03/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/02/2026 05:10
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following Management's Discussion and Analysis of our Financial Condition and Results of Operations together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes to our financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This management's discussion and analysis is intended to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of our operations and contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Overview
Recent Developments
FCC Review
In the third quarter of 2025, we resolved the review by the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") into EchoStar's compliance with its build-out milestones and other obligations regarding EchoStar's federal spectrum licenses. We had previously received a letter from the FCC on May 9, 2025, indicating that the FCC was beginning a review of our compliance with certain obligations to provide 5G broadband service and raising certain questions regarding the September 2024 build-out extension granted by the FCC and mobile-satellite service ("MSS") utilization in the 2 GHz band (the "May 9 Letter"). We responded to the FCC's subsequent public notices with filings on May 27, 2025 and June 6, 2025.
During the second quarter and the beginning of the third quarter of 2025, the potential ramifications of the FCC review to our business required us to, among other things, reevaluate the deployment of our resources and as a result, we elected not to make interest payments on a certain portion of our long-term senior notes on their respective scheduled due dates. We subsequently made such payments, including interest on the defaulted interest, within the applicable 30-day grace periods. See Note 10 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
The FCC review introduced the possibility of reversing prior FCC grants of authority to us. The FCC made it clear that it viewed our spectrum as being underutilized and deemed our continued ownership of such spectrum licenses inconsistent with the public interest, and that we must sell a material amount of spectrum licenses or face a wide-ranging license revocation. Accordingly, as a result of these unforeseeable actions by the FCC that were outside of our control, we entered into the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, as defined below, whereby we agreed to sell a material amount of our spectrum licenses for cash and an Amended Equity Amount, as defined below. In August 2025, following these transactions, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business, as defined in "Segments-Wireless" below. Furthermore, we believe the FCC's actions and the resulting AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions constitute one or more force majeure events under certain of our 5G Network-related contracts.
On September 8, 2025, we received a follow-up letter from the FCC (the "September 8 Letter"). The September 8 Letter states, among other things, that FCC Chairman Carr has "asked FCC staff to bring the agency's investigation to conclusion" by directing FCC staff to: "(1) dismiss VTel Wireless's petition for reconsideration; (2) confirm that EchoStar holds exclusive terrestrial and MSS rights over the AWS-4 spectrum to which it is currently licensed; and (3) find that relevant FCC buildout and other related obligations have been satisfied by EchoStar in view of the company's current FCC milestones."
AT&T License Purchase Agreement
On August 25, 2025, we and AT&T Mobility II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and subsidiary of AT&T Inc. ("AT&T") entered into a License Purchase Agreement (the "AT&T License Purchase Agreement," and the transactions contemplated thereby, the "AT&T Transactions").
Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the AT&T License Purchase Agreement, we have agreed to sell all our 3.45-3.55 GHz and 600 MHz spectrum licenses, including licenses exchanged as part of the Omega License Purchase Agreement, as defined and detailed in Note 15 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, (collectively, the "3.45 GHz and 600 MHz Licenses"), and to a 99-year extension of existing leases for AT&T's exclusive use of certain wireless spectrum licenses in Hawaii for an aggregate purchase price of $22.650 billion in cash, subject to certain potential adjustments (the "Closing Purchase Price"). The AT&T License Purchase Agreement also extends to AT&T the right to lease certain 3.45 GHz licenses from us, which AT&T exercised, subject to a short-term spectrum manager lease, at the end of the third quarter of 2025.
The Closing Purchase Price is subject to downward adjustment in the event certain 3.45 GHz and 600 MHz Licenses are ultimately excluded by either us or AT&T under certain circumstances. We are not obligated to consummate the AT&T Transactions if the Closing Purchase Price, after giving effect to the aggregate amount of any such adjustments, is less than $18.6 billion (the "Minimum Purchase Price"). However, if the aggregate amount of such reductions would otherwise reduce the Closing Purchase Price below the Minimum Purchase Price, AT&T may elect to pay the Minimum Purchase Price at closing, in which case this condition will be deemed satisfied.
The AT&T License Purchase Agreement provides that, at the closing of the AT&T Transactions, any amounts outstanding under that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated November 26, 2021, between DISH DBS as lender and DISH Network will be repaid in full using proceeds from the AT&T Transactions to the respective holders of the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan (the "DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan Payoff"). The DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan Payoff includes $2.844 billion due to DISH DBS as of December 31, 2025 for the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2028 Tranche. The DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan is secured by the 3.45 GHz Licenses and certain other wireless spectrum licenses. See Note 10 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for definitions and further information.
In addition, all outstanding 11 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due November 15, 2027 issued pursuant to that certain Secured Indenture, dated November 15, 2022 ("DISH Secured Indenture"), by and among DISH Network Corporation, the Guarantors identified therein, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent, will be redeemed concurrently with the closing in accordance with the terms of the DISH Secured Indenture (the "Redemption"). As of December 31, 2025, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 11 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due November 15, 2027 was $3.5 billion and is secured by the 600 MHz Licenses.
The AT&T Transactions are subject to a number of terms and conditions set forth in the AT&T License Purchase Agreement. The completion of the AT&T Transactions are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including, but not limited to, certain government approvals, including, among other things, receipt of certain consents and approvals from the FCC and the United States Department of Justice (the "DOJ"). The AT&T License Purchase Agreement also provides for specified termination rights by each party in certain circumstances. The closing is expected to occur in the first half of 2026.
The description of the AT&T License Purchase Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the License Purchase Agreement filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
Amendments to the Network Services Agreement
Simultaneously with the execution of the AT&T License Purchase Agreement, DISH Wireless L.L.C., our subsidiary and AT&T Mobility LLC, a subsidiary of AT&T, entered into the Fifth Amendment (the "Fifth Amendment") and the Sixth Amendment (the "Sixth Amendment") to the Network Services Agreement dated as of July 14, 2021 by and among DISH Wireless L.L.C. and AT&T Mobility LLC (as amended, the "NSA").
The Sixth Amendment sets forth new terms including reduced rates if we meet certain minimum data thresholds while transitioning to a Hybrid MNO. Under a Hybrid MNO, we operate certain portions of the network infrastructure such as the network core and billing and provisioning software, while our network partner, AT&T, provides certain elements including base stations, radios, radio access network (RAN) software and spectrum frequencies. We were not obligated to transition to a Hybrid MNO or meet the specified data thresholds, but were not entitled to the terms of the Sixth Amendment unless we met such thresholds. In the fourth quarter of 2025, we gave notice to AT&T that we had met such thresholds, triggering the Sixth Amendment rates and AT&T agreed to provide these services to us through December 31, 2031.
During the term of the Sixth Amendment, we have the option to extend the Sixth Amendment up to two times for additional extension terms of 2-years each, until either December 31, 2033 or December 31, 2035 (each an "Extension Term"). The Fifth and Sixth Amendments, in addition to any Extension Term we exercise, also contain certain minimum purchase commitments.
SpaceX License Purchase Agreement
On September 7, 2025, we, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., a Texas corporation ("SpaceX"), and Spectrum Business Trust 2025-1, a Nevada Business Trust ("Trust"), entered into a License Purchase Agreement (the "SpaceX License Purchase Agreement," and the transactions contemplated thereby, the "Initial SpaceX Transactions").
Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the SpaceX License Purchase Agreement, we agreed to sell to SpaceX our rights and licenses related to an aggregate of 50 MHz of spectrum in frequency ranges 2000-2020, 2180-2200, 1915-1920 and 1995- 2000 (the "AWS-4 and H-BlockLicenses" and such spectrum, "the Spectrum") granted by the FCC, together with certain international authorizations, filings, concessions, licenses, rights and priorities related to that spectrum and certain assets associated therewith (collectively, the "Foreign Assets").
The transfer of the AWS-4 and H-BlockLicenses will occur in two steps: first, the AWS-4 and H-BlockLicenses will be transferred by us to the Trust (the "Spectrum Transfer Closing"), and second, the AWS-4 and H-BlockLicenses will be transferred by the Trust to SpaceX (the "Spectrum Acquisition Closing"). The Foreign Assets will be transferred directly to SpaceX at the Spectrum Acquisition Closing, to the extent the required regulatory approvals have been obtained by such date; provided, however, that the failure to obtain such approvals will not delay or prevent the Spectrum Acquisition Closing.
The consideration for the Initial SpaceX Transactions payable at the Spectrum Acquisition Closing is $17 billion (the "Total Consideration Amount"). A portion of the Total Consideration Amount (such amount, the "Total Payoff Consideration Amount") will be used to: (i) fully pay off all outstanding amounts owed on the 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the "10 3/4% Secured Notes") and the 6 3/4% Senior Secured due 2030 (the "6 3/4% Secured Notes") and (ii) settle the anticipated redemption and conversions of the 3 7/8% Convertible Secured Notes due 2030 (the "Convertible Notes due 2030" and, together with the 10 3/4% Secured Notes and the 6 3/4% Secured Notes, the "Seller Notes"). The remaining amount after paying off the Seller Notes (the "Purchase Price") will be paid by SpaceX to us as follows: (i) up to $8.5 billion will be paid in SpaceX's Class A Common Stock, valued at $212 per share (the "Equity Amount"); and (ii) any amount of the Purchase Price exceeding $8.5 billion will be paid in cash. If the Total Payoff Consideration Amount exceeds $8.5 billion, we may elect to pay the excess in cash, our Class A Common Stock (with respect to the Convertible Notes due 2030), or both, to maintain our receipt of the full Equity Amount. However, if we elect not to pay such excess amount, the Equity Amount will be reduced dollar-for-dollar to ensure that the combined Equity Amount and Total Payoff Consideration Amount do not exceed the Total Consideration Amount. As of December 31, 2025, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Seller Notes was $9.821 billion and is secured by the AWS-4 and AWS-3Licenses.
The Spectrum Transfer Closing is expected to occur in the first half of 2026. The Spectrum Acquisition Closing is expected to occur on or about November 30, 2027, following the expiration of the make-whole period for the Seller Notes and the date on which the Convertible Notes due 2030 become eligible for redemption. If SpaceX elects to proceed with the Spectrum Acquisition Closing prior to November 30, 2027, SpaceX will be responsible for any additional amounts required to satisfy the Seller Notes, other than additional amounts payable as a result of a default under the Seller Notes.
Additionally, in connection with the SpaceX License Purchase Agreement and the Initial SpaceX Transactions, on September 7, 2025, SpaceX and the Trust entered into a Credit Agreement, pursuant to which SpaceX has agreed upon the Spectrum Transfer Closing to loan to the Trust (via automatically cancellable loans) amounts sufficient to make debt service payments on the Seller Notes through at least November 30, 2027 (the "Interim Debt Service"), which will be secured on a junior lien basis by the AWS-4 and H-Block Licenses. The aggregate amount of payments for the Interim Debt Service through November 30, 2027 will equal approximately $2 billion and will be settled via a loan between us and SpaceX that automatically cancels upon the completion of the Spectrum Acquisition Closing. The Credit Agreement is generally on standard commercial terms and conditions and, as a beneficiary of the Credit Agreement, we have the ability to enforce the parties obligations under the Agreement. As of December 31, 2025, we have made approximately $414 million in cash interest payments on the Seller Notes, which is subject to reimbursement from SpaceX upon the Spectrum Transfer Closing.
The SpaceX License Purchase Agreement also provides for future long-term commercial agreements that will enable us to offer our Wireless subscribers access to SpaceX's next-generation Starlink Direct to Cell text and voice and broadband services utilizing certain rights and licenses related to the Spectrum that are to be conveyed by us to SpaceX at the Spectrum Acquisition Closing. The commercial agreements will also provide for a fee-based referral program that lets us refer existing HughesNet customers and new Starlink customers to SpaceX. As of December 31, 2025, we had begun to utilize certain of the rights conveyed under the SpaceX License Purchase Agreement. In addition, we also have begun performing installation and other services for new Starlink customers.
The description of the SpaceX License Purchase Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the License Purchase Agreement filed as an exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
Amended and Restated License Purchase Agreement
On November 5, 2025, we, SpaceX and Trust, entered into an Amended and Restated License Purchase Agreement (the "Amended and Restated SpaceX License Purchase Agreement," and the transactions contemplated thereby, the "Amended SpaceX Transactions"), and, together with the Initial SpaceX Transactions, (the "SpaceX Transactions"). The Amended and Restated License Purchase Agreement amends and restates in its entirety the SpaceX License Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 7, 2025, by and among us, SpaceX and Trust.
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated SpaceX License Purchase Agreement, we and SpaceX have agreed to revise the terms of the previously announced transaction to include the transfer of up to an aggregate of 15 MHz of AWS spectrum in the frequency range of 1695-1710 MHz for each relevant license area (the "AWS-3 Licenses") from us to SpaceX in exchange for additional consideration of $2.6 billion, all of which will be paid in SpaceX's Class A Common Stock, valued at $212 per share. As a result of this change, the total consideration for the SpaceX Transactions has increased from $17 billion to approximately $20 billion, with up to $11 billion to be paid in SpaceX's Class A Common Stock, valued at $212 per share (the "Amended Equity Amount").
Except as set forth above, the material terms of the Amended and Restated SpaceX License Purchase Agreement are substantially the same as the terms of the SpaceX License Purchase Agreement.
The SpaceX Transactions are subject to a number of terms and conditions set forth in the SpaceX License Purchase Agreement. The completion of the SpaceX Transactions are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including, among others, receipt of certain consents and approvals from the FCC and DOJ. The SpaceX License Purchase Agreement also provides for specified termination rights.
The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated SpaceX License Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated SpaceX License Purchase Agreement, filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Future Capital Requirements
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.
Our cash and cash equivalents and marketable investment securities totaled $2.984 billion as of December 31, 2025 ("Cash on Hand"). As reflected in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2025, we have $2.0 billion of debt maturing in July 2026, $1.377 billion of debt maturing in August 2026 and $2.750 billion of debt maturing in December 2026. In addition, the re-auction of certain AWS-3 licenses previously awarded to Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless has been designated as Auction 113 and the FCC is required to initiate Auction 113 by June 23, 2026. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of Auction 113, however, we may be required to make a maximum payment up to approximately $2.921 billion for the Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment. See Note 15in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10 K for definitions and further information.
As detailed above, upon the closing of the AT&T Transactions, subject to certain conditions and adjustments, we will receive $22.650 billion in cash and upon the closing of the SpaceX Transactions, subject to certain conditions, we will receive approximately $22 billion in consideration which includes $20 billion upon the Spectrum Acquisition Closing in a combination of cash and the Amended Equity Amount (as defined above in "SpaceX Transactions"), and payments for the Interim Debt Service of approximately $2 billion effective with the Spectrum Transfer Closing. These transactions also contemplate the repayment of certain of our debt as described above in "AT&T Transactions" and "SpaceX Transactions," respectively. However, until the closing of these transactions, which are subject to receipt of government approvals and other customary conditions, funding is not deemed committed and because we do not currently have the necessary Cash on Hand and/or projected future cash flows or committed financing to fund our obligations for at least twelve months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements, substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern.
We cannot provide assurances that the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions will be approved and consummated on the predicted timeline or at all.
The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amount and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary should we not continue as a going concern.
Impairments and Other
During the third quarter of 2025, as a result of the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business, as defined below, resulting in a significant adverse change in the intended use of such assets. These developments were considered triggering events and resulted in an impairment assessment. As a result, we recorded a charge for non-cash asset impairments and other expenses related to the termination of our 5G Network deployment in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in our Other and Broadband and Satellite Services Segments.
In addition, in connection with our annual impairment testing during the fourth quarter of 2025, we recorded a charge for non-cash asset impairments in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in our Broadband and Satellite Services Segment related to indefinite-lived and definite-lived intangible assets and tangible assets supporting that segment.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we recorded a total charge of $17.632 billion, $16.481 billion and $1.151 billion during the third and fourth quarters of 2025, respectively, for non-cash asset impairments and other expenses in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in our Other and Broadband and Satellite Services Segments. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Segments
Historically, we reported three primary business segments: (1) Pay-TV; (2) Wireless; and (3) Broadband and Satellite Services.
We were operating our Wireless segment primarily as an MVNO and secondarily as an MNO, each defined below, as we continued to commercialize our wireless spectrum licenses through the completion of our 5G Network and grow customer traffic on our 5G Network. As a mobile virtual network operator ("MVNO"), we depended on either T-Mobile or AT&T to provide us with network services under the amended Master Network Services Agreement (as amended, the "MNSA") and Network Services Agreement (as amended, the "NSA"), respectively. We had commenced our transition to a mobile network operator ("MNO") as our 5G Network became commercially available and we grew our customer base on our 5G Network.
As a result of the unforeseeable actions by the FCC, as detailed above in "Recent Developments - FCC Review," we entered into the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, whereby we agreed to sell a material amount of our spectrum licenses. In August 2025, following these transactions, we terminated our deployment of our 5G Network, after meeting certain interim and final build-out requirements established by the FCC, and we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in the Hybrid MNO business.
To align with management's view of the business, we separated the historical Wireless segment into two segments, the "Wireless" segment and the "Other" segment.
We currently operate four primary business segments: (1) Pay-TV; (2) Wireless; (3) Broadband and Satellite Services; and (4) Other.
Our Pay-TV segment offers pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and the SLING® brand (collectively "Pay-TV" services). The DISH branded pay-TV service consists of, among other things, FCC licenses authorizing us to use direct broadcast satellite ("DBS") and Fixed Satellite Service ("FSS") spectrum, our owned and leased satellites, receiver systems, broadcast operations, a leased fiber optic network, in-home service and call center operations and certain other assets utilized in our operations ("DISH TV"). We also design, develop and distribute receiver systems and provide digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission and other services to third-party pay-TV providers. The SLING branded pay-TV services consist of, among other things, multichannel, live-linear and on-demand streaming over-the-top ("OTT") Internet-based domestic, international, Latino and Freestream video programming services ("SLING TV"). We market our SLING TV services to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional satellite and cable pay-TV services, as well as to current and recent traditional pay-TV subscribers who desire a lower cost alternative.
Our Wireless segment provides wireless communication services ("Wireless" services) and products. We offer nationwide Wireless services to subscribers primarily under our Boost Mobile® and Gen Mobile® brands. We currently offer a broad range of premium wireless devices, including the latest generation iPhones, as well as a wide selection of Samsung, Motorola and other premium devices. Prior to November 15, 2025, we were operating primarily as an MVNO utilizing network services under the MNSA and the NSA and secondarily as an MNO. In light of the AT&T Transactions, we transitioned to a hybrid MNO business model under which we continue to operate our 5G Network core and utilize AT&T's network services ("Hybrid MNO") and secondarily as an MVNO utilizing network services under the MNSA and the NSA. We migrated all customer traffic from our 5G Network to AT&T's network as we transitioned to a Hybrid MNO, which we completed as of November 15, 2025.
Our Broadband and Satellite Services segment offers broadband satellite technologies and broadband internet products and services to consumer customers. We provide broadband network technologies, managed services, equipment, hardware, satellite services and communications solutions to government and enterprise customers. We have leveraged the EchoStar XXIV satellite to deliver satellite services to unserved and underserved consumer markets in the Americas as well as enterprise, aeronautical and government markets. We also design, provide and install gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems. In addition, we design, develop, construct and provide telecommunication networks comprising satellite ground segment systems and terminals to mobile system operators and our enterprise customers.
Our Other segment primarily consists of our legacy 5G Network and 5G Network deployment operations that will not be utilized in the Wireless segment's Hybrid MNO business. As a result of the unforeseeable actions by the FCC, as detailed above in "Recent Developments - FCC Review," we entered into the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, whereby we agreed to sell a material amount of our spectrum licenses. In August 2025, following these transactions, we terminated our deployment of our 5G Network, after meeting certain interim and final build-out requirements established by the FCC, and we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in the Wireless segment's Hybrid MNO business. As of November 15, 2025, we have no customer traffic on our 5G Network.
Our wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. In September 2024, the FCC conditionally granted our requests to extend the 5G deployment deadlines for certain of our wireless spectrum licensesbased on several commitments and in a January 10, 2025 filing to the FCC, we certified to meeting the accelerated build-out (Commitments #2 and #3 of the Extension Request) and the nationwide 80% coverage obligations (Commitment #1 of the Extension Request) due by December 31, 2024. Thus, pursuant to the Extension Request, the final deployment deadlines for the licenses subject to the Extension Request (listed in Appendix G) shall be extended to December 14, 2026.
While the FCC has not yet updated the build-out deadlines in the Universal Licensing System, the licenses remain in effect based upon the submission of our build-out certifications. In addition, the final deployment deadlines for the licenses subject to the Extension Request (listed in Appendix G) shall be further extended to June 14, 2028 since we satisfied the remaining Extension Request commitments. See Note 15 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-Kfor definitions and further information. Also see above in "Recent Developments - FCC Review," for further information on the FCC's recently completed review of our compliance with our obligations regarding our federal spectrum licenses.
Economic Environment
During 2024 and 2025, we experienced inflationary pressures in our commodity and labor costs resulting from the macroeconomic environment in the United States, which has impacted our overall operating results. In addition, changes in trade policies, including, but not limited to, tariffs and other restrictions, could increase, among other things, our costs, disrupt our supply chain and negatively affect our business, operations and financial condition.
EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS
Service revenue. "Service revenue" consists principally of Pay-TV and Wireless subscriber revenue, broadband services, maintenance and other contracted revenue and satellite and transponder leases and services revenue. Certain of the amounts included in "Service revenue" are not recurring on a monthly basis.
Equipment sales and other revenue. "Equipment sales and other revenue" principally includes the sale of wireless devices, the non-subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment, the licensing of certain intellectual property and sales of broadband equipment and networks sold both in our consumer and enterprise markets.
Cost of services. "Cost of services" principally includes Pay-TV programming expenses and other operating costs related to our Pay-TV segment, costs of Wireless services (including costs incurred under the MNSA and NSA and direct costs to operate our 5G Network core as part of our Hybrid MNO), costs of broadband services, maintenance and other contracted services, and costs associated with satellite and transponder leases and services. Beginning on January 1, 2024, "Cost of services" includes certain direct costs related to our 5G Network deployment, including lease expense on communication towers and other costs as a significant portion of our 5G Network was placed into service. Beginning on November 15, 2025, as we have no customer traffic on our 5G Network, "Cost of services" excludes certain direct costs related to our 5G Network that we abandoned and are decommissioning, including lease expense on communication towers and other costs, which are now included in "Cost of sales - equipment and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Cost of sales - equipment and other. "Cost of sales - equipment and other" principally includes the cost of wireless devices and other related items, the cost of broadband equipment and networks, as well as costs related to the non-subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment. Costs are generally recognized as products are delivered to customers and the related revenue is recognized. In addition, prior to January 1, 2024, "Cost of sales - equipment and other" included certain direct costs related to our 5G Network deployment, including lease expense on communication towers and other costs, which is now included in "Cost of services" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Furthermore, beginning on November 15, 2025, as we have no customer traffic on our 5G Network, "Cost of sales - equipment and other" includes certain direct costs related to our 5G Network that we abandoned and are decommissioning, including lease expense on communication towers and other costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" consists primarily of direct sales costs, advertising and selling costs, third-party commissions related to the acquisition of subscribers and employee-related costs associated with administrative services such as legal, information systems, and accounting and finance. In addition, "Selling, general and administrative expenses" includes costs related to the installation of equipment for our new Pay-TV subscribers and the cost of subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment for new subscribers.
Impairments and other. "Impairments and other" may include, among other things, non-cash impairment and other losses related to our prepaids, inventory, property and equipment, regulatory authorizations, operating lease assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, as well as estimated exit and disposal costs.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. "Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized" primarily includes interest expense associated with our long-term debt (net of capitalized interest), prepayment premiums, amortization of debt discounts and debt issuance costs associated with our long-term debt, and interest expense associated with our finance lease obligations.
Other, net. The main components of "Other, net" are gains and losses realized on the sale and/or conversion of marketable and non-marketable investment securities, derivative and/or financial liability instruments, impairment of marketable and non-marketable investment securities, unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair value of certain marketable and non-marketable investment securities, derivative and/or financial liability instruments, the sale of businesses or business assets gains and losses, foreign currency transaction gains and losses, debt extinguishment gains and losses, and equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates.
Operating income before depreciation and amortization ("OIBDA"). OIBDA is defined as "Operating income (loss)" plus "Depreciation and amortization." This non-GAAP measure is reconciled to "Operating income (loss)" in our discussion of "Results of Operations" below.
Operating income before depreciation and amortization, and impairments and other ("Adjusted OIBDA").Adjusted OIBDA is defined as "Operating income (loss)" plus "Depreciation and amortization" and "Impairments and other." This non-GAAP measure is reconciled to "Operating income (loss)" in our discussion of "Results of Operations" below.
DISH TV subscribers. We include customers obtained through direct sales, independent third-party retailers and other independent third-party distribution relationships in our DISH TV subscriber count. We also provide DISH TV services to hotels, motels and other commercial accounts. For certain of these commercial accounts, we divide our total revenue for these commercial accounts by $34.99, and include the resulting number, which is substantially smaller than the actual number of commercial units served, in our DISH TV subscriber count.
SLING TV subscribers. We include customers obtained through direct sales and third-party marketing agreements in our SLING TV subscriber count. SLING TV subscriber additions are recorded net of disconnects. For customers who subscribe to multiple SLING TV packages, each customer is only counted as one SLING TV subscriber. Prior to August 2025, SLING TV customers receiving SLING TV Freestream service, non-recurring video services, or service for no charge, under certain new subscriber promotions, were excluded from our SLING TV subscriber count. Beginning in August 2025, for certain SLING TV Freestream, Day Pass, Weekend Pass and Week Pass subscribers and other non-recurring video service accounts where we receive non-recurring user and ad insertion revenue ("SLING TV Flexible Offerings"), we divide our total SLING TV Flexible Offerings revenue related to these services by the price of our lowest tier programming package under which a new subscriber can activate, and include the resulting number, which is substantially smaller than the actual number of SLING TV customers receiving SLING TV Flexible Offerings,in the SLING TV subscriber count. The impact of this change was an increase to our third quarter of 2025 subscriber count of approximately 51,000 subscribers, representing the opening impact of the new calculation to our existing SLING TV subscriber base. All new SLING TV Flexible Offerings subscriber activations after this adjustment are included in net SLING TV subscriber additions for the period, based on the calculation above.
Pay-TV subscribers. Our Pay-TV subscriber count includes all DISH TV and SLING TV subscribers discussed above. For customers who subscribe to both our DISH TV services and our SLING TV services, each subscription is counted as a separate Pay-TV subscriber.
Pay-TV average monthly revenue per subscriber ("Pay-TV ARPU"). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating ARPU and believe presentations of ARPU may not be calculated consistently by other companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate Pay-TV average monthly revenue per Pay-TV subscriber, or Pay-TV ARPU, by dividing average monthly Pay-TV segment "Service revenue," excluding revenue from broadband services, for the period by our average number of Pay-TV subscribers for the period. The average number of Pay-TV subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of Pay-TV subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Pay-TV subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Pay-TV subscribers for the month and dividing by two. SLING TV subscribers on average purchase lower priced programming services than DISH TV subscribers, and therefore, as SLING TV subscribers increase as a percentage of total Pay-TV subscribers, it has had a negative impact on Pay-TV ARPU.
DISH TV average monthly subscriber churn rate ("DISH TV churn rate"). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating subscriber churn rate and believe presentations of subscriber churn rates may not be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate our DISH TV churn rate for any period by dividing the number of DISH TV subscribers who terminated service during the period by the average number of DISH TV subscribers for the same period, and further dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of DISH TV subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of DISH TV subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of DISH TV subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending DISH TV subscribers for the month and dividing by two.
DISH TV SAC. Subscriber acquisition cost measures are commonly used by those evaluating traditional companies in the pay-TV industry. We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating the "average subscriber acquisition costs per new DISH TV subscriber activation," or DISH TV SAC, and we believe presentations of pay-TV SAC may not be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. Our DISH TV SAC is calculated using all costs of acquiring DISH TV subscribers (e.g., subsidized equipment, advertising, installation, commissions and direct sales, etc.) which are included in "Selling, general and administrative expenses," plus capitalized payments made under certain sales incentive programs and the value of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new DISH TV subscribers, divided by gross new DISH TV subscriber activations. We include all new DISH TV subscribers in our calculation, including DISH TV subscribers added with little or no subscriber acquisition costs.
Wireless subscribers. We include customers obtained through direct sales, independent third-party retailers and other independent third-party distribution relationships in our Wireless subscriber count. Our Wireless subscriber count includes all Government subsidized subscribers discussed below. Our gross new Wireless subscriber activations exclude all Government subsidized subscribers as we record these subscribers net of disconnects, as discussed below.
Government subsidized wireless subscribers and other wireless subscribers ("Government subsidized subscribers").Our Government subsidized subscribers have different subscriber economics than our core Wireless subscribers, including a significantly higher churn rate and lower subscriber acquisition costs. Therefore, our Government subsidized subscriber additions are recorded net of disconnects. Our Government subsidized subscriber count includes Wireless subscribers that participate or participated in government subsidized programs, including the ACP program and Lifeline program, defined below, and other subscribers acquired under the Gen Mobile brand. The Affordable Connectivity Program ("ACP") was a federal program offering broadband services and devices discounts to help low-income individuals that meet certain eligibility criteria. The ACP program funding concluded on June 1, 2024. The Lifeline Program is a federal program offering broadband services discounts to help low-income individuals that meet certain eligibility criteria. Certain states also offer a separate Lifeline program.
Wireless average monthly revenue per subscriber ("Wireless ARPU"). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating ARPU and believe presentations of ARPU may not be calculated consistently by other companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate average monthly revenue per Wireless subscriber, or Wireless ARPU, by dividing average monthly Wireless subscriber revenue included in "Service revenue" for the period by our average number of Wireless subscribers for the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of Wireless subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Wireless subscribers for the month and dividing by two.
Wireless average monthly subscriber churn rate ("Wireless churn rate"). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating subscriber churn rate and believe presentations of subscriber churn rates may not be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate our "Wireless churn rate" for any period by dividing the number of Wireless subscribers who terminated service during the period by the average number of Wireless subscribers for the same period, and further dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers is calculated for the period by adding the average number of Wireless subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. The average number of Wireless subscribers for each month is calculated by adding the beginning and ending Wireless subscribers for the month and dividing by two. Government subsidized subscriber additions are recorded net of disconnects and therefore excluded from our calculation of our Wireless churn rate.
Broadband subscribers. Subscribers include customers that subscribe to our HughesNet service, through retail, wholesale and small/medium enterprise service channels. Our Broadband subscriber count also includes ACP subscribers, as defined above.
Free cash flow. We define free cash flow as "Net cash flows from operating activities" less: (i) "Purchases of property and equipment" net of "Refunds and other receipts of purchases of property and equipment," and (ii) "Capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations," as shown on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Segments
Business Segments
We currently operate four primary business segments: (1) Pay-TV; (2) Wireless; (3) Broadband and Satellite Services; and (4) Other.
Revenue and operating income (loss) by segment are shown in the table below:
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pay-TV |
|
$ |
9,700,480 |
|
$ |
10,688,204 |
|
$ |
(987,724) |
|
(9.2) |
|
Wireless |
|
|
3,795,675 |
|
|
3,594,197 |
|
|
201,478 |
|
5.6 |
|
Broadband and Satellite Services |
|
|
1,456,052 |
|
|
1,575,788 |
|
|
(119,736) |
|
(7.6) |
|
Other |
|
|
294,823 |
|
|
156,702 |
|
|
138,121 |
|
88.1 |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
(242,041) |
|
|
(189,375) |
|
|
(52,666) |
|
(27.8) |
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
15,004,989 |
|
$ |
15,825,516 |
|
$ |
(820,527) |
|
(5.2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pay-TV |
|
$ |
2,425,228 |
|
$ |
2,647,954 |
|
$ |
(222,726) |
|
(8.4) |
|
Wireless |
|
|
(495,028) |
|
|
(477,991) |
|
|
(17,037) |
|
(3.6) |
|
Broadband and Satellite Services |
|
|
(1,607,404) |
|
|
(117,901) |
|
|
(1,489,503) |
|
* |
|
Other |
|
|
(18,047,900) |
|
|
(2,353,915) |
|
|
(15,693,985) |
|
* |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
1,958 |
|
|
(2,217) |
|
|
4,175 |
|
* |
|
Total operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(17,723,146) |
|
$ |
(304,070) |
|
$ |
(17,419,076) |
|
* |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
Total revenue. Our consolidated revenue totaled $15.005 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $821 million or 5.2% compared to the same period in 2024. The net decrease primarily resulted from the decrease in revenue from our Pay-TV segment and to a lesser extent our Broadband and Satellite Services segment, partially offset by increases in revenue from our Wireless and Other segments.
Total operating income (loss). Our consolidated operating loss totaled $17.723 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase in operating loss of $17.419 billion compared to the same period in 2024. This change primarily resulted from an increase in operating loss from our Other segment and to a lesser extent our Broadband and Satellite Services and Wireless segments and a decrease in operating income from our Pay-TV segment. The year ended December 31, 2025 was adversely impacted by "Impairments and other" of: (1) $16.102 billion from our Other segment and (2) $1.530 billion from our Broadband and Satellite Services segment. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pay-TV |
|
$ |
10,688,204 |
|
$ |
11,571,159 |
|
$ |
(882,955) |
|
(7.6) |
|
Wireless |
|
|
3,594,197 |
|
|
3,692,372 |
|
|
(98,175) |
|
(2.7) |
|
Broadband and Satellite Services |
|
|
1,575,788 |
|
|
1,755,559 |
|
|
(179,771) |
|
(10.2) |
|
Other |
|
|
156,702 |
|
|
91,928 |
|
|
64,774 |
|
70.5 |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
(189,375) |
|
|
(95,420) |
|
|
(93,955) |
|
(98.5) |
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
15,825,516 |
|
$ |
17,015,598 |
|
$ |
(1,190,082) |
|
(7.0) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pay-TV |
|
$ |
2,647,954 |
|
$ |
2,699,810 |
|
$ |
(51,856) |
|
(1.9) |
|
Wireless |
|
|
(477,991) |
|
|
(643,184) |
|
|
165,193 |
|
25.7 |
|
Broadband and Satellite Services |
|
|
(117,901) |
|
|
(458,609) |
|
|
340,708 |
|
74.3 |
|
Other |
|
|
(2,353,915) |
|
|
(1,881,369) |
|
|
(472,546) |
|
(25.1) |
|
Eliminations |
|
|
(2,217) |
|
|
5,443 |
|
|
(7,660) |
|
* |
|
Total operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(304,070) |
|
$ |
(277,909) |
|
$ |
(26,161) |
|
(9.4) |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
Total revenue. Our consolidated revenue totaled $15.826 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $1.190 billion or 7.0% compared to the same period in 2023. The net decrease primarily resulted from the decrease in revenue from our Pay-TV segment and to a lesser extent our Broadband and Satellite Services and Wireless segments, partially offset by the increase in revenue from our Other segment.
Total operating income (loss). Our consolidated operating loss totaled $304 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase in operating loss of $26 million compared to the same period in 2023. This change primarily resulted from an increase in operating loss from our Other segment and a decrease in operating income from our Pay-TV segment, partially offset by a decrease in operating loss from our Broadband and Satellite Services and Wireless segments.
Pay-TV Segment
We offer pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and the SLING® brand (collectively "Pay-TV" services). The DISH branded pay-TV service consists of, among other things, FCC licenses authorizing us to use direct broadcast satellite ("DBS") and Fixed Satellite Service ("FSS") spectrum, our owned and leased satellites, receiver systems, broadcast operations, a leased fiber optic network, in-home service and call center operations and certain other assets utilized in our operations ("DISH TV"). We also design, develop and distribute receiver systems and provide digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission and other services to third-party pay-TV providers. The SLING branded pay-TV services consist of, among other things, multichannel, live-linear and on-demand streaming over-the-top ("OTT") Internet-based domestic, international, Latino and Freestream video programming services ("SLING TV"). As of December 31, 2025, we had 6.998 million Pay-TV subscribers in the United States, including 5.022 million DISH TV subscribers and 1.976 million SLING TV subscribers.
Our Pay-TV segment business strategy is to be the best provider of video services in the United States by providing products with the best technology, outstanding customer service and great value. We promote our Pay-TV services by providing our subscribers with a better "price-to-value" relationship and experience than those available from other subscription television service providers. We offer a wide selection of video services under the DISH TV brand, with access to hundreds of channels depending on the level of subscription. Our standard programming packages generally include programming provided by national cable networks. We also offer programming packages that include local broadcast networks, specialty sports channels, premium movie channels and Latino and international programming. We market our SLING TV services to consumers who do not subscribe to traditional satellite and cable pay-TV services, as well as to current and recent traditional pay-TV subscribers who desire a lower cost alternative. Our SLING TV services require an Internet connection and are available on multiple streaming-capable devices including, among others, streaming media devices, TVs, tablets, computers, game consoles and phones.
Trends in our Pay-TV Segment
Competition
Competition has intensified in recent years as the pay-TV industry has matured. We and our competitors increasingly must seek to attract a greater proportion of new subscribers from each other's existing subscriber bases rather than from first-time purchasers of pay-TV services. We face substantial competition from established pay-TV providers and broadband service providers and increasing competition from companies providing/facilitating the delivery of video content via the Internet to computers, televisions, and other streaming and mobile devices, including wireless service providers. In recent years, industry consolidation and convergence has created competitors with greater scale and multiple product/service offerings. These developments, among others, have contributed to intense and increasing competition, and we expect such competition to continue.
We incur significant costs to retain our existing DISH TV subscribers, generally as a result of upgrading their equipment to next generation receivers, primarily including our Hopper® receivers and by providing retention credits. Our DISH TV subscriber retention costs may vary significantly from period to period.
Many of our competitors have been especially aggressive by offering discounted programming and services for both new and existing subscribers, including, but not limited to, bundled offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other promotional offers. Certain competitors have been able to subsidize the price of video services with the price of broadband and/or wireless services.
Our Pay-TV services also face increased competition from programmers and other companies who distribute video directly to consumers over the Internet, as well as traditional satellite television providers, cable companies and large telecommunications companies that are rapidly increasing their Internet-based video offerings and direct-to-consumer exclusive and non-exclusive content. We also face competition from providers of video content, many of which are providers of programming content to us, that distribute content over the Internet including services with live-linear television programming, as well as single programmer offerings and offerings of large libraries of on-demand content, including in certain cases original content. These product offerings include, but are not limited to: Netflix, Hulu, Apple+, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Disney+, ESPN+, Paramount+, HBO Max, STARZ, ESPN Unlimited, FOX One, Peacock, Fubo, Philo and Tubi and certain bundles of these offerings.
Significant changes in consumer behavior regarding the means by which consumers obtain video entertainment and information in response to digital media competition could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business.
In particular, consumers have shown increased interest in viewing certain video programming in any place, at any time and/or on any broadband or Internet-connected device they choose. Online content providers may cause our subscribers to disconnect our DISH TV services ("cord cutting"), downgrade to smaller, less expensive programming packages ("cord shaving") or elect to purchase through these online content providers a certain portion of the services that they would have historically purchased from us.
Mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and alliances among cable television providers, telecommunications companies, programming providers and others may result in, among other things, greater scale and financial leverage and increase the availability of offerings from providers capable of bundling video, broadband and/or wireless services in competition with our services and may exacerbate the risks described under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and elsewhere in our public filings. These transactions may affect us adversely by, among other things, making it more difficult for us to obtain access to certain programming networks on nondiscriminatory and fair terms, or at all.
Our Pay-TV subscriber base has been declining due to, among other things, the factors described above. There can be no assurance that our Pay-TV subscriber base will not continue to decline and that the pace of such decline will not accelerate. As our Pay-TV subscriber base continues to decline, it could have a material adverse long-term effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.
Programming
Our ability to compete successfully will depend, among other things, on our ability to continue to obtain desirable programming and deliver it to our subscribers at competitive prices. Programming costs represent a large percentage of our "Cost of services" and the largest component of our total expense. We expect these costs to continue to increase due to contractual price increases and the renewal of long-term programming contracts on less favorable pricing terms and certain programming costs are rising at a much faster rate than wages or inflation. In particular, the rates we are charged for retransmitting local broadcast channels have been increasing substantially and may exceed our ability to increase our prices to our subscribers. Our ability to provide services under these agreements and negotiate acceptable terms depends on, among other things, the number of subscribers we have, our actual, perceived or anticipated financial condition and our negotiating power against each programmer, which can vary depending on the size and scale of such programmer. Going forward, our margins may face pressure if we are unable to renew our long-term programming contracts on acceptable pricing and other economic terms or if we are unable to pass these increased programming costs on to our subscribers.
Increases in programming costs have caused us to increase the rates that we charge to our subscribers, which could in turn cause our existing Pay-TV subscribers to disconnect our services or cause potential new Pay-TV subscribers to choose not to subscribe to our services. Additionally, even if our subscribers do not disconnect our services, they may purchase through new and existing online content providers a certain portion of the services that they would have historically purchased from us.
Furthermore, our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and DISH TV churn rate may be negatively impacted if we are unable to renew our long-term programming carriage contracts on acceptable terms or at all. In the past, our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and DISH TV churn rate have been negatively impacted as a result of programming interruptions and threatened programming interruptions in connection with the scheduled expiration of programming carriage contracts with content providers. There can be no assurance that the removal of any channels will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition or otherwise disrupt our business. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and DISH TV churn rate resulting from programming interruptions or threatened programming interruptions that may occur in the future. As a result, we may at times suffer from periods of lower net Pay-TV subscriber additions or higher net Pay-TV subscriber losses.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Pay-TV Segment
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
9,642,661 |
|
$ |
10,613,653 |
|
$ |
(970,992) |
|
(9.1) |
|
Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
57,819 |
|
|
74,551 |
|
|
(16,732) |
|
(22.4) |
|
Total revenue |
|
|
9,700,480 |
|
|
10,688,204 |
|
|
(987,724) |
|
(9.2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services |
|
|
5,995,943 |
|
|
6,546,506 |
|
|
(550,563) |
|
(8.4) |
|
% of Service revenue |
|
|
62.2 |
% |
|
61.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales - equipment and other |
|
|
40,258 |
|
|
80,271 |
|
|
(40,013) |
|
(49.8) |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
976,185 |
|
1,076,142 |
|
|
(99,957) |
|
(9.3) |
|
|
% of Total revenue |
|
|
10.1 |
% |
|
10.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
262,866 |
|
|
337,331 |
|
|
(74,465) |
|
(22.1) |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
7,275,252 |
|
|
8,040,250 |
|
|
(764,998) |
|
(9.5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
2,425,228 |
|
$ |
2,647,954 |
|
$ |
(222,726) |
|
(8.4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pay-TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) |
|
|
6.998 |
|
|
7.778 |
|
|
(0.780) |
|
(10.0) |
|
DISH TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions)** |
|
|
5.022 |
|
|
5.686 |
|
|
(0.664) |
|
(11.7) |
|
SLING TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions)*** |
|
|
1.976 |
|
|
2.092 |
|
|
(0.116) |
|
(5.5) |
|
Pay-TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) |
|
|
(0.803) |
|
|
(0.748) |
|
|
(0.055) |
|
(7.4) |
|
DISH TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) |
|
|
(0.636) |
|
|
(0.785) |
|
|
0.149 |
|
19.0 |
|
SLING TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) |
|
|
(0.167) |
|
|
0.037 |
|
|
(0.204) |
|
* |
|
Pay-TV ARPU |
|
$ |
110.39 |
|
$ |
108.90 |
|
$ |
1.49 |
|
1.4 |
|
DISH TV subscriber additions, gross (in millions) |
|
|
0.202 |
|
|
0.282 |
|
|
(0.080) |
|
(28.4) |
|
DISH TV churn rate |
|
|
1.31 |
% |
|
1.46 |
% |
|
(0.15) |
% |
(10.3) |
|
DISH TV SAC |
|
$ |
1,204 |
|
$ |
999 |
|
$ |
205 |
|
20.5 |
|
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds (1) |
|
$ |
288,595 |
|
$ |
218,473 |
|
$ |
70,122 |
|
32.1 |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
2,688,094 |
|
$ |
2,985,285 |
|
$ |
(297,191) |
|
(10.0) |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
|
** |
During the second quarter of 2025, we removed approximately 28,000 subscribers from our period end DISH TV subscriber count representing DISH TV subscribers sold during the year ended December 31, 2025 as part of the sale of our Fiber business. This removal had no material impact on any other reported subscriber metrics, other than our period end DISH TV subscriber count. |
|
*** |
Beginning in August 2025, we changed our calculation of SLING TV subscribers. The impact of this change was an increase to our period end SLING TV subscriber count of approximately 51,000 subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2025, representing the opening impact of the new calculation to our existing SLING TV subscriber base. All new SLING TV Flexible Offerings subscriber activations after this adjustment are included in net SLING TV subscriber additions for the period. This change had no material impact on any other reported subscriber metrics, other than our period end SLING TV subscriber count. See "Explanation of Key Metrics and Other Items - SLING TV subscribers" for further information. |
(1) Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds includes satellite purchases during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 of $156 million and $121 million, respectively.
Pay-TV Subscribers
DISH TV subscribers. We lost approximately 636,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the loss of approximately 785,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the same period in 2024. This decrease in net DISH TV subscriber losses primarily resulted from a lower DISH TV churn rate, partially offset by lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations.
SLING TV subscribers. We lost approximately 167,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the addition of approximately 37,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the same period in 2024. The change in net SLING TV subscribers was primarily related to lower SLING TV subscriber activations, partially offset by lower SLING TV subscriber disconnects in 2025 due to our emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers. We continue to experience increased competition, including competition from other subscription video on-demand and live-linear OTT service providers, many of which are providers of our content and offer football and other seasonal sports programming direct to subscribers on an a la carte basis. For example, in August 2025, ESPN Unlimited and FOX One sports packages were launched.
DISH TV subscribers, gross. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we activated approximately 202,000 gross new DISH TV subscribers compared to approximately 282,000 gross new DISH TV subscribers during the same period in 2024, a decrease of 28.4%. This decrease in our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations was primarily related to lower marketing expenditures, the lack of demand and shifting consumer behavior, as well as increased competitive pressures, including, but not limited to, live-linear OTT service providers, aggressive short term introductory pricing and bundled offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers and direct-to-consumer offerings by certain of our programmers. Our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations continue to be negatively impacted by an emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers.
DISH TV churn rate. Our DISH TV churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2025 was 1.31% compared to 1.46% for the same period in 2024. Our DISH TV churn rates for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were positively impacted by our continued emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers. Our DISH TV churn rate continues to be adversely impacted by external factors, such as, among other things, cord cutting, shifting consumer behavior and increased competitive pressures, including, but not limited to, live-linear OTT service providers, aggressive marketing, bundled discount offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers. Our DISH TV churn rate is also impacted by internal factors, such as, among other things, our ability to consistently provide outstanding customer service, price increases, our ability to control piracy and other forms of fraud and the level of our retention efforts.
Our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and DISH TV churn rate have been negatively impacted as a result of programming interruptions and threatened programming interruptions in connection with the scheduled expiration of programming carriage contracts with content providers. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact to our net Pay-TV subscriber additions, gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and DISH TV subscriber churn rate resulting from programming interruptions or threatened programming interruptions that may occur in the future. As a result, we may at times suffer from periods of lower net Pay-TV subscriber additions or higher net Pay-TV subscriber losses.
We have not always met our own standards for performing high-quality installations, effectively resolving subscriber issues when they arise, answering subscriber calls in an acceptable timeframe, effectively communicating with our subscriber base, reducing calls driven by the complexity of our business, improving the reliability of certain systems and subscriber equipment and aligning the interests of certain independent third-party retailers and installers to provide high-quality service. Most of these factors have affected both gross new DISH TV subscriber activations as well as DISH TV subscriber churn rate. Our future gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and our DISH TV subscriber churn rate may be negatively impacted by these factors, which could in turn adversely affect our revenue.
Service revenue. "Service revenue" totaled $9.643 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $971 million or 9.1% compared to the same period in 2024. The decrease in "Service revenue" compared to the same period in 2024 was primarily related to lower average Pay-TV subscriber base, partially offset by an increase in Pay-TV ARPU, discussed below.
Pay-TV ARPU. Pay-TV ARPU was $110.39 during the year ended December 31, 2025 versus $108.90 during the same period in 2024. The $1.49 or 1.4% increase in Pay-TV ARPU was primarily attributable to the DISH TV and SLING TV programming price increases, partially offset by lower ad sales revenue and an increase in SLING TV subscribers as a percentage of our total Pay-TV subscriber base. The DISH TV programming package price increases were effective in the third quarters of 2025 and 2024, respectively and SLING TV programming package price increase was effective in the fourth quarter of 2024. SLING TV subscribers on average purchase lower priced programming services than DISH TV subscribers, and therefore, the increase in SLING TV subscribers as a percentage of our total Pay-TV subscriber base had a negative impact on Pay-TV ARPU.
Cost of services. "Cost of services" totaled $5.996 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $551 million or 8.4% compared to the same period in 2024. The decrease in "Cost of services" was primarily attributable to a lower average Pay-TV subscriber base, partially offset by higher programming costs per subscriber. Programming costs per subscriber increased during the year ended December 31, 2025 due to rate increases in certain of our programming contracts, including the renewal of certain contracts at higher rates, particularly for local broadcast channels. "Cost of services" represented 62.2% and 61.7% of "Service revenue" during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. This increase primarily related to higher programming costs per subscriber.
In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts to purchase programming content in which our payment obligations are generally contingent on the number of Pay-TV subscribers to whom we provide the respective content. Our "Cost of services" have and will continue to face further upward pressure from price increases and the renewal of long-term programming contracts on less favorable pricing terms. In addition, our programming expenses will increase to the extent we are successful in growing our Pay-TV subscriber base.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $976 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, a $100 million or 9.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in subscriber acquisition costs resulting from lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations, and a decrease in personnel costs and professional fees. The year ended December 31, 2024 was negatively impacted by merger related costs from the DIRECTV transaction.
Depreciation and amortization. "Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $263 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, a $74 million or 22.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in depreciation expense from equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers, the expiration of our Nimiq 5 finance lease in September 2024, and our EchoStar XIV and EchoStar XV satellites being fully depreciated in May 2025 and July 2025, respectively.
DISH TV SAC. DISH TV SAC was $1,204 during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to $999 during the same period in 2024, an increase of $205 or 20.5%. This change was primarily attributable to an increase in advertising costs per subscriber, a higher percentage of new receivers compared to remanufactured receivers being activated on new subscriber accounts and higher commission costs due to our emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers. While our marketing expenditures decreased during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations decreased at a higher rate, resulting in an increase in advertising costs per subscriber.
During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the amount of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new DISH TV subscribers totaled $31 million and $26 million, respectively.
To remain competitive, we upgrade or replace subscriber equipment periodically as technology changes, and the costs associated with these upgrades may be substantial. To the extent technological changes render a portion of our existing equipment obsolete, we would be unable to redeploy all returned equipment and consequently would realize less benefit from the DISH TV SAC reduction associated with redeployment of that returned lease equipment.
Our "DISH TV SAC" may materially increase in the future to the extent that we, among other things, transition to newer technologies, introduce more aggressive promotions or provide greater equipment subsidies. See further information under "Liquidity and Capital Resources - Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs."
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
10,613,653 |
|
$ |
11,385,961 |
|
$ |
(772,308) |
|
(6.8) |
|
Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
74,551 |
|
|
185,198 |
|
|
(110,647) |
|
(59.7) |
|
Total revenue |
|
|
10,688,204 |
|
|
11,571,159 |
|
|
(882,955) |
|
(7.6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services |
|
|
6,546,506 |
|
|
6,977,628 |
|
|
(431,122) |
|
(6.2) |
|
% of Service revenue |
|
|
61.7 |
% |
|
61.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales - equipment and other |
|
|
80,271 |
|
|
91,164 |
|
|
(10,893) |
|
(11.9) |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
1,076,142 |
|
1,414,808 |
|
|
(338,666) |
|
(23.9) |
|
|
% of Total revenue |
|
|
10.1 |
% |
|
12.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
337,331 |
|
|
381,292 |
|
|
(43,961) |
|
(11.5) |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
- |
|
|
6,457 |
|
|
(6,457) |
|
* |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
8,040,250 |
|
|
8,871,349 |
|
|
(831,099) |
|
(9.4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
2,647,954 |
|
$ |
2,699,810 |
|
$ |
(51,856) |
|
(1.9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pay-TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) |
|
|
7.778 |
|
|
8.526 |
|
|
(0.748) |
|
(8.8) |
|
DISH TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) |
|
|
5.686 |
|
|
6.471 |
|
|
(0.785) |
|
(12.1) |
|
SLING TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) |
|
|
2.092 |
|
|
2.055 |
|
|
0.037 |
|
1.8 |
|
Pay-TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) |
|
|
(0.748) |
|
|
(1.224) |
|
|
0.476 |
|
38.9 |
|
DISH TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) |
|
|
(0.785) |
|
|
(0.945) |
|
|
0.160 |
|
16.9 |
|
SLING TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) |
|
|
0.037 |
|
|
(0.279) |
|
|
0.316 |
|
* |
|
Pay-TV ARPU |
|
$ |
108.90 |
|
$ |
104.56 |
|
$ |
4.34 |
|
4.2 |
|
DISH TV subscriber additions, gross (in millions) |
|
|
0.282 |
|
|
0.464 |
|
|
(0.182) |
|
(39.2) |
|
DISH TV churn rate |
|
|
1.46 |
% |
|
1.69 |
% |
|
(0.23) |
% |
(13.6) |
|
DISH TV SAC |
|
$ |
999 |
|
$ |
1,118 |
|
$ |
(119) |
|
(10.6) |
|
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds ** |
|
$ |
218,473 |
|
$ |
242,736 |
|
$ |
(24,263) |
|
(10.0) |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
2,985,285 |
|
$ |
3,081,102 |
|
$ |
(95,817) |
|
(3.1) |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
|
** |
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds includes satellite purchases during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 of $121 million and $105 million, respectively. |
Pay-TV Subscribers
DISH TV subscribers. We lost approximately 785,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the loss of approximately 945,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the same period in 2023. This decrease in net DISH TV subscriber losses primarily resulted from a lower DISH TV churn rate, partially offset by lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations.
SLING TV subscribers. We added approximately 37,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the loss of approximately 279,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the same period in 2023. The change in net SLING TV subscribers was primarily related to lower SLING TV subscriber disconnects in 2024 due to our emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers, partially offset by lower SLING TV subscriber activations. We continue to experience increased competition, including competition from other subscription video on-demand and live-linear OTT service providers, many of which are providers of our content and offer football and other seasonal sports programming direct to subscribers on an a la carte basis.
DISH TV subscribers, gross. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we activated approximately 282,000 gross new DISH TV subscribers compared to approximately 464,000 gross new DISH TV subscribers during the same period in 2023, a decrease of 39.2%. This decrease in our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations was primarily related to lower marketing expenditures, the lack of demand and shifting consumer behavior, as well as increased competitive pressures, including, but not limited to, live-linear OTT service providers, aggressive short term introductory pricing and bundled offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers and direct-to-consumer offerings by certain of our programmers. Our gross new DISH TV subscriber activations continue to be negatively impacted by an emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers.
DISH TV churn rate. Our DISH TV churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 1.46% compared to 1.69% for the same period in 2023. Our DISH TV churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 was positively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers. Our DISH TV churn rate continues to be adversely impacted by external factors, such as, among other things, cord cutting, shifting consumer behavior and increased competitive pressures, including, but not limited to, live-linear OTT service providers, aggressive marketing, bundled discount offers combining broadband, video and/or wireless services and other discounted promotional offers. Our DISH TV churn rate is also impacted by internal factors, such as, among other things, our ability to consistently provide outstanding customer service, price increases, our ability to control piracy and other forms of fraud and the level of our retention efforts. In addition, our DISH TV churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was briefly elevated due to a cybersecurity incident in the first quarter of 2023.
Service revenue. "Service revenue" totaled $10.614 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $772 million or 6.8% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in "Service revenue" compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to lower average Pay-TV subscriber base, partially offset by an increase in Pay-TV ARPU, discussed below.
Equipment sales and other revenue. "Equipment sales and other revenue" totaled $75 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $111 million or 59.7% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in "Equipment sales and other revenue" compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to a non-recurring $75 million license of our Adaptive Bitrate Streaming patents to Peloton covering certain Peloton products that resolves our litigation involving those products during the second quarter of 2023.
Pay-TV ARPU. Pay-TV ARPU was $108.90 during the year ended December 31, 2024 versus $104.56 during the same period in 2023. The $4.34 or 4.2% increase in Pay-TV ARPU was primarily attributable to DISH TV and SLING TV programming price increases and higher Pay-TV ad sales revenue. The DISH TV and SLING TV programming package price increases were effective in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Cost of services. "Cost of services" totaled $6.547 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $431 million or 6.2% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in "Cost of services" was primarily attributable to a lower average Pay-TV subscriber base and lower variable and retention costs per subscriber due to, among other things, operational efficiencies, partially offset by higher programming costs per subscriber. Programming costs per subscriber increased during the year ended December 31, 2024 due to rate increases in certain of our programming contracts, including the renewal of certain contracts at higher rates, particularly for local broadcast channels. Variable and retention costs per subscriber during the year ended December 31, 2023 were negatively impacted by approximately $30 million in cybersecurity-related expensesto remediate a cybersecurityincident and provide additional customer support. "Cost of services" represented 61.7% and 61.3% of "Service revenue" during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $1.076 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024, a $339 million or 23.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in subscriber acquisition costs resulting from lower marketing expenditures and lower gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and a decrease in personnel costs.
Depreciation and amortization. "Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $337 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, a $44 million or 11.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in depreciation expense from equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers, the expiration of our Nimiq 5 finance lease in September 2024, and the EchoStar XI satellite which became fully depreciated during the second quarter of 2023.
Impairments and other. "Impairments and other" totaled $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This impairment represents a noncash impairment charge for goodwill. See Note 1 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
DISH TV SAC. DISH TV SAC was $999 during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to $1,118 during the same period in 2023, a decrease of $119 or 10.6%. This change was primarily attributable to a decrease in advertising costs per subscriber and a higher percentage of remanufactured receivers being activated on new subscriber accounts, partially offset by higher commission costs due to our emphasis on acquiring higher quality subscribers.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the amount of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new DISH TV subscribers totaled $26 million and $54 million, respectively. This decrease in capital expenditures primarily resulted from a decrease in gross new DISH TV subscriber activations and a higher percentage of remanufactured receivers being activated on new subscriber accounts.
Wireless Segment
Our Wireless segment business strategy is to expand our current target segments and profitably grow our Wireless subscriber base. We intend to grow our Wireless subscriber base by acquiring and retaining high quality subscribers with competitive offers, choice and outstanding customer service that better meet those subscribers' needs and budget.
Our Wireless segment provides Wireless communication services and products. We offer nationwide Wireless services to subscribers primarily under our Boost Mobile and Gen Mobile brands. We currently offer a broad range of premium wireless devices, including the latest generation iPhones, as well as a wide selection of Samsung, Motorola and other premium devices.As of December 31, 2025, we had 7.511 million Wireless subscribers.
Prior to November 15, 2025, we were operating primarily as an MVNO utilizing network services under the MNSA and the NSA and secondarily as an MNO. In light of the AT&T Transactions, we transitioned to a Hybrid MNO under which we continue to operate our 5G Network core and utilize AT&T's network services and secondarily as an MVNO utilizing network services under the MNSA and the NSA. We migrated all customer traffic from our 5G Network to AT&T's network as we transitioned to a Hybrid MNO, which we completed as of November 15, 2025.
We offer customers value by providing choice and flexibility in our Wireless services. We offer competitive consumer plans with no annual service contracts and device financing arrangements for certain qualified subscribers. Currently, we offer Wireless subscribers competitive consumer plans with no annual service contracts and monthly service plans including high-speed data and unlimited talk and text. We also offer a variety of value-added services, including, but not limited to, device payment and protection plans, international calling and text plans and device financing arrangements for certain qualified subscribers.
ACP Subscribers. Historically, a portion of our Wireless subscriber base and revenue was comprised of subscribers who received benefits under the ACP program. The FCC began taking steps to wind down the ACP program and stopped accepting new applications and enrollments on February 7, 2024. Households enrolled in the ACP program continued to receive the benefit on their service through April 2024. In May 2024, households received a partial benefit and on June 1, 2024 the ACP program funding concluded and households no longer received their benefit. Although we implemented plans to retain and/or migrate these subscribers to lower priced service plans, these subscribers began deactivating in the second and third quarters of 2024. As of December 31, 2024, we had no Wireless ACP subscribers. Generally, ACP subscribers have lower Wireless ARPU than other Wireless subscribers and as a result, any loss of ACP subscribers had a nominal impact on pre-tax net income.
Competition. Wireless communication services is a mature market with moderate year over year organic growth. Competitors include, among others, providers who offer similar wireless communication services, such as talk, text and data. Competitive factors within the wireless communication services industry include, but are not limited to, pricing, market saturation, service and product offerings, customer experience and service quality. We compete with a number of national wireless carriers, including Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile, all of which are significantly larger than us, serve a significant percentage of all wireless subscribers and enjoy scale advantages compared to us as the only nationwide MNOs in the United States.
Additional primary competitors to our Wireless segment include, but are not limited to, Metro PCS (owned by T-Mobile), Cricket Wireless (owned by AT&T), Visible (owned by Verizon), Tracfone Wireless (owned by Verizon), Total Wireless (owned by Verizon), Mint Mobile (owned by T-Mobile) and other MVNOs such as Consumer Cellular, Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Wireless Segment
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
3,315,978 |
|
$ |
3,156,760 |
|
$ |
159,218 |
|
5.0 |
|
Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
479,697 |
|
|
437,437 |
|
|
42,260 |
|
9.7 |
|
Total revenue |
|
|
3,795,675 |
|
|
3,594,197 |
|
|
201,478 |
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services |
|
|
2,021,765 |
|
|
1,880,708 |
|
|
141,057 |
|
7.5 |
|
% of Service revenue |
|
|
61.0 |
% |
|
59.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales - equipment and other |
|
|
1,225,042 |
|
|
1,250,656 |
|
|
(25,614) |
|
(2.0) |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
926,387 |
|
|
787,632 |
|
|
138,755 |
|
17.6 |
|
% of Total revenue |
|
|
24.4 |
% |
|
21.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
117,509 |
|
|
153,192 |
|
|
(35,683) |
|
(23.3) |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
* |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
4,290,703 |
|
|
4,072,188 |
|
|
218,515 |
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(495,028) |
|
$ |
(477,991) |
|
$ |
(17,037) |
|
(3.6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless subscribers, as of period end (in millions)** |
|
|
7.511 |
|
|
6.995 |
|
|
0.516 |
|
7.4 |
|
Wireless subscriber additions, gross (in millions) |
|
|
2.638 |
|
|
2.520 |
|
|
0.118 |
|
4.7 |
|
Wireless subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) *** |
|
|
0.576 |
|
|
(0.304) |
|
|
0.880 |
|
* |
|
Wireless ARPU |
|
$ |
37.41 |
|
$ |
36.57 |
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
2.3 |
|
Wireless churn rate |
|
|
2.84 |
% |
|
3.00 |
% |
|
(0.16) |
% |
(5.3) |
|
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds |
|
$ |
35,848 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
35,848 |
|
* |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
(377,519) |
|
$ |
(324,799) |
|
$ |
(52,720) |
|
(16.2) |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
|
** |
Beginning in the third quarter of 2025, we removed approximately 60,000 subscribers from our period end Wireless subscriber count due to our election to deactivate Wireless subscriber accounts placed on pause and not expected to reactivate. If these Wireless subscriber accounts subsequently reactivate, they will be counted as a new Wireless subscriber addition. This removal had no material impact on any other reported subscriber metrics, other than our period end Wireless subscriber count. |
|
*** |
Includes Government subsidized subscribers. |
Wireless subscribers. We added approximately 576,000 net Wireless subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the loss of approximately 304,000 net Wireless subscribers during the same period in 2024. The change in net Wireless subscribers primarily resulted from higher net Government subsidized subscribers, higher gross new Wireless subscriber activations and a lower Wireless churn rate compared to the same period in 2024. The year ended December 31, 2024 was negatively impacted by net losses of Government subsidized subscribers as a result of the ACP program funding concluding on June 1, 2024. See "Wireless Segment - ACP Subscribers" for further information. Furthermore, the second half of 2025 was impacted by our transition to a Hybrid MNO and the focus on profitable growth under our new variable cost structure.
Wireless subscribers, gross. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we activated approximately 2.638 million gross new Wireless subscribers compared to approximately 2.520 million gross new Wireless subscribers during the same period in 2024, an increase of 4.7%. This increase in gross new Wireless subscribers primarily resulted from higher marketing expenditures, new subscriber offers and promotions and growth in digital channels. Our gross new Wireless subscribers continue to be negatively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers and increased competitive pressures, including aggressive competitor marketing, discounted service plans and deeper wireless device subsidies. Furthermore, the second half of 2025 was impacted by our transition to a Hybrid MNO and the focus on profitable growth under our new variable cost structure.
Wireless churn rate. Our Wireless churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2025 was 2.84% compared to 3.00% for the same period in 2024. Our Wireless churn rates for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were positively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers, partially offset by competitive pressures, including deeper wireless device subsidies.
Service revenue. "Service revenue" totaled $3.316 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $159 million or 5.0% compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in "Service revenue" compared to the same period in 2024 was primarily related to an increase in Wireless ARPU, discussed below, and a higher average Wireless subscriber base.
Wireless ARPU. Wireless ARPU was $37.41 during the year ended December 31, 2025 versus $36.57 during the same period in 2024. The $0.84 or 2.3% increase in Wireless ARPU was primarily attributable to, among other things, a shift in subscriber plan mix to higher priced service plans and increased sales of value added services.
Equipment sales and other revenue. "Equipment sales and other revenue" totaled $480 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $42 million or 9.7% compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in "Equipment sales and other revenue" compared to the same period in 2024 was primarily related to an increase in sales of wireless devices with higher revenue per unit, partially offset by a decrease in units shipped.
Cost of services. "Cost of services" totaled $2.022 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $141 million or 7.5% compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in "Cost of services" compared to the same period in 2024 was primarily attributable to higher variable and retention costs, including monthly dealer incentive costs due to our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality, long-term subscribers as well as a higher average Wireless subscriber base, higher data usage per subscriber and costs related to our 5G Network core. These increases were partially offset by lower network services costs per subscriber.
In light of the AT&T Transactions, we have transitioned to a Hybrid MNO, which includes operating our 5G Network core and utilizing AT&T's network services beginning in September 2025 and prospectively. We also continue to operate as an MVNO utilizing network services under the MNSA and the NSA, respectively. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Cost of sales - equipment and other. "Cost of sales - equipment and other" totaled $1.225 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $26 million or 2.0% compared to the same period in 2024. The decrease in "Cost of sales - equipment and other" compared to the same period in 2024 primarily resulted from a decrease in units shipped and higher vendor rebates, partially offset by an increase in sales of wireless devices with higher costs per unit.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $926 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, a $139 million or 17.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This change primarily resulted from an increase in subscriber acquisition costs resulting from higher gross new Wireless subscriber activations, including higher marketing expenditures, and an increase in costs to support the Wireless segment.
Depreciation and amortization."Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $118 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, a $36 million or 23.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. This change was primarily driven bya decrease in amortization expense from subscriber relationships related to the Boost Mobile acquisition in 2020, which became fully amortized during the second quarter of 2024,partially offset by an increase in depreciation and amortization expense related to our 5G Network core assets.
In light of the AT&T Transactions, we have transitioned to a Hybrid MNO, which includes operating our 5G Network core beginning in September 2025 and prospectively. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
3,156,760 |
|
$ |
3,337,240 |
|
$ |
(180,480) |
|
(5.4) |
|
Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
437,437 |
|
|
355,132 |
|
|
82,305 |
|
23.2 |
|
Total revenue |
|
|
3,594,197 |
|
|
3,692,372 |
|
|
(98,175) |
|
(2.7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services |
|
|
1,880,708 |
|
|
2,022,443 |
|
|
(141,735) |
|
(7.0) |
|
% of Service revenue |
|
|
59.6 |
% |
|
60.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales - equipment and other |
|
|
1,250,656 |
|
|
1,133,377 |
|
|
117,279 |
|
10.3 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
787,632 |
|
|
859,111 |
|
|
(71,479) |
|
(8.3) |
|
% of Total revenue |
|
|
21.9 |
% |
|
23.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
153,192 |
|
|
221,968 |
|
|
(68,776) |
|
(31.0) |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
- |
|
|
98,657 |
|
|
(98,657) |
|
* |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
4,072,188 |
|
|
4,335,556 |
|
|
(263,368) |
|
(6.1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(477,991) |
|
$ |
(643,184) |
|
$ |
165,193 |
|
25.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wireless subscribers, as of period end (in millions) ** |
|
|
6.995 |
|
|
7.378 |
|
|
(0.383) |
|
(5.2) |
|
Wireless subscriber additions, gross (in millions) |
|
|
2.520 |
|
|
2.743 |
|
|
(0.223) |
|
(8.1) |
|
Wireless subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) *** |
|
|
(0.304) |
|
|
(0.617) |
|
|
0.313 |
|
50.7 |
|
Wireless ARPU |
|
$ |
36.57 |
|
$ |
36.15 |
|
$ |
0.42 |
|
1.2 |
|
Wireless churn rate |
|
|
3.00 |
% |
|
4.17 |
% |
|
(1.17) |
% |
(28.1) |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
(324,799) |
|
$ |
(421,216) |
|
$ |
96,417 |
|
22.9 |
*Percentage is not meaningful.
|
** |
During the fourth quarter of 2024, we removed approximately 79,000 subscribers from our period end Wireless subscriber count representing Wireless subscribers whose economic interests were sold during the year ended December 31, 2024 and these subscribers migrated off our network beginning in the second quarter of 2025. This removal had no impact on any other reported subscriber metrics, other than our period end Wireless subscriber count. |
|
*** |
Includes Government subsidized subscribers. |
Wireless subscribers. We lost approximately 304,000 net Wireless subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the loss of approximately 617,000 net Wireless subscribers during the same period in 2023. This decrease in net Wireless subscriber losses primarily resulted from a lower Wireless churn rate, partially offset by lower gross new Wireless subscriber activations for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. In addition, we had net losses of Government subsidized subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to net additions in the same period in 2023, primarily due to the ACP program funding concluding on June 1, 2024. See "Wireless Segment - ACP Subscribers" for further information. Excluding the impact of net losses of Government subsidized subscribers, we added approximately 170,000 net Wireless subscribers during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Wireless subscribers, gross. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we activated approximately 2.520 million gross new Wireless subscribers compared to approximately 2.743 million gross new Wireless subscribers during the same period in 2023, a decrease of 8.1%. Our gross new Wireless subscribers for the year ended December 31, 2024 was negatively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers and increased competitive pressures, including aggressive competitor marketing, discounted service plans and deeper wireless device subsidies.
Wireless churn rate. Our Wireless churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 was 3.00% compared to 4.17% for the same period in 2023. Our Wireless churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 was positively impacted by our emphasis on acquiring and retaining higher quality subscribers, partially offset by competitive pressures, including deeper wireless device subsidies. In addition, our Wireless churn rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was negatively impacted by migrating subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile and onto our new billing and operational support systems.
Service revenue. "Service revenue" totaled $3.157 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $180 million or 5.4% compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in "Service revenue" compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to a lower average Wireless subscriber base, partially offset by an increase in Wireless ARPU, discussed below.
Wireless ARPU. Wireless ARPU was $36.57 during the year ended December 31, 2024 versus $36.15 during the same period in 2023. The $0.42 or 1.2% increase in Wireless ARPU was primarily attributable to a shift in subscriber plan mix to higher priced service plans and increased sales of value added services. This increase was partially offset by providing ACP subscribers discounted or free services as a result of the conclusion of the ACP program funding.
Equipment sales and other revenue. "Equipment sales and other revenue" totaled $437 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $82 million or 23.2% compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in "Equipment sales and other revenue" compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to wireless devices with higher revenue per unit shipped due to unit mix, partially offset bya decrease in units shipped and higher promotional subsidies. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we shipped a higher percentage of devices that are compatible with our 5G Network and other devices that have a higher revenue per unit.
Cost of services. "Cost of services" totaled $1.881 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $142 million compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in "Cost of services" compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily attributable to a lower average Wireless subscriber base, lower network services costs per subscriber and operational efficiencies, partially offset by higher monthly dealer incentive costs. In the third quarter of 2023, we realigned our commission structure with current business objectives to acquire higher quality, long-term subscribers, which resulted in higher monthly dealer incentive costs. The year ended December 31, 2023 was negatively impacted by the migration of subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile and onto our new billing and operational support systems. We incurred duplicative costs related to our TSA with T-Mobile and our own billing and operational support systems as we migrated subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile.
Cost of sales - equipment and other. "Cost of sales - equipment and other" totaled $1.251 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $117 million compared to the same period in 2023. This increase primarily resulted from wireless devices with higher costs per unit shipped due to unit mix, partially offset by a decrease in units shipped and higher vendor rebates. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we shipped a higher percentage of devices that are compatible with our 5G Network and other devices that have a higher cost per unit.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $788 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, a $71 million or 8.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease was primarily driven by lower sales commissions and a decrease in costs to support the Wireless segment, partially offset by higher marketing expenditures. In the third quarter of 2023, we realigned our commission structure with current business objectives to acquire higher quality, long-term subscribers, which resulted in lower sales commissions. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2023 was negatively impacted by costs of migrating subscribers off the TSA with T-Mobile and onto our new billing and operational support systems.
Depreciation and amortization."Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $153 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, a $69 million or 31.0% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in amortization expense from subscriber relationships related to the Boost Mobile acquisition in 2020, which became fully amortized during the second quarter of 2024.
Impairments and other. "Impairments and other" totaled $99 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This impairment represents a noncash impairment charge for goodwill. See Note 1 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Broadband and Satellite Services Segment
Our Broadband and Satellite Services segment business strategy is to maintain and improve our leadership position and competitive advantage through development of leading-edge technologies and services marketed to selected sectors within the consumer, enterprise and government markets globally. We are an industry leader in both networking technologies and services, innovating to deliver the global solutions that power a connected future for people, enterprises and things everywhere.
We offer broadband satellite technologies and broadband internet products and services to consumer customers, which include home and small to medium-sized businesses. We provide broadband network technologies, managed services, equipment, hardware, satellite services and communications solutions to government and enterprise customers. We have leveraged the EchoStar XXIV satellite to deliver satellite services to unserved and underserved consumer markets in the Americas as well as enterprise, aeronautical and government markets. We also design, provide and install gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems. In addition, we design, develop, construct and provide telecommunication networks comprising satellite ground segment systems and terminals to mobile system operators and our enterprise customers.
We offer a robust suite of integrated, multi-transport solutions to enable airline and airline service providers to deliver reliable in-flight network connectivity serving both commercial and business aviation. Revenue in our satellite services business depends largely on our ability to make continuous use of our available satellite capacity on behalf of existing customers and our ability to enter into commercial relationships with new customers.
Backlog
As of December 31, 2025, our Broadband and Satellite Services segment had approximately $1.4 billion of contracted revenue backlog. We define the Broadband and Satellite Services segment contracted revenue backlog as our expected future revenue under enterprise customer contracts that are non-cancelable, including lease revenue.
Competition
Our industry is highly competitive. As a global provider of network technologies, products and services, our Broadband and Satellite Services segment competes with a large number of telecommunications and satellite internet service providers.
In our enterprise markets, we compete against multiple categories of providers. In the managed services area, we compete against providers of satellite-based and terrestrial-based networks, including fiber optic, cable, wireless internet service and internet protocol-based virtual private networks (VPN), which vary by region. In the in-flight connectivity market, we compete against direct and indirect providers of in-flight WiFi services, such as ViaSat Communications, Inc., which is owned by ViaSat, Inc. ("ViaSat") and Starlink Services LLC, which is owned by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. ("SpaceX").
In our consumer broadband satellite technologies and internet services markets, we compete against traditional telecommunications and wireless carriers, other satellite internet providers, as well as fiber optic, cable and wireless internet service providers. Our primary satellite competitors in the North American consumer market are ViaSat and SpaceX. Both ViaSat and SpaceX have also entered the South American consumer market and additionally SpaceX has entered the Central American consumer market. Our principal competitors for the supply of satellite technology platforms are Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd, ViaSat and ST Engineering iDirect, Inc.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Broadband and Satellite Services Segment
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
1,081,986 |
|
$ |
1,204,938 |
|
$ |
(122,952) |
|
(10.2) |
|
Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
374,066 |
|
|
370,850 |
|
|
3,216 |
|
0.9 |
|
Total revenue |
|
|
1,456,052 |
|
|
1,575,788 |
|
|
(119,736) |
|
(7.6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services |
|
|
455,511 |
|
|
502,740 |
|
|
(47,229) |
|
(9.4) |
|
% of Service revenue |
|
|
42.1 |
% |
|
41.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales - equipment and other |
|
|
317,000 |
|
|
308,412 |
|
|
8,588 |
|
2.8 |
|
% of Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
84.7 |
% |
|
83.2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
356,318 |
|
|
422,741 |
|
|
(66,423) |
|
(15.7) |
|
% of Total revenue |
|
|
24.5 |
% |
|
26.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
404,645 |
|
|
459,796 |
|
|
(55,151) |
|
(12.0) |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
1,529,982 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,529,982 |
|
* |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
3,063,456 |
|
|
1,693,689 |
|
|
1,369,767 |
|
80.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(1,607,404) |
|
$ |
(117,901) |
|
$ |
(1,489,503) |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broadband subscribers, as of period end (in millions) |
|
|
0.739 |
|
|
0.883 |
|
|
(0.144) |
|
(16.3) |
|
Broadband subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) |
|
|
(0.144) |
|
|
(0.121) |
|
|
(0.023) |
|
(19.0) |
|
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds (1) |
|
$ |
144,949 |
|
$ |
212,581 |
|
$ |
(67,632) |
|
(31.8) |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
(1,202,759) |
|
$ |
341,895 |
|
$ |
(1,544,654) |
|
* |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
|
** |
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds includes satellite purchases during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 of $31 million and $4 million, respectively. |
Broadband subscribers. We lost approximately 144,000 net Broadband subscribers for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the loss of approximately 121,000 net Broadband subscribers during the same period in 2024. The increase in net Broadband subscriber losses was primarily due to lower gross subscriber additions, partially offset by lower subscriber disconnects due to expanded satellite capacity and increased subscriber service satisfaction. We continue to experience increased competition from satellite-based competitors and other technologies.
Service revenue. "Service revenue" totaled $1.082 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $123 million, or 10.2%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower sales of broadband services to our North American and international consumer customers and our North American enterprise customers.
Equipment sales and other revenue. "Equipment sales and other revenue" totaled $374 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increaseof $3 million, or 0.9%, as compared to 2024. The increasewas primarily attributable to an increase in hardware sales to our North American enterprise customers, partially offset by lower hardware sales to our international enterprise customers.
Cost of services. "Cost of services" totaled $456 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $47 million, or 9.4%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower costs of broadband services to both our North American and international consumer and enterprise customers. Our "Cost of services" represented 42.1% and 41.7% of "Service revenue" during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Cost of sales - equipment and other. "Cost of sales - equipment and other" totaled $317 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $9 million, or 2.8%, as compared to 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to higher costs of equipment to our North American enterprise customers, partially offset by a decrease in equipment costs to our international enterprise customers. Our "Cost of sales - equipment and other" represented 84.7% and 83.2% of "Equipment sales and other revenue" during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The year ended December 31, 2025 was negatively impacted by a one-time project charge.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $356 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $66 million, or 15.7%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower bad debt expense, a decrease in costs to support the Broadband and Satellite Services segment and lower marketing expenditures.
Depreciation and amortization. "Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $405 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $55 million, or 12.0%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower equipment and satellite depreciation expense.
Impairments and other. "Impairments and other" totaled $1.530 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025. In August 2025, we began the abandonment of certain international assets that would no longer be utilized in our business as a result of the SpaceX Transactions. As a result, during the third quarter of 2025, we recorded non-cash impairment charges related to property and equipment and regulatory authorizations, and estimated exit, disposal and other costs. In addition, we recorded non-cash impairment charges primarily related to property and equipment, operating lease assets and regulatory authorizations during the fourth quarter of 2025. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
1,204,938 |
|
$ |
1,443,616 |
|
$ |
(238,678) |
|
(16.5) |
|
Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
370,850 |
|
|
311,943 |
|
|
58,907 |
|
18.9 |
|
Total revenue |
|
|
1,575,788 |
|
|
1,755,559 |
|
|
(179,771) |
|
(10.2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services |
|
|
502,740 |
|
|
530,875 |
|
|
(28,135) |
|
(5.3) |
|
% of Service revenue |
|
|
41.7 |
% |
|
36.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales - equipment and other |
|
|
308,412 |
|
|
241,570 |
|
|
66,842 |
|
27.7 |
|
% of Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
83.2 |
% |
|
77.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
422,741 |
|
|
486,379 |
|
(63,638) |
|
(13.1) |
|
|
% of Total revenue |
|
|
26.8 |
% |
|
27.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
459,796 |
|
|
419,262 |
|
|
40,534 |
|
9.7 |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
- |
|
|
536,082 |
|
|
(536,082) |
|
* |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
1,693,689 |
|
|
2,214,168 |
|
|
(520,479) |
|
(23.5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(117,901) |
|
$ |
(458,609) |
|
$ |
340,708 |
|
74.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broadband subscribers, as of period end (in millions) |
|
|
0.883 |
|
|
1.004 |
|
|
(0.121) |
|
(12.1) |
|
Broadband subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) |
|
|
(0.121) |
|
|
(0.224) |
|
|
0.103 |
|
46.0 |
|
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds ** |
|
$ |
212,581 |
|
$ |
233,423 |
|
$ |
(20,842) |
|
(8.9) |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
341,895 |
|
$ |
(39,347) |
|
$ |
381,242 |
|
* |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
|
** |
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds includes satellite purchases during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 of $4 million and $118 million, respectively. |
Broadband subscribers. We lost approximately 121,000 net Broadband subscribers for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the loss of approximately 224,000 net Broadband subscribers during the same period in 2023. The decrease in net Broadband subscriber losses was primarily due to lower subscriber disconnects as a result of the new EchoStar XXIV satellite service launch, which increased capacity and subscriber service satisfaction. We continue to operate in a highly competitive environment, with continued pressure from satellite-based competitors and other technologies.
Service revenue. "Service revenue" totaled $1.205 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $239 million, or 16.5%, as compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower sales of broadband services to our North American and international consumer customers and our North American enterprise customers. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2023 was positively impacted by revenue from Hughes Systique which was deconsolidated from our Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2023.
Equipment sales and other revenue. "Equipment sales and other revenue" totaled $371 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $59 million, or 18.9%, as compared to 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher hardware sales to our North American and international enterprise customers, partially offset by a decrease in hardware sales to our mobile satellite system customers.
Cost of services. "Cost of services" totaled $503 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $28 million, or 5.3%, as compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower costs of broadband services to our North American and international consumer customers. Our "Cost of services" represented 41.7% and 36.8% of "Service revenue" during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This increase primarily resulted from a change in service mix to lower margin services.
Cost of sales - equipment and other. "Cost of sales - equipment and other" totaled $308 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $67 million, or 27.7%, as compared to 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to the corresponding increase in equipment revenue.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $423 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $64 million, or 13.1%, as compared to 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower costs to support the Broadband and Satellite Services segment and lower marketing expenditures, partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense.
Depreciation and amortization. "Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $460 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $41 million, or 9.7%, as compared to 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in satellite depreciation driven by our EchoStar XXIV satellite, which was placed into service in December 2023.
Impairments and other. "Impairments and other" totaled $536 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This impairment represents a $533 million noncash impairment charge to goodwill and a $3 million noncash impairment for long-lived assets. See Note 1 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Other Segment
Our Other segment primarily consists of our legacy 5G Network and 5G Network deployment operations that will not be utilized in the Wireless segment's Hybrid MNO business. As a result of the unforeseeable actions by the FCC, as detailed in "Recent Developments - FCC Review" in Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we entered into the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, whereby we agreed to sell a material amount of our spectrum licenses. In August 2025, following these transactions, we terminated our deployment of our 5G Network, after meeting certain interim and final build-out requirements established by the FCC, and we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in the Wireless segment's Hybrid MNO business. As of November 15, 2025, we have no customer traffic on our 5G Network.
We have invested a total of over $30 billion in wireless spectrum licenses. The $30 billion of investments related to wireless spectrum licenses does not include $10 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such licenses. See Note 2 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. A significant number of these licenses are included in the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions announced during the third quarter of 2025 as detailed in "Recent Developments" in Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. In September 2024, the FCC conditionally granted our requests to extend the 5G deployment deadlines for certain of our wireless spectrum licensesbased on several commitments and in a January 10, 2025 filing to the FCC, we certified to meeting the accelerated build-out (Commitments #2 and #3 of the Extension Request) and the nationwide 80% coverage obligations (Commitment #1 of the Extension Request) due by December 31, 2024. Thus, pursuant to the Extension Request, the final deployment deadlines for the licenses subject to the Extension Request (listed in Appendix G) shall be extended to December 14, 2026.
While the FCC has not yet updated the build-out deadlines in the Universal Licensing System, the licenses remain in effect based upon the submission of our build-out certifications. In addition, the final deployment deadlines for the licenses subject to the Extension Request (listed in Appendix G) shall be further extended to June 14, 2028 since we satisfied the remaining Extension Request commitments. See Note 15 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-Kfor definitions and further information. Also see Note 1 "Recent Developments - FCC Review" in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the FCC's recently completed review of our compliance with our obligations regarding our federal spectrum licenses.
We will need to raise additional capital in the future if the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions are not completed, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all, to, among other things, make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC. See Note 15 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for definitions and further information.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Other Segment
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
* |
|
Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
294,823 |
|
|
156,702 |
|
|
138,121 |
|
88.1 |
|
Total revenue |
|
|
294,823 |
|
|
156,702 |
|
|
138,121 |
|
88.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services |
|
|
1,130,167 |
|
|
1,304,295 |
|
|
(174,128) |
|
(13.4) |
|
Cost of sales - equipment and other |
|
|
105,296 |
|
|
- |
|
|
105,296 |
|
* |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
160,744 |
|
|
166,402 |
|
|
(5,658) |
|
(3.4) |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
844,487 |
|
|
1,039,920 |
|
|
(195,433) |
|
(18.8) |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
16,102,029 |
|
|
- |
|
|
16,102,029 |
|
* |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
18,342,723 |
|
|
2,510,617 |
|
|
15,832,106 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(18,047,900) |
|
$ |
(2,353,915) |
|
$ |
(15,693,985) |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds |
|
$ |
496,338 |
|
$ |
1,113,823 |
|
$ |
(617,485) |
|
(55.4) |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
(17,203,413) |
|
$ |
(1,313,995) |
|
$ |
(15,889,418) |
|
* |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
Equipment sales and other revenue. "Equipment sales and other revenue" totaled $295 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $138 million or 88.1% compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in "Equipment sales and other revenue" compared to the same period in 2024 was primarily related to higher intercompany MNO revenue and leased spectrum revenue.
Cost of services and Cost of sales - equipment and other. "Cost of services" and "Cost of sales - equipment and other" totaled $1.235 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $69 million compared to the same period in 2024. Beginning on November 15, 2025, as we have no customer traffic on our 5G Network, "Cost of services" excludes certain direct costs related to our 5G Network that we abandoned and are decommissioning, including lease expense on communication towers and other costs, which are now included in "Cost of sales - equipment and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
In August 2025, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in the Wireless segment's Hybrid MNO business. Beginning in September 2025, lease expense on communication towers and other related costs for our 5G Network have decreased, offset by the accretion of lease liabilities and certain liabilities established for exit, disposal and other costs related to the termination of our 5G Network deployment. We expect the accretion for these liabilities to continue prospectively. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Depreciation and amortization."Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $844 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, a $195 million or 18.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. This change was primarily driven byno depreciationexpense for the 5G Network assets impaired during the third quarter of 2025,partially offset by an increase in depreciation and amortization expense related to 5G Network assets being placed in service during 2024 and 2025 prior to the non-cash impairment of certain 5G Network assets during the third quarter of 2025.
In August 2025, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in the Wireless segment's Hybrid MNO business and in September 2025 we recorded a non-cash impairment for certain 5G Network assets. As a result, we no longer have depreciationexpense related to these 5G Network assets effective September 2025. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Impairments and other. "Impairments and other" totaled $16.102 billion during the during the year ended December 31, 2025. This amount consists of non-cash impairment charges primarily related to our prepaids, property and equipment, regulatory authorizations and operating lease assets, and estimated exit, disposal and other costs related to the termination of our 5G Network deployment. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service revenue |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
* |
|
Equipment sales and other revenue |
|
|
156,702 |
|
|
91,928 |
|
|
64,774 |
|
70.5 |
|
Total revenue |
|
|
156,702 |
|
|
91,928 |
|
|
64,774 |
|
70.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of services |
|
|
1,304,295 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,304,295 |
|
* |
|
Cost of sales - equipment and other |
|
|
- |
|
|
977,329 |
|
|
(977,329) |
|
* |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
166,402 |
|
|
255,380 |
|
|
(88,978) |
|
(34.8) |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
1,039,920 |
|
|
620,685 |
|
|
419,235 |
|
67.5 |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
- |
|
|
119,903 |
|
|
(119,903) |
|
* |
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
|
2,510,617 |
|
|
1,973,297 |
|
|
537,320 |
|
27.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(2,353,915) |
|
$ |
(1,881,369) |
|
$ |
(472,546) |
|
(25.1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds |
|
$ |
1,113,823 |
|
$ |
2,586,151 |
|
$ |
(1,472,328) |
|
(56.9) |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
(1,313,995) |
|
$ |
(1,260,684) |
|
$ |
(53,311) |
|
(4.2) |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
Equipment sales and other revenue. "Equipment sales and other revenue" was $157 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $65 million or 70.5% compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in "Equipment sales and other revenue" compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to higher intercompany MNO revenue, partially offset by lower leased spectrum revenue.
Cost of services and Cost of sales - equipment and other. "Cost of services" and "Cost of sales - equipment and other" totaled $1.304 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $327 million compared to the same period in 2023. Beginning on January 1, 2024, as we had commenced utilizing our 5G Network for commercial traffic, "Cost of services" includes certain direct costs related to our 5G Network Deployment, including lease expense on communication towers and other costs which were previously reported in "Cost of sales - equipment and other." The increase primarily resulted from an increase in lease expense on communication towers and other costs related to our 5G Network. In addition, beginning on January 1, 2024, as we have commenced utilizing our 5G Network for commercial traffic, "Cost of services" includes certain personal costs which were previously reported in "Selling, general and administrative expenses."
Selling, general and administrative expenses. "Selling, general and administrative expenses" totaled $166 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, a $89 million or 34.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. Beginning on January 1, 2024, as we have commenced utilizing our 5G Network for commercial traffic, "Cost of services" includes certain personal costs which were previously reported in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" primarily driving this decrease.
Depreciation and amortization. "Depreciation and amortization" expense totaled $1.040 billion during the year ended December 31, 2024, a $419 million increase compared to the same period in 2023. This change was primarily driven by an increase in depreciation and amortization expense related to 5G Network Deployment assets being placed in service.
Impairments and other. "Impairments and other" totaled $120 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This impairment represents a noncash impairment charge for goodwill. See Note 1 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
OTHER CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2024.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(17,723,146) |
|
$ |
(304,070) |
|
$ |
(17,419,076) |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income (Expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
228,733 |
|
|
116,625 |
|
|
112,108 |
|
96.1 |
|
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized |
|
|
(1,521,713) |
|
|
(481,622) |
|
|
(1,040,091) |
|
* |
|
Other, net |
|
|
122,812 |
|
|
593,497 |
|
|
(470,685) |
|
(79.3) |
|
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
(1,170,168) |
|
|
228,500 |
|
|
(1,398,668) |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
(18,893,314) |
|
|
(75,570) |
|
|
(18,817,744) |
|
* |
|
Income tax (provision) benefit, net |
|
|
4,386,375 |
|
|
(48,945) |
|
|
4,435,320 |
|
* |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
|
23.2 |
% |
|
(64.8) |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
(14,506,939) |
|
|
(124,515) |
|
|
(14,382,424) |
|
* |
|
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax |
|
|
(9,759) |
|
|
(4,969) |
|
|
(4,790) |
|
(96.4) |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar |
|
$ |
(14,497,180) |
|
$ |
(119,546) |
|
$ |
(14,377,634) |
|
* |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
Interest income. "Interest income" totaled $229 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $112 million compared to the same period in 2024. This increase primarily resulted from higher average cash and marketable investment securities balances, partially offset by lower percentage returns earned on our cash and marketable investment securities during the year ended December 31, 2025.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. "Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized" totaled $1.522 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025, an increase of $1.040 billion compared to the same period in 2024. This increase primarily resulted from interest expense related to debt issuances in the third and fourth quarters of 2024, partially offset by the redemption of debt that matured in March and November 2024 and debt tendered for exchange and cancelled in the fourth quarter of 2024. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2025 was negatively impacted by a $260 million decrease in capitalized interest compared to the same period in 2024 due to fewer activities that qualify for capitalization, partially offset by a higher capitalization rate. As a result of the termination of the deployment of our 5G Network, we no longer have 5G Network activities that qualify for capitalization and as such ceased capitalizing interest on the 5G Network qualifying assets at the end of August 2025. See Note 2 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Other, net. "Other, net" income totaled $123 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of $471 million compared to the same period in 2024. The year ended December 31, 2025 was positively impacted by $100 million in asset sales and other net gains and $11 million of early debt extinguishment gains from the repurchases of our senior secured notes, partially offset by $10 million in net losses on marketable and non-marketable investment securities. The year ended December 31, 2024 was positively impacted by a gain on debt extinguishment of $689 million and $50 million in asset sales and other net gains, partially offset by a $73 million loss in equity in earnings, including $63 million from our portion of Invidi's goodwill impairment, and $73 million in net losses and impairments on marketable and non-marketable investment securities. See Note 6 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Income tax (provision) benefit, net. Our income tax benefit was $4.386 billion during the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to a provision of $49 million during the same period in 2024. The change was primarily related to a decrease in "Income (loss) before income taxes" and the change in our effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate during the year ended December 31, 2024 was impacted by federal, state and foreign valuation allowances.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|
Variance |
|||||||
|
Statements of Operations Data |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Amount |
|
% |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|||||||
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(304,070) |
|
$ |
(277,909) |
|
$ |
(26,161) |
|
(9.4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Income (Expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
116,625 |
|
|
207,374 |
|
|
(90,749) |
|
(43.8) |
|
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized |
|
|
(481,622) |
|
|
(90,357) |
|
|
(391,265) |
|
* |
|
Other, net |
|
|
593,497 |
|
|
(1,770,792) |
|
|
2,364,289 |
|
* |
|
Total other income (expense) |
|
|
228,500 |
|
|
(1,653,775) |
|
|
1,882,275 |
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
(75,570) |
|
|
(1,931,684) |
|
|
1,856,114 |
|
96.1 |
|
Income tax (provision) benefit, net |
|
|
(48,945) |
|
|
296,860 |
|
|
(345,805) |
|
* |
|
Effective tax rate |
|
|
(64.8) |
% |
|
15.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
(124,515) |
|
|
(1,634,824) |
|
|
1,510,309 |
|
92.4 |
|
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax |
|
|
(4,969) |
|
|
67,233 |
|
|
(72,202) |
|
* |
|
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar |
|
$ |
(119,546) |
|
$ |
(1,702,057) |
|
$ |
1,582,511 |
|
93.0 |
|
* |
Percentage is not meaningful. |
Interest income. "Interest income" totaled $117 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $91 million compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease primarily resulted from lower average cash and marketable investment securities balances during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. "Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized" totaled $482 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $391 million compared to the same period in 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, as the qualifying assets, including markets within certain bands of wireless spectrum licenses, had been placed into service with the deployment of our 5G Network, we no longer capitalized interest on those assets and as a result, capitalized interest was reduced by $230 million, and interest expense increased. See Note 2 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. In addition, this increase resulted from interest expense related to debt issuances in the third and fourth quarters of 2024, partially offset by the redemption of debt that matured in March and November 2024 and debt tendered for exchange and cancelled in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Other, net. "Other, net" income totaled $593 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to expense of $1.771 billion during the same period in 2023. The year ended December 31, 2024 was positively impacted by a gain on debt extinguishment of $689 million and $50 million in asset sales and other net gains. The year ended December 31, 2024 was also negatively impacted by a $73 million loss in equity in earnings, including $63 million from our portion of Invidi's goodwill impairment, and $73 million in net losses and impairments on marketable and non-marketable investment securities. See Note 6 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. The year ended December 31, 2023 was negatively impacted by a$1.793 billiondecrease in the fair value of our option to purchase certain of T-Mobile's 800 MHz spectrum licenses and $26 million in net losses and impairments on marketable and non-marketable investment securities, partially offset by $73 million of early debt extinguishment gains from the repurchases of our convertible notes.
Income tax (provision) benefit, net. Our income tax provision was $49 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a benefit of $297 million for the same period in 2023. The change was primarily related to a decrease in "Income (loss) before income taxes" and the change in our effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate during the year ended December 31, 2024 was impacted by federal, state and foreign valuation allowances.
Non-GAAP Performance Measures and Reconciliation
It is management's intent to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance the understanding of our financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), and it should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Each non-GAAP financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as not to imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP measure. We believe that providing these non-GAAP measures in addition to the GAAP measures allows management, investors and other users of our financial information to more fully and accurately assess both consolidated and segment performance. The non-GAAP financial information presented may be determined or calculated differently by other companies and may not be directly comparable to that of other companies.
Segment OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA
Segment OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA, which are presented below, are non-GAAP measures and do not purport to be alternatives to operating income (loss) as a measure of operating performance.
Segment OIBDA is calculated by adding back depreciation and amortization expense to business segments operating income (loss). See Note 16 to the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. We believe this measure is useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating profitability of our business segments on a more variable cost basis as it excludes the depreciation and amortization expenses related primarily to capital expenditures and acquisitions for those business segments, as well as in evaluating operating performance in relation to our competitors.
Segment Adjusted OIBDA is calculated by adding back depreciation and amortization expense and impairments and other to business segments operating income (loss). We believe this measure is useful to management, investors and other users of our financial information in evaluating operating profitability of our business segments as it excludes one-time, non-cash items that we do not consider to be reflective of our ongoing operating performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pay-TV |
|
Wireless |
|
Broadband and Satellite Services |
|
Other |
|
|
|
Consolidated |
||||||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
||||||||||||||||
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
2,425,228 |
|
$ |
(495,028) |
|
$ |
(1,607,404) |
|
$ |
(18,047,900) |
|
$ |
1,958 |
|
$ |
(17,723,146) |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
262,866 |
|
|
117,509 |
|
|
404,645 |
|
|
844,487 |
|
|
(43,958) |
|
|
1,585,549 |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
2,688,094 |
|
$ |
(377,519) |
|
$ |
(1,202,759) |
|
$ |
(17,203,413) |
|
$ |
(42,000) |
|
$ |
(16,137,597) |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,529,982 |
|
|
16,102,029 |
|
|
- |
|
|
17,632,011 |
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
2,688,094 |
|
$ |
(377,519) |
|
$ |
327,223 |
|
$ |
(1,101,384) |
|
$ |
(42,000) |
|
$ |
1,494,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
2,647,954 |
|
$ |
(477,991) |
|
$ |
(117,901) |
|
$ |
(2,353,915) |
|
$ |
(2,217) |
|
$ |
(304,070) |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
337,331 |
|
|
153,192 |
|
|
459,796 |
|
|
1,039,920 |
|
|
(60,046) |
|
|
1,930,193 |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
2,985,285 |
|
$ |
(324,799) |
|
$ |
341,895 |
|
$ |
(1,313,995) |
|
$ |
(62,263) |
|
$ |
1,626,123 |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
2,985,285 |
|
$ |
(324,799) |
|
$ |
341,895 |
|
$ |
(1,313,995) |
|
$ |
(62,263) |
|
$ |
1,626,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
2,699,810 |
|
$ |
(643,184) |
|
$ |
(458,609) |
|
$ |
(1,881,369) |
|
$ |
5,443 |
|
$ |
(277,909) |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
381,292 |
|
|
221,968 |
|
|
419,262 |
|
|
620,685 |
|
|
(45,284) |
|
|
1,597,923 |
|
OIBDA |
|
$ |
3,081,102 |
|
$ |
(421,216) |
|
$ |
(39,347) |
|
$ |
(1,260,684) |
|
$ |
(39,841) |
|
$ |
1,320,014 |
|
Impairments and other |
|
|
6,457 |
|
|
98,657 |
|
|
536,082 |
|
|
119,903 |
|
|
- |
|
|
761,099 |
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
3,087,559 |
|
$ |
(322,559) |
|
$ |
496,735 |
|
$ |
(1,140,781) |
|
$ |
(39,841) |
|
$ |
2,081,113 |
The changes in OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, were primarily a result of the factors described in connection with operating revenues and operating expenses.
GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Our senior secured notes, consisting of our 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 and 6 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 and our 3 7/8% Convertible Secured Notes due 2030 (together, the "EchoStar Notes"), are jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries (the "Guarantors"). The Guarantors consist of, Northstar Wireless, L.L.C., SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC, DBSD Corporation and Gamma Acquisition L.L.C. (the "Spectrum Assets Guarantors") and Northstar Spectrum, LLC, SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC, DBSD Services Limited and Gamma Acquisition HoldCo, L.L.C. (the "Equity Pledge Guarantors").
Certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries are designated as "Unrestricted Subsidiaries" and do not guarantee the EchoStar Notes. The guarantee of the Guarantors will be discharged and released in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture. The rights of holders of the EchoStar Notes against the Guarantors may be limited under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or state fraudulent transfer or conveyance law.
Each entity in the summarized combined financial information follows the same accounting policies as described in our consolidated financial statements. Information for the non-Guarantor subsidiaries has been excluded from the combined summarized financial information of the obligated group. The accompanying summarized combined financial information does not reflect investments of the obligated group in non-Guarantor subsidiaries. The financial information of the obligated group is presented on a combined basis and is derived from EchoStar's consolidated financial statements; intercompany balances and transactions within the obligated group have been eliminated. The obligated group's amounts due to non-Guarantor subsidiaries and related parties have been presented in separate line items.
The summarized balance sheet information for the combined obligor group of the EchoStar Notes is presented in the table below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, |
||||
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
||||
|
Current assets |
|
$ |
2,913,656 |
|
$ |
6,234,658 |
|
Noncurrent assets |
|
|
12,386,980 |
|
|
17,397,691 |
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
380,977 |
|
|
411,704 |
|
Noncurrent liabilities |
|
|
9,382,826 |
|
|
9,254,862 |
|
Due from non-guarantors |
|
|
1,378,026 |
|
|
1,470,067 |
The summarized results of operations information for the combined obligor group of the EchoStar Notes is presented in the table below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2025 |
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
Total revenues |
|
$ |
667 |
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
(5,191,392) |
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
(4,357,280) |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalentsand Current Marketable Investment Securities
We consider all liquid investments purchased with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. See Note 6 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding our current restricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable investment securities. As of December 31, 2025, our cash, cash equivalents, current restricted cash and cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities totaled $3.160 billion compared to $5.698 billion as of December 31, 2024, a decrease of $2.538 billion. This decrease in cash, cash equivalents, current restricted cash and cash equivalents and current marketable investment securities primarily resulted from capital expenditures, net of refunds, of $1.642 billion (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations), redemptions and repurchases of debt of $974 million and cash used for operating activities of $99 million, partially offset by $150 million in proceeds from the additional issuance of our 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2029.
Debt Issuances and Maturities
Issuances
10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2029. On May 8, 2025, we issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of our 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due November 30, 2029. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 10 3/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on May 30 and November 30 of each year, which commenced on May 30, 2025.
Maturities
Term Loan Due 2025. Our Term Loan Due 2025 with an aggregate principal balance of $500 million was redeemed as of September 30, 2025.
0% Convertible Notes due 2025. We redeemed the remaining principal balance of $138 million of our 0% Convertible Notes due 2025 as of December 15, 2025, the instrument's maturity date.
7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026. Our 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026 with a principal balance of approximately $2.0 billion mature on July 1, 2026. We expect to fund this obligation from existing restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities balances and cash generated from the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, as detailed in Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we repurchased approximately $123 million of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 in open market trades. The remaining balance of approximately $627 million matures on August 1, 2026. The issuer of the 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, our subsidiary Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC"), does not currently have the necessary cash and cash equivalents and marketable investment securities and/or projected future cash flows or committed financing to fund this obligation. HSSC will need to raise additional capital, refinance and/or restructure all or a portion of such obligation prior to maturity, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all. In addition, we may or may not provide additional liquidity to HSSC in the future necessary to meet this obligation.
6 5/8% Unsecured Senior Notes due 2026. Our 6 5/8% Unsecured Senior Notes due 2026 with a principal balance of approximately $750 million mature on August 1, 2026. The issuer of the 6 5/8% Unsecured Senior Notes due 2026, our subsidiary HSSC, does not currently have the necessary cash and cash equivalents and marketable investment securities and/or projected future cash flows or committed financing to fund this obligation. HSSC will need to raise additional capital, refinance and/or restructure all or a portion of such obligation prior to maturity, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all. In addition, we may or may not provide additional liquidity to HSSC in the future necessary to meet this obligation.
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026. Our 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026 with a principal balance of approximately $45 million matures on August 15, 2026. We expect to fund this obligation from existing restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities balances and cash generated from the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, as detailed in Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026. Our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 with a principal balance of approximately $2.750 billion mature on December 1, 2026. We expect to fund this obligation from existing restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities balances and cash generated from the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, as detailed in Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Term Loan due 2029 and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares due 2029. During the year ended December 31, 2025 we redeemed approximately $213 million of our Term Loan due 2029 and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares due 2029. The remaining balance of approximately $1.787 billion is paid monthly and the final payment is due no later than June 30, 2029.
Cash Flow
The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Cash flows from operating activities. We typically reinvest the cash flow from operating activities in our business primarily to grow our subscriber base, expand our infrastructure, make strategic investments, such as significant investments in our Wireless business and repay debt obligations. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we reported "Net cash flows from operating activities" outflows of $99 million and inflows of $1.253 billion and $2.433 billion, respectively.
"Net cash flows from operating activities" from 2024 to 2025 decreased $1.352 billion primarily attributable to a $907 million decrease in income adjusted to exclude the non-cash items for "Depreciation and amortization" expense, "Impairments and other," "Realized and unrealized losses (gains) and impairments on investments and other," "Asset sales and other losses (gains)," "EchoStar exchange offers debt extinguishment losses (gains)," "Non-cash, stock-based compensation" expense, "Interest expense paid in kind on long-term debt," and "Deferred tax expense (benefit)." In addition, this change also includes decreases in cash flows resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities principally attributable to timing differences between book expense and cash payments, including income taxes, and other working capital changes.
Net cash flows from operating activities from 2023 to 2024 decreased $1.180 billion, primarily attributable to a $815 million decrease in income adjusted to exclude non-cash charges for "Depreciation and amortization" expense, "Impairments and other," "Realized and unrealized losses (gains) and impairments on investments and other," "EchoStar exchange offers debt extinguishment losses (gains)," "Asset sales and other losses (gains)," "Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on derivatives," "Non-cash, stock-based compensation" expense and "Deferred tax expense (benefit)." In addition, this change also includes decreases in cash flows resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities principally attributable to timing differences between book expense and cash payments, including taxes.
Cash flows from investing activities. Our investing activities generally include purchases and sales of marketable investment securities, acquisitions, strategic investments, including purchases and settlements of derivative and/or financial liability instruments, and purchases of wireless spectrum licenses, capital expenditures and capitalized interest. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we reported outflows from "Net cash flows from investing activities" of $1.405 billion, $3.048 billion and $2.809 billion, respectively.
The year ended December 31, 2025 was impacted by cash outflows primarily related to capital expenditures, net of refunds, of $1.642 billion (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations), partially offset by $159 million in net sales of marketable investment securities and $47 million in proceeds from the sale of our Fiber business.
The year ended December 31, 2024 was impacted by cash outflows primarily related to capital expenditures, net of refunds, of $2.497 billion (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations) and $681 million in net purchases of marketable investment securities, partially offset by $95 million in proceeds from the Liberty Puerto Rico Asset Sale.
The year ended December 31, 2023 was impacted by cash outflows primarily related to capital expenditures, net of refunds, of $4.225 billion (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations), partially offset by $1.303 billion in net sales of marketable investment securities and $148 million in proceeds from other debt investments.
Cash flows from financing activities. Our financing activities generally include net proceeds related to the issuance of equity and short-term, long-term and convertible debt, cash used for the repurchase, redemption or payment of long-term debt and finance lease obligations and repurchases of our Class A common stock. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we reported "Net cash flows from financing activities" outflows of $910 million, inflows of $4.484 billion and outflows of $277 million, respectively.
The net cash outflows in 2025 primarily related to the redemption of our Term Loan due 2025 of $500 million, the redemption of our 0% Convertible Notes due 2025 of $138 million, repurchases of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 of $123 million, redemptions of our Term Loan due 2029 and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares due 2029 of $213 million, repayments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations of $70 million and repurchases of our Class A common stock of $49 million, partially offset by and $150 million in proceeds from the additional issuance of our 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2029.
The net cash inflows in 2024 primarily related to $5.204 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of our 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 and 3 7/8% Convertible Secured Notes due 2030, $2.365 billion in net proceeds from the Term Loans and Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares due 2029, $400 million in net proceeds from the issuance of PIPE shares, partially offset by the redemption of our 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024 and 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2024 of $2.934 billion and the purchase of SNR Management's ownership interest in SNR HoldCo of $442 million.
The net cash outflows in 2023 primarily related to the repurchases and redemption of our senior notes of $1.461 billion, net repurchases of our Convertible Notes of $110 million and repayments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations of $122 million, partially offset by $1.522 billion in net proceeds from the issuance of our 11 3/4% Senior Notes due 2027.
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as "Net cash flows from operating activities" less: (i) "Purchases of property and equipment" net of "Refunds and other receipts of purchases of property and equipment," and (ii) "Capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations," as shown on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We believe free cash flow is an important liquidity metric because it measures, during a given period, the amount of cash generated that is available to repay debt obligations, make investments (including strategic 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 (loss)," "Net income (loss)," "Net cash flows from operating activities" or any other measure determined in accordance with GAAP. Since free cash flow includes investments in operating assets, we believe this non-GAAP liquidity measure is useful in addition to the most directly comparable GAAP measure "Net cash flows from operating activities."
Free cash flow can be significantly impacted from period to period by changes in "Net income (loss)" adjusted to exclude certain non-cash charges, operating assets and liabilities, "Purchases of property and equipment," net of "Refunds and other receipts of purchases of property and equipment," and "Capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations." These items are shown in the "Net cash flows from operating activities" and "Net cash flows from investing activities" sections on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included herein. Operating asset and liability balances can fluctuate significantly from period to period and there can be no assurance that free cash flow will not be negatively impacted by material changes in operating assets and liabilities in future periods, since these changes depend upon, among other things, management's timing of payments and control of inventory levels, and cash receipts. In addition to fluctuations resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities, free cash flow can vary significantly from period to period depending upon, among other things, subscriber additions (losses), service revenue, subscriber churn, subscriber acquisition and retention costs including amounts capitalized under our equipment lease programs for DISH TV subscribers, operating efficiencies, increases or decreases in purchases of property and equipment, expenditures related to our Hybrid MNO Network, cash interest payments and other factors and historical expenditures for our 5G Network.
The following table reconciles free cash flow to "Net cash flows from operating activities."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Years Ended December 31, |
|||||||
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|||
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|||||||
|
Net cash flows from operating activities |
|
$ |
(99,374) |
|
$ |
1,252,697 |
|
$ |
2,432,647 |
|
Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations) |
|
|
(1,642,041) |
|
|
(2,496,624) |
|
|
(4,224,783) |
|
Free cash flow |
|
$ |
(1,741,415) |
|
$ |
(1,243,927) |
|
$ |
(1,792,136) |
Operational Liquidity
We make general investments in property such as, among others, satellites, wireless devices, set-top boxes, information technology and facilities that support our businesses. For some of these investments, changes in trade policies, including, but not limited to, tariffs and other restrictions, could increase, among other things, our costs, disrupt our supply chain and negatively affect our business, operations and financial condition.
Since we are primarily a subscriber-based company, we make subscriber-specific investments to acquire new subscribers and retain existing subscribers. While the general investments may be deferred without impacting the business in the short-term, the subscriber-specific investments are less discretionary. Our overall objective is to generate sufficient cash flow over the life of each subscriber to provide an adequate return against the upfront investment. Once the upfront investment has been made for each subscriber, the subsequent cash flow is generally positive, but there can be no assurance that over time we will recoup or earn a return on the upfront investment.
There are a number of factors that impact our future cash flow compared to the cash flow we generate at a given point in time. The first factor is our churn rate and how successful we are at retaining our current subscribers. To the extent we lose subscribers from our existing base, the positive cash flow from that base is correspondingly reduced. The second factor is how successful we are at maintaining our service margins. To the extent our "Cost of services" grow faster than our "Service revenue," the amount of cash flow that is generated per existing subscriber is reduced. Our Pay-TV service margins have been reduced by, among other things, higher programming costs. Our Wireless service margins are impacted by, among other things, our MNSA agreement with T-Mobile and our NSA agreement with AT&T and the speed with which we are able to transition Wireless subscribers to our Hybrid MNO Network. The third factor is the rate at which we acquire new Pay-TV, Wireless and Broadband subscribers. The faster we acquire new subscribers, the more our positive ongoing cash flow from existing subscribers is offset by the negative upfront cash flow associated with acquiring new subscribers. Conversely, the slower we acquire subscribers, the more our operating cash flow is enhanced in that period.
Finally, our future cash flow is impacted by, among other things, the rate at which we incur litigation expense, make cash interest payments, participate in FCC wireless spectrum auctions and any cash flow from financing activities. We expect our capital expenditures (including capitalized interest) to continue to decrease during 2026. As a result, our historical cash flow is not necessarily indicative of our future cash flows. As of December 31, 2025, we experienced negative free cash flow. We expect that this trend will continue in 2026 and in future periods until we receive the cash inflows from the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions. In addition, declines in our subscriber base and any decrease in subscriber-related margins negatively impact our cash flow, and there can be no assurance that our subscriber declines for some if not all of our segments will not continue.
Beginning on October 1, 2025, and ending at the close of business on March 31, 2026, our 3 7/8% Convertible Secured Notes due 2030 are convertible, at the option of the holders. These notes are convertible, at our election, into cash, a total of approximately 58 million shares of our Class A common stock, or a combination thereof. During the year ended December 31, 2025, holders converted approximately $4 million of our 3 7/8% Convertible Secured Notes due 2030.
Subscriber Base - Pay TV, Wireless and Broadband and Satellite Services Segments
See "Results of Operations" above for further information.
Subscriber Acquisition and Retention Costs
We incur significant upfront costs to acquire Pay-TV, Wireless and Broadband subscribers, including, but not limited to, advertising, independent third-party retailer incentives, payments made to third parties, equipment and wireless device subsidies, installation services and/or new customer promotions. While we attempt to recoup these upfront costs over the lives of their subscription, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in achieving that objective. We employ certain business rules for acquiring subscribers, including, but not limited to, minimum credit requirements, identity verification and contractual commitments. We strive to provide outstanding customer service to increase the likelihood of customers keeping their service over longer periods of time. Our subscriber acquisition costs may vary significantly from period to period.
We incur significant costs to retain our existing DISH TV subscribers, generally as a result of upgrading their equipment to next generation receivers, primarily including our Hopper®receivers and by providing retention credits. As with our subscriber acquisition costs, our retention upgrade spending includes the cost of equipment and installation services. In certain circumstances, we also offer programming at no additional charge and/or promotional pricing for limited periods to existing customers in exchange for a contractual commitment to receive service for a minimum term. A component of our retention efforts includes the installation of equipment for customers who move. Retention costs for Wireless subscribers are primarily related to promotional pricing on upgraded wireless devices for qualified existing subscribers and promotional credits. Our DISH TV and Wireless subscriber retention costs may vary significantly from period to period.
Seasonality
Historically, the first half of the year generally produces fewer gross new DISH TV subscriber activations than the second half of the year, as is typical in the pay-TV industry. In addition, the first and fourth quarters generally produce a lower DISH TV churn rate than the second and third quarters. However, in recent years, as the pay-TV industry has matured, we and our competitors increasingly must seek to attract a greater proportion of new subscribers from each other's existing subscriber bases rather than from first-time purchasers of pay-TV services. As a result, historical trends in seasonality described above may not be indicative of future trends.
Our net SLING TV subscriber additions are impacted by, among other things, certain major sporting events and other major television events. The first and third quarters generally produce higher gross new Wireless subscriber activations.The historical trends discussed above, for net DISH TV subscriber additions, net SLING TV subscriber additions and gross new Wireless subscriber activations, may not be indicative of future trends. There can be no assurance that these trends will not continue and/or accelerate.
Satellites
Pay-TV Segment.Operation of our DISH TV services requires that we have adequate satellite transmission capacity for the programming that we offer. Moreover, competitive conditions may require that we expand our offering of new programming. While we generally have had in-orbit satellite capacity sufficient to transmit our existing channels and some backup capacity to recover the transmission of certain critical programming, our backup capacity is limited. In the event of a failure or loss of any of our owned or leased satellites, we may need to acquire or lease additional satellite capacity or relocate one of our other satellites and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost satellite. Such a failure could result in a prolonged loss of critical programming or a significant delay in our plans to expand programming as necessary to remain competitive and cause us to expend a significant portion of our cash to acquire or lease additional satellite capacity.
Broadband and Satellite Services Segment. Operation of our Broadband and Satellite Services segment also requires adequate satellite transmission capacity for the services that we offer. In the event of a failure or loss of any of our owned or leased satellites, we may need to acquire or lease additional satellite capacity or relocate one of our other satellites and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost satellite. Such a failure could result in a prolonged loss of services.
Satellite Insurance
We generally do not carry commercial in-orbit insurance on any of the satellites that we own and therefore, we will bear the risk associated with any uninsured in-orbit satellite failures.
We will continue to assess circumstances going forward and make insurance-related decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Stock Repurchases
Our Board of Directors previously authorized stock repurchases of up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2026. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we repurchased 1,789,020 shares of our Class A common stock. On February 26, 2026, our Board of Directors extended the plan and authorized an increase in the maximum dollar value of shares that may be repurchased under the plan, such that we are currently authorized to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our outstanding shares of our Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2026. During both the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no repurchases of our Class A common stock.
Covenants and Restrictions Related to our Long-Term Debt
We are subject to the covenants and restrictions set forth in the indentures related to our long-term debt.
EchoStar Corporation
The indentures related to our outstanding EchoStar senior secured notes and convertible senior secured notes contain restrictive covenants that impose limitations on our and certain of our subsidiaries' ability to, among other things: (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; (ii) make certain investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create liens; (iv) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (v) merge or consolidate with another company; (vi) transfer or sell assets; (vii) allow to exist certain restrictions on paying dividends or other payments; and (viii) guarantor engagement in new activities. Should we fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of the debt under the senior secured notes could become immediately payable. The senior secured notes also provide that the debt may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events occur. In addition, the convertible senior secured notes provide that, if a "fundamental change" (as defined in the related indenture) occurs, holders may require us to repurchase, for cash, all or part of their convertible notes. As of the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we were in compliance with the covenants and restrictions related to our respective long-term debt.
DISH Network and DISH DBS Corporation
The indentures related to our outstanding senior notes issued by DISH DBS Corporation ("DISH DBS") contain restrictive covenants that impose limitations on the ability of DISH DBS and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions on DISH DBS' capital stock or repurchase DISH DBS' capital stock; (iv) make certain investments; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) merge or consolidate with another company; and (viii) transfer or sell assets. The indentures related to our outstanding DISH Network and DISH DBS senior secured notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability and certain of our subsidiariesto: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock; (iv) make certain investments of spectrum collateral; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) merge or consolidate with another company; and (viii) transfer or sell assets. Should we fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of the debt under the senior notes, senior secured notes and our other long-term debt could become immediately payable. The senior notes and senior secured notes also provide that the debt may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events occur. In addition, the Convertible Notes provide that, if a "fundamental change" (as defined in the related indenture) occurs, holders may require us to repurchase, for cash, all or part of their Convertible Notes.As of the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we, DISH Network and DISH DBS were in compliance with the covenants and restrictions related to our respective long-term debt.
Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation
The indentures related to our outstanding senior notes issued by HSSC contain restrictive covenants that impose limitations on the ability of HSSC and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make distributions on HSSC's capital stock or repurchase HSSC's capital stock; (iii) allow to exist certain restrictions on such subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets; (iv) make certain investments; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) merge or consolidate with another company; and (viii) transfer or sell assets. As of the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we and HSSC were in compliance with the covenants and restrictions related to our respective long-term debt.
Other
We are also vulnerable to fraud, particularly in the acquisition of new subscribers, which includes the sale of wireless devices. While we are addressing the impact of subscriber fraud through a number of actions, there can be no assurance that we will not continue to experience fraud or that any fraud we have experienced does not accelerate, which could impact our subscriber growth and churn. Economic weakness may create greater incentive for signal theft, piracy and subscriber fraud, which could lead to higher subscriber churn and reduced revenue.
Obligations and Future Capital Requirements
Contractual Obligations
See Note 15 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.
Future Capital Requirements
We expect to fund our future working capital, capital expenditures, other investments and debt service requirements for the next twelve months from cash generated from operations, existing restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities balances and cash generated from the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, as detailed in Note 1 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The amount of capital required to fund our future working capital, capital expenditure and other investment needs varies, depending on, among other things, the potential purchase of additional wireless spectrum licenses, including any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC, and the rate at which we acquire new subscribers and the cost of subscriber acquisition and retention. Certain of our capital expenditures for 2026 are expected to be driven by costs associated with our Hybrid MNO network and subscriber premises equipment. These expenditures are necessary for our Hybrid MNO network as well as to operate and maintain our DISH TV services. Consequently, we consider certain of them to be non-discretionary.
Our capital expenditures vary depending on, among other things, the number of satellites leased or under construction at any point in time and could increase materially as a result of increased competition, significant satellite failures or economic weakness and uncertainty. Our DISH TV and Broadband subscriber bases have been declining and there can be no assurance that both subscriber bases will not continue to decline and that the pace of such decline will not accelerate. In the event that our DISH TV and Broadband subscriber bases continues to decline, it will have a material adverse long-term effect on our cash flow.
Volatility in the financial markets has made it more difficult at times for issuers of high-yield indebtedness, such as us, to access capital markets at favorable terms or at all. These developments may have a significant effect on our cost of financing and our liquidity position.
Availability of Credit and Effect on Liquidity
The ability to raise capital has generally existed for us despite economic weakness and uncertainty. While modest fluctuations in the cost of capital will not likely impact our current operational plans, significant fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Backlog
See "Broadband and Satellite Services Segment" above for further information.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect amounts reported therein. Management bases its estimates, judgments and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts and such differences may be material to our consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they occur. The following represent what we believe are the critical accounting policies that may involve a high degree of estimation, judgment and complexity. For a summary of our significant accounting policies, including those discussed below, see Note 1 and Note 2 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
We evaluate the carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter or more often if indicators of impairment arise.
We have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. However, we may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test.
When a quantitative assessment is utilized, we can make our assessment by employing either the market approach or the income approach to determine whether the fair value of these licenses exceeds the carrying amount. The market approach assesses the value of our spectrum using benchmarks, based on market transactions, which may include spectrum auctions and secondary market transactions, such as acquisitions of spectrum or of businesses for which spectrum values can reliably be inferred. The income approach is appropriate when an indefinite-lived intangible assets value is primarily driven by its ability to generate future economic benefits assessed based on future cash flows.
During the third quarter of 2025, as a result of the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business resulting in a significant adverse change in the intended use of such assets. These developments were considered triggering events and resulted in an impairment assessment of our Other segment spectrum licenses and certain international licenses related to our Broadband and Satellite Services segment. Historically, we determined that substantially all of our spectrum assets were acquired to construct a single asset and as such were treated as one unit of accounting for impairment testing, for both our Other segment and our Broadband and Satellite Services segment, with each segment tested independently. However, as certain bands of our Other segment spectrum licenses are being or could be sold independent of our other holdings, each band of spectrum licenses (each a "Spectrum Asset") is now considered a separate unit of accounting. Accordingly, the carrying value of each Spectrum Asset, which consists of the original purchase price plus capitalized interest, was tested for impairment individually.
During the third quarter of 2025, management performed a quantitative assessment to determine whether the fair value of each Spectrum Asset exceeded its respective carrying amount. The quantitative assessment consisted of a market approach performed by a third-party and reviewed by management using benchmarks, based on market transactions, which may include spectrum auctions and secondary market transactions, either through acquisitions of spectrum or of businesses for which spectrum values can be reliably inferred. The benchmark values were then adjusted to account for our specific spectrum holdings. Through this assessment, we concluded for certain bands of spectrum we control that the fair value was less than the carrying amount, which is inclusive of cumulative capitalized interest. This conclusion was made in connection with the preparation and review of the financial statements in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.
As a result, we partially impaired certain Spectrum Assets related to our Other segment, and certain international licenses related to our Broadband and Satellite Services segment, resulting in non-cash impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2025 recorded in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
During the fourth quarter, we performed our annual impairment assessment of our indefinite-lived Broadband and Satellite Services segment licenses. We combine all of our indefinite-lived Broadband and Satellite Services segment licenses that we currently utilize or plan to utilize in the future into one unit of accounting for impairment testing (the "BSS Licenses").
Management performed a quantitative assessment to determine whether the fair value of the BSS Licenses exceeded their aggregate carrying amount. The quantitative assessment consisted of an income approach, using a discounted cash flow model based upon several factors, including the discount rate, tax attributes and operating margins, which are all level 3 attributes within the fair value hierarchy. Through this assessment, we concluded that the fair value was less than the carrying amount. As a result, we fully impaired the BSS Licenses, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge during the year ended December 31, 2025 recorded in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Long-Lived Assets
We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For assets which are held and used in operations, the asset may not be recoverable if the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeds its undiscounted future net cash flows. When an asset fails the recoverability test, the actual impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value as estimated using one of the following approaches: income, cost and/or market. In the event of an impairment, a loss is recorded in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group. Assets which are to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Fair value, using the income approach, is determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model that uses the estimated cash flows associated with the asset or asset group under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved for a market participant. Fair value, utilizing the cost approach, is determined based on the replacement cost of the asset reduced for, among other things, depreciation and obsolescence. Fair value, utilizing the market approach, is determined by estimating the amount that a market participant would receive when selling the asset.
During the third quarter of 2025, as a result of the AT&T Transactions and SpaceX Transactions, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business resulting in a significant adverse change in the intended use of such assets. These developments were considered triggering events and resulted in our review for impairment of certain assets or asset groups, including the capitalized costs of our right of use ("ROU") lease assets associated with the 5G Network, 5G Network equipment and other assets such as software and capitalized asset retirement costs, that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business and certain international assets. Management determined based on our undiscounted future net cash flows that the carrying amount of certain assets, individually or as part of an asset group were not recoverable. This conclusion was made in connection with the preparation and review of the financial statements in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. Management determined the fair value of certain assets or asset groups using the market approach. Due to the specialized use and company specific nature of each asset or asset group, management determined the fair values to be nominal, resulting in non-cash impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2025 recorded in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
The BSS Licenses, as defined above, are used in conjunction with an asset group comprised of the Broadband and Satellite Services segment satellite fleet, ROU lease assets and certain other long-lived and finite-lived intangible assets, (the "BSS Asset Group"). As a result, the impairment of the BSS Licenses was considered a triggering event and resulted in our review of the BSS Asset Group for impairment. Management determined, using undiscounted future net cash flows, that the carrying amount of the BSS Asset Group is not recoverable. Management determined fair value of the BSS Asset Group using the income approach, utilizing the discounted cash flows of the BSS Asset Group, based upon several factors, including the discount rate, tax attributes and operating margins, which are all level 3 attributes within the fair value hierarchy.
We concluded the carrying amount exceeded the fair value and we partially impaired the BSS Asset group, resulting in non-cash impairment charge during the year ended December 31, 2025 recorded in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), which was allocated ratably to the various assets based on the carrying value of the assets.
Exit and Disposal Costs
Our exit and disposal costs include, among other things, one-time employee termination benefits, costs to terminate contracts that are not a lease and other exit and disposal costs. The liability for exit and disposal costsis initially measured at fair value and we recognize the costs associated with an exit or disposal activity in the period in which the liability is incurred. The liability for our exit and disposal costs is included in "Other accrued expenses and liabilities" and "Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair value is determined under the income approach primarily using the expected present value technique that utilizes the estimated future cash flows associated with the obligation, discounted at our credit-adjusted risk-free rate plus a risk premium. Any gains and losses resulting from the difference between the recorded liability and final settlement amounts will be recognized in "Impairments and other" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The initial fair value of our exit and disposal obligations is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy due to the use of significant unobservable inputs. Subsequent to the initial measurement, our exit and disposal cost liability is periodically adjusted for revisions in the estimated timing and amount of future cash flows.
Income Taxes
Our income tax policy is to record the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Determining necessary valuation allowances requires us to make assessments about the timing of future events, including the probability of expected future taxable income and available tax planning opportunities. We periodically evaluate our need for a valuation allowance based on both historical evidence, including trends, and future expectations in each reporting period. Any such valuation allowance is recorded in either "Income tax (provision) benefit, net" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) or "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" within "Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Future performance could have a significant effect on the realization of tax benefits, or reversals of valuation allowances, as reported in our consolidated results of operations.
Management evaluates the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions based on applicable tax law, regulations, case law, administrative rulings and pronouncements and the facts and circumstances surrounding the tax position. Changes in our estimates related to the recognition and measurement of the amount recorded for uncertain tax positions could result in significant changes in our "Income tax provision (benefit), net," which could be material to our consolidated results of operations.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws and the resolution of any tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.