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Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Dec. 31, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Hughes Satellite Systems Corp
Entity Central Index Key	0001533758
Document Type	S-4
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,070,964	$ 382,990
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	187,923	253,343
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,752 and $11,447, respectively	182,512	139,510
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	19,323	21,258
Inventory	62,638	48,797
Prepaids and deposits	34,505	38,222
Advances to affiliates, net	110,452	47,387
Other current assets	11,809	13,273
Total current assets	2,680,126	944,780
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	11,820	20,140
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,503,187 and $2,138,642, respectively	2,294,726	2,265,402
Regulatory authorizations	471,658	471,658
Goodwill	504,173	504,173
Other intangible assets, net	80,734	115,420
Investments in unconsolidated entities	42,560	41,481
Other noncurrent assets, net	295,737	208,225
Total noncurrent assets	3,701,408	3,626,499
Total assets	6,381,534	4,571,279
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	106,416	97,667
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	32,984	30,284
Advances from affiliates, net	598	3,773
Deferred revenue and prepayments	59,989	57,493
Accrued interest	46,255	8,310
Accrued compensation	33,457	31,932
Accrued expenses and other	80,612	83,501
Total current liabilities	360,311	312,960
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,622,463	2,154,988
Deferred tax liabilities, net	528,462	452,350
Advances from affiliates	31,968	25,283
Other noncurrent liabilities	83,307	84,058
Total noncurrent liabilities	4,266,200	2,716,679
Total liabilities	4,626,511	3,029,639
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding at each of December 31, 2016 and 2015	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	1,516,199	1,417,748
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(60,719)	(54,116)
Accumulated earnings	286,713	166,698
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	1,742,193	1,530,330
Noncontrolling interests	12,830	11,310
Total shareholders’ equity	1,755,023	1,541,640
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	6,381,534	4,571,279
Preferred Stock
Shareholders’ Equity:
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock, $0.001 par value; 300 shares authorized, 81.128 shares issued and outstanding at each of December 31, 2016 and 2015	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable	$ 12,752	$ 11,447
Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	0	0
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 2,503,187	$ 2,138,642
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,000	1,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,000	1,000
Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	300	300
Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares)	81.128	81.128
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	81.128	81.128

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$ 449,547	$ 518,853	$ 487,985
Services and other revenue - other	1,103,127	1,095,249	1,077,101
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	8,840	10,752	31,943
Equipment revenue - other	238,279	212,278	210,948
Total revenue	1,799,793	1,837,132	1,807,977
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	517,957	525,471	535,918
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	204,753	195,537	209,022
Selling, general and administrative expenses	281,048	276,616	264,610
Research and development expenses	31,170	26,377	20,192
Depreciation and amortization	414,133	430,127	452,138
Total costs and expenses	1,449,061	1,454,128	1,481,880
Operating income	350,732	383,004	326,097
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	12,598	4,416	3,234
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(187,198)	(169,150)	(191,258)
Loss from partial redemption of debt	0	(5,044)	0
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	6,995	(6,463)	(32)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	0	(6,139)	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	9,444	8,502	5,121
Other, net	2,909	2,222	(485)
Total other expense, net	(155,252)	(171,656)	(183,420)
Income before income taxes	195,480	211,348	142,677
Income tax provision, net	(73,759)	(72,364)	(40,095)
Net income	121,721	138,984	102,582
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,706	1,617	1,389
Net income attributable to HSS	120,015	137,367	101,193
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	121,721	138,984	102,582
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5,377)	(25,012)	(8,789)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other	1,584	(4,202)	(4,182)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income	0	6,139	0
Recognition of realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities in net income	(2,996)	(15)	32
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(6,789)	(23,090)	(12,939)
Comprehensive income	114,932	115,894	89,643
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,520	1,297	1,152
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS	$ 113,412	$ 114,597	$ 88,491

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Income/ (Deficit)	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,024,818	$ 1,106,463	$ (18,644)	$ (71,862)	$ 8,861
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	3,152	3,152	0	0	0
Issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)	252,990	252,990	0	0	0
Other	(1,006)	(1,006)	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	102,582	0	0	101,193	1,389
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(8,789)	0	(8,552)	0	(237)
Unrealized gains (losses) and other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities, net and other	(4,150)	0	(4,150)	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,369,597	1,361,599	(31,346)	29,331	10,013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	5,204	5,204	0	0	0
Transfer of launch service contract from EchoStar to HNS	52,250	52,250	0	0	0
Other	(1,305)	(1,305)	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	138,984	0	0	137,367	1,617
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(25,012)	0	(24,692)	0	(320)
Unrealized gains (losses) and other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities, net and other	1,922	0	1,922	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,541,640	1,417,748	(54,116)	166,698	11,310
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	4,822	4,822	0	0	0
Transfer of launch service contract from EchoStar to HNS	70,300	70,300	0	0	0
Contributions to fund EchoStar XXI launch service contract from EchoStar to HNS	23,750	23,750	0	0	0
Other	(421)	(421)	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	121,721	0	0	120,015	1,706
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(5,377)	0	(5,191)	0	(186)
Unrealized gains (losses) and other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities, net and other	(1,412)	0	(1,412)	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 1,755,023	$ 1,516,199	$ (60,719)	$ 286,713	$ 12,830

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 121,721,000	$ 138,984,000	$ 102,582,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	414,133,000	430,127,000	452,138,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs	6,551,000	6,042,000	5,813,000
Loss from partial redemption of debt	0	5,044,000	0
Losses (gains) and impairment on marketable investment securities, net	(6,995,000)	12,602,000	32,000
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	(9,444,000)	(8,502,000)	(5,121,000)
Stock-based compensation	4,822,000	5,204,000	3,152,000
Deferred tax provision	70,901,000	68,011,000	33,492,000
Dividends received from unconsolidated entity	10,000,000	0	2,400,000
Proceeds from sale of trading securities	7,140,000	380,000	17,053,000
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net:
Trade accounts receivable, net	(39,092,000)	(20,873,000)	(20,061,000)
Advances to and from affiliates, net	(67,579,000)	(67,940,000)	8,057,000
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	1,935,000	(2,009,000)	48,842,000
Inventory	(13,221,000)	1,941,000	4,883,000
Other current assets	298,000	(9,894,000)	(4,061,000)
Trade accounts payable	9,429,000	2,598,000	610,000
Accrued expenses and other	30,603,000	7,181,000	12,624,000
Changes in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net	14,233,000	8,038,000	(8,543,000)
Other, net	10,436,000	(1,444,000)	(320,000)
Net cash flows from operating activities	565,871,000	575,490,000	653,572,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(396,730,000)	(208,821,000)	(509,814,000)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	452,446,000	355,202,000	234,970,000
Expenditures for property and equipment	(381,287,000)	(386,714,000)	(247,341,000)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,320,000	(2,488,000)	(2,538,000)
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services	(23,750,000)	(11,875,000)	0
Expenditures for externally marketed software	(23,252,000)	(22,327,000)	(22,955,000)
Other, net	(1,636,000)	(10,000)	(35,000)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(365,889,000)	(277,033,000)	(547,713,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,500,000,000	0	0
Payments of debt issuance costs	(7,097,000)	0	0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium	0	(113,300,000)	0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(31,669,000)	(39,441,000)	(59,835,000)
Net proceeds from issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)	0	0	10,601,000
Advances from affiliates	6,982,000	20,002,000	0
Capital contribution from EchoStar	23,750,000	0	0
Other, net	(4,157,000)	(5,154,000)	107,000
Net cash flows from financing activities	1,487,809,000	(137,893,000)	(49,127,000)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	183,000	(3,131,000)	5,116,000
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,687,974,000	157,433,000	61,848,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	382,990,000	225,557,000	163,709,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,070,964,000	382,990,000	225,557,000
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	172,029,000	178,363,000	186,503,000
Capitalized interest	30,202,000	15,852,000	2,168,000
Cash paid for income taxes	4,796,000	4,783,000	8,577,000
Property and equipment financed under capital lease obligations	1,130,000	673,000	1,535,000
Increase in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	1,175,000	4,694,000	4,377,000
Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites	0	4,500,000	0
Net noncash assets received in connection with Tracking Stock Transaction (Note 3)	0	0	375,287,000
Transfer of launch contracts from EchoStar to HNS	$ 70,300,000	$ 52,250,000	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)	Dec. 31, 2016
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Interest rate	6.50%

Organization and Business Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Business Activities

Principal Business

Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (which, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “HSS,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) is a holding company and a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”). We are a global provider of satellite service operations, video delivery solutions, broadband satellite technologies and broadband services for home and small office customers. We deliver innovative network technologies, managed services, and various communications solutions for enterprise and government customers.

On January 31, 2017, our parent company EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”) and certain subsidiaries of EchoStar, including certain subsidiaries of the Company, entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with DISH Network Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries. The Share Exchange Agreement provides, among other things, that EchoStar and its subsidiaries will receive all of the shares of the EchoStar Tracking Stock and HSS Tracking Stock in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain subsidiaries of EchoStar that will hold its EchoStar Technologies businesses (collectively, the “Share Exchange”). Following consummation of the Share Exchange, the HSS Tracking Stock will be retired and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to, and terms of, such tracking stock will terminate and be of no further effect.

Prior to consummation of the Share Exchange, EchoStar is required to complete steps necessary for the transferring assets and liabilities that are being assumed by DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries to be owned by the transferring entities and their respective subsidiaries. As part of these steps, subsidiaries of EchoStar that currently own EchoStar’s business of providing online video delivery and satellite video delivery for broadcasters and pay-TV operators, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management and other services (the “Uplinking Businesses”) and related assets and liabilities will be contributed to EB Corp in consideration for additional shares of the Company’s common stock that will be issued to a subsidiary of EchoStar. Certain data center assets within the Uplinking Businesses will not be included in the Share Exchange and after consummation of the Share Exchange will continue to be owned by our subsidiaries and will be pledged as collateral to support our obligations under the Indentures (as defined below).

The Share Exchange is expected to be consummated three business days after the satisfaction or waiver of all of the closing conditions to the transaction (other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing, but subject to the satisfaction of those conditions at such time), but no earlier than February 28, 2017. The closing conditions to the transaction involving third parties or governmental approvals have been satisfied (other than those that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing). While we currently expect the Share Exchange to be consummated on or about February 28, 2017, no assurance can be given that the Share Exchange will be consummated on the terms or within the time frame disclosed, or at all.

See Note 18 for further discussion of the Share Exchange transaction and Note 3 for more information regarding the tracking stock.

We currently operate in the following two business segments:

•

Hughes — which provides broadband satellite technologies and broadband services to home and small office customers and network technologies, managed services and communication solutions to domestic and international consumers and enterprise and government customers. The Hughes segment also provides managed services, hardware, and satellite services to large enterprises and government customers, and designs, provides and installs gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems. In addition, our Hughes segment provides satellite ground segment systems and terminals to mobile system operators.

•

EchoStar Satellite Services (“ESS”) — which uses certain of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related licenses to provide satellite service operations and video delivery solutions on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries (“DISH Network”), Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”), a joint venture that EchoStar entered into in 2008, United States (“U.S.”) government service providers, internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers, and private enterprise customers. We also manage satellite operations for several satellites owned by third parties.

We were formed as a Colorado corporation in March 2011 to facilitate the acquisition (the “Hughes Acquisition”) of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Hughes Communications”) and related financing transactions. In connection with our formation, EchoStar contributed the assets and liabilities of its satellite services business, including the principal operating subsidiary of its satellite services business, EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., to us. In addition, as a result of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction described in Note 3 below, DISH Network owns shares of our preferred tracking stock representing a 28.11% economic interest in the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment. DISH Network also owns shares of preferred tracking stock issued by EchoStar Corporation, which together with our preferred tracking stock represents an aggregate 80.0% economic interest in the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment. The tracking stock is an equity security and the rights of DISH Network, as the holder of the tracking stock, in our assets are subject to the claims of our creditors. In addition, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of EchoStar and DISH Network is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

We consolidate all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. We are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary. We are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in other entities when we own more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting shares and other shareholders do not have substantive rights to participate in management. For entities we control but do not wholly own, we record a noncontrolling interest within shareholders’ equity for the portion of the entity’s equity attributed to the noncontrolling ownership interests. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“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 consolidated financial statements. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, amortization periods for 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 EchoStar’s stock-based compensation awards, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, lease classifications, asset impairment testing, useful lives and methods for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, and certain royalty obligations. 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 consolidated financial statements. Changing 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.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency for certain of our foreign operations is determined to be the local currency. Accordingly, we translate assets and liabilities of these foreign entities from their local currencies to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates and translate income and expense accounts at monthly average rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) as “Foreign currency translation adjustments” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). We have not recorded deferred income taxes related to our foreign currency translation adjustments.

Gains and losses resulting from re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies into the functional currency are recognized in “Other, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). We recognized net foreign currency transaction gains of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and losses of $3.6 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 primarily consisted of money market funds, government bonds, corporate notes, and commercial paper. The amortized cost of these investments approximates their fair value.

Marketable Investment Securities

We classify our marketable investment securities as available for sale, except in uncommon instances where we have designated certain securities as trading securities. We report all marketable investment securities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognize periodic changes in the fair value of trading securities and realized gains and losses on sale of available-for-sale securities in “Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities,” a component of net income, in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For available-for-sale securities, we recognize periodic changes in the difference between fair value and amortized cost in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses upon sale of available-for-sale securities are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in net income on the trade date. We use the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method to determine the cost basis on sales of marketable investment securities. Interest and dividend income from marketable investment securities is reported in “Interest income” and “Other, net,” respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

We evaluate our available-for-sale securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether declines in the fair value of these securities are other than temporary. Our evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things:


•	the fair value of each security compared to its amortized cost;


•	the length of time and the extent to which the fair value of a security has been lower than amortized cost;


•	the historical volatility of the price of each security;


•	any market and company-specific factors related to each security; and


•	our intent and ability to hold the investment to recovery.

Where the fair value of a debt security has declined below its amortized cost, we consider the decline to be other than temporary if any of the following factors apply:


•	we intend to sell the security,


•	it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery, or


•	we do not expect to recover the security’s entire amortized cost basis, even if there is no intent to sell the security.

Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities that are determined to be other than temporary are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in net income, thus establishing a new cost basis for the investment.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities — Cost and Equity Method

We use the equity method to account for equity investments in entities that we do not control but have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. We use the cost method when we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee.

Generally, our equity investments accounted for using either the equity method or cost method are not publicly traded and it is not practicable to regularly estimate the fair value of such investments. We evaluate these equity investments on a quarterly basis to determine whether an event or changes in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. As part of our evaluation, we review available information such as business plans and current financial statements of these companies for factors that may indicate an impairment of our investments. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, unprofitable operations, negative cash flow, material litigation, violations of debt covenants, bankruptcy and changes in business strategy. When we determine that an investment is impaired, and the impairment is other than temporary, we adjust the carrying amount of the investment to its estimated fair value and recognize the impairment loss in net income.

Generally, equity method investments are initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for our proportionate share of the net earnings or loss of the investee, which is reported in “Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The carrying amount of our investments may include a component of goodwill if the cost of our investment exceeds the fair value of the underlying identifiable assets and liabilities of the investee. Dividends received from equity method investees reduce the carrying amount of the investment. We defer, to the extent of our ownership interest in the investee, recognition of intra-entity profits on sales of equipment to the investee until the investee has charged the cost of the equipment to expense in a subsequent sale to a third party or through depreciation. In these circumstances, we report the gross amounts of revenue and cost of sales in the statement of operations and include the intra-entity profit eliminations within “Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate.”

Accounts Receivable

We estimate allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable based upon past collection experience and consideration of other relevant factors. Past experience may not be indicative of future collections and therefore additional adjustments could be recognized in the future to reflect differences between estimated and actual collections.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost, determined using the FIFO method, or net realizable value. Cost of inventory consists primarily of materials, direct labor and indirect overhead incurred in the procurement and manufacturing of our products. We use standard costing methodologies in determining the cost of certain of our finished goods and work-in-process inventories. We determine net realizable value using our best estimates of future use or recovery, considering the aging and composition of inventory balances, the effects of technological and/or design changes, forecasted future product demand based on firm or near-firm customer orders, and alternative means of disposition of excess or obsolete items. We recognize losses within operating income when we determine that the cost of inventory and commitments to purchase inventory exceed net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The cost of our satellites includes construction costs, including the present value of in-orbit incentives payable to the satellite manufacturer, launch costs, capitalized interest, and related insurance premiums. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from one to 30 years. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. Costs of renewals and betterments are capitalized.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

We review our long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For assets held and used in operations, the asset is not recoverable if the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its undiscounted estimated future net cash flows. When an asset is not recoverable, we adjust the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair value and recognize the impairment loss in net income. Assets to be disposed of by sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value assigned to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We do not amortize goodwill, but test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist. Our goodwill as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 is assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment. We test Hughes goodwill for impairment in the second fiscal quarter. There are two steps to the goodwill impairment test. Step one compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. We typically estimate fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flow techniques, which includes significant assumptions about prospective financial information, terminal value and discount rates (Level 3 inputs). If the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, it is necessary to perform the second step of the impairment test, which compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of such goodwill to determine the amount of impairment loss. We may bypass the two-step goodwill impairment test if we determine, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount including goodwill.

Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets

At acquisition and periodically thereafter, we evaluate our intangible assets to determine whether their useful lives are finite or indefinite. We consider our intangible assets to have indefinite lives when no significant legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, or other factors limit the useful life.

Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from approximately one to 20 years. When we expect to incur significant costs to renew or extend finite-lived intangible assets, we amortize the total initial and estimated renewal costs over the combined initial and expected renewal terms. In such instances, actual renewal costs are capitalized when they are incurred. We test intangible assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, as discussed above under “Impairment of Long-lived Assets.”

We do not amortize our indefinite-lived intangible assets, but test those assets for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset may be impaired. Costs incurred to maintain or renew indefinite-lived intangible assets are expensed as incurred.

Our indefinite-lived intangible assets include Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) authorizations and certain other contractual or regulatory rights to use spectrum at specified orbital locations (collectively “Regulatory Authorizations”). We have determined that our FCC authorizations generally have indefinite useful lives due to the following:


•	FCC authorizations are non-depleting assets;


•	renewal satellite applications generally are authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions, without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative, and legal environment;


•	expenditures required to maintain the authorization are not significant; and


•	we intend to use these authorizations indefinitely.

Income Taxes

We are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of EchoStar. We recognize a provision or benefit for income taxes currently payable or receivable and for income tax amounts deferred to future periods based upon a separate return allocation method which results in income tax expense that approximates the expense that would result if we were a stand-alone entity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated future tax effects of differences that exist between the financial reporting carrying amount and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are offset by valuation allowances when we determine it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized in the foreseeable future. We determine deferred tax assets and liabilities separately for each taxing jurisdiction and report the net amount for each jurisdiction as a noncurrent asset or liability in our consolidated balance sheets.

From time to time, we engage in transactions where the income tax consequences are uncertain. We recognize tax benefits when, in management’s judgment, a tax filing position is more likely than not to be sustained if challenged by the tax authorities. For tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not threshold, we may not recognize a portion of a tax benefit depending on management’s assessment of how the tax position will ultimately be settled. Unrecognized tax benefits generally are netted against the deferred tax assets associated with our net operating loss carryforwards. We adjust our estimates periodically based on ongoing examinations by and settlements with various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax provision or benefit.

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 years ended December 31, 2016 or 2015.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 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 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 2019 Senior Secured Notes, 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes and 2026 Notes (see Note 10) are based on quoted market prices in less active markets and are categorized as Level 2 measurements. The fair values of our other 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 December 31, 2016 and 2015, 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 $74.1 million and $79.3 million, respectively. We use fair value measurements from time to time in connection with asset 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.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the sale of equipment and services generally is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, prices are fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and the goods have been delivered or services have been rendered. If any of these criteria are not met, revenue recognition is deferred until such time as all of the criteria are met. Revenue from equipment sales generally is recognized upon shipment to customers. Revenue from recurring services generally is recognized ratably over the service term. Upfront fees collected in connection with services to consumer subscribers in our Hughes segment are deferred and recognized as revenue over the estimated subscriber life. We may offer rebates to qualifying new consumer subscribers in our Hughes segment. We reduce related revenue at inception of the subscriber contract based on an estimate of the number of rebates that will be redeemed. Our estimates are based on historical experience and actual sales during the promotion. Services and other revenue includes revenue from leases of satellite capacity and equipment. We typically determine based on applicable criteria that our leasing arrangements are operating leases and recognize related revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

In situations where customer offerings represent an arrangement for both services and equipment, revenue elements with standalone value to the customer are separated for revenue recognition purposes based on their selling prices if sold separately. We determine selling prices under a hierarchy that considers vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), third-party evidence and estimated selling prices. Typically, we derive VSOE from service renewal rates and optional equipment prices specified in customer contracts or we estimate prices based on the gross margin that we ordinarily realize in transactions with similarly situated customers.

In addition to equipment and service offerings, our Hughes segment also enters into contracts to design, develop, and deliver complex telecommunication networks to customers in its enterprise and mobile satellite systems markets. Those contracts require significant effort to develop and construct the network over an extended time period. Revenue from such contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, we measure progress toward contract completion using the cost-to-cost method or the units-of-delivery method. Under the cost-to-cost method, revenue reflects the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs at completion multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue. Under the units-of-delivery method, revenue and related costs are recognized as products are delivered based on the expected profit for the entire agreement. Profit margins on long-term contracts are based on estimates of revenue and costs at completion. We review and revise our estimates periodically and recognize related adjustments in the period in which the revisions are made. Estimated losses on contracts are recorded in the period in which they are identified.

We report revenue net of sales taxes imposed on our goods and services in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Since we primarily act as an agent for the governmental authorities, the amount charged to the customer is collected and remitted directly to the appropriate jurisdictional entity.

Debt Issuance Costs

Costs of issuing debt generally are deferred and amortized utilizing the effective interest method with amortization included in “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). We report unamortized debt issuance costs as a reduction of the related long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheets.

Cost of Sales — Services and Equipment

Cost of sales - services primarily consists of costs of digital broadcast operations, satellite capacity and services, hub infrastructure, customer care, wireline and wireless capacity, and direct labor costs associated with the services provided. Costs of sales - services generally are charged to expense as incurred. Cost of sales - equipment primarily consists of inventory costs, including freight and royalties. Cost of sales - equipment generally is recognized as products are delivered to customers and related revenue is recognized.

Research and Development

Costs incurred in research and development activities generally are expensed as incurred. A significant portion of our research and development costs are incurred in connection with the specific requirements of a customer’s order. In such instances, the amounts for these customer funded development efforts are included in cost of sales.

Cost of sales includes research and development costs incurred in connection with customer’s orders of approximately $23.7 million, $19.6 million and $25.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, we incurred other research and development expenses of approximately $31.2 million, $26.4 million and $20.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Subscriber Acquisition Costs

Subscriber Acquisition Costs (“SAC”) consists of costs paid to third-party dealers and customer service representative commissions on new service activations and hardware upgrades and, in certain cases, the cost of hardware and installation services provided to non-wholesale consumer customers at the inception of service or hardware upgrade. SAC is deferred when a customer enters into a service agreement and is subsequently amortized over the service agreement term in proportion to when the related service revenue is recognized. We monitor the recoverability of deferred SAC and are entitled to an early termination fee if the subscriber cancels service prior to the end of the service agreement term. The recoverability of deferred SAC is reasonably assured through the monthly service fee charged to customers, our ability to recover the equipment, and/or our ability to charge an early termination fee. Deferred SAC is included in “Other noncurrent assets, net” in our consolidated balance sheets.

Capitalized Software Costs

Costs related to the procurement and development of 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 consolidated balance sheets. Externally marketed software generally is installed 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 December 31, 2016 and 2015, the net carrying amount of externally marketed software was $76.3 million and $62.8 million, respectively, of which $50.1 million and $32.6 million, respectively, is under development and not yet placed in service. We capitalized costs related to the development of externally marketed software of $23.3 million, $22.4 million and $23.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We recorded amortization expense relating to the development of externally marketed software of $9.7 million, $8.4 million and $5.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The weighted average useful life of our externally marketed software was approximately three years as of December 31, 2016.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). We incurred advertising expense of $43.9 million, $44.2 million and $45.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). It outlines a single comprehensive model, codified in Topic 606 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, 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.” In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, which deferred the mandatory effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. As a result, public entities are required to adopt the new revenue standard in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and in interim periods within those annual periods. The standard may be applied either retrospectively to prior periods or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, but not before annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations, which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which amends guidance on identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which addresses collectibility, noncash consideration, completed contracts at transition, a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition, and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections to Topic 606, which clarifies, but does not fundamentally change, certain aspects of the new revenue standard. We have not selected the transition method that we will apply upon adoption. We continue to evaluate the impact of the new standard and available adoption methods on our consolidated financial statements. We are in the process of evaluating arrangements with customers and identifying differences in accounting between new and existing standards.

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 and general partners’ investments in limited partnerships and similar entities. ASU 2015-02 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods, and required either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We adopted ASU 2015-02 in the first quarter of 2016. The adoption of the standard did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

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 was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods, and required a retrospective approach to adoption. We adopted ASU 2015-03 in the first quarter of 2016. Upon adoption, we presented unamortized debt issuance cost previously reported in “Other noncurrent assets, net” with a carrying amount of $31.3 million as of December 31, 2015, as a reduction of our “Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs.”

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). This update substantially revises standards for the recognition, measurement and presentation of financial instruments, including requiring all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. It also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted for certain requirements. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). This standard requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with lease terms more than 12 months, including leases classified as operating leases. The standard also modifies the definition of a lease and the criteria for classifying leases as operating leases or financing leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (“ASU 2016-16”), which improves the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). This standard clarifies the guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows, along with other cash-flow-related issues. ASU 2016-18 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted, which must apply the guidance retrospectively to all periods presented. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). The standard simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and to be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We will apply this new accounting standard in future periods if we determine that the carrying amount of any reporting units including goodwill exceeds fair value of the reporting unit.

Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock

On January 31, 2017, EchoStar and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the Share Exchange Agreement. The Share Exchange Agreement provides, among other things, that EchoStar and its subsidiaries will receive all of the shares of the EchoStar Tracking Stock (as defined below) and HSS Tracking Stock (as defined below) in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain subsidiaries of EchoStar that will hold its EchoStar Technologies businesses. Following consummation of the Share Exchange, the EchoStar Tracking Stock and HSS Tracking Stock will be retired and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to, and terms of, such tracking stock will terminate and be of no further effect. See Note 18 for further discussion of the Share Exchange.

Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction

In February 2014, HSS and 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 HSS 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”). Immediately upon receipt of net assets (consisting of two of the five satellites and related in-orbit incentive obligations) from DISH Network in exchange for EchoStar Tracking Stock, EchoStar transferred such net assets to us. The Tracking Stock tracks the economic performance of 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”). The Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction was consistent with the long-term strategy of the Company to increase the scale of its satellite services business, which provides high-margin revenues, while continuing to benefit from the growth of the satellite broadband business. As a result of the additional satellites received in the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction, HSS increased short-term cash flow that it believes has better positioned it to achieve its strategic objectives.

HSS has adopted a policy statement (the “Policy Statement”) setting forth management and allocation policies for purposes of attributing all of the business and operations of HSS to either the Hughes Retail Group or the “HSSC Group,” which is defined as all other operations of HSS, including all existing and future businesses, other than the Hughes Retail Group. Among other things, the Policy Statement governs how assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses are attributed or allocated between HRG and the HSSC Group. Such attributions and allocations generally do not affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements, except for the attribution of shareholders’ equity and net income or loss between the holders of Tracking Stock and common stock. The Policy Statement also does 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 HSSC Group in an exhibit to our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. Set forth below is information about certain terms of the Tracking Stock and the initial recording of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction in our consolidated financial statements, as well as the purpose and effect of the transaction on the Company.

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 (the shares issued as HSS Tracking Stock represent a 28.11% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group and the shares issued as EchoStar Tracking Stock represent a 51.89% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group). In addition to the remaining 20.0% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group, HSS retains all economic interest in the wholesale satellite broadband business and other businesses of HSS. The 80.0% economic interest was determined at the time of issuance based on the estimated fair value of the consideration received from DISH Network in exchange for the Tracking Stock, consisting of the five satellites and $11.4 million in cash, relative to the estimated fair value of the Hughes Retail Group. The allocation of economic interest represented by the Tracking Stock of 51.89% issued as EchoStar Tracking Stock and 28.11% issued as HSS Tracking Stock reflected the relative assignment to HSS Tracking Stock and EchoStar Tracking Stock of the aggregate increase in equity resulting from DISH Network’s contribution of the satellites and cash. The tracking stock structure and the allocation of the tracking stock economic interest between EchoStar and HSS was advantageous to EchoStar from an economic and tax perspective by allowing the Company to increase cash flow by using the value of the Hughes Retail Group to purchase the satellites from DISH Network.

While DISH Network, as the holder of the Tracking Stock, holds an aggregate 80.0% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group, 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.

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. The EchoStar Tracking Stock is a series of EchoStar 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. As of December 31, 2016, DISH Network held 6.3% and 7.5% of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of EchoStar and HSS capital stock, respectively.

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. In the event of a liquidation of HSS, holders of shares of HSS common stock and HSS Tracking Stock are entitled to receive their respective proportionate interests in the net assets of HSS, if any, remaining for distribution upon liquidation, pro rata based upon the aggregate market value of outstanding shares of HSS Tracking Stock as compared to the aggregate market value of outstanding shares of HSS common stock. Market values of HSS Tracking Stock and HSS common stock are to be determined by an independent appraisal to the extent such shares are not then listed or quoted on any U.S. national or regional securities exchange or quotation system.

Should our board of directors, or the board of directors of EchoStar, make a future determination to pay a dividend on any shares of capital stock, the respective board of directors may, in its sole discretion, declare dividends only on shares of common stock, only on shares of the Tracking Stock or on shares of both the common stock and the Tracking Stock of the respective company. No dividend or other distribution may be paid on any shares of EchoStar Tracking Stock unless a dividend or distribution in an equivalent amount is paid on shares of HSS Tracking Stock and no dividend or other distribution may be paid on any shares of HSS Tracking Stock unless a dividend or distribution in an equivalent amount is paid on shares of EchoStar Tracking Stock.

EchoStar and HSS may each, at its option, redeem all of the outstanding shares of its Tracking Stock in exchange for shares of common stock in an HRG Holding Company (as defined below), which EchoStar is required to establish pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement discussed below.

Investor Rights Agreement

In connection with the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction, EchoStar, HSS and DISH Network entered into an agreement (the “Investor Rights Agreement”) setting forth certain rights and obligations of the parties with respect to the Tracking Stock. Among other provisions, the Investor Rights Agreement provides: (i) certain information and consultation rights for DISH Network; (ii) certain transfer restrictions on the Tracking Stock and certain rights and obligations to offer and sell under certain circumstances (including a right of first offer in favor of EchoStar), an obligation to sell the Tracking Stock to us in connection with a change of control of DISH Network and a right to require us to repurchase the Tracking Stock in connection with a change of control of EchoStar, in each case subject to certain terms and conditions; (iii) certain protective covenants afforded to holders of the Tracking Stock; and (iv) a requirement for EchoStar to establish a holding company subsidiary (an “HRG Holding Company”) that is directly or indirectly wholly owned by EchoStar and that will hold the Hughes Retail Group.

In addition, the Investor Rights Agreement provides that DISH Network may, at any time on or after September 1, 2016, require EchoStar to use its commercially reasonable efforts to register some or all of the outstanding shares of the Tracking Stock under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to certain terms and conditions (including our right, upon the receipt of a demand for registration, to offer to repurchase all of the Tracking Stock). In connection with any demand for registration, DISH Network may require any outstanding shares of the HSS Tracking Stock to be exchanged for shares of the EchoStar Tracking Stock with an equivalent economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group. In the event that a registration of shares of Tracking Stock is effected, EchoStar is required to use its reasonable best efforts to amend the terms of the Tracking Stock so that the Tracking Stock will be convertible or exchangeable for shares of EchoStar Class A common stock with equivalent market value.

Initial Recording of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction

HSS, EchoStar and DISH Network are entities under common control. In accordance with accounting principles that apply to transfers of assets between entities under common control, HSS recorded the net assets received from DISH Network in the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction (directly or indirectly through EchoStar) at their historical carrying amounts as reflected in DISH Network’s consolidated financial statements as of February 28, 2014, the day prior to the effective date of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction. DISH Network transferred the EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, and EchoStar X satellites to HSS and transferred the EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV satellites to EchoStar. All of the net assets received by EchoStar as part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction were immediately transferred to HSS and are being used by our EchoStar Satellite Services segment. The historical carrying amounts of net assets transferred to HSS, inclusive of the net assets received by EchoStar at the date of transfer were as follows:



	Net Assets Transferred
	(In thousands)
Cash	$	11,404
Property and equipment, net	432,080
Current liabilities	(6,555		)
Noncurrent liabilities	(38,834		)
Transferred net assets	$	398,095

The transferred net assets increased HSS shareholders’ equity by amounts that reflect the carrying amounts of net assets that would be distributed to holders of the Tracking Stock and common stock in a hypothetical liquidation, which would be in proportion to the relative market values (as defined in applicable agreements) of each class of stock. The amounts credited to equity were reduced by direct costs of the Tracking Stock issuance and deferred income tax liabilities arising from differences between the financial reporting carrying amounts and the tax bases of the transferred satellites. The net amounts credited to HSS’ shareholders’ equity (primarily additional paid-in capital) were as follows:



	Increase (Decrease) in Equity
	(In thousands)
Transferred net assets	$	398,095
Offering costs, net of tax	(609		)
Deferred income taxes	(144,496		)
Net increase in shareholders’ equity	$	252,990

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

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 $59.0 million, $53.8 million and $29.2 million as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:



Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	Affected Line Item in our Consolidated Statements of Operations	For the Years Ended December 31,
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components		2016			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Recognition of realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities in net income (1)	Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	$	(2,996	)	$	(15	)	$	32
Recognition of other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (2)	Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	—			6,139			—
Total reclassifications, net of tax and noncontrolling interests		$	(2,996	)	$	6,124		$	32


(1)	When available-for-sale securities are sold, the related unrealized gains and losses that were previously recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified and recognized as “Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).


(2)	We recorded other-than-temporary impairment losses on shares of certain common stock included in our strategic equity securities.

Investment Securities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Investments [Abstract]

Investment Securities

Our marketable investment securities and investments in unconsolidated entities consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Corporate bonds	$	164,619	$	228,770
Strategic equity securities	10,309		18,297
Other	12,995		6,276
Total marketable investment securities—current	187,923		253,343
Investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent:
Cost method	15,438		15,438
Equity method	27,122		26,043
Total investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent	42,560		41,481
Total marketable investment securities and investments in unconsolidated entities	$	230,483	$	294,824

Marketable Investment Securities

Our marketable investment securities portfolio consists of various debt and equity instruments, which generally are classified as available-for-sale or trading securities depending on our investment strategy for those securities. The value of our investment portfolio depends on the value of such securities and other instruments comprising the portfolio.

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. We did not receive any dividend income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our strategic equity securities included shares of common stock of one of our customers that we received in satisfaction of certain milestone payments that were required to be paid to us under an existing long-term contract. “Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net” for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 included gains of $0.6 million and losses of $6.5 million, respectively, related to trading securities that we held as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The fair values of our trading securities were $7.2 million and $10.3 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Other

Our other current marketable investment securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments, including U.S. government bonds and commercial paper.

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities

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



	Amortized		Unrealized					Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of December 31, 2016
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	164,563	$	94	$	(38	)	$	164,619
Other	12,994		1		—			12,995
Equity securities - strategic	4,834		—		(1,724		)	3,110
Total available-for-sale securities	$	182,391	$	95	$	(1,762	)	$	180,724
As of December 31, 2015
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	229,004	$	2	$	(236	)	$	228,770
Other	6,279		—		(3		)	6,276
Equity securities - strategic	8,037		—		(82		)	7,955
Total available-for-sale securities	$	243,320	$	2	$	(321	)	$	243,001

As of December 31, 2016, restricted and non-restricted available-for-sale securities included debt securities of $177.6 million with contractual maturities of one year or less and zero 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.

Available-for-Sale 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 changes in the estimated fair values of these securities are primarily related to temporary market conditions.



	As of December 31,
	2016					2015
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Less than 12 months	$	62,473	$	(1,760	)	$	148,629	$	(268	)
12 months or more	1,571		(2		)	67,751		(53		)
Total	$	64,044	$	(1,762	)	$	216,380	$	(321	)

Sales of Available-for-Sale Securities

We recognized gains from the sales of our available-for-sale securities of $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and de minimis gains for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. We recognized de minimis losses from the sales of our available-for-sale securities for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Proceeds from sales of our available-for-sale securities totaled $20.1 million, $21.4 million and $42.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 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 December 31, 2016 and 2015, we did not have investments that were categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.



	As of December 31,
	2016						2015
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2
	(In thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	1,991,949	$	14,011	$	1,977,938	$	303,152	$	213	$	302,939
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	164,619	$	—	$	164,619	$	228,770	$	—	$	228,770
Other	12,995		—		12,995		6,276		—		6,276
Equity securities - strategic	10,309		10,309		—		18,297		18,297		—
Total marketable investment securities	$	187,923	$	10,309	$	177,614	$	253,343	$	18,297	$	235,046

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities — Noncurrent

We have a few 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.

We recorded cash distributions from one of these investments accounted for using the equity method of $10.0 million, zero and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These cash distributions were determined to be a return on investment and reported in cash flows from operating activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.

Trade Accounts Receivable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Trade Accounts Receivable

Our trade accounts receivable consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable	$	159,094		$	127,946
Contracts in process, net	36,170			23,011
Total trade accounts receivable	195,264			150,957
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(12,752		)	(11,447		)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	19,323			21,258
Total trade accounts receivable, net	$	201,835		$	160,768

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, progress billings offset against contracts in process amounted to $14.6 million and $2.9 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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Inventory, Net [Abstract]

Inventory

Our inventory consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
Finished goods	$	49,773	$	39,642
Raw materials	6,678		5,280
Work in process	6,187		3,875
Total inventory	$	62,638	$	48,797

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:



	Depreciable Life (In Years)	As of December 31,
	Depreciable Life (In Years)	2016			2015
		(In thousands)
Land	—	$	13,273		$	12,055
Buildings and improvements	1 - 30	79,765			73,949
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	1 - 12	430,078			371,889
Customer rental equipment	2 - 4	689,579			588,430
Satellites - owned	2 - 15	2,381,120			2,381,120
Satellites acquired under capital leases	10 - 15	781,761			665,518
Construction in progress	—	422,337			311,083
Total property and equipment		4,797,913			4,404,044
Accumulated depreciation		(2,503,187		)	(2,138,642		)
Property and equipment, net		$	2,294,726		$	2,265,402

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accumulated depreciation included amounts for satellites acquired under capital leases of $328.2 million and $268.1 million, respectively.

Construction in progress consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs	$	244,234	$	187,253
Satellite related equipment	152,683		104,566
Other	25,420		19,264
Construction in progress	$	422,337	$	311,083

Construction in progress included the following owned and leased satellites under construction or undergoing in-orbit testing as of December 31, 2016.



Satellites	Segment	Expected Launch Date
EchoStar 105/SES-11	ESS	Second quarter of 2017
Telesat T19V (“63 West”) (1)	Hughes	Second quarter of 2018


(1)	We entered into a satellite services agreement for certain capacity on this satellite once launched, but are not party to the construction contract.

We recorded capitalized interest related to our satellites, satellite payloads and related ground facilities under construction of $30.2 million, $15.9 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Satellites	$	191,729	$	197,469	$	210,763
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	58,535		70,962		50,492
Customer rental equipment	114,568		105,725		116,685
Buildings and improvements	4,194		5,111		5,357
Total depreciation expense	$	369,026	$	379,267	$	383,297

Satellites depreciation expense includes amortization of satellites under capital lease agreements of $56.2 million, $56.2 million and $59.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Satellites

As of December 31, 2016, we utilized in support of our operations, 17 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. Three of our satellites are accounted for as capital leases and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their respective lease terms. We utilized one satellite that is accounted for as an operating lease and not included in property and equipment as of December 31, 2016.

Our operating satellite fleet consists of both owned and leased satellites detailed in the table below as of December 31, 2016.



Satellites	Segment	Launch Date	Nominal Degree Orbital Locations (West Longitude)	Depreciable Life (In Years)
Owned:
SPACEWAY 3 (1)	Hughes	August 2007	95	12
EchoStar XVII	Hughes	July 2012	107	15
EchoStar I (2)(3)(4)	ESS	December 1995	77	—
EchoStar III (4)	ESS	October 1997	61.5	12
EchoStar VI (4)	ESS	July 2000	96.2	12
EchoStar VII (2)(3)	ESS	February 2002	119	3
EchoStar VIII (2)(4)	ESS	August 2002	77	12
EchoStar IX (2)(4)	ESS	August 2003	121	12
EchoStar X (2)(3)	ESS	February 2006	110	7
EchoStar XI (2)(3)	ESS	July 2008	110	9
EchoStar XII (2)(4)(5)	ESS	July 2003	61.5	2
EchoStar XIV (2)(3)	ESS	March 2010	119	11
EchoStar XVI (2)	ESS	November 2012	61.5	15
Capital Leases:
Nimiq 5 (2)	ESS	September 2009	72.7	15
QuetzSat-1 (2)	ESS	September 2011	77	10
Eutelsat 65 West A	Hughes	March 2016	65	15
Operating Lease:
AMC-15	ESS	October 2004	105	—


(1)	Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of June 8, 2011, the date EchoStar completed its acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries.


(2)	See Note 16 for discussion of related party transactions with DISH Network.


(3)	Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of March 1, 2014, the effective date of our receipt of the satellites from DISH Network as part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction (See Note 3).


(4)	Fully depreciated assets.


(5)	Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of June 30, 2013, the date the EchoStar XII satellite was impaired.

Recent Developments

EchoStar XIX. The EchoStar XIX satellite was launched in December 2016 and we expect the satellite to be placed into service late in the first quarter of 2017. We expect the EchoStar XIX satellite to provide additional capacity for the Hughes broadband services to our customers in North America and added capacity in Mexico and certain Latin American countries and to add capability for aeronautical, enterprise and international broadband services. EchoStar contributed the EchoStar XIX satellite to us in February 2017.

Eutelsat 65 West A. The Eutelsat 65 West A satellite was launched in March 2016 and our Hughes segment began to offer consumer broadband services in Brazil using our leased Ka-band payload on the satellite in July 2016.

EchoStar 105/SES-11. Due to anomalies experienced by our launch provider, the expected launch date of our EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite has been delayed until the second quarter of 2017. Our Ku-band payload on the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite will replace our current capacity on the AMC-15 satellite.

AMC-15 and AMC-16. In August 2014, in connection with the execution of agreements related to the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite, we entered into amendments that extend the terms of our existing agreements with SES Americom Colorado, Inc. (“SES”) for satellite services on the AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites. As amended, the term of our agreement for satellite services on certain transponders on the AMC-15 satellite was extended from December 2014 through a certain period following the in-service date of the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite and is being accounted for as an operating lease. The amended agreement for the AMC-16 satellite services extended 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 and the agreement terminated according to its terms in February 2016.

As a result of anomalies that affected the operation of the AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites, our monthly recurring payments were reduced under the related capital lease agreements during the year ending December 31, 2015. We have accounted for these lease modifications generally by reducing the carrying amounts of the satellite and related capital lease obligation by the present value of the payment reduction. In such instances where the carrying amount of the satellite had been reduced to zero as a result of accumulated depreciation or impairments, we have recognized the reductions in the capital lease obligations as gains in “ Other, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized such gains of zero, $4.5 million and zero, respectively.

Satellite Anomalies and Impairments

Our satellites may experience anomalies from time to time, some of which may have a significant adverse impact on their remaining useful lives, the commercial operation of the satellites or our operating results. We are not aware of any anomalies with respect to our owned or leased satellites that have had any such material adverse effect during the year ended December 31, 2016. There can be no assurance, however, that anomalies will not have any such adverse impacts in the future. 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 historically have not carried in-orbit insurance on our satellites because we assessed that the cost of insurance was uneconomical relative to the risk of failures. Therefore, we generally bear the risk of any 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 in-orbit insurance for our SPACEWAY 3, EchoStar XVI, and EchoStar XVII satellites. Based on economic analysis of the current insurance market we have elected to obtain, subject to certain limitations on coverage, launch and in-orbit insurance for SPACEWAY 3 and our interest in the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite. All other satellites, either in orbit or under construction, are not covered by launch or in-orbit insurance. We will continue to assess circumstances going forward and make insurance decisions on a case by case basis.

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

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 the reporting units within 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 December 31, 2016 and 2015, all of our goodwill was assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment. We test this goodwill for impairment annually in the second quarter. Based on our qualitative assessment of impairment of reporting units’ goodwill in the second quarter of 2016, we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of the Hughes segment reporting units were less than the corresponding carrying amounts, including goodwill.

Regulatory Authorizations

Regulatory Authorizations consisted of FCC authorizations and other regulatory rights with indefinite useful lives totaling $471.7 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Other Intangible Assets

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



	Weighted Average Useful Life (in Years)	As of December 31,
		2016							2015
		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
Customer relationships	8	$	270,300	$	(214,544	)	$	55,756	$	270,300	$	(189,910	)	$	80,390
Contract-based	4	64,800		(64,800		)	—		64,800		(64,800		)	—
Technology-based	6	51,417		(47,848		)	3,569		51,417		(39,281		)	12,136
Trademark portfolio	20	29,700		(8,291		)	21,409		29,700		(6,806		)	22,894
Total other intangible assets		$	416,217	$	(335,483	)	$	80,734	$	416,217	$	(300,797	)	$	115,420

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. Intangible asset amortization expense, including amortization of externally marketed capitalized software, was $45.1 million, $50.9 million and $68.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Future Amortization

As of December 31, 2016, our estimated future amortization of intangible assets was as follows:



	Amount
	(In thousands)
For the Years Ending December 31,
2017	$	22,152
2018	14,631
2019	14,631
2020	10,981
2021	4,356
Thereafter	13,983
Total	$	80,734

- 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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

As of December 31, 2015, our debt primarily consisted of the 2019 Senior Secured Notes and the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, each as defined below, and our capital lease obligations. As of December 31, 2016, our debt also included the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes, each as defined below, which were issued in July 2016.

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



	Effective Interest Rate	As of December 31,
		2016					2015
		Carrying Amount			Fair Value		Carrying Amount			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Senior Secured Notes:
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019	6.959%	$	990,000		$	1,084,050	$	990,000		$	1,071,675
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026	5.316%	750,000			739,688		—			—
Senior Unsecured Notes:
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	8.062%	900,000			990,189		900,000			954,000
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	6.685%	750,000			760,245		—			—
Other		—			—		803			803
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs		(31,821		)	—		(31,276		)	—
Subtotal		3,358,179			$	3,574,172	1,859,527			$	2,026,478
Capital lease obligations		297,268					325,745
Total debt and capital lease obligations		3,655,447					2,185,272
Less: Current portion		(32,984		)			(30,284		)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		$	3,622,463				$	2,154,988

The fair values of our debt are estimates categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

2019 Senior Secured Notes and 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes

On June 1, 2011, we issued $1.10 billion aggregate principal amount of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “2019 Senior Secured Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0%, pursuant to a Secured Indenture dated June 1, 2011, (as amended the “2011 Secured Indenture”). The 2019 Senior Secured Notes mature on June 15, 2019. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 6 1/2% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the outstanding principal balance on the 2019 Senior Secured Notes was $990.0 million.

On June 1, 2011, we also issued $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Senior Unsecured Notes,”) at an issue price of 100.0%, pursuant to an Unsecured Indenture dated June 1, 2011 (together with the “2011 Secured Indenture”, the “2011 Indentures”). The 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes mature on June 15, 2021. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 7 5/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the outstanding principal balance on the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes was $900.0 million.

On June 12, 2015, we redeemed $110.0 million of the 2019 Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price equal to 103.0% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. As a result, we recorded a $5.0 million loss consisting of the $3.3 million redemption premium and a $1.7 million write-off of related unamortized debt issuance costs.

2026 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes

On July 27, 2016, we issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Secured Notes” and, together with the 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the “Secured Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0%, pursuant to an indenture dated July 27, 2016 (the “2016 Secured Indenture”) and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Unsecured Notes” and, together with the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, the “Unsecured Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0%, pursuant to an indenture dated July 27, 2016 (together with the 2011 Indentures and the 2016 Secured Indenture, the “Indentures”). The 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes are referred to collectively as the “Notes” and individually as a series of the Notes. The 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes (collectively, the “2026 Notes”) mature on August 1, 2026. Interest on the 2026 Senior Secured Notes accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/4% and interest on the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes accrues at an annual rate of 6 5/8%. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year commencing February 1, 2017. As of December 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance on each of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes was $750.0 million.

Additional Information Relating to the Notes

Each series of the Notes is redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount thereof plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the applicable Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. We may also redeem up to 10% of the outstanding 2026 Senior Secured Notes per year prior to August 1, 2020 at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In addition, we may, at any time prior to August 1, 2019, with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings or capital contributions, redeem up to 35% of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, at 105.250% of the principal amount, and up to 35% of the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes, at a redemption price equal to 106.625% of the principal amount plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the 2026 Notes being redeemed to the date of redemption.

The Secured Notes are:


•	our secured obligations;


•	secured by security interests in substantially all of our and certain of our subsidiaries, existing and future tangible and intangible assets on a first priority basis, subject to certain exceptions;


•	ranked equally and ratably as between the 2019 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Secured Notes;


•	effectively junior to our obligations that are secured by assets that are not part of the collateral that secures the respective Secured Notes, in each case, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations;


•	effectively senior to our existing and future unsecured obligations to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the respective Secured Notes, after giving effect to permitted liens as provided in the Indenture governing the respective Secured Notes;


•	senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future obligations that are expressly subordinated to the respective Secured Notes;


•	structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the respective Secured Notes; and


•	unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior secured basis by certain of our subsidiaries, which guarantees rank equally with all of the guarantors’ existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness and effectively senior to such guarantors’ existing and future obligations to the extent of the value of the assets securing the respective Secured Notes.

The Unsecured Notes are:


•	our unsecured senior obligations;


•	ranked equally with all existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness (including as between the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes) and effectively junior to any secured indebtedness up to the value of the assets securing such indebtedness;


•	effectively junior to our obligations that are secured to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations;


•	senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future obligations that are expressly subordinated to the respective Unsecured Notes;


•	structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the respective Unsecured Notes; and


•	unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior secured basis by certain of our subsidiaries, which guarantees rank equally with all of the guarantors’ existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness, and effectively junior to any secured indebtedness of the guarantors up to the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indentures contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability and, in certain instances, the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to:


•	incur additional debt;


•	pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock;


•	make certain investments;


•	create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions;


•	enter into transactions with affiliates;


•	merge or consolidate with another company;


•	transfer and sell assets; and


•	allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets to us or our subsidiaries.

In the event of a Change of Control, as defined in the respective Indentures, we would be required to make an offer to repurchase all or any part of a holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.

The Indentures provide for customary events of default for each series of the Notes, including, among other things, nonpayment, breach of the covenants in the applicable Indentures, payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. If any event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of the Notes, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series may declare all the Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately, together with any accrued and unpaid interest.

Under the terms of a registration rights agreement, we have agreed to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, notes having substantially identical terms as the 2026 Notes as part of an offer to exchange freely tradable exchange notes for the 2026 Notes that is required to be declared effective by July 27, 2017. In the event that the registration statement is not declared effective by July 27, 2017 and under certain other conditions (a “registration default”), we are required to pay each holder of the 2026 Notes additional interest up to $0.25 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of the 2026 Notes until the registration default is cured.

Debt Issuance Costs

As of January 1, 2016 we adopted ASU 2015-3 (see Note 2). As a result, we report unamortized debt issuance costs in “Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs” in our consolidated balance sheets retrospectively. In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes, we incurred $7.1 million of debt issuance costs. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we amortized $6.6 million, $6.0 million and $5.8 million of debt issuance costs, respectively, which are included in “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Capital Lease Obligations

Our capital lease obligations reflect the present value of future minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease agreements, primarily for certain of our satellites (see Note 8). These agreements require monthly recurring payments, which generally include principal, interest, an amount for use of the orbital location and estimated executory costs, such as insurance and maintenance. The monthly recurring payments generally are subject to reduction in the event of failures that reduce the satellite transponder capacity. Certain of these agreements provide for extension of the initial lease term at our option. The effective interest rates for our satellite capital lease obligations range from 9.1% to 11.2%, with a weighted average of 10.6% as of December 31, 2016.

Our capital lease obligations consist primarily of our payment obligations under agreements for the Nimiq 5 and QuetzSat-1 satellites, which have remaining noncancelable terms ending in September 2024 and November 2021, respectively. As discussed in Note 16, we have subleased transponders on these satellites to DISH Network.

Future minimum lease payments under our capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2016, are as follows:



	Amount
	(In thousands)
For the Years Ending December 31,
2017	$	88,709
2018	88,503
2019	88,221
2020	88,033
2021	83,995
Thereafter	174,240
Total minimum lease payments	611,701
Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(188,216		)
Net minimum lease payments	423,485
Less: Amount representing interest	(126,217		)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	297,268
Less: Current portion	(32,984		)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	$	264,284

We received rental income from the sublease of our capital lease satellites of approximately $132.4 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2016, our future minimum sublease rental income was $480.9 million relating to such satellites. The subleases have a remaining weighted average term of four years.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The components of income before income taxes are as follows:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Domestic	$	202,905		$	203,217	$	132,081
Foreign	(7,425		)	8,131		10,596
Income before income taxes	$	195,480		$	211,348	$	142,677

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Current benefit (provision):
Federal	$	(223	)	$	(95	)	$	(989	)
State	(62		)	(27		)	(151		)
Foreign	(2,573		)	(4,231		)	(5,463		)
Total current provision	(2,858		)	(4,353		)	(6,603		)
Deferred benefit (provision):
Federal	(67,035		)	(70,052		)	(38,575		)
State	(8,693		)	1,209			4,238
Foreign	4,827			832			845
Total deferred provision	(70,901		)	(68,011		)	(33,492		)
Total income tax provision, net	$	(73,759	)	$	(72,364	)	$	(40,095	)

The actual tax provisions for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 reconcile to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to income before income taxes as shown below:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal effect	4.5	%	(0.7	)%	(2.9	)%
Permanent differences	0.6	%	0.8	%	0.6	%
Tax credits	(1.5	)%	(2.7	)%	(5.5	)%
Valuation allowance	(1.1	)%	2.0	%	0.7	%
Other	0.2	%	(0.2	)%	0.2	%
Total effective tax rate	37.7	%	34.2	%	28.1	%

The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:



	As of December 31,
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$	153,807		$	314,202
Unrealized losses on investments, net	11,874			12,509
Accrued expenses	31,036			29,487
Stock-based compensation	1,606			1,032
Other assets	7,445			5,118
Total deferred tax assets	205,768			362,348
Valuation allowance	(26,447		)	(27,874		)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	179,321			334,474
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(697,314		)	(781,370		)
Other liabilities	(1,319		)	(1,638		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(698,633		)	(783,008		)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(519,312	)	$	(448,534	)

Noncurrent portion of net deferred tax liabilities	$	(519,312	)	$	(448,534	)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(519,312	)	$	(448,534	)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the effects of tax losses, credits, and the future income tax effects of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

We evaluate our deferred tax assets for realization and record a valuation allowance when we determine that it is more likely than not that the amounts will not be realized. Overall, our net deferred tax assets were offset by a valuation allowance of $26.4 million and $27.9 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The change in the valuation allowance primarily relates to an increase in realized and unrealized gains that are capital in nature, partially offset by a decrease in the net operating loss carryforwards of certain foreign subsidiaries.

Tax benefits of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are evaluated on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carryforward period, and other circumstances. As of December 31, 2016, we had net operating loss carryforwards of $327.6 million, including $68.4 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards. A substantial portion of these net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2029. As of December 31, 2016, we have tax credit carryforwards of $32.8 million and $2.3 million for federal and state income tax purposes, respectively. If not utilized, the federal tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2026 and the state tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2018.

As of December 31, 2016, we had undistributed earnings attributable to foreign subsidiaries for which no provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes has been made because it is expected that such earnings will be reinvested outside the U.S. indefinitely. It is not practicable to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability at this time.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

In addition to filing U.S. federal income tax returns with EchoStar, we file income tax returns in all states that impose an income tax. We also file income tax returns in the United Kingdom, Brazil, India and a number of other foreign jurisdictions. We generally are open to income tax examination in these foreign jurisdictions for taxable years beginning in 2003. As of December 31, 2016, we are currently being audited by the Indian tax authorities for fiscal years 2003 through 2012. We have no other on-going significant income tax examinations in process in our foreign jurisdictions.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
Unrecognized tax benefit	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Balance as of beginning of period	$	3,508	$	3,508	$	3,632
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	388		—		—
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	3,161		—		—
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	—		—		(81		)
Reductions based on tax settlements	—		—		(43		)
Balance as of end of period	$	7,057	$	3,508	$	3,508

As of December 31, 2016, we had $7.1 million of unrecognized income tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2015, we had $3.5 million of unrecognized income tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. We do not believe that the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months due to the lapse of statute of limitations or settlement with tax authorities.

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, our income tax provision included an insignificant amount of interest and penalties.

Estimates of our uncertain tax positions are made based upon prior experience and are updated in light of changes in facts and circumstances. However, due to the uncertain and complex application of tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in liabilities which could be materially different from these estimates. In such an event, we will record additional income tax provision or benefit in the period in which such resolution occurs.

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans Employee Stock Purchase Plan EchoStar has an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”), under which it is authorized to issue 2.5 million shares of EchoStar Class A common stock. As of December 31, 2016, EchoStar had 0.4 million shares of Class A common stock which remain available for issuance under this plan. Substantially all full-time employees who have been employed by us for at least one calendar quarter are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Employee stock purchases are made through payroll deductions. Under the terms of the ESPP, each employee’s deductions are limited so that the maximum they may purchase under the ESPP is $25,000 in fair value of Class A common stock per year. Stock purchases are made on the last business day of each calendar quarter at 85.0% of the closing price of the Class A common stock on that date. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, employee purchases of EchoStar Class A common stock through the ESPP totaled approximately 209,000 shares, 198,000 shares and 152,000 shares, respectively. 401(k) Employee Savings Plans Under the EchoStar 401(k) Plan (“the Plan”), eligible employees are entitled to contribute up to 75.0% of their compensation subject to the maximum limit provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Eligible employees have the option to make after-tax contributions to the Plan so that they may contribute up to 75% of their compensation on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis subject to the Code limits. All employee contributions to the Plan are immediately vested. EchoStar matches 50 cents on the dollar for the first 6.0% of each employee’s salary contributions to the Plan for a total of 3.0% match on a pre-tax basis up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. EchoStar’s match is calculated each pay period there is an employee contribution. In addition, EchoStar may make an annual discretionary contribution to the 401 (k) plan to be made in cash or EchoStar’s stock. Company contributions under the Plan vest at 20.0% per year and are 100.0% vested after an eligible employee has completed five years of employment. Forfeitures of unvested participant balances may be used to fund matching and discretionary contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recognized matching contributions, net of forfeitures, of $4.4 million, $4.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and EchoStar made discretionary contributions of shares of its Class A common stock, net of forfeitures, with a fair value of $5.6 million, $5.2 million and $5.0 million, respectively, to the Plan.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2016:



	Payments Due in the Year Ending December 31,
	Total		2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt	$	3,390,000	$	—	$	—	$	990,000	$	—	$	900,000	$	1,500,000
Capital lease obligations	297,268		32,984		36,511		40,370		44,733		46,131		96,539
Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,487,520		252,940		248,424		212,318		175,799		136,673		461,366
Satellite-related obligations	636,702		192,878		131,741		59,254		56,233		41,063		155,533
Operating lease obligations	65,017		26,775		8,773		6,950		6,685		6,007		9,827
Total	$	5,876,507	$	505,577	$	425,449	$	1,308,892	$	283,450	$	1,129,874	$	2,223,265

“Satellite-related obligations” primarily include payments pursuant to agreements for the construction of the EchoStar XIX, EchoStar XXI, EchoStar XXIII, 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. We incurred satellite-related expenses of $144.2 million, $116.5 million and $127.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The table above does not include amounts related to deferred tax liabilities, unrecognized tax positions and certain other amounts recorded in our noncurrent liabilities as the timing of any payments is uncertain. The table also excludes long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities that do not require future cash payments.

In certain circumstances, the dates on which we are obligated to pay our contractual obligations could change.

Rent Expense

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we recorded $19.1 million, $17.5 million and $17.2 million, respectively, of operating lease expense relating to the leases of office space, equipment, and other facilities.

Contingencies

Patents and Intellectual Property

Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that cover or affect products or services directly or indirectly related to those that we offer. We may not be aware of all patents and other intellectual property rights that our products and services may potentially infringe. Damages in patent infringement cases can be substantial, and in certain circumstances can be trebled. Further, we cannot estimate the extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain licenses with respect to intellectual property rights held by others and the availability and cost of any such licenses. Various parties have asserted patent and other intellectual property rights with respect to components within our direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) products and services. We cannot be certain that these persons do not own the rights they claim, that these rights are not valid or that our products and services do not infringe on these rights. Further, we cannot be certain that we would be able to obtain licenses from these persons on commercially reasonable terms or, if we were unable to obtain such licenses, that we would be able to redesign our products and services to avoid infringement.

Separation Agreement

In 2008, DISH Network Corporation contributed its digital set-top box business and certain infrastructure and other assets, including certain of its satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real estate, and other assets and related liabilities to EchoStar (the “Spin-off”). In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar 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, EchoStar has assumed certain liabilities that relate to its 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, EchoStar will only be liable for its acts or omissions following the Spin-off and DISH Network will indemnify EchoStar 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/or 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. 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. If accruals are not appropriate, we further evaluate each legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of possible loss or range of loss can be made. There can be no assurance that legal proceedings against us will be resolved in amounts that will not differ from the amounts of our recorded accruals. Legal fees and other costs of defending litigation are charged to expense as incurred.

For certain cases described below, management is unable to predict with any degree of certainty the outcome or 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 or specified; (iii) damages are unsupported, indeterminate 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, operating results or cash flows, though there is no assurance that the resolution and outcomes of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not be material to our financial condition, operating results or cash flows for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

We intend to vigorously defend the proceedings against us. In the event that a court ultimately rules against us, we may be subject to adverse consequences, including, without limitation, substantial damages, which may include treble damages, fines, penalties, compensatory damages and/or other equitable or injunctive relief that could require us to materially modify our business operations or certain products or services that we offer to our consumers. In addition, adverse decisions against DISH Network in the proceedings described below could decrease the number of products and components we sell to DISH Network, which could have a material adverse effect on our business operations and our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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 (“HNS”), 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 claimed that certain of our Hughes segment’s satellite broadband products and services infringed the asserted patents by implementing the DVB-S2 standard. On February 17, 2015, Caltech filed a second complaint in the same district against the same defendants alleging that HNS’ Gen4 HT1000 and HT1100 products infringed the same patents asserted in the first case. On May 25, 2016, we, the DISH Network defendants and Caltech entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which the Court dismissed with prejudice all of the claims in these actions on May 31, 2016.

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 HNS, 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 April 2, 2015, Elbit filed an amended complaint removing Helm Hotels Group as a defendant, but making similar allegations against a new defendant, Country Home Investments, Inc. On November 3 and 4, 2015, and January 22, 2016, the defendants filed petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of the patents in suit, which the Patent and Trademark Office subsequently declined to institute. On April 13, 2016, the defendants answered Elbit’s complaint. Trial is scheduled to commence on July 31, 2017.

Realtime Data LLC

On May 8, 2015, Realtime Data LLC (“Realtime”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation and our subsidiary HNS in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 7,378,992, entitled “Content Independent Data Compression Method and System”; 7,415,530, entitled “System and Methods for Accelerated Data Storage and Retrieval”; and 8,643,513, entitled “Data Compression System and Methods.” On September 14, 2015, Realtime amended its complaint, additionally alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 9,116,908, entitled “System and Methods for Accelerated Data Storage and Retrieval.” Realtime generally alleges that the asserted patents are infringed by certain HNS data compression products and services. Over April 29, 2016 and May 5, 2016, the defendants filed petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of the asserted patents. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has instituted proceedings on each of those petitions, but the litigation has not been stayed. On February 14, 2017, Realtime filed a second suit against EchoStar Corporation and our subsidiary HNS in the same District Court, alleging infringement of four additional United States Patents, Nos. 7,358,867, entitled “Content Independent Data Compression Method and System;” 8,502,707, entitled “Data Compression Systems and Methods;” 8,717,204, entitled “Methods for Encoding and Decoding Data;” and 9,054,728, entitled “Data Compression System and Methods.” The cases have been consolidated and no trial date has been set. Realtime is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein.

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 HSS, EchoStar Corporation, EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C, and Sling Media, Inc., a subsidiary of EchoStar, 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. During August 2015, EchoStar Corporation and DISH Network L.L.C. filed petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of certain claims of the 456 patent, and in February 2016, the United States Patent and Trademark Office agreed to institute proceedings on our petitions. On February 25, 2016, the case was stayed pending resolution of these proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the Court vacated all pending court dates and deadlines. On January 30, 2017, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued its final written decisions on our petitions, invalidating all claims of the 456 patent that were asserted in the litigation, which decisions may be appealed by TQ Beta.

Two-Way Media Ltd.

On February 17, 2016, Two-Way Media Ltd. (“TWM”) filed a complaint against EchoStar Corporation and its subsidiaries, EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., and Sling Media, Inc., as well as against DISH Network Corporation, DISH DBS Corporation, DISH Network L.L.C., DISH Network Service L.L.C., Sling TV Holding L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C., and Sling TV Purchasing L.L.C. TWM brought the suit in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,778,187; 5,983,005; 6,434,622; and 7,266,686, each entitled “Multicasting Method and Apparatus”; and 9,124,607, entitled “Methods and Systems for Playing Media.” TWM alleged that the Sling TV, Sling International, DISH Anywhere, and DISHWorld services, as well as the Slingbox units and DISH DVRs incorporating Slingbox technology, infringed the asserted patents. TWM is an entity that seeks to license a patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein. Effective December 8, 2016, we, DISH Network Corporation and TWM entered into a settlement agreement pursuant to which the Court dismissed with prejudice all claims in the action on December 15, 2016.

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. As part of our ongoing operations, the Company is subject to various inspections, audits, inquiries, investigations and similar actions by third parties, as well as by governmental/regulatory authorities responsible for enforcing the laws and regulations to which the Company may be subject. Further, under the federal False Claims Act, private parties have the right to bring qui tam, or “whistleblower,” suits against companies that submit false claims for payments to, or improperly retain overpayments from, the federal government. Some states have adopted similar state whistleblower and false claims provisions. In addition, the Company from time to time receives inquiries from federal, state and foreign agencies regarding compliance with various laws and regulations.

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 cash flows, though the resolutions and outcomes, individually or in the aggregate, could be material to our financial position, operating results or cash flows for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

The Company indemnifies its directors, officers and employees for certain liabilities that might arise from the performance of their responsibilities for the Company. Additionally, in the normal course of its business, the Company enters into contracts pursuant to which the Company may make a variety of representations and warranties and indemnify the counterparty for certain losses. The Company’s possible exposure under these arrangements cannot be reasonably estimated as this involves the resolution of claims made, or future claims that may be made, against the Company or its officers, directors or employees, the outcomes of which are unknown and not currently predictable or estimable.

Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

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 HSS, is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Under this definition, we operate in two primary business segments, Hughes and EchoStar Satellite Services as described in Note 1 of these consolidated financial statements.

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.

Transactions between segments were not significant for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

The following table presents revenue, capital expenditures, and EBITDA for each of our operating segments:



	Hughes		EchoStar Satellite Services		All Other and Eliminations			Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Net revenue:
External revenue	$	1,389,152	$	406,970	$	3,671		$	1,799,793
Intersegment revenue	$	3,209	$	690	$	(3,899	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,392,361	$	407,660	$	(228	)	$	1,799,793
Capital expenditures	$	322,362	$	58,925	$	—		$	381,287
EBITDA	$	427,802	$	339,496	$	15,209		$	782,507
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
Net revenue:
External revenue	$	1,344,945	$	489,842	$	2,345		$	1,837,132
Intersegment revenue	$	2,395	$	749	$	(3,144	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,347,340	$	490,591	$	(799	)	$	1,837,132
Capital expenditures	$	285,499	$	101,215	$	—		$	386,714
EBITDA	$	396,684	$	412,607	$	(4,699	)	$	804,592
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net revenue:
External revenue	$	1,325,887	$	481,579	$	511		$	1,807,977
Intersegment revenue	$	1,831	$	2,876	$	(4,707	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,327,718	$	484,455	$	(4,196	)	$	1,807,977
Capital expenditures	$	218,607	$	28,734	$	—		$	247,341
EBITDA	$	356,871	$	419,442	$	5,137		$	781,450

The following table reconciles total consolidated EBITDA to reported “Income before income taxes” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss):



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
EBITDA	$	782,507		$	804,592		$	781,450
Interest income and expense, net	(174,600		)	(164,734		)	(188,024		)
Depreciation and amortization	(414,133		)	(430,127		)	(452,138		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,706			1,617			1,389
Income before income taxes	$	195,480		$	211,348		$	142,677

Geographic Information and Transactions with Major Customers

Geographic Information. Revenue is attributed to geographic regions based upon the location where the goods and services are provided. North America revenue includes transactions with North America customers. All other revenue includes transactions with customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America, and the Middle East. The following table summarizes total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to the North America and other foreign locations.



	As of December 31,
Long-lived assets:	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
North America:
United States	$	3,111,452	$	3,266,471
Canada and Mexico	16,630		1,076
All other	223,209		89,106
Total long-lived assets	$	3,351,291	$	3,356,653



	For the Years Ended December 31,
Revenue:	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
North America:
United States	$	1,469,666	$	1,516,627	$	1,470,481
Canada and Mexico	86,236		67,648		80,264
All other	243,891		252,857		257,232
Total revenue	$	1,799,793	$	1,837,132	$	1,807,977

Transactions with Major Customers. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, our revenue included sales to one major customer. The following table summarizes sales to this customer and its percentage of total revenue.



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Total revenue:
DISH Network:
Hughes segment	$	107,300		$	105,181		$	112,692
EchoStar Satellite Services segment	349,549			423,465			407,236
All Other and Eliminations	1,538			959			—
Total DISH Network	458,387			529,605			519,928
All other	1,341,406			1,307,527			1,288,049
Total revenue	$	1,799,793		$	1,837,132		$	1,807,977

Percentage of total revenue:
DISH Network	25.5		%	28.8		%	28.8		%
All other	74.5		%	71.2		%	71.2		%

- 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

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+ Details

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Our quarterly results of operations are summarized as follows:



	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31		June 30		September 30		December 31
	(In thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2016
Total revenue	$	429,126	$	440,718	$	457,266	$	472,683
Operating income	$	81,225	$	87,546	$	91,400	$	90,561
Net income	$	34,030	$	37,999	$	28,089	$	21,603
Net income attributable to HSS	$	33,919	$	37,688	$	27,565	$	20,843

Year ended December 31, 2015
Total revenue	$	450,234	$	459,476	$	464,031	$	463,391
Operating income	$	90,992	$	98,984	$	99,357	$	93,671
Net income	$	29,376	$	27,473	$	37,232	$	44,903
Net income attributable to HSS	$	29,007	$	27,045	$	37,023	$	44,292

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions EchoStar We and EchoStar have agreed that we shall have the right, but not the obligation, to receive from EchoStar certain corporate services, including among other things: treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, and information technology. These services are provided at cost. We may terminate a particular service we receive from EchoStar for any reason upon at least 30 days’ notice. We recorded expenses for services received from EchoStar of $16.7 million, $16.5 million and $13.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, we occupy certain office space in buildings owned or leased by EchoStar and pay a portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises in accordance with the percentage of the space we occupy. We participate in certain of EchoStar’s shared services arrangements for its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including arrangements for payroll, accounts payable and cash management. From time to time in connection with the processing of transactions under these arrangements, we may pay or receive amounts attributable to other domestic subsidiaries of EchoStar. We report net payments on behalf of other subsidiaries in “Advances to affiliates, net” within current assets and we report net receipts on behalf of other subsidiaries in “Advances from affiliates, net” within current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. No repayment schedule for these net advances has been determined. EchoStar and certain of its subsidiaries have provided cash advances to certain of our foreign subsidiaries to fund certain expenditures pursuant to loan agreements that mature in 2018 and 2022. Advances under these agreements bear interest at annual rates ranging from one to three percent, subject to periodic adjustment based on the one-year U.S. LIBOR rate. We report amounts payable under these agreements in “Advances from affiliates” within noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. EchoStar XXI and EchoStar XXIII Launch Facilitation and Operational Control Agreements. As part of applying for our launch licenses for EchoStar XXI and XXIII through the UK Space Agency, our subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems, Ltd. (“HNS Ltd.”) and a subsidiary of EchoStar, EchoStar Operating L.L.C. (“EOC”), entered into agreements in June 2015 and March 2016 to transfer to HNS Ltd., EOC’s launch service contracts for the EchoStar XXI and EchoStar XXIII satellites, respectively, and to grant HNS Ltd. certain rights to control the in-orbit operations of these satellites. EOC retained ownership of the satellites. In March 2016, we recorded a $70.3 million addition to “Other noncurrent assets, net” and a corresponding increase in “Additional paid-in capital” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet to reflect EOC’s cumulative payments under the EchoStar XXIII launch service contract prior to the transfer date. EOC also contracted to make future payments to HNS Ltd. for amounts that HNS Ltd. is required to pay under both launch service contracts. In March and November 2016, HNS Ltd. received a total of $23.8 million in cash from EOC to fund required payments under the EchoStar XXI launch service contract. We recorded the cash receipts as increases in “Additional paid-in capital.” HNS Ltd.’s future payments under the launch service contracts are included in our disclosure of satellite-related obligations in Note 13. Share Exchange Agreement. Prior to consummation of the Share Exchange, EchoStar is required to complete steps necessary for the transferring assets and liabilities that are being assumed by the DISH Parties to be owned by the transferring entities and their respective subsidiaries. As part of these steps, subsidiaries of EchoStar that currently own the Uplinking Businesses and related assets and liabilities will be contributed to our subsidiary EB Corp in consideration for additional shares of the Company’s common stock that will be issued to a subsidiary of EchoStar. Certain data center assets within the Uplinking Businesses will not be included in the Share Exchange and after consummation of the Share Exchange will continue to be owned by our subsidiaries and will be pledged as collateral to support our obligations under the Indentures. DISH Network Following the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies. However, pursuant to the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction, described in Note 3 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. The tracking stock is an equity security and the rights of DISH Network, as the holder of the tracking stock, in our assets are subject to the claims of our creditors. In addition, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of EchoStar and DISH Network 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, EchoStar and DISH Network have entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we and EchoStar obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network; DISH Network obtains certain products, services and rights from us and EchoStar; and we and DISH Network have indemnified each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses. We and/or EchoStar 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. The following is a summary of the terms of our principal agreements with DISH Network that may have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Following the Share Exchange, we also expect that we will enter into agreements for new transactions with DISH Network, including agreements pursuant to which we obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network and DISH Network obtains certain products, services and rights from us. Services and other revenue — DISH Network 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 3, in March 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. DISH Network elected not to renew the satellite services agreement relative to the EchoStar I satellite. The agreement for the EchoStar I satellite expired pursuant to its terms effective November 2015. In December 2016, DISH Network renewed the satellite services agreement relative to the EchoStar VII satellite for one year to June 2018. EchoStar VIII. In May 2013, DISH Network began receiving satellite services from us on the EchoStar VIII satellite as an in-orbit spare. Effective March 2014, this satellite services arrangement converted to a month-to-month service agreement with both parties having the right to terminate upon 30 days’ notice. The agreement terminated in accordance with its terms effective November 2015. EchoStar IX. Effective January 2008, DISH Network began receiving satellite services from us on the EchoStar IX satellite. Subject to availability, DISH Network generally has the right to continue to receive satellite services from us on the EchoStar IX satellite on a month-to-month basis. EchoStar XII. DISH Network receives satellite services from us on the EchoStar XII satellite. 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) September 2017. 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. In December 2009, we entered into an initial ten-year transponder service agreement with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network has received satellite services from us on the EchoStar XVI satellite since January 2013. Effective December 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. In July 2016, we and DISH Network further amended the transponder service agreement to, among other things, extend the initial term by one additional year and to reduce the term of the first renewal option by one year. Prior to expiration of the initial term, we, upon certain conditions, and DISH Network have the option to renew for an additional five-year period. If either we or DISH Network exercise our respective five-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. In the event that we or DISH Network does not exercise the first five-year renewal option or DISH Network does not exercise the second five-year renewal option, DISH Network has the option to purchase the EchoStar XVI satellite for a certain price. If DISH Network does not elect to purchase the EchoStar XVI satellite at that time, we may sell the EchoStar XVI satellite to a third party and DISH Network is required to pay us a certain amount in the event we are not able to sell the EchoStar XVI satellite for more than a certain amount. Nimiq 5 Agreement. In September 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”). In September 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 the Nimiq 5 satellite 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. In November 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 the QuetzSat-1 satellite. The QuetzSat-1 satellite was launched in September 2011 and was placed into service in November 2011 at the 67.1 degree west longitude orbital location. In February 2013, EchoStar 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, the QuetzSat-1 satellite 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. In 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”). In 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. In connection with the 103 Spectrum Development Agreement, in 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. In 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) June 2023. 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. In February 2014, we entered into agreements with DISH Network to implement a transaction pursuant to which, among other things: (i) in March 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 assumption of related in-orbit incentive obligations) and approximately $11.4 million in cash; and (ii) in March 2014, DISH Network began receiving certain satellite services on these five satellites from us. See Note 3 for further information. TT&C Agreement. Effective January 2012, we entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to DISH Network for a period ending in December 2016 (the “2012 TT&C Agreement”). In November 2016, we and DISH Network amended the 2012 TT&C Agreement to extend the term for one year through December 2017. 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, in February 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 2014, we provide TT&C services for the D-1 and EchoStar XV satellites; however, for the period that we received satellite services on the EchoStar XV satellite from DISH Network, we waived the fees for the TT&C services on the EchoStar XV satellite. Effective August 2016, we provide TT&C services to DISH Network for the EchoStar XVIII satellite. TerreStar Agreement. In March 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, warranty, operations and maintenance and hosting services for TerreStar’s ground-based communications equipment. TerreStar generally has the right to continue to receive warranty services from us for one of our products on a month-to-month basis. The provision of warranty services for our other product will continue until March 2018 and will automatically renew in March 2018 for an additional one-year period, unless terminated by TerreStar upon at least 60 days’ written notice to us prior to the end of the term. The provision of operations and maintenance services will continue until April 2018 and will automatically renew in April 2018 for an additional one-year period, unless terminated by TerreStar or us upon at least 90 days’ written notice prior to the end of the term. The provision of hosting services will continue until May 2022 and will not renew beyond May 2022 unless the parties enter into a new agreement or amend the existing agreement. In addition, TerreStar generally may terminate such services for convenience subject to providing us with prior notice and/or payment of termination charges. Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement. Effective October 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 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 had 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. In February 2014, HNS and dishNET entered into an amendment to the Distribution Agreement which, among other things, extended the initial term of the Distribution Agreement until March 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. DBSD North America Agreement. In March 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 various agreements pursuant to which our Hughes segment provides, among other things, warranty, operations and maintenance and hosting services of DBSD North America’s gateway and ground-based communications equipment. DBSD North America generally has the right to continue to receive warranty services from us on a month-to-month basis until February 2019. The provision of operations and maintenance services will continue until April 2018 and will automatically renew in April 2018 for an additional one-year period, unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 120 days’ written notice to us prior to the end of the term. The provision of hosting services will continue until February 2022 and will automatically renew for an additional five-year period until February 2027 unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 180 days’ written notice to us prior to the end of the term. In addition, DBSD North America generally may terminate such services for convenience, subject to providing us with prior notice and/or payment of termination charges. RUS Implementation Agreement. In September 2010, DISH Broadband L.L.C. (“DISH Broadband”), DISH Network’s indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, was selected by the Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) of the United States Department of Agriculture to receive up to approximately $14.1 million in broadband stimulus grant funds (the “Grant Funds”). Effective November 2011, HNS and DISH Broadband entered into a RUS Implementation Agreement (the “RUS Agreement”) pursuant to which HNS provided certain portions of the equipment and broadband service used to implement DISH Broadband’s RUS program. While the RUS Agreement expired in June 2013 when the Grant Funds were exhausted, HNS is required to continue providing services to DISH Broadband’s customers activated prior to the expiration of the RUS Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions of the RUS Agreement. General and administrative expenses — DISH Network Professional Services Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into various agreements with DISH Network including the Transition Services Agreement, Satellite Procurement Agreement and Services Agreement, which all expired in January 2010 and were replaced by a Professional Services Agreement. In January 2010, EchoStar and DISH Network agreed that EchoStar 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, EchoStar 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 EchoStar (previously provided under the Services Agreement) and other support services. A portion of these costs and expenses have been allocated to us in the manner described above under the caption “EchoStar.” The Professional Services Agreement automatically renewed in January 2017 for an additional one-year period until January 2018 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. Other agreements — DISH Network Share Exchange Agreement. On January 31, 2017, EchoStar and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the Share Exchange Agreement with DISH Network Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries which provides, among other things, that EchoStar and its subsidiaries will receive all of the shares of the EchoStar Tracking Stock and HSS Tracking Stock in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain EchoStar subsidiaries that will hold the EchoStar Technologies businesses (collectively, the “Share Exchange”). Following consummation of the Share Exchange, the EchoStar Tracking Stock and HSS Tracking Stock will be retired and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to, and terms of, such tracking stock will terminate and be of no further effect. The Share Exchange has been structured in a manner to be a tax-free exchange for each of EchoStar and DISH Network. We and DISH Network will, at the closing of the Share Exchange, enter into certain customary agreements pursuant to which we will obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network and DISH Network will obtain certain products, services and rights from us. See Note 18 for further information. Tax Sharing Agreement. As a subsidiary of EchoStar, we are an indirect party to EchoStar’s tax sharing agreement with DISH Network that was entered into in connection with the Spin-off. This agreement governs EchoStar and DISH Network’s 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 EchoStar for such taxes. However, DISH Network is not liable for and will not indemnify EchoStar 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 EchoStar’s stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that EchoStar takes or fails to take; or (iii) any action that EchoStar takes 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, EchoStar 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 EchoStar’s consolidated federal income tax returns for certain tax years prior to and for the year of the Spin-off, in September 2013, EchoStar 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 EchoStar’s consolidated tax returns. As a result, DISH Network agreed to pay EchoStar an aggregate amount of $93.1 million that includes the federal tax benefit they received as a result of our operations. Caltech. On October 1, 2013, Caltech filed complaints against two of our subsidiaries, Hughes Communications, Inc. and HNS, 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. Caltech claimed that certain of our Hughes segment’s satellite broadband products and services, infringe the asserted patents by implementing the DVB-S2 standard. Pursuant to a settlement agreement among us, DISH Network and Caltech, in May 2016, Caltech dismissed with prejudice all of its claims in these actions. See Note 13 of these consolidated financial statements for further information. Other Agreements Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”) We contract with Hughes Systique for software development services. In 2008, Hughes Communications loaned $1.5 million to Hughes Systique pursuant to a term loan facility. The initial interest rate on the loans was 6%, payable annually, and the accrued and unpaid interest was added to the principal amount in certain circumstances. The loans were convertible into shares of Hughes Systique upon non-payment or an event of default. In May 2014, we amended the term loan facility to increase the interest rate from 6% to 8%, payable annually, to reflect then-current market conditions and extend the maturity date of the loans to May 1, 2015, and in April 2015, we extended the maturity date of the loans to May 1, 2016 on the same terms. In 2015, Hughes Systique repaid $1.5 million of the outstanding principal of the loan facility. In February 2016, Hughes Systique repaid $0.3 million of the outstanding principal of the loan facility. In April 2016, Hughes Systique repaid in full the remaining $0.3 million outstanding principal and interest of the loan facility. As of December 31, 2016, the principal amount outstanding of the loan facility was zero. In addition to our 43.9% ownership in Hughes Systique, Mr. Pradman Kaul, the President of Hughes Communications and a member of EchoStar’s board of directors, and his brother, who is the CEO and President of Hughes Systique, in the aggregate, own approximately 25.8%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of December 31, 2016. Furthermore, Mr. Pradman Kaul serves on the board of directors of Hughes Systique. Hughes Systique is a variable interest entity and we are considered the primary beneficiary of Hughes Systique due to, among other factors, our ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of Hughes Systique. As a result, we consolidate Hughes Systique’s financial statements in our consolidated financial statements. Dish Mexico EchoStar owns 49.0% of an entity that provides direct-to-home satellite services in Mexico known as Dish Mexico, and we provide certain satellite services to Dish Mexico. We recognized satellite services revenue from Dish Mexico of approximately $23.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had trade accounts receivable from Dish Mexico of approximately $10.7 million and $10.6 million, respectively. Deluxe/EchoStar LLC We own 50.0% 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 $3.0 million, $2.7 million and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had trade accounts receivable from Deluxe of approximately $0.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively. AsiaSat We contract with AsiaSat Telecommunications Inc. (“AsiaSat”) for the use of transponder capacity on one of AsiaSat's satellites. We incurred expenses of approximately $1.45 million payable to AsiaSat under this agreement for the year ended December 31, 2016. In 2016, Mr. William David Wade, a member of EchoStar’s board of directors, served as the Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat and Mr. Wade is currently serving as a senior advisor to the CEO of AsiaSat through March 2017.

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

Certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the obligations of our 2019 Senior Secured Notes and 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, which were issued on June 1, 2011, and our 2026 Notes, which were issued on July 27, 2016. See Note 10 for further information on the 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2026 Notes.

In lieu of separate financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries, condensed consolidating financial information prepared in accordance with Rule 3-10(f) of Regulation S-X is presented below, including the condensed balance sheet information, the condensed statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) information and the condensed statement of cash flows information of HSS, the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis and the non-guarantor subsidiaries of HSS on a combined basis and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the corresponding information of HSS on a consolidated basis.

The indentures governing the 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2026 Notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions, incur additional debt, make certain investments, create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions, merge or consolidate with another company, transfer and sell assets, enter into transactions with affiliates or allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets to us.

The condensed consolidating financial information presented below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein.

Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016

(In thousands)



	HSS		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,991,949	$	53,905	$	25,110	$	—		$	2,070,964
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	177,614		10,309		—		—			187,923
Trade accounts receivable, net	—		138,861		43,651		—			182,512
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net	—		19,323		—		—			19,323
Inventory	—		45,623		17,015		—			62,638
Advances to affiliates, net	10		999,340		4,968		(893,866		)	110,452
Other current assets	48		19,183		27,083		—			46,314
Total current assets	2,169,621		1,286,544		117,827		(893,866		)	2,680,126
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	11,097		—		723		—			11,820
Property and equipment, net	—		2,061,831		232,895		—			2,294,726
Regulatory authorizations	—		471,658		—		—			471,658
Goodwill	—		504,173		—		—			504,173
Other intangible assets, net	—		80,734		—		—			80,734
Investments in unconsolidated entities	—		42,560		—		—			42,560
Investment in subsidiaries	3,721,688		314,643		—		(4,036,331		)	—
Advances to affiliates	700		60,761		—		(61,461		)	—
Other noncurrent assets, net	92,727		142,091		153,646		(92,727		)	295,737
Total assets	$	5,995,833	$	4,964,995	$	505,091	$	(5,084,385	)	$	6,381,534
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	$	—	$	94,095	$	12,321	$	—		$	106,416
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	—		32,177		807		—			32,984
Advances from affiliates, net	850,807		12,228		31,429		(893,866		)	598
Accrued expenses and other	44,654		136,921		38,738		—			220,313
Total current liabilities	895,461		275,421		83,295		(893,866		)	360,311
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,358,179		262,883		1,401		—			3,622,463
Deferred tax liabilities, net	—		621,061		128		(92,727		)	528,462
Advances from affiliates	—		—		93,429		(61,461		)	31,968
Other non-current liabilities	—		80,532		2,775		—			83,307
Total HSS shareholders’ equity (deficit)	1,742,193		3,725,098		311,233		(4,036,331		)	1,742,193
Noncontrolling interests	—		—		12,830		—			12,830
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit)	$	5,995,833	$	4,964,995	$	505,091	$	(5,084,385	)	$	6,381,534

Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015

(In thousands)



	HSS		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	300,634	$	55,767	$	26,589	$	—		$	382,990
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	238,249		15,094		—		—			253,343
Trade accounts receivable, net	—		101,923		37,587		—			139,510
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net	—		21,258		—		—			21,258
Inventory	—		39,948		8,849		—			48,797
Advances to affiliates, net	10		807,341		6,244		(766,208		)	47,387
Other current assets	40		24,565		26,890		—			51,495
Total current assets	538,933		1,065,896		106,159		(766,208		)	944,780
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	11,985		7,500		655		—			20,140
Property and equipment, net	—		2,181,495		83,907		—			2,265,402
Regulatory authorizations	—		471,658		—		—			471,658
Goodwill	—		504,173		—		—			504,173
Other intangible assets, net	—		115,420		—		—			115,420
Investments in unconsolidated entities	—		41,481		—		—			41,481
Investment in subsidiaries	3,350,914		166,739		—		(3,517,653		)	—
Advances to affiliates	700		678		—		(1,378		)	—
Other noncurrent assets, net	254,486		135,970		72,255		(254,486		)	208,225
Total assets	$	4,157,018	$	4,691,010	$	262,976	$	(4,539,725	)	$	4,571,279
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	$	—	$	86,496	$	11,171	$	—		$	97,667
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	—		28,829		1,455		—			30,284
Advances from affiliates, net	739,810		5,307		24,863		(766,207		)	3,773
Accrued expenses and other	28,154		130,532		22,550		—			181,236
Total current liabilities	767,964		251,164		60,039		(766,207		)	312,960
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	1,858,724		295,060		1,204		—			2,154,988
Deferred tax liabilities, net	—		706,837		—		(254,487		)	452,350
Advances from affiliates	—		—		26,661		(1,378		)	25,283
Other non-current liabilities	—		84,006		52		—			84,058
Total HSS shareholders’ equity (deficit)	1,530,330		3,353,943		163,710		(3,517,653		)	1,530,330
Noncontrolling interests	—		—		11,310		—			11,310
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit)	$	4,157,018	$	4,691,010	$	262,976	$	(4,539,725	)	$	4,571,279

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2016

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	—		$	449,547		$	—		$	—		$	449,547
Services and other revenue - other	—			992,480			133,508			(22,861		)	1,103,127
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	—			8,840			—			—			8,840
Equipment revenue - other	—			256,361			24,859			(42,941		)	238,279
Total revenue	—			1,707,228			158,367			(65,802		)	1,799,793
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			438,837			101,288			(22,168		)	517,957
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			225,787			19,512			(40,546		)	204,753
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—			246,399			37,737			(3,088		)	281,048
Research and development expenses	—			31,170			—			—			31,170
Depreciation and amortization	—			401,688			12,445			—			414,133
Total costs and expenses	—			1,343,881			170,982			(65,802		)	1,449,061
Operating income	—			363,347			(12,615		)	—			350,732
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	10,826			199			1,649			(76		)	12,598
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(177,625		)	(14,538		)	4,889			76			(187,198		)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	—			6,995			—			—			6,995
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	—			9,444			—			—			9,444
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net	218,125			(4,906		)	—			(213,219		)	—
Other, net	9,749			(6,956		)	116			—			2,909
Total other income (expense), net	61,075			(9,762		)	6,654			(213,219		)	(155,252		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	61,075			353,585			(5,961		)	(213,219		)	195,480
Income tax benefit (provision), net	58,940			(135,081		)	2,382			—			(73,759		)
Net income (loss)	120,015			218,504			(3,579		)	(213,219		)	121,721
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,706			—			1,706
Net income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	120,015		$	218,504		$	(5,285	)	$	(213,219	)	$	120,015
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$	120,015		$	218,504		$	(3,579	)	$	(213,219	)	$	121,721
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(5,377		)	—			(5,377		)
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities and other	3,290			(1,642		)	(64		)	—			1,584
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)	(2,996		)	—			—			—			(2,996		)
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net	(6,897		)	(5,255		)	—			12,152			—
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(6,603		)	(6,897		)	(5,441		)	12,152			(6,789		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	113,412			211,607			(9,020		)	(201,067		)	114,932
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,520			—			1,520
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	113,412		$	211,607		$	(10,540	)	$	(201,067	)	$	113,412

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	—		$	518,734		$	119		$	—		$	518,853
Services and other revenue - other	—			976,507			140,619			(21,877		)	1,095,249
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	—			10,752			—			—			10,752
Equipment revenue - other	—			200,605			30,678			(19,005		)	212,278
Total revenue	—			1,706,598			171,416			(40,882		)	1,837,132
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			447,106			99,513			(21,148		)	525,471
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			190,200			22,581			(17,244		)	195,537
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—			245,725			33,381			(2,490		)	276,616
Research and development expenses	—			26,377			—			—			26,377
Depreciation and amortization	—			423,923			6,204			—			430,127
Total costs and expenses	—			1,333,331			161,679			(40,882		)	1,454,128
Operating income	—			373,267			9,737			—			383,004
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	3,339			171			1,013			(107		)	4,416
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(142,215		)	(29,093		)	2,051			107			(169,150		)
Loss from partial redemption of debt	(5,044		)	—			—			—			(5,044		)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	(6,139		)	—			—			—			(6,139		)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	15			(6,478		)	—			—			(6,463		)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	—			8,502			—			—			8,502
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net	239,199			4,705			—			(243,904		)	—
Other, net	(5,468		)	11,054			(3,364		)	—			2,222
Total other income (expense), net	83,687			(11,139		)	(300		)	(243,904		)	(171,656		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	83,687			362,128			9,437			(243,904		)	211,348
Income tax benefit (provision), net	53,680			(122,564		)	(3,480		)	—			(72,364		)
Net income (loss)	137,367			239,564			5,957			(243,904		)	138,984
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,617			—			1,617
Net income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	137,367		$	239,564		$	4,340		$	(243,904	)	$	137,367
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$	137,367		$	239,564		$	5,957		$	(243,904	)	$	138,984
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(25,012		)	—			(25,012		)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other	(2,478		)	(1,800		)	76			—			(4,202		)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss)	6,139			—			—			—			6,139
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)	(15		)	—			—			—			(15		)
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net	(26,416		)	(24,616		)	—			51,032			—
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(22,770		)	(26,416		)	(24,936		)	51,032			(23,090		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	114,597			213,148			(18,979		)	(192,872		)	115,894
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,297			—			1,297
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	114,597		$	213,148		$	(20,276	)	$	(192,872	)	$	114,597

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	—		$	487,286		$	699		$	—		$	487,985
Services and other revenue - other	—			938,382			162,400			(23,681		)	1,077,101
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	—			31,943			—			—			31,943
Equipment revenue - other	—			196,921			31,907			(17,880		)	210,948
Total revenue	—			1,654,532			195,006			(41,561		)	1,807,977
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			441,777			117,822			(23,681		)	535,918
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			201,890			23,331			(16,199		)	209,022
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—			233,392			32,899			(1,681		)	264,610
Research and development expenses	—			20,192			—			—			20,192
Depreciation and amortization	—			443,946			8,192			—			452,138
Total costs and expenses	—			1,341,197			182,244			(41,561		)	1,481,880
Operating income	—			313,335			12,762			—			326,097
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	197,610			344			1,454			(196,174		)	3,234
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(145,938		)	(240,057		)	(1,437		)	196,174			(191,258		)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	25			(57		)	—			—			(32		)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	—			5,121			—			—			5,121
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net	68,212			5,779			—			(73,991		)	—
Other, net	—			822			(1,307		)	—			(485		)
Total other income (expense), net	119,909			(228,048		)	(1,290		)	(73,991		)	(183,420		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	119,909			85,287			11,472			(73,991		)	142,677
Income tax provision, net	(18,716		)	(16,705		)	(4,674		)	—			(40,095		)
Net income (loss)	101,193			68,582			6,798			(73,991		)	102,582
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,389			—			1,389
Net income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	101,193		$	68,582		$	5,409		$	(73,991	)	$	101,193
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$	101,193		$	68,582		$	6,798		$	(73,991	)	$	102,582
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(8,789		)	—			(8,789		)
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and other	(4,150		)	—			(32		)	—			(4,182		)
Recognition of realized losses on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)	32			—			—			—			32
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net	(8,584		)	(8,584		)	—			17,168			—
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(12,702		)	(8,584		)	(8,821		)	17,168			(12,939		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	88,491			59,998			(2,023		)	(56,823		)	89,643
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,152			—			1,152
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	88,491		$	59,998		$	(3,175	)	$	(56,823	)	$	88,491

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2016

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	120,015		$	218,504		$	(3,579	)	$	(213,219	)	$	121,721
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities	78,875			127,462			24,594			213,219			444,150
Net cash flows from operating activities	198,890			345,966			21,015			—			565,871
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(396,730		)	—			—			—			(396,730		)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	452,446			—			—			—			452,446
Expenditures for property and equipment	—			(292,427		)	(88,860		)	—			(381,287		)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents	888			7,500			(68		)	—			8,320
Investment in subsidiary	(80,846		)	(84,871		)	—			165,717			—
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services	—			—			(23,750		)	—			(23,750		)
Expenditures for externally marketed software	—			(23,252		)	—			—			(23,252		)
Other, net	—			(1,296		)	—			(340		)	(1,636		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(24,242		)	(394,346		)	(112,678		)	165,377			(365,889		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,500,000			—			—			—			1,500,000
Payments of debt issuance costs	(7,097		)	—			—			—			(7,097		)
Proceeds from capital contribution from parent	—			80,846			84,871			(165,717		)	—
Capital contribution from EchoStar	23,750			—			—			—			23,750
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	—			(28,829		)	(2,840		)	—			(31,669		)
Advances from affiliates	—						6,982			—			6,982
Other, net	14			(5,499		)	988			340			(4,157		)
Net cash flows from financing activities	1,516,667			46,518			90,001			(165,377		)	1,487,809
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			183			—			183
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,691,315			(1,862		)	(1,479		)	—			1,687,974
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year	300,634			55,767			26,589			—			382,990
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year	$	1,991,949		$	53,905		$	25,110		$	—		$	2,070,964

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2015

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	137,367		$	239,564		$	5,957		$	(243,904	)	$	138,984
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities	32,816			156,301			3,485			243,904			436,506
Net cash flows from operating activities	170,183			395,865			9,442			—			575,490
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(208,821		)	—			—			—			(208,821		)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	355,202			—			—			—			355,202
Expenditures for property and equipment	—			(325,405		)	(61,309		)	—			(386,714		)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(2,432		)	—			(56		)	—			(2,488		)
Investment in subsidiary	(43,000		)	(48,043		)	—			91,043			—
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services	—						(11,875		)	—			(11,875		)
Expenditures for externally marketed software	—			(22,327		)	—			—			(22,327		)
Other, net	—			1,490			—			(1,500		)	(10		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	100,949			(394,285		)	(73,240		)	89,543			(277,033		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from capital contribution from parent	—			43,000			48,043			(91,043		)	—
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium	(113,300		)	—			—			—			(113,300		)
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	—			(33,478		)	(5,963		)	—			(39,441		)
Advances from affiliates	—			—			20,002			—			20,002
Other, net	40			(6,927		)	233			1,500			(5,154		)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(113,260		)	2,595			62,315			(89,543		)	(137,893		)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(3,131		)	—			(3,131		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	157,872			4,175			(4,614		)	—			157,433
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year	142,762			51,592			31,203			—			225,557
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year	$	300,634		$	55,767		$	26,589		$	—		$	382,990

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	101,193		$	68,582		$	6,798		$	(73,991	)	$	102,582
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities	221,288			240,466			15,245			73,991			550,990
Net cash flows from operating activities	322,481			309,048			22,043			—			653,572
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(509,814		)	—			—			—			(509,814		)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	234,970			—			—			—			234,970
Purchases of property and equipment	—			(220,664		)	(26,677		)	—			(247,341		)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(2,549		)	—			11			—			(2,538		)
Expenditures for externally marketed software	—			(22,955		)	—			—			(22,955		)
Other, net	(10,601		)	(35		)	—			10,601			(35		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(287,994		)	(243,654		)	(26,666		)	10,601			(547,713		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)	10,601			10,601			—			(10,601		)	10,601
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	—			(53,467		)	(6,368		)	—			(59,835		)
Contributions from parent	—			—			—			—			—
Other	—			(5,276		)	5,383			—			107
Net cash flows from financing activities	10,601			(48,142		)	(985		)	(10,601		)	(49,127		)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			5,116			—			5,116
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	45,088			17,252			(492		)	—			61,848
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year	97,674			34,340			31,695			—			163,709
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year	$	142,762		$	51,592		$	31,203		$	—		$	225,557

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Events Contribution of EchoStar XIX Satellite On February 1, 2017, EchoStar contributed the EchoStar XIX satellite to us and we assumed EchoStar’s rights and obligations under a related contract with the satellite manufacturer. The EchoStar XIX satellite was launched in December 2016 and was undergoing in-orbit testing on the contribution date. Our Hughes segment will utilize the EchoStar XIX satellite to provide additional capacity for the Hughes broadband services to our customers in North America and added capacity in Mexico and certain Latin American countries and to add capability for aeronautical, enterprise and international broadband services. On the contribution date, we recorded a net increase in Additional paid-in capital to reflect EchoStar’s carrying amount of the satellite, less related deferred tax liabilities. Pursuant to the contract with the satellite manufacturer, we are obligated to make annual in-orbit incentive payments. Share Exchange On January 31, 2017, our parent company EchoStar and certain of its subsidiaries, including certain subsidiaries of HSS, entered into the Share Exchange Agreement with DISH Network Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries (“DISH Parties”). Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, among other things, one of our subsidiaries will receive all of the shares of HSS Tracking Stock in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain subsidiaries which will hold a portion of the EchoStar Technologies business segment. Following the closing of the Share Exchange, the HSS Tracking Stock will be retired and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to the HSS Tracking Stock will terminate and be of no further effect. The Share Exchange has been structured in a manner to be a tax-free exchange for each of EchoStar and DISH and their respective subsidiaries. Prior to consummation of the Share Exchange, EchoStar is required to complete steps necessary for the transferring assets and liabilities that are being assumed by the DISH Parties to be owned by the transferring entities and their respective subsidiaries. As part of these steps, subsidiaries of EchoStar that currently own the Uplinking Businesses and related assets and liabilities will be contributed to EB Corp in consideration for additional shares of the Company’s common stock that will be issued to a subsidiary of EchoStar. Certain data center assets within the Uplinking Businesses will not be included in the Share Exchange and after consummation of the Share Exchange will continue to be owned by our subsidiaries and will be pledged as collateral to support our obligations under the Indentures. The Share Exchange is expected to be consummated three business days after the satisfaction or waiver of all of the closing conditions to the transaction (other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing, but subject to the satisfaction of those conditions at such time), but no earlier than February 28, 2017. The Share Exchange Agreement provides for customary termination rights of the parties, including the right of either party to terminate the Share Exchange Agreement if the Share Exchange has not closed by March 31, 2017. The closing conditions to the transaction involving third parties or governmental approvals have been satisfied (other than those that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing). While we currently expect the Share Exchange to be consummated on or about February 28, 2017, no assurance can be given that the Share Exchange will be consummated on the terms or within the time frame disclosed, or at all.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

SCHEDULE II

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Our valuation and qualifying accounts as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:



Allowance for doubtful accounts	Balance at Beginning of Year		Charged to Costs and Expenses		Deductions			Balance at End of Year
	(In thousands)
For the years ended:
December 31, 2016	$	11,447	$	14,384	$	(13,079	)	$	12,752
December 31, 2015	$	11,950	$	6,637	$	(7,140	)	$	11,447
December 31, 2014	$	10,736	$	7,337	$	(6,123	)	$	11,950

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Use of Estimates

Foreign Currency

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Marketable Investment Securities


•	the fair value of each security compared to its amortized cost;


•	the length of time and the extent to which the fair value of a security has been lower than amortized cost;


•	the historical volatility of the price of each security;


•	any market and company-specific factors related to each security; and


•	our intent and ability to hold the investment to recovery.

Where the fair value of a debt security has declined below its amortized cost, we consider the decline to be other than temporary if any of the following factors apply:


•	we intend to sell the security,


•	it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery, or


•	we do not expect to recover the security’s entire amortized cost basis, even if there is no intent to sell the security.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Cost and Equity Method

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities — Cost and Equity Method

Accounts Receivable

Inventory

Property and Equipment

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Goodwill

Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets


•	FCC authorizations are non-depleting assets;


•	renewal satellite applications generally are authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions, without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative, and legal environment;


•	expenditures required to maintain the authorization are not significant; and


•	we intend to use these authorizations indefinitely.

Income Taxes

Fair Value Measurements


•	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.

Revenue Recognition

Debt Issuance Costs

Cost of Sales - Equipment and Services

Cost of Sales — Services and Equipment

Research and Development

Subscriber Acquisition Costs

Capitalized Software Costs

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

New Accounting Pronouncements

Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of carrying amounts of net assets transferred to HSS

The historical carrying amounts of net assets transferred to HSS, inclusive of the net assets received by EchoStar at the date of transfer were as follows:



	Net Assets Transferred
	(In thousands)
Cash	$	11,404
Property and equipment, net	432,080
Current liabilities	(6,555		)
Noncurrent liabilities	(38,834		)
Transferred net assets	$	398,095

Schedule of net amounts credited to HSS' shareholders' equity

The net amounts credited to HSS’ shareholders’ equity (primarily additional paid-in capital) were as follows:



	Increase (Decrease) in Equity
	(In thousands)
Transferred net assets	$	398,095
Offering costs, net of tax	(609		)
Deferred income taxes	(144,496		)
Net increase in shareholders’ equity	$	252,990

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:



Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	Affected Line Item in our Consolidated Statements of Operations	For the Years Ended December 31,
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components		2016			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Recognition of realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities in net income (1)	Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	$	(2,996	)	$	(15	)	$	32
Recognition of other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (2)	Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	—			6,139			—
Total reclassifications, net of tax and noncontrolling interests		$	(2,996	)	$	6,124		$	32


(1)	When available-for-sale securities are sold, the related unrealized gains and losses that were previously recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified and recognized as “Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).


(2)	We recorded other-than-temporary impairment losses on shares of certain common stock included in our strategic equity securities.

Investment Securities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Investments [Abstract]

Schedule of marketable investment securities and investments in unconsolidated entities

Our marketable investment securities and investments in unconsolidated entities consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Corporate bonds	$	164,619	$	228,770
Strategic equity securities	10,309		18,297
Other	12,995		6,276
Total marketable investment securities—current	187,923		253,343
Investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent:
Cost method	15,438		15,438
Equity method	27,122		26,043
Total investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent	42,560		41,481
Total marketable investment securities and investments in unconsolidated entities	$	230,483	$	294,824

Schedule of unrealized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities

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



	Amortized		Unrealized					Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of December 31, 2016
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	164,563	$	94	$	(38	)	$	164,619
Other	12,994		1		—			12,995
Equity securities - strategic	4,834		—		(1,724		)	3,110
Total available-for-sale securities	$	182,391	$	95	$	(1,762	)	$	180,724
As of December 31, 2015
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	229,004	$	2	$	(236	)	$	228,770
Other	6,279		—		(3		)	6,276
Equity securities - strategic	8,037		—		(82		)	7,955
Total available-for-sale securities	$	243,320	$	2	$	(321	)	$	243,001

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



	As of December 31,
	2016					2015
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)
Less than 12 months	$	62,473	$	(1,760	)	$	148,629	$	(268	)
12 months or more	1,571		(2		)	67,751		(53		)
Total	$	64,044	$	(1,762	)	$	216,380	$	(321	)

Schedule of fair value measurements



	As of December 31,
	2016						2015
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2
	(In thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	1,991,949	$	14,011	$	1,977,938	$	303,152	$	213	$	302,939
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	164,619	$	—	$	164,619	$	228,770	$	—	$	228,770
Other	12,995		—		12,995		6,276		—		6,276
Equity securities - strategic	10,309		10,309		—		18,297		18,297		—
Total marketable investment securities	$	187,923	$	10,309	$	177,614	$	253,343	$	18,297	$	235,046

Trade Accounts Receivable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of trade accounts receivable

Our trade accounts receivable consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable	$	159,094		$	127,946
Contracts in process, net	36,170			23,011
Total trade accounts receivable	195,264			150,957
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(12,752		)	(11,447		)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	19,323			21,258
Total trade accounts receivable, net	$	201,835		$	160,768

Inventory (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Inventory, Net [Abstract]

Schedule of inventory

Our inventory consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
Finished goods	$	49,773	$	39,642
Raw materials	6,678		5,280
Work in process	6,187		3,875
Total inventory	$	62,638	$	48,797

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of property and equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:



	Depreciable Life (In Years)	As of December 31,
	Depreciable Life (In Years)	2016			2015
		(In thousands)
Land	—	$	13,273		$	12,055
Buildings and improvements	1 - 30	79,765			73,949
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	1 - 12	430,078			371,889
Customer rental equipment	2 - 4	689,579			588,430
Satellites - owned	2 - 15	2,381,120			2,381,120
Satellites acquired under capital leases	10 - 15	781,761			665,518
Construction in progress	—	422,337			311,083
Total property and equipment		4,797,913			4,404,044
Accumulated depreciation		(2,503,187		)	(2,138,642		)
Property and equipment, net		$	2,294,726		$	2,265,402

Schedule of construction in progress

Construction in progress consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs	$	244,234	$	187,253
Satellite related equipment	152,683		104,566
Other	25,420		19,264
Construction in progress	$	422,337	$	311,083

Construction in progress included the following owned and leased satellites under construction or undergoing in-orbit testing as of December 31, 2016.



Satellites	Segment	Expected Launch Date
EchoStar 105/SES-11	ESS	Second quarter of 2017
Telesat T19V (“63 West”) (1)	Hughes	Second quarter of 2018


(1)	We entered into a satellite services agreement for certain capacity on this satellite once launched, but are not party to the construction contract.

Schedule of depreciation expense

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



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Satellites	$	191,729	$	197,469	$	210,763
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	58,535		70,962		50,492
Customer rental equipment	114,568		105,725		116,685
Buildings and improvements	4,194		5,111		5,357
Total depreciation expense	$	369,026	$	379,267	$	383,297

Schedule of satellites

Our operating satellite fleet consists of both owned and leased satellites detailed in the table below as of December 31, 2016.



Satellites	Segment	Launch Date	Nominal Degree Orbital Locations (West Longitude)	Depreciable Life (In Years)
Owned:
SPACEWAY 3 (1)	Hughes	August 2007	95	12
EchoStar XVII	Hughes	July 2012	107	15
EchoStar I (2)(3)(4)	ESS	December 1995	77	—
EchoStar III (4)	ESS	October 1997	61.5	12
EchoStar VI (4)	ESS	July 2000	96.2	12
EchoStar VII (2)(3)	ESS	February 2002	119	3
EchoStar VIII (2)(4)	ESS	August 2002	77	12
EchoStar IX (2)(4)	ESS	August 2003	121	12
EchoStar X (2)(3)	ESS	February 2006	110	7
EchoStar XI (2)(3)	ESS	July 2008	110	9
EchoStar XII (2)(4)(5)	ESS	July 2003	61.5	2
EchoStar XIV (2)(3)	ESS	March 2010	119	11
EchoStar XVI (2)	ESS	November 2012	61.5	15
Capital Leases:
Nimiq 5 (2)	ESS	September 2009	72.7	15
QuetzSat-1 (2)	ESS	September 2011	77	10
Eutelsat 65 West A	Hughes	March 2016	65	15
Operating Lease:
AMC-15	ESS	October 2004	105	—


(1)	Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of June 8, 2011, the date EchoStar completed its acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries.


(2)	See Note 16 for discussion of related party transactions with DISH Network.


(3)	Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of March 1, 2014, the effective date of our receipt of the satellites from DISH Network as part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction (See Note 3).


(4)	Fully depreciated assets.


(5)	Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of June 30, 2013, the date the EchoStar XII satellite was impaired.

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations, and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of other intangible assets subject to amortization

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



	Weighted Average Useful Life (in Years)	As of December 31,
		2016							2015
		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
Customer relationships	8	$	270,300	$	(214,544	)	$	55,756	$	270,300	$	(189,910	)	$	80,390
Contract-based	4	64,800		(64,800		)	—		64,800		(64,800		)	—
Technology-based	6	51,417		(47,848		)	3,569		51,417		(39,281		)	12,136
Trademark portfolio	20	29,700		(8,291		)	21,409		29,700		(6,806		)	22,894
Total other intangible assets		$	416,217	$	(335,483	)	$	80,734	$	416,217	$	(300,797	)	$	115,420

Schedule of estimated future amortization of intangible assets

As of December 31, 2016, our estimated future amortization of intangible assets was as follows:



	Amount
	(In thousands)
For the Years Ending December 31,
2017	$	22,152
2018	14,631
2019	14,631
2020	10,981
2021	4,356
Thereafter	13,983
Total	$	80,734

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]

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

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



	Effective Interest Rate	As of December 31,
		2016					2015
		Carrying Amount			Fair Value		Carrying Amount			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Senior Secured Notes:
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019	6.959%	$	990,000		$	1,084,050	$	990,000		$	1,071,675
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026	5.316%	750,000			739,688		—			—
Senior Unsecured Notes:
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	8.062%	900,000			990,189		900,000			954,000
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	6.685%	750,000			760,245		—			—
Other		—			—		803			803
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs		(31,821		)	—		(31,276		)	—
Subtotal		3,358,179			$	3,574,172	1,859,527			$	2,026,478
Capital lease obligations		297,268					325,745
Total debt and capital lease obligations		3,655,447					2,185,272
Less: Current portion		(32,984		)			(30,284		)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs		$	3,622,463				$	2,154,988

Schedule of future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations

Future minimum lease payments under our capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2016, are as follows:



	Amount
	(In thousands)
For the Years Ending December 31,
2017	$	88,709
2018	88,503
2019	88,221
2020	88,033
2021	83,995
Thereafter	174,240
Total minimum lease payments	611,701
Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(188,216		)
Net minimum lease payments	423,485
Less: Amount representing interest	(126,217		)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	297,268
Less: Current portion	(32,984		)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	$	264,284

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of components of income (loss) before income taxes

The components of income before income taxes are as follows:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Domestic	$	202,905		$	203,217	$	132,081
Foreign	(7,425		)	8,131		10,596
Income before income taxes	$	195,480		$	211,348	$	142,677

Schedule of components of the benefit (provision) for income taxes

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Current benefit (provision):
Federal	$	(223	)	$	(95	)	$	(989	)
State	(62		)	(27		)	(151		)
Foreign	(2,573		)	(4,231		)	(5,463		)
Total current provision	(2,858		)	(4,353		)	(6,603		)
Deferred benefit (provision):
Federal	(67,035		)	(70,052		)	(38,575		)
State	(8,693		)	1,209			4,238
Foreign	4,827			832			845
Total deferred provision	(70,901		)	(68,011		)	(33,492		)
Total income tax provision, net	$	(73,759	)	$	(72,364	)	$	(40,095	)

Schedule of income tax rate reconciliation



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal effect	4.5	%	(0.7	)%	(2.9	)%
Permanent differences	0.6	%	0.8	%	0.6	%
Tax credits	(1.5	)%	(2.7	)%	(5.5	)%
Valuation allowance	(1.1	)%	2.0	%	0.7	%
Other	0.2	%	(0.2	)%	0.2	%
Total effective tax rate	37.7	%	34.2	%	28.1	%

Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities

The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:



	As of December 31,
	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$	153,807		$	314,202
Unrealized losses on investments, net	11,874			12,509
Accrued expenses	31,036			29,487
Stock-based compensation	1,606			1,032
Other assets	7,445			5,118
Total deferred tax assets	205,768			362,348
Valuation allowance	(26,447		)	(27,874		)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	179,321			334,474
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(697,314		)	(781,370		)
Other liabilities	(1,319		)	(1,638		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(698,633		)	(783,008		)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(519,312	)	$	(448,534	)

Noncurrent portion of net deferred tax liabilities	$	(519,312	)	$	(448,534	)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(519,312	)	$	(448,534	)

Schedule of reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
Unrecognized tax benefit	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Balance as of beginning of period	$	3,508	$	3,508	$	3,632
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	388		—		—
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	3,161		—		—
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	—		—		(81		)
Reductions based on tax settlements	—		—		(43		)
Balance as of end of period	$	7,057	$	3,508	$	3,508

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of contractual obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2016:



	Payments Due in the Year Ending December 31,
	Total		2017		2018		2019		2020		2021		Thereafter
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt	$	3,390,000	$	—	$	—	$	990,000	$	—	$	900,000	$	1,500,000
Capital lease obligations	297,268		32,984		36,511		40,370		44,733		46,131		96,539
Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,487,520		252,940		248,424		212,318		175,799		136,673		461,366
Satellite-related obligations	636,702		192,878		131,741		59,254		56,233		41,063		155,533
Operating lease obligations	65,017		26,775		8,773		6,950		6,685		6,007		9,827
Total	$	5,876,507	$	505,577	$	425,449	$	1,308,892	$	283,450	$	1,129,874	$	2,223,265

Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

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

The following table presents revenue, capital expenditures, and EBITDA for each of our operating segments:



	Hughes		EchoStar Satellite Services		All Other and Eliminations			Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Net revenue:
External revenue	$	1,389,152	$	406,970	$	3,671		$	1,799,793
Intersegment revenue	$	3,209	$	690	$	(3,899	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,392,361	$	407,660	$	(228	)	$	1,799,793
Capital expenditures	$	322,362	$	58,925	$	—		$	381,287
EBITDA	$	427,802	$	339,496	$	15,209		$	782,507
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
Net revenue:
External revenue	$	1,344,945	$	489,842	$	2,345		$	1,837,132
Intersegment revenue	$	2,395	$	749	$	(3,144	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,347,340	$	490,591	$	(799	)	$	1,837,132
Capital expenditures	$	285,499	$	101,215	$	—		$	386,714
EBITDA	$	396,684	$	412,607	$	(4,699	)	$	804,592
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net revenue:
External revenue	$	1,325,887	$	481,579	$	511		$	1,807,977
Intersegment revenue	$	1,831	$	2,876	$	(4,707	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,327,718	$	484,455	$	(4,196	)	$	1,807,977
Capital expenditures	$	218,607	$	28,734	$	—		$	247,341
EBITDA	$	356,871	$	419,442	$	5,137		$	781,450

Schedule of reconciliation of EBITDA to reported income (loss) before income taxes

The following table reconciles total consolidated EBITDA to reported “Income before income taxes” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss):



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
EBITDA	$	782,507		$	804,592		$	781,450
Interest income and expense, net	(174,600		)	(164,734		)	(188,024		)
Depreciation and amortization	(414,133		)	(430,127		)	(452,138		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,706			1,617			1,389
Income before income taxes	$	195,480		$	211,348		$	142,677

Summary of total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to the North American and other foreign locations

The following table summarizes total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to the North America and other foreign locations.



	As of December 31,
Long-lived assets:	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
North America:
United States	$	3,111,452	$	3,266,471
Canada and Mexico	16,630		1,076
All other	223,209		89,106
Total long-lived assets	$	3,351,291	$	3,356,653



	For the Years Ended December 31,
Revenue:	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
North America:
United States	$	1,469,666	$	1,516,627	$	1,470,481
Canada and Mexico	86,236		67,648		80,264
All other	243,891		252,857		257,232
Total revenue	$	1,799,793	$	1,837,132	$	1,807,977

Summary of sales to major customer and its percentage of total revenue

The following table summarizes sales to this customer and its percentage of total revenue.



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Total revenue:
DISH Network:
Hughes segment	$	107,300		$	105,181		$	112,692
EchoStar Satellite Services segment	349,549			423,465			407,236
All Other and Eliminations	1,538			959			—
Total DISH Network	458,387			529,605			519,928
All other	1,341,406			1,307,527			1,288,049
Total revenue	$	1,799,793		$	1,837,132		$	1,807,977

Percentage of total revenue:
DISH Network	25.5		%	28.8		%	28.8		%
All other	74.5		%	71.2		%	71.2		%

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of quarterly results of operations

Our quarterly results of operations are summarized as follows:



	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31		June 30		September 30		December 31
	(In thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2016
Total revenue	$	429,126	$	440,718	$	457,266	$	472,683
Operating income	$	81,225	$	87,546	$	91,400	$	90,561
Net income	$	34,030	$	37,999	$	28,089	$	21,603
Net income attributable to HSS	$	33,919	$	37,688	$	27,565	$	20,843

Year ended December 31, 2015
Total revenue	$	450,234	$	459,476	$	464,031	$	463,391
Operating income	$	90,992	$	98,984	$	99,357	$	93,671
Net income	$	29,376	$	27,473	$	37,232	$	44,903
Net income attributable to HSS	$	29,007	$	27,045	$	37,023	$	44,292

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information

Schedule of consolidating balance sheet

Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016

(In thousands)



	HSS		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,991,949	$	53,905	$	25,110	$	—		$	2,070,964
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	177,614		10,309		—		—			187,923
Trade accounts receivable, net	—		138,861		43,651		—			182,512
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net	—		19,323		—		—			19,323
Inventory	—		45,623		17,015		—			62,638
Advances to affiliates, net	10		999,340		4,968		(893,866		)	110,452
Other current assets	48		19,183		27,083		—			46,314
Total current assets	2,169,621		1,286,544		117,827		(893,866		)	2,680,126
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	11,097		—		723		—			11,820
Property and equipment, net	—		2,061,831		232,895		—			2,294,726
Regulatory authorizations	—		471,658		—		—			471,658
Goodwill	—		504,173		—		—			504,173
Other intangible assets, net	—		80,734		—		—			80,734
Investments in unconsolidated entities	—		42,560		—		—			42,560
Investment in subsidiaries	3,721,688		314,643		—		(4,036,331		)	—
Advances to affiliates	700		60,761		—		(61,461		)	—
Other noncurrent assets, net	92,727		142,091		153,646		(92,727		)	295,737
Total assets	$	5,995,833	$	4,964,995	$	505,091	$	(5,084,385	)	$	6,381,534
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	$	—	$	94,095	$	12,321	$	—		$	106,416
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	—		32,177		807		—			32,984
Advances from affiliates, net	850,807		12,228		31,429		(893,866		)	598
Accrued expenses and other	44,654		136,921		38,738		—			220,313
Total current liabilities	895,461		275,421		83,295		(893,866		)	360,311
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,358,179		262,883		1,401		—			3,622,463
Deferred tax liabilities, net	—		621,061		128		(92,727		)	528,462
Advances from affiliates	—		—		93,429		(61,461		)	31,968
Other non-current liabilities	—		80,532		2,775		—			83,307
Total HSS shareholders’ equity (deficit)	1,742,193		3,725,098		311,233		(4,036,331		)	1,742,193
Noncontrolling interests	—		—		12,830		—			12,830
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit)	$	5,995,833	$	4,964,995	$	505,091	$	(5,084,385	)	$	6,381,534

Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015

(In thousands)



	HSS		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	300,634	$	55,767	$	26,589	$	—		$	382,990
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	238,249		15,094		—		—			253,343
Trade accounts receivable, net	—		101,923		37,587		—			139,510
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net	—		21,258		—		—			21,258
Inventory	—		39,948		8,849		—			48,797
Advances to affiliates, net	10		807,341		6,244		(766,208		)	47,387
Other current assets	40		24,565		26,890		—			51,495
Total current assets	538,933		1,065,896		106,159		(766,208		)	944,780
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	11,985		7,500		655		—			20,140
Property and equipment, net	—		2,181,495		83,907		—			2,265,402
Regulatory authorizations	—		471,658		—		—			471,658
Goodwill	—		504,173		—		—			504,173
Other intangible assets, net	—		115,420		—		—			115,420
Investments in unconsolidated entities	—		41,481		—		—			41,481
Investment in subsidiaries	3,350,914		166,739		—		(3,517,653		)	—
Advances to affiliates	700		678		—		(1,378		)	—
Other noncurrent assets, net	254,486		135,970		72,255		(254,486		)	208,225
Total assets	$	4,157,018	$	4,691,010	$	262,976	$	(4,539,725	)	$	4,571,279
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	$	—	$	86,496	$	11,171	$	—		$	97,667
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	—		28,829		1,455		—			30,284
Advances from affiliates, net	739,810		5,307		24,863		(766,207		)	3,773
Accrued expenses and other	28,154		130,532		22,550		—			181,236
Total current liabilities	767,964		251,164		60,039		(766,207		)	312,960
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	1,858,724		295,060		1,204		—			2,154,988
Deferred tax liabilities, net	—		706,837		—		(254,487		)	452,350
Advances from affiliates	—		—		26,661		(1,378		)	25,283
Other non-current liabilities	—		84,006		52		—			84,058
Total HSS shareholders’ equity (deficit)	1,530,330		3,353,943		163,710		(3,517,653		)	1,530,330
Noncontrolling interests	—		—		11,310		—			11,310
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit)	$	4,157,018	$	4,691,010	$	262,976	$	(4,539,725	)	$	4,571,279

Schedule of consolidating statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss)

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2016

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	—		$	449,547		$	—		$	—		$	449,547
Services and other revenue - other	—			992,480			133,508			(22,861		)	1,103,127
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	—			8,840			—			—			8,840
Equipment revenue - other	—			256,361			24,859			(42,941		)	238,279
Total revenue	—			1,707,228			158,367			(65,802		)	1,799,793
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			438,837			101,288			(22,168		)	517,957
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			225,787			19,512			(40,546		)	204,753
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—			246,399			37,737			(3,088		)	281,048
Research and development expenses	—			31,170			—			—			31,170
Depreciation and amortization	—			401,688			12,445			—			414,133
Total costs and expenses	—			1,343,881			170,982			(65,802		)	1,449,061
Operating income	—			363,347			(12,615		)	—			350,732
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	10,826			199			1,649			(76		)	12,598
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(177,625		)	(14,538		)	4,889			76			(187,198		)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	—			6,995			—			—			6,995
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	—			9,444			—			—			9,444
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net	218,125			(4,906		)	—			(213,219		)	—
Other, net	9,749			(6,956		)	116			—			2,909
Total other income (expense), net	61,075			(9,762		)	6,654			(213,219		)	(155,252		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	61,075			353,585			(5,961		)	(213,219		)	195,480
Income tax benefit (provision), net	58,940			(135,081		)	2,382			—			(73,759		)
Net income (loss)	120,015			218,504			(3,579		)	(213,219		)	121,721
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,706			—			1,706
Net income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	120,015		$	218,504		$	(5,285	)	$	(213,219	)	$	120,015
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$	120,015		$	218,504		$	(3,579	)	$	(213,219	)	$	121,721
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(5,377		)	—			(5,377		)
Unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities and other	3,290			(1,642		)	(64		)	—			1,584
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)	(2,996		)	—			—			—			(2,996		)
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net	(6,897		)	(5,255		)	—			12,152			—
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(6,603		)	(6,897		)	(5,441		)	12,152			(6,789		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	113,412			211,607			(9,020		)	(201,067		)	114,932
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,520			—			1,520
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	113,412		$	211,607		$	(10,540	)	$	(201,067	)	$	113,412

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	—		$	518,734		$	119		$	—		$	518,853
Services and other revenue - other	—			976,507			140,619			(21,877		)	1,095,249
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	—			10,752			—			—			10,752
Equipment revenue - other	—			200,605			30,678			(19,005		)	212,278
Total revenue	—			1,706,598			171,416			(40,882		)	1,837,132
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			447,106			99,513			(21,148		)	525,471
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			190,200			22,581			(17,244		)	195,537
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—			245,725			33,381			(2,490		)	276,616
Research and development expenses	—			26,377			—			—			26,377
Depreciation and amortization	—			423,923			6,204			—			430,127
Total costs and expenses	—			1,333,331			161,679			(40,882		)	1,454,128
Operating income	—			373,267			9,737			—			383,004
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	3,339			171			1,013			(107		)	4,416
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(142,215		)	(29,093		)	2,051			107			(169,150		)
Loss from partial redemption of debt	(5,044		)	—			—			—			(5,044		)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	(6,139		)	—			—			—			(6,139		)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	15			(6,478		)	—			—			(6,463		)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	—			8,502			—			—			8,502
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net	239,199			4,705			—			(243,904		)	—
Other, net	(5,468		)	11,054			(3,364		)	—			2,222
Total other income (expense), net	83,687			(11,139		)	(300		)	(243,904		)	(171,656		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	83,687			362,128			9,437			(243,904		)	211,348
Income tax benefit (provision), net	53,680			(122,564		)	(3,480		)	—			(72,364		)
Net income (loss)	137,367			239,564			5,957			(243,904		)	138,984
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,617			—			1,617
Net income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	137,367		$	239,564		$	4,340		$	(243,904	)	$	137,367
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$	137,367		$	239,564		$	5,957		$	(243,904	)	$	138,984
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(25,012		)	—			(25,012		)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other	(2,478		)	(1,800		)	76			—			(4,202		)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss)	6,139			—			—			—			6,139
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)	(15		)	—			—			—			(15		)
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net	(26,416		)	(24,616		)	—			51,032			—
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(22,770		)	(26,416		)	(24,936		)	51,032			(23,090		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	114,597			213,148			(18,979		)	(192,872		)	115,894
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,297			—			1,297
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	114,597		$	213,148		$	(20,276	)	$	(192,872	)	$	114,597

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	—		$	487,286		$	699		$	—		$	487,985
Services and other revenue - other	—			938,382			162,400			(23,681		)	1,077,101
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	—			31,943			—			—			31,943
Equipment revenue - other	—			196,921			31,907			(17,880		)	210,948
Total revenue	—			1,654,532			195,006			(41,561		)	1,807,977
Costs and Expenses:
Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			441,777			117,822			(23,681		)	535,918
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	—			201,890			23,331			(16,199		)	209,022
Selling, general and administrative expenses	—			233,392			32,899			(1,681		)	264,610
Research and development expenses	—			20,192			—			—			20,192
Depreciation and amortization	—			443,946			8,192			—			452,138
Total costs and expenses	—			1,341,197			182,244			(41,561		)	1,481,880
Operating income	—			313,335			12,762			—			326,097
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	197,610			344			1,454			(196,174		)	3,234
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(145,938		)	(240,057		)	(1,437		)	196,174			(191,258		)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	25			(57		)	—			—			(32		)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	—			5,121			—			—			5,121
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net	68,212			5,779			—			(73,991		)	—
Other, net	—			822			(1,307		)	—			(485		)
Total other income (expense), net	119,909			(228,048		)	(1,290		)	(73,991		)	(183,420		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	119,909			85,287			11,472			(73,991		)	142,677
Income tax provision, net	(18,716		)	(16,705		)	(4,674		)	—			(40,095		)
Net income (loss)	101,193			68,582			6,798			(73,991		)	102,582
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,389			—			1,389
Net income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	101,193		$	68,582		$	5,409		$	(73,991	)	$	101,193
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$	101,193		$	68,582		$	6,798		$	(73,991	)	$	102,582
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	—			—			(8,789		)	—			(8,789		)
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and other	(4,150		)	—			(32		)	—			(4,182		)
Recognition of realized losses on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)	32			—			—			—			32
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net	(8,584		)	(8,584		)	—			17,168			—
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(12,702		)	(8,584		)	(8,821		)	17,168			(12,939		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	88,491			59,998			(2,023		)	(56,823		)	89,643
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			1,152			—			1,152
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS	$	88,491		$	59,998		$	(3,175	)	$	(56,823	)	$	88,491

Schedule of consolidating statement of cash flows

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2016

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	120,015		$	218,504		$	(3,579	)	$	(213,219	)	$	121,721
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities	78,875			127,462			24,594			213,219			444,150
Net cash flows from operating activities	198,890			345,966			21,015			—			565,871
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(396,730		)	—			—			—			(396,730		)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	452,446			—			—			—			452,446
Expenditures for property and equipment	—			(292,427		)	(88,860		)	—			(381,287		)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents	888			7,500			(68		)	—			8,320
Investment in subsidiary	(80,846		)	(84,871		)	—			165,717			—
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services	—			—			(23,750		)	—			(23,750		)
Expenditures for externally marketed software	—			(23,252		)	—			—			(23,252		)
Other, net	—			(1,296		)	—			(340		)	(1,636		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(24,242		)	(394,346		)	(112,678		)	165,377			(365,889		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,500,000			—			—			—			1,500,000
Payments of debt issuance costs	(7,097		)	—			—			—			(7,097		)
Proceeds from capital contribution from parent	—			80,846			84,871			(165,717		)	—
Capital contribution from EchoStar	23,750			—			—			—			23,750
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	—			(28,829		)	(2,840		)	—			(31,669		)
Advances from affiliates	—						6,982			—			6,982
Other, net	14			(5,499		)	988			340			(4,157		)
Net cash flows from financing activities	1,516,667			46,518			90,001			(165,377		)	1,487,809
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			183			—			183
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,691,315			(1,862		)	(1,479		)	—			1,687,974
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year	300,634			55,767			26,589			—			382,990
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year	$	1,991,949		$	53,905		$	25,110		$	—		$	2,070,964

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2015

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	137,367		$	239,564		$	5,957		$	(243,904	)	$	138,984
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities	32,816			156,301			3,485			243,904			436,506
Net cash flows from operating activities	170,183			395,865			9,442			—			575,490
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(208,821		)	—			—			—			(208,821		)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	355,202			—			—			—			355,202
Expenditures for property and equipment	—			(325,405		)	(61,309		)	—			(386,714		)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(2,432		)	—			(56		)	—			(2,488		)
Investment in subsidiary	(43,000		)	(48,043		)	—			91,043			—
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services	—						(11,875		)	—			(11,875		)
Expenditures for externally marketed software	—			(22,327		)	—			—			(22,327		)
Other, net	—			1,490			—			(1,500		)	(10		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	100,949			(394,285		)	(73,240		)	89,543			(277,033		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from capital contribution from parent	—			43,000			48,043			(91,043		)	—
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium	(113,300		)	—			—			—			(113,300		)
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	—			(33,478		)	(5,963		)	—			(39,441		)
Advances from affiliates	—			—			20,002			—			20,002
Other, net	40			(6,927		)	233			1,500			(5,154		)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(113,260		)	2,595			62,315			(89,543		)	(137,893		)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(3,131		)	—			(3,131		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	157,872			4,175			(4,614		)	—			157,433
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year	142,762			51,592			31,203			—			225,557
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year	$	300,634		$	55,767		$	26,589		$	—		$	382,990

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

(In thousands)



	HSS			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$	101,193		$	68,582		$	6,798		$	(73,991	)	$	102,582
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities	221,288			240,466			15,245			73,991			550,990
Net cash flows from operating activities	322,481			309,048			22,043			—			653,572
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(509,814		)	—			—			—			(509,814		)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	234,970			—			—			—			234,970
Purchases of property and equipment	—			(220,664		)	(26,677		)	—			(247,341		)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(2,549		)	—			11			—			(2,538		)
Expenditures for externally marketed software	—			(22,955		)	—			—			(22,955		)
Other, net	(10,601		)	(35		)	—			10,601			(35		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(287,994		)	(243,654		)	(26,666		)	10,601			(547,713		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)	10,601			10,601			—			(10,601		)	10,601
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	—			(53,467		)	(6,368		)	—			(59,835		)
Contributions from parent	—			—			—			—			—
Other	—			(5,276		)	5,383			—			107
Net cash flows from financing activities	10,601			(48,142		)	(985		)	(10,601		)	(49,127		)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			5,116			—			5,116
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	45,088			17,252			(492		)	—			61,848
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year	97,674			34,340			31,695			—			163,709
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year	$	142,762		$	51,592		$	31,203		$	—		$	225,557

Organization and Business Activities (Details) - segment			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2014	Mar. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2017
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Number of business segments			2
HSS \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Group
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	20.00%
HSS \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| DISH Network \| Hughes Retail Group
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	28.11%		28.11%
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| DISH Network \| Hughes Retail Group
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%	80.00%	80.00%
EchoStar Technologies Business \| Subsequent Event \| Share Exchange Agreement \| DISH Network
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)				100.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Foreign Currency
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)	$ 100,000	$ (3,600,000)	$ (1,600,000)
Fair Value Measurements
Amount of transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy	0	0
Research and Development
Research and development expenses	31,170,000	26,377,000	20,192,000
Advertising Costs
Advertising expenses	43,900,000	44,200,000	45,200,000
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations \| ASU 2015-03
New Accounting Pronouncements
Unamortized deferred costs		31,300,000
Other noncurrent assets
Capitalized Software Costs
Net carrying amount of externally marketed software	76,300,000	62,800,000
Capitalized Software Development Costs for Software Sold to Customers	50,100,000	32,600,000
Capitalized costs related to development of externally marketed software	23,300,000	22,400,000	23,100,000
Amortization expense relating to externally marketed software	9,700,000	8,400,000	5,400,000
Other noncurrent assets \| ASU 2015-03
New Accounting Pronouncements
Unamortized deferred costs		(31,300,000)
Cost of sales
Research and Development
Research and development expenses	23,700,000	19,600,000	25,100,000
Research and development
Research and Development
Research and development expenses	31,200,000	26,400,000	$ 20,200,000
Level 2
Fair Value Measurements
Orbital incentive obligations	$ 74,100,000	$ 79,300,000
Minimum
Property and Equipment
Useful life	1 year
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Weighted Average Useful life	1 year
Maximum
Property and Equipment
Useful life	30 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Weighted Average Useful life	20 years
Capitalized Software Costs
Useful life of the software	5 years
Weighted Average \| Externally marketed software
Capitalized Software Costs
Useful life of the software	3 years

Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock - Agreement (Details)				1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 02, 2014 shares	Mar. 01, 2014 shares	Mar. 31, 2014 satellite	Feb. 28, 2014 USD ($) satellite	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Proceeds from issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| $						$ 0	$ 0	$ 10,601,000
HSS
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Proceeds from issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| $								$ 10,601,000
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) \| shares						300	300
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares						$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Dividend or other distributions paid on preferred stock \| $						$ 0
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| EchoStar
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) \| shares						13,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares						$ 0.001
Portion of one vote entitled to each share						0.10
DISH Network \| EchoStar
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of capital stock held						6.30%
DISH Network \| HSS
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of capital stock held						7.50%
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| EchoStar and HSSC
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Number of satellites transferred \| satellite				5	5
Proceeds from issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| $	$ 11,400,000				$ 11,400,000
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| HSS
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Number of satellites received \| satellite					2
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| EchoStar
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Number of shares issued during the period \| shares			6,290,499
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| HSS
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Number of shares issued during the period \| shares		81.128
Hughes Retail Group \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| HSS
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held		20.00%
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| EchoStar
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held		51.89%
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| HSS
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held		28.11%				28.11%
Hughes Retail Group \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held		80.00%	80.00%			80.00%
EchoStar Technologies Business \| Subsequent Event \| DISH Network \| Share Exchange Agreement
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)									100.00%
EchoStar Technologies Business \| DISH Network \| Subsequent Event \| Share Exchange Agreement
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)									100.00%

Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock - Net Assets Transferred (Details) - DISH Network - Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2014 USD ($)
Carrying amount of net assets transferred to shareholders' equity
Cash	$ 11,404
Property and equipment, net	432,080
Current liabilities	(6,555)
Noncurrent liabilities	(38,834)
Transferred net assets	$ 398,095

Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock - Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Details) - DISH Network - Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2014 USD ($)
Net amount credited to shareholders' equity
Transferred net assets	$ 398,095
Offering costs, net of tax	(609)
Deferred income taxes	(144,496)
Net increase in shareholders’ equity	$ 252,990

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other comprehensive income or loss, tax (expense) benefit
Tax effects on foreign currency translation adjustments	$ 0
Tax effects on unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities	0
Cumulative foreign currency translation losses	59,000,000	$ 53,800,000	$ 29,200,000
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	6,995,000	(6,463,000)	(32,000)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	0	6,139,000	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total reclassifications, net of tax and noncontrolling interests	(2,996,000)	6,124,000	32,000
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income \| Recognition of realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities in net income
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	(2,996,000)	(15,000)	32,000
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income \| Recognition of other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities in net income
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	$ 0	$ 6,139,000	$ 0

Investment Securities - Schedule of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	$ 187,923	$ 253,343
Investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent:
Cost method	15,438	15,438
Equity method	27,122	26,043
Total investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent	42,560	41,481
Total marketable investment securities and investments in unconsolidated entities	230,483	294,824
Corporate bonds
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	164,619	228,770
Strategic equity securities
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	10,309	18,297
Dividend income	0	0	$ 0
Trading Securities, Equity	7,200	10,300
Strategic equity securities \| Gain (loss) related to trading securities
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Unrealized gains (loss) on common stock in trading securities portfolio	600	(6,500)
Other
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	$ 12,995	$ 6,276

Investment Securities - Unrealized Gains (Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 182,391	$ 243,320
Unrealized Gains	95	2
Unrealized Losses	(1,762)	(321)
Estimated Fair Value	180,724	243,001
Corporate bonds
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized Cost	164,563	229,004
Unrealized Gains	94	2
Unrealized Losses	(38)	(236)
Estimated Fair Value	164,619	228,770
Other
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized Cost	12,994	6,279
Unrealized Gains	1	0
Unrealized Losses	0	(3)
Estimated Fair Value	12,995	6,276
Strategic equity securities
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized Cost	4,834	8,037
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	(1,724)	(82)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 3,110	$ 7,955

Investment Securities - Contractual Maturities (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Contractual maturities of debt securities
Debt securities with contractual maturities of one year or less	$ 177,600,000
Debt securities with contractual maturities exceeding one year	$ 0

Investment Securities - Marketable Investment Securities in a Loss Position and Sales of Marketable Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments [Abstract]
Gain from sale of available-for-sale securities	$ 3,000
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	20,100	$ 21,400	$ 42,800
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	62,473	148,629
12 months or more	1,571	67,751
Total	64,044	216,380
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 months	(1,760)	(268)
12 months or more	(2)	(53)
Total	$ (1,762)	$ (321)

Investment Securities - Fair Value Measurements and Noncurrent Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair value of marketable securities
Dividends received from unconsolidated entity	$ 10,000,000	$ 0	$ 2,400,000
Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	164,619,000	228,770,000
Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	12,995,000	6,276,000
Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	10,309,000	18,297,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents	1,991,949,000	303,152,000
Total marketable investment securities	187,923,000	253,343,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	164,619,000	228,770,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities	12,995,000	6,276,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	10,309,000	18,297,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents	14,011,000	213,000
Total marketable investment securities	10,309,000	18,297,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	0	0
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities	0	0
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	10,309,000	18,297,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents	1,977,938,000	302,939,000
Total marketable investment securities	177,614,000	235,046,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	164,619,000	228,770,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities	12,995,000	6,276,000
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	$ 0	$ 0

Trade Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivables	$ 195,264	$ 150,957
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(12,752)	(11,447)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	19,323	21,258
Total trade accounts receivable, net	201,835	160,768
Progress billings offset against contracts in process	14,600	2,900
Trade accounts receivables
Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivables	159,094	127,946
Contracts in process, net
Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivables	$ 36,170	$ 23,011

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 49,773	$ 39,642
Raw materials	6,678	5,280
Work-in process	6,187	3,875
Total inventory	$ 62,638	$ 48,797

Property and Equipment - Schedule of PP&E (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 4,797,913	$ 4,404,044
Accumulated depreciation	(2,503,187)	(2,138,642)
Property and equipment, net	2,294,726	2,265,402
Accumulated depreciation on satellites acquired under capital leases	$ 328,200	268,100
Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	1 year
Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	30 years
Land
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 13,273	12,055
Buildings and improvements
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 79,765	73,949
Buildings and improvements \| Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	1 year
Buildings and improvements \| Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	30 years
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 430,078	371,889
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	$ 689,579	588,430
Customer rental equipment \| Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	2 years
Customer rental equipment \| Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	4 years
Satellites - owned
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 2,381,120	2,381,120
Satellites - owned \| Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	2 years
Satellites - owned \| Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	15 years
Satellites acquired under capital leases
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 781,761	665,518
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	$ 422,337	$ 311,083

Property and Equipment - Construction in Progress (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	$ 422,337	$ 311,083
Capitalized interest	30,202	15,852	$ 2,168
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	244,234	187,253
Satellite related equipment
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	152,683	104,566
Other
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	$ 25,420	$ 19,264

Property and Equipment - Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	$ 369,026	$ 379,267	$ 383,297
Satellites
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	191,729	197,469	210,763
Depreciation expense - capital leases	56,200	56,200	59,700
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	58,535	70,962	50,492
Customer rental equipment
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	114,568	105,725	116,685
Buildings and improvements
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	$ 4,194	$ 5,111	$ 5,357

Property and Equipment - Satellites (Details)	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment - Satellites (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) satellite	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Property and equipment
Carrying amount	$ 2,294,726,000	$ 2,265,402,000
Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites	$ 0	4,500,000	$ 0
Satellites
Property and equipment
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator \| satellite	17
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease \| satellite	3
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease \| satellite	1
SPACEWAY 3
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	12 years
EchoStar XVII
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	15 years
EchoStar III
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	12 years
EchoStar VI
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	12 years
EchoStar VII
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	3 years
EchoStar VIII
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	12 years
EchoStar IX
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	12 years
EchoStar X
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	7 years
EchoStar XI
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	9 years
EchoStar XII
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	2 years
EchoStar XIV
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	11 years
EchoStar XVI
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	15 years
Nimiq 5
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	15 years
QuetzSat-1
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	10 years
Eutelsat 65 West A
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	15 years
AMC - 16
Property and equipment
Lease, amended agreement term	1 year
Carrying amount	$ 0
Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites	$ 0	$ 4,500,000	$ 0

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations, and Other Intangible Assets - Regulatory Authorizations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory authorizations	$ 471,658	$ 471,658
Indefinite Useful Lives
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory authorizations	$ 471,700	$ 471,700

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations, and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 416,217	$ 416,217
Accumulated Amortization	(335,483)	(300,797)
Carrying Amount	80,734	115,420
Amortization expense	$ 45,100	50,900	$ 68,800
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful life	8 years
Cost	$ 270,300	270,300
Accumulated Amortization	(214,544)	(189,910)
Carrying Amount	$ 55,756	80,390
Contract-based
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful life	4 years
Cost	$ 64,800	64,800
Accumulated Amortization	(64,800)	(64,800)
Carrying Amount	$ 0	0
Technology-based
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful life	6 years
Cost	$ 51,417	51,417
Accumulated Amortization	(47,848)	(39,281)
Carrying Amount	$ 3,569	12,136
Trademark portfolio
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted Average Useful life	20 years
Cost	$ 29,700	29,700
Accumulated Amortization	(8,291)	(6,806)
Carrying Amount	$ 21,409	$ 22,894

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations, and Other Intangible Assets - Future Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Estimated future amortization of the entity's intangible assets
2017	$ 22,152
2018	14,631
2019	14,631
2020	10,981
2021	4,356
Thereafter	13,983
Carrying Amount	$ 80,734	$ 115,420

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Schedule of Debt and Capital Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt
Carrying Amount	$ 3,358,179	$ 1,859,527
Capital lease obligations	297,268	325,745
Total debt and capital lease obligations	3,655,447	2,185,272
Less: Current portion	(32,984)	(30,284)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,622,463	2,154,988
Fair Value	$ 3,574,172	2,026,478
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt
Interest rate	6.50%
Other
Debt
Carrying Amount	$ 0	803
Fair Value	0	803
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs
Debt
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (31,821)	(31,276)
Senior Secured Notes: \| 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt
Interest rate	6.50%
Effective Interest Rate	6.959%
Carrying Amount	$ 990,000	990,000
Fair Value	$ 1,084,050	1,071,675
Senior Secured Notes: \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt
Interest rate	5.25%
Effective Interest Rate	5.316%
Carrying Amount	$ 750,000	0
Fair Value	$ 739,688	0
Senior Unsecured Notes: \| 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt
Interest rate	7.625%
Effective Interest Rate	8.062%
Carrying Amount	$ 900,000	900,000
Fair Value	$ 990,189	954,000
Senior Unsecured Notes: \| 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt
Interest rate	6.625%
Effective Interest Rate	6.685%
Carrying Amount	$ 750,000	0
Fair Value	$ 760,245	$ 0

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Debt (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 12, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 27, 2016	Jun. 01, 2011
Debt and capital lease obligations
Outstanding principal balance		$ 3,358,179,000	$ 1,859,527,000
Loss from partial redemption of debt		0	5,044,000	$ 0
Payments of debt issuance costs		(7,097,000)	0	0
Amortization of debt issuance costs		$ 6,551,000	6,042,000	$ 5,813,000
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt and capital lease obligations
Interest rate		6.50%
2026 Notes
Debt and capital lease obligations
Payments of debt issuance costs		$ (7,100,000)
Maximum additional interest payment requirement, per week		0.025%
Senior Secured Notes: \| 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt and capital lease obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance						$ 1,100,000,000.00
Interest rate		6.50%
Issue price as percent of principal amount						100.00%
Outstanding principal balance		$ 990,000,000	990,000,000
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		100.00%
Debt redeemed	$ 110,000,000
Redemption price as percent of principal	103.00%
Loss from partial redemption of debt	$ 5,000,000
Redemption premium	3,300,000
Write off of deferred financing fees	$ 1,700,000
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control		101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt		25.00%
Senior Secured Notes: \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance					$ 750,000,000
Interest rate		5.25%
Issue price as percent of principal amount					100.00%
Outstanding principal balance		$ 750,000,000	0
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		100.00%
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control		101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt		25.00%
Senior Secured Notes: \| Prior to August 1, 2020 \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		103.00%
Potential annual redemption, as a percentage of amount outstanding		10.00%
Senior Secured Notes: \| Prior to August 1, 2019 \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		105.25%
Potential redemption as a percentage of principal		35.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes: \| 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt and capital lease obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance						$ 900,000,000.0
Interest rate		7.625%
Issue price as percent of principal amount						100.00%
Outstanding principal balance		$ 900,000,000	900,000,000
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		100.00%
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control		101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt		25.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes: \| 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance					$ 750,000,000
Interest rate		6.625%
Issue price as percent of principal amount					100.00%
Outstanding principal balance		$ 750,000,000	$ 0
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		100.00%
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control		101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt		25.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes: \| Prior to August 1, 2019 \| 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		106.625%
Potential redemption as a percentage of principal		35.00%

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Capital Lease Future Minimum Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments
2017	$ 88,709
2018	88,503
2019	88,221
2020	88,033
2021	83,995
Thereafter	174,240
Total minimum lease payments	611,701
Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(188,216)
Net minimum lease payments	423,485
Less: Amount representing interest	(126,217)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	297,268
Less: Current portion	(32,984)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	264,284
Sublease rental income	132,400	$ 132,400	$ 132,400
Future minimum sublease rental income	$ 480,900
Weighted Average
Future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments
Weighted average lease term	4 years
Weighted Average \| Capital lease obligations
Capital lease obligations
Interest rate	10.60%
Capital lease obligations \| Minimum
Capital lease obligations
Interest rate	9.10%
Capital lease obligations \| Maximum
Capital lease obligations
Interest rate	11.20%

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of income (loss) before income taxes
Domestic	$ 202,905,000	$ 203,217,000	$ 132,081,000
Foreign	(7,425,000)	8,131,000	10,596,000
Income before income taxes	195,480,000	211,348,000	142,677,000
Current benefit (provision):
Federal	(223,000)	(95,000)	(989,000)
State	(62,000)	(27,000)	(151,000)
Foreign	(2,573,000)	(4,231,000)	(5,463,000)
Total current provision	(2,858,000)	(4,353,000)	(6,603,000)
Deferred benefit (provision):
Federal	(67,035,000)	(70,052,000)	(38,575,000)
State	(8,693,000)	1,209,000	4,238,000
Foreign	4,827,000	832,000	845,000
Total deferred provision	(70,901,000)	(68,011,000)	(33,492,000)
Total income tax provision, net	$ (73,759,000)	$ (72,364,000)	$ (40,095,000)
Actual tax provision reconciliation to the amounts computed by applying statutory Federal tax rate to income before taxes
Statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal effect	4.50%	(0.70%)	(2.90%)
Permanent differences	0.60%	0.80%	0.60%
Tax credits	(1.50%)	(2.70%)	(5.50%)
Valuation allowance	(1.10%)	2.00%	0.70%
Other	0.20%	(0.20%)	0.20%
Total effective tax rate	37.70%	34.20%	28.10%
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$ 153,807,000	$ 314,202,000
Unrealized losses on investments, net	11,874,000	12,509,000
Accrued expenses	31,036,000	29,487,000
Stock-based compensation	1,606,000	1,032,000
Other assets	7,445,000	5,118,000
Total deferred tax assets	205,768,000	362,348,000
Valuation allowance	(26,447,000)	(27,874,000)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	179,321,000	334,474,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(697,314,000)	(781,370,000)
Other liabilities	(1,319,000)	(1,638,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(698,633,000)	(783,008,000)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	(519,312,000)	(448,534,000)
Noncurrent portion of net deferred tax liabilities	(519,312,000)	(448,534,000)
Net operating loss carryforwards	327,600,000
Provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes	0
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance as of beginning of period	3,508,000	3,508,000	$ 3,632,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	388,000	0	0
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	3,161,000	0	0
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	0	0	(81,000)
Reductions based on tax settlements	0	0	(43,000)
Balance as of end of period	7,057,000	3,508,000	$ 3,508,000
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, could affect our effective tax rate	7,100,000	$ 3,500,000
Foreign
Deferred tax liabilities:
Net operating loss carryforwards	68,400,000
Federal
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax credit carryforwards	32,800,000
State
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax credit carryforwards	$ 2,300,000

Employee Benefit Plans - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) - Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Class A common stock - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee benefit plans
Employee purchases of common stock under ESPP (in shares)	209,000	198,000	152,000
EchoStar
Employee benefit plans
Number of shares authorized for issue	2,500,000.0
Number of shares that remain available for issuance	400,000
Minimum period for which full-time employees employed by the entity are eligible to participate in the ESPP	3 months
Maximum fair value of capital stock permitted to be purchased by employees in any one year under ESPP	$ 25,000
Purchase price as percentage of closing market price on the last business day of each calendar quarter under ESPP	85.00%

Employee Benefit Plans - 401(k) Employee Savings Plans (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
EchoStar 401(k) Plan
Employee benefit plans
Contribution limit per employee, as a percentage of eligible compensation	75.00%
Employer matching contribution as a percentage of voluntary employee contributions under 401(k) plan	50.00%
Percentage of eligible compensation, matched 50% by employer	6.00%
Percentage of eligible compensation, matched 100% by employer	3.00%
Employer maximum annual contribution per employee under 401(k) plan	$ 7,500
Vesting percentage of matching contributions to eligible employees per year	20.00%
Vesting percentage of matching contributions to eligible employees after specified period of service	100.00%
Eligibility for employer matching contributions, period of service	5 years
Matching contributions, net of forfeitures, made by the company during the year	$ 4,400,000	$ 4,000,000	$ 3,300,000
Discretionary contributions, net of forfeitures, under the 401(k) Plan	$ 5,600,000	$ 5,200,000	$ 5,000,000
Roth 401(k) Plan
Employee benefit plans
Contribution limit per employee, as a percentage of eligible compensation	75.00%

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Commitments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	$ 5,876,507
2017	505,577
2018	425,449
2019	1,308,892
2020	283,450
2021	1,129,874
Thereafter	2,223,265
Long-term debt
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	3,390,000
2017	0
2018	0
2019	990,000
2020	0
2021	900,000
Thereafter	1,500,000
Capital lease obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	297,268
2017	32,984
2018	36,511
2019	40,370
2020	44,733
2021	46,131
Thereafter	96,539
Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	1,487,520
2017	252,940
2018	248,424
2019	212,318
2020	175,799
2021	136,673
Thereafter	461,366
Satellite-related obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	636,702
2017	192,878
2018	131,741
2019	59,254
2020	56,233
2021	41,063
Thereafter	155,533
Operating lease obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	65,017
2017	26,775
2018	8,773
2019	6,950
2020	6,685
2021	6,007
Thereafter	$ 9,827

Commitments and Contingencies - Satellite Leases and Rent Expense (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2013 subsidiary
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Satellite-related expenses	$ 144.2	$ 116.5	$ 127.4
Total rent expense	$ 19.1	$ 17.5	$ 17.2
California Institute of Technology
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of subsidiaries against which lawsuit is filed \| subsidiary				2

Segment Reporting - Revenue, Capital Expenditures, and EBITDA (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of business segments \| segment									2
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	$ 463,391	$ 464,031	$ 459,476	$ 450,234	$ 1,799,793	$ 1,837,132	$ 1,807,977
Capital expenditures									381,287	386,714	247,341
EBITDA									782,507	804,592	781,450
Interest income and expense, net									(174,600)	(164,734)	(188,024)
Depreciation and amortization									(414,133)	(430,127)	(452,138)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,706	1,617	1,389
Income before income taxes									195,480	211,348	142,677
Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									1,389,152	1,344,945	1,325,887
EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									406,970	489,842	481,579
All other and eliminations
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									3,671	2,345	511
Operating segments \| Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									1,392,361	1,347,340	1,327,718
Capital expenditures									322,362	285,499	218,607
EBITDA									427,802	396,684	356,871
Operating segments \| EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									407,660	490,591	484,455
Capital expenditures									58,925	101,215	28,734
EBITDA									339,496	412,607	419,442
All Other and Eliminations \| All other and eliminations
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									(228)	(799)	(4,196)
Capital expenditures									0	0	0
EBITDA									15,209	(4,699)	5,137
Intersegment
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									0	0	0
Intersegment \| Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									3,209	2,395	1,831
Intersegment \| EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									690	749	2,876
Intersegment \| All other and eliminations
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									$ (3,899)	$ (3,144)	$ (4,707)

Segment Reporting - Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 3,351,291				$ 3,356,653				$ 3,351,291	$ 3,356,653
Total revenue	472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	463,391	$ 464,031	$ 459,476	$ 450,234	1,799,793	1,837,132	$ 1,807,977
United States
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	3,111,452				3,266,471				3,111,452	3,266,471
Total revenue									1,469,666	1,516,627	1,470,481
Canada and Mexico
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	16,630				1,076				16,630	1,076
Total revenue									86,236	67,648	80,264
All other
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 223,209				$ 89,106				223,209	89,106
Total revenue									$ 243,891	$ 252,857	$ 257,232

Segment Reporting - Transactions with Major Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	$ 463,391	$ 464,031	$ 459,476	$ 450,234	$ 1,799,793	$ 1,837,132	$ 1,807,977
Hughes Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									1,389,152	1,344,945	1,325,887
EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									406,970	489,842	481,579
DISH Network
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 458,387	$ 529,605	$ 519,928
DISH Network \| Revenue
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Percentage of total revenue									25.50%	28.80%	28.80%
All other
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 1,341,406	$ 1,307,527	$ 1,288,049
All other \| Revenue
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Percentage of total revenue									74.50%	71.20%	71.20%
Operating segments \| Hughes Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 1,392,361	$ 1,347,340	$ 1,327,718
Operating segments \| EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									407,660	490,591	484,455
Operating segments \| DISH Network \| Hughes Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									107,300	105,181	112,692
Operating segments \| DISH Network \| EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									349,549	423,465	407,236
All Other and Eliminations \| DISH Network
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 1,538	$ 959	$ 0

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	$ 463,391	$ 464,031	$ 459,476	$ 450,234	$ 1,799,793	$ 1,837,132	$ 1,807,977
Operating income	90,561	91,400	87,546	81,225	93,671	99,357	98,984	90,992	350,732	383,004	326,097
Net income (loss)	21,603	28,089	37,999	34,030	44,903	37,232	27,473	29,376	121,721	138,984	102,582
Net income attributable to HSS	$ 20,843	$ 27,565	$ 37,688	$ 33,919	$ 44,292	$ 37,023	$ 27,045	$ 29,007	$ 120,015	$ 137,367	$ 101,193

Related Party Transactions - Agreements (Details) $ in Thousands				1 Months Ended																	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2014	Mar. 02, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2014	Feb. 28, 2022	Apr. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2014 satellite	Feb. 28, 2014 USD ($) satellite	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2009 transponder	Nov. 30, 2008 transponder	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2013 transponder	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)
Related party transactions
Transfer of launch contracts from EchoStar to HNS																							$ 70,300	$ 52,250	$ 0
Capital contribution from EchoStar																							23,750	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock																							$ 0	0	10,601
Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term																5 years
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement																							180 days
Automatic renewal period																							1 year
EchoStar
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement by the reporting entity																							30 days
Expense recorded for services provided																							$ 16,700	$ 16,500	$ 13,200
DISH Network \| EchoStar V I I capacity leased to Dish Network
Related party transactions
Agreement term										1 year
DISH Network \| EchoStar VI I I capacity leased to Dish Network
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement																							30 days
DISH Network \| EchoStar XVI
Related party transactions
Agreement term												1 year						10 years
Agreement term from commencement of service date															4 years
Renewal option, reduction												1 year
Term of renewal option																							5 years
Additional term of renewal option																							5 years
DISH Network \| DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term from commencement of service date																			10 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services \| transponder																			32
DISH Network \| Quetz Sat-1 Agreement
Related party transactions
Number of DBS transponders currently receiving services \| transponder																				24
Number of DBS transponders currently receiving services subleased back from related party \| transponder																										5
DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| Hughes Retail Group
Related party transactions
Percentage of economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group	80.00%		80.00%																				80.00%
DISH Network \| TT&C Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term											1 year
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party																							60 days
DISH Network \| DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)																											100.00%
DISH Network \| RUS Implementation Agreement
Related party transactions
Grants receivable																												$ 14,100
DISH Network \| EchoStar Professional Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement																							60 days
Automatic renewal period																							1 year
Required minimum notice for termination of individual service																							30 days
DISH Network \| Ciel \| Satellite Leasing Service Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term																	10 years
DISH Network \| EchoStar and HSSC \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Related party transactions
Number of satellites transferred \| satellite													5	5
Proceeds from issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock		$ 11,400												$ 11,400
DISH Network \| Subsequent Event \| TerreStar Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement							90 days
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party								60 days
DISH Network \| Subsequent Event \| EchoStar Professional Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term									1 year
Telesat \| TeleSat Transponder Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term																			15 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services \| transponder																			32
SES Latin America \| QuetzSat-1 Transponder
Related party transactions
Agreement term																				10 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services \| transponder																				32
Related-party advances \| Minimum \| One-year LIBOR
Related party transactions
Annual rates																							1.00%
Related-party advances \| Maximum \| One-year LIBOR
Related party transactions
Annual rates																							3.00%
Other noncurrent assets \| EOC
Related party transactions
Transfer of launch contracts from EchoStar to HNS																					$ 70,300
Additional Paid-In Capital \| EOC
Related party transactions
Capital contribution from EchoStar																						$ 23,800
EchoStar Technologies Business \| DISH Network \| Subsequent Event \| Share Exchange Agreement
Related party transactions
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)									100.00%
Forecast \| DISH Network \| TerreStar Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term					1 year	1 year
Forecast \| DISH Network \| DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term				5 years	1 year
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party				180 days	120 days
DISH Network \| EchoStar Technologies Business \| Subsequent Event \| Share Exchange Agreement
Related party transactions
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)									100.00%

Related Party Transactions - Tax Sharing Agreement (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2013 subsidiary
Related party transactions
Net amount of the allocated tax attributes receivable	$ 0	$ 0
California Institute of Technology
Related party transactions
Number of subsidiaries against which lawsuit is filed \| subsidiary			2
DISH Network
Related party transactions
Net amount of the allocated tax attributes receivable	$ 93,100

Related Party Transactions - Other Agreements (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	May 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2008
Hughes Systique
Related party transactions
Loan repayment	$ 300,000	$ 300,000			$ 1,500,000
Remaining balance of loan				$ 0
Ownership interest in related party (as a percent)				43.90%
Ownership interest percentage by related party				25.80%
Hughes Systique \| Hughes Communications, Inc. [Member]
Related party transactions
Amount agreed to be funded under term loan facility							$ 1,500,000
Interest rate (as a percent)			8.00%				6.00%
Dish Mexico
Related party transactions
Ownership percentage				49.00%
Revenue from related parties				$ 23,300,000	23,300,000	$ 23,300,000
Receivables from related parties				$ 10,700,000	10,600,000
Deluxe
Related party transactions
Ownership percentage				50.00%
Revenue from related parties				$ 3,000,000	2,700,000	$ 3,300,000
Receivables from related parties				700,000	$ 100,000
AsiaSat
Related party transactions
Payables to related parties				$ 1,450,000

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information - Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,070,964	$ 382,990	$ 225,557	$ 163,709
Marketable investment securities	187,923	253,343
Trade accounts receivable, net	182,512	139,510
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	19,323	21,258
Inventory	62,638	48,797
Advances to affiliates, net	110,452	47,387
Other current assets	46,314	51,495
Total current assets	2,680,126	944,780
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	11,820	20,140
Property and equipment, net	2,294,726	2,265,402
Regulatory authorizations	471,658	471,658
Goodwill	504,173	504,173
Other intangible assets, net	80,734	115,420
Investments in unconsolidated entities	42,560	41,481
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Advances to affiliates	0	0
Other noncurrent assets, net	295,737	208,225
Total assets	6,381,534	4,571,279
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	106,416	97,667
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	32,984	30,284
Advances from affiliates, net	598	3,773
Accrued expenses and other	220,313	181,236
Total current liabilities	360,311	312,960
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,622,463	2,154,988
Deferred tax liabilities, net	528,462	452,350
Advances from affiliates	31,968	25,283
Other noncurrent liabilities	83,307	84,058
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	1,742,193	1,530,330
Noncontrolling interests	12,830	11,310
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	6,381,534	4,571,279
Eliminations
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Marketable investment securities	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Advances to affiliates, net	(893,866)	(766,208)
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	(893,866)	(766,208)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Regulatory authorizations	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	(4,036,331)	(3,517,653)
Advances to affiliates	(61,461)	(1,378)
Other noncurrent assets, net	(92,727)	(254,486)
Total assets	(5,084,385)	(4,539,725)
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Advances from affiliates, net	(893,866)	(766,207)
Accrued expenses and other	0	0
Total current liabilities	(893,866)	(766,207)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(92,727)	(254,487)
Advances from affiliates	(61,461)	(1,378)
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	(4,036,331)	(3,517,653)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	(5,084,385)	(4,539,725)
HSS
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,991,949	300,634	142,762	97,674
Marketable investment securities	177,614	238,249
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Advances to affiliates, net	10	10
Other current assets	48	40
Total current assets	2,169,621	538,933
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	11,097	11,985
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Regulatory authorizations	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	3,721,688	3,350,914
Advances to affiliates	700	700
Other noncurrent assets, net	92,727	254,486
Total assets	5,995,833	4,157,018
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Advances from affiliates, net	850,807	739,810
Accrued expenses and other	44,654	28,154
Total current liabilities	895,461	767,964
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,358,179	1,858,724
Deferred tax liabilities, net	0	0
Advances from affiliates	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	1,742,193	1,530,330
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	5,995,833	4,157,018
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	53,905	55,767	51,592	34,340
Marketable investment securities	10,309	15,094
Trade accounts receivable, net	138,861	101,923
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	19,323	21,258
Inventory	45,623	39,948
Advances to affiliates, net	999,340	807,341
Other current assets	19,183	24,565
Total current assets	1,286,544	1,065,896
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	7,500
Property and equipment, net	2,061,831	2,181,495
Regulatory authorizations	471,658	471,658
Goodwill	504,173	504,173
Other intangible assets, net	80,734	115,420
Investments in unconsolidated entities	42,560	41,481
Investment in subsidiaries	314,643	166,739
Advances to affiliates	60,761	678
Other noncurrent assets, net	142,091	135,970
Total assets	4,964,995	4,691,010
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	94,095	86,496
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	32,177	28,829
Advances from affiliates, net	12,228	5,307
Accrued expenses and other	136,921	130,532
Total current liabilities	275,421	251,164
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	262,883	295,060
Deferred tax liabilities, net	621,061	706,837
Advances from affiliates	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	80,532	84,006
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	3,725,098	3,353,943
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	4,964,995	4,691,010
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	25,110	26,589	$ 31,203	$ 31,695
Marketable investment securities	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, net	43,651	37,587
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	0	0
Inventory	17,015	8,849
Advances to affiliates, net	4,968	6,244
Other current assets	27,083	26,890
Total current assets	117,827	106,159
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	723	655
Property and equipment, net	232,895	83,907
Regulatory authorizations	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Advances to affiliates	0	0
Other noncurrent assets, net	153,646	72,255
Total assets	505,091	262,976
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	12,321	11,171
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	807	1,455
Advances from affiliates, net	31,429	24,863
Accrued expenses and other	38,738	22,550
Total current liabilities	83,295	60,039
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	1,401	1,204
Deferred tax liabilities, net	128	0
Advances from affiliates	93,429	26,661
Other noncurrent liabilities	2,775	52
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	311,233	163,710
Noncontrolling interests	12,830	11,310
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 505,091	$ 262,976

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information - Consolidating Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									$ 449,547	$ 518,853	$ 487,985
Services and other revenue - other									1,103,127	1,095,249	1,077,101
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									8,840	10,752	31,943
Equipment revenue - other									238,279	212,278	210,948
Total revenue	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	$ 463,391	$ 464,031	$ 459,476	$ 450,234	1,799,793	1,837,132	1,807,977
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									517,957	525,471	535,918
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									204,753	195,537	209,022
Selling, general and administrative expenses									281,048	276,616	264,610
Research and development expenses									31,170	26,377	20,192
Depreciation and amortization									414,133	430,127	452,138
Total costs and expenses									1,449,061	1,454,128	1,481,880
Operating income	90,561	91,400	87,546	81,225	93,671	99,357	98,984	90,992	350,732	383,004	326,097
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									12,598	4,416	3,234
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(187,198)	(169,150)	(191,258)
Loss from partial redemption of debt									0	(5,044)	0
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									0	(6,139)	0
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									6,995	(6,463)	(32)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									9,444	8,502	5,121
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Other, net									2,909	2,222	(485)
Total other expense, net									(155,252)	(171,656)	(183,420)
Income before income taxes									195,480	211,348	142,677
Income tax benefit (provision), net									(73,759)	(72,364)	(40,095)
Net income (loss)	21,603	28,089	37,999	34,030	44,903	37,232	27,473	29,376	121,721	138,984	102,582
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,706	1,617	1,389
Net income attributable to HSS	20,843	27,565	37,688	33,919	44,292	37,023	27,045	29,007	120,015	137,367	101,193
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 21,603	$ 28,089	$ 37,999	$ 34,030	$ 44,903	$ 37,232	$ 27,473	$ 29,376	121,721	138,984	102,582
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(5,377)	(25,012)	(8,789)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									1,584	(4,202)	(4,182)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss)										6,139
Recognition of realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities in net income									(2,996)	(15)	32
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax									(6,789)	(23,090)	(12,939)
Comprehensive income									114,932	115,894	89,643
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,520	1,297	1,152
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									113,412	114,597	88,491
Eliminations
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Services and other revenue - other									(22,861)	(21,877)	(23,681)
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Equipment revenue - other									(42,941)	(19,005)	(17,880)
Total revenue									(65,802)	(40,882)	(41,561)
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									(22,168)	(21,148)	(23,681)
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									(40,546)	(17,244)	(16,199)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(3,088)	(2,490)	(1,681)
Research and development expenses									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Total costs and expenses									(65,802)	(40,882)	(41,561)
Operating income									0	0	0
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									(76)	(107)	(196,174)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									76	107	196,174
Loss from partial redemption of debt										0
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities										0
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									0	0	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									0	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									(213,219)	(243,904)	(73,991)
Other, net									0	0	0
Total other expense, net									(213,219)	(243,904)	(73,991)
Income before income taxes									(213,219)	(243,904)	(73,991)
Income tax benefit (provision), net									0	0	0
Net income (loss)									(213,219)	(243,904)	(73,991)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net income attributable to HSS									(213,219)	(243,904)	(73,991)
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(213,219)	(243,904)	(73,991)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									0	0	0
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss)										0
Recognition of realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities in net income									0	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									12,152	51,032	17,168
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax									12,152	51,032	17,168
Comprehensive income									(201,067)	(192,872)	(56,823)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									(201,067)	(192,872)	(56,823)
HSS
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Services and other revenue - other									0	0	0
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Equipment revenue - other									0	0	0
Total revenue									0	0	0
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									0	0	0
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Research and development expenses									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Total costs and expenses									0	0	0
Operating income									0	0	0
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									10,826	3,339	197,610
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(177,625)	(142,215)	(145,938)
Loss from partial redemption of debt										(5,044)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities										(6,139)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									0	15	25
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									0	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									218,125	239,199	68,212
Other, net									9,749	(5,468)	0
Total other expense, net									61,075	83,687	119,909
Income before income taxes									61,075	83,687	119,909
Income tax benefit (provision), net									58,940	53,680	(18,716)
Net income (loss)									120,015	137,367	101,193
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net income attributable to HSS									120,015	137,367	101,193
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									120,015	137,367	101,193
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									3,290	(2,478)	(4,150)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss)										6,139
Recognition of realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities in net income									(2,996)	(15)	32
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									(6,897)	(26,416)	(8,584)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax									(6,603)	(22,770)	(12,702)
Comprehensive income									113,412	114,597	88,491
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									113,412	114,597	88,491
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									449,547	518,734	487,286
Services and other revenue - other									992,480	976,507	938,382
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									8,840	10,752	31,943
Equipment revenue - other									256,361	200,605	196,921
Total revenue									1,707,228	1,706,598	1,654,532
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									438,837	447,106	441,777
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									225,787	190,200	201,890
Selling, general and administrative expenses									246,399	245,725	233,392
Research and development expenses									31,170	26,377	20,192
Depreciation and amortization									401,688	423,923	443,946
Total costs and expenses									1,343,881	1,333,331	1,341,197
Operating income									363,347	373,267	313,335
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									199	171	344
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(14,538)	(29,093)	(240,057)
Loss from partial redemption of debt										0
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities										0
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									6,995	(6,478)	(57)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									9,444	8,502	5,121
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									(4,906)	4,705	5,779
Other, net									(6,956)	11,054	822
Total other expense, net									(9,762)	(11,139)	(228,048)
Income before income taxes									353,585	362,128	85,287
Income tax benefit (provision), net									(135,081)	(122,564)	(16,705)
Net income (loss)									218,504	239,564	68,582
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net income attributable to HSS									218,504	239,564	68,582
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									218,504	239,564	68,582
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(1,642)	(1,800)	0
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss)										0
Recognition of realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities in net income									0	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									(5,255)	(24,616)	(8,584)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax									(6,897)	(26,416)	(8,584)
Comprehensive income									211,607	213,148	59,998
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									211,607	213,148	59,998
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									0	119	699
Services and other revenue - other									133,508	140,619	162,400
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Equipment revenue - other									24,859	30,678	31,907
Total revenue									158,367	171,416	195,006
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									101,288	99,513	117,822
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									19,512	22,581	23,331
Selling, general and administrative expenses									37,737	33,381	32,899
Research and development expenses									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									12,445	6,204	8,192
Total costs and expenses									170,982	161,679	182,244
Operating income									(12,615)	9,737	12,762
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									1,649	1,013	1,454
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									4,889	2,051	(1,437)
Loss from partial redemption of debt										0
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities										0
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									0	0	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									0	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Other, net									116	(3,364)	(1,307)
Total other expense, net									6,654	(300)	(1,290)
Income before income taxes									(5,961)	9,437	11,472
Income tax benefit (provision), net									2,382	(3,480)	(4,674)
Net income (loss)									(3,579)	5,957	6,798
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,706	1,617	1,389
Net income attributable to HSS									(5,285)	4,340	5,409
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest									(3,579)	5,957	6,798
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(5,377)	(25,012)	(8,789)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(64)	76	(32)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss)										0
Recognition of realized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities in net income									0	0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax									(5,441)	(24,936)	(8,821)
Comprehensive income									(9,020)	(18,979)	(2,023)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,520	1,297	1,152
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									$ (10,540)	$ (20,276)	$ (3,175)

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information - Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 21,603	$ 28,089	$ 37,999	$ 34,030	$ 44,903	$ 37,232	$ 27,473	$ 29,376	$ 121,721	$ 138,984	$ 102,582
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									444,150	436,506	550,990
Net cash flows from operating activities									565,871	575,490	653,572
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									(396,730)	(208,821)	(509,814)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									452,446	355,202	234,970
Expenditures for property and equipment									(381,287)	(386,714)	(247,341)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									8,320	(2,488)	(2,538)
Investment in subsidiary									0	0
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services									(23,750)	(11,875)	0
Expenditures for externally marketed software									(23,252)	(22,327)	(22,955)
Other, net									(1,636)	(10)	(35)
Net cash flows from investing activities									(365,889)	(277,033)	(547,713)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									1,500,000	0	0
Payments of debt issuance costs									(7,097)	0	0
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)									0	0	10,601
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									0	0	0
Capital contribution from EchoStar									23,750	0	0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium									0	(113,300)	0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									(31,669)	(39,441)	(59,835)
Advances from affiliates									6,982	20,002	0
Other, net									(4,157)	(5,154)	107
Net cash flows from financing activities									1,487,809	(137,893)	(49,127)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									183	(3,131)	5,116
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents									1,687,974	157,433	61,848
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				382,990				225,557	382,990	225,557	163,709
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	2,070,964				382,990				2,070,964	382,990	225,557
Eliminations
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)									(213,219)	(243,904)	(73,991)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									213,219	243,904	73,991
Net cash flows from operating activities									0	0	0
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Expenditures for property and equipment									0	0	0
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Investment in subsidiary									165,717	91,043
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services									0	0
Expenditures for externally marketed software									0	0	0
Other, net									(340)	(1,500)	10,601
Net cash flows from investing activities									165,377	89,543	10,601
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									0
Payments of debt issuance costs									0
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)											(10,601)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									(165,717)	(91,043)	0
Capital contribution from EchoStar									0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium										0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									0	0	0
Advances from affiliates									0	0
Other, net									340	1,500	0
Net cash flows from financing activities									(165,377)	(89,543)	(10,601)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				0				0	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0				0				0	0	0
HSS
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)									120,015	137,367	101,193
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									78,875	32,816	221,288
Net cash flows from operating activities									198,890	170,183	322,481
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									(396,730)	(208,821)	(509,814)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									452,446	355,202	234,970
Expenditures for property and equipment									0	0	0
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									888	(2,432)	(2,549)
Investment in subsidiary									(80,846)	(43,000)
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services									0	0
Expenditures for externally marketed software									0	0	0
Other, net									0	0	(10,601)
Net cash flows from investing activities									(24,242)	100,949	(287,994)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									1,500,000
Payments of debt issuance costs									(7,097)
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)											10,601
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									0	0	0
Capital contribution from EchoStar									23,750
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium										(113,300)
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									0	0	0
Advances from affiliates									0	0
Other, net									14	40	0
Net cash flows from financing activities									1,516,667	(113,260)	10,601
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents									1,691,315	157,872	45,088
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				300,634				142,762	300,634	142,762	97,674
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,991,949				300,634				1,991,949	300,634	142,762
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)									218,504	239,564	68,582
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									127,462	156,301	240,466
Net cash flows from operating activities									345,966	395,865	309,048
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Expenditures for property and equipment									(292,427)	(325,405)	(220,664)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									7,500	0	0
Investment in subsidiary									(84,871)	(48,043)
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services									0
Expenditures for externally marketed software									(23,252)	(22,327)	(22,955)
Other, net									(1,296)	1,490	(35)
Net cash flows from investing activities									(394,346)	(394,285)	(243,654)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									0
Payments of debt issuance costs									0
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)											10,601
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									80,846	43,000	0
Capital contribution from EchoStar									0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium										0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									(28,829)	(33,478)	(53,467)
Advances from affiliates										0
Other, net									(5,499)	(6,927)	(5,276)
Net cash flows from financing activities									46,518	2,595	(48,142)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents									(1,862)	4,175	17,252
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				55,767				51,592	55,767	51,592	34,340
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	53,905				55,767				53,905	55,767	51,592
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)									(3,579)	5,957	6,798
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									24,594	3,485	15,245
Net cash flows from operating activities									21,015	9,442	22,043
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Expenditures for property and equipment									(88,860)	(61,309)	(26,677)
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									(68)	(56)	11
Investment in subsidiary									0	0
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services									(23,750)	(11,875)
Expenditures for externally marketed software									0	0	0
Other, net									0	0	0
Net cash flows from investing activities									(112,678)	(73,240)	(26,666)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									0
Payments of debt issuance costs									0
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 3)											0
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									84,871	48,043	0
Capital contribution from EchoStar									0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium										0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									(2,840)	(5,963)	(6,368)
Advances from affiliates									6,982	20,002
Other, net									988	233	5,383
Net cash flows from financing activities									90,001	62,315	(985)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									183	(3,131)	5,116
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents									(1,479)	(4,614)	(492)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				$ 26,589				$ 31,203	26,589	31,203	31,695
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 25,110				$ 26,589				$ 25,110	$ 26,589	$ 31,203

Subsequent Event (Details)	Jan. 31, 2017
DISH Network \| EchoStar Technologies Business \| Share Exchange Agreement \| Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)	100.00%

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Allowance for doubtful accounts - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Changes in valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 11,447	$ 11,950	$ 10,736
Charged to Costs and Expenses	14,384	6,637	7,337
Deductions	(13,079)	(7,140)	(6,123)
Balance at End of Year	$ 12,752	$ 11,447	$ 11,950