Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Nine Months Ended | | | |||||||
| | | September 30, | | Variance | |||||||
| Statements of Operations Data | 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||
| | | (In thousands) | | | |||||||
| Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Service revenue | | $ | 7,299,901 | | $ | 7,961,736 | | $ | (661,835) | | (8.3) |
| Equipment sales and other revenue | | | 42,258 | | | 59,157 | | | (16,899) | | (28.6) |
| Total revenue | | | 7,342,159 | | | 8,020,893 | | | (678,734) | | (8.5) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of services | | | 4,570,701 | | | 4,942,133 | | | (371,432) | | (7.5) |
| % of Service revenue | | | 62.6 | % | | 62.1 | % | | | | |
| Cost of sales - equipment and other | | | 27,596 | | | 54,072 | | | (26,476) | | (49.0) |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 740,175 | | 840,174 | | (99,999) | | (11.9) | ||
| % of Total revenue | | | 10.1 | % | | 10.5 | % | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 205,317 | | | 258,153 | | | (52,836) | | (20.5) |
| Total costs and expenses | | | 5,543,789 | | | 6,094,532 | | | (550,743) | | (9.0) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | 1,798,370 | | $ | 1,926,361 | | $ | (127,991) | | (6.6) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pay-TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions) | | | 7.166 | | | 8.031 | | | (0.865) | | (10.8) |
| DISH TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions)** | | | 5.171 | | | 5.888 | | | (0.717) | | (12.2) |
| SLING TV subscribers, as of period end (in millions)*** | | | 1.995 | | | 2.143 | | | (0.148) | | (6.9) |
| Pay-TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) | | | (0.635) | | | (0.495) | | | (0.140) | | (28.3) |
| DISH TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) | | | (0.487) | | | (0.583) | | | 0.096 | | 16.5 |
| SLING TV subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) | | | (0.148) | | | 0.088 | | | (0.236) | | * |
| Pay-TV ARPU | | $ | 110.79 | | $ | 108.21 | | $ | 2.58 | | 2.4 |
| DISH TV subscriber additions, gross (in millions) | | | 0.160 | | | 0.230 | | | (0.070) | | (30.4) |
| DISH TV churn rate | | | 1.33 | % | | 1.46 | % | | (0.13) | % | (8.9) |
| DISH TV SAC | | $ | 1,215 | | $ | 993 | | $ | 222 | | 22.4 |
| Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds (1) | | $ | 239,521 | | $ | 165,275 | | $ | 74,246 | | 44.9 |
| OIBDA | | $ | 2,003,687 | | $ | 2,184,514 | | $ | (180,827) | | (8.3) |
| * | Percentage is not meaningful. |
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| ** | 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 nine months ended September 30, 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. |
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| *** | 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 nine months ended September 30, 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. |
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(1) Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds includes satellite purchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 of $136 million and $94 million, respectively.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Pay-TV Subscribers
DISH TV subscribers. We lost approximately 487,000 net DISH TV subscribers during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the loss of approximately 583,000 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 148,000 net SLING TV subscribers during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the addition of approximately 88,000 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 nine months ended September 30, 2025, we activated approximately 160,000 gross new DISH TV subscribers compared to approximately 230,000 gross new DISH TV subscribers during the same period in 2024, a decrease of 30.4%. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2025 was 1.33% compared to 1.46% for the same period in 2024. Our DISH TV churn rates for the nine months ended September 30, 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.
Service revenue. “Service revenue” totaled $7.300 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $662 million or 8.3% 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 $110.79 during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 versus $108.21 during the same period in 2024. The $2.58 or 2.4% 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. The DISH TV and SLING TV programming package price increases were effective in the third and fourth quarter of 2024, respectively. The nine months ended September 30, 2025 was immaterially impacted by the DISH TV programming package increase effective in September 2025.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Cost of services. “Cost of services” totaled $4.571 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $371 million or 7.5% 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 nine months ended September 30, 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 62.6% and 62.1% of “Service revenue” during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. This increase primarily related to higher programming costs per subscriber.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $740 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a $100 million or 11.9% 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 nine months ended September 30, 2024 was negatively impacted by merger related costs from the DIRECTV transaction.
Depreciation and amortization. “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $205 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a $53 million or 20.5% 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 $1,215 during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to $993 during the same period in 2024, an increase of $222 or 22.4%. 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 nine months ended September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, the amount of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new DISH TV subscribers totaled $23 million and $19 million, respectively.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
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 September 30, 2025, we had 7.520 million Wireless subscribers.
We have terminated our deployment of our 5G Network, after meeting certain interim and final build-out requirements established by the FCC. We had commenced our transition to an MNO as our 5G Network became commercially available and we grew our customer base on our 5G Network.
In August 2025, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business model. We are currently operating primarily as a MVNO. Within our MVNO operations, today we depend in part on either T-Mobile or AT&T to provide us with network services under the MNSA and the NSA, respectively. In light of the AT&T Transactions, we are transitioning to a Hybrid MNO. We are actively migrating customer traffic from our 5G Network to AT&T’s network as we transition to a Hybrid MNO.
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.
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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 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 Note 1“Recent Developments” in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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 licenses based 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
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
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 10 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for definitions and further information. Also see Note 1 “Recent Developments” in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the FCC’s recently completed review of our compliance with our obligations regarding our federal spectrum licenses.
We may 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 10 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for definitions and further information.
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. Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile are currently 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.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Wireless Segment
Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Three Months Ended | | | | | | ||||
| | | September 30, | | Variance | |||||||
| Statements of Operations Data | 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||
| | | (In thousands) | | | |||||||
| Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Service revenue | | $ | 836,164 | | $ | 778,737 | | $ | 57,427 | | 7.4 |
| Equipment sales and other revenue | | | 102,782 | | | 119,659 | | | (16,877) | | (14.1) |
| Total revenue | | | 938,946 | | | 898,396 | | | 40,550 | | 4.5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of services | | | 790,737 | | | 778,152 | | | 12,585 | | 1.6 |
| % of Service revenue | | | 94.6 | % | 99.9 | % | | | | ||
| Cost of sales - equipment and other | | | 315,241 | | | 300,321 | | | 14,920 | | 5.0 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 287,508 | | | 257,283 | | 30,225 | | 11.7 | |
| % of Total revenue | | | 30.6 | % | 28.6 | % | | | | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 229,615 | | | 276,702 | | | (47,087) | | (17.0) |
| Impairments and other | | | 16,199,344 | | | — | | | 16,199,344 | | * |
| Total costs and expenses | | | 17,822,445 | | | 1,612,458 | | | 16,209,987 | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | (16,883,499) | | $ | (714,062) | | $ | (16,169,437) | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Wireless subscribers, as of period end (in millions)** | | | 7.520 | | | 6.984 | | | 0.536 | | 7.7 |
| Wireless subscriber additions, gross (in millions) | | | 0.693 | | | 0.642 | | | 0.051 | | 7.9 |
| Wireless subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) *** | | | 0.223 | | | (0.297) | | | 0.520 | | * |
| Wireless ARPU | | $ | 37.22 | | $ | 36.27 | | $ | 0.95 | | 2.6 |
| Wireless churn rate | | | 2.86 | % | 2.99 | % | (0.13) | % | (4.3) | ||
| Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds | | $ | 112,145 | | $ | 235,414 | | $ | (123,269) | | (52.4) |
| OIBDA | | $ | (16,653,884) | | $ | (437,360) | | $ | (16,216,524) | | * |
| * | Percentage is not meaningful. |
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| ** | 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. |
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| *** | Includes Government subsidized subscribers. |
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Wireless subscribers. We added approximately 223,000 net Wireless subscribers during the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the loss of approximately 297,000 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. In addition, the three months ended September 30, 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.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Wireless subscribers, gross. During the three months ended September 30, 2025, we activated approximately 693,000 gross new Wireless subscribers compared to approximately 642,000 gross new Wireless subscribers during the same period in 2024, an increase of 7.9%. This increase in gross new Wireless subscribers primarily resulted from 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.
Wireless churn rate. Our Wireless churn rate for the three months ended September 30, 2025 was 2.86% compared to 2.99% for the same period in 2024. Our Wireless churn rates for the three months ended September 30, 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 $836 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $57 million or 7.4% 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 $37.22 during the three months ended September 30, 2025 versus $36.27 during the same period in 2024. The $0.95 or 2.6% 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 $103 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $17 million or 14.1% compared to the same period in 2024. The decrease in “Equipment sales and other revenue” compared to the same period in 2024 was primarily related to a decrease in units shipped.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” totaled $791 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $13 million or 1.6% 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. This increase was partially offset by lower network services costs per subscriber.
In August 2025, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business model. Beginning in September 2025 and prospectively, lease expense on communication towers, transport and other related costs for our 5G Network will decrease, 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, and ongoing costs to operate our Hybrid MNO. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Cost of sales – equipment and other. “Cost of sales – equipment and other” totaled $315 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $15 million or 5.0% compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in “Cost of sales – equipment and other” compared to the same period in 2024 primarily resulted from an increase in sales of wireless devices with higher costs per unit, partially offset by a decrease in units shipped.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $288 million during the three months ended September 30, 2025, a $30 million or 11.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This change primarily resulted from an increase in costs to support the Wireless segment and an increase in subscriber acquisition costs resulting from higher gross new Wireless subscriber activations.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Depreciation and amortization. “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $230 million during the three months ended September 30, 2025, a $47 million or 17.0% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. This change was primarily driven by a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense related to the non-cash impairment of certain 5G Network assets during the three months ended September 30, 2025.
In August 2025, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business model and in September 2025 we recorded a non-cash impairment for certain 5G Network assets. As a result, we no longer have deprecation expense related to these 5G Network assets effective September 2025. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Impairments and other. “Impairments and other” totaled $16.199 billion during the three months ended September 30, 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Nine Months Ended | | | | | | ||||
| | | September 30, | | Variance | |||||||
| Statements of Operations Data | 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||
| | | (In thousands) | | | |||||||
| Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Service revenue | | $ | 2,469,493 | | $ | 2,368,138 | | $ | 101,355 | | 4.3 |
| Equipment sales and other revenue | | | 376,859 | | | 336,992 | | | 39,867 | | 11.8 |
| Total revenue | | | 2,846,352 | | | 2,705,130 | | | 141,222 | | 5.2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of services | | | 2,358,118 | | | 2,287,764 | | | 70,354 | | 3.1 |
| % of Service revenue | | | 95.5 | % | | 96.6 | % | | | | |
| Cost of sales - equipment and other | | | 946,531 | | | 902,846 | | | 43,685 | | 4.8 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 863,287 | | | 709,815 | | 153,472 | | 21.6 | |
| % of Total revenue | | | 30.3 | % | | 26.2 | % | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 857,821 | | | 864,237 | | | (6,416) | | (0.7) |
| Impairments and other | | | 16,199,344 | | | — | | | 16,199,344 | | * |
| Total costs and expenses | | | 21,225,101 | | | 4,764,662 | | | 16,460,439 | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | (18,378,749) | | $ | (2,059,532) | | $ | (16,319,217) | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Wireless subscribers, as of period end (in millions)** | | | 7.520 | | | 6.984 | | | 0.536 | | 7.7 |
| Wireless subscriber additions, gross (in millions) | | | 1.984 | | | 1.828 | | | 0.156 | | 8.5 |
| Wireless subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) *** | | | 0.585 | | | (0.394) | | | 0.979 | | * |
| Wireless ARPU | | $ | 37.50 | | $ | 36.29 | | $ | 1.21 | | 3.3 |
| Wireless churn rate | | | 2.79 | % | | 2.99 | % | | (0.20) | % | (6.7) |
| Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds | | $ | 447,556 | | $ | 863,248 | | $ | (415,692) | | (48.2) |
| OIBDA | | $ | (17,520,928) | | $ | (1,195,295) | | $ | (16,325,633) | | * |
| * | Percentage is not meaningful. |
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| ** | 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. |
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| *** | Includes Government subsidized subscribers. |
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Wireless subscribers. We added approximately 585,000 net Wireless subscribers during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the loss of approximately 394,000 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. In addition, the nine months ended September 30, 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.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Wireless subscribers, gross. During the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we activated approximately 1.984 million gross new Wireless subscribers compared to approximately 1.828 million gross new Wireless subscribers during the same period in 2024, an increase of 8.5%. 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.
Wireless churn rate. Our Wireless churn rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 was 2.79% compared to 2.99% for the same period in 2024. Our Wireless churn rates for the nine months ended September 30, 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 $2.469 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $101 million or 4.3% 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.
Wireless ARPU. Wireless ARPU was $37.50 during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 versus $36.29 during the same period in 2024. The $1.21 or 3.3% 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 $377 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $40 million or 11.8% 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 $2.358 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $70 million or 3.1% 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. This increase was partially offset by lower network services costs per subscriber.
In August 2025, we began the abandonment and decommission process for certain portions of our 5G Network that will not be utilized in our Hybrid MNO business model. Beginning in September 2025 and prospectively, lease expense on communication towers, transport and other related costs for our 5G Network will decrease, 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, and ongoing costs to operate our Hybrid MNO. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Cost of sales – equipment and other. “Cost of sales – equipment and other” totaled $947 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $44 million or 4.8% compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in “Cost of sales – equipment and other” compared to the same period in 2024 primarily resulted from an increase in sales of wireless devices with higher costs per unit, partially offset by a decrease in units shipped and higher vendor rebates.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $863 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a $153 million or 21.6% 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 $858 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a $6 million or 0.7% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. 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, 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 our Hybrid MNO business model and in September 2025 we recorded a non-cash impairment for certain 5G Network assets. As a result, we no longer have deprecation expense related to these 5G Network assets effective September 2025. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Impairments and other. “Impairments and other” totaled $16.199 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Broadband and Satellite Services Segment
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 provide broadband services to consumer customers, which include home and small to medium-sized businesses, and satellite, multi-transport technologies and managed network services to enterprise customers, telecommunications providers, airlines and government entities, including civilian and defense. 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.
Backlog
As of September 30, 2025, our Broadband and Satellite Services segment had approximately $1.5 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 and Central American consumer markets. Our principal competitors for the supply of satellite technology platforms are Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd, ViaSat and ST Engineering iDirect, Inc.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Broadband and Satellite Services Segment
Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Three Months Ended | | | | | | ||||
| | | September 30, | | Variance | |||||||
| Statements of Operations Data | 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||
| | | (In thousands) | | | |||||||
| Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Service revenue | | $ | 267,460 | | $ | 294,703 | | $ | (27,243) | | (9.2) |
| Equipment sales and other revenue | | | 78,360 | | | 92,006 | | | (13,646) | | (14.8) |
| Total revenue | | | 345,820 | | | 386,709 | | | (40,889) | | (10.6) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of services | | | 115,171 | | | 125,970 | | | (10,799) | | (8.6) |
| % of Service revenue | | | 43.1 | % | | 42.7 | % | | | | |
| Cost of sales - equipment and other | | | 67,953 | | | 74,397 | | | (6,444) | | (8.7) |
| % of Equipment sales and other revenue | | | 86.7 | % | | 80.9 | % | | | | |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 88,169 | | | 108,816 | | (20,647) | | (19.0) | |
| % of Total revenue | | | 25.5 | % | | 28.1 | % | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 100,730 | | | 113,642 | | | (12,912) | | (11.4) |
| Impairments and other | | | 282,124 | | | — | | | 282,124 | | * |
| Total costs and expenses | | | 654,147 | | | 422,825 | | | 231,322 | | 54.7 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | (308,327) | | $ | (36,116) | | $ | (272,211) | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Broadband subscribers, as of period end (in millions) | | | 0.783 | | | 0.912 | | | (0.129) | | (14.1) |
| Broadband subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) | | | (0.036) | | | (0.043) | | | 0.007 | | 16.3 |
| Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds (1) | | $ | 45,334 | | $ | 44,913 | | $ | 421 | | 0.9 |
| OIBDA | | $ | (207,597) | | $ | 77,526 | | $ | (285,123) | | * |
| * | Percentage is not meaningful. |
|---|
(1) Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds includes satellite purchases during the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 of $16 million and $1 million, respectively.
Broadband subscribers. We lost approximately 36,000 net Broadband subscribers for the three months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the loss of approximately 43,000 net Broadband subscribers during the same period in 2024. The decrease in net Broadband subscriber losses was primarily due to lower subscriber disconnects due to expanded satellite capacity and increased subscriber service satisfaction, partially offset by lower gross subscriber additions. We continue to experience increased competition from satellite-based competitors and other technologies.
Service revenue. “Service revenue” totaled $267 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $27 million, or 9.2%, 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.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Equipment sales and other revenue. “Equipment sales and other revenue” totaled $78 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $14 million, or 14.8%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower hardware sales to our North American and international enterprise customers.
Cost of services. “Cost of services” totaled $115 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $11 million, or 8.6%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower costs of broadband services to our North American and international consumer customers and our North American enterprise customers. Our “Cost of services” represented 43.1% and 42.7% of “Service revenue” during the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Cost of sales – equipment and other. “Cost of sales – equipment and other” totaled $68 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $6 million, or 8.7%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower costs of equipment to our North American and international enterprise customers. Our “Cost of sales – equipment and other” represented 86.7% and 80.9% of “Equipment sales and other revenue” during the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. This increase primarily resulted from a change in mix to lower margin products.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $88 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $21 million, or 19.0%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower bad debt expense and lower marketing expenditures.
Depreciation and amortization. “Depreciation and amortization” expense totaled $101 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $13 million, or 11.4%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower equipment and satellite depreciation expense.
Impairments and other. “Impairments and other” totaled $282 million during the three months ended September 30, 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, we recorded non-cash impairment charges related to property and equipment and regulatory authorizations, and estimated exit, disposal and other costs. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Nine Months Ended | | | | | | ||||
| | | September 30, | | Variance | |||||||
| Statements of Operations Data | 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||
| | | (In thousands) | | | |||||||
| Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Service revenue | | $ | 817,845 | | $ | 914,350 | | $ | (96,505) | | (10.6) |
| Equipment sales and other revenue | | | 238,413 | | | 248,956 | | | (10,543) | | (4.2) |
| Total revenue | | | 1,056,258 | | | 1,163,306 | | | (107,048) | | (9.2) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of services | | | 343,528 | | | 382,400 | | | (38,872) | | (10.2) |
| % of Service revenue | | | 42.0 | % | | 41.8 | % | | | | |
| Cost of sales - equipment and other | | | 213,238 | | | 209,440 | | | 3,798 | | 1.8 |
| % of Equipment sales and other revenue | | | 89.4 | % | | 84.1 | % | | | | |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 271,563 | | | 332,261 | | | (60,698) | | (18.3) |
| % of Total revenue | | | 25.7 | % | | 28.6 | % | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 310,065 | | | 349,461 | | | (39,396) | | (11.3) |
| Impairments and other | | | 282,124 | | | — | | | 282,124 | | * |
| Total costs and expenses | | | 1,420,518 | | | 1,273,562 | | | 146,956 | | 11.5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | (364,260) | | $ | (110,256) | | $ | (254,004) | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Broadband subscribers, as of period end (in millions) | | | 0.783 | | | 0.912 | | | (0.129) | | (14.1) |
| Broadband subscriber additions (losses), net (in millions) | | | (0.100) | | | (0.092) | | | (0.008) | | (8.7) |
| Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds (1) | | $ | 120,555 | | $ | 172,083 | | $ | (51,528) | | (29.9) |
| OIBDA | | $ | (54,195) | | $ | 239,205 | | $ | (293,400) | | * |
| * | Percentage is not meaningful. |
|---|
(1) Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds includes satellite purchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 of $30 million and $4 million, respectively.
Broadband subscribers. We lost approximately 100,000 net Broadband subscribers for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 compared to the loss of approximately 92,000 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 $818 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $97 million, or 10.6%, 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 $238 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $11 million, or 4.2%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower hardware sales to our international enterprise customers, partially offset by an increase in hardware sales to our North American enterprise customers.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Cost of services. “Cost of services” totaled $344 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $39 million, or 10.2%, 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 42.0% and 41.8% of “Service revenue” during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Cost of sales – equipment and other. “Cost of sales – equipment and other” totaled $213 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $4 million, or 1.8%, 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 89.4% and 84.1% of “Equipment sales and other revenue” during the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The nine months ended September 30, 2025 was negatively impacted by a one-time project charge.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. “Selling, general and administrative expenses” totaled $272 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $61 million, or 18.3%, 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 $310 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, a decrease of $39 million, or 11.3%, as compared to 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower equipment and satellite depreciation expense.
Impairments and other. “Impairments and other” totaled $282 million during the nine months ended September 30, 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, we recorded non-cash impairment charges related to property and equipment and regulatory authorizations, and estimated exit, disposal and other costs. See Note 1 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
OTHER CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Three Months Ended | | | | | | ||||
| | | September 30, | | Variance | |||||||
| Statements of Operations Data | 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||
| | | (In thousands) | | ||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | (16,641,875) | | $ | (160,767) | | $ | (16,481,108) | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | | | 53,187 | | | 11,200 | | | 41,987 | | * |
| Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized | | | (377,072) | | | (81,503) | | | (295,569) | | * |
| Other, net | | | 28,953 | | | 52,107 | | | (23,154) | | (44.4) |
| Total other income (expense) | | | (294,932) | | | (18,196) | | | (276,736) | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | | | (16,936,807) | | | (178,963) | | | (16,757,844) | | * |
| Income tax (provision) benefit, net | | | 4,155,459 | | | 35,162 | | | 4,120,297 | | * |
| Effective tax rate | | | 24.5 | % | | 19.6 | % | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | | | (12,781,348) | | | (143,801) | | | (12,637,547) | | * |
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax | | | (152) | | | (1,989) | | | 1,837 | | 92.4 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar | | $ | (12,781,196) | | $ | (141,812) | | $ | (12,639,384) | | * |
*Percentage is not meaningful.
Interest income. “Interest income” totaled $53 million during the three months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $42 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 three months ended September 30, 2025.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $377 million during the three months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $296 million 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 November 2024 and debt tendered for exchange and cancelled in the fourth quarter of 2024. In addition, the three months ended September 30, 2025 was negatively impacted by a $58 million decrease in capitalized interest compared to the same period in 2024 due to fewer activities that qualify for capitalization. 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Other, net. “Other, net” income totaled $29 million during the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to income of $52 million during the same period in 2024. The three months ended September 30, 2025 was positively impacted by $22 million in asset sales and other net gains. The three months ended September 30, 2024 was positively impacted by $50 million in asset sales and other net gains and $7 million in net gains on marketable and non-marketable investment securities. See Note 5 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Income tax (provision) benefit, net. Our income tax benefit was $4.155 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $4.120 billion compared to 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 three months ended September 30, 2024 was impacted by federal, state and foreign valuation allowances.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Nine Months Ended | | | |||||||
| | | September 30, | | Variance | |||||||
| Statements of Operations Data | 2025 | 2024 | Amount | % | |||||||
| | | (In thousands) | | | |||||||
| Operating income (loss) | | $ | (16,943,415) | | $ | (241,380) | | $ | (16,702,035) | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | | | 184,085 | | | 55,591 | | | 128,494 | | * |
| Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized | | | (942,359) | | | (262,077) | | | (680,282) | | * |
| Other, net | | | 105,480 | | | (65,501) | | | 170,981 | | * |
| Total other income (expense) | | | (652,794) | | | (271,987) | | | (380,807) | | * |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | | | (17,596,209) | | | (513,367) | | | (17,082,842) | | * |
| Income tax (provision) benefit, net | | | 4,304,736 | | | 53,733 | | | 4,251,003 | | * |
| Effective tax rate | | | 24.5 | % | | 10.5 | % | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | | | (13,291,473) | | | (459,634) | | | (12,831,839) | | * |
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax | | | (1,476) | | | (4,855) | | | 3,379 | | 69.6 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar | | $ | (13,289,997) | | $ | (454,779) | | $ | (12,835,218) | | * |
| * | Percentage is not meaningful. |
|---|
Interest income. “Interest income” totaled $184 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $128 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 nine months ended September 30, 2025.
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized. “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” totaled $942 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $680 million 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 nine months ended September 30, 2025 was positively impacted by a $44 million increase in capitalized interest compared to the same period in 2024 due to a higher capitalization rate, partially offset by fewer activities that qualify for capitalization. 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Other, net. “Other, net” income totaled $105 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to expense of $66 million during the same period in 2024. The nine months ended September 30, 2025 was positively impacted by $59 million in asset sales and other net gains, $17 million in net gains on marketable and non-marketable investment securities and $11 million of early debt extinguishment gains from the repurchases of our senior secured notes. The nine months ended September 30, 2024 was negatively impacted by a $74 million loss in equity in earnings, including $63 million from our portion of Invidi’s goodwill impairment, and $42 million in net losses and impairments on marketable and non-marketable investment securities, partially offset by $50 million in asset sales and other net gains. See Note 5 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Income tax (provision) benefit, net. Our income tax benefit was $4.305 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2025, an increase of $4.251 billion compared to 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 nine months ended September 30, 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.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
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 11 to the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 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.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 | Pay-TV | Wireless | Broadband and Satellite Services | ** **Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||
| | | (In thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Segment operating income (loss) | | $ | 549,388 | | $ | (16,883,499) | | $ | (308,327) | | $ | 563 | | $ | (16,641,875) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 61,049 | | | 229,615 | | | 100,730 | | | (103) | | | 391,291 |
| OIBDA | | | 610,437 | | | (16,653,884) | | | (207,597) | | | 460 | | | (16,250,584) |
| Impairments and other | | | — | | | 16,199,344 | | | 282,124 | | | — | | | 16,481,468 |
| Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | 610,437 | | $ | (454,540) | | $ | 74,527 | | $ | 460 | | $ | 230,884 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Segment operating income (loss) | | $ | 588,501 | | $ | (714,062) | | $ | (36,116) | | $ | 910 | | $ | (160,767) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 87,502 | | | 276,702 | | | 113,642 | | | (412) | | | 477,434 |
| OIBDA | | | 676,003 | | | (437,360) | | | 77,526 | | | 498 | | | 316,667 |
| Impairments and other | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | 676,003 | | $ | (437,360) | | $ | 77,526 | | $ | 498 | | $ | 316,667 |
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 | Pay-TV | Wireless | Broadband and Satellite Services | ** **Eliminations | Consolidated | ||||||||||
| | | (In thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Segment operating income (loss) | | $ | 1,798,370 | | $ | (18,378,749) | | $ | (364,260) | | $ | 1,224 | | $ | (16,943,415) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 205,317 | | | 857,821 | | | 310,065 | | | (524) | | | 1,372,679 |
| OIBDA | | | 2,003,687 | | | (17,520,928) | | | (54,195) | | | 700 | | | (15,570,736) |
| Impairments and other | | | — | | | 16,199,344 | | | 282,124 | | | — | | | 16,481,468 |
| Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | 2,003,687 | | $ | (1,321,584) | | $ | 227,929 | | $ | 700 | | $ | 910,732 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Segment operating income (loss) | | $ | 1,926,361 | | $ | (2,059,532) | | $ | (110,256) | | $ | 2,047 | | $ | (241,380) |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 258,153 | | | 864,237 | | | 349,461 | | | (1,492) | | | 1,470,359 |
| OIBDA | | | 2,184,514 | | | (1,195,295) | | | 239,205 | | | 555 | | | 1,228,979 |
| Impairments and other | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| Adjusted OIBDA | | $ | 2,184,514 | | $ | (1,195,295) | | $ | 239,205 | | $ | 555 | | $ | 1,228,979 |
The changes in OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, were primarily a result of the factors described in connection with operating revenues and operating expenses.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
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 condensed 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 condensed 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 | ||||
| | | September 30, | | December 31, | ||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | ||
| | | (In thousands) | ||||
| Current assets | $ | 3,950,314 | | $ | 6,234,658 | |
| Noncurrent assets | | | 12,398,692 | | | 17,397,691 |
| Current liabilities | | | 561,925 | | | 411,704 |
| Noncurrent liabilities | | | 9,464,002 | | | 9,254,862 |
| Due from non-guarantors | | | 1,396,854 | | | 1,470,067 |
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
The summarized results of operations information for the combined obligor group of the EchoStar Notes is presented in the table below.
| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Nine Months Ended | |
| | | September 30, 2025 | |
| | | (In thousands) | |
| Total revenues | $ | 499 | |
| Operating income (loss) | | | (5,212,939) |
| Net income (loss) | | | (4,207,528) |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and 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 5 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding our current restricted cash and cash equivalents and marketable investment securities. As of September 30, 2025, cash, cash equivalents, current restricted cash and cash equivalents, and current marketable investment securities totaled $4.043 billion compared to $5.698 billion as of December 31, 2024, a decrease of $1.655 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 $1.484 billion (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations), the redemption of our Term Loan due 2025 of $500 million and repurchases of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 of $123 million, partially offset by cash generated from operating activities of $326 million and $150 million in proceeds from the additional issuance of our 10 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2029.
Cash Flow
The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
Cash flows from operating activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we reported “Net cash flows from operating activities” of $326 million primarily attributable to $269 million of “Net income (loss)” 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 (gains) losses,” “Non-cash, stock-based compensation” expense, “Interest expense paid in kind on long-term debt,” and “Deferred tax expense (benefit).” In addition, “Net cash flows from operating activities” was impacted by the timing difference between book expense and cash payments, including income taxes, and other working capital changes.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Cash flows from investing activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we reported outflows from “Net cash flows from investing activities” of $1.650 billion primarily related to capital expenditures, net of refunds, of $1.484 billion (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations) and $219 million in net purchases of marketable investment securities, partially offset by $47 million in proceeds from the sale of our Fiber business.
Cash flows from financing activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, we reported outflows from “Net cash flows from financing activities” of $563 million primarily related to the redemption of our Term Loan due 2025 of $500 million, repurchases of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 of $123 million, repayments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations of $60 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.
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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We believe free cash flow is an important liquidity metric because it measures, during a given period, the amount of cash generated that is available to repay debt obligations, make investments (including strategic wireless investments), fund acquisitions and for certain other activities. Free cash flow is not a measure determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for “Operating income (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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included herein. Operating asset and liability balances can fluctuate significantly from period to period and there can be no assurance that free cash flow will not be negatively impacted by material changes in operating assets and liabilities in future periods, since these changes depend upon, among other things, 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 5G Network and our Hybrid MNO Network, cash interest payments and other factors.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
The following table reconciles free cash flow to “Net cash flows from operating activities.”
| | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | For the Nine Months Ended | ||||
| | | September 30, | ||||
| | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| | | (In thousands) | ||||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | $ | 325,948 | | $ | 1,207,144 | |
| Purchases of property and equipment, net of refunds (including capitalized interest related to regulatory authorizations) | | | (1,483,943) | | | (1,843,595) |
| Free cash flow | | $ | (1,157,995) | | $ | (636,451) |
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 Pay-TV, Wireless and Broadband and Satellite Services segments. 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.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
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 anticipate operating expenditures for our 5G Network to decrease as we have completed our 5G Network and as we transition to our Hybrid MNO network under which we will continue to operate our 5G Network core and utilize AT&T’s network services. We expect our capital expenditures (including capitalized interest) to decrease during the fourth quarter of 2025. As a result, our historical cash flow is not necessarily indicative of our future cash flows. As of September 30, 2025, we experienced negative free cash flow. We expect that this trend will continue in 2025 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 December 31, 2025, 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, approximately 58 million shares of our Class A common stock or a combination thereof.
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.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
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.
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, among other things, impose limitations on our and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to: (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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we were in compliance with the covenants and restrictions related to our long-term debt.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
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, among other things, impose limitations on the ability of DISH DBS and its restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; (iii) pay dividends or make distributions on DISH DBS’ capital stock or repurchase DISH DBS’ capital stock; (iv) make certain investments; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) merge or consolidate with another company; and (viii) transfer or sell assets. 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 subsidiaries to: (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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, 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 Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (“HSSC”) contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on the ability of HSSC and its restricted subsidiaries to: (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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, 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.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Obligations and Future Capital Requirements
Contractual Obligations
See Note 10 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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 2025 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.
Wireless Segment – 5G Network
See Note 10 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Availability of Credit and Effect on Liquidity
The ability to raise capital has generally existed for us despite economic weakness and uncertainty. While modest fluctuations in the cost of capital will not likely impact our current operational plans, significant fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
**Item 2.**MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – Continued
Debt Issuances and Maturity
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.
Term Loan Due 2025
Our Term Loan Due 2025 with an aggregate principal balance of $500 million was redeemed as of September 30, 2025.
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
During the nine months ended September 30, 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.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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