Login
SatBench Logo

Exploring Weather, Waves, and Weird Projects

EchoStar

Last updated: 2025-07-25 07:31:05

EchoStar

EchoStar Corporation
Company typePublic
IndustryTelecommunications
Satellite television
PredecessorThe first incarnation of EchoStar (Dish Network)
FoundedJanuary 1, 2008; 17 years ago (2008-01-01)
HeadquartersEnglewood, Colorado, U.S.; Arapahoe County, Colorado (satellite HQ)
Key people
ProductsDirect-broadcast satellite, pay television, pay-per-view, over-the-top media services, Mobile telephony, Wireless broadband
RevenueIncrease US$15.8 billion (2024)[1]
Increase US$304 million (2024)[1]
Increase US$119 million (2024)[1]
Total assetsIncrease US$8.095 billion (2024)[1]
Total equityDecrease US$593 million (2024)[1]
Number of employees
c. 2,500 (2021)
Subsidiaries
Websiteechostar.com
Footnotes / references
[2]

EchoStar Corporation is an American telecommunications company, specializing in satellite communication, wireless telecommunications, and internet services. Echostar also provides multichannel video programming and mobile services through its subsidiaries: Dish Network, Boost Mobile, Sling TV, EchoStar Mobile, and Hughes Network Systems.

Originally establishing the Dish Network brand name in 1996, EchoStar later acquired Dish as a wholly owned subsidiary in 2023.[3] EchoStar made its debut on the Fortune 500 list in 2024, ranking #242.[4] Its main competitor is DirecTV, who failed to acquire Dish Network in 2024.

History

EchoStar was originally formed in 1980 by its chairman Charles Ergen as a distributor of C band TV systems. In 1987, it applied for a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) license with the Federal Communications Commission and was granted access to orbital slot 119° west longitude in 1992.

On December 28, 1995, the firm successfully launched its first satellite, EchoStar I.[5] On March 4, 1996, it established the Dish Network brand name to market its home satellite TV system.[6]

On January 2, 2008, the Dish Network business was spun-off from the technology and infrastructure side of the business. A split in the shares created two companies; the former EchoStar Communications Corporation changed its name to Dish Network Corporation[7] which consisted mainly of the Dish Network business, and EchoStar Corporation, which retained ownership of the technology side including the satellites, Sling Media, and the set-top box development arm. Dish Network completed its distribution to EchoStar of its digital set-top box business, certain infrastructure, and other assets and related liabilities, including certain of their satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, and real estate. Following the spin-off, EchoStar and Dish Network operated as separate publicly traded companies, until they were reunited in 2023.[8]

On February 14, 2011, EchoStar announced that it would acquire Hughes Communications in a deal valued at US$1.3 billion.[9]

On January 31, 2017, EchoStar announced that it had reached an agreement with DISH to transfer the EchoStar Technologies businesses, which designed, developed and distributed digital set-top boxes, provided satellite uplinking and broadcast services and developed and supported streaming video technology back to DISH.[10] The transaction was completed on January 31, 2017,[11] substantially returning DISH to its pre-2008 status as a set-top-box hardware manufacturer.

In March 2017, after two delays caused by weather worries, SpaceX delivered EchoStar XXIII into orbit. The satellite was launched on a Falcon 9 Rocket and provides broadcast services for Brazil.[12] Because EchoStar XXIII is a heavy satellite, this mission did not include a rocket landing post-takeoff, as it would require too much fuel. This was the first time a purely commercial satellite was launched from a pad that once served as the base for Apollo moon trips and space shuttle flights.[13][14]

On May 20, 2019, EchoStar announced that it had reached an agreement with Dish Network Corporation to transfer the portion of the business which managed and provided broadcast satellite services, referred to as the BSS (Broadcast Satellite Services) business, to Dish in order to concentrate on broadband services and other initiatives. The transaction was completed on September 10, 2019.[15][16][17]

On August 8, 2023, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Ergen was proposing a remerger between Dish and EchoStar.[18] Later that day, the acquisition was formally announced by both companies.[19] On January 2, 2024, it was announced that the transaction had been completed on December 31, 2023.[20][21]

In May 2024, EchoStar announced that it has been awarded a U.S. Navy wireless and telecommunications contract to provide 5G smart devices and services for the Department of Defense and federal agencies.[22]

In May 2024, Dish Network and Hughes Network Systems announced a new bundle of Dish satellite TV with Hughesnet satellite internet.[23]

On September 30, 2024, EchoStar announced that it would divest its video distribution unit, Dish Network, to DirecTV in a debt exchange transaction that includes a payment of $1 and the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt.[24] The deal also included $2.5 billion of financing from TPG Angelo Gordon and other co-investors to allow EchoStar to refinance the company's November 2024 debt maturity.[25] The deal would've allowed EchoStar to reduce its debt and refocus its resources toward its wireless Boost Mobile and satellite connectivity businesses. The deal was expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, contingent on regulatory approval and bondholders writing off nearly $1.6 billion in Dish-related debt.[26] In November, DirecTV called off the deal due to opposition from EchoStar bondholders.[27]

On June 6, 2025, it was reported that EchoStar was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “freeze[ed] its decision-making” for its Boost Mobile subsidiary.[28][29] EchoStar is facing an FCC probe, investigating whether the corporation is hitting 5G deployment requirements in order to keep its spectrum licenses.[30] SpaceX is also a rivaling EchoStar for 2 GHz band spectrum licenses.[31] Other contributing factors to the FCC investigation included over $500 million in missed interest payments and the termination of the Dish Network acquisition by DirecTV.[28][32]

In June 2025, EchoStar reported market penetration of 75% of new subscribers in certain markets for mobile communications. This was “in exchange for the Federal Communications Commission extending buildout deadlines elsewhere last year.” and “had already met its other commitments, which include 24,000 5G sites nationwide and a low-cost plan, among other things.” [33] Meeting the deadlines for progress in building its networks based on satellites is a serious matter for EchoStar, as another provider has challenged the company’s right to its license for 2 GHz spectrum from the FCC, and that challenge has made it difficult to borrow funds for construction and stay afloat until the license is assured. The new FCC chairman is reviewing the situation, and the administration urges a deal to keep the company afloat.[33]

Satellite fleet

Orbital locations may change

Since EchoStar frequently moves satellites among its many orbiting slots this list is not necessarily up-to-date.

EchoStar satellites
SatelliteLocationLaunch dateLauncherSatellite busStatus
EchoStar IDecember 28, 1995Long March 2E/EPKMDecommissioned
EchoStar IISeptember 11, 1996Ariane 42P H10-3Decommissioned
EchoStar III (DBSC 1)October 5, 1997Atlas IIASDecommissioned
EchoStar IVMay 7, 1998Proton-K/DM-03Decommissioned
EchoStar VSeptember 23, 1999Atlas IIASDecommissioned
EchoStar VIJuly 14, 2000Atlas IIASDecommissioned
EchoStar VIIFebruary 21, 2002Atlas IIIB-DECDecommissioned
EchoStar VIIIAugust 22, 2002Proton-K/DM-03Decommissioned
EchoStar IX (Galaxy 23)121° WAugust 8, 2003Zenit-3SLFS-1300In service
EchoStar X110° WFebruary 15, 2006Zenit-3SLA2100AXSIn service
EchoStar XIJuly 16, 2008Zenit-3SLIn service
EchoStar XII (Rainbow 1)July 17, 2003Atlas V521In service
EchoStar XIII (CMBstar 1)-Proton-M/Briz-MCancelled
EchoStar XIVMarch 20, 2010Proton-M/Briz-MIn service
EchoStar XV61.5° WJuly 10, 2010Proton-M/Briz-MLS-1300In service
EchoStar XVI61.5° WNovember 20, 2012Proton-M/Briz-MLS-1300In service
EchoStar XVII (Jupiter 1)107.0° WJuly 5, 2012Ariane 5LS-1300In service
EchoStar XVIIIJune 18, 2016Ariane 5ECAIn service
EchoStar XIX (Jupiter 2)97.1° WDecember 18, 2016Atlas V431SSL 1300In service
EchoStar XXIII109.9° WMarch 16, 2017Falcon 9SSL 1300In service
EchoStar XXIV (Jupiter 3)105.2° WJuly 29, 2023Falcon HeavySSL 1300In service
EchoStar XXVTBATBAPlanned
EchoStar 105 (SES-11)105.0° WOctober 11, 2017Falcon 9Eurostar E3000In service

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "2024 Annual Report". EchoStar. December 31, 2024. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  2. ↑ "EchoStar Corporation 2021 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. February 24, 2022. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024.
  3. ↑ Moritz, Scott (August 8, 2023). "Dish to Buy EchoStar as Ergen's TV Empire Shifts to Wireless". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  4. ↑ "EchoStar". Fortune. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  5. ↑ Ford, Dominic. "ECHOSTAR 1". in-the-sky.org. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  6. ↑ Hogan, Monica (March 18, 2006). "EchoStar Toasts a Decade of Dish Network". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  7. ↑ "SEC Filing". ir.dish.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  8. ↑ Savitz, Eric. "EchoStar Completes Spinoff; Worth More In Parts?". www.barrons.com. Dow Jones & Company. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  9. ↑ de la Merced, Michael J. (February 14, 2011). "EchoStar in $1.3 Billion Deal for Hughes Communications". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024.
  10. ↑ "EchoStar Announces Agreement to Transfer BSS Business to DISH". EchoStar Corporation (Press release). May 20, 2019. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  11. ↑ "EchoStar Announces Exchange Agreement for Tracking Stock". EchoStar Corporation (Press release). January 31, 2017. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  12. ↑ Foust, Jeff (March 16, 2017). "SpaceX launches EchoStar 23". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  13. ↑ Grush, Loren (March 13, 2017). "SpaceX successfully launched a communications satellite on its Falcon 9 rocket". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 5, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  14. ↑ Boyle, Alan (March 16, 2017). "After delay, SpaceX launches EchoStar satellite – but forgoes rocket landing". GeekWire. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  15. ↑ Henry, Caleb (May 20, 2019). "EchoStar selling broadcast business, including nine satellites, to Dish for $800 million". SpaceNews. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  16. ↑ Nyirady, Annamarie (May 20, 2019). "DISH Network Acquires Echostar's Broadcast Satellite Service Business". Via Satellite. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  17. ↑ Fletcher, Bevin (May 20, 2019). "Dish to Acquire EchoStar's Broadcast Satellite Business". Electrical Engineering News and Products. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  18. ↑ Wprin, Alex; Szalai, George. "Charlie Ergen Wants to Reunite His Telecom Empire Via All-Stock Merger of Dish Network and EchoStar". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 17, 2023.
  19. ↑ "DISH Network Corporation and EchoStar Corporation to Combine" (Press release). Dish Network. August 8, 2023. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024.
  20. ↑ Davis, Wes (January 2, 2024). "Dish Network rejoins EchoStar as it tries to compete in 5G". The Verge. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  21. ↑ Alleven, Monica (January 2, 2024). "Dish-EchoStar merger closes". Fierce Wireless. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  22. ↑ Lipscombe, Paul (May 20, 2024). "EchoStar wins US Navy deal as part of Spiral 4". Data Center Dynamics. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  23. ↑ CSI (May 20, 2024). "Dish TV and Hughesnet satellite internet bundle". CSI. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  24. ↑ Valinsky, Jordan; Maruf, Ramishah; Reilly, Liam (September 30, 2024). "DirecTV agrees to buy Dish for $1". CNN.
  25. ↑ "DirecTV clinches long-elusive deal to combine with Dish". reuters.com. October 1, 2024.
  26. ↑ Chapman, Michelle; Grantham-Philips, Wyatte (September 30, 2024). "Satellite service DirecTV buys rival Dish as it fights the onslaught of streaming services". ABC News. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  27. ↑ Szalai, Georg; Werpin, Alex (November 21, 2024). "DirecTV Abandons Deal to Acquire Dish Amid Bondholder Opposition". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  28. 1 2 "EchoStar prepares potential bankruptcy filing amid FCC review, WSJ reports". Reuters. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
  29. ↑ Soma Biswas; Andrew Scurria (June 10, 2025). "EchoStar Bondholders Engage Law Firm Ahead of Possible Bankruptcy". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  30. ↑ Drew FitzGerald (May 12, 2025). "FCC Threatens Charlie Ergen's Hold on Satellite, 5G Spectrum Licenses". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  31. ↑ Calma, Justine (June 3, 2025). "FCC investigation looms over EchoStar's missed interest payments and a new satellite". The Verge. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  32. ↑ Ma, Dorothy; Schuetz, Molly (May 30, 2025). "EchoStar Skips Bond Payment as FCC's 5G Probe Heats Up". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 8, 2025.
  33. 1 2 Neenan, Jake (June 24, 2025). "EchoStar Fulfilled Last Commitment in Deadline Extension Deal, Company Says". Broadband Breakfast. Retrieved June 27, 2025.

View original on Wikipedia