SEC Filing | Dish

View:

Download DOC

Download PDF

Download XLS

Download XBRL

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2021.

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO .

Commission File Number: 001-39144

DISH Network Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Nevada		88-0336997
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

9601 South Meridian Boulevard
Englewood, Colorado		80112
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

(303) 723-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value	DISH	The Nasdaq Stock Market L.L.C.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ⌧ No ◻

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ⌧ No ◻

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer ☒		Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐		Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of April 19, 2021, the registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of 288,909,818 shares of Class A common stock and 238,435,208 shares of Class B common stock.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

	Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	i

Item 1.	Financial Statements

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (Unaudited)	1

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)	2

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)	3

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (Unaudited)	4

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	5

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	68

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	94

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	94

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	94

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	94

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	95

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	None

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	None

Item 5.	Other Information	None

Item 6.	Exhibits	95

	Signatures	96

Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Unless otherwise required by the context, in this report, the words “DISH Network,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries, “EchoStar” refers to EchoStar Corporation and its subsidiaries, and “DISH DBS” refers to DISH DBS Corporation, a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of DISH Network, and its subsidiaries.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, in particular, statements about our plans, objectives and strategies, growth opportunities in our industries and businesses, our expectations regarding future results, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, our estimates regarding the impact of regulatory developments and legal proceedings, and other trends and projections. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as “future,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “predict,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “may,” and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. Accordingly, actual performance, events or results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS

COVID-19 Pandemic

●

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economic environment generally, and on us specifically, have adversely impacted our business. Furthermore, any continuation or worsening of the pandemic and economic environment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Competition and Economic Risks

●

We face intense and increasing competition from providers of video, broadband and/or wireless services, which may require us to further increase subscriber acquisition and retention spending or accept lower subscriber activations and higher subscriber churn.

●

Changing consumer behavior and new technologies in our Pay-TV business may reduce our subscriber activations and may cause our subscribers to purchase fewer services from us or to cancel our services altogether, resulting in less revenue to us.

●

We face certain risks competing in the wireless services industry and operating a facilities-based wireless services business.

●

Our pay-TV competitors may be able to leverage their relationships with programmers to reduce their programming costs and/or offer exclusive content that will place them at a competitive advantage to us.

●

Through the MNSA, we depend primarily on T-Mobile in providing services to our retail wireless subscribers, and any system failure related to T-Mobile’s wireless network, interruption in the services provided by T-Mobile, including the shutdown of its CDMA Network on or around January 1, 2022 and/or the termination of the MNSA could negatively impact our subscriber activations, our subscriber churn rate and our subscriber base, which in turn could have a material adverse effect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

●

Changes in how network operators handle and charge for access to data that travels across their networks could adversely impact our Pay-TV business.

●

Economic weakness and uncertainty may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.

Table of Contents

Operational and Service Delivery Risks

●

Any deterioration in our operational performance and subscriber satisfaction could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

●

If our subscriber activations decrease, or if our subscriber churn rate, subscriber acquisition costs or retention costs increase, our financial performance will be adversely affected.

●

With respect to our Pay-TV business, programming expenses are increasing, which may adversely affect our future financial condition and results of operations.

●

We depend on others to provide the programming that we offer to our Pay-TV subscribers and, if we fail to obtain or lose access to certain programming, our Pay-TV subscriber activations and our subscriber churn rate may be negatively impacted.

●

We may not be able to obtain necessary retransmission consent agreements at acceptable rates, or at all, from local network stations.

●

Any failure or inadequacy of our information technology infrastructure and communications systems or those of third parties that we use in our operations, including, without limitation, those caused by cyber-attacks or other malicious activities, could disrupt or harm our business.

●

Our failure to effectively invest in, introduce, and implement new competitive products and services could cause our products and services to become obsolete and could negatively impact our business.

●

We rely on a single vendor or a limited number of vendors to provide certain key products or services to us, and the inability of these key vendors to meet our needs could have a material adverse effect on our business.

●

We depend on independent third parties to solicit orders for our services that represent a meaningful percentage of our total gross new subscriber activations.

●

We have limited satellite capacity and failures or reduced capacity could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

●

We may have potential conflicts of interest with EchoStar due to our common ownership and management.

●

We rely on highly skilled personnel for our business, and any inability to hire and retain key personnel or hire qualified personnel may negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Acquisition and Capital Structure Risks

●

We have made substantial investments to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses and other related assets, and we may be unable to realize a return on these assets.

●

We have made substantial non-controlling investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities related to AWS-3 wireless spectrum licenses, and we may be unable to obtain a profitable return on these investments.

●

We may pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions to complement or expand our business that may not be successful, and we may lose up to the entire value of our investment in these acquisitions and transactions.

●

We have substantial debt outstanding and may incur additional debt.

●

We may need additional capital, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, to continue investing in our business and to finance acquisitions and other strategic transactions.

●

The conditional conversion features of our 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026 (the “Convertible Notes due 2026”), our 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024 (the “Convertible Notes due 2024”) and 0% Convertible Notes due 2025 (the “Convertible Notes due 2025,” and collectively with the Convertible Notes due 2026 and the Convertible Notes due 2024, the “Convertible Notes”), if triggered, may adversely affect our financial condition.

Table of Contents

●

The convertible note hedge and warrant transactions that we entered into in connection with the offering of the Convertible Notes due 2026 may affect the value of the Convertible Notes due 2026 and our Class A common stock.

●

We are subject to counterparty risk with respect to the convertible note hedge transactions.

●

From time to time a portion of our investment portfolio may be invested in securities that have limited liquidity and may not be immediately accessible to support our financing needs.

●

We are controlled by one principal stockholder who is also our Chairman.

●

It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so may be beneficial to our shareholders, because of our ownership structure.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

●

Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights of others.

●

We are, and may become, party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant adverse impact on our business, particularly lawsuits regarding intellectual property.

●

Our services depend on FCC licenses that can expire or be revoked or modified and applications for FCC licenses that may not be granted.

●

If our internal controls are not effective, our business, stock price and investor confidence in our financial results may be adversely affected.

●

We may face other risks described from time to time in periodic and current reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Other factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “10-K”) filed with the SEC, those discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” herein and in the 10-K and those discussed in other documents we file with the SEC. All cautionary statements made or referred to herein should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear. Investors should consider the risks and uncertainties described or referred to herein and should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

iii

Table of Contents

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	As of
	March 31,		December 31,
	2021		2020
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,437,662	$	3,370,092
Marketable investment securities		135,485		362,953
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $56,625 and $72,278, respectively		1,087,134		1,104,202
Inventory		375,076		380,349
Other current assets		480,549		1,804,562
Total current assets		6,515,906		7,022,158

Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities		108,304		108,369
Property and equipment, net		2,180,273		2,182,333
FCC authorizations		28,024,606		26,903,939
Other investment securities		152,719		149,706
Operating lease assets		110,232		104,271
Other noncurrent assets		1,005,454		1,009,045
Intangible assets, net		715,644		760,126
Total noncurrent assets		32,297,232		31,217,789
Total assets	$	38,813,138	$	38,239,947

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	488,770	$	395,397
Deferred revenue and other		816,060		855,718
Accrued programming		1,311,223		1,388,407
Accrued interest		187,155		264,118
Other accrued expenses		1,135,350		1,095,486
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations		1,875,482		2,085,620
Total current liabilities		5,814,040		6,084,746

Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 10)		14,682,903		13,616,408
Deferred tax liabilities		3,771,572		3,869,570
Operating lease liabilities		69,660		63,526
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities		450,266		474,404
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion		18,974,401		18,023,908
Total liabilities		24,788,441		24,108,654

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Note 2)		361,777		350,648

Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):
Class A common stock, $.01 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 288,891,958 and 287,720,957 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		2,889		2,877
Class B common stock, $.01 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 238,435,208 shares issued and outstanding		2,384		2,384
Additional paid-in capital		4,651,264		5,400,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		484		(855)
Accumulated earnings (deficit)		9,005,199		8,374,975
Total DISH Network stockholders’ equity (deficit)		13,662,220		13,780,155
Noncontrolling interests		700		490
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)		13,662,920		13,780,645
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)	$	38,813,138	$	38,239,947

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)


	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenue:
Service revenue	$	4,209,471	$	3,166,041
Equipment sales and other revenue		288,382		51,348
Total revenue		4,497,853		3,217,389

Costs and Expenses (exclusive of depreciation):
Cost of services		2,537,665		2,052,066
Cost of sales - equipment and other		423,541		41,710
Selling, general and administrative expenses		481,686		456,297
Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 2)		—		356,418
Depreciation and amortization		190,385		166,820
Total costs and expenses		3,633,277		3,073,311

Operating income (loss)		864,576		144,078

Other Income (Expense):
Interest income		1,970		14,216
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized		(3,873)		(15,606)
Other, net		(5,261)		1,592
Total other income (expense)		(7,164)		202

Income (loss) before income taxes		857,412		144,280
Income tax (provision) benefit, net		(215,849)		(45,006)
Net income (loss)		641,563		99,274
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		11,339		26,175
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$	630,224	$	73,099

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic		526,570		523,152
Diluted		633,760		581,381

Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network	$	1.20	$	0.14
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network	$	0.99	$	0.13

Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$	641,563	$	99,274
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments		1,842		375
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities		(4)		(208)
Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)		(1)		—
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit, net		(498)		49
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		1,339		216
Comprehensive income (loss)		642,902		99,490
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax		11,339		26,175
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$	631,563	$	73,315

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


					Accumulated
	Class A and B		Additional		Other		Accumulated						Redeemable
	Common		Paid-In		Comprehensive		Earnings		Noncontrolling				Noncontrolling
	Stock		Capital		Income (Loss)		(Deficit)		Interests		Total		Interests
Balance, December 31, 2019	$	5,230	$	4,947,007	$	(18)	$	6,612,302	$	(449)	$	11,564,072	$	552,075
Issuance of Class A common stock:
Exercise of stock awards		—		395		—		—		—		395		—
Employee Stock Purchase Plan		3		5,127		—		—		—		5,130		—
Non-cash, stock-based compensation		—		16,418		—		—		—		16,418		—
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net		—		—		(208)		—		—		(208)		—
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to other comprehensive income (loss)		—		—		49		—		—		49		—
Foreign currency translation		—		—		375		—		—		375		—
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		—		263		263		—
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network		—		—		—		73,099		—		73,099		25,912
Balance, March 31, 2020	$	5,233	$	4,968,947	$	198	$	6,685,401	$	(186)	$	11,659,593	$	577,987

Balance, December 31, 2020	$	5,261	$	5,400,774	$	(855)	$	8,374,975	$	490	$	13,780,645	$	350,648
Issuance of Class A common stock:
Exercise of stock awards		1		2,046		—		—		—		2,047		—
Employee benefits		9		30,294		—		—		—		30,303		—
Employee Stock Purchase Plan		2		4,341		—		—		—		4,343		—
Non-cash, stock-based compensation		—		19,375		—		—		—		19,375		—
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net		—		—		(5)		—		—		(5)		—
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to other comprehensive income (loss)		—		—		(498)		—		—		(498)		—
Foreign currency translation		—		—		1,842		—		—		1,842		—
Convertible debt reclassified per ASU 2020-06, net of deferred taxes of $245,778 (Note 2)		—		(805,566)		—		—		—		(805,566)		—
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		—		210		210		—
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network		—		—		—		630,224		—		630,224		11,129
Balance, March 31, 2021	$	5,273	$	4,651,264	$	484	$	9,005,199	$	700	$	13,662,920	$	361,777

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2021		2020
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	641,563	$	99,274
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		190,385		166,820
Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 2)		—		356,418
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments and derivatives		6,283		(58)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation		19,375		16,418
Deferred tax expense (benefit)		147,285		28,942
Allowance for credit losses		(15,653)		21,450
Other, net		4,021		54,529
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net		132,239		132,160
Net cash flows from operating activities		1,125,498		875,953

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities		(139,692)		(432,172)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities		381,595		287,960
Purchases of property and equipment		(115,096)		(97,164)
Capitalized interest related to FCC authorizations (Note 2)		(281,721)		(241,825)
Refund of FCC authorization deposit (Note 11)		337,490		—
Other, net		2,006		2,065
Net cash flows from investing activities		184,582		(481,136)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayment of long-term debt and finance lease obligations		(19,149)		(16,713)
Repurchases of senior notes		(205,354)		—
Early debt extinguishment		(2,517)		—
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan		6,389		5,525
Other, net		(8,824)		2
Net cash flows from financing activities		(229,455)		(11,186)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents		1,080,625		383,631
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period (Note 6)		3,453,994		2,504,320
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period (Note 6)	$	4,534,619	$	2,887,951

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.Organization and Business Activities

Principal Business

DISH Network Corporation is a holding company. Its subsidiaries (which together with DISH Network Corporation are referred to as “DISH Network,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our,” unless otherwise required by the context) operate two primary business segments, Pay-TV and Wireless. Our Wireless business segment operates in two business units, Retail Wireless and 5G Network Deployment.

Pay-TV

We offer pay-TV services under the DISH® brand and the SLING® brand (collectively “Pay-TV” services). The DISH branded pay-TV service consists of, among other things, FCC licenses authorizing us to use direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) and Fixed Satellite Service (“FSS”) spectrum, our owned and leased satellites, receiver systems, broadcast operations, a leased fiber optic network, in-home service and call center operations, and certain other assets utilized in our operations (“DISH TV”). We also design, develop and distribute receiver systems and provide digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission and other services to third-party pay-TV providers. The SLING branded pay-TV services consist of, among other things, multichannel, live-linear streaming over-the-top (“OTT”) Internet-based domestic, international and Latino video programming services (“SLING TV”). As of March 31, 2021, we had 11.060 million Pay-TV subscribers in the United States, including 8.686 million DISH TV subscribers and 2.374 million SLING TV subscribers.

Wireless – Retail Wireless

As a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the Ting Mobile Acquisition (as defined below), we have entered the retail wireless business. See Note 5 for further information. We offer nationwide prepaid and postpaid retail wireless services to subscribers under our Boost Mobile and Ting Mobile brands, as well as a competitive portfolio of wireless devices. Prepaid wireless subscribers generally pay in advance for monthly access to wireless talk, text, and data services. Postpaid wireless subscribers generally are qualified to pay after receiving wireless talk, text, and data services. We are currently operating our retail wireless business unit as a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) while we build our 5G broadband network. As an MVNO, we depend primarily on T-Mobile US, Inc., (“T-Mobile”) to provide us with network services under the MNSA (as defined below). We acquired over 9 million subscribers as a result of the Boost Mobile Acquisition and acquired over 200,000 subscribers as a result of the Ting Mobile Acquisition. Our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 includes the results of the Boost Mobile Acquisition from July 1, 2020 and the Ting Mobile Acquisition from August 1, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, we had 8.894 million retail wireless subscribers.

Wireless – 5G Network Deployment

We have directly invested over $12 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses and related assets and made over $10 billion in non-controlling investments in certain entities, for a total of over $22 billion, as described further below. The $22 billion of investments related to wireless spectrum licenses does not include $6 billion of capitalized interest related to the carrying value of such licenses. See Note 2 for further information on capitalized interest.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

DISH Network Spectrum

We have directly invested over $12 billion to acquire certain wireless spectrum licenses and related assets. These wireless spectrum licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. We plan to commercialize our wireless spectrum licenses through our 5G Network Deployment. To that end, we have undertaken several key steps including identifying markets to build out, making executive and management hires and entering into agreements with key vendors. For example, on November 16, 2020, we announced a long-term agreement with Crown Castle pursuant to which Crown Castle will lease us space on up to 20,000 communication towers. As part of the agreement, we will also receive certain fiber transport services and have the option to utilize Crown Castle for pre-construction services. We have also entered into multiple long-term agreements with vendors including, among others, Amazon, American Tower, Fujitsu, Palo Alto and VMware for communication towers, radios, software, and network security. During December 2020, we completed a successful field validation, utilizing our fully-virtualized standalone 5G core network and the industry’s first O-RAN compliant radio. We began construction of our first major market, Las Vegas, Nevada, during the second quarter of 2021. We anticipate service for this market to begin by the end of the third quarter of 2021.

Prior to starting our 5G Network Deployment, we notified the FCC in March 2017 that we planned to deploy a narrowband IoT network on certain of these wireless licenses, which we expected to complete by March 2020, with subsequent phases to be completed thereafter. In light of, among other things, certain developments related to the Sprint-T-Mobile merger, during the first quarter 2020, we determined that the revision of certain of our build-out deadlines was probable and, therefore, we no longer intended to complete our narrowband IoT deployment. The FCC issued an Order effectuating the build-out deadline changes contemplated above on September 11, 2020. During the first quarter 2020, we impaired certain assets that would not be utilized in our 5G Network Deployment, resulting in a $253 million non-cash impairment charge in “Impairment of long-lived assets” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

We will need to make significant additional investments or partner with others to, among other things, complete our 5G Network Deployment and further commercialize, build-out and integrate these licenses and related assets and any additional acquired licenses and related assets, as well as to comply with regulations applicable to such licenses. Depending on the nature and scope of such activities, any such investments or partnerships could vary significantly. In addition, as we complete our 5G Network Deployment we will incur significant additional expenses and will have to make significant investments related to, among other things, research and development, wireless testing and wireless network infrastructure. We may also determine that additional wireless spectrum licenses may be required to complete our 5G Network Deployment and to compete with other wireless service providers. See Note 2 and Note 11 for further information.

DISH Network Non-Controlling Investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities Related to AWS-3 Wireless Spectrum Licenses

During 2015, through our wholly-owned subsidiaries American AWS-3 Wireless II L.L.C. (“American II”) and American AWS-3 Wireless III L.L.C. (“American III”), we initially made over $10 billion in certain non-controlling investments in Northstar Spectrum, LLC (“Northstar Spectrum”), the parent company of Northstar Wireless, L.L.C. (“Northstar Wireless,” and collectively with Northstar Spectrum, the “Northstar Entities”), and in SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC (“SNR HoldCo”), the parent company of SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC (“SNR Wireless,” and collectively with SNR HoldCo, the “SNR Entities”), respectively. On October 27, 2015, the FCC granted certain AWS-3 wireless spectrum licenses (the “AWS-3 Licenses”) to Northstar Wireless and to SNR Wireless, respectively, which are recorded in “FCC authorizations” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

Under the applicable accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), Northstar Spectrum and SNR HoldCo are considered variable interest entities and, based on the characteristics of the structure of these entities and in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we consolidate these entities into our financial statements. See Note 2 for further information.

The AWS-3 Licenses are subject to certain interim and final build-out requirements, as well as certain renewal requirements. The Northstar Entities and/or the SNR Entities may need to raise significant additional capital in the future, which may be obtained from third party sources or from us, so that the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities may commercialize, build-out and integrate these AWS-3 Licenses, comply with regulations applicable to such AWS-3 Licenses, and make any potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment for the AWS-3 licenses retained by the FCC. Depending upon the nature and scope of such commercialization, build-out and integration efforts, regulatory compliance, and potential Northstar Re-Auction Payment and SNR Re-Auction Payment, any loans, equity contributions or partnerships could vary significantly. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain a profitable return on our non-controlling investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities. See Note 11 for further information.

Recent Developments

Boost Mobile Acquisition

Asset Purchase Agreement

On July 26, 2019, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”) with T-Mobile and Sprint Corporation (“Sprint” and together with T-Mobile, the “Sellers” and given the consummation of the Sprint- T-Mobile merger, sometimes referred to as “NTM”) to acquire from NTM certain assets and liabilities associated with Sprint’s Boost Mobile and Sprint-branded prepaid mobile services businesses (the “Prepaid Business”) for an aggregate purchase price of $1.4 billion, as adjusted for specific categories of net working capital on the closing date (the “Boost Mobile Acquisition”). Effective July 1, 2020 (the “Closing Date”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the APA and in accordance with the Final Judgment (as defined below), we and T-Mobile completed the Boost Mobile Acquisition.

In connection with the Boost Mobile Acquisition and the consummation of the Sprint- T-Mobile merger, we, T-Mobile, Sprint, Deutsche Telekom AG (“DT”) and SoftBank Group Corporation (“SoftBank”) came to an agreement with the United States Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) on key terms and approval of the Transaction Agreements (as defined below) and our wireless service business and spectrum. On July 26, 2019, we, T-Mobile, Sprint, DT and SoftBank (collectively, the “Defendants”) entered into a Stipulation and Order (the “Stipulation and Order”) with the DOJ binding the Defendants to a Proposed Final Judgment (the “Proposed Final Judgment”) which memorialized the agreement between the DOJ and the Defendants. The Stipulation and Order and the Proposed Final Judgment were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (the “District Court”) on July 26, 2019 and on April 1, 2020, the Proposed Final Judgment was entered with the District Court (the Proposed Final Judgment as so entered with the District Court, the “Final Judgment”) and the Sellers consummated the Sprint- T-Mobile merger.

The term of the Final Judgment is seven years from the date of its entry with the District Court or five years if the DOJ gives notice that the divestitures, build-outs and other requirements have been completed to its satisfaction. A Monitoring Trustee has been appointed by the District Court. The Monitoring Trustee has the power and authority to monitor the Defendants’ compliance with the Final Judgment and settle disputes among the Defendants regarding compliance with the provisions of the Final Judgment and may recommend action to the DOJ in the event a party fails to comply with the Final Judgment. See Note 5 for further information on the Stipulation and Order and the Final Judgment, including our build-out commitments.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

Also in connection with the closing of the Boost Mobile Acquisition, we and T-Mobile entered into a transition services agreement under which we will receive certain transitional services (the “TSA”), a master network services agreement for the provision of network services by T-Mobile to us (the “MNSA”), an option agreement entitling us to acquire certain decommissioned cell sites and retail stores of T-Mobile (the “Option Agreement”) and an agreement under which we would purchase all of Sprint’s 800 MHz spectrum licenses, totaling approximately 13.5 MHz of nationwide wireless spectrum for an additional approximately $3.59 billion (the “Spectrum Purchase Agreement” and together with the APA, the TSA, the MNSA and the Option Agreement, the “Transaction Agreements”). See Note 5 for further information on the Transaction Agreements.

Ting Mobile Acquisition

On August 1, 2020, we completed an asset purchase agreement with Tucows Inc. (“Tucows”) pursuant to which we purchased the assets of Ting Mobile, including over 200,000 Ting Mobile subscribers (the “Ting Mobile Acquisition”). In addition, we entered into a services agreement pursuant to which Tucows will act as a mobile virtual network enabler for certain of our retail wireless subscribers. The consideration for the Ting Mobile Acquisition is an earn out provision and the fair value of the earn out provision has been assigned to a customer relationship intangible that is recorded in “Intangible assets, net” with the offset recorded in “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 5 for further information.

Republic Wireless Acquisition

On March 8, 2021, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Republic Wireless Inc. (“Republic Wireless”) pursuant to which certain assets and liabilities of Republic Wireless, including approximately 200,000 wireless subscribers will transfer to us at closing, subject to certain regulatory approvals. We expect closing to occur in the second quarter of 2021. The consideration for the Republic Wireless Acquisition will consist of an upfront cash payment and an earn-out provision.

We accounted for the Boost Mobile Acquisition and Ting Mobile Acquisition as business combinations. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their preliminary fair values as of the acquisition date and are consolidated into our financial statements. See Note 5 for further information.

2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements prepared under GAAP. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Our results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

Principles of Consolidation

We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and variable interest entities where we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary. Minority interests are recorded as noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. See below for further information. Non-consolidated investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, these equity securities are classified as either marketable investment securities or other investments and recorded at fair value with changes recognized in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Northstar Wireless. Northstar Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northstar Spectrum, which is an entity owned by Northstar Manager, LLC (“Northstar Manager”) and us. Under the applicable accounting guidance in ASC 810, Northstar Spectrum is considered a variable interest entity and, based on the characteristics of the structure of this entity and in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we consolidate Northstar Spectrum into our financial statements. The Northstar Operative Agreements, as amended, provide for, among other things, that Northstar Manager has the ability, but not the obligation, to require Northstar Spectrum to purchase Northstar Manager’s ownership interests in Northstar Spectrum (the “Northstar Put Right”) for a purchase price that equals its equity contribution to Northstar Spectrum plus a fixed annual rate of return. The First Northstar Put Window began in the fourth quarter 2020 and the Second Northstar Put Window will begin in the fourth quarter 2021.

Northstar Purchase Agreement. On December 30, 2020, through our wholly owned subsidiary American II, we entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Northstar Purchase Agreement”) with Northstar Manager and Northstar Spectrum, pursuant to which American II purchased 80% of Northstar Manager’s Class B Common Interests in Northstar Spectrum (the “Northstar Transaction”) for a purchase price of approximately $312 million. As a result of the Northstar Transaction, through American II, we hold 97% of the Class B Common Interests in Northstar Spectrum and Northstar Manager holds 3% of the Class B Common Interests in Northstar Spectrum. Other than the change in ownership percentage of Northstar Spectrum, the Northstar Transaction did not modify or amend in any way the existing arrangements between or among the Northstar parties. In the Northstar Purchase Agreement, Northstar Manager waived its right to exercise the Northstar Put Right under the First Northstar Put Window. Northstar Manager retains its right to exercise the Northstar Put Right during the Second Northstar Put Window.

In the event that the Northstar Put Right is exercised by Northstar Manager, the consummation of the sale will be subject to FCC approval. Northstar Spectrum does not have a call right with respect to Northstar Manager’s ownership interests in Northstar Spectrum. Although Northstar Manager is the sole manager of Northstar Spectrum, Northstar Manager’s ownership interest is considered temporary equity under the applicable accounting guidance and is thus recorded as part of “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” in the mezzanine section of our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Northstar Manager’s ownership interest in Northstar Spectrum was initially accounted for at fair value. Subsequently, Northstar Manager’s ownership interest in Northstar Spectrum is increased by the fixed annual rate of return through “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the offset recorded in “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The operating results of Northstar Spectrum attributable to Northstar Manager are recorded as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the offset recorded in “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 11 for further information.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

SNR Wireless. SNR Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNR HoldCo, which is an entity owned by SNR Wireless Management, LLC (“SNR Management”) and us. Under the applicable accounting guidance in ASC 810, SNR HoldCo is considered a variable interest entity and, based on the characteristics of the structure of this entity and in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, we consolidate SNR HoldCo into our financial statements. The SNR Operative Agreements, as amended, provide for, among other things, that SNR Management has the ability, but not the obligation, to require SNR HoldCo to purchase SNR Management’s ownership interests in SNR HoldCo (the “SNR Put Right”) for a purchase price that equals its equity contribution to SNR HoldCo plus a fixed annual rate of return. The First SNR Put Window began in the fourth quarter 2020, was not exercised and expired in January 2021. The Second SNR Put Window will begin in the fourth quarter 2021.

In the event that the SNR Put Right is exercised by SNR Management, the consummation of the sale will be subject to FCC approval. SNR HoldCo does not have a call right with respect to SNR Management’s ownership interests in SNR HoldCo. Although SNR Management is the sole manager of SNR HoldCo, SNR Management’s ownership interest is considered temporary equity under the applicable accounting guidance and is thus recorded as part of “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” in the mezzanine section of our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. SNR Management’s ownership interest in SNR HoldCo was initially accounted for at fair value. Subsequently, SNR Management’s ownership interest in SNR HoldCo is increased by the fixed annual rate of return through “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the offset recorded in “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The operating results of SNR HoldCo attributable to SNR Management are recorded as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the offset recorded in “Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 11 for further information.

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, Northstar Manager’s ownership interest in Northstar Spectrum and SNR Management’s ownership interest in SNR HoldCo was $362 million and $351 million, respectively, recorded as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, allowances for credit losses (including those related to our installment billing programs), self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of options granted under our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, the fair value of our option to purchase T-Mobile’s 800 MHz spectrum, relative standalone selling prices of performance obligations, finance leases, asset impairments, estimates of future cash flows used to evaluate and recognize impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets, independent third-party retailer incentives, programming expenses and subscriber lives. Economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they occur.

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review our long-lived assets and identifiable finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For assets which are held and used in operations, the asset would be impaired if the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeded its undiscounted future net cash flows. Once an impairment is determined, the actual impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value as estimated using one of the following approaches: income, cost and/or market. Assets which are to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flows from such asset or asset group is less than its carrying amount. In that event, a loss is recorded in “Impairment of long-lived assets” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group. Fair value, using the income approach, is determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model that uses the estimated cash flows associated with the asset or asset group under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Fair value, utilizing the cost approach, is determined based on the replacement cost of the asset reduced for, among other things, depreciation and obsolescence. Fair value, utilizing the market approach, benchmarks the fair value against the carrying amount.

DBS Satellites. We currently evaluate our DBS satellite fleet for impairment as one asset group whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. We do not believe any triggering event has occurred which would indicate impairment as of March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020. We will continue to monitor the DBS satellite fleet for indicators of impairment, including monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business.

AWS-4 Satellites. We historically have evaluated our AWS-4 satellite fleet for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. In light of, among other things, certain developments related to the Sprint-T-Mobile merger, during the first quarter 2020, we determined that revisions to the AWS-4 build-out deadlines were probable, which we determined to be a triggering event. Accordingly, we quantitatively assessed the value of the AWS-4 satellites (T1 and D1) and wrote down the fair value of the satellites to their estimated fair value of zero, resulting in a $103 million non-cash impairment charge in “Impairment of long-lived assets” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Narrowband IoT network. As discussed in Note 11, in March 2017 we notified the FCC that we planned to deploy a narrowband IoT network. In October 2019, we paused work on the narrowband IoT deployment. In light of, among other things, certain developments related to the Sprint-T-Mobile merger, during the first quarter 2020, we determined that the revision of certain of our build-out deadlines were probable. Based on this, we no longer intended to complete our narrowband IoT deployment, which we considered a triggering event. As such, during the first quarter 2020, we reviewed the capitalized costs of equipment, labor and other assets related to the narrowband IoT deployment, including our operating lease assets, and impaired those items that would not be utilized in our ongoing 5G Network Deployment, resulting in a $253 million non-cash impairment charge in “Impairment of long-lived assets” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

Impairment of long-lived assets recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2020 consisted of the following:


	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020
	(In thousands)
T1 satellite	$	48,120
D1 satellite		55,000
Construction in progress related to narrowband IoT deployment		226,742
Operating lease assets related to narrowband IoT deployment		26,556
Impairment of long-lived assets	$	356,418

Capitalized Interest

We capitalize interest associated with the acquisition or construction of certain assets, including, among other things, our wireless spectrum licenses, build-out costs associated with our 5G Network Deployment and satellites. Capitalization of interest begins when, among other things, steps are taken to prepare the asset for its intended use and ceases when the asset is ready for its intended use or when these activities are substantially suspended.

We are currently preparing for the commercialization of our wireless spectrum licenses, and Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless are also preparing for the commercialization of their AWS-3 Licenses. As a result, the interest expense related to the carrying amount of these wireless spectrum licenses is being capitalized. As the carrying amount of these wireless spectrum licenses exceeds the carrying value of our long-term debt and finance lease obligations, materially all of our interest expense is being capitalized.

Business Combinations

When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component using various valuation techniques, including the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach. The accounting standard for business combinations requires identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired to be recorded at acquisition date fair values. Transaction costs related to the acquisition of the business are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with the issuance of debt associated with a business combination are capitalized and included as a yield adjustment to the underlying debt’s stated rate.

Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless the lives are determined to be indefinite. Amortization of these intangible assets in general are recognized on a straight-line basis over an average finite useful life primarily ranging from approximately one to 20 years or in relation to the estimated discounted cash flows over the life of the intangible asset. See Note 5 for further information on the Boost Mobile Acquisition and Ting Mobile Acquisition.

Fair Value Measurements

We determine fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Market or observable inputs are the preferred source of values, followed by unobservable inputs or assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs. We apply the following hierarchy in determining fair value:

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

●

Level 1, defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;

●

Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and derivative financial instruments indexed to marketable investment securities; and

●

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other participants therefore requiring assumptions based on the best information available.

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable (net of allowance for credit losses) and current liabilities (excluding the “Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations”) was equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates. See Note 6 for the fair value of our marketable investment securities and derivative instruments.

Fair values for our publicly traded debt securities are based on quoted market prices, when available. The fair values of private debt are based on, among other things, available trade information, and/or an analysis in which we evaluate market conditions, related securities, various public and private offerings, and other publicly available information.

In performing this analysis, we make various assumptions regarding, among other things, credit spreads, and the impact of these factors on the value of the debt securities. See Note 10 for the fair value of our long-term debt.

Convertible Long-Term Debt

Historically, for embedded conversion features, we have valued and bifurcated the conversion option associated with convertible notes (the “equity component”) from the host debt instrument. The initial value of the equity component on the convertible notes was recorded in “Additional paid-in capital” within “Stockholders’ equity (deficit)” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets with the offset recorded as the debt discount. In accordance with ASU 2020-06 Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020-06”), which we adopted during the first quarter of 2021, the equity component related to our convertible notes of $1.051 billion has been reclassified from “Additional paid-in capital” within “Stockholders’ equity (deficit)” to “Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current portion” and the associated deferred taxes of $246 million has been reclassified from “Additional paid-in capital” within “Stockholders’ equity (deficit)” to “Deferred tax liabilities” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Assets Recognized Related to the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Subscriber

We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a subscriber if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales incentive programs in both our Pay-TV and Wireless segments, including those with our independent third-party retailers, meet the requirements to be capitalized, and payments made under these programs are capitalized and amortized to expense over the estimated subscriber life. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, we capitalized $103 million and $38 million, respectively, under these programs. The amortization expense related to these programs was $75 million and $27 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had a total of $484 million and $456 million, respectively, capitalized on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts are capitalized in “Other current assets” and “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and then amortized in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Table of Contents

DISH NETWORK CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

(Unaudited)

Advertising Costs

We recognize advertising expense when incurred as a component of selling, general and administrative expense. Advertising expenses totaled $110 million and $131 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Research and development costs totaled $7 million and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

3.Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share

We present both basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS. Basic EPS excludes potential dilution and is computed by dividing “Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network” by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock awards were exercised and if our Convertible Notes were converted. The potential dilution from stock awards is accounted for using the treasury stock method based on the average market value of our Class A common stock. The potential dilution from conversion of the Convertible Notes is accounted for using the if-converted method, which requires that all of the shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes will be included in the calculation of diluted EPS assuming conversion of the Convertible Notes at the beginning of the reporting period (or at time of issuance, if later).

The following table presents EPS amounts for all periods and the basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding used in the calculation.


		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2021