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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 29, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	EchoStar CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001415404
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Class A common stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,526,754
Class B common stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		47,687,039

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 591,506	$ 549,053
Marketable investment securities	1,124,087	1,139,103
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,796 and $14,188, respectively	153,410	163,232
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	275,209	251,669
Inventory	71,069	62,963
Prepaid expenses	68,814	67,164
Deferred tax assets	78,503	87,208
Other current assets	7,542	7,699
Total current assets	2,370,140	2,328,091
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities	19,991	18,945
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,727,698 and $2,899,353, respectively	3,249,081	3,194,793
Regulatory authorizations, net	553,858	568,378
Goodwill	510,630	510,630
Other intangible assets, net	178,691	195,662
Other investments	158,213	159,962
Other receivable - DISH Network	90,449	90,241
Other noncurrent assets, net	185,578	187,296
Total noncurrent assets	4,946,491	4,925,907
Total assets	7,316,631	7,253,998
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	219,296	188,282
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	36,283	32,474
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	31,475	41,912
Deferred revenue and prepayments	64,673	71,708
Accrued compensation	32,913	32,117
Accrued royalties	22,683	27,590
Accrued interest	44,065	8,905
Accrued expenses and other	103,882	114,745
Total current liabilities	555,270	517,733
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion	2,320,078	2,325,775
Deferred tax liabilities	684,709	679,524
Other noncurrent liabilities	104,761	107,328
Total noncurrent liabilities	3,109,548	3,112,627
Total liabilities	3,664,818	3,630,360
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders' Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	3,731,890	3,706,122
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(81,047)	(55,856)
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	10,358	(19,040)
Treasury stock, at cost	(98,162)	(98,162)
Total EchoStar stockholders' equity	3,563,143	3,533,168
Noncontrolling interest in HSS Tracking Stock	78,288	80,457
Other noncontrolling interests	10,382	10,013
Total stockholders' equity	3,651,813	3,623,638
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	7,316,631	7,253,998
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	50	50
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	48	48
Class C common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock
Class D common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock
Preferred Stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock	$ 6	$ 6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable (in dollars)	$ 13,796	$ 14,188
Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - DISH Network (in dollars)	0	0
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation (in dollars)	$ 2,727,698	$ 2,899,353
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	4,000,000,000	4,000,000,000
Class A common stock
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,600,000,000	1,600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	50,050,709	49,576,247
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	44,518,391	44,043,929
Class B common stock
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	47,687,039	47,687,039
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	47,687,039	47,687,039
Class C common stock
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Class D common stock
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Preferred Stock
Current Assets:
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Current Assets:
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	13,000,000	13,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	6,290,499	6,290,499
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	6,290,499	6,290,499

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	$ 223,959	$ 305,682
Equipment revenue - other	79,136	68,930
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	222,804	184,564
Services and other revenue - other	272,754	266,847
Total revenue	798,653	826,023
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	260,223	320,670
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	208,240	210,093
Selling, general and administrative expenses	97,928	87,632
Research and development expenses	17,872	14,582
Depreciation and amortization	133,185	133,226
Total costs and expenses	717,448	766,203
Operating income	81,205	59,820
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	2,611	2,598
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(35,308)	(46,044)
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments (includes reclassification of realized gains on available-for-sale ("AFS") securities out of accumulated other comprehensive loss of $9 and $28, respectively), net	9	28
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net	(53)	(1,851)
Other, net	(2,465)	636
Total other expense, net	(35,206)	(44,633)
Income before income taxes	45,999	15,187
Income tax provision, net	(18,401)	(3,157)
Net Income	27,598	12,030
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in HSS Tracking Stock	(2,169)	(324)
Less: Net income attributable to other noncontrolling interests	369	299
Net income attributable to EchoStar	29,398	12,055
Less: Net loss attributable to Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 2)	(4,004)	(598)
Net income attributable to EchoStar common stock	$ 33,402	$ 12,653
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	91,969	90,689
Diluted (in shares)	93,357	92,336
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.14
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.14
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income	$ 27,598	$ 12,030
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(26,400)	4,507
Unrealized gains on AFS securities and other	1,218	749
Recognition of previously unrealized gains on AFS securities in net income	(9)	(28)
Total other comprehensive income ( loss), net of tax	(25,191)	5,228
Comprehensive income	2,407	17,258
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in HSS Tracking Stock	(2,169)	(324)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to other noncontrolling interests	369	534
Comprehensive income attributable to EchoStar	$ 4,207	$ 17,048

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Recognition of previously unrealized gains on AFS securities out of accumulated other comprehensive loss in net income	$ 9	$ 28

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 27,598	$ 12,030
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	133,185	133,226
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates, net	53	1,851
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net	(9)	(28)
Stock-based compensation	4,175	3,557
Deferred tax provision	17,871	22
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	31,730	47,824
Changes in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net	1,411	(7,134)
Other, net	5,548	10,124
Net cash flows from operating activities	221,562	201,472
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(250,861)	(299,563)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	269,588	285,985
Purchases of property and equipment	(177,802)	(113,625)
Changes in restricted cash and marketable investment securities	(1,046)	(2,967)
Acquisition of regulatory authorizations	(3,428)
Purchase of strategic investments	(9)	(16)
Other, net	(4,929)	(2,818)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(168,487)	(133,004)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(16,508)	(18,528)
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	8,039	5,588
Net proceeds from issuance of Tracking Stock (Note 2)		10,720
Other	3,521	514
Net cash flows from financing activities	(4,948)	(1,706)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(5,674)	1,126
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	42,453	67,888
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	549,053	634,119
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	591,506	702,007
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	10,848	11,933
Capitalized interest	12,485	3,209
Cash paid for income taxes	1,608	3,487
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	10,711	10,310
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	2,682	1,292
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	(4,485)	30,193
Net noncash assets transferred from DISH Network in exchange for Tracking Stock (Note 2)		$ 398,095
Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites	$ 4,500

Organization and Business Activities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Organization and Business Activities

Organization and Business Activities

Note 1.Organization and Business Activities

Principal Business

EchoStar Corporation (which, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “EchoStar,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) is a holding company that was organized in October 2007 as a corporation under the laws of the State of Nevada. We are a global provider of satellite operations, video delivery solutions, digital set-top boxes, and broadband satellite technologies and services for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments. Our Class A common stock is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “SATS.”

We currently operate in three business segments.

EchoStar Technologies (“ETC”) — which designs, develops and distributes digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers and telecommunication companies. Our EchoStar Technologies segment also provides digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management, and other services, primarily to DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries (“DISH Network”). In addition, we provide our TVEverywhere technology through Slingboxes directly to consumers via retail outlets and online, as well as to the payTV operator market. Beginning in 2015, this segment also includes, Move Network, our live linear over-the-top platform (“OTT”) business, which includes assets acquired from Sling TV Holding L.L.C. (formerly DISH Digital Holding L.L.C), and primarily provides support services to DISH Network’s Sling TV operations.

Hughes — which provides satellite broadband internet access to North American consumers, and broadband network services and equipment to domestic and international enterprise markets. The Hughes segment also provides managed services to large enterprises and solutions to customers for mobile satellite systems.

EchoStar Satellite Services (“ESS”) — which uses certain of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related licenses to provide satellite services on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”), a joint venture we entered into in 2008, United States (“U.S.”) government service providers, internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers, and private enterprise customers.

Our operations also include real estate and other activities that have not been assigned to our operating segments including without limitation, costs incurred in certain satellite development programs and other business development activities, expenses of various corporate departments, and our centralized treasury operations, including without limitation, income from our investment portfolio and interest expense on our debt. These activities are accounted for in the “All Other and Eliminations” column in Note 15. Segment Reporting of our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In 2008, DISH Network completed its distribution to us of its digital set-top box business, certain infrastructure, and other assets and related liabilities, including certain of their satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, and real estate (the “Spin-off”). Since the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies. However, as a result of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction, described in Note 2 below, DISH Network owns shares of our and our subsidiary’s preferred tracking stock representing an aggregate 80.0% economic interest in the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment. In addition, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of DISH Network and EchoStar is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

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+ Details

Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock	3 Months Ended
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock	Mar. 31, 2015
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock	Note 2.Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction On February 20, 2014, EchoStar entered into agreements with certain subsidiaries of DISH Network pursuant to which, effective March 1, 2014, (i) EchoStar issued shares of its newly authorized Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (the “EchoStar Tracking Stock”) and Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (“HSS”), a subsidiary of EchoStar, also issued shares of its newly authorized Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (the “HSS Tracking Stock” and together with the EchoStar Tracking Stock, the “Tracking Stock”) to DISH Network in exchange for five satellites (EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI, and EchoStar XIV), including the assumption of related in-orbit incentive obligations, and $11.4 million in cash and (ii) DISH Network began receiving certain satellite services on these five satellites from us (the “Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction”). The Tracking Stock tracks the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment, including certain operations, assets and liabilities attributed to such business (collectively, the “Hughes Retail Group” or “HRG”). EchoStar and HSS have adopted policy statements (the “Policy Statements”) setting forth management and allocation policies for purposes of attributing all of the business and operations of EchoStar to either the Hughes Retail Group or the “EchoStar Group,” which is defined as all other operations of EchoStar, including all existing and future businesses, other than the Hughes Retail Group. Among other things, the Policy Statements govern how assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses are attributed or allocated between HRG and the EchoStar Group. Such attributions and allocations generally do not affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements, except for the attribution of stockholders’ equity and net income or loss between the holders of Tracking Stock and common stock. The Policy Statements also do not significantly affect the way that management assesses operating performance and allocates resources within our Hughes segment. We provide unaudited attributed financial information for HRG and the EchoStar Group in an exhibit to our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a description of the rights and obligations of EchoStar, HSS and DISH Network with respect to the Tracking Stock, the initial recording of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction and the satellites received from DISH Network as part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction. Set forth below is information about certain terms of the Tracking Stock. Description of the Tracking Stock Tracking stock is a type of capital stock that the issuing company intends to reflect or “track” the economic performance of a particular business component within the company, rather than reflect the economic performance of the company as a whole. The Tracking Stock is intended to track the economic performance of the Hughes Retail Group. The shares of the Tracking Stock issued to DISH Network represent an aggregate 80.0% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group (51.89% issued as EchoStar Tracking Stock and 28.11% issued as HSS Tracking Stock). In addition to the remaining 20.0% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group, EchoStar retains all economic interest in the wholesale satellite broadband business and other businesses of EchoStar. The Hughes Retail Group is not a separate legal entity and therefore cannot own assets, issue securities or enter into legally binding agreements. Holders of the Tracking Stock have no direct claim to the assets of the Hughes Retail Group; rather, holders of the Tracking Stock are stockholders of its respective issuer (EchoStar or HSS) and are subject to all risks and liabilities of the issuer. Holders of shares of the Tracking Stock vote with holders of the outstanding shares of common stock of its respective issuer, as a single class, with respect to any and all matters presented to stockholders for their action or consideration. Each share of the Tracking Stock is entitled to one-tenth (1/10th) of one vote. The EchoStar Tracking Stock is a series of preferred stock consisting of 13,000,000 authorized shares with a par value of $0.001 per share, of which 6,290,499 shares were issued to DISH Network on March 1, 2014. The HSS Tracking Stock is a series of HSS preferred stock consisting of 300 authorized shares with a par value of $0.001 per share, of which 81.128 shares were issued to DISH Network on March 1, 2014.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 3.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 U.S. (“GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements prepared in accordance with 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 Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Principles of Consolidation

We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling interest and variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary. For entities we control but do not wholly own, we record a noncontrolling interest within stockholders’ equity for the portion of the entity’s equity attributed to the noncontrolling ownership interests. For the noncontrolling interest in the HSS Tracking Stock (see Note 2), we periodically attribute a portion of HSS net income or loss to the noncontrolling interest in HSS Tracking Stock with such portion equal to the 28.11% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group represented by the HSS Tracking Stock, as determined in accordance with the Policy Statements and other documents governing the Tracking Stock. We use the equity method to account for investments in entities that we do not control but 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 the investee, the cost method is used. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheets, the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period, and certain information disclosed in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, amortization periods for deferred revenue and deferred subscriber acquisition costs, revenue recognition using the percentage-of-completion method, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowances for sales returns and rebates, warranty obligations, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of awards granted under our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, lease classifications, asset impairments, useful lives and methods for depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangible assets, goodwill impairment testing, royalty obligations, and allocations that affect the periodic determination of net income or loss attributable to the Tracking Stock. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience, observable market inputs and on various other factors that we believe to be relevant under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Weakened economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above. We review our estimates and assumptions periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period they occur or prospectively if the revised estimate affects future periods.

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 utilize the highest level of inputs available according to the following hierarchy in determining fair value:

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 model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with characteristics of the asset or liability that would be considered by market participants in a transaction to purchase or sell the asset or liability.

Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are considered to occur at the beginning of the quarterly accounting period. There were no transfers between levels for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, accounts payable and accrued liabilities were equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates.

Fair values of our current marketable investment securities are based on a variety of observable market inputs. For our investments in publicly traded equity securities and U.S. government securities, fair value ordinarily is determined based on a Level 1 measurement that reflects quoted prices for identical securities in active markets. Fair values of our investments in other marketable debt securities generally are based on Level 2 measurements, as the markets for such debt securities are less active. Trades of identical debt securities on or near the measurement date are considered a strong indication of fair value. Matrix pricing techniques that consider par value, coupon rate, credit quality, maturity and other relevant features also may be used to determine fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities.

Fair values for our publicly traded long-term debt are based on quoted market prices in less active markets and are categorized as Level 2 measurements. The fair values of our privately held debt are Level 2 measurements and are estimated to approximate their carrying amounts based on the proximity of their interest rates to current market rates. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair values of our in-orbit incentive obligations, based on measurements categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, approximated their carrying amounts of $85.1 million and $85.8 million, respectively. We use fair value measurements from time-to-time in connection with impairment testing and the assignment of purchase consideration to assets and liabilities of acquired companies. Those fair value measurements typically include significant unobservable inputs and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Research and Development

The portion of our cost of sales, consisting of research and development funded by customers was approximately $14.8 million and $16.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, we incurred $17.9 million and $14.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for research and development expenses not funded by customers, as reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Capitalized Software Costs

Development costs related to software for internal use and externally marketed software are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, not in excess of five years. Capitalized costs of internal-use software are included in “Property and equipment, net” and capitalized costs of externally marketed software are included in “Other noncurrent assets, net” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Externally marketed software is generally included in the equipment we sell to customers. We conduct software program reviews for externally marketed capitalized software costs at least annually, or as events and circumstances warrant such a review, to determine if capitalized software development costs are recoverable and to ensure that costs associated with programs that are no longer generating revenue are expensed. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the net carrying amount of externally marketed software was $51.9 million and $48.9 million, respectively. We capitalized $5.0 million of costs related to development of externally marketed software for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded $1.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of amortization expense relating to our externally marketed software.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). It outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods, and may be applied either retrospectively to prior periods or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Early adoption was not permitted. In April 2015, the FASB proposed an Accounting Standards Update that would defer for one year the effective date of the new revenue standard and also proposed to permit entities to early adopt the standard. Management has not selected a transition method and is assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). This standard amends the consolidation guidance for variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and general partners’ investments in limited partnerships and similar entities. ASU 2015-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods, and requires either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, (“ASU 2015-03”). This standard requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods, and requires a retrospective approach to adoption. Early adoption is permitted. Based on our preliminary assessment, upon adoption of this standard, we expect to present unamortized deferred costs in other noncurrent assets with a carrying amount of $37.5 million and $39.1 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, as a reduction of our long-term debt balances. We do not expect to adopt this standard prior to the effective date.

Earnings per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

Note 4.Earnings per Share

We present basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS for our Class A and Class B common stock. The EchoStar Tracking Stock is a participating security that shares in our consolidated earnings and therefore, effective March 1, 2014, the issuance date of the EchoStar Tracking Stock, we apply the two-class method to calculate EPS. Under the two-class method, we allocate net income or loss attributable to EchoStar between common stock and the EchoStar Tracking Stock considering both dividends declared on each class of stock and the participation rights of each class of stock in undistributed earnings. Based on the 51.89% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group, currently outstanding as the EchoStar Tracking Stock, we allocate undistributed earnings to the EchoStar Tracking Stock based on 51.89% of the attributed net income or loss of the Hughes Retail Group. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we allocated a net loss of $4.0 million and $0.6 million to the EchoStar Tracking Stock, respectively, reflecting DISH Network’s 51.89% economic interest (represented by the EchoStar Tracking Stock) in the net loss of the Hughes Retail Group. Moreover, because the reported amount of “Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) excludes DISH Network’s 28.11% economic interest (represented by the HSS Tracking Stock) in the net loss of the Hughes Retail Group (reported as a noncontrolling interest), the amount of consolidated net income or loss allocated to holders of Class A and Class B common stock effectively excludes an aggregate 80.0% interest in the attributed net loss of the Hughes Retail Group.

Basic EPS for our Class A and Class B common stock excludes potential dilution and is computed by dividing “Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar” by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if our common stock awards were exercised. The potential dilution from common stock awards was computed using the treasury stock method based on the average market value of our Class A common stock during the period. The calculation of our diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding excluded options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, whose effect would be anti-dilutive, of 1.2 million and 0.7 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the calculation also excluded 0.7 million shares of our Class A common stock that were issuable pursuant to our performance based stock incentive plan contingent upon meeting a company-specific performance measure by March 31, 2015, that was not achieved and which resulted in the expiration of such shares as of March 31, 2015.

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

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to EchoStar	$	29,398		$	12,055
Net loss attributable to EchoStar Tracking Stock	(4,004		)	(598		)
Net income attributable to EchoStar common stock	$	33,402		$	12,653

Weighted-average common shares outstanding :
Class A and B common stock:
Basic	91,969			90,689
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding	1,388			1,647
Diluted	93,357			92,336

Earnings per share:
Class A and B common stock:
Basic	$	0.36		$	0.14
Diluted	$	0.36		$	0.14

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects	Note 5.Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects We have not recognized any tax effects on foreign currency translation adjustments because they are not expected to result in future taxable income or deductions. We have not recognized any tax effects on unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities because such gains or losses would affect the amount of existing capital loss carryforwards for which the related deferred tax asset has been fully offset by a valuation allowance. Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes cumulative foreign currency translation losses of $90.2 million and $63.8 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Investment Securities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Investment Securities.

Investment Securities

Note 6.Investment Securities

Our marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments consisted of the following:

	As of
	March 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Marketable investment securities—current:
Corporate bonds	$	1,052,390	$	1,049,139
Strategic equity securities	41,962		41,705
Other	29,735		48,259
Total marketable investment securities—current	1,124,087		1,139,103
Restricted marketable investment securities (1)	11,778		11,712
Total	1,135,865		1,150,815

Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)	8,213		7,233

Other investments—noncurrent:
Cost method	31,174		31,174
Equity method	127,039		128,788
Total other investments—noncurrent	158,213		159,962
Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments	$	1,302,291	$	1,318,010

(1)

Restricted marketable investment securities and restricted cash and cash equivalents are included in “Restricted cash and marketable investment securities” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Marketable Investment Securities

Our marketable investment securities portfolio consists of various debt and equity instruments, all of which are classified as available-for-sale.

Corporate Bonds

Our corporate bond portfolio includes debt instruments issued by individual corporations, primarily in the industrial and financial services industries.

Strategic Equity Securities

Our strategic investment portfolio consists of investments in shares of common stock of public companies, which are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience volatility. The value of our investment portfolio depends on the value of such shares of common stock.

Other

Our other current marketable investment securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments, including U.S. government bonds and variable rate demand notes.

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, our restricted marketable investment securities, together with our restricted cash, included amounts required as collateral for our letters of credit or surety bonds.

Other Investments - Noncurrent

We have several strategic investments in certain non-publicly traded equity securities that are accounted for using either the equity or the cost method of accounting. Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are not publicly traded depends on the success of those companies’ businesses and their ability to obtain sufficient capital to execute their business plans. Because private markets are not as liquid as public markets, there is also increased risk that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that when we desire to sell them we will not be able to obtain fair value for them.

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities

The components of our available-for-sale investments are summarized in the table below.

	Amortized		Unrealized					Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of March 31, 2015
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	1,053,234	$	99	$	(943	)	$	1,052,390
Other (including restricted)	41,494		19		—			41,513
Equity securities - strategic	32,081		11,816		(1,935		)	41,962
Total marketable investment securities	$	1,126,809	$	11,934	$	(2,878	)	$	1,135,865
As of December 31, 2014
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	1,050,803	$	33	$	(1,697	)	$	1,049,139
Other (including restricted)	59,977		1		(7		)	59,971
Equity securities - strategic	32,081		12,849		(3,225		)	41,705
Total marketable investment securities	$	1,142,861	$	12,883	$	(4,929	)	$	1,150,815

As of March 31, 2015, restricted and non-restricted marketable investment securities included debt securities of $942.5 million with contractual maturities of one year or less and $151.4 million with contractual maturities greater than one year. We may realize proceeds from certain investments prior to their contractual maturity as a result of our ability to sell these securities prior to their contractual maturity.

Marketable Investment Securities in a Loss Position

The following table reflects the length of time that our available-for-sale securities have been in an unrealized loss position. We do not intend to sell these securities before they recover or mature, and it is more likely than not that we will hold these securities until they recover or mature. We believe that these changes in the estimated fair values of these securities are primarily related to temporary market conditions.

	As of
	March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Less than 12 months	$	848,813	$	(2,875	)	$	968,941	$	(4,929	)
12 months or more	14,000		(3		)	—		—
Total	$	862,813	$	(2,878	)	$	968,941	$	(4,929	)

Sales of Marketable Investment Securities

We recognized minimal gains from the sales of our available-for-sale marketable investment securities for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. We recognized minimal and zero losses from the sales of our available-for-sale marketable investment securities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Proceeds from sales of our available-for-sale marketable investment securities totaled $87.1 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Our current marketable investment securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as summarized in the table below. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we did not have investments that were categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

	As of
	March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2
	(In thousands)
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	$	493,842	$	122,072	$	371,770	$	437,886	$	58,108	$	379,778
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	1,052,390	$	—	$	1,052,390	$	1,049,139	$	—	$	1,049,139
Other (including restricted)	41,513		5,600		35,913		59,971		5,630		54,341
Equity securities - strategic	41,962		41,962		—		41,705		41,705		—
Total marketable investment securities	$	1,135,865	$	47,562	$	1,088,303	$	1,150,815	$	47,335	$	1,103,480

Trade Accounts Receivable

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade Accounts Receivable

Note 7.Trade Accounts Receivable

Our trade accounts receivable consisted of the following:

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable	$	142,706		$	160,886
Contracts in process, net	24,500			16,534
Total trade accounts receivable	167,206			177,420
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(13,796		)	(14,188		)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	275,209			251,669
Total trade accounts receivable, net	$	428,619		$	414,901

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, progress billings offset against contracts in process amounted to $2.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

Inventory

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Inventory

Inventory

Note 8.Inventory

Our inventory consisted of the following:

	As of
	March 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Finished goods	$	52,968	$	49,038
Raw materials	7,863		6,192
Work-in-process	10,238		7,733
Total inventory	$	71,069	$	62,963

Property and Equipment

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Note 9.Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

	Depreciable	As of
	Life	March 31,			December 31,
	(In Years)	2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Land	—	$	42,885		$	42,826
Buildings and improvements	1-40	376,333			375,920
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	1-12	1,226,213			1,223,807
Customer rental equipment	2-4	527,043			498,180
Satellites - owned	2-15	2,381,120			2,381,120
Satellites acquired under capital leases	10-15	665,518			935,104
Construction in progress	—	757,667			637,189
Total property and equipment		5,976,779			6,094,146
Accumulated depreciation		(2,727,698		)	(2,899,353		)
Property and equipment, net		$	3,249,081		$	3,194,793

Construction in progress consisted of the following:

		As of
		March 31,		December 31,
	Segment	2015		2014
		(In thousands)
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch costs:
EchoStar XIX	Other	$	365,813	$	341,082
EchoStar XXI	Other	135,510		120,764
EchoStar XXIII	Other	83,701		63,072
EchoStar 105/SES-11	ESS	62,124		28,470
EUTELSAT 65 West A	Hughes	30,600		26,049
Other	Other/ESS	4,440		4,440
Uplinking equipment	ETC/Hughes	47,354		34,270
Other	ETC/Hughes/ESS	28,125		19,042
Construction in progress		$	757,667	$	637,189

Depreciation expense associated with our property and equipment consisted of the following:

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Satellites	$	49,087	$	47,563
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	30,503		29,891
Customer rental equipment	30,187		27,892
Buildings and improvements	3,395		3,530
Total depreciation expense	$	113,172	$	108,876

Satellites

As of March 31, 2015, we utilized 19 of our owned and leased satellites in geosynchronous orbit, approximately 22,300 miles above the equator. We depreciate our owned satellites on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each satellite. Two of our satellites are accounted for as capital leases and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the terms of the satellite service agreements. Three of our satellites are accounted for as operating leases.

Recent Developments

AMC-15 and AMC-16. In August 2014, in connection with the execution of agreements related to EchoStar 105/SES-11, we entered into amendments that extend the terms of our existing agreements with SES for satellite services on AMC-15 and AMC-16. As amended, the term of our agreement for satellite services on certain transponders on AMC-15 was extended from December 2014 through the in-service date of EchoStar 105/SES-11. The amended agreement for the AMC-16 satellite services extends the term for the satellite’s entire communications capacity, subject to available power, for one year following expiration of the initial term in February 2015. The extended terms of these agreements are being accounted for as operating leases.

Satellite Anomalies

Certain of our satellites have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on their remaining useful lives and/or the commercial operation of the satellites. There can be no assurance that existing and future anomalies will not further impact the remaining useful life and/or the commercial operation of any of the satellites in our fleet. In addition, there can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail. We generally do not carry in-orbit insurance on our satellites; therefore, we generally bear the risk of any uninsured in-orbit failures. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing certain portions of our indebtedness, we are required, subject to certain limitations on coverage, to maintain launch and in-orbit insurance for SPACEWAY 3, EchoStar XVI, and EchoStar XVII. In addition, although we are not required to maintain in-orbit insurance pursuant to our service agreement with DISH Network for EchoStar XV, we are liable for any damage caused by our use of the satellite and therefore we carry third-party insurance on EchoStar XV.

We have previously disclosed in our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 anomalies in prior years that affect our in-service owned and leased satellites, including EchoStar III, EchoStar VI, EchoStar VIII, EchoStar XII, and AMC-16. We are not aware of any additional anomalies that have occurred with respect to any of our owned or leased satellites in 2015 as of the date of this report that affected the commercial operation of these satellites. EchoStar III and EchoStar VI are fully depreciated and EchoStar III is being used as an in-orbit spare; accordingly, the prior anomalies affecting these satellites have not had a significant effect on our operating results and cash flows. EchoStar XII has experienced several anomalies, which have resulted in a loss of electrical power. Those anomalies have not had a significant adverse impact on service under the related satellite services agreement with DISH Network for EchoStar XII; however, the anomalies have increased the risk of future transponder failures that could result in reductions in our revenue.

Satellite Impairments

We evaluate our satellites for impairment and test for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Certain of the anomalies previously disclosed, may be considered to represent a significant adverse change in the physical condition of a particular satellite. However, based on the redundancy designed within each satellite, certain of these anomalies are not necessarily considered to be significant events that would require a test of recoverability.

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets

Note 10.Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair values of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets at the time of the acquisition is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is assigned to our reporting units of our operating segments and is subject to impairment testing annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than its carrying amount.

As of March 31, 2015, approximately $504.2 million of our goodwill was assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment. We test this goodwill for impairment annually in the second quarter.

In August 2014, we and DISH Digital Holding L.L.C. (“DISH Digital”) entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, DISH Digital distributed certain assets to us, including an OTT business with associated goodwill of $6.5 million. See Note 16 for a description of the Exchange Agreement. Prior to 2015, our OTT business was managed separately from our operating segments and was not integrated into any of our existing reporting units. As further described in Note 15, this OTT business is now managed as a separate reporting unit within our EchoStar Technologies segment. We expect to conduct our annual test of goodwill associated with this business in the third quarter of 2015.

Regulatory Authorizations

Regulatory authorizations included amounts with finite and indefinite useful lives, as follows:

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Finite useful lives:
Cost	$	89,175		$	103,499
Accumulated amortization	(6,974		)	(6,778		)
Net	82,201			96,721
Indefinite lives	471,657			471,657
Total regulatory authorizations, net	$	553,858		$	568,378

Other Intangible Assets

Our other intangible assets, which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following:

	Weighted	As of
	Average	March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	Useful life			Accumulated			Carrying				Accumulated			Carrying
	(in Years)	Cost		Amortization			Amount		Cost		Amortization			Amount
		(In thousands)
Customer relationships	8	$	293,932	$	(192,431	)	$	101,501	$	293,932	$	(185,393	)	$	108,539
Contract-based	10	255,366		(238,676		)	16,690		255,366		(233,009		)	22,357
Technology-based	7	140,837		(104,540		)	36,297		140,837		(100,940		)	39,897
Trademark portfolio	20	29,700		(5,693		)	24,007		29,700		(5,321		)	24,379
Favorable leases	4	4,707		(4,511		)	196		4,707		(4,217		)	490
Total other intangible assets		$	724,542	$	(545,851	)	$	178,691	$	724,542	$	(528,880	)	$	195,662

Customer relationships are amortized predominantly in relation to the expected contribution of cash flow to the business over the life of the intangible asset. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods the assets are expected to contribute to our cash flows. Amortization expense, including amortization of regulatory authorizations with finite lives and externally marketed capitalized software, was $20.0 million and $24.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Note 11.Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and fair values of our debt:

	As of
	March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Carrying			Fair		Carrying			Fair
	Amount			Value		Amount			Value
	(In thousands)
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019	$	1,100,000		$	1,203,422	$	1,100,000		$	1,177,000
7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021	900,000			994,500		900,000			994,500
Other	1,807			1,807		1,240			1,240
Subtotal	2,001,807			$	2,199,729	2,001,240			$	2,172,740
Capital lease obligations	349,746					366,447
Total debt and capital lease obligations	2,351,553					2,367,687
Less: Current portion	(31,475		)			(41,912		)
Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations	$	2,320,078				$	2,325,775

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	Note 12.Income Taxes Our tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if our estimated tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment. Our quarterly tax provision, and our quarterly estimate of our annual effective tax rate, is subject to significant volatility due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting our pre-tax and taxable income and loss and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, income and losses from investments, changes in tax laws and relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized. Additionally, our effective tax rate can be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income. For example, the impact of discrete items and non-deductible expenses on our effective tax rate is greater when our pre-tax income is lower. Income tax expense was approximately $18.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Our effective income tax rate was 40.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to 20.8% for the same period in 2014. The variation in our current year effective tax rate from the U.S. federal statutory rate for the current period was primarily due to the increase in our valuation allowance associated with certain foreign losses as well as realized and unrealized losses that are capital in nature for tax purposes, partially offset by research and experimentation tax credits. For the same period in 2014, the variation in our effective tax rate from the U.S. federal statutory rate was primarily due to research and experimentation tax credits, the increase in our valuation allowance associated with realized and unrealized losses that are capital in nature for tax purposes, and a lower state effective tax rate.

Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 13.Stock-Based Compensation

We maintain stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees. Stock awards under these plans include both performance based and non-performance based stock incentives. We granted stock options to our employees to acquire 82,000 and 190,000 shares of our Class A common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Our stock-based compensation expense was recorded in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) as follows:

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Research and development expenses	$	762	$	592
Selling, general and administrative expenses	3,413		2,965
Total stock-based compensation	$	4,175	$	3,557

As of March 31, 2015, total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to our unvested stock awards was $34.7 million.

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 14.Commitments and Contingencies Commitments As of March 31, 2015, our satellite-related obligations were approximately $1.18 billion. Our satellite-related obligations primarily include payments pursuant to agreements for the construction of the EchoStar XIX, EchoStar XXI, EchoStar XXIII, EUTELSAT 65 West A and EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellites, payments pursuant to launch services contracts and regulatory authorizations, executory costs for our capital lease satellites, costs under satellite service agreements and in-orbit incentives relating to certain satellites, as well as commitments for long-term satellite operating leases and satellite service arrangements. Contingencies Separation Agreement In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a separation agreement with DISH Network that provides, among other things, for the division of certain liabilities, including liabilities resulting from litigation. Under the terms of the separation agreement, we have assumed certain liabilities that relate to our business, including certain designated liabilities for acts or omissions that occurred prior to the Spin-off. Certain specific provisions govern intellectual property related claims under which, generally, we will only be liable for our acts or omissions following the Spin-off and DISH Network will indemnify us for any liabilities or damages resulting from intellectual property claims relating to the period prior to the Spin-off, as well as DISH Network’s acts or omissions following the Spin-off. Litigation We are involved in a number of legal proceedings (including those described below) concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our business activities. Many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages, and many of these proceedings seek an indeterminate amount of damages. We regularly evaluate the status of the legal proceedings in which we are involved to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or an additional loss may have been incurred and to determine if accruals are appropriate. If accruals are not appropriate, we further evaluate each legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of the possible loss or range of possible loss can be made. We record an accrual for litigation and other loss contingencies when we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal fees and other costs of defending litigation are charged to expense as incurred. For certain cases described below, management is unable to provide a meaningful estimate of the possible loss or range of possible loss because, among other reasons, (i) the proceedings are in various stages; (ii) damages have not been sought; (iii) damages are unsupported and/or exaggerated in management’s opinion; (iv) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions; (v) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (vi) there are novel legal issues or unsettled legal theories to be presented or a large number of parties are involved (as with many patent-related cases). For these cases, however, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, though the outcomes could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period. California Institute of Technology On October 1, 2013, the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”) filed suit against two of our subsidiaries, Hughes Communications, Inc. and Hughes Network Systems, LLC, as well as against DISH Network, DISH Network L.L.C., and dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C., in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 7,116,710; 7,421,032; 7,916,781; and 8,284,833, each of which is entitled “Serial Concatenation of Interleaved Convolutional Codes forming Turbo-Like Codes.” Caltech asserted that encoding data as specified by the DVB-S2 standard infringes each of the asserted patents. In the operative Amended Complaint, served on March 6, 2014, Caltech claims that the HopperTM set-top box that we design and sell to DISH Network, as well as certain of our Hughes segment’s satellite broadband products and services, infringe the asserted patents by implementing the DVB-S2 standard. On September 26, 2014, Caltech requested leave to amend its Amended Complaint to add us and our subsidiary, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. as defendants, as well as to allege that a number of additional set-top boxes infringe the asserted patents. On November 7, 2014, the Court rejected that request. Additionally, on November 4, 2014, the Court ruled that the patent claims at issue in the suit are directed to patentable subject matter. On February 17, 2015, Caltech filed a second complaint in the same district against the same defendants alleging that Hughes’ Gen4 HT1000 and HT1100 products infringe the same patents asserted in the first case. We answered that second complaint on March 24, 2015. The trial for the first case which was scheduled to commence on April 20, 2015, was vacated by the Court on March 16, 2015 and a new trial date has yet to be set. On May 5, 2015, the Court granted summary judgment for us on a number of issues, finding that Caltech’s damages theory improperly apportioned alleged damages, that allegations of infringement against DISH Network, DISH Network L.L.C., and dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C. should be dismissed from the case, and affirming that Caltech could not assert infringement under the doctrine of equivalents. The Court also granted motions by Caltech seeking findings that certain of its patents were not indefinite or subject to equitable estoppel. The Court otherwise denied motions for summary judgment, including a motion by Caltech seeking summary judgment of infringement. We intend to vigorously defend these cases. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to our consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suits or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. ClearPlay, Inc. On March 13, 2014, ClearPlay, Inc. (“ClearPlay”) filed a complaint against us and our subsidiary, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., as well as against DISH Network and DISH Network L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. The complaint alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,898,799, entitled “Multimedia Content Navigation and Playback”; 7,526,784, entitled “Delivery of Navigation Data for Playback of Audio and Video Content”; 7,543,318, entitled “Delivery of Navigation Data for Playback of Audio and Video Content”; 7,577,970, entitled “Multimedia Content Navigation and Playback”; and 8,117,282, entitled “Media Player Configured to Receive Playback Filters From Alternative Storage Mediums.” ClearPlay alleges that the AutoHop™ feature of the HopperTM set-top box infringes the asserted patents. On February 11, 2015, the Court stayed the case pending various third-party challenges before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Court regarding the validity of certain of the patents ClearPlay asserts. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. CRFD Research, Inc. (a subsidiary of Marathon Patent Group, Inc.) On January 17, 2014, CRFD Research, Inc. (“CRFD”) filed a complaint against us and our subsidiary, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., as well as against DISH Network, DISH DBS Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C., in United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,191,233 (the “233 patent”). The 233 patent is entitled “System for Automated, Mid-Session, User-Directed, Device-to-Device Session Transfer System,” and relates to transferring an ongoing software session from one device to another. CRFD alleges that certain of our set-top boxes infringe the 233 patent. On the same day, CRFD filed patent infringement complaints against AT&T Inc.; Comcast Corp.; DirecTV; Time Warner Cable Inc.; Cox Communications, Inc.; Level 3 Communications, Inc.; Akamai Technologies, Inc.; Cablevision Systems Corp. and Limelight Networks, Inc. On January 26, 2015, we and DISH Network filed a petition before the United States Patent and Trademark challenging the validity of the 233 patent. CRFD is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. Elbit On January 23, 2015, Elbit Systems Land and C4I LTD and Elbit Systems of America Ltd. (together referred to as “Elbit”) filed a complaint against our subsidiary Hughes Network Systems LLC, as well as against Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations, LLC, Bluetide Communications, Inc. and Helm Hotels Group, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,240,073 (the “073 patent”) and 7,245,874 (“874 patent”). The 073 patent is entitled “Reverse Link for a Satellite Communication Network” and the 874 patent is entitled “Infrastructure for Telephony Network.” Elbit alleges that the 073 patent is infringed by broadband satellite systems that practice the Internet Protocol Over Satellite standard. Elbit alleges that the 874 patent is infringed by the manufacture and sale of broadband satellite systems that provide cellular backhaul service via connections to E1 or T1 interfaces at cellular backhaul base stations. On March 16, 2015, the defendants filed motions to dismiss portions of Elbit’s complaint. On April 2, 2015, Elbit responded to those motions to dismiss and further filed an amended complaint removing Helm Hotels Group as a defendant, but making similar allegations against a new defendant, Country Home Investments, Inc. On April 20, 2015, defendants filed motions to dismiss portions of Elbit’s amended complaint. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. The Hopper Litigation On May 24, 2012, DISH Network L.L.C., filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (“ABC”), CBS Corporation (“CBS”), Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., Fox Television Holdings, Inc., Fox Cable Network Services, L.L.C. (collectively, “Fox”) and NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBC”). The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that DISH Network L.L.C is not infringing any defendant’s copyright, or breaching any defendant’s retransmission consent agreement, by virtue of the PrimeTime Anytime™ and AutoHop features of the Hopper™ set-top boxes we design and sell to DISH Network. A consumer can use the PrimeTime Anytime feature at his or her option, to record certain primetime programs airing on ABC, CBS, Fox, and/or NBC up to every night, and to store those recordings for up to eight days. A consumer can use the AutoHop feature at his or her option, to watch certain recordings the subscriber made with our PrimeTime Anytime feature, commercial-free, if played back at a certain point after the show’s original airing. Later on May 24, 2012, (i) Fox Broadcasting Company, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. and Fox Television Holdings, Inc. filed a lawsuit against DISH Network and DISH Network L.L.C. (collectively, “DISH”) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature, the AutoHop feature, as well as DISH’s use of Slingbox placeshifting functionality infringe their copyrights and breach their retransmission consent agreements, (ii) NBC Studios LLC, Universal Network Television, LLC, Open 4 Business Productions LLC and NBCUniversal Media, LLC filed a lawsuit against DISH in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature and the AutoHop feature infringe their copyrights, and (iii) CBS Broadcasting Inc., CBS Studios Inc. and Survivor Productions LLC filed a lawsuit against DISH in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that the PrimeTime Anytime feature and the AutoHop feature infringe their copyrights. As a result of certain parties’ competing counterclaims and venue-related motions brought in both the New York and California actions, and certain networks filing various amended complaints, the claims have proceeded in the following venues: (1) the copyright and contract claims regarding the ABC and CBS parties in New York; and (2) the copyright and contract claims regarding the Fox parties and NBC parties in California. California Actions. On August 17, 2012, the NBC plaintiffs filed a first amended complaint in their California action adding us and our subsidiary EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. to the NBC litigation, alleging various claims of copyright infringement. We and our subsidiary answered on September 18, 2012. On September 21, 2012, the United States District Court for the Central District of California heard the Fox plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Hopper set-top box’s PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features and, on November 7, 2012, entered an order denying the motion. The Fox plaintiffs appealed and on July 24, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of the Fox plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction as to the PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features. On August 7, 2013, the Fox plaintiffs filed a petition for rehearing and rehearing en banc, which was denied on January 24, 2014. The United States Supreme Court granted the Fox plaintiffs an extension until May 23, 2014 to file a petition for writ of certiorari, but they did not file. As a result, the stay of the NBC plaintiffs’ action expired. On August 6, 2014, at the request of the parties, the Central District of California granted a further stay of all proceedings in the action brought by the NBC plaintiffs, pending a final judgment on all claims in the Fox plaintiffs’ action. No trial date is currently set on the NBC claims. In addition, on February 21, 2013, the Fox plaintiffs filed a second motion for preliminary injunction against: (i) DISH Network, seeking to enjoin the Hopper Transfers™ feature in the second-generation Hopper set-top box, alleging breach of a retransmission consent agreement; and (ii) EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and DISH Network, seeking to enjoin the Slingbox placeshifting functionality in the second-generation Hopper set-top box, alleging copyright infringement by both defendants, and breach of the earlier-mentioned retransmission consent agreement by DISH Network. The Fox plaintiffs’ motion was denied on September 23, 2013. The Fox plaintiffs appealed, and on July 14, 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the denial of the Fox plaintiffs’ motion. On October 17, 2014, the California court heard oral argument on the Fox plaintiffs’ and our respective motions for summary judgment. On January 12, 2015, the Court entered an order ruling on the parties’ respective summary judgment motions, holding that: (a) the Slingbox placeshifting functionality and the PrimeTime Anytime, AutoHop and Hopper Transfers features do not violate copyright law; (b) certain quality assurance copies (which were discontinued in November 2012) did violate copyright law; and (c) the Slingbox placeshifting functionality, the Hopper Transfers feature and certain quality assurance copies breach DISH’s retransmission consent agreement with Fox. The only issue remaining for trial is to the amount of damages, if any, on the claims upon which the Fox plaintiffs prevailed, but the Court ruled that the Fox plaintiffs could not pursue disgorgement as a remedy. At the parties’ joint request, the Court vacated the February 24, 2015 trial date, and has stayed the case until October 1, 2015 and no trial date has been set. New York Actions. On October 9, 2012, the ABC plaintiffs filed copyright counterclaims in the New York action against EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C., with the CBS plaintiffs filing similar copyright counterclaims in the New York action against EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. on October 12, 2012. Additionally, the CBS plaintiffs filed a counterclaim alleging that DISH Network fraudulently concealed the AutoHop feature when negotiating the renewal of its CBS retransmission consent agreement. On November 23, 2012, the ABC plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to enjoin the Hopper set-top box’s PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features. On September 18, 2013, the New York court denied that motion. The ABC plaintiffs appealed, and oral argument on the appeal was heard on February 20, 2014 before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Pursuant to a settlement between us and the ABC parties, on March 4, 2014, the ABC parties withdrew their appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and, on March 6, 2014, we and the ABC parties dismissed without prejudice all of our respective claims pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The CBS claims in the New York action are scheduled for trial on May 29, 2015. However, on December 6, 2014 the parties to the CBS case reached a settlement agreement and all claims pending in New York Court were dismissed with prejudice on December 10, 2014. We intend to vigorously prosecute and defend our position in these cases. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted copyrights, we may be subject to substantial damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to DISH Network. An adverse decision against DISH Network could decrease the number of Sling enabled set-top boxes we sell to DISH Network, which could have an adverse impact on the business operations of our EchoStar Technologies segment. In addition, to the extent that DISH Network experiences fewer gross new subscriber additions, sales of our digital set-top boxes and related components to DISH Network may further decline, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of these suits or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. LightSquared/Harbinger Capital Partners LLC (LightSquared Bankruptcy) On August 6, 2013, Harbinger Capital Partners LLC and other affiliates of Harbinger (collectively, “Harbinger”), a shareholder of LightSquared Inc., filed an adversary proceeding against us, DISH Network, L-Band Acquisition, LLC (“LBAC”), Charles W. Ergen (our Chairman), SP Special Opportunities, LLC (“SPSO”) (an entity controlled by Mr. Ergen), and certain other parties, in the LightSquared bankruptcy cases pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”), which cases are jointly administered under the caption In re LightSquared Inc., et. al., Case No. 12 12080 (SCC). Harbinger alleged, among other things, claims based on fraud, unfair competition, civil conspiracy and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage related to certain purchases of LightSquared secured debt by SPSO. Subsequently, LightSquared intervened to join in certain claims alleged against certain defendants other than us, DISH Network and LBAC. On October 29, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court dismissed all of the claims against us in Harbinger’s complaint in their entirety, but granted leave for LightSquared to file its own complaint in intervention. On November 15, 2013, LightSquared filed its complaint, which included various claims against us, DISH Network, Mr. Ergen and SPSO. On December 2, 2013, Harbinger filed an amended complaint, asserting various claims against SPSO. On December 12, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court dismissed several of the claims asserted by LightSquared and Harbinger. The surviving claims included, among others, LightSquared’s claims against SPSO for declaratory relief, breach of contract and statutory disallowance; LightSquared’s tortious interference claim against us, DISH Network and Mr. Ergen; and Harbinger’s claim against SPSO for statutory disallowance. These claims proceeded to a non-jury trial on January 9, 2014, which concluded on January 17, 2014. The parties submitted post-trial briefs and a hearing for closing arguments occurred on March 17, 2014. In its Post-Trial Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law entered on June 10, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court rejected all claims against us and DISH Network, and it rejected some but not all claims against the other defendants. We intend to vigorously defend this proceeding and cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of this proceeding or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. Personalized Media Communications, Inc. During 2008, Personalized Media Communications, Inc. (“PMC”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation, DISH Network and Motorola Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,109,414; 4,965,825; 5,233,654; 5,335,277; and 5,887,243, which relate to satellite signal processing. PMC is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein. Subsequently, Motorola Inc. settled with PMC, leaving DISH Network and us as defendants. On July 18, 2012, pursuant to a Court order, PMC filed a Second Amended Complaint that added Rovi Guides, Inc. (f/k/a/ Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.) and TVG-PMC, Inc. (collectively, “Gemstar”) as a party, and added a new claim against all defendants seeking a declaratory judgment as to the scope of Gemstar’s license to the patents in suit, under which DISH Network and we are sublicensees. On August 12, 2014, in response to the parties’ respective summary judgment motions related to the Gemstar license issues, the Court ruled in favor of PMC and dismissed all claims by or against Gemstar and entered partial final judgment in PMC’s favor as to those claims. On September 16, 2014, we and DISH Network filed a notice of appeal of that partial final judgment, which is pending. On November 5, 2014, PMC supplemented its expert report on damages, dropping a higher value damages theory and disclosing that it seeks damages ranging from $167 million to $447 million as of September 30, 2014, excluding pre-judgment interest and possible treble damages under Federal law. PMC also has informed us that it will not pursue at trial its claim for infringement of United States Patent No. 5,109,414. On November 17, 2014 we filed a motion to continue the trial, and the Court subsequently approved a joint request to move the trial date from January 12, 2015 to May 18, 2015. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could cause us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. Shareholder Derivative Litigation On December 5, 2012, Greg Jacobi, purporting to sue derivatively on behalf of EchoStar Corporation, filed suit (the “Jacobi Litigation”) against Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, R. Stanton Dodge, Tom A. Ortolf, C. Michael Schroeder, Joseph P. Clayton, David K. Moskowitz, and EchoStar Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. The complaint alleges that a March 2011 attempted grant of 1.5 million stock options to Charles Ergen breached defendants’ fiduciary duties, resulted in unjust enrichment, and constituted a waste of corporate assets. On December 18, 2012, Chester County Employees’ Retirement Fund, derivatively on behalf of EchoStar Corporation, filed a suit (the “Chester County Litigation”) against Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, R. Stanton Dodge, Tom A. Ortolf, C. Michael Schroeder, Anthony M. Federico, Pradman P. Kaul, Joseph P. Clayton, and EchoStar Corporation in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. The complaint similarly alleges that the March 2011 attempted grant of 1.5 million stock options to Charles Ergen breached defendants’ fiduciary duties, resulted in unjust enrichment, and constituted a waste of corporate assets. On February 22, 2013, the Chester County Litigation was transferred to the District of Nevada, and on April 3, 2013, the Chester County Litigation was consolidated into the Jacobi Litigation. Oral argument on a motion to dismiss the Jacobi Litigation was held February 21, 2014. On April 11, 2014, the Chester County litigation was stayed pending resolution of the motion to dismiss. On March 30, 2015, the Court dismissed the Jacobi litigation, with leave for Jacobi to amend his complaint by April 20, 2015. On April 20, 2015, Jacobi filed an amended complaint. Of the attempted grant of 1.5 million options to Mr. Ergen in 2011, only 800,000 were validly granted and remain outstanding. We intend to vigorously defend these cases. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability. Technology Development and Licensing, LLC On January 22, 2009, Technology Development and Licensing, LLC (“TDL”) filed suit against us and DISH Network in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging infringement of United States Patent No. Re. 35,952, which relates to certain favorite channel features. TDL is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein. The case has been stayed since July 2009, pending two reexamination petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could cause us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We are being indemnified by DISH Network for any potential liability or damages resulting from this suit relating to the period prior to the effective date of the Spin-off. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. TQ Beta LLC On June 30, 2014, TQ Beta LLC (“TQ Beta”) filed suit against DISH Network, DISH DBS Corporation, DISH Network L.L.C., as well as us and our subsidiaries, EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C, Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, and Sling Media, Inc., in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 7,203,456 (“the ‘456 patent”), which is entitled “Method and Apparatus for Time and Space Domain Shifting of Broadcast Signals.” TQ Beta alleges that the Hopper, Hopper with Sling, ViP 722 and ViP 722k DVR devices, as well as the DISH Anywhere service and DISH Anywhere mobile application, infringe the ‘456 patent, but has not specified the amount of damages that it seeks. TQ Beta is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein. Trial is set for January 12, 2016. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a court ultimately determines that we infringe the asserted patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages, and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. Other In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of our business. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity, though the outcomes could be material to our operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

Segment Reporting

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

Note 15.Segment Reporting

Operating segments are business components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who for EchoStar is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Under this definition, we operate three primary business segments.

EchoStar Technologies — which designs, develops and distributes digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers and telecommunication companies. Our EchoStar Technologies segment also provides digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management, and other services primarily to DISH Network. In addition, we provide our TVEverywhere technology through Slingboxes directly to consumers via retail outlets and online, as well as to the payTV operator market. Beginning in 2015, this segment also includes our OTT business, which primarily provides support services to DISH Network’s Sling TV operations.

Hughes — which provides satellite broadband internet access to North American consumers and broadband network services and equipment to domestic and international enterprise markets. The Hughes segment also provides managed services to large enterprises and solutions to customers for mobile satellite systems.

EchoStar Satellite Services — which uses certain of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related licenses to provide satellite services on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network, Dish Mexico, U.S. government service providers, internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers, and private enterprise customers.

The primary measure of segment profitability that is reported regularly to our CODM is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA. Our segment operating results do not include real estate and other activities, costs incurred in certain satellite development programs and other business development activities, expenses of various corporate departments, and our centralized treasury operations, including income from our investment portfolio and interest expense on our debt. These activities are accounted for in the “All Other and Eliminations” column in the table below. Total assets by segment have not been reported herein because the information is not provided to our CODM on a regular basis. The Hughes Retail Group is included in our Hughes segment and our CODM reviews separate HRG financial information only to the extent such information is included in our periodic filings with the SEC. Therefore, we do not consider HRG to be a separate operating segment.

Prior to 2015, our OTT business, including certain assets distributed to us in August 2014 in connection with the Exchange Agreement with DISH Digital (see Notes 10 and 16), was managed separately from our existing operating segments and was reported within “All Other and Eliminations.” In the first quarter of 2015, we assigned management responsibility for our OTT business to our EchoStar Technologies segment, where it continues to be managed and reported as a separate reporting unit.

Transactions between segments were not significant for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

The following table presents revenue, EBITDA, and capital expenditures for each of our operating segments. All prior period amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to present operations of our OTT business in our EchoStar Technologies segment.

					EchoStar		All
	EchoStar				Satellite		Other and			Consolidated
	Technologies		Hughes		Services		Eliminations			Total
	(In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
External revenue	$	346,033	$	324,950	$	125,198	$	2,472		$	798,653
Intersegment revenue	$	187	$	330	$	200	$	(717	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	346,220	$	325,280	$	125,398	$	1,755		$	798,653
EBITDA	$	25,561	$	91,273	$	106,419	$	(9,572	)	$	213,681
Capital expenditures	$	15,104	$	64,527	$	27,783	$	70,388		$	177,802

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
External revenue	$	409,178	$	314,371	$	99,872	$	2,602		$	826,023
Intersegment revenue	$	101	$	400	$	949	$	(1,450	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	409,279	$	314,771	$	100,821	$	1,152		$	826,023
EBITDA	$	39,130	$	81,939	$	84,782	$	(13,967	)	$	191,884
Capital expenditures	$	13,922	$	45,972	$	29	$	53,702		$	113,625

The following table reconciles total consolidated EBITDA to reported “Net income attributable to EchoStar” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss):

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
EBITDA	$	213,681		$	191,884
Interest income and expense, net	(32,697		)	(43,446		)
Depreciation and amortization	(133,185		)	(133,226		)
Income tax provision, net	(18,401		)	(3,157		)
Net income attributable to EchoStar	$	29,398		$	12,055

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
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+ Details

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions	Note 16.Related Party Transactions DISH Network Following the Spin-off, we and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies. However, pursuant to the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction, described in Note 2 and below, DISH Network owns Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock representing an aggregate 80.0% economic interest in the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment, including certain operations, assets and liabilities attributed to such business. In addition, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of both companies is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family. In connection with and following the Spin-off, we and DISH Network have entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network; DISH Network obtains certain products, services and rights from us; and we and DISH Network have indemnified each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses. We also may enter into additional agreements with DISH Network in the future. Generally, the amounts DISH Network pays for products and services provided under the agreements are based on our cost plus a fixed margin (unless noted differently below), which varies depending on the nature of the products and services provided. “Equipment revenue — DISH Network” Receiver Agreement. Effective January 1, 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a receiver agreement (the “2012 Receiver Agreement”), pursuant to which DISH Network has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories, and other equipment from us for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014. The 2012 Receiver Agreement replaced the receiver agreement we entered into with DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off. The 2012 Receiver Agreement allows DISH Network to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories, and other equipment from us either: (i) at cost (decreasing as we reduce costs and increasing as costs increase) plus a dollar mark-up which will depend upon the cost of the product subject to a collar on our mark-up; or (ii) at cost plus a fixed margin, which will depend on the nature of the equipment purchased. Under the 2012 Receiver Agreement, our margins will be increased if we are able to reduce the costs of our digital set-top boxes and our margins will be reduced if these costs increase. We provide DISH Network with standard manufacturer warranties for the goods sold under the 2012 Receiver Agreement. Additionally, the 2012 Receiver Agreement includes an indemnification provision, whereby the parties indemnify each other for certain intellectual property matters. DISH Network is able to terminate the 2012 Receiver Agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days’ notice to us. We are able to terminate the 2012 Receiver Agreement if certain entities acquire DISH Network. DISH Network has an option, but not the obligation, to extend the 2012 Receiver Agreement for one additional year upon 180 days’ notice prior to the end of the term. On May 5, 2014, we received DISH Network’s notice to extend the 2012 Receiver Agreement for one year to December 31, 2015. “Services and other revenue — DISH Network” Broadcast Agreement. Effective January 1, 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a new broadcast agreement (the “2012 Broadcast Agreement”) pursuant to which we provide certain broadcast services to DISH Network, including teleport services such as transmission and downlinking, channel origination services, and channel management services, for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016. The 2012 Broadcast Agreement replaced the broadcast agreement that we entered into with DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off. The fees for the services provided under the 2012 Broadcast Agreement are calculated at either: (a) our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed dollar fee, which is subject to certain adjustments; or (b) our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed margin, which will depend on the nature of the services provided. DISH Network has the ability to terminate channel origination services and channel management services for any reason and without any liability upon at least 60 days’ notice to us. If DISH Network terminates the teleport services provided under the 2012 Broadcast Agreement for a reason other than our breach, DISH Network generally is obligated to reimburse us for any direct costs we incur related to any such termination that we cannot reasonably mitigate. Broadcast Agreement for Certain Sports Related Programming. During May 2010, we and DISH Network entered into a broadcast agreement pursuant to which we provide certain broadcast services to DISH Network in connection with its carriage of certain sports related programming. The term of this agreement is ten years. If DISH Network terminates this agreement for a reason other than our breach, DISH Network generally is obligated to reimburse us for any direct costs we incur related to any such termination that we cannot reasonably mitigate. The fees for the broadcast services provided under this agreement depend, among other things, upon the cost to develop and provide such services. Satellite Services Provided to DISH Network. Since the Spin-off, we have entered into certain satellite service agreements pursuant to which DISH Network receives satellite services on certain satellites owned or leased by us. The fees for the services provided under these satellite service agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite, the number of transponders that are providing services on the applicable satellite, and the length of the service arrangements. The terms of each service arrangement is set forth below: EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV. As part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction discussed in Note 2, on March 1, 2014, we began providing certain satellite services to DISH Network on the EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV satellites. The term of each satellite services agreement generally terminates upon the earlier of: (i) the end of life of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; or (iii) a certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite. DISH Network generally has the option to renew each satellite service agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of the respective satellite’s life. There can be no assurance that any options to renew such agreements will be exercised. EchoStar VIII. In May 2013, DISH Network began receiving satellite services from us on EchoStar VIII as an in-orbit spare. Effective March 1, 2014, this satellite services arrangement converted to a month-to-month service agreement. Both parties have the right to terminate this agreement upon 30 days’ notice. EchoStar IX. Effective January 2008, DISH Network began receiving satellite services from us on EchoStar IX. Subject to availability, DISH Network generally has the right to continue to receive satellite services from us on EchoStar IX on a month-to-month basis. EchoStar XII. DISH Network receives satellite services from us on EchoStar XII. The term of the satellite services agreement terminates upon the earlier of: (i) the end of life of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails or the date the transponder(s) on which the service was being provided under the agreement fails; or (iii) a certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite. DISH Network generally has the option to renew the agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of the satellite’s life. There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised. EchoStar XVI. During December 2009, we entered into an initial ten-year transponder service agreement with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network receives satellite services from us on EchoStar XVI. Effective December 21, 2012, we and DISH Network amended the transponder service agreement to, among other things, change the initial term to generally expire upon the earlier of: (i) the end-of-life or replacement of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder(s) on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) four years following the actual service commencement date. Prior to expiration of the initial term, we, upon certain conditions, and DISH Network have the option to renew for an additional six-year period. If either we or DISH Network exercise our respective six-year renewal options, DISH Network has the option to renew for an additional five-year period prior to expiration of the then-current term. There can be no assurance that any option to renew this agreement will be exercised. We began to provide satellite services on EchoStar XVI to DISH Network in January 2013. Nimiq 5 Agreement. During 2009, we entered into a fifteen-year satellite service agreement with Telesat Canada (“Telesat”) to receive service on all 32 DBS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7 degree west longitude orbital location (the “Telesat Transponder Agreement”). During 2009, we also entered into a satellite service agreement (the “DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement”) with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network receives satellite services from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by the Telesat Transponder Agreement. Under the terms of the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to us that commenced in September 2009, when the Nimiq 5 satellite was placed into service, and continue through the service term. Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement, the service term will expire ten years following the date it was placed into service. Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite. Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite. There can be no assurance that any options to renew the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite. QuetzSat-1 Agreement. During 2008, we entered into a ten-year satellite service agreement with SES Latin America, which provides, among other things, for the provision by SES Latin America to us of service on 32 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite. Concurrently, in 2008, we entered into a transponder service agreement with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network receives satellite services on 24 of the DBS transponders on QuetzSat-1. QuetzSat-1 was launched on September 29, 2011 and was placed into service during the fourth quarter of 2011 at the 67.1 degree west longitude orbital location. In the interim, we provided DISH Network with alternate capacity at the 77 degree west longitude orbital location. During the third quarter of 2012, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which we receive certain satellite services from DISH Network on five DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite. In January 2013, QuetzSat-1 was moved to the 77 degree west longitude orbital location and DISH Network commenced commercial operations at such location in February 2013. Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with DISH Network, we began to provide service to DISH Network on the QuetzSat-1 satellite in February 2013 and will continue to provide service through the remainder of the service term. Unless extended or earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of our agreement with DISH Network for the QuetzSat-1 satellite, the initial service term will expire in November 2021. Upon expiration of the initial service term, DISH Network has the option to renew the agreement for the QuetzSat-1 satellite on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite. Upon an in-orbit failure or end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite. There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite. 103 Degree Orbital Location/SES-3. During May 2012, we entered into a spectrum development agreement (the “103 Spectrum Development Agreement”) with Ciel Satellite Holdings Inc. (“Ciel”) to develop certain spectrum rights at the 103 degree west longitude orbital location (the “103 Spectrum Rights”). During June 2013, we and DISH Network entered into a spectrum development agreement (the “DISH 103 Spectrum Development Agreement”) pursuant to which DISH Network may use and develop the 103 Spectrum Rights. Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH 103 Spectrum Development Agreement, the term generally will continue for the duration of the 103 Spectrum Rights Agreement. In connection with the 103 Spectrum Development Agreement, during May 2012, we also entered into a ten-year service agreement with Ciel pursuant to which we receive certain satellite services from Ciel on the SES-3 satellite at the 103 degree orbital location (the “103 Service Agreement”). During June 2013, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network receives certain satellite services from us on the SES-3 satellite (the “DISH 103 Service Agreement”). Under the terms of the DISH 103 Service Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to us through the service term. Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH 103 Service Agreement, the initial service term will expire on the earlier of: (i) the date the SES-3 satellite fails; (ii) the date the transponder(s) on which service was being provided under the agreement fails; or (iii) ten years following the actual service commencement date. Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the SES-3 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite. There can be no assurance that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite. Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction. On February 20, 2014, we entered into agreements with DISH Network to implement a transaction pursuant to which, among other things: (i) on March 1, 2014, EchoStar and HSS issued shares of the Tracking Stock to DISH Network in exchange for five satellites owned by DISH Network (EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV) (including related in-orbit incentive obligations and interest payments of approximately $58.9 million) and approximately $11.4 million in cash; and (ii) on March 1, 2014, DISH Network began receiving certain satellite services on these five satellites from us. See Note 2 for further information. TT&C Agreement. Effective January 1, 2012, we entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to DISH Network and its subsidiaries for a period ending on December 31, 2016 (the “2012 TT&C Agreement”). The 2012 TT&C Agreement replaced the TT&C agreement we entered into with DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off. The fees for services provided under the 2012 TT&C Agreement are calculated at either: (i) a fixed fee or (ii) cost plus a fixed margin, which will vary depending on the nature of the services provided. DISH Network is able to terminate the 2012 TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 60 days’ notice. In connection with the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction, on February 20, 2014, we amended the TT&C Agreement to cease the provision of TT&C services to DISH Network for the EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV satellites. Effective March 1, 2014, we provide TT&C services for the D-1 and EchoStar XV satellites; however, for the period that we receive satellite services on EchoStar XV from DISH Network, we have waived the fees for the TT&C services on EchoStar XV. Real Estate Lease Agreements. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leases certain real estate from us. The rent on a per square foot basis for each of the leases is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the lease, and DISH Network is responsible for its portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. The term of each of the leases is set forth below: Inverness Lease Agreement. The lease for certain space at 90 Inverness Circle East in Englewood, Colorado is for a period ending on December 31, 2016. This agreement can be terminated by either party upon six months prior notice. Meridian Lease Agreement. The lease for all of 9601 S. Meridian Blvd. in Englewood, Colorado is for a period ending on December 31, 2016. Santa Fe Lease Agreement. The lease for all of 5701 S. Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton, Colorado is for a period ending on December 31, 2016 with a renewal option for one additional year. EchoStar Data Networks Sublease Agreement. The sublease for certain space at 211 Perimeter Center in Atlanta, Georgia is for a period ending on October 31, 2016. Gilbert Lease Agreement. The original lease for certain space at 801 N. DISH Dr. in Gilbert, Arizona was a month to month lease and could be terminated by either party upon 30 days’ prior notice. The original lease was terminated in May 2014. Effective August 1, 2014, we began leasing this space to DISH Network under a new lease for a period ending July 31, 2016. DISH Network has renewal options for three additional one year terms. Cheyenne Lease Agreement. The lease for certain space at 530 EchoStar Drive in Cheyenne, Wyoming is for a period ending on December 31, 2031. Product Support Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a product support agreement pursuant to which DISH Network has the right, but not the obligation, to receive product support from us (including certain engineering and technical support services) for all set-top boxes and related components that our subsidiaries have previously sold and in the future may sell to DISH Network. The fees for the services provided under the product support agreement are calculated at cost plus a fixed margin, which varies depending on the nature of the services provided. The term of the product support agreement is the economic life of such set-top boxes and related components, unless terminated earlier. DISH Network may terminate the product support agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days’ notice. In the event of an early termination of this agreement, DISH Network is entitled to a refund of any unearned fees paid to us for the services. DISHOnline.com Services Agreement. Effective January 1, 2010, DISH Network entered into a two-year agreement with us pursuant to which DISH Network receives certain services associated with an online video portal. The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depend, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services. DISH Network has the option to renew this agreement for successive one year terms and the agreement may be terminated by DISH Network for any reason upon at least 120 days’ notice to us. In October 2014, DISH Network exercised its right to renew this agreement for a one-year period ending on December 31, 2015. DISH Remote Access Services Agreement. Effective February 23, 2010, we entered into an agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network receives, among other things, certain remote digital video recorder (“DVR”) management services. The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depend, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services. This agreement had an initial term of five years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms. This agreement automatically renewed on February 23, 2015 for an additional one-year period until February 23, 2016. The agreement may be terminated by DISH Network for any reason upon at least 120 days’ notice to us. SlingService Services Agreement. Effective February 23, 2010, we entered into an agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network receives certain services related to placeshifting. The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depend, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services. This agreement had an initial term of five years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms. This agreement automatically renewed on February 23, 2015 for an additional one-year period until February 23, 2016. The agreement may be terminated by DISH Network for any reason upon at least 120 days’ notice to us. Blockbuster Agreements. On April 26, 2011, DISH Network acquired substantially all of the assets of Blockbuster, Inc. (the “Blockbuster Acquisition”). On June 8, 2011, we completed the acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Hughes Acquisition”). Hughes Network Systems, LLC (“HNS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc., provided certain broadband products and services to Blockbuster, Inc. (“Blockbuster”) pursuant to an agreement that was entered into prior to the Blockbuster Acquisition and the Hughes Acquisition. Subsequent to both the Blockbuster Acquisition and the Hughes Acquisition, Blockbuster L.L.C. (“Blockbuster”) entered into a new agreement with HNS pursuant to which Blockbuster could continue to purchase broadband products and services from our Hughes segment (the “Blockbuster VSAT Agreement”). Effective February 1, 2014, all services to all Blockbuster locations, including Blockbuster franchisee locations, terminated in connection with the closing of all of the Blockbuster retail locations. Radio Access Network Agreement. On November 29, 2012, HNS entered into an agreement with DISH Network L.L.C. pursuant to which HNS constructed for DISH Network a ground-based satellite radio access network for a fixed fee. The parties mutually agreed to terminate this agreement in the fourth quarter of 2014. TerreStar Agreement. On March 9, 2012, DISH Network completed its acquisition of substantially all the assets of TerreStar Networks Inc. (“TerreStar”). Prior to DISH Network’s acquisition of substantially all the assets of TerreStar and our completion of the Hughes Acquisition, TerreStar and HNS entered into various agreements pursuant to which our Hughes segment provides, among other things, hosting, operations and maintenance services for TerreStar’s satellite gateway and associated ground infrastructure. These agreements generally may be terminated by DISH Network at any time for convenience. Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement. Effective October 1, 2012, HNS and dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C. (“dishNET”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) pursuant to which dishNET has the right, but not the obligation, to market, sell and distribute the Hughes satellite internet service (the “Hughes service”). dishNET pays HNS a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for the Hughes service based upon a subscriber’s service level, and, beginning January 1, 2014, based upon certain volume subscription thresholds. The Distribution Agreement also provides that dishNET has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase certain broadband equipment from us to support the sale of the Hughes service. The Distribution Agreement has an initial term of five years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms unless terminated by either party with a written notice at least 180 days before the expiration of the then-current term. On February 20, 2014, HNS and dishNET entered into an amendment to the Distribution Agreement which, among other things, extended the initial term of the Distribution Agreement through March 1, 2024. Upon expiration or termination of the Distribution Agreement, the parties will continue to provide the Hughes service to the then-current dishNET subscribers pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement. Set-Top Box Application Development Agreement. During the fourth quarter of 2012, we and DISH Network entered into a set-top box application development agreement (the “Application Development Agreement”) pursuant to which we provide DISH Network with certain services relating to the development of web-based applications for the period ending February 1, 2016. The Application Development Agreement renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier by us or DISH Network at any time upon at least 90 days’ notice. The fees for services provided under the Application Development Agreement are calculated at our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed margin, which will depend on the nature of the services provided. XiP Encryption Agreement. During the third quarter of 2012, we entered into an encryption agreement with DISH Network for our whole-home HD DVR line of set-top boxes (the “XiP Encryption Agreement”) pursuant to which we provide certain security measures on our whole-home HD DVR line of set-top boxes to encrypt the content delivered to the set-top box via a smart card and secure the content between set-top boxes. The term of the XiP Encryption Agreement is until December 31, 2015. Under the XiP Encryption Agreement, DISH Network has an option, but not the obligation to extend the XiP Encryption Agreement for one additional year upon at least 180 days’ notice prior to the end of the term. We and DISH Network each have the right to terminate the XiP Encryption Agreement for any reason upon at least 180 days’ notice and 30 days’ notice, respectively. The fees for the services provided under the XiP Encryption Agreement are calculated on a monthly basis based on the number of receivers utilizing such security measures each month. DBSD North America Agreement. On March 9, 2012, DISH Network completed its acquisition of 100% of the equity of reorganized DBSD North America, Inc. (“DBSD North America”). Prior to DISH Network’s acquisition of DBSD North America and our completion of the Hughes Acquisition, DBSD North America and HNS entered into an agreement pursuant to which our Hughes segment provides, among other things, hosting, operations and maintenance services of DBSD North America’s satellite gateway and associated ground infrastructure. This agreement automatically renewed for a one-year period ending on February 15, 2016, and will renew for one additional one-year period unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 30 days’ notice prior to the expiration of any renewal term. Sling TV Holding L.L.C. (formerly DISH Digital Holding L.L.C) Effective July 1, 2012, we and DISH Network formed DISH Digital Holding L.L.C. (“DISH Digital”), which was owned two-thirds by DISH Network and one-third by EchoStar. DISH Digital was formed to develop and commercialize certain advanced technologies. At that time, we, DISH Network and DISH Digital entered into the following agreements with respect to DISH Digital: (i) a contribution agreement pursuant to which we and DISH Network contributed certain assets in exchange for our respective ownership interests in DISH Digital; (ii) a limited liability company operating agreement (“Operating Agreement”), which provides for the governance of DISH Digital; and (iii) a commercial agreement (“Commercial Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, DISH Digital had: (a) certain rights and corresponding obligations with respect to its business; and (b) the right, but not the obligation, to receive certain services from us and DISH Network, respectively. Effective August 1, 2014, we and DISH Digital entered into an exchange agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, DISH Digital distributed certain assets to us and we reduced our interest in DISH Digital to a 10.0% non-voting interest. As a result, DISH Network has a 90.0% equity interest and a 100% voting interest in DISH Digital. In addition, we, DISH Network and DISH Digital amended and restated the Operating Agreement, primarily to reflect the changes implemented by the Exchange Agreement. Finally, we, DISH Network and DISH Digital amended and restated the Commercial Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, DISH Digital: (1) continues to have certain rights and corresponding obligations with respect to its business; (2) continues to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive certain services from us and DISH Network; and (3) has a license from us to use certain of the assets distributed to us as part of the Exchange Agreement. DISH Digital changed its name to Sling TV Holding L.L.C. “Cost of sales — equipment — DISH Network” Remanufactured Receiver Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a remanufactured receiver agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which we have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase remanufactured receivers and related components from DISH Network at cost plus a fixed margin, which varies depending on the nature of the equipment purchased. In November 2014, we and DISH Network extended this agreement until December 31, 2015. We may terminate the remanufactured receiver agreement for any reason upon at least 60 days’ notice to DISH Network. DISH Network may also terminate this agreement if certain entities acquire DISH Network. “Cost of sales — services and other — DISH Network” Satellite Services Received from DISH Network. Since the Spin-off, we entered into certain satellite services agreements pursuant to which we receive satellite services from DISH Network on certain satellites owned or leased by DISH Network. The fees for the services provided under these satellite services agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite, the number of transponders that are providing services on the applicable satellite and the length of the service term. The term of each satellite service agreement is set forth below: D-1. In November 2012, HNS entered into a satellite service agreement pursuant to which HNS received satellite services from DISH Network on the D-1 satellite for research and development. This agreement terminated on June 30, 2014. EchoStar XV. In May 2013, we began receiving satellite services from DISH Network on EchoStar XV and relocated the satellite to the 45 degree west longitude orbital location for testing pursuant to our Brazilian authorization. Effective March 1, 2014, this satellite services agreement converted to a month-to-month service agreement. Both parties have the right to terminate this agreement upon 30 days’ notice. “General and administrative expenses — DISH Network” Professional Services Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into various agreements with DISH Network including the Transition Services Agreement, Satellite Procurement Agreement and Services Agreement, which all expired on January 1, 2010 and were replaced by a Professional Services Agreement. During 2009, we and DISH Network agreed that we shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive the following services from DISH Network, among others, certain of which were previously provided under the Transition Services Agreement: information technology, travel and event coordination, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services. Additionally, we and DISH Network agreed that DISH Network would continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage us to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network (previously provided under the Satellite Procurement Agreement), receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from us (previously provided under the Services Agreement) and other support services. The Professional Services Agreement automatically renewed on January 1, 2015 for an additional one-year period and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless terminated earlier by either party upon at least 60 days’ notice. However, either party may terminate the Professional Services Agreement in part with respect to any particular service it receives for any reason upon at least 30 days’ notice. Real Estate Lease Agreements. Since the Spin-off, we have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate from DISH Network. The rent on a per square foot basis for each of the leases is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the lease, and we are responsible for our portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. The term of each of the leases is set forth below: El Paso Lease Agreement. The lease for certain space at 1285 Joe Battle Blvd., El Paso, Texas is for a period ending on August 1, 2015, and provides us with renewal options for four consecutive three year terms. American Fork Occupancy License Agreement. The license for certain space at 796 East Utah Valley Drive in American Fork, Utah is for a period ending on July 31, 2017, subject to the terms of the underlying lease agreement. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, this license was terminated during the fourth quarter of 2014. “Other agreements — DISH Network” Tax Sharing Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into a tax sharing agreement with DISH Network which governs our respective rights, responsibilities and obligations after the Spin-off with respect to taxes for the periods ending on or before the Spin-off. Generally, all pre-Spin-off taxes, including any taxes that are incurred as a result of restructuring activities undertaken to implement the Spin-off, are borne by DISH Network, and DISH Network will indemnify us for such taxes. However, DISH Network is not liable for and will not indemnify us for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended because of: (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of our stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that we take or fail to take; or (iii) any action that we take that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions. In such case, we will be solely liable for, and will indemnify DISH Network for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses. The tax sharing agreement will only terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed. In light of the tax sharing agreement, among other things, and in connection with our consolidated federal income tax returns for certain tax years prior to and for the year of the Spin-off, during the third quarter of 2013, we and DISH Network agreed upon a supplemental allocation of the tax benefits arising from certain tax items resolved in the course of the IRS’s examination of our consolidated tax returns. Prior to the agreement with DISH Network, the federal tax benefits of $83.2 million were reflected as a deferred tax asset for depreciation and amortization, which was netted in our noncurrent deferred tax liabilities. The agreement requires DISH Network to pay us $83.2 million of the federal tax benefit it receives at such time as we would have otherwise been able to realize such tax benefit, which we currently estimate would be after 2015. Accordingly, we recorded a noncurrent receivable from DISH Network for $83.2 million in “Other receivable — DISH Network” and a corresponding increase in our net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities to reflect the effects of this agreement in the third quarter of 2013. In addition, during the third quarter of 2013, we and DISH Network agreed upon a tax sharing arrangement for filing certain combined state income tax returns and a method of allocating the respective tax liabilities between us and DISH Network for such combined returns, through the taxable period ending on December 31, 2017. We and DISH Network file combined income tax returns in certain states. In 2014, we earned and recognized a tax benefit for certain state income tax credits that we would be unable to utilize currently if we had filed separately from DISH Network. DISH Network expects to utilize these tax credits to reduce its state income tax payable. Consistent with accounting principles that apply to transfers of assets between entities under common control, we recorded a charge of $5.3 million in additional paid-in capital in the fourth quarter of 2014, representing the amount that we estimate is more likely than not to be realized by DISH Network as a result of its utilization of the tax credits that we earned. We expect to increase additional paid-in capital upon receipt of any consideration paid to us by DISH Network in exchange for these tax credits. TiVo. On April 29, 2011, we and DISH Network entered into a settlement agreement with TiVo, Inc. (“TiVo”). The settlement resolved all pending litigation between us and DISH Network, on the one hand, and TiVo, on the other hand, including litigation relating to alleged patent infringement involving certain DISH Network DVRs. Under the settlement agreement, all pending litigation was dismissed with prejudice and all injunctions that permanently restrain, enjoin or compel any action by us or DISH Network were dissolved. We and DISH Network are jointly responsible for making payments to TiVo in the aggregate amount of $500.0 million, including an initial payment of $300.0 million and the remaining $200.0 million in six equal annual installments between 2012 and 2017. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off, DISH Network made the initial payment to TiVo in May 2011, except for the contribution from us totaling approximately $10.0 million, representing an allocation of liability relating to our sales of DVR-enabled receivers to an international customer. Future payments will be allocated between us and DISH Network based on historical sales of certain licensed products, with EchoStar being responsible for 5% of each annual payment. Sling Trademark License Agreement. On December 31, 2014, DISH Digital (now known as Sling TV) entered into an agreement with Sling Media, Inc., our subsidiary, pursuant to which Sling TV has the right, for a fixed fee, to use certain trademarks, domain names and other intellectual property related to the “Sling” trademark for a period ending December 31, 2016. Patent Cross-License Agreements. During December 2011, we and DISH Network entered into separate patent cross-license agreements with the same third party whereby: (i) we and such third party licensed our respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions; and (ii) DISH Network and such third party licensed their respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions (each, a “Cross-License Agreement”). Each Cross-License Agreement covers patents acquired by the respective party prior to January 1, 2017 and aggregate payments under both Cross-License Agreements total less than $10.0 million. Each Cross-License Agreement also contains an option to extend each Cross-License Agreement to include patents acquired by the respective party prior to January 1, 2022. If both options are exercised, the aggregate additional payments to such third party would total less than $3.0 million. However, we and DISH Network may elect to extend our respective Cross-License Agreement independently of each other. Since the aggregate payments under both Cross-License Agreements were based on the combined annual revenue of us and DISH Network, we and DISH Network agreed to allocate our respective payments to such third party based on our respective percentage of combined total revenue. TerreStar-2 Development Agreement. In August 2013, we and DISH Network entered into a development agreement (“T2 Development Agreement”) with respect to the EchoStar XXI satellite under which we reimburse DISH Network for amounts it pays pursuant to an authorization to proceed (“T2 ATP”) with SS/L in connection with the construction of the EchoStar XXI satellite. In exchange, DISH Network granted us certain rights to purchase the EchoStar XXI satellite during the term of the T2 Development Agreement. The T2 Development Agreement was amended in December 2013 to provide for the ability to purchase DISH Network’s rights and obligations under the T2 ATP and the related agreement for the construction of the EchoStar XXI satellite with SS/L. The purchase rights under the T2 Development Agreement were exercised in December 2014, and the agreement terminated pursuant to its terms. Roger J. Lynch. In November 2009, Mr. Roger J. Lynch became employed by both us and DISH Network as Executive Vice President. Mr. Lynch was responsible for the development and implementation of advanced technologies that are of potential utility and importance to both us and DISH Network. Mr. Lynch’s compensation consisted of cash and equity compensation and was borne by both DISH Network and us. Mr. Lynch’s employment with us terminated on December 31, 2014. Other Agreements Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”) We contract with Hughes Systique for software development services. In February 2008, Hughes agreed to make available to Hughes Systique a term loan facility of up to $1.5 million. Also in 2008, Hughes funded an initial $0.5 million to Hughes Systique pursuant to the term loan facility. In 2009, HNS funded the remaining $1.0 million of its $1.5 million commitment under the term loan facility. The loans bear interest at 6%, payable annually, and are convertible into shares of Hughes Systique upon non-payment or an event of default. In May 2014, Hughes and Hughes Systique entered into an amendment to the term loan facility to increase the interest rate from 6% to 8%, payable annually, to reflect current market conditions. The loans, as amended, matured on May 1, 2015. In April 2015, Hughes Systique repaid $0.7 million of the outstanding principal of the loan and we extended the maturity date of the loan to May 1, 2016 on the same terms. In addition to our 44.1% ownership in Hughes Systique, Mr. Pradman Kaul, the President of Hughes Communications, Inc. and a member of our Board of Directors and his brother, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique, in the aggregate, owned approximately 25.9%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of March 31, 2015. Furthermore, Mr. Pradman Kaul serves on the board of directors of Hughes Systique. We are considered the “primary beneficiary” of Hughes Systique due to, among other factors, our ability to significantly influence and direct the operating and financial decisions of Hughes Systique and our obligation to provide financial support in the form of term loans. As a result, we are required to consolidate Hughes Systique’s financial statements in our condensed consolidated financial statements. NagraStar L.L.C. We own 50% of NagraStar L.L.C. (“NagraStar”), a joint venture that is our primary provider of encryption and related security technology used in our set-top boxes. We account for our investment in NagraStar using the equity method. We made purchases from NagraStar totaling approximately $4.6 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had trade accounts payable to NagraStar totaling approximately $0.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Additionally, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had outstanding purchase orders to NagraStar totaling approximately $8.7 million and $5.4 million, respectively. Dish Mexico We own 49% of an entity that provides direct-to-home satellite service in Mexico known as Dish Mexico. We provide certain broadcast services and satellite services and sell hardware such as digital set-top boxes and related equipment to Dish Mexico. We earned revenues of approximately $20.2 million and $15.9 million from our arrangements with Dish Mexico for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had trade accounts receivable from Dish Mexico of approximately $11.8 million and $11.0 million, respectively. Deluxe/EchoStar LLC We own 50% of Deluxe/EchoStar LLC (“Deluxe”), a joint venture that we entered into in 2010 to build an advanced digital cinema satellite distribution network targeting delivery to digitally equipped theaters in the U.S. and Canada. We account for our investment in Deluxe using the equity method. We recognized revenue from Deluxe for transponder services and the sale of broadband equipment of approximately $0.7 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had trade accounts receivable from Deluxe of approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References + Details

Subsequent Event	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Event.
Subsequent Event	Note 17.Subsequent Event On March 30, 2015, a subsidiary of EchoStar entered into a share purchase agreement with Kudelski SA, pursuant to which it will acquire a noncontrolling interest in the equity and debt of SmarDTV SA (“SmarDTV”), a Swiss subsidiary of Kudelski SA that offers advanced set-top boxes and conditional access modules. In exchange for the acquired interests in SmarDTV, we will contribute certain of our European subsidiaries and pay other consideration. This transaction is scheduled to close in the second quarter of 2015, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation

Use of Estimates

Fair Value Measurements

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

Research and Development

Capitalized Software Costs

New Accounting Pronouncements

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

+ References + Details

Earnings per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Earnings per Share

Tabular disclosure of the effect of income (loss) on the entity's basic and diluted earnings per share

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to EchoStar	$	29,398		$	12,055
Net loss attributable to EchoStar Tracking Stock	(4,004		)	(598		)
Net income attributable to EchoStar common stock	$	33,402		$	12,653

Weighted-average common shares outstanding :
Class A and B common stock:
Basic	91,969			90,689
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding	1,388			1,647
Diluted	93,357			92,336

Earnings per share:
Class A and B common stock:
Basic	$	0.36		$	0.14
Diluted	$	0.36		$	0.14

Investment Securities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Investment Securities.

Schedule of marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments

	As of
	March 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Marketable investment securities—current:
Corporate bonds	$	1,052,390	$	1,049,139
Strategic equity securities	41,962		41,705
Other	29,735		48,259
Total marketable investment securities—current	1,124,087		1,139,103
Restricted marketable investment securities (1)	11,778		11,712
Total	1,135,865		1,150,815

Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)	8,213		7,233

Other investments—noncurrent:
Cost method	31,174		31,174
Equity method	127,039		128,788
Total other investments—noncurrent	158,213		159,962
Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments	$	1,302,291	$	1,318,010

(1)

Schedule of unrealized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities

	Amortized		Unrealized					Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of March 31, 2015
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	1,053,234	$	99	$	(943	)	$	1,052,390
Other (including restricted)	41,494		19		—			41,513
Equity securities - strategic	32,081		11,816		(1,935		)	41,962
Total marketable investment securities	$	1,126,809	$	11,934	$	(2,878	)	$	1,135,865
As of December 31, 2014
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	1,050,803	$	33	$	(1,697	)	$	1,049,139
Other (including restricted)	59,977		1		(7		)	59,971
Equity securities - strategic	32,081		12,849		(3,225		)	41,705
Total marketable investment securities	$	1,142,861	$	12,883	$	(4,929	)	$	1,150,815

Schedule of available-for-sale securities in continuous unrealized loss position by length of time and their fair value

	As of
	March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Less than 12 months	$	848,813	$	(2,875	)	$	968,941	$	(4,929	)
12 months or more	14,000		(3		)	—		—
Total	$	862,813	$	(2,878	)	$	968,941	$	(4,929	)

Schedule of fair value measurements

	As of
	March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2
	(In thousands)
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	$	493,842	$	122,072	$	371,770	$	437,886	$	58,108	$	379,778
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	1,052,390	$	—	$	1,052,390	$	1,049,139	$	—	$	1,049,139
Other (including restricted)	41,513		5,600		35,913		59,971		5,630		54,341
Equity securities - strategic	41,962		41,962		—		41,705		41,705		—
Total marketable investment securities	$	1,135,865	$	47,562	$	1,088,303	$	1,150,815	$	47,335	$	1,103,480

Trade Accounts Receivable (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Trade Accounts Receivable

Schedule of trade accounts receivable

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable	$	142,706		$	160,886
Contracts in process, net	24,500			16,534
Total trade accounts receivable	167,206			177,420
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(13,796		)	(14,188		)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	275,209			251,669
Total trade accounts receivable, net	$	428,619		$	414,901

Inventory (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Inventory

Schedule of inventory

	As of
	March 31,		December 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Finished goods	$	52,968	$	49,038
Raw materials	7,863		6,192
Work-in-process	10,238		7,733
Total inventory	$	71,069	$	62,963

Property and Equipment (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Property and Equipment

Schedule of property and equipment

	Depreciable	As of
	Life	March 31,			December 31,
	(In Years)	2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Land	—	$	42,885		$	42,826
Buildings and improvements	1-40	376,333			375,920
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	1-12	1,226,213			1,223,807
Customer rental equipment	2-4	527,043			498,180
Satellites - owned	2-15	2,381,120			2,381,120
Satellites acquired under capital leases	10-15	665,518			935,104
Construction in progress	—	757,667			637,189
Total property and equipment		5,976,779			6,094,146
Accumulated depreciation		(2,727,698		)	(2,899,353		)
Property and equipment, net		$	3,249,081		$	3,194,793

Schedule of construction in progress

		As of
		March 31,		December 31,
	Segment	2015		2014
		(In thousands)
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch costs:
EchoStar XIX	Other	$	365,813	$	341,082
EchoStar XXI	Other	135,510		120,764
EchoStar XXIII	Other	83,701		63,072
EchoStar 105/SES-11	ESS	62,124		28,470
EUTELSAT 65 West A	Hughes	30,600		26,049
Other	Other/ESS	4,440		4,440
Uplinking equipment	ETC/Hughes	47,354		34,270
Other	ETC/Hughes/ESS	28,125		19,042
Construction in progress		$	757,667	$	637,189

Schedule of depreciation expense

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Satellites	$	49,087	$	47,563
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	30,503		29,891
Customer rental equipment	30,187		27,892
Buildings and improvements	3,395		3,530
Total depreciation expense	$	113,172	$	108,876

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets

Schedule of regulatory authorizations with finite and indefinite useful lives

	As of
	March 31,			December 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Finite useful lives:
Cost	$	89,175		$	103,499
Accumulated amortization	(6,974		)	(6,778		)
Net	82,201			96,721
Indefinite lives	471,657			471,657
Total regulatory authorizations, net	$	553,858		$	568,378

Schedule of other intangible assets subject to amortization

	Weighted	As of
	Average	March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	Useful life			Accumulated			Carrying				Accumulated			Carrying
	(in Years)	Cost		Amortization			Amount		Cost		Amortization			Amount
		(In thousands)
Customer relationships	8	$	293,932	$	(192,431	)	$	101,501	$	293,932	$	(185,393	)	$	108,539
Contract-based	10	255,366		(238,676		)	16,690		255,366		(233,009		)	22,357
Technology-based	7	140,837		(104,540		)	36,297		140,837		(100,940		)	39,897
Trademark portfolio	20	29,700		(5,693		)	24,007		29,700		(5,321		)	24,379
Favorable leases	4	4,707		(4,511		)	196		4,707		(4,217		)	490
Total other intangible assets		$	724,542	$	(545,851	)	$	178,691	$	724,542	$	(528,880	)	$	195,662

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Schedule of carrying amounts and fair values of the entity's debt

	As of
	March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Carrying			Fair		Carrying			Fair
	Amount			Value		Amount			Value
	(In thousands)
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019	$	1,100,000		$	1,203,422	$	1,100,000		$	1,177,000
7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021	900,000			994,500		900,000			994,500
Other	1,807			1,807		1,240			1,240
Subtotal	2,001,807			$	2,199,729	2,001,240			$	2,172,740
Capital lease obligations	349,746					366,447
Total debt and capital lease obligations	2,351,553					2,367,687
Less: Current portion	(31,475		)			(41,912		)
Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations	$	2,320,078				$	2,325,775

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Stock-Based Compensation

Schedule of allocated non-cash, stock-based compensation expense for all employees

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Research and development expenses	$	762	$	592
Selling, general and administrative expenses	3,413		2,965
Total stock-based compensation	$	4,175	$	3,557

Segment Reporting (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Segment Reporting

Schedule of revenue, EBITDA, and capital expenditures by operating segments

					EchoStar		All
	EchoStar				Satellite		Other and			Consolidated
	Technologies		Hughes		Services		Eliminations			Total
	(In thousands)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
External revenue	$	346,033	$	324,950	$	125,198	$	2,472		$	798,653
Intersegment revenue	$	187	$	330	$	200	$	(717	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	346,220	$	325,280	$	125,398	$	1,755		$	798,653
EBITDA	$	25,561	$	91,273	$	106,419	$	(9,572	)	$	213,681
Capital expenditures	$	15,104	$	64,527	$	27,783	$	70,388		$	177,802

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
External revenue	$	409,178	$	314,371	$	99,872	$	2,602		$	826,023
Intersegment revenue	$	101	$	400	$	949	$	(1,450	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	409,279	$	314,771	$	100,821	$	1,152		$	826,023
EBITDA	$	39,130	$	81,939	$	84,782	$	(13,967	)	$	191,884
Capital expenditures	$	13,922	$	45,972	$	29	$	53,702		$	113,625

Schedule of reconciliation of EBITDA to reported net income attributable to EchoStar

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
EBITDA	$	213,681		$	191,884
Interest income and expense, net	(32,697		)	(43,446		)
Depreciation and amortization	(133,185		)	(133,226		)
Income tax provision, net	(18,401		)	(3,157		)
Net income attributable to EchoStar	$	29,398		$	12,055

Organization and Business Activities (Details) - item		3 Months Ended
Organization and Business Activities (Details) - item	Mar. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization and Business Activities
Number of business segments		3
DISH Network \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Principal Business
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Principal Business
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%	80.00%

Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2014 item shares	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) item $ / shares shares
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Portion of one vote entitled to each share \| item		0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)		13,000,000
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 0.001
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)		300
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 0.001
DISH Network \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| EchoStar and HSSC
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Number of owned satellites transferred \| item	5	5
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Cash \| $		$ 11.4
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| Echostar Corporation
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Number of shares issued during the period	6,290,499
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Number of shares issued during the period	81.128
Hughes Retail Group \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Echostar Corporation
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	20.00%
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Echostar Corporation
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	51.89%
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Echostar Corporation
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	51.89%
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	28.11%
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Hughes Retail Group Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%	80.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Principles of Consolidation
Amount of transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy		$ 0	$ 0
Research and Development
Research and Development Expense		17,872	14,582
Capitalized Software Costs
Net carrying amount of externally marketed software		51,900		$ 48,900
Capitalized costs related to development of externally marketed software		5,000	5,000
Amortization expense relating to externally marketed software		1,900	800
New Accounting Pronouncements
Unamortized deferred cost		37,500		$ 39,100
Customer Fund
Research and Development
Research and Development Expense		$ 14,800	16,500
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")
Principles of Consolidation
Percentage of economic interest held	28.11%
Maximum
Capitalized Software Costs
Software useful life		5 years
Level 2
Fair value measurements
Orbital incentive obligations		$ 85,100	$ 85,800

Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings per Share
Net loss attributable to EchoStar Tracking Stock		$ (4,004)	$ (598)
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Echostar Corporation \| Hughes Retail Group
Earnings per Share
Percentage of economic interest held	20.00%
DISH Network \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Earnings per Share
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%
DISH Network \| Echostar Corporation \| Hughes Retail Group
Earnings per Share
Percentage of economic interest held	51.89%
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Group \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Earnings per Share
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%	80.00%
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Echostar Corporation \| Hughes Retail Group
Earnings per Share
Percentage of economic interest held	51.89%
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC") \| Hughes Retail Group
Earnings per Share
Percentage of economic interest held	28.11%

Earnings per Share (Details 2) - Class A common stock - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-term performance based plans
Dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share
Dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)		0.7
Stock awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	1.2	0.7

Earnings per Share (Details 3) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income attributable to EchoStar
Net income attributable to EchoStar	$ 29,398	$ 12,055
Net loss attributable to EchoStar Tracking Stock	(4,004)	(598)
Net income attributable to EchoStar common Stock	$ 33,402	$ 12,653
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	91,969	90,689
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	1,388	1,647
Diluted (in shares)	93,357	92,336
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.14
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.14

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other comprehensive income, tax (expense) benefit
Tax effects on foreign currency translation adjustments	$ 0.0
Tax effects on unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities	0.0
Cumulative foreign currency translation losses	$ 90.2	$ 63.8

Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	$ 1,124,087	$ 1,139,103
Total	1,135,865	1,150,815
Other investments-noncurrent:
Cost method	31,174	31,174
Equity method	127,039	128,788
Total other investments-noncurrent	158,213	159,962
Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments	1,302,291	1,318,010
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Restricted marketable investment securities	11,778	11,712
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,213	7,233
Corporate Bonds
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	1,052,390	1,049,139
Strategic equity securities
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	41,962	41,705
Other
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	$ 29,735	$ 48,259

Investment Securities (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	$ 1,126,809	$ 1,142,861
Unrealized Gains	11,934	12,883
Unrealized Losses	(2,878)	(4,929)
Total	1,135,865	1,150,815
Corporate Bonds
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	1,053,234	1,050,803
Unrealized Gains	99	33
Unrealized Losses	(943)	(1,697)
Estimated Fair Value	1,052,390	1,049,139
Other
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	41,494	59,977
Unrealized Gains	19	1
Unrealized Losses		(7)
Estimated Fair Value	41,513	59,971
Strategic equity securities
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	32,081	32,081
Unrealized Gains	11,816	12,849
Unrealized Losses	(1,935)	(3,225)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 41,962	$ 41,705

Investment Securities (Details 3) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Investment Securities.
Debt securities with contractual maturities of one year or less	$ 942.5
Debt securities with contractual maturities exceeding one year	$ 151.4

Investment Securities (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Investment Securities (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities
Realized losses from the sales of marketable investment securities	$ 0	$ 0
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale marketable investment securities	87,100	$ 500
Fair value of marketable investment securities in a loss position
Less than 12 months	848,813		$ 968,941
12 months or more	14,000
Total	862,813		968,941
Unrealized losses on marketable investment securities in a loss position
Less than 12 months	(2,875)		(4,929)
12 months or more	(3)
Total	$ (2,878)		$ (4,929)

Investment Securities (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair value of marketable securities
Total	$ 1,135,865	$ 1,150,815
Corporate Bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	1,052,390	1,049,139
Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	41,513	59,971
Level 3
Fair value of marketable securities
Fair value of investments	0	0
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	493,842	437,886
Total	1,135,865	1,150,815
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Corporate Bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	1,052,390	1,049,139
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	41,513	59,971
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	41,962	41,705
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	122,072	58,108
Total	47,562	47,335
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	5,600	5,630
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	41,962	41,705
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	371,770	379,778
Total	1,088,303	1,103,480
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Corporate Bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	1,052,390	1,049,139
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	$ 35,913	$ 54,341

Trade Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Trade Accounts Receivable
Total trade accounts receivable	$ 167,206	$ 177,420
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(13,796)	(14,188)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	275,209	251,669
Total trade accounts receivable, net	428,619	414,901
Progress billings offset against contracts in process	2,900	2,500
Trade accounts receivables
Trade Accounts Receivable
Total trade accounts receivable	142,706	160,886
Contracts in process, net
Trade Accounts Receivable
Total trade accounts receivable	$ 24,500	$ 16,534

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory
Finished goods	$ 52,968	$ 49,038
Raw materials	7,863	6,192
Work-in-process	10,238	7,733
Total inventory	$ 71,069	$ 62,963

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 5,976,779	$ 6,094,146
Accumulated depreciation	(2,727,698)	(2,899,353)
Property and equipment, net	3,249,081	3,194,793
Land
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	42,885	42,826
Buildings and improvements
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 376,333	375,920
Buildings and improvements \| Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	1 year
Buildings and improvements \| Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	40 years
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 1,226,213	1,223,807
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other \| Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	1 year
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other \| Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	12 years
Customer rental equipment
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 527,043	498,180
Customer rental equipment \| Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	2 years
Customer rental equipment \| Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	4 years
Satellites
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 2,381,120	2,381,120
Satellites \| Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	2 years
Satellites \| Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	15 years
Satellites acquired under capital leases
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 665,518	935,104
Satellites acquired under capital leases \| Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	10 years
Satellites acquired under capital leases \| Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable Life	15 years
Construction in progress
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 757,667	$ 637,189

Property and Equipment (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	$ 757,667	$ 637,189
EchoStar XIX
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	365,813	341,082
EchoStar XXI
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	135,510	120,764
EchoStar XXIII
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	83,701	63,072
EchoStar 105/SES-11
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	62,124	28,470
EUTELSAT 65 West A
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	30,600	26,049
Satellite under construction: Other
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	4,440	4,440
Uplinking equipment
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	47,354	34,270
Construction in progress: Other
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	$ 28,125	$ 19,042

Property and Equipment (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Property and Equipment (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	$ 113,172	$ 108,876
Satellites
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	49,087	47,563
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	30,503	29,891
Customer rental equipment
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	30,187	27,892
Buildings and improvements
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	$ 3,395	$ 3,530

Property and Equipment (Details 4) - item		3 Months Ended
Property and Equipment (Details 4) - item	Mar. 01, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Satellites
Property and equipment
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator		19
Length of satellites utilized in geosynchronous orbit above the equator (in miles)		22,300
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease		2
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease		3
AMC-16
Property and equipment
Extended term of agreement	1 year

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Regulatory authorizations and intangible assets
Goodwill	$ 510,630	$ 510,630
Cost	724,542	724,542
Accumulated amortization	(545,851)	(528,880)
Carrying amount	178,691	195,662
Total regulatory authorizations	553,858	568,378
Hughes Business
Regulatory authorizations and intangible assets
Goodwill	504,200
DISH Digital
Regulatory authorizations and intangible assets
Goodwill			$ 6,500
Finite lives
Regulatory authorizations and intangible assets
Cost	89,175	103,499
Accumulated amortization	(6,974)	(6,778)
Carrying amount	82,201	96,721
Total regulatory authorizations
Regulatory authorizations and intangible assets
Total regulatory authorizations	553,858	568,378
Indefinite lives
Regulatory authorizations and intangible assets
Indefinite lives	$ 471,657	$ 471,657

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 724,542		$ 724,542
Accumulated amortization	(545,851)		(528,880)
Carrying amount	178,691		195,662
Amortization expense	20,000	$ 24,300
Customer relationships
Other intangible assets
Cost	293,932		293,932
Accumulated amortization	(192,431)		(185,393)
Carrying amount	$ 101,501		108,539
Weighted Average Useful life	8 years
Contract-based
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 255,366		255,366
Accumulated amortization	(238,676)		(233,009)
Carrying amount	$ 16,690		22,357
Weighted Average Useful life	10 years
Technology-based
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 140,837		140,837
Accumulated amortization	(104,540)		(100,940)
Carrying amount	$ 36,297		39,897
Weighted Average Useful life	7 years
Trademark portfolio
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 29,700		29,700
Accumulated amortization	(5,693)		(5,321)
Carrying amount	$ 24,007		24,379
Weighted Average Useful life	20 years
Favorable leases
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 4,707		4,707
Accumulated amortization	(4,511)		(4,217)
Carrying amount	$ 196		$ 490
Weighted Average Useful life	4 years

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Carrying Amount	$ 2,001,807	$ 2,001,240
Fair Value	2,199,729	2,172,740
Capital lease obligations	349,746	366,447
Total debt and capital lease obligations	2,351,553	2,367,687
Less: Current portion	(31,475)	(41,912)
Long-term portion of debt and capital lease obligations	2,320,078	2,325,775
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Carrying Amount	1,100,000	1,100,000
Fair Value	$ 1,203,422	1,177,000
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.50%
7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Carrying Amount	$ 900,000	900,000
Fair Value	$ 994,500	994,500
7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2021 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC")
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.625%
Other
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Carrying Amount	$ 1,807	1,240
Fair Value	$ 1,807	$ 1,240

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income tax benefit (expense)	$ (18,401)	$ (3,157)
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	40.00%	20.80%

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 4,175	$ 3,557
Research and development expenses
Stock-Based Compensation
Allocated share-based compensation expense	762	592
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Stock-Based Compensation
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 3,413	$ 2,965
Stock options
Stock option activity
Stock options granted (in shares)	82,000	190,000
Non-Performance Based Stock Awards
Stock-Based Compensation
Unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, net of estimated forfeiture	$ 34,700

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Satellite-related obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Satellite-related obligations	$ 1,180

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2011 shares	Dec. 31, 2011 shares	Mar. 31, 2015 shares	Oct. 02, 2013 item	Jul. 31, 2009 item
Caltech
Commitment and Contingencies
Number of indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries against which lawsuit was filed \| item					2
Technology Development and Licensing, LLC
Commitment and Contingencies
Number of reexamination petitions pending before the United States Patents and Trademark Office \| item						2
Breach of fiduciary duties
Commitment and Contingencies
Stock option grants attempted (in shares)		1,500,000
Stock option grants (in shares)			800,000
Stock options outstanding (in shares)				800,000
Personalized Media Communications, Inc. \| Maximum
Commitment and Contingencies
Alleged damages \| $	$ 447
Personalized Media Communications, Inc. \| Minimum
Commitment and Contingencies
Alleged damages \| $	$ 167

Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting
Number of business segments \| item	3
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	$ 798,653	$ 826,023
EBITDA	213,681	191,884
Capital expenditures	177,802	113,625
Interest income and expense, net	(32,697)	(43,446)
Depreciation and amortization	(133,185)	(133,226)
Income tax provision, net	(18,401)	(3,157)
Net income attributable to EchoStar	29,398	12,055
EchoStar Technologies Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	346,033	409,178
Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	324,950	314,371
EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	125,198	99,872
All Other and Eliminations
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	2,472	2,602
Operating segments \| EchoStar Technologies Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	346,220	409,279
EBITDA	25,561	39,130
Capital expenditures	15,104	13,922
Operating segments \| Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	325,280	314,771
EBITDA	91,273	81,939
Capital expenditures	64,527	45,972
Operating segments \| EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	125,398	100,821
EBITDA	106,419	84,782
Capital expenditures	27,783	29
Intersegment Elimination \| EchoStar Technologies Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	187	101
Intersegment Elimination \| Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	330	400
Intersegment Elimination \| EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	200	949
Intersegment Elimination \| All Other and Eliminations
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	(717)	(1,450)
All Other and Eliminations \| All Other and Eliminations
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	1,755	1,152
EBITDA	(9,572)	(13,967)
Capital expenditures	$ 70,388	$ 53,702

Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended											3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands	May 05, 2014	Mar. 02, 2014 USD ($) item	Apr. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($) item	Oct. 31, 2010	May 31, 2010	Feb. 28, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010	Feb. 29, 2008 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2008 item	Aug. 01, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 item	Jul. 01, 2012	Mar. 09, 2012	Apr. 29, 2011 USD ($)
Related party transactions
Amount payable to related party														$ 36,283	$ 32,474
Net amount of the allocated tax attributes receivable														90,449	90,241
Amount receivable from related party														$ 275,209	251,669
DISH Digital
Related party transactions
Non-voting interest in joint venture (as a percentage)																				10.00%
Equity interest in joint venture																								33.00%
EchoStar XVI
Related party transactions
Term of renewal option														6 years
Patent Cross-License Agreements
Related party transactions
Maximum aggregate payments required under cross license agreements																	$ 10,000
Maximum additional aggregate payments required under cross license agreements if options are exercised																	$ 3,000
Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term									5 years
Automatic renewal period														1 year
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement														180 days
DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														30 days
Agreement term														1 year
Term of renewal option														1 year
Number of successive one year renewal options \| item														1
DISH Network \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Related party transactions
Percentage of economic interest held		80.00%
DISH Network \| DISH Digital
Related party transactions
Voting interests acquired by related party (as a percent)														100.00%
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)														90.00%						90.00%				67.00%
DISH Network \| TiVo vs. Dish Network and Echostar Corporation
Related party transactions
Settlement amount								$ 500,000
Portion of the $300 million initial settlement agreement payment paid by EchoStar								$ 10,000
Initial settlement amount paid																										$ 300,000
Aggregate of six annual installment amounts between 2012 and 2017																										$ 200,000
Litigation settlement, number of annual installments \| item								6
Estimated percentage of annual future payments payable by EchoStar								5.00%
DISH Network \| 2012 Receiver Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														60 days
Additional term of renewal option	1 year													1 year
Minimum notice period required to extend the agreement term														180 days
DISH Network \| Broadcast Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														60 days
DISH Network \| Broadcast Agreement for Certain Sports Related Programming
Related party transactions
Agreement term										10 years
DISH Network \| EchoStar VIII capacity leased to Dish Network
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														30 days
Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement by the reporting entity														30 days
DISH Network \| EchoStar XVI
Related party transactions
Agreement term from commencement of service date						4 years												10 years
Additional term of renewal option														5 years
Term of renewal option														6 years
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Related party transactions
Liabilities Assumed		$ 58,900
Net proceeds from issuance of Tracking Stock (Note 2)		$ 11,400
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Group \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Related party transactions
Percentage of economic interest held		80.00%												80.00%
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| EchoStar and HSSC
Related party transactions
Number of owned satellites transferred \| item		5												5
DISH Network \| Service agreement to lease certain satellite capacity \| Ciel
Related party transactions
Agreement term							10 years
DISH Network \| TT&C Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														60 days
DISH Network \| Inverness Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement														6 months
DISH Network \| Santa Fe Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Term of renewal option														1 year
DISH Network \| Gilbert Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement														30 days
Term of renewal option														1 year
Number of successive one year renewal options \| item														3
DISH Network \| Product Support Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														60 days
DISH Network \| DISH Online.com Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														120 days
Agreement term				1 year								2 years
Automatic renewal period														1 year
DISH Network \| DISH Remote Access Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														120 days
Agreement term											5 years
Additional term of renewal option														1 year
Automatic renewal period														1 year
DISH Network \| SlingService Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														120 days
Agreement term											5 years
Additional term of renewal option														1 year
Automatic renewal period														1 year
DISH Network \| DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)																									100.00%
DISH Network \| EchoStar XV capacity leased from Dish Network
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement														30 days
DISH Network \| Remanufactured Receiver Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement by the reporting entity														60 days
DISH Network \| Tax Sharing Agreement
Related party transactions
R&D credit utilized by DISH Network, net															5,300
DISH Network \| Tax Sharing Agreement \| Other noncurrent assets
Related party transactions
Net amount of the allocated tax attributes receivable																					$ 83,200
DISH Network \| Tax Sharing Agreement \| Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities
Related party transactions
Federal tax benefits reflected as a deferred tax asset for depreciation and amortization																						$ 83,200
DISH Network \| Set-Top Box Application Development Agreement
Related party transactions
Automatic renewal period														1 year
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement														90 days
DISH Network \| XiP Encryption Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party														30 days
Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement by the reporting entity														180 days
Term of renewal option														1 year
Minimum notice period required to extend the agreement term														180 days
DISH Network \| DISH Telesat Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term from commencement of service date																		10 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services \| item																		32
DISH Network \| El Paso Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Number of successive three year renewal options \| item														4
Term of renewal option														3 years
DISH Network \| Professional Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term														1 year
Automatic renewal period														1 year
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement														60 days
Required minimum notice for termination of individual service														30 days
DISH Network \| QuetzSat-1 Transponder
Related party transactions
Number of DBS transponders currently receiving services \| item														24
Number of DBS transponders currently receiving services subleased back from related party \| item																							5
Telesat Canada \| Nimiq 5 Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term																		15 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services \| item																		32
SES Latin America \| QuetzSat-1 Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term																			10 years
Number of DBS transponders expected to receive services \| item																			32
Hughes Systique Corporation
Related party transactions
Repayment of loan			$ 700
Ownership interest in related party (as a percent)														44.10%
Ownership percentage by related party														25.90%
Hughes Systique Corporation \| HNS
Related party transactions
Amount agreed to be funded under term loan facility													$ 1,500
Amount funded													$ 500					$ 1,000
Interest rate (as a percent)					8.00%								6.00%
NagraStar
Related party transactions
Ownership interest in related party (as a percent)														50.00%
Purchases from related party														$ 4,600		$ 3,100
Amount payable to related party														900	3,200
Outstanding purchase orders to NagraStar														$ 8,700	5,400
Dish Mexico
Related party transactions
Ownership interest in related party (as a percent)														49.00%
Amount receivable from related party														$ 11,800	11,000
Revenue recognized from equipment and services provided to related party														$ 20,200		15,900
Deluxe
Related party transactions
Ownership interest in related party (as a percent)														50.00%
Revenue recognized from equipment and services provided to related party														$ 700		$ 900
Receivables from related party														$ 100	$ 200