely be required to reduce production costs in order to
maintain the margins we earn on set-top boxes and the profitability of our set-top box business.
Additional Challenges for our FSS business. Following completion of the Spin-off, we have begun to
operate a fixed satellite services business. This business is being developed using our six owned
and two leased in-orbit satellites, multiple digital broadcast centers and other transmission
assets. As with our set-top box business, DISH Network currently accounts for substantially all of
our FSS revenue. While we expect to continue to provide satellite services to DISH Network for the
foreseeable future, its satellite capacity requirements may change for a variety of reasons. In
particular, DISH Network may reduce its purchase of satellite services from us if it successfully
completes the launch and orbital placement of satellites that it has previously announced.
Any termination or reduction in the services we provide to DISH Network would increase excess
capacity on our satellites and require that we aggressively pursue alternative sources of revenue
for this business.
However, our ability to expand revenues in the FSS business will likely require that we displace
incumbent suppliers that generally have well established business models and often benefit from
long term contracts with customers. As a result, in order to grow our FSS business we may need to
develop or otherwise acquire access to new satellite-delivered services so that we may offer
customers differentiated services or we may be required to compete aggressively on the basis of
pricing, either or both of which may affect our profitability.
We currently have substantial unused satellite capacity. Future costs associated with this excess
capacity will negatively impact our margins if we do not generate revenue to offset these costs.
In addition, because a substantial portion of the capacity of each of our AMC-15, AMC-16 and
EchoStar IX satellites remains without long-term anticipated use by DISH Network, there is a
significant risk that in the future, in addition to reporting lower than expected revenues and
profitability, we could be required to record a substantial impairment charge relating to one or
more of these satellites. We currently estimate that these potential charges could aggregate up to
$250 million, which, if incurred, would have a material adverse effect on our reported operating
results and financial position.
We are
suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite and may record an impairment
charge. During April 2008, we notified the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of
China that we were suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite pending, among other things,
further analysis relating to efforts to meet the satellite performance criteria and/or confirmation
that alternative performance criteria would be acceptable. We are also currently evaluating
potential alternative uses for the CMBStar satellite. Therefore, we
could be required to record an impairment charge relating to the CMBStar satellite. We currently estimate that this
potential charge could be as much as $100 million, which would have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations and financial position.
General Risks. Our profitability will also be affected by costs associated with our efforts to
expand our sales, marketing, product development and general and administrative capabilities in all
of our businesses, as well as expenses that we incur as a separate publicly-traded company. These
costs include costs associated with, among other things, financial reporting, information
technology, complying with federal securities laws (including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002), tax administration and human resources related functions. As we expand
internationally, we may also incur additional costs to conform our set-top boxes to comply with
local laws or local specifications and to ship our set-top boxes to our international customers.
37
Item 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
-
Continued
EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS
Equipment sales DISH Network. Equipment sales DISH Network primarily includes sales of
set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network, including Slingboxes and related hardware
products.
Equipment sales other. Equipment sales other primarily includes sales of set-top boxes and
related components to Bell ExpressVu and other international customers, including sales of
Slingboxes and related hardware products.
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other services DISH Network. FSS, digital broadcast
operations and other services DISH Network primarily includes revenue associated with satellite
and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking, signal processing, conditional access
management, telemetry, tracking and control, professional services and facilities rental revenue.
FSS and other services other. FSS and other services other primarily includes revenue
associated with satellite and transponder leasing, satellite uplinking/downlinking and other
services provided to customers other than DISH Network.
Cost of sales equipment. Cost of sales equipment principally includes costs associated
with set-top boxes and related components sold to DISH Network, Bell ExpressVu and other
international customers, including costs associated with Slingboxes and related hardware products.
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other cost of sales. FSS, digital broadcast operations and
other cost of sales principally includes costs associated with satellite and transponder leasing,
satellite uplinking/downlinking, signal processing, conditional access management, telemetry,
tracking and control, professional services and facilities rental revenue.
Research and development expenses. Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs
associated with the design and development of our set-top boxes, Slingboxes and related components,
including among other things, salaries and consulting fees.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses
consists primarily of selling and marketing costs and employee-related costs associated with
administrative services including non-cash, stock-based compensation expense. It also includes
professional fees (i.e., legal, information systems and accounting services) and other items
associated with facilities and administration provided by DISH Network and other third parties.
Interest expense. Interest expense primarily includes interest expense associated with our
capital lease obligations.
Other income (expense). The main components of Other income and expense are gains and losses
realized on the sale of investments, equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates, and
impairment of marketable and non-marketable investment securities.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). EBITDA is defined as
Net income (loss) plus Interest expense net of Interest income, Income taxes and
Depreciation and amortization. This non-GAAP measure is reconciled to net income (loss) in our
discussion of Results of Operations below.
Free cash flow. We define free cash flow as Net cash flows from operating activities less
Purchases of property and equipment, as shown on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows.
38
Item 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
-Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
Variance |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
% |
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
(In thousands) |
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equipment sales DISH Network |
|
$ |
371,694 |
|
|
$ |
398,840 |
|
|
$ |
(27,146 |
) |
|
|
(6.8 |
) |
Equipment sales other |
|
|
74,822 |
|
|
|
45,108 |
|
|
|
29,714 |
|
|
|
65.9 |
|
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other
services DISH Network |
|
|
92,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92,470 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
FSS and other services other |
|
|
15,585 |
|
|
|
3,815 |
|
|
|
11,770 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
|
554,571 |
|
|
|
447,763 |
|
|
|
106,808 |
|
|
|
23.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales equipment |
|
|
382,425 |
|
|
|
427,699 |
|
|
|
(45,274 |
) |
|
|
(10.6 |
) |
% of Total equipment sales |
|
|
85.6 |
% |
|
|
96.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other
cost of sales |
|
|
52,516 |
|
|
|
3,334 |
|
|
|
49,182 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
% of Total FSS, digital broadcast operations and
other services |
|
|
48.6 |
% |
|
|
87.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development expense |
|
|
13,666 |
|
|
|
14,121 |
|
|
|
(455 |
) |
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
% of Total revenue |
|
|
2.5 |
% |
|
|
3.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
31,333 |
|
|
|
19,086 |
|
|
|
12,247 |
|
|
|
64.2 |
|
% of Total revenue |
|
|
5.6 |
% |
|
|
4.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
60,970 |
|
|
|
1,495 |
|
|
|
59,475 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
540,910 |
|
|
|
465,735 |
|
|
|
75,175 |
|
|
|
16.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
13,661 |
|
|
|
(17,972 |
) |
|
|
31,633 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income (Expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
21,369 |
|
|
|
374 |
|
|
|
20,995 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(8,283 |
) |
|
|
(267 |
) |
|
|
(8,016 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
Casualty loss |
|
|
(12,799 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12,799 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
Other |
|
|
(3,285 |
) |
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
|
(3,121 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
(2,998 |
) |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
(2,941 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
10,663 |
|
|
|
(18,029 |
) |
|
|
28,692 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
Income tax (provision) benefit, net |
|
|
(4,962 |
) |
|
|
(475 |
) |
|
|
(4,487 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
|
46.5 |
% |
|
|
-2.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
5,701 |
|
|
$ |
(18,504 |
) |
|
$ |
24,205 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
58,547 |
|
|
$ |
(16,641 |
) |
|
$ |
75,124 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
39
Item 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
-
Continued
Equipment sales DISH Network. Equipment sales DISH Network totaled $372 million during the
three months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $27 million or 6.8% compared to the same period in
2007. This change resulted from a decrease in unit sales of set-top boxes and related components,
partially offset by an increase in the sale of advanced products such as HD receivers, DVR and HD
DVRs. In addition, in connection with the Spin-off, set-top boxes, which were previously sold to
DISH Network at cost, are sold at cost plus an agreed upon margin, discussed below.
In the near term, we expect DISH Network to remain the primary customer of our set-top box business
and the primary source of our total revenue. Pursuant to the commercial agreements we entered into
with DISH Network, we will continue to be obligated to sell set-top boxes to DISH Network at cost
plus an additional amount that is equal to a fixed percentage of our cost for a period of two years
from the date of the Spin-off, although DISH Network will have no obligations to purchase set-top
boxes from us during or after this two year period.
Equipment sales other. Equipment sales other totaled $75 million during the three months
ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $30 million or 65.9% compared to the same period during 2007.
This change principally resulted from an increase in sales to international customers and an
increase in sales of advanced products to Bell ExpressVu, partially offset by a decrease in unit sales
of set-top boxes and related components to Bell ExpressVu.
We currently have certain binding purchase orders from Bell ExpressVu our primary non-DISH Network
customer extending into the third quarter of 2008. However, Bell ExpressVu has no future
obligation to purchase set-top boxes from us. Cancellations or reductions of customer orders could
result in the loss of anticipated sales without allowing us sufficient time to reduce our inventory
and operating expenses.
FSS, digital broadcast operations and other services DISH Network. FSS, digital broadcast
operations and other services DISH Network totaled $92 million during the three months ended
March 31, 2008 resulting from the sales of services to DISH Network including satellite and
transponder leasing, and digital broadcast operations in connection with the Spin-off.
FSS and other services other. FSS and other services other totaled $16 million during the
three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $12 million compared to the same period during
2007. This change principally resulted from the increase in satellite and transponder leasing and
other services provided to customers other than DISH Network and a
one-time revenue benefit recognized during the quarter.
Cost of sales equipment. Cost of sales equipment totaled $382 million during the three
months ended March 31, 2008, a decrease of $45 million or 10.6% compared to the same period in
2007. This change primarily resulted from a decrease in volume of set-top boxes and related
components sold to DISH Network, partially offset by an increase in the cost per unit of set-top
boxes and related components sold to DISH Network. In addition, this increase related to an
increase in the cost of set-top boxes and related components sold to Bell ExpressVu and other
international customers. Cost of sales equipment represented 85.6% and 96.3% of total
equipment sales during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Prior to the
Spin-off, set-top boxes and related components were historically sold to DISH Network at cost. The
decrease in the expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from the sale of set-top boxes and
related components sold to DISH Network at cost plus a fixed margin during the three months ended
March 31, 2008. This decrease was partially offset by a decline in margins on sales to Bell
ExpressVu and other international customers.
Cost of sales FSS, digital broadcast operations and other services. Cost of sales FSS,
digital broadcast operations and other services totaled $53 million during the three months ended
March 31, 2008, an increase of $49 million compared to the same period in 2007. This increase
principally resulted from the costs associated with digital broadcast operations and professional
services primarily provided to DISH Network. Cost of sales FSS, digital broadcast operations
and other services represented 48.6% and 87.4% of total FSS, digital broadcast operations and
other revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease in
this expense to revenue ratio principally resulted from the margins now earned on transponder
leasing as a result of our agreements entered into with DISH Network in connection with the
Spin-off. The majority of the costs associated with our satellites utilized in our FSS business
are included in Depreciation and amortization expense discussed below.
40
Item 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
-
Continued
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses
totaled $31 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $12 million
compared to the same period in 2007. This increase was attributable to an increase in certain
management and administrative services including non-cash, stock-based compensation expense,
primarily including those costs associated with the acquisition of Sling Media. In addition, the
increase related to higher personal property and real estate taxes as a result of the real estate
and other assets contributed to us in connection with the Spin-off. Selling, general and
administrative expenses represented 5.6% and 4.3% of Total revenue during the three months ended
March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in the ratio of those expenses to Total
revenue was primarily attributable to the increase in expenses relative to the growth in revenue,
discussed previously.
Depreciation
and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $61 million during
the three months ended March 31, 2008, a $59 million increase compared to the same period in 2007.
The increase in Depreciation and amortization expense was primarily attributable to the
Depreciation and amortization expense associated with the contribution of satellites, digital
broadcast assets, real estate and other assets by DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off.
Interest income. Interest income totaled $21 million during the three months ended March 31,
2008, as a result of the cash and marketable investment securities contributed by DISH Network to
us in connection with the Spin-off.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. Interest expense totaled $8 million during the
three months ended March 31, 2008 as a result of interest associated with our capital leases
contributed to us as a result of the Spin-off.
Casualty loss. Casualty loss totaled $13 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008.
In connection with the AMC-14 launch anomaly, we wrote-off certain deposits, capitalized interest
and insurance costs, net of expected insurance proceeds (see Note 6 in the Notes to our Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements).
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA was $59 million during the
three months ended March 31, 2008, an increase of $75 million compared to the same period in 2007.
The following table reconciles EBITDA to the accompanying financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
EBITDA |
|
$ |
58,547 |
|
|
$ |
(16,641 |
) |
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense and interest income, net |
|
|
(13,086 |
) |
|
|
(107 |
) |
Income tax provision (benefit), net |
|
|
4,962 |
|
|
|
475 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
60,970 |
|
|
|
1,495 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
5,701 |
|
|
$ |
(18,504 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA is not a measure determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States, or GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net
income or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Conceptually, EBITDA measures the
amount of income generated each period that could be used to service debt, pay taxes and fund
capital expenditures. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures
of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
EBITDA is used by our management as a measure of operating efficiency and overall financial
performance for benchmarking against our peers and competitors. Management believes EBITDA
provides meaningful supplemental information regarding liquidity and the underlying operating
performance of our business. Management also believes that EBITDA is useful to investors because
it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate
companies in the digital set-top box industry.
Income tax (provision) benefit, net. Our income tax provision was $5 million during the three
months ended March 31, 2008. During the first quarter of 2008, we generated taxable income in comparison to the prior year when
we generated a loss. We expect our effective tax rate for the current year to be consistent with
the provision recorded in this quarter.
41
Item 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
-
Continued
Net income (loss). Net income was $6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2008, an
increase of $24 million compared to the same period in 2007. The improvement was primarily
attributable to the changes in revenue and expenses discussed above.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Investment Securities
We consider all liquid investments purchased within 90 days of their maturity to be cash
equivalents. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for
further discussion regarding our marketable investment securities. Our restricted and unrestricted
cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities as of March 31, 2008 totaled $1.346
billion, including $3 million of restricted cash and marketable investment securities, compared to
$532 million of cash and marketable investment securities as of December 31, 2007. The $814
million increase in restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment
securities was primarily related to the contribution of approximately $1.0 billion of cash, cash
equivalents and marketable investment securities to EchoStar in connection with the Spin-off.
In connection with the Spin-off, DISH Network contributed its AMC-14 satellite services contract to
us. On April 11, 2008, SES Americom announced that it has declared to insurers that the AMC-14
satellite is now considered a total loss, due to a lack of viable options to reposition the
satellite to its proper geostationary orbit. Therefore, we have no obligation to make any future
monthly lease payments to SES Americom with respect to the satellite. However, we did make
up-front payments with respect to the satellite prior to launch and recorded capitalized interest
and insurance costs related to the satellite. These amounts net of expected insurance proceeds of
$13 million were written-off during the three months ended March 31, 2008 in our Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The following discussion highlights our free cash flow and cash flow activities during the three
months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as Net cash flows from operating activities less Purchases of property
and equipment, as shown on our Condensed 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, 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.
During the three months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, free cash flow was significantly impacted by
changes in operating assets and liabilities as shown in the Net cash flows from operating
activities section of our Condensed 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, managements timing of payments and control of inventory levels, and cash receipts. 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, operating
efficiencies, increases or decreases in purchases of property and equipment and other factors.
42
|
|
|
Item 2. |
|
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -
Continued |
The following table reconciles free cash flow to Net cash flows from operating activities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
|
|
Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Free cash flow |
|
$ |
(69,421) |
|
|
$ |
(57,781 |
) |
Add back: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
|
61,777 |
|
|
|
52,719 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from operating activities |
|
$ |
(7,644) |
|
|
$ |
(5,062 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The $12 million decline in free cash flow during the three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to
the same period in 2007 resulted from a decline in Net cash flows from operating activities of $3
million and an increase in Purchases of property and equipment of $9 million. The decline in
Net cash flows from operating activities was primarily attributable to a reduction in cash
resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities partially offset by an increase in net
income, adjusted to exclude non-cash changes in Depreciation and amortization expense and
Deferred tax expense (benefit). The increase in Purchases of property and equipment during the
three months ended March 31, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily attributable to
an increase in overall corporate capital expenditures.
Our future capital expenditures are likely to increase if we make additional investments in
infrastructure necessary to support and expand our fixed satellite services business, if we
increase the number of set-top boxes that we produce as a result of the expansion of our business
because of improvements in the economy or otherwise, if we make additional investments in new
businesses, products and technologies, and if we decide to purchase one or more additional
satellites. Conversely, our future capital expenditures are likely to decrease if we are unable to
successfully compete in the market for fixed satellite services, if we produce fewer set-top boxes
as a result of a decrease in actual or anticipated set-top box revenues, and if we do not make
material investments in new businesses, products and technology.
Obligations and Future Capital Requirements
Contractual Obligations
Future maturities of our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2008 are summarized as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments due by period |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Satellite-related obligations |
|
$ |
1,085,399 |
|
|
$ |
306,446 |
|
|
$ |
172,977 |
|
|
$ |
86,491 |
|
|
$ |
54,472 |
|
|
$ |
48,761 |
|
|
$ |
47,662 |
|
|
$ |
368,590 |
|
Capital lease obligations |
|
|
374,895 |
|
|
|
39,713 |
|
|
|
46,319 |
|
|
|
47,420 |
|
|
|
52,463 |
|
|
|
57,971 |
|
|
|
63,989 |
|
|
|
67,020 |
|
Operating lease obligations |
|
|
13,290 |
|
|
|
4,776 |
|
|
|
4,951 |
|
|
|
2,592 |
|
|
|
943 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase obligations |
|
|
651,693 |
|
|
|
632,527 |
|
|
|
15,833 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mortgages and other notes payable |
|
|
12,004 |
|
|
|
1,785 |
|
|
|
2,588 |
|
|
|
1,090 |
|
|
|
748 |
|
|
|
808 |
|
|
|
872 |
|
|
|
4,113 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
2,137,281 |
|
|
$ |
985,247 |
|
|
$ |
242,668 |
|
|
$ |
140,926 |
|
|
$ |
108,626 |
|
|
$ |
107,564 |
|
|
$ |
112,527 |
|
|
$ |
439,723 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In certain circumstances the dates on which we are obligated to make these payments could be
delayed. These amounts will increase to the extent we procure insurance for our satellites or
contract for the construction, launch or lease of additional satellites.
We expect that our future working capital, capital expenditure and debt service requirements will
be satisfied primarily from existing cash and marketable investment securities balances and cash
generated from operations. There can be no assurance we will be successful in executing our
business plan. The amount of capital required to fund our future working capital and capital
expenditure needs will vary depending on the levels of investment necessary to support possible
strategic initiatives. Our capital expenditures will vary depending on the number of satellites
leased or under construction at any point in time. Our working capital and capital expenditure
requirements could increase materially in the event of, among other factors, significant satellite
failures, or general
43
|
|
|
Item 2. |
|
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -
Continued |
economic downturn. These factors could require that we raise additional
capital in the future. There can be no assurance that we could raise all required capital or that
required capital would be available on acceptable terms.
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. Future material
investments or acquisitions may require that we obtain additional capital, assume third party
debt or other long-term obligations. Also, the plan to repurchase our Class A common stock
extends through December 31, 2008, which could require that we raise additional capital. The
maximum dollar value of shares that may be purchased under the plan is $1.0 billion. There can
be no assurance that we could raise all required capital or that required capital would be
available on acceptable terms.
Current dislocations in the credit markets, which have significantly impacted the availability and
pricing of financing, particularly in the high yield debt and leveraged credit markets, may
significantly constrain our ability to obtain financing to support our growth initiatives. These
developments in the credit markets may have a significant effect on our cost of financing and our
liquidity position and may, as a result, cause us to defer or abandon profitable business
strategies that we would otherwise pursue if financing were available on acceptable terms.
Interest on Long-Term Debt
As of March 31, 2008, future cash interest payments related to our debt are summarized in the table
below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments due by period |
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Mortgages and notes payable |
|
$ |
4,111 |
|
|
$ |
668 |
|
|
$ |
630 |
|
|
$ |
580 |
|
|
$ |
524 |
|
|
$ |
464 |
|
|
$ |
399 |
|
|
$ |
846 |
|
Capital lease obligations |
|
|
119,025 |
|
|
|
22,997 |
|
|
|
27,268 |
|
|
|
23,336 |
|
|
|
19,032 |
|
|
|
14,261 |
|
|
|
8,981 |
|
|
|
3,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
123,136 |
|
|
$ |
23,665 |
|
|
$ |
27,898 |
|
|
$ |
23,916 |
|
|
$ |
19,556 |
|
|
$ |
14,725 |
|
|
$ |
9,380 |
|
|
$ |
3,996 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risks Associated With Financial Instruments
As of March 31, 2008, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities had a fair
value of $1.346 billion. Of that amount, a total of $843 million was invested in: (a) cash; (b)
debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies; (c) commercial paper and notes with an
overall average maturity of less than one year and rated in one of the four highest rating
categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; and (d)
instruments with similar risk characteristics to the commercial paper described above. The primary
purpose of these investing activities has been to preserve principal until the cash is required to,
among other things, fund operations, make strategic investments and expand the business.
Consequently, the size of this portfolio fluctuates significantly as cash is received and used in
our business.
Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities had an average annual return for
the three months ended March 31, 2008 of 7.1%. A hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates would
result in a decrease of approximately $9 million in annual interest income. The value of certain
of the investments in this portfolio can be impacted by, among other things, the risk of adverse
changes in securities and economic markets, as well as the risks related to the performance of the
companies whose commercial paper and other instruments we hold. However, the high quality of these
investments (as assessed by independent rating agencies) reduces these risks. The value of these
investments can also be impacted by interest rate fluctuations.
Included in our marketable investment securities portfolio balance is debt and equity of public
companies we hold for strategic and financial purposes. As of March 31, 2008, we held strategic
and financial debt and equity investments of public companies with a fair value of $503 million.
These investments are highly speculative and are concentrated in a small number of companies. We
may make additional strategic and financial investments in debt and other equity securities in the
future. The fair value of our strategic and financial debt and equity investments can be
significantly impacted by the risk of adverse changes in securities markets generally, as well as
risks related to the performance of the companies whose securities we have invested in, risks
associated with specific industries, and other factors. These investments are subject to
significant fluctuations in fair value due to the volatility of the securities markets and of the
underlying businesses. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the price of our public strategic debt
and equity investments would result in approximately a $50 million decrease in the fair value of
that portfolio. The fair value of our strategic debt investments are currently not materially
impacted by interest rate fluctuations due to the nature of these investments.
We currently classify all marketable investment securities as available-for-sale. We adjust the
carrying value of our available-for-sale securities to fair value and report the related temporary
unrealized gains and losses as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) within Total stockholders equity (deficit), net of related deferred income tax.
Declines in the fair value of a marketable investment security which are estimated to be other
than temporary are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, thus
establishing a new cost basis for such investment. We evaluate our marketable investment
securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether declines in the fair value of these
securities are other than temporary. This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other
things, the fair value of our marketable investment securities compared to the carrying amount, the
historical volatility of the price of each security and any market and company specific factors
related to each security. Generally, absent specific factors to the contrary, declines in the fair
value of investments below cost basis for a continuous period of less than six months are
considered to be temporary. Declines in the fair value of investments for a continuous period of
six to nine months are evaluated on a case by case basis to determine whether any company or
market-specific factors exist which would indicate that such declines are other than temporary.
Declines in the fair value of investments below cost basis for a continuous period greater than
nine months are considered other than temporary and are recorded as charges to earnings, absent
specific factors to the contrary. When an impairment occurs related to a foreign investment, any
Cumulative translation adjustment associated with the investment remains in Accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) within Total stockholders equity (deficit) on our Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets until the investment is sold or otherwise liquidated; at which time, it
will be released into our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
As of March 31, 2008, we had accumulated unrealized gains net of related tax effect of $3 million
as a part of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within Total stockholders equity
(deficit). During the three months ended March 31, 2008 we recorded aggregate charges to earnings
for other than temporary declines in the
45
Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK - Continued
fair value of certain of our marketable investment securities of $1 million, and established a new
cost basis for this security. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2008, we
recognized realized and unrealized net gains (losses) on marketable investment securities of $1
million in losses. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, our strategic investments have
experienced and continue to experience volatility. If the fair value of our strategic marketable
investment securities portfolio does not remain above cost basis or if we become aware of any
market or company specific factors that indicate that the carrying value of certain of our
securities is impaired, we may be required to record charges to earnings in future periods equal to
the amount of the decline in fair value.
We also have several strategic investments in certain non-marketable equity securities which are
included in Non-Marketable Investment Securities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Generally, we account for our unconsolidated equity investments under either the equity method or
cost method of accounting. Because these equity securities are generally not publicly traded, it
is not practical to regularly estimate the fair value of the investments; however, these
investments are subject to an evaluation for other than temporary impairment on a quarterly basis.
This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things, company business plans and
current financial statements, if available, for factors that may indicate an impairment of our
investment. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, cash flow concerns, material
litigation, violations of debt covenants and changes in business strategy. The fair value of these
equity investments is not estimated unless there are identified changes in circumstances that may
indicate an impairment exists and these changes are likely to have a significant adverse effect on
the fair value of the investment. As of March 31, 2008, we had $57 million aggregate carrying
amount of non-marketable and unconsolidated strategic equity investments, of which $38 million is
accounted for under the cost method. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2008, we
did not record any charge to earnings for other than temporary declines in the fair value of our
non-marketable equity investment securities.
We also have an investment in non-marketable convertible debt which is included on Non-Marketable
Investment Securities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. This debt is fair valued each
reporting period based upon inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the
debt, either directly or indirectly with changes in fair value recorded in the statement of
operations. The fair value analysis takes into consideration the price of the underlying company
stock as well as changes in the credit market, including yield curves and interest rates. As of
March 31, 2008, we had $50 million carrying amount of non-marketable debt securities and during the
three months ended March 31, 2008, we did not record any charges to earnings for changes in fair
value of our non-marketable debt investment securities.
As of March 31, 2008, we have $387 million of long-term debt, of which $375 million represents our
capital lease obligations, which are not subject to the requirements of Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement No. 107 Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
(FAS107).
In general, we do not use derivative financial instruments for hedging or speculative purposes, but
we may do so in the future.
46
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end
of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of
the end of the period covered by this report.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule
13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during our most recent fiscal quarter that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over
financial reporting.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Separation Agreement
In connection with the Spin-off, we have entered into a separation agreement with DISH Network,
which provides for, among other things, the division of liability resulting from litigation. Under
the terms of the separation agreement, we have assumed liability for any acts or omissions that
relate to our business whether such acts or omissions occurred before or after the Spin-off.
Certain exceptions are provided, including for intellectual property related claims generally,
whereby we will only be liable for our acts or omissions that occurred following the Spin-off.
Therefore, we have been indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages
resulting from intellectual property claims relating to the period prior to the effective date of
the Spin-off.
Acacia
During 2004, Acacia Media Technologies, (Acacia) filed a lawsuit against us and DISH Network in
the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit also named
DirecTV, Comcast, Charter, Cox and a number of smaller cable companies as defendants. Acacia is an
intellectual property holding company which seeks to license the patent portfolio that it has
acquired. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,132,992 (the 992 patent),
5,253,275 (the 275 patent), 5,550,863 (the 863 patent), 6,002,720 (the 720 patent) and 6,144,702
(the 702 patent). The 992, 863, 720 and 702 patents have been asserted against us.
The patents relate to various systems and methods related to the transmission of digital data. The
992 and 702 patents have also been asserted against several Internet content providers in the
United States District Court for the Central District of California. During 2004 and 2005, the
Court issued Markman rulings which found that the 992 and 702 patents were not as broad as Acacia
had contended, and that certain terms in the 702 patent were indefinite. The Court issued
additional claim construction rulings on December 14, 2006, March 2, 2007, October 19, 2007, and
February 13, 2008. On March 12, 2008, the Court issued an order outlining a schedule for filing
dispositive invalidity motions based on its claim constructions. Acacia has agreed to stipulate
that all claims in the suit are invalid according to various of the Courts claim constructions and
argues that the case should proceed immediately to the Federal Circuit. The Court has set a
hearing for May 6, 2008, at which time it will determine whether the parties will proceed with
additional invalidity motions or enter final judgment based on Acacias agreement that all asserted
claims are invalid.
Acacias various patent infringement cases have been consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the
United States District Court for the Northern District of California. We intend to vigorously
defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the
patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages and/or an
injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly features that we
currently offer to consumers. We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability
or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the
Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the
extent of any potential liability or damages.
47
PART
II OTHER INFORMATION - Continued
Broadcast Innovation, L.L.C.
In 2001, Broadcast Innovation, L.L.C. (Broadcast Innovation) filed a lawsuit against DISH
Network, DirecTV, Thomson Consumer Electronics and others in Federal District Court in Denver,
Colorado. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,076,094 (the 094 patent)
and 4,992,066 (the 066 patent). The 094 patent relates to certain methods and devices for
transmitting and receiving data along with specific formatting information for the data. The 066
patent relates to certain methods and devices for providing the scrambling circuitry for a pay
television system on removable cards. We examined these patents and believe that they are not
infringed by any of our products or services. Subsequently, DirecTV and Thomson settled with
Broadcast Innovation leaving us as the only defendant.
During 2004, the judge issued an order finding the 066 patent invalid. Also in 2004, the Court
ruled the 094 patent invalid in a parallel case filed by Broadcast Innovation against Charter and
Comcast. In 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the 094
patent finding of invalidity and remanded the case back to the District Court. During June 2006,
Charter filed a reexamination request with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The
Court has stayed the case pending reexamination. Our case remains stayed pending resolution of the
Charter case.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we
infringe any of the patents, we may be subject to substantial
damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially
modify certain user-friendly features that we currently offer to consumers. We are being
indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit
relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any
degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or
damages.
Datasec
During April 2008, Datasec Corporation (Datasec) sued us, DISH Network and DirecTV Corporation
in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging infringement
of U.S. Patent No. 6,075,969 (the 969 patent). The 969 patent was issued in 2000 to inventor
Bruce Lusignan, and is entitled Method for Receiving Signals from a Constellation of Satellites
in Close Geosynchronous Orbit.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we
infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include
treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to modify our system architecture. We
are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this
suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with
any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability
or damages.
Finisar Corporation
Finisar Corporation (Finisar) obtained a $100 million verdict in the United States District Court
for the Eastern District of Texas against DirecTV for patent infringement. Finisar alleged that
DirecTVs electronic program guide and other elements of its system infringe United States Patent
No. 5,404,505 (the 505 patent).
In July 2006, DISH Network, together with NagraStar LLC, filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment
in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Finisar that asks the
Court to declare that they and we do not infringe, and have not infringed, any valid claim of the
505 patent. Trial is not currently scheduled. The District Court has stayed our action until the
Federal Circuit has resolved DirecTVs appeal. During April 2008, the Federal Circuit reversed the
judgment against DirecTV and ordered a new trial. We are evaluating the Federal Circuits decision
to determine the impact on our action.
We intend to vigorously prosecute this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that
we infringe this patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages
and/or an injunction that could require us to modify our system architecture. We are being
indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit
relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot
48
PART
II OTHER INFORMATION - Continued
predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any
potential liability or damages.
Global Communications
On April 19, 2007, Global Communications, Inc., which we refer to as Global, filed a patent
infringement action against DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of Texas. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,947,702 (the 702
patent). This patent, which involves satellite reception, was issued in September 2005. On
October 24, 2007, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted our request for
reexamination of the 702 patent and issued an Office Action finding that all of the claims of the
702 patent were invalid. Based on the PTOs decision, we have asked the District Court to stay
the litigation until the reexamination proceeding is concluded.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we
infringe the 702 patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble
damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly
features that we currently offer to consumers. We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any
potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the
effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the
suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Personalized Media Communications
In February 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. filed suit against us, DISH Network and
Motorola, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging
infringement of United States Patent Nos. 4,694,490 (the 490 patent), 5,109,414 (the 414
patent), 4,965,825 (the 825 patent), 5,233,654 (the 654 patent), 5,335,277 (the 277 patent),
and 5,887,243 (the 243 patent), all of which were issued to John Harvey and James Cuddihy as
named inventors. The 490 patent, the 414 patent, the 825 patent, the 654 patent and the 277
patent are defined as the Harvey Patents. The Harvey Patents are entitled Signal Processing
Apparatus and Methods. The lawsuit alleges, among other things, that our DBS system receives
program content at broadcast reception and satellite uplinking facilities and transmits such
program content, via satellite, to remote satellite receivers. The lawsuit further alleges that
we infringe the Harvey Patents by transmitting and using a DBS signal specifically encoded to
enable the subject receivers to function in a manner that infringes the Harvey Patents, and by
selling services via DBS transmission processes which infringe the Harvey Patents.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we
infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include
treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain
user-friendly features that we currently offer to consumers. We are being indemnified by DISH
Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period
prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the
outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Superguide
During 2000, Superguide Corp. (Superguide) filed suit against us. DISH Network, DirecTV, Thomson
and others in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina,
Asheville Division, alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,038,211 (the 211 patent),
5,293,357 (the 357 patent) and 4,751,578 (the 578 patent) which relate to certain electronic
program guide functions, including the use of electronic program guides to control VCRs.
Superguide sought injunctive and declaratory relief and damages in an unspecified amount.
On summary judgment, the District Court ruled that none of the asserted patents were infringed by
us. These rulings were appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
During 2004, the Federal Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part the District Courts
findings and remanded the case back to the District Court for further proceedings. In 2005,
Superguide indicated that it would no longer pursue infringement allegations with respect to the
211 and 357 patents and those patents have now been dismissed from the suit. The District Court
subsequently entered judgment of non-infringement in favor of all defendants as to the 211 and
357 patents and ordered briefing on Thomsons license defense as to the 578 patent. During
December 2006, the District Court
49
PART
II OTHER INFORMATION - Continued
found that there were disputed issues of fact regarding Thomsons license defense, and ordered a
trial solely addressed to that issue. That trial took place in March 2007. In July 2007, the
District Court ruled in favor of Superguide. As a result, Superguide will be able to proceed with
its infringement action against us, DirecTV and Thomson.
We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we
infringe the 578 patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble
damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly
electronic programming guide and related features that we currently offer to consumers. We are
being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit
relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any
degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or
damages.
Tivo Inc.
On January 31, 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed in part and
reversed in part the April 2006 jury verdict concluding that certain of our digital video
recorders, or DVRs, infringed a patent held by Tivo. In its decision, the Federal Circuit affirmed
the jurys verdict of infringement on Tivos software claims, upheld the award of damages from
the district court, and ordered that the stay of the district courts injunction against us, which
was issued pending appeal, will dissolve when the appeal becomes final. The Federal Circuit,
however, found that we did not literally infringe Tivos hardware claims, and remanded such
claims back to the district court for further proceedings. We are appealing the Federal Circuits
ruling to the United States Supreme Court.
In addition, we have developed and deployed next-generation DVR software to our customers DVRs.
This improved software is fully operational and has been automatically downloaded to current
customers (the Design-Around). We have formal legal opinions from outside counsel that conclude
that our Design-Around does not infringe, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, either
the hardware or software claims of Tivos patent.
If the Federal Circuits decision is upheld and Tivo decides to challenge the Design-Around, we
will mount a vigorous defense. If we are unsuccessful in subsequent appeals or in defending
against claims that the Design-Around infringes Tivos patent, we could be prohibited from
distributing DVRs, or be required to modify or eliminate certain user-friendly DVR features that we
currently sell to our customers. In that event we would be at a significant disadvantage to our
competitors who could offer this functionality and, while we would attempt to provide that
functionality through other means, the adverse affect on our business could be material. We could
also have to pay substantial additional damages. We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any
potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the
effective date of the Spin-off. Although we believe that we do not infringe under any of the
claims asserted against us and DISH Network, we cannot predict with any degree of certainty the
outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.
Other
In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims
which arise in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability
with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position,
results of operations or liquidity.
50
PART II OTHER INFORMATION - Continued
Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS
Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for 2007 includes a detailed
discussion of our risk factors. The information presented below updates, and should be read in
conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A
for 2007.
We currently depend on DISH Network for substantially all of our revenue for FSS and digital
broadcast operations.
DISH Network is currently our primary customer of fixed satellite services and digital broadcast
operation services. Because these services are provided pursuant to contracts that generally
expire on January 1, 2010, DISH Network will have no obligation to purchase fixed satellite
services or digital broadcast operation services from us after that date. Therefore, if we are
unable to extend these contracts with DISH Network, or we are unable to obtain similar contracts
from third parties after that date, there could be a significant adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial position.
We
are suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite and may record an impairment
charge.
During April 2008, we notified the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television of China that
we were suspending construction of the CMBStar satellite pending, among other things, further
analysis relating to efforts to meet the satellite performance criteria and/or confirmation that
alternative performance criteria would be acceptable. We are also currently evaluating potential
alternative uses for the CMBStar satellite. Therefore, we
could be required to record an impairment charge relating to the CMBStar satellite. We currently estimate that this
potential charge could be as much as $100 million, which would have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations and financial position.
51
PART II OTHER INFORMATION - Continued
Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information regarding purchases of our Class A common stock from
January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number of |
|
|
Maximum Approximate |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Shares Purchased |
|
|
Dollar Value of Shares |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Price |
|
|
as Part of Publicly |
|
|
that May Yet be |
|
|
|
Purchased |
|
|
Paid per |
|
|
Announced Plans or |
|
|
Purchased Under the |
|
Period |
|
(a) |
|
|
Share |
|
|
Programs |
|
|
Plans or Programs (b) |
|
|
|
(In thousands, except share data) |
|
January 1 - January 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
February 1 - February 29, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
March 1 - March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
During the period from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008, we did not repurchase any of
our Class A common stock pursuant to our repurchase program. |
|
(b) |
|
During October 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $1.0 billion of
our Class A common stock during 2008. 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. |
Item 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits.
|
|
|
3.1*
|
|
Text of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of EchoStar Corporation
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of
EchoStar dated January 25, 2008, Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
10.1*
|
|
NIMIQ 5 Transponder Service Agreement, dated March 11, 2008, between Bell
ExpressVu Limited Partnership, acting through its general partner Bell ExpressVu
Inc., on the one hand, and EchoStar and DISH Network (solely as to the obligation
set forth in Section 19.10), on the other hand (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network for the quarter
ended March 31, 2008, Commission File No. 0-26176). |
|
|
|
10.2*
|
|
NIMIQ 5 Transponder Service Agreement, dated March 11, 2008, between EchoStar and
DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network for the quarter ended March 31, 2008,
Commission File No. 0-26176). |
|
|
|
10.3o
|
|
Pricing Agreement, dated March 11, 2008, by and among EchoStar Technologies
L.L.C., Bell ExpressVu Inc., in its capacity as General Partner of Bell ExpressVu
Limited Partnership, Bell Distribution Inc, and Bell Canada. |
|
|
|
31.1o
|
|
Section 302 Certification by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. |
|
|
|
31.2o
|
|
Section 302 Certification by Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
|
|
|
32.1o
|
|
Section 906 Certification by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. |
52
PART II OTHER INFORMATION - Continued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.2o
|
|
Section 906 Certification by Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
|
|
|
99.1*
|
|
Separation Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation, Commission File
No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.2*
|
|
Transition Services Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.3*
|
|
Tax Sharing Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.4*
|
|
Employee Matters Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.5*
|
|
Intellectual Property Matters Agreement between EchoStar, EchoStar Acquisition
L.L.C., Echosphere L.L.C., EchoStar DBS Corporation, EIC Spain SL, EchoStar
Technologies Corporation and DISH Network (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.4 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation, Commission File No.
001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.6*
|
|
Management Services Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.7*
|
|
Receiver Agreement between EchoSphere L.L.C. and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.26 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding
Corporation, Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.8*
|
|
Broadcast Agreement between EchoStar and EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. (incorporated
by reference from Exhibit 10.27 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
o |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
* |
|
Incorporated by reference. |
53
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Charles W. Ergen
|
|
|
|
Charles W. Ergen |
|
|
|
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Bernard L. Han
|
|
|
|
Bernard L. Han |
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) |
|
|
Date: May 12, 2008
54
Exhibit Index
|
|
|
Exhibit
No. |
|
Description |
3.1*
|
|
Text of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of EchoStar Corporation
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of
EchoStar dated January 25, 2008, Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
10.1*
|
|
NIMIQ 5 Transponder Service Agreement, dated March 11, 2008, between Bell
ExpressVu Limited Partnership, acting through its general partner Bell ExpressVu
Inc., on the one hand, and EchoStar and DISH Network (solely as to the obligation
set forth in Section 19.10), on the other hand (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network for the quarter
ended March 31, 2008, Commission File No. 0-26176). |
|
|
|
10.2*
|
|
NIMIQ 5 Transponder Service Agreement, dated March 11, 2008, between EchoStar and
DISH Network L.L.C. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q of DISH Network for the quarter ended March 31, 2008,
Commission File No. 0-26176). |
|
|
|
10.3o
|
|
Pricing Agreement, dated March 11, 2008, by and among EchoStar Technologies
L.L.C., Bell ExpressVu Inc., in its capacity as General Partner of Bell ExpressVu
Limited Partnership, Bell Distribution Inc, and Bell Canada. |
|
|
|
31.1o
|
|
Section 302 Certification by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. |
|
|
|
31.2o
|
|
Section 302 Certification by Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
|
|
|
32.1o
|
|
Section 906 Certification by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. |
|
|
|
32.2o
|
|
Section 906 Certification by Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
|
|
|
99.1*
|
|
Separation Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation, Commission File
No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.2*
|
|
Transition Services Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.3*
|
|
Tax Sharing Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.4*
|
|
Employee Matters Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.5*
|
|
Intellectual Property Matters Agreement between EchoStar, EchoStar Acquisition
L.L.C., Echosphere L.L.C., EchoStar DBS Corporation, EIC Spain SL, EchoStar
Technologies Corporation and DISH Network (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
10.4 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation, Commission File No.
001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.6*
|
|
Management Services Agreement between EchoStar and DISH Network (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.7*
|
|
Receiver Agreement between EchoSphere L.L.C. and EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.26 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding
Corporation, Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
99.8*
|
|
Broadcast Agreement between EchoStar and EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. (incorporated
by reference from Exhibit 10.27 to the Form 10 of EchoStar Holding Corporation,
Commission File No. 001-33807). |
|
|
|
o |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
* |
|
Incorporated by reference. |