0001415404-19-000003 | 10-K | XBRL Viewer

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Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 11, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Entity Registrant Name	EchoStar CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001415404
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 2.1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Class A common stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		47,658,409
Class B common stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		47,687,039

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 928,306	$ 2,431,456
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	2,282,152	814,161
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net (Note 3)	201,096	196,840
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	14,200	43,295
Inventory	75,379	83,595
Prepaids and deposits	61,177	54,533
Other current assets	18,539	91,671
Total current assets	3,580,849	3,715,551
Noncurrent assets:
Property and equipment, net	3,414,908	3,465,471
Regulatory authorizations, net	495,654	536,936
Goodwill	504,173	504,173
Other intangible assets, net	44,231	58,955
Investments in unconsolidated entities	262,473	161,427
Other receivables - DISH Network	95,114	92,687
Other noncurrent assets, net	263,892	214,814
Total noncurrent assets	5,080,445	5,034,463
Total assets	8,661,294	8,750,014
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	121,437	108,406
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	1,698	4,753
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	959,577	40,631
Contract liabilities	72,284	65,959
Accrued interest	47,416	47,616
Accrued compensation	54,242	47,756
Accrued taxes	16,013	16,122
Accrued expenses and other	72,470	82,647
Total current liabilities	1,345,137	413,890
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net	2,573,204	3,594,213
Deferred tax liabilities, net	465,933	436,023
Other noncurrent liabilities	121,546	128,503
Total noncurrent liabilities	3,160,683	4,158,739
Total liabilities	4,505,820	4,572,629
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Stockholders’ equity:
Additional paid-in capital	3,702,522	3,669,461
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(125,100)
Accumulated earnings	694,129
Treasury stock, at cost	(131,454)	(98,162)
Total EchoStar Corporation stockholders’ equity	4,140,199	4,162,563
Other noncontrolling interests	15,275	14,822
Total stockholders’ equity	4,155,474	4,177,385
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	8,661,294
Class A common stock
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	54	54
Class B common stock
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	48	48
Class C common stock
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Class D common stock
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	0	0
Preferred Stock
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Preferred Stock:
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	4,000,000,000	4,000,000,000
Class A common stock
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,600,000,000	1,600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	54,142,566	53,663,859
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	47,657,645	48,131,541
Class B common stock
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	47,687,039	47,687,039
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	47,687,039	47,687,039
Class C common stock
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Class D common stock
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Total revenue	$ 2,091,363	$ 1,885,508	$ 1,810,466
Costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	436,247	366,007	325,044
Research and development expenses	27,570	31,745	31,170
Depreciation and amortization	598,178	522,190	432,904
Impairment of long-lived assets	65,220	10,762	0
Total costs and expenses	1,908,120	1,689,201	1,514,303
Operating income	183,243	196,307	296,163
Other income (expense):
Interest income	80,275	44,619	21,244
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(248,568)	(217,240)	(123,481)
Gains (losses) on investments, net	(12,207)	53,453	9,767
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	(5,954)	16,973	10,802
Other, net	(4,749)	6,582	2,131
Total other income (expense), net	(191,203)	(95,613)	(79,537)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(7,960)	100,694	216,626
Income tax benefit (provision), net	(30,673)	284,286	(80,254)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(38,633)	384,980	136,372
Net income from discontinued operations	0	8,509	44,320
Net income (loss)	(38,633)	393,489	180,692
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,842	928	762
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation	(40,475)	392,561	179,930
Less: Net loss attributable to Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 1)	0	(1,209)	(1,743)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$ (40,475)	$ 393,770	$ 181,673
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.42)	$ 4.04	$ 1.46
Total basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	(0.42)	4.13	1.94
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share (in dollars per share)	(0.42)	3.98	1.45
Total diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.42)	$ 4.07	$ 1.92
Services and other revenue
Total revenue	$ 1,507,259	$ 1,200,321	$ 1,100,828
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services/equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	604,305	563,346	536,568
Services and other revenue \| DISH Network
Total revenue	378,694	445,698	463,442
Equipment
Total revenue	205,410	239,489	246,196
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services/equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	$ 176,600	$ 195,151	$ 188,617

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (38,633)	$ 393,489	$ 180,692
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(34,399)	16,413	(11,315)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other	(2,872)	(21,895)	9,149
Foreign currency translation realized to due impairment of long lived assets	32,136	0	0
Realized gains on available-for-sale securities	0	(2,758)	(5,590)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	(278)	3,298	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5,413)	(4,942)	(7,756)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(44,046)	388,547	172,936
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	453	1,337	576
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation	$ (44,499)	$ 387,210	$ 172,360

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Class A and B Common Stock	Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest in HSS Tracking Stock	Other Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 3,781,642	$ 99	$ 6	$ 3,776,451	$ (117,233)	$ 134,317	$ (98,162)	$ 74,854	$ 11,310
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	13,066	1		13,065
Employee benefits	11,126			11,126
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	14,367			14,367
Stock-based compensation	15,234			15,234
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	848			848
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(1,600)			(1,600)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Other Equity Components	(7,692)				(7,506)				(186)
Net income (loss)	180,692					179,930		(944)	1,706
Other, net	(878)			(814)	(64)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	4,006,805	100	6	3,828,677	(124,803)	314,247	(98,162)	73,910	12,830
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	36,505	2		36,503
Employee benefits	11,200			11,200
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	8,758			8,758
Stock-based compensation	10,103			10,103
Reacquisition and retirement of Tracking Stock pursuant to the Share Exchange (Note 1)	(300,539)		(6)	(227,278)				(73,255)
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	1,624			1,624
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Other Equity Components	(5,034)				(5,443)				409
Net income (loss)	393,489					392,561		(655)	1,583
Other, net	(34)			(126)	92
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	4,177,385	102	0	3,669,461	(130,154)	721,316	(98,162)	0	14,822
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	4,404			4,404
Employee benefits	7,605			7,605
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	9,368			9,368
Stock-based compensation	9,990			9,990
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	1,822			1,822
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Excluding Other Equity Components	(4,851)				(3,462)				(1,389)
Net income (loss)	(38,633)					(40,475)		0	1,842
Treasury share repurchase	(33,292)						(33,292)
Other, net	(1,447)			(128)	(1,951)	632
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 4,155,474	$ 102	$ 0	$ 3,702,522	$ (125,100)	$ 694,129	$ (131,454)	$ 0	$ 15,275

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (38,633)	$ 393,489	$ 180,692
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	598,178	533,849	495,068
Impairment of long-lived assets	65,220	10,762	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	6,037	(15,814)	(13,310)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	7,923	7,378	6,551
Gains and losses on investments, net	12,109	(53,453)	(9,767)
Stock-based compensation	9,990	10,103	15,234
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	26,327	(288,577)	98,148
Dividends received from unconsolidated entities	10,000	19,000	15,000
Proceeds from sale of trading securities	0	8,922	7,140
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net:
Trade accounts receivable, net	(17,842)	421	(26,942)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	29,188	235,227	(1,456)
Inventory	5,650	(19,291)	(4,814)
Other current assets	(16,261)	(15,352)	2,263
Trade accounts payable	9,562	(78,419)	(24,571)
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	(3,055)	731	(19,650)
Accrued expenses and other	23,105	11,993	55,998
Changes in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net	(5,070)	(36,975)	9,459
Other, net	12,094	2,898	18,300
Net cash flows from operating activities	734,522	726,892	803,343
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(2,973,254)	(855,717)	(921,247)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	1,498,463	580,235	1,009,310
Expenditures for property and equipment	(555,141)	(583,211)	(722,341)
Refunds and other receipts related to property and equipment	77,524	4,311	24,087
Sale of investment in unconsolidated entity	1,558	17,781	0
Expenditures for externally marketed software	(31,639)	(31,331)	(23,252)
Investments in unconsolidated entities	(115,991)	0	(1,636)
Other, net	0	0	2,880
Net cash flows from investing activities	(2,098,480)	(867,932)	(632,199)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	1,500,000
Payments of debt issuance costs	0	(414)	(7,097)
Repurchase of the 2019 Senior Secured Notes (Note 12)	(70,173)	0	0
Purchase of treasury shares (Note 14)	(33,292)	0	0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(41,019)	(37,670)	(40,364)
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised	4,424	35,536	13,065
Net proceeds from Class A common stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	9,368	8,758	14,367
Repayment of in-orbit incentive obligations	(5,350)	(5,487)	(5,499)
Cash exchanged for Tracking Stock (Note 1)	0	(651)	0
Other, net	(521)	0	1,217
Net cash flows from financing activities	(136,563)	72	1,475,689
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(2,233)	1,351	138
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,502,754)	(139,617)	1,646,971
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, beginning of period	2,432,249	2,571,866	924,895
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, end of period	929,495	2,432,249	2,571,866
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	240,596	207,617	78,312
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 5,209	$ 11,033	$ 11,700

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Interest rate		6.50%
Senior Secured Notes:
Interest rate	6.50%

Organization and Business Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Business Activities

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

Principal Business

EchoStar Corporation (which, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “EchoStar,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) is a holding company that was organized in October 2007 as a corporation under the laws of the State of Nevada and has operated as a separately traded public company from Dish Network Corporation (“DISH”) since 2008. Our Class A common stock is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SATS.”

We are a global provider of broadband satellite technologies, broadband internet services for home and small office customers, satellite operations and satellite services. We also deliver innovative network technologies, managed services and various communications solutions for aeronautical, enterprise and government customers. We primarily operate in the following two business segments:

•

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

•

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

Our operations also include various corporate departments (primarily Executive, Treasury, Strategic Development, Human Resources, IT, Finance, Real Estate, Accounting and Legal) and other activities that have not been assigned to our operating segments such as costs incurred in certain satellite development programs and other business development activities, and gains or losses from certain of our investments. These activities, costs and income, as well as eliminations of intersegment transactions, are accounted for in Corporate and Other in our segment reporting.

During 2017, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a share exchange agreement with DISH and certain of its subsidiaries. We, and certain of our subsidiaries, received all of the shares of the Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock previously issued by us and one of our subsidiaries (together, the “Tracking Stock”) in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain of our subsidiaries that held substantially all of our former EchoStar Technologies businesses and certain other assets (collectively, the “Share Exchange”). Following the consummation of the Share Exchange, we no longer operate our former EchoStar Technologies businesses, the Tracking Stock was retired and is no longer outstanding, and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to the Tracking Stock terminated. As a result of the Share Exchange, the operating results of the EchoStar Technologies businesses have been presented as discontinued operations and as such, have been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented in our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 4 for further discussion of our discontinued operations.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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% 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 stockholders’ equity for the portion of the entity’s equity attributed to the noncontrolling ownership interests. Prior to the consummation of the Share Exchange, noncontrolling interests consisted primarily

of the Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock issued by our subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems Corporation (“HSS”), (the “HSS Tracking Stock”) owned by DISH Network as described in Notes 1 and 4. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“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 financial statements. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, (i) amortization periods for deferred contract acquisition costs, (ii) inputs used to recognize revenue over time, (iii) allowances for doubtful accounts, (iv) warranty obligations, (v) self-insurance obligations, (vi) deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, (vii) uncertain tax positions, (viii) loss contingencies, (ix) fair value of financial instruments, (x) fair value of stock-based compensation awards, (xi) fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, (xii) lease classifications, (xiii) asset impairment testing and (xiv) useful lives and methods for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets.

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 financial statements. Additionally, 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 thereto are reflected in the period they occur or prospectively if the revised estimate affects future periods.

Fair Value Measurements

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


•	Level 1 - Defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;


•	Level 2 - Defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and


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

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 Level 1 measurements that reflect quoted prices for identical securities in active markets. Fair values of our investments in other marketable debt securities are generally based on Level 2 measurements, as the markets for such debt securities are less active. We consider trades of identical debt securities on or near the measurement date as a strong indication of fair value and matrix pricing techniques that consider par value, coupon rate, credit quality, maturity and other relevant features may also be used to determine fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities. Fair values for our outstanding debt (see Note 12) are based on quoted market prices in less active markets and are categorized as Level 2 measurements. Additionally, 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.

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, 2018 and 2017.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, accounts payable and accrued liabilities were equal to or approximated their fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates.

Revenue Recognition

Overview

We account for our sales and services revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”), which we adopted on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach to contracts not completed as of the adoption date. Topic 606 provides a five-step revenue recognition model that we apply to our customer contracts. Under this model we (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify our performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price for the contract, (iv) allocate the transaction price to our performance obligations and (v) recognize revenue when or as we satisfy our performance obligations.

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of the promised goods or our performance of the services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We enter into contracts that may include various combinations of products and services, which are generally distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations.

Additionally, a significant portion of our revenue is derived from leases of property and equipment that is reported in Services and other revenue - other and Services and other revenue - DISH Network in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Certain of our customer contracts contain embedded equipment leases, which we separate from non-lease components of the contract based on the relative standalone selling prices of the lease and non-lease components.

Hughes

Our Hughes segment provides various communication and networking services to consumer and enterprise customers in both domestic and international markets. Our service contracts typically obligate us to provide substantially the same services on a recurring basis in exchange for fixed recurring fees over the term of the contract. We satisfy such performance obligations over time and recognize revenue ratably as services are rendered over the service period. Certain of our contracts with service obligations provide for fees based on usage, capacity or volume. We satisfy these performance obligations and recognize the related revenue at the point in time or over the period when the services are rendered. Our Hughes segment also sells and leases communications equipment to its customers. Revenue from equipment sales generally is recognized upon shipment of the equipment. Our equipment sales contracts typically include standard product warranties, but generally do not provide for returns or refunds. Revenue for extended warranties is recognized ratably over the extended warranty period. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we typically allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on their relative standalone selling prices. When the standalone selling price is not observable, our primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin. Our contracts generally require customer payments to be made at or shortly after the time we transfer control of goods or perform the services.

In addition to equipment and service offerings, our Hughes segment also enters into long-term contracts to design, develop, construct and install complex telecommunication networks to customers in its enterprise and mobile satellite systems markets. Revenue from such contracts is generally recognized over time at a measure of progress that depicts the transfer of control of the goods or services to the customer. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, we measure progress toward contract completion using an appropriate input method or output method. Under the input method, we recognize the transaction price as revenue based on the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs at completion. Under the output method, revenue and cost of sales are recognized as products are delivered based on

the expected profit for the entire agreement. Profit margins on long-term contracts generally 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 generally receive interim payments as work progresses, although for some contracts, we may be entitled to receive an advance payment.

ESS

Our ESS segment provides satellite operations through leasing arrangements and satellite services on a full-time and/or occasional-use basis to DISH Network and Dish Mexico, as well as government service providers, internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, content providers and private enterprise customers. Our ESS segment also provides telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) services for satellites owned by DISH Network and technical consulting services that are billed by the hour. Generally, our service contracts with customers contain a single performance obligation and therefore there is no need to allocate the transaction price. We transfer control and recognize revenue for satellite services at the point in time or over the period when the services are rendered.

Other

Sales and Value Added Taxes, Universal Service Fees and other taxes that we collect concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue.

Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are accounted for as a fulfillment cost after control over a product has transferred to the customer and are included in Cost of sales - equipment in our Consolidated Statements of Operations at the time of shipment.

Contract Balances

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable includes amounts billed and currently due from customers and represents our unconditional rights to consideration arising from our performance under our customer contracts. Trade accounts receivable also includes amounts due from customers under our leasing arrangements. We make ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of our trade accounts receivable and maintain an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make the required payments. In determining the amount of the allowance, we consider historical levels of credit losses and make judgments about the creditworthiness of our customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. Past due trade accounts receivable balances are written off when our internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful. Bad debt expense related to our trade accounts receivable and other contract assets is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities

Contract assets represent revenue that we have recognized in advance of billing the customer and are included in Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net or Other noncurrent assets, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the expected timing of customer payment. Our contract assets include amounts that we referred to as Contracts in Process in prior periods. Our contract assets typically relate to our long-term contracts where we recognize revenue using the cost-based input method and the revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer.

Contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized under customer contracts and are included in Contract liabilities or Other noncurrent liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue. Contract liabilities include amounts that we referred to as deferred revenue in prior periods. We recognize contract liabilities as revenue after all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Contract Acquisition and Fulfillment Costs

Contract Acquisition Costs

Our contract acquisition costs represent incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract and consist primarily of sales incentives paid to employees and third-party representatives. When we determine that our contract acquisition costs are recoverable, we defer and amortize the costs over the contract term, or over the estimated life of the customer relationship if anticipated renewals are expected and the incentives payable upon renewal are not commensurate with the initial incentive. We amortize contract acquisition costs in proportion to the revenue to which the costs relate. We expense sales incentives as incurred if the expected amortization period is one year or less. Unamortized contract acquisition costs are included in Other noncurrent assets, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and related amortization expense is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Contract Fulfillment Costs

We recognize costs to fulfill a contract as an asset when the costs relate directly to a specific contract, the costs generate or enhance our resources that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations and the costs are expected to be recovered. We may incur such costs on certain contracts that require initial setup activities in advance of the transfer of goods or services to the customer. We amortize these costs in proportion to the revenue to which the costs relate. Unamortized contract fulfillment costs are included in Other noncurrent assets, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and related amortization expense is included in Cost of sales - services and other in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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 reported in other comprehensive income (loss) as Foreign currency translation adjustments in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Except in certain uncommon circumstances, 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.

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, 2018 and 2017 primarily consisted of commercial paper, government bonds, corporate notes, and money market funds. The amortized cost of these investments approximates their fair value.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost, determined using the first-in, first-out (“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.

Capitalized Software Costs

Internal-Use Software

Costs related to the procurement and development of software for internal-use 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 in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Externally Marketed Software

Costs related to the procurement and development of software for 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 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 or lease 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.

Marketable Investment Securities

Our marketable investment securities portfolio consists of investments in debt and equity instruments with readily determinable fair values.

Debt Securities

We classify all of our debt securities as available-for-sale based on our investment strategy for the securities. Generally, we recognize periodic changes in the difference between fair value and amortized cost in Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Realized gains and losses upon sales of debt securities are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized on the trade date in Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We use the FIFO method to determine the cost basis on sales of debt securities. Interest income from debt securities is reported in Interest income in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We could realize proceeds from certain investments prior to their contractual maturity if we sell these securities before such maturity.

We evaluate our available-for-sale debt securities portfolio periodically to determine whether declines in the fair value of these securities are other-than-temporary. Our evaluation considers, among other things, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value of such security has been lower than amortized cost, market and company-specific factors related to the security and our intent and ability to hold the investment to maturity or when it recovers its value. We generally consider a decline to be other-than-temporary when: (i) we intend to sell the security, (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before maturity or when it recovers its value, or (iii) we do not expect to recover the amortized cost of the security at maturity. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale debt securities that are determined to be other-than-temporary are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in Net income (loss) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, thus establishing a new cost basis for the investment.

From time to time we make strategic investments in corporate debt securities. Generally, we elect to account for these debt securities using the fair value option because it results in consistency in accounting for unrealized gains and losses for all securities in our portfolio of strategic investments. When we elect the fair value option for investments in debt securities, we recognize periodic changes in fair value of these securities in Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest income from these securities is reported in Interest income in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Equity Securities

Prior to January 1, 2018, we classified our marketable equity securities as available-for-sale or trading securities, depending on our investment strategy for the securities. For available-for-sale securities, we recognized periodic changes in the difference between fair value and cost in Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and

other in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Realized gains and losses upon sale of available-for-sale securities were reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized on the trade date in Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We used the FIFO method to determine the cost basis on sales of available-for-sale securities. For trading securities, we recognized periodic changes in the fair value of the securities in Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments (the “New Investment Standard”), which established new requirements for investments in equity securities in ASC Topic 321, Investments - Equity Securities. Accordingly, beginning in 2018, we recognize periodic changes in the fair value of all of our equity securities with a readily determinable fair value that are not accounted for using the equity method in Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recognize dividend income on equity securities on the ex-dividend date and report such income in Other, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Restricted Marketable Investment Securities

Restricted marketable investment securities that are pledged as collateral for our letters of credit or surety bonds are included in Other noncurrent assets, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted marketable securities are accounted for in the same manner as marketable securities that are not restricted, however, the restricted marketable securities are presented differently in the consolidated financial statements.

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Our investments in unconsolidated entities consist of investments in equity securities that are not publicly traded and do not have readily determinable fair values.

Equity Method

We use the equity method to account for investments when we have the ability to exercise significant influence on the operating decisions of the investee. Such investments in unconsolidated entities 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 (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The carrying amount of such 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 Consolidated Statements of Operations and include the intra-entity profit eliminations within Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Other Investments

Prior to January 1, 2018, we accounted for other investments without a readily determinable fair value using the cost method. In connection with our adoption of the New Investment Standard as of January 1, 2018, we have elected to measure such investments at cost, adjusted for changes resulting from impairments and observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar securities of the same issuer. We consider information in periodic financial statements and other documentation provided by our investees and we may make inquiries of investee management to determine whether observable price changes have occurred.

Impairment Considerations

We evaluate all of our investments in unconsolidated entities periodically to determine whether events or changes in circumstances have 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, we adjust the carrying amount of the investment to its estimated fair value and recognize the impairment loss in Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from one to 40 years. 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. 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 in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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, 2018 and 2017 is assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment. We test such goodwill for impairment in the second fiscal quarter. The goodwill impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. We typically estimate fair value of 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, we recognize an impairment loss equal to such excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We may bypass the quantitative 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 their useful lives.

Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from approximately one to 30 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 (see Impairment of Long-lived Assets above).

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.

Our non-FCC Regulatory Authorizations consist primarily of authorizations in Europe and Brazil that we acquired in 2013 and 2012, respectively. We have determined that those Regulatory Authorizations have finite lives due to uncertainties about the ability to extend or renew their terms.

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. We report unamortized debt issuance costs as a reduction of the related long-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Income Taxes

We recognize a provision or benefit for income taxes currently payable or receivable and for income tax amounts deferred to future periods. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on enacted tax laws 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.

Cost of Sales - Services and Equipment

Cost of sales - services and other in our Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily consists of costs of satellite capacity and services, hub infrastructure, customer care, wireline and wireless capacity, and direct labor costs associated with the services provided. Cost of sales - services and other generally are charged to expense as incurred. Cost of sales - equipment in our Consolidated Statements of Operations 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 are generally expensed as incurred. A significant portion of our research and development costs are incurred in connection with the specific requirements of a customer’s ord

er. In such instances, the amounts for these customer funded development efforts are included in Cost of sales - equipment in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock-based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized based on the fair value of stock awards ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Compensation expense for awards with service conditions only is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Compensation expense for awards subject to performance conditions is recognized only when satisfaction of the performance condition is probable. We adopted ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, prospectively as of January 1, 2017. This update requires all excess tax benefits and deficiencies to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit and permits an entity to make an entity-wide policy election to either estimate forfeitures or recognize forfeitures as they occur. Upon adoption of this standard as of January 1, 2017, we recorded a $14 million deferred tax asset and a corresponding credit to Accumulated earnings in our Consolidated Balance Sheets for excess tax benefits that had not previously been recognized because the related tax deductions had not reduced taxes payable. We did not change our accounting policy to estimate forfeitures in determining compensation cost.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition and Financial Instruments

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and related amendments (collectively, the “New Revenue Standard”). The New Revenue Standard established a comprehensive new model for revenue recognition, which is codified in Topic 606 (see Revenue Recognition above), and provided guidance for certain costs associated with customer contracts. We adopted the New Revenue Standard using the modified retrospective method for contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Accordingly, comparative information for prior periods has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Upon adoption of the New Revenue Standard, we recognized the cumulative effect of its initial application as a net increase to Accumulated earnings in our Consolidated Balance Sheets of $23 million, net of related income taxes. The adoption of the New Revenue Standard also impacted the timing of recognition of certain fees charged to our customers in our consumer markets; however, the adoption has not had, and we do not expect it to have, a material impact on the overall timing or amount of revenue recognition.

The primary impacts of the New Revenue Standard on our operating results relate to how we account for sales incentive costs. Historically, we charged sales incentives to expense as incurred, except for incentives related to the consumer business in our Hughes segment, which were initially deferred and subsequently amortized over the related service agreement term. Under the New Revenue Standard, we continue to defer incentives for our consumer business; however, we now amortize those incentives over the estimated customer life, which includes expected contract renewal periods. In addition, we now defer certain sales incentives related to other businesses in our Hughes segment and amortize those incentives over the related service agreement term. As a result of these changes, we have recognized additional contract acquisition costs on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and the costs generally are recognized as expenses over a longer period of time in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The adoption of the New Revenue Standard by an unconsolidated entity had a similar impact on our investment in the unconsolidated entity, which we account for using the equity method.

Additionally, on January 1, 2018, we prospectively adopted the applicable requirements of the New Investment Standard. The New Investment Standard substantially revises standards for the recognition, measurement and presentation of financial instruments, including requiring all equity investments, except for investments in consolidated subsidiaries and investments accounted for using the equity method, to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through earnings. The New Investment Standard permits an entity to elect to measure an equity

security without a readily determinable fair value at its cost, adjusted for changes resulting from impairments and observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar securities of the same issuer. It also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with equity investments and the fair value of financial instruments. Upon adoption of the New Investment Standard on January 1, 2018, we recorded a $10 million charge to Accumulated earnings to include net unrealized losses on our marketable equity securities then designated as available-for-sale, which previously were recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For our equity investments without a readily determinable fair value that were previously accounted for using the cost method, we have elected to measure such securities at cost, adjusted for impairments and observable price changes. We expect our future net income or loss to be more volatile as a result of these changes in accounting for our investments in equity securities that were previously accounted for as available-for-sale or using the cost method.

The cumulative effects of changes to the impacted line items on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 1, 2018 for the adoption of these standards were as follows:



	Balance at December 31, 2017			Adjustments Due to the						Balance at January 1, 2018
	Balance at December 31, 2017			New Revenue Standard			New Investment Standard			Balance at January 1, 2018
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	196,840		$	(7,103	)	$	—		$	189,737
Other current assets	$	91,671		$	533		$	—		$	92,204
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$	161,427		$	6,917		$	—		$	168,344
Other noncurrent assets, net	$	214,814		$	22,545		$	—		$	237,359
Total assets	$	8,750,014		$	22,892		$	—		$	8,772,906
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities	$	65,959		$	(1,542	)	$	—		$	64,417
Accrued expenses and other	$	82,647		$	255		$	—		$	82,902
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$	436,023		$	5,124		$	—		$	441,147
Other noncurrent liabilities	$	128,503		$	(4,068	)	$	—		$	124,435
Total liabilities	$	4,572,629		$	(231	)	$	—		$	4,572,398
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(130,154	)	$	—		$	10,467		$	(119,687	)
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	721,316		$	23,123		$	(10,467	)	$	733,972
Total stockholders’ equity	$	4,177,385		$	23,123		$	—		$	4,200,508
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	8,750,014		$	22,892		$	—		$	8,772,906

Our adoption of these standards impacted the referenced line items on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, Statement of Operations and Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) as follows:



	As of December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Adjustments Due to the						Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
Balance Sheet	As Reported			New Revenue Standard			New Investment Standard			Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	201,096		$	8,379		$	—		$	209,475
Other current assets	$	18,539		$	(533	)	$	—		$	18,006
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$	262,473		$	(5,639	)	$	—		$	256,834
Other noncurrent assets, net	$	263,892		$	(35,314	)	$	—		$	228,578
Total assets	$	8,661,294		$	(33,107	)	$	—		$	8,628,187
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities	$	72,284		$	878		$	—		$	73,162
Accrued expenses and other	$	72,470		$	(255	)	$	—		$	72,215
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$	465,933		$	(6,976	)	$	—		$	458,957
Other noncurrent liabilities	$	121,546		$	1,635		$	—		$	123,181
Total liabilities	$	4,505,820		$	(4,718	)	$	—		$	4,501,102
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(125,100	)	$	—		$	20,064		$	(105,036	)
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	694,129		$	(28,389	)	$	(20,064	)	$	645,676
Total stockholders’ equity	$	4,155,474		$	(28,389	)	$	—		$	4,127,085
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	8,661,294		$	(33,107	)	$	—		$	8,628,187



	For the year ended December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Adjustments Due to the						Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
Statement of Operations	As Reported			New Revenue Standard			New Investment Standard			Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - other	$	1,507,259		$	2,323		$	—		$	1,509,582
Total revenue	$	2,091,363		$	2,323		$	—		$	2,093,686
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	$	604,305		$	2,738		$	—		$	607,043
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	436,247		$	8,520		$	—		$	444,767
Total costs and expenses	$	1,908,120		$	11,258		$	—		$	1,919,378
Operating income (loss)	$	183,243		$	(8,935	)	$	—		$	174,308
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	$	(248,568	)	$	539		$	—		$	(248,029	)
Gains and losses on investments, net	$	(12,207	)	$	—		$	(30,531	)	$	(42,738	)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	$	(5,954	)	$	1,278		$	—		$	(4,676	)
Total other income (expense), net	$	(191,203	)	$	1,817		$	(30,531	)	$	(219,917	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(7,960	)	$	(7,118	)	$	(30,531	)	$	(45,609	)
Income tax benefit (provision)	$	(30,673	)	$	1,852		$	—		$	(28,821	)
Net income (loss)	$	(38,633	)	$	(5,266	)	$	(30,531	)	$	(74,430	)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$	(40,475	)	$	(5,266	)	$	(30,531	)	$	(76,272	)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.79	)
Diluted	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.79	)



	For the year ended December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Adjustments Due to the						Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	As Reported			New Revenue Standard			New Investment Standard			Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
	(In thousands)
Net income (loss)	$	(38,633	)	$	(5,266	)	$	(30,531	)	$	(74,430	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other	$	(2,872	)	$	—		$	(6,485	)	$	(9,357	)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities in net income	$	—		$	—		$	37,016		$	37,016
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	(5,413	)	$	—		$	30,531		$	25,118
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(44,046	)	$	(5,266	)	$	—		$	(49,312	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation	$	(44,499	)	$	(5,266	)	$	—		$	(49,765	)

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents in our Statement of Cash Flows. We adopted ASU No. 2016-18 as of January 1, 2018. As a result, the beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents presented in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows include amounts for restricted cash and cash equivalents, which historically were not included in such balances, and receipts and payments of restricted cash and cash equivalents, exclusive of transfers to and from unrestricted accounts, are reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on our Statements of Cash Flows and related disclosures.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This standard requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with lease terms greater 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, finance or sales-type leases and requires certain additional disclosures. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The new standard, as amended in July 2018, may be applied either on a modified retrospective basis or prospectively as of the adoption date without restating prior periods, with certain practical expedients available. We adopted the new standard prospectively as of January 1, 2019 and elected certain practical expedients permitted under the new standard’s transition guidance. This allows us to carry forward the historical lease classification and to not reassess the lease term for leases in existence as of the adoption date and to carry forward our historical accounting treatment for land easements on agreements existing on the adoption date. We also made policy elections for certain classes of underlying assets to not separate lease and non-lease components in a contract as permitted under the new standard.

We currently lease real estate and equipment from third parties under operating leases and we lease certain satellites from third parties under capital leases. We also lease satellites, real estate and equipment to some of our customers. Upon adoption of the new standard, we recognized right-of-use assets and liabilities related to substantially all operating leases where we are the lessee. While our work is not finalized, we expect that the aggregate increase in our operating lease assets and liabilities will be approximately 1% of total assets as of January 1, 2019.

Our accounting for capital leases was not significantly impacted on the adoption date. Based on our transition method, practical expedients and policy elections, our leases existing as of the adoption date will continue to be reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations in accordance with current accounting standards throughout their remaining terms unless the leases are modified. However, all leases entered into or modified after the adoption date will be accounted for in accordance with the new standard. The classification of those leases as operating, finance or sales type may be impacted by the new standard and affect our future operating results and the classification of our cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Credit Losses

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

Revenue Recognition

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue from Contract with Customer

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Information About Contract Balances

The following table provides information about our contract balances with customers, including amounts for certain embedded leases.



	As of
	December 31, 2018			January 1, 2018
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable:
Sales and services	$	154,415		$	156,794
Leasing	7,990			10,355
Total	162,405			167,149
Contract assets	55,295			34,615
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(16,604		)	(12,027		)
Total trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	201,096		$	189,737

Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network:
Sales and services	$	12,274		$	16,118
Leasing	1,926			27,177
Total trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net	$	14,200		$	43,295

Contract liabilities:
Current	$	72,284		$	64,417
Noncurrent	10,133			13,036
Total contract liabilities	$	82,417		$	77,453

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized revenue of $52 million that was previously included in the contract liability balance at January 1, 2018.

Our bad debt expense was $25 million, $10 million and $14 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations

As of December 31, 2018, the remaining performance obligations for our customer contracts with original expected durations of more than one year was $939 million. We expect to recognize approximately 35.7% of our remaining performance obligations of these contracts as revenue in the next twelve months. This amount excludes agreements with consumer customers in our Hughes segment and our leasing arrangements.

Disaggregation of Revenue

In the following tables, revenue is disaggregated by segment, primary geographic market, nature of the products and services and transactions with major customers.

Geographic Information

The following table disaggregates revenue from customer contracts attributed to our North America (the U.S and its territories, Mexico and Canada), South and Central America and other foreign locations as well as by segment, based on the location where the goods or services are provided. All other revenue includes transactions with customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.



	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other			Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
For the year ended December 31, 2018
North America	$	1,444,628	$	357,357	$	17,478		$	1,819,463
South and Central America	101,632		—		—			101,632
All other	170,268		701		(701		)	170,268
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	358,058	$	16,777		$	2,091,363

Nature of Products and Services

The following table disaggregates revenue based on the nature of products and services and by segment.



	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other			Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
For the year ended December 31, 2018
Equipment	$	119,657	$	—	$	—		$	119,657
Services	1,313,059		24,113		18,908			1,356,080
Design, development and construction services	85,753		—		—			85,753
Revenue from sales and services	1,518,469		24,113		18,908			1,561,490
Leasing income	198,059		333,945		(2,131		)	529,873
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	358,058	$	16,777		$	2,091,363

During the fourth quarter of 2018, we reclassified our revenue among the categories above applicable for the full year.

Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On February 28, 2017, EchoStar Corporation and certain of our subsidiaries consummated the Share Exchange, pursuant to which, among other things, we received all of the shares of the Tracking Stock in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain of our subsidiaries that held substantially all of our former EchoStar Technologies businesses and certain other assets. Following the consummation of the Share Exchange, we no longer operate our former EchoStar Technologies businesses, the Tracking Stock was retired and is no longer outstanding, and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to the Tracking Stock terminated.

As a result of the Share Exchange, the historical financial results of our EchoStar Technologies segment prior to the closing of the Share Exchange are reflected in our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. The noncontrolling interest in HSS Tracking Stock, as reflected in our stockholders’ equity, was extinguished as of February 28, 2017 as a result of the Share Exchange.

We have had de minimis activity from our discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2018. The following table presents the operating results of our discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Revenue:
Equipment, services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	143,118		$	1,127,610
Equipment, services and other revenue - other	10,344			118,654
Total revenue	153,462			1,246,264
Costs and expenses:
Cost of equipment, services and other	121,967			1,010,421
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5,439			60,590
Research and development expenses	4,635			44,854
Depreciation and amortization	11,659			62,164
Total costs and expenses	143,700			1,178,029
Operating income	9,762			68,235
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(15		)	(144		)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	(1,159		)	2,508
Other, net	(57		)	(381		)
Total income (expense), net	(1,231		)	1,983
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	8,531			70,218
Income tax provision	(22		)	(25,898		)
Net income from discontinued operations	$	8,509		$	44,320

Expenditures for property and equipment from our discontinued operations totaled $12 million and $70 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Total assets and total liabilities of the discontinued operations were $0.1 million and $1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2017.

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

EARNINGS PER SHARE

We present basic earnings or losses per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS for our Class A and Class B common stock. Basic EPS for our Class A and Class B common stock excludes potential dilution and is computed by dividing Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if shares of common stock were issued pursuant to our stock-based compensation awards. The potential dilution from common stock awards was computed using the treasury stock method based on the average market value of our Class A common stock during the period. The calculation of our diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding excluded options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock, whose effect would be anti-dilutive, of 1 million and 4 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018			2017		2016
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Amounts attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock:
Net income from continuing operations	$	(40,475	)	$	385,261	$	137,353
Net income from discontinued operations	—			8,509		44,320
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$	(40,475	)	$	393,770	$	181,673

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	96,250			95,425		93,795
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding	—			1,316		615
Diluted	96,250			96,741		94,410

Earnings per share:
Basic:
Continuing operations	$	(0.42	)	$	4.04	$	1.46
Discontinued operations	—			0.09		0.48
Total basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.42	)	$	4.13	$	1.94
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$	(0.42	)	$	3.98	$	1.45
Discontinued operations	—			0.09		0.47
Total diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.42	)	$	4.07	$	1.92

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND RELATED TAX EFFECTS

The changes in the balances of Accumulated other comprehensive loss by component were as follows:



	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Losses		Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities		Other		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2016	(135,434	)	10,646		(15	)	(124,803	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	16,004		(21,987	)	92		(5,891	)
Amounts reclassified to net income	—		540		—		540
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,004		(21,447	)	92		(5,351	)
Balance, December 31, 2017	(119,430	)	(10,801	)	77		(130,154	)
Cumulative effect of adoption of the New Investment Standard	—		10,467		—		10,467
Balance, January 1, 2018	(119,430	)	(334	)	77		(119,687	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(34,399	)	(962	)	(1,910	)	(37,271	)
Amounts reclassified to net income	32,136		(278	)	—		31,858
Other comprehensive loss	(2,263	)	(1,240	)	(1,910	)	(5,413	)
Balance, December 31, 2018	(121,693	)	(1,574	)	(1,833	)	(125,100	)

The amounts reclassified to net income related to unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities in the table above are included in Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Except in unusual circumstances, we do not recognize tax effects on foreign currency translation adjustments because they are not expected to result in future taxable income or deductions.

Other comprehensive income includes deferred tax benefits for foreign currency translation losses related to assets that were transferred from a foreign subsidiary to a domestic subsidiary of $7 million for year ended December 31, 2017. There were no similar transactions in 2018 or 2016.

Marketable Investment Securities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Investments [Abstract]

Marketable Investment Securities

MARKETABLE INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Overview

Our marketable investment securities portfolio consists of various debt and equity instruments summarized in the table below. Certain of our investments in debt and equity instruments have historically experienced and are likely to continue experiencing volatility.



	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
Marketable investment securities:
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	1,735,653	$	542,573
Other debt securities	464,997		142,036
Total debt securities	2,200,650		684,609
Equity securities	90,976		139,571
Total marketable investment securities	2,291,626		824,180
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	9,474		10,019
Total marketable investment securities - current	$	2,282,152	$	814,161

Debt Securities

Our corporate bond portfolio includes debt instruments issued by individual corporations, primarily in the industrial and financial services industries. Our other debt securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments, including U.S. government bonds, commercial paper and mutual funds.

A summary of our available-for-sale debt securities, exclusive of securities where we have elected the fair value option, is presented in the table below.



	Amortized		Unrealized					Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of December 31, 2018
Corporate bonds	$	1,689,093	$	318	$	(1,896	)	$	1,687,515
Other debt securities	464,993		7		(3		)	464,997
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$	2,154,086	$	325	$	(1,899	)	$	2,152,512
As of December 31, 2017
Corporate bonds	$	542,861	$	—	$	(288	)	$	542,573
Other debt securities	142,082		—		(46		)	142,036
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$	684,943	$	—	$	(334	)	$	684,609

As of December 31, 2018, corporate bonds where we have elected the fair value option have a fair value of $48 million. We recognized gains of $4 million on these securities for the year ended December 31, 2018. We had no debt securities that were accounted for using the fair value option during the year ended December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2018, we have $1.6 billion of available-for-sale debt securities with contractual maturities of one year or less and $512 million with contractual maturities greater than one year.

Equity Securities

Our marketable equity securities consist primarily of shares of common stock of public companies. Prior to January 1, 2018, we classified our marketable equity securities as available-for-sale or trading securities, depending on our investment strategy for the securities. As of December 31, 2017, our marketable equity securities consisted of available-for-sale securities with a fair value of $87 million and trading securities with a fair value of $53 million. Our available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2017 reflected an adjusted cost basis of $97 million and unrealized gains and losses of $8 million and $18 million, respectively. Substantially all unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities related to securities that were in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months. We recognized a $3 million other-than-temporary impairment for the year ended December 31, 2017 on one of our available-for-sale securities which had experienced a decline in market value as a result of adverse developments during the year ended December 31, 2017.

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations included gains of $43 million and $1 million, respectively, related to trading securities that we held as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The fair values of our trading securities were $47 million and $7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Upon adoption of the New Investment Standard as of January 1, 2018 (see Note 2), we account for investments in equity securities at their fair value and we recognize unrealized gains and losses in Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Gains (losses) on investments, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations included net losses of $17 million related to equity securities that we held as of December 31, 2018. The fair value of our equity securities was $91 million as of December 31, 2018.

Sales of Available-for-Sale Securities

Proceeds from sales of our available-for-sale securities, including securities accounted for using the fair value option, were $151 million, $31 million and $80 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We recognized gains as a result of such sales of nil, $3 million and $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Sales of securities accounted for using the fair value option do not result in gains or losses because we recognize unrealized gains and losses on such securities prior to the time of sale.

Fair Value Measurements

Our marketable investment securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as summarized in the table below. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we did not have investments that were categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.



	As of December 31,
	2018						2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total
	(In thousands)
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	—	$	1,735,653	$	1,735,653	$	—	$	542,573	$	542,573
Other debt securities	9,474		455,523		464,997		13,311		128,725		142,036
Total debt securities	9,474		2,191,176		2,200,650		13,311		671,298		684,609
Equity securities	85,298		5,678		90,976		133,736		5,835		139,571
Total marketable investment securities	$	94,772	$	2,196,854	$	2,291,626	$	147,047	$	677,133	$	824,180

Inventory

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Inventory, Net [Abstract]

Inventory

INVENTORY

Our inventory consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
Raw materials	$	4,856	$	5,484
Work-in-process	13,901		7,442
Finished goods	56,622		70,669
Total inventory	$	75,379	$	83,595

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following:



	Depreciable Life In Years	As of December 31,
	Depreciable Life In Years	2018			2017
		(In thousands)
Land	—	$	33,606		$	33,713
Buildings and improvements	1 to 40	174,227			185,148
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	1 to 12	812,566			736,533
Customer rental equipment	2 to 4	1,159,977			929,775
Satellites - owned	2 to 15	2,816,628			3,064,391
Satellites - acquired under capital leases	10 to 15	1,051,110			916,820
Construction in progress	—	307,026			260,220
Total property and equipment		6,355,140			6,126,600
Accumulated depreciation		(2,940,232		)	(2,661,129		)
Property and equipment, net		$	3,414,908		$	3,465,471

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, accumulated depreciation included amounts for satellites acquired under capital leases of $468 million and $394 million, respectively.

Construction in progress consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs	$	277,583	$	211,765
Satellite related equipment	13,001		28,358
Other	16,442		20,097
Construction in progress	$	307,026	$	260,220

Construction in progress as of December 31, 2018 included our EchoStar XXIV satellite, which is expected to launch in 2021. In August 2017, we entered into a contract for the design and construction of the EchoStar XXIV, a new, next-generation, high throughput geostationary satellite, with a planned 2021 launch. The EchoStar XXIV satellite is primarily intended to provide additional capacity for our HughesNet service in North, Central and South America as well as aeronautical and enterprise broadband services. The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) granted authorization to construct, deploy and operate the EchoStar XXIV satellite. In the second half of 2018, Maxar

Technologies Inc. (“Maxar”), the parent company of Space Systems/Loral (“SSL”), the manufacturer of our EchoStar XXIV satellite, announced that it was reviewing strategic alternatives for its geostationary communications satellite business to improve its financial performance and that it was in active discussions with potential buyers of the business. SSL has indicated to us that it intends to meet its contractual obligations regarding the timely manufacture and delivery of the EchoStar XXIV satellite. However, if SSL or any potential successor fails to meet or is delayed in meeting these obligations for any reason, including if Maxar decides to discontinue, wind down or otherwise significantly modify its geostationary communications satellite business, such failure could have a material adverse impact on our business operations, future revenues, financial position and prospects, completing the manufacture of the EchoStar XXIV satellite and our planned expansion of satellite broadband services throughout North, South and Central America.

We recorded capitalized interest related to our satellites, satellite payloads and related ground facilities under construction of $18 million, $52 million and $94 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
Buildings and improvements	$	11,596	$	17,285	$	7,505
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	83,746		72,387		64,767
Customer rental equipment	174,749		146,562		114,568
Satellites	285,206		239,072		191,729
Total depreciation expense	$	555,297	$	475,306	$	378,569

Satellites depreciation expense includes amortization of satellites under capital lease agreements of $76 million, $66 million and $56 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Satellites

As of December 31, 2018, our satellite fleet consisted of 18 satellites, 13 of which are owned and five of which are leased. They are all 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. We depreciate our leased satellites on a straight-line basis over their respective lease terms.

Our operating satellite fleet consists of both owned and leased satellites detailed in the table below as of December 31, 2018.



Satellites	Segment	Launch Date	Nominal Degree Orbital Location (Longitude)	Depreciable Life In Years
Owned:
SPACEWAY 3 (1)	Hughes	August 2007	95 W	12
EchoStar XVII	Hughes	July 2012	107 W	15
EchoStar XIX	Hughes	December 2016	97.1 W	15
EchoStar VII (2)(3)(4)	ESS	February 2002	119 W	3
EchoStar IX (2)(4)	ESS	August 2003	121 W	12
EchoStar X (2)(3)	ESS	February 2006	110 W	7
EchoStar XI (2)(3)	ESS	July 2008	110 W	9
EchoStar XII (2)(4)(5)	ESS	July 2003	86.4 W	2
EchoStar XIV (2)(3)	ESS	March 2010	119 W	11
EchoStar XVI (2)	ESS	November 2012	61.5 W	15
EchoStar XXI	Corporate and Other	June 2017	10.25 E	15
EchoStar XXIII	Corporate and Other	March 2017	45 W	15
EUTELSAT 10A (“W2A”) (6)	Corporate and Other	April 2009	10 E	—

Capital Leases:
Eutelsat 65 West A	Hughes	March 2016	65 W	15
Telesat T19V	Hughes	July 2018	63 W	15
Nimiq 5 (2)	ESS	September 2009	72.7 W	15
QuetzSat-1 (2)	ESS	September 2011	77 W	10
EchoStar 105/SES-11	ESS	October 2017	105 W	15

(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 (the “Hughes Acquisition”).


(2)	See Note 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 20).

(4) Fully depreciated assets as of December 31, 2018.

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

(6) The Company acquired the S-band payload on this satellite, which prior to the acquisition in December 2013, experienced an anomaly at the time of the launch. As a result, the S-band payload is not fully operational.

Recent Developments

EchoStar I and EchoStar VI. The EchoStar I and EchoStar VI satellites were removed from their orbital locations and retired from commercial service in January 2018 and May 2018, respectively. The retirement of these satellites has not had, and is not expected to have, a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

EchoStar 105/SES-11. $77 million receivable from SES in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, representing capitalized costs allocable to certain satellite payloads controlled by SES, and we reduced our carrying amount of the satellite by such amount. In January 2018, we received payment from SES for the receivable plus accrued interest. Our leased Ku-band payload on the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite has replaced the capacity we had on the AMC-15 satellite. $77 million receivable from SES in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, representing capitalized costs allocable to certain satellite payloads controlled by SES, and we reduced our carrying amount of the satellite by such amount. In January 2018, we received payment from SES for the receivable plus accrued interest. Our leased Ku-band payload on the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite has replaced the capacity we had on the AMC-15 satellite. The EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite was launched in October 2017 and was placed into service in November 2017 at the 105 degree west longitude orbital location. Pursuant to agreements that we entered into in August 2014, we funded substantially all construction, launch and other costs associated with the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite and transferred the C-, Ku- and Ka-band payloads to two affiliates of SES Americom, Inc. (“SES”) after the launch date, while retaining the right to use the entire Ku-band payload on the satellite for an initial ten-year term, with an option for us to renew the agreement on a year-to-year basis. In October 2017, we recorded a $77 million receivable from SES in Other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, representing capitalized costs allocable to certain satellite payl

oads controlled by SES, and we reduced our carrying amount of the satellite by such amount. In January 2018, we received payment from SES for the receivable plus accrued interest. Our leased Ku-band payload on the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite has replaced the capacity we had on the AMC-15 satellite.

Telesat T19V. In September 2015, we entered into agreements pursuant to which affiliates of Telesat Canada will provide to us Ka-band capacity on the Telesat T19V satellite at the 63 degree west longitude orbital location for a 15-year term. The Telesat T19V satellite was launched in July 2018 and placed into service in October 2018. This satellite augments the capacity being provided by the EUTELSAT 65 West A and EchoStar XIX satellites in Central and South America.

Satellite Anomalies and Impairments

Our satellites may experience anomalies from time to time, some of which may have a significant adverse effect on their remaining useful lives, the commercial operation of the satellites or our operating results or financial position. We are not aware of any anomalies with respect to our owned or leased satellites that have had any such significant adverse effect during the year ended December 31, 2018. There can be no assurance, however, that anomalies will not have any such adverse effects 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 satellites were to fail.

The EchoStar X satellite experienced anomalies in the past which affected seven solar array circuits. In December 2017, the satellite experienced anomalies which affected one additional solar array circuit reducing the number of functional solar array circuits to 16. As a result of these anomalies, we had a reduction in revenue of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

We historically have not carried in-orbit insurance on our satellites because we have assessed that the cost of insurance is not economical 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. Our 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, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets

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, 2018 and 2017, 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 impairment testing in the second quarter of 2018, our goodwill is considered to be not impaired.

Regulatory Authorizations

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



	As of December 31, 2017			Additions			Impairment			Currency Translation Adjustment			As of December 31, 2018
	(In thousands)
Finite useful lives:
Cost	$	92,621		$	—		$	(37,476	)	$	(8,358	)	$	46,787
Accumulated amortization	(21,342		)	(5,190		)	7,848			1,894			(16,790		)
Net	71,279			(5,190		)	(29,628		)	(6,464		)	29,997
Indefinite lives	465,657			—			—			—			465,657
Total regulatory authorizations, net	$	536,936		$	(5,190	)	$	(29,628	)	$	(6,464	)	$	495,654

Amortization expense for the Regulatory Authorizations with finite lives was $5 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2017, our Regulatory Authorizations with indefinite lives included $6 million for contractual rights to utilize certain frequencies, in addition to those specified in the Brazilian license, at the 45 degree west longitude orbital location. We acquired such contractual rights in 2012 and have evaluated potential opportunities to utilize the frequencies in conjunction with our Brazilian license. We determined in the fourth quarter of 2017 that certain actions required to utilize the frequencies had become impractical with the passage of time. As a result of these circumstances, we determined that the fair value of such contractual rights was de minimis and we recognized a $6 million impairment loss in our ESS segment in the fourth quarter of 2017.

In January 2019, we determined that we are not able to develop a business using our 45 degree west longitude regulatory authorization. We determined that the fair value of this authorization and certain related ground infrastructure have a fair value that is de minimus and we have recognized a loss on those assets of $33 million. In addition we have included a loss related to foreign currency of $32 million as a result of the in-substance liquidation of our business related to the 45 degree west longitude regulatory authorization.

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,
		2018							2017
		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
Customer relationships	8	$	270,300	$	(244,787	)	$	25,513	$	270,300	$	(231,642	)	$	38,658
Technology-based	6	61,283		(61,004		)	279		61,300		(60,927		)	373
Trademark portfolio	20	29,700		(11,261		)	18,439		29,700		(9,776		)	19,924
Total other intangible assets		$	361,283	$	(317,052	)	$	44,231	$	361,300	$	(302,345	)	$	58,955

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 regulatory authorizations with finite lives and externally marketed capitalized software, was $43 million, $47 million and $54 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Future Amortization

As of December 31, 2018, our estimated future amortization of intangible assets, including regulatory authorizations with finite lives, was as follows:



	Amount
	(In thousands)
For the years ending December 31,
2019	$	18,304
2020	14,663
2021	8,029
2022	5,065
2023	5,065
Thereafter	23,102
Total	$	74,228

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

We have strategic investments in certain non-publicly traded equity securities that do not have a readily determinable fair value. We account for most of these investments using the equity method. We accounted for other investments in such equity securities using the cost method of accounting prior to January 1, 2018. In connection with our adoption of the New Investment Standard effective January 1, 2018 (see Note 2), we elected to measure our equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, other than those accounted for using the equity method, at cost adjusted for changes resulting from impairments, if any, and observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar securities of the same issuer. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not identify any observable price changes requiring an adjustment to our investments.

Our investments in unconsolidated entities consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
Investments in unconsolidated entities:
Equity method	$	182,035	$	91,702
Other equity investments without a readily determinable fair value	80,438		69,725
Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	262,473	$	161,427

As of December 31, 2018, our aggregate investment in our equity method investees exceeded our proportionate share of the net assets of the investees by $24 million. This difference is attributable to goodwill recorded at acquisition and certain adjustments related to intra-entity transactions subsequent to acquisition.

We recorded cash distributions from our investments accounted for using the equity method of $10 million, $19 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 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.

A summary of financial information for Dish Mexico and our equity method investees in the aggregate is as follows:



	As of December 31,
	2018			2017
	Dish Mexico		Aggregate	Dish Mexico		Aggregate
	(In thousands)
Balance sheet data:
Current assets	$	147,140	162,593	$	146,851	172,234
Noncurrent assets	187,130		188,077	185,345		187,067
Total assets	$	334,270	350,670	$	332,196	359,301

Current liabilities	$	128,708	129,837	$	129,087	130,443
Noncurrent liabilities	109,643		110,460	109,428		110,472
Total liabilities	$	238,351	240,297	$	238,515	240,915



	As of December 31,
	2018						2017				2016
	Dish Mexico			Aggregate			Dish Mexico		Aggregate		Dish Mexico		Aggregate
	(In thousands)
Income statement data:
Revenue	$	444,264		$	475,559		$	497,096	$	535,153	$	498,069	$	541,066
Operating income (loss)	$	(55,062	)	$	(43,553	)	$	15,094	$	31,919	$	32,280	$	52,656
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(33,449	)	$	(23,701	)	$	18,267	$	32,739	$	10,195	$	29,083
Net income (loss)	$	(20,126	)	$	(10,378	)	$	15,658	$	30,130	$	6,374	$	25,262
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	$	(10,828	)	$	(5,954	)	$	9,946	$	16,973	$	1,358	$	10,802

In January 2017, we sold our investment in Invidi Technologies Corporation (“Invidi”) to an entity owned in part by DISH Network for $19 million. Our investment was accounted for using the cost method and had a carrying amount of $11 million on the date of sale and as a result we recognized a gain of $9 million in connection with this transaction for the year ended December 31, 2017. See Note 20 for additional information about this transaction.

In connection with the Share Exchange (see Notes 4 and 20, our equity interests in NagraStar L.L.C. (“NagraStar”) and SmarDTV SA (“SmarDTV”), which we accounted for using the equity method, and our equity interest in Sling TV Holding L.L.C. (“Sling TV Holding”), which we accounted for using the cost method, were transferred to DISH Network as of February 28, 2017.

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

As of December 31, 2018, our debt primarily consisted of the 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes, each as defined below, and our capital lease obligations.

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and fair values of our long-term debt and capital lease obligations.



	Effective Interest Rate	As of December 31,
		2018					2017
		Carrying Amount			Fair Value		Carrying Amount			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Senior Secured Notes:
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019	6.959%	$	920,836		$	932,696	$	990,000		$	1,042,609
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026	5.320%	750,000			695,865		750,000			769,305
Senior Unsecured Notes:
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	8.062%	900,000			934,902		900,000			992,745
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	6.688%	750,000			696,353		750,000			791,865
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs		(16,757		)	—		(24,857		)	—
Subtotal		3,304,079			$	3,259,816	3,365,143			$	3,596,524
Capital lease obligations		228,702					269,701
Total debt and capital lease obligations		3,532,781					3,634,844
Less: Current portion		(959,577		)			(40,631		)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net		$	2,573,204				$	3,594,213

2019 Senior Secured Notes and 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes

On June 1, 2011, HSS issued $1.1 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, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding principal balance on the 2019 Senior Secured Notes was $921 million and $990 million, respectively. The decrease in the principal outstanding was due to our repurchase of $69 million in the open market during 2018. We recorded a loss on the repurchase of $1 million.

On June 1, 2011, HSS also issued $900 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, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding principal balance on the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes was $900 million.

2026 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes

On July 27, 2016, HSS 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. At each of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding principal balance on each of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes was $750 million, respectively.

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. HSS 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, HSS 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:


•	secured obligations of HSS;


•	secured by security interests in substantially all existing and future tangible and intangible assets of HSS and certain of its subsidiaries 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 HSS’ 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 HSS’ 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 existing and future obligations of HSS that are expressly subordinated to the respective Secured Notes;


•	structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any of HSS’ 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 HSS’ 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:


•	unsecured senior obligations of HSS;


•	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 HSS’ obligations that are secured to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations;


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


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


•	unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior secured basis by certain of HSS’ 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 HSS’ ability and, in certain instances, the ability of certain of HSS’ subsidiaries to:


•	incur additional debt;


•	pay dividends or make distributions on HSS’ capital stock or repurchase HSS’ 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 HSS’ subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets to HSS or its subsidiaries.

In the event of a Change of Control, as defined in the respective Indentures, HSS 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.

Pursuant to the terms of a registration rights agreement, HSS registered notes having substantially identical terms as the 2026 Notes with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of an offer to exchange registered notes for the 2026 Notes. This exchange offer expired May 11, 2017 with 99.98% of the 2026 Notes being tendered for exchange.

Debt Issuance Costs

In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes, we incurred $8 million of debt issuance costs. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we amortized $8 million, $7 million and $7 million of debt issuance costs incurred for all debt issuances, respectively, which are included in Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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 9). 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 10.7% as of December 31, 2018.

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 20, 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, 2018, are as follows:



	Amount
	(In thousands)
For the Years Ending December 31,
2019	$	88,615
2020	88,395
2021	84,248
2022	63,484
2023	63,360
Thereafter	47,520
Total minimum lease payments	435,622
Less: Amount representing use of the orbital location and estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(136,799		)
Net minimum lease payments	298,823
Less: Amount representing interest	(70,121		)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	228,702
Less: Current portion	(40,662		)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	$	188,040

We received rental income from the sublease of our capital lease satellites of approximately $132 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. As of December 31, 2018, our future minimum sublease rental income was $216 million relating to such satellites. The subleases have a remaining weighted average term of two years.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The components of Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Domestic	$	151,002		$	146,383		$	236,200
Foreign	(158,962		)	(45,689		)	(19,574		)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(7,960	)	$	100,694		$	216,626

The components of Income tax benefit (provision), net, in our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Current benefit (provision):
Federal	$	(1,472	)	$	(8,652	)	$	(19,385	)
State	(184		)	(1,237		)	267
Foreign	(2,690		)	(2,335		)	(2,481		)
Total current benefit (provision)	(4,346		)	(12,224		)	(21,599		)

Deferred benefit (provision):
Federal	(19,189		)	299,693			(58,250		)
State	(7,365		)	2,356			(6,232		)
Foreign	227			(5,539		)	5,827
Total deferred benefit (provision)	(26,327		)	296,510			(58,655		)
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	$	(30,673	)	$	284,286		$	(80,254	)

The actual tax provisions for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 reconcile to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as shown below:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Statutory rate	21.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit	(94.4	)%	(12.2	)%	5.0	%
Permanent differences	(16.9	)%	(0.3	)%	1.4	%
Tax credits	68.6	%	(8.1	)%	(4.2	)%
Valuation allowance	(491.9	)%	4.6	%	(0.3	)%
Enactment of Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017	—	%	(301.4	)%	—	%
Rates different than statutory	116.6	%	—	%	—	%
Other	11.6	%	0.1	%	0.1	%
Total effective tax rate	(385.4	)%	(282.3	)%	37.0	%

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



	As of December 31,
	2018			2017
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$	284,300		$	278,540
Unrealized losses on investments, net	41,852			22,260
Accrued expenses	22,148			23,583
Stock-based compensation	10,210			9,148
Other assets	22,366			11,890
Total deferred tax assets	380,876			345,421
Valuation allowance	(109,762		)	(66,886		)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	271,114			278,535

Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(731,447		)	(708,599		)
Other liabilities	(1,290		)	(1,509		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(732,737		)	(710,108		)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(461,623	)	$	(431,573	)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the effects of tax losses, credits, and the future income tax effects of temporary differences between the accompanying 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 $110 million and $67 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The change in the valuation allowance primarily relates to an increase in the net operating loss carryforwards of certain foreign subsidiaries and a decrease associated with unrealized gains that are capital in nature.

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, 2018, we had net operating loss carryforwards of $797 million, including $237 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, 2018, we have tax credit carryforwards of $133 million and $98 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, 2018, 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. However, due to the one-time transition tax on the deemed repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings, the majority of previously unremitted earnings have now been subjected to U.S. federal income tax.

Accounting for the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) was enacted in December 2017 and has significantly impacted our effective tax rate and the tax benefit calculated for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded a benefit of $304 million to reflect the change in the value of our deferred tax assets

and liabilities resulting from the change in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recorded an additional tax benefit of $1 million upon the completion of our analysis. This amount included an estimate of zero related to valuation allowances on foreign tax credit carryforwards. We account for the effects, if any, of the global intangible low-taxed income provisions (“GILTI”) of the 2017 Tax Act as incurred. We also recorded a tax provision of nil related to the tax on deemed mandatory repatriation of our unrepatriated foreign earnings.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

In addition to filing U.S. federal income tax returns, we file income tax returns in all states that impose an income tax. As of December 31, 2018, we are not currently under a U.S. federal income tax examination, however, the IRS can perform tax examination as early as tax year 2008. We are also subject to frequent state income tax audits and have open state examinations in years as early as 2008. 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, 2018, 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	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Balance as of beginning of period	$	63,296		$	63,502		$	62,366
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	4,361			1,116			2,132
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	2,539			258			3
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	(656		)	(852		)	(734		)
Reductions based on tax settlements	—			—			(265		)
Reductions based on expirations of statute of limitations	—			(728		)	—
Balance as of end of period	$	69,540		$	63,296		$	63,502

As of December 31, 2018, we had $70 million of unrecognized income tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2017, we had $63 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 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.

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Dec. 31, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Preferred Stock Our board of directors is authorized to divide the preferred stock into series and, with respect to each series, to determine the preferences and rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the series, including the dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences, sinking fund provisions, the number of shares constituting the series, and the designation of such series. Our board of directors may, without stockholder approval, issue additional preferred stock of existing or new series with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and could have certain anti-takeover effects. In February 2014, our board of directors authorized 13,000,000 shares of Tracking Stock with a par value of $0.001 per share, of which 6,290,499 shares were issued to DISH Network on March 1, 2014. Following the consummation of the Share Exchange, we no longer operate our former EchoStar Technologies businesses, the Tracking Stock was retired and is no longer outstanding, and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to the Tracking Stock terminated. See Note 20 for additional information about the Share Exchange. Common Stock Our Class A, Class B, and Class C common stock are equivalent except for voting rights. Holders of Class A and Class C common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes per share. Upon a change in control of the Company, each holder of outstanding shares of Class C common stock is entitled to 10 votes for each share of Class C common stock held. Each share of Class B and Class C common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Class A common stock. Our principal stockholder and certain entities established by him for the benefit of his family own all outstanding Class B common stock. There are no shares of Class C common stock outstanding. Any holder of Class D common stock is not entitled to a vote on any matter or to convert the shares of Class D common stock into any other class of common stock. There are no shares of Class D common stock outstanding. Each share of common stock is entitled to receive its pro rata share, based upon the number of shares of common stock held, of dividends and distributions upon liquidation. Common Stock Repurchase Program Pursuant to a stock repurchase program approved by our board of directors on October 30, 2018, we are authorized to repurchase up to $500 million of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we repurchased 952,603 shares of our common stock at an average price per share of $34.95 for a total purchase price of $33 million. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we did not repurchase any common stock under this program.

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plans	Dec. 31, 2018
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Employee Stock Purchase Plan We have an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”), under which we are authorized to issue 5.0 million shares of Class A common stock. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately 2.5 million shares of Class A common stock which remain available for issuance under the ESPP. Generally, all full-time employees who have been employed by EchoStar 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, 2018, 2017 and 2016, employee purchases of Class A common stock through the ESPP totaled approximately 245,000 shares, 176,000 shares and 227,000 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 eligible compensation subject to the maximum contribution limit provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Eligible employees have the option to contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis subject to the Code limits. All employee contributions to the Plan are immediately vested. We match 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. Our match is calculated each pay period there is an employee contribution. In addition, we may make an annual discretionary contribution to the Plan to be made in cash or our stock. Our 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. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recognized matching contributions, net of forfeitures, of $5 million, $5 million and $6 million, respectively, and made discretionary contributions of shares of our Class A common stock, net of forfeitures, with a fair value of $8 million, $7 million and $8 million, respectively (approximately 127,000, 130,000 and 210,500 shares, respectively), to the Plan.

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Incentive Plans

We maintain stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and employees. Stock awards under these plans may include both performance-based and non-performance based stock incentives. As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding under these plans stock options to acquire approximately 5.0 million shares of our Class A common stock. Stock options granted prior to December 31, 2018 were granted with exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant or the last trading day prior to the date of grant (if the grant date is not a trading day) and generally with a maximum term of ten years for our officers and employees and five years for our non-employee directors. While generally we issue stock awards subject to vesting, typically over five years, some stock awards have been granted with immediate or longer vesting and other stock awards vest also or only upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. Under these plans, we grant to certain of our employees awards of fully vested shares of Class A common stock under our Employee Innovator Recognition Program, which is available to all of our eligible employees. As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately 8 million shares of our Class A common stock available for future grant under our stock incentive plans.

Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2018 are as follows:



	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Price Range	Number Outstanding as of December 31, 2018	Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable as of December 31, 2018	Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$0.00 - $20.00	51,359	2	$	18.74	51,359	2	$	18.74
$20.01 - $25.00	429,306	1	$	20.18	429,306	1	$	20.18
$25.01 - $30.00	3,300	3	$	26.42	3,300	3	$	26.42
$30.01 - $35.00	352,500	4	$	34.22	352,500	4	$	34.22
$35.01 - $40.00	1,985,200	4	$	38.19	1,832,500	3	$	38.09
$40.01 - $45.00	277,000	7	$	43.98	111,400	7	$	44.04
$45.01 - $50.00	766,973	6	$	47.58	577,473	5	$	47.64
$50.01 - $55.00	487,400	7	$	52.24	197,300	6	$	51.99
$55.01 - $60.00	600,000	8	$	56.97	127,000	8	$	56.95
$60.01 and over	60,000	7	$	60.70	28,000	5	$	60.70
	5,013,038	5	$	41.80	3,710,138	4	$	38.59

Stock Award Activity

Our stock option activity was as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
	Options		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Options		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Options		Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of period	4,951,256		$	41.42	5,968,763		$	39.30	5,893,241		$	38.38
Granted	215,500		$	51.71	1,262,500		$	57.12	732,000		$	41.86
Exercised	(108,318	)	$	40.67	(1,018,507	)	$	35.84	(453,182	)	$	28.83
Forfeited and canceled	(45,400	)	$	50.21	(1,261,500	)	$	51.63	(203,296	)	$	45.15
Total options outstanding, end of period	5,013,038		$	41.80	4,951,256		$	41.42	5,968,763		$	39.30
Exercisable at end of period	3,710,138		$	38.59	3,143,656		$	36.98	3,551,063		$	35.40

On April 1, 2017, we granted to Mr. Ergen, our Chairman, an option to purchase 1,100,000 shares of Class A common stock. On April 24, 2017, Mr. Ergen voluntarily forfeited a portion of the option covering 600,000 shares and we canceled such forfeited portion of the option.

We realized total tax benefits from stock options exercised of $0.4 million, $3 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of our stock options exercised was $2 million, $20 million and $8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Our restricted stock unit activity was as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018			2017				2016
	Restricted Stock Units	Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Total restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of period	—	$	—	6,667		$	34.22	57,328		$	42.31
Vested	—	$	—	(6,667	)	$	34.22	(50,661	)	$	43.38
Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period	—	$	—	—		$	—	6,667		$	34.22

The total fair value of restricted stock units vested was nil, $0.2 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Total noncash, stock-based compensation expense for all of our employees is shown in the following table for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and was assigned to the same expense categories as the base compensation for such employees:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
Research and development expenses	$	634	$	1,010	$	1,046
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,356		10,630		9,865
Total stock-based compensation	$	9,990	$	11,640	$	10,911

The income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation expense was $2 million, $4 million and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to our unvested stock awards was $14 million. This amount is based on an estimated future forfeiture rate of approximately 2.0% per year and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.

Valuation of Stock Options

The fair value of each stock option granted for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was estimated at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. The estimated grant-date fair values and related assumptions were as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
Assumptions:	2018	2017	2016
Risk-free interest rate	2.25% - 2.99%	1.98% - 2.05%	1.10% - 1.87%
Volatility factor	22.77% - 23.28%	24.20% - 26.69%	27.22% - 27.37%
Expected term of options in years	5.7 - 5.8	5.7 - 5.8	5.7 - 5.8
Weighted-average grant-date fair value	$12.38 - $16.23	$15.25 - $16.49	$11.15 - $12.49

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock and accordingly, the dividend yield used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model was assumed to be zero for all periods. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded stock options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Consequently, our estimate of fair value may differ from that determined using other valuation models. Further, the Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate.

Based on the closing market price of our Class A common stock on December 31, 2018, the aggregate intrinsic value of our stock options was $9 million for options outstanding and $9 million for options exercisable as of December 31, 2018.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2018:



	Payments Due in the Year Ending December 31,
	Total		2019		2020		2021		2022		2023		Thereafter
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt	$	3,320,836	$	920,836	$	—	$	900,000	$	—	$	—	$	1,500,000
Capital lease obligations	228,702		40,662		45,031		46,353		31,857		35,476		29,323
Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	983,824		209,989		175,808		136,662		98,265		94,529		268,571
Satellite-related obligations	731,684		207,403		166,601		60,852		47,996		47,907		200,925
Operating lease obligations	93,918		21,146		18,081		13,873		10,118		8,814		21,886
Service commitments	866		176		181		186		192		131		—
Total	$	5,359,830	$	1,400,212	$	405,702	$	1,157,926	$	188,428	$	186,857	$	2,020,705

Our satellite-related obligations primarily include payments pursuant to agreements for the construction of the EchoStar XXIV satellite; payments pursuant to Regulatory Authorizations; executory costs for our capital lease satellites; and in-orbit incentives relating to certain satellites; as well as commitments for satellite service arrangements. We incurred satellite-related expenses of $101 million, $140 million and $144 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Our operating lease obligations consist of minimum rental payments under noncancelable leases. Certain of our lease agreements require us to pay additional amounts for utilities, common area maintenance, property taxes, and other executory costs.

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, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded $27 million, $30 million and $21 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 have in the future 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 tripled. 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 our products and services. We cannot be certain that these parties 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 parties 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 and Share Exchange

In connection with our spin-off from DISH in 2008 (the “Spin-off”), we entered into a separation agreement with DISH Network that provides, among other things, for the division of certain liabilities, including liabilities resulting from litigation. Under the terms of the separation agreement, we assumed certain liabilities that relate to our business, including certain designated liabilities for acts or omissions that occurred prior to the Spin-off. Certain specific provisions govern intellectual property related claims under which, we will generally only be liable for our acts or omissions following the Spin-off and DISH Network will indemnify us for any liabilities or damages resulting from intellectual property claims relating to the period prior to the Spin-off, as well as DISH Network’s acts or omissions following the Spin-off. Additionally, in connection with the Share Exchange, we entered into a share exchange agreement and other agreements which provide, among other things, for the division of certain liabilities, including liabilities relating to taxes, intellectual property and employees and liabilities resulting from litigation and the assumption of certain liabilities that relate to the transferred businesses and assets. These agreements also contain additional indemnification provisions between us and DISH Network for certain pre-existing liabilities and legal proceedings.

Litigation

We are involved in a number of legal proceedings 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 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, 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 trials, 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). Except as described below, however, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of these proceedings will have a material 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 or jury 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.

Elbit

On January 23, 2015, Elbit Systems Land and C4I LTD and Elbit Systems of America Ltd. (together referred to as “Elbit”) filed a complaint against our subsidiary Hughes Network Systems, L.L.C. (“HNS”), as well as against Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations, LLC, Bluetide Communications, Inc. and Helm Hotels Group, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of U.S. 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 (“USPTO”) challenging the validity of the patents in suit, which the USPTO subsequently declined to institute. On April 13, 2016, the defendants answered Elbit’s complaint. At Elbit’s request, on June 26, 2017, the court dismissed Elbit’s claims of infringement against all parties other than HNS. Trial commenced on July 31, 2017. On August 7, 2017, the jury returned a verdict that the 073 patent was valid and infringed, and awarded Elbit approximately $21 million. The jury also found that such infringement of the 073 patent was not willful and that the 874 patent was not infringed. On March 30, 2018, the court ruled on post-trial motions, upholding the jury’s findings and awarding Elbit attorneys’ fees in an amount that has not yet been specified. As a result of pre-judgment interest, costs and unit sales through the 073 patent’s expiration in November 2017, the jury verdict would result in a payment of approximately $29 million plus post-judgment interest if not overturned or modified on appeal. Elbit has requested an award of approximately $14 million of attorneys’ fees. HNS is contesting Elbit’s claims as inappropriate and unreasonable in light of the court’s decision and prevailing law. On April 27, 2018, HNS filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The parties have briefed the appeal and are awaiting a date for oral arguments. We cannot predict with certainty the outcome of the appeal. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we have recorded an accrual of approximately $3 million and $3 million, respectively, with respect to this liability. Any eventual payments made with respect to the ultimate outcome of this matter may be different from our accruals and such differences could be significant.

Realtime Data LLC

On May 8, 2015, Realtime Data LLC (“Realtime”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation and our subsidiary HNS in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,378,992 (the “992 patent”), entitled “Content Independent Data Compression Method and System;” 7,415,530 (the “530 patent”), entitled “System and Methods for Accelerated Data Storage and Retrieval,” and 8,643,513 (the “513 patent”), entitled “Data Compression System and Methods.” On September 14, 2015, Realtime amended its complaint, additionally alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,116,908 (the “908 patent”), entitled “System and Methods for Accelerated Data Storage and Retrieval.” 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 U.S. Patents, Nos. 7,358,867 (the “867 patent”), entitled “Content Independent Data Compression Method and System;” 8,502,707 (the “707 patent”), entitled “Data Compression Systems and Methods;” 8,717,204 (the “204 patent”), entitled “Methods for Encoding and Decoding Data;” and 9,054,728 (the “728 patent”), entitled “Data Compression System and Methods.” On February 13, 2018, we filed petitions before the USPTO challenging the validity of all claims asserted against us from the 707 patent, as well as one of the asserted claims of the 728 patent. On September 5, 2018, the USPTO declined to institute proceedings for the petition that we had filed against the 728 patent. On September 12, 2018, the USPTO instituted proceedings to review the validity of the asserted claims of the 707 patent. In a stipulation filed on October 24, 2018, Realtime voluntarily elected not to pursue any previously asserted claims from the 992, 530, 513, 908, 867 and 204 patents. Realtime is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein. In February 2019, we entered into a settlement agreement with Realtime and the case was dismissed with prejudice.

Other

In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of business. As part of our ongoing operations, we are 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 we 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, we from time to time receive 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 other 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.

We also indemnify our directors, officers and employees for certain liabilities that might arise from the performance of their responsibilities for us. Additionally, in the normal course of its business, we enter into contracts pursuant to which we may make a variety of representations and warranties and indemnify the counterparty for certain losses. Our 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 us or our officers, directors or employees, the outcomes of which are unknown and not currently predictable or estimable.

Segment Reporting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting

SEGMENT REPORTING

Operating segments are business components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who is our Chief Executive Officer. We primarily operate in two business segments, Hughes and ESS, as described in Note 1.

The primary measure of segment profitability that is reported regularly to our CODM is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA. Our operations also include various corporate departments (primarily Executive, Treasury, Strategic Development, Human Resources, IT, Finance, Real Estate, Accounting and Legal) and other activities that have not been assigned to our operating segments such as costs incurred in certain satellite development programs and other business development activities, and gains or losses from certain of our investments. These activities, costs and income, as well as eliminations of intersegment transactions, are accounted for in Corporate and Other in the tables below or in the reconciliation of EBITDA below.

Total assets by segment have not been reported herein because the information is not provided to our CODM on a regular basis.

The following table presents revenue, EBITDA and capital expenditures for each of our operating segments. Capital expenditures are net of refunds and other receipts related to property and equipment and exclude capital expenditures from discontinued operations of $12 million and $70 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.



	Hughes		ESS			Corporate and Other			Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
For the year ended December 31, 2018
External revenue	$	1,716,169	$	355,734		$	19,460		$	2,091,363
Intersegment revenue	$	359	$	2,324		$	(2,683	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	358,058		$	16,777		$	2,091,363
EBITDA	$	601,319	$	308,058		$	(152,708	)	$	756,669
Capital expenditures	$	390,108	$	(76,582	)	$	164,091		$	477,617

For the year ended December 31, 2017
External revenue	$	1,476,131	$	390,831		$	18,546		$	1,885,508
Intersegment revenue	$	1,787	$	1,413		$	(3,200	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,477,918	$	392,244		$	15,346		$	1,885,508
EBITDA	$	475,222	$	315,285		$	4,070		$	794,577
Capital expenditures	$	376,502	$	20,725		$	169,157		$	566,384

For the year ended December 31, 2016
External revenue	$	1,389,152	$	406,970		$	14,344		$	1,810,466
Intersegment revenue	$	3,209	$	690		$	(3,899	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,392,361	$	407,660		$	10,445		$	1,810,466
EBITDA	$	477,165	$	341,516		$	(67,676	)	$	751,005
Capital expenditures	$	322,362	$	58,925		$	247,223		$	628,510

The following table reconciles total consolidated EBITDA to reported Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
EBITDA	$	756,669		$	794,577		$	751,005
Interest income and expense, net	(168,293		)	(172,621		)	(102,237		)
Depreciation and amortization	(598,178		)	(522,190		)	(432,904		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,842			928			762
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(7,960	)	$	100,694		$	216,626

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 customers in the U.S. and its territories, Mexico and Canada. Central and South America revenue includes transactions with customers in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and other countries in this region. All other revenue includes transactions with customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. The following table summarizes total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to the North America, South and Central America and other foreign locations.



	As of December 31,
Long-lived assets:	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
North America	$	4,114,087	$	4,221,793
Central and South America	226,232		213,890
All other	118,647		129,852
Total long-lived assets	$	4,458,966	$	4,565,535



	For the Years Ended December 31,
Revenue:	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
North America	$	1,819,463	$	1,612,349	$	1,566,576
Central and South America	101,632		90,000		50,952
All other	170,268		183,159		192,938
Total revenue	$	2,091,363	$	1,885,508	$	1,810,466

Transactions with Major Customers

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 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,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Total revenue:
DISH Network:
Hughes segment	$	50,275		$	82,625		$	107,300
EchoStar Satellite Services segment	309,815			344,841			349,549
Corporate and Other	19,075			18,522			15,433
Total DISH Network	379,165			445,988			472,282
All other	1,712,198			1,439,520			1,338,184
Total revenue	$	2,091,363		$	1,885,508		$	1,810,466

Percentage of total revenue:
DISH Network	18.1		%	23.7		%	26.1		%
All other	81.9		%	76.3		%	73.9		%

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

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 (2)
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Total revenue	$	501,792		$	525,957	$	532,953	$	530,661
Operating income	$	58,010		$	74,765	$	70,035	$	(19,567	)
Net income (loss)	$	(21,171	)	$	77,684	$	16,502	$	(111,648	)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock	$	(21,551	)	$	77,222	$	16,052	$	(112,198	)
Basic earnings per share	$	(0.22	)	$	0.80	$	0.17	$	(1.17	)
Diluted earnings per share	$	(0.22	)	$	0.80	$	0.17	$	(1.17	)

Year Ended December 31, 2017
Total revenue (1)	$	433,151		$	465,076	$	481,233	$	506,048
Operating income (1)	$	51,651		$	45,890	$	56,414	$	42,352
Net income	$	37,352		$	7,122	$	35,201	$	313,814
Net income attributable to EchoStar common stock	$	38,924		$	6,940	$	34,669	$	313,237
Basic earnings per share	$	0.41		$	0.07	$	0.36	$	3.29
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.41		$	0.07	$	0.36	$	3.23

(1)

As a result of the Share Exchange, the consolidated financial statements of the EchoStar Technologies businesses have been presented as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from the quarterly financial data presented above for all periods presented. See Note in the notes to our accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our discontinued operations.

(2)

Net income and related per share amounts for the three months ended December 31, 2018 include an impairment charge of $65 million related to certain long-lived assets in Brazil. See Note 10 for additional information related to the impairment charge. Net income and related per share amounts for the three months ended December 31, 2017 include a discrete income tax benefit of $304 million related to the enactment of federal tax legislation in December 2017, a gain of $23 on our trading securities, and an impairment loss of $11 million relating to our regulatory authorizations with indefinite lives and certain projects in construction in progress. See Note 13 for additional information relating to the income tax benefit.

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS DISH Network EchoStar Corporation and DISH have operated as separate publicly-traded companies since 2008. In addition, prior to the consummation of the Share Exchange in February 2017, DISH Network owned the Tracking Stock, which represented an aggregate 80.0% economic interest in the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment. Following the consummation of the Share Exchange, the Tracking Stock was retired. A substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of each of EchoStar Corporation and DISH is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain entities established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family. In connection with and following both the Spin-off and the Share Exchange, we and DISH Network entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network; DISH Network obtains certain products, services and rights from us; and we and DISH Network indemnify each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses. We also may enter into additional agreements with DISH Network in the future. Generally, the amounts we or DISH Network pay for products and services provided under the agreements are based on 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. Services and Other Revenue — DISH Network Satellite Capacity Leased to DISH Network. We have entered into certain agreements to lease satellite capacity pursuant to which we provide satellite services to DISH Network on certain satellites owned or leased by us. The fees for the services provided under these 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 VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV. In March 2014, as part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction, described below in Other Agreements - DISH Network, we began leasing certain satellite capacity to DISH Network on the EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV satellites. These agreements to lease satellite capacity generally terminate 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 agreement to lease satellite capacity 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. The agreement to lease satellite capacity on the EchoStar VII satellite expired at the end of June 2018. EchoStar IX. Effective January 2008, DISH Network began leasing satellite capacity from us on the EchoStar IX satellite. Subject to availability, DISH Network generally has the right to continue leasing satellite capacity from us on the EchoStar IX satellite on a month-to-month basis. EchoStar XII. DISH Network leased satellite capacity from us on the EchoStar XII satellite. The agreement to lease satellite capacity expired at the end of September 2017. EchoStar XVI. In December 2009, we entered into an initial ten-year agreement to lease satellite capacity to DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network has leased satellite capacity from us on the EchoStar XVI satellite since January 2013. Effective December 2012, we and DISH Network amended the 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 agreement to, among other things, extend the initial term by one additional year through January 2018 and to reduce the term of the first renewal option by one year. In May 2017, DISH Network renewed the agreement through January 2023. DISH Network has the option to renew for an additional five-year period prior to expiration of the current term. There can be no assurance that such option to renew this agreement will be exercised. In the event that DISH Network does not exercise its 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. We and DISH Network have amended the agreement to allow DISH Network to place and use certain satellites at the 61.5 degree west longitude orbital location. Nimiq 5 Agreement. In September 2009, we entered into a fifteen-year agreement with Telesat Canada to lease satellite capacity from Telesat Canada on all 32 direct broadcast satellite (“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 an agreement with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network leases satellite capacity from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by the Telesat Transponder Agreement (the “DISH Nimiq 5 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 in October 2019. 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 lease satellite capacity 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 lease satellite capacity on a replacement satellite. QuetzSat-1 Agreement. In November 2008, we entered into a ten-year agreement to lease satellite capacity from SES Latin America, which provides, among other things, for the provision by SES Latin America to us of leased satellite capacity on 32 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite. Concurrently, in 2008, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network leases from us satellite capacity 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 January 2013, the QuetzSat-1 satellite was moved to the 77 degree west longitude orbital location. In February 2013, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which we lease back from DISH Network certain satellite capacity on five DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite through November 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of our agreement. Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with DISH Network, we began leasing satellite capacity to DISH Network on the QuetzSat-1 satellite in February 2013 and will continue leasing such capacity through November 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of our agreement with DISH Network for the QuetzSat-1 satellite. 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 lease satellite capacity 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 lease satellite capacity 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. Effective in March 2018, DISH Network exercised its right to terminate the DISH 103 Spectrum Development Agreement and we exercised our right to terminate the 103 Spectrum Development Agreement. In connection with the 103 Spectrum Development Agreement, in May 2012, we also entered into a ten-year agreement with Ciel pursuant to which we leased certain satellite capacity from Ciel on the SES-3 satellite at the 103 degree west longitude orbital location (the “Ciel 103 Agreement”). In June 2013, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network leased certain satellite capacity from us on the SES-3 satellite (the “DISH 103 Agreement”). Under the terms of the DISH 103 Agreement, DISH Network made certain monthly payments to us through the service term. Effective in March 2018, DISH Network exercised its right to terminate the DISH 103 Agreement and we exercised our right to terminate the Ciel 103 Agreement. TT&C Agreement. Effective January 2012, we entered into a TT&C agreement pursuant to which we provided TT&C services to DISH Network for a period ending in December 2016 (the “TT&C Agreement”). We and DISH Network have amended the TT&C Agreement over time to, among other things, extend the term through February 2023. The fees for services provided under the 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 TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 12 months’ notice. 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. Real Estate Leases to DISH Network. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leases certain real estate from us. The rent on a per square foot basis for each of the leases is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the lease, and DISH Network is responsible for its portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. The term of each of the leases is set forth below: 100 Inverness Agreement. Effective March 2017, DISH Network is licensed to use certain of our space at 100 Inverness Terrace East, Englewood, Colorado for a period ending in December 2020. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon 180 days’ prior notice. This agreement may be extended by mutual consent, in which case this agreement will be converted to a month-to-month lease agreement. Upon extension, either party has the right to terminate this agreement upon 30 days’ notice. 90 Inverness Lease Agreement. The lease for certain space at 90 Inverness Circle East, Englewood, Colorado was for a period ending in December 2016. In February 2016, DISH Network terminated this lease effective in August 2016. Meridian Lease Agreement. The lease for all of 9601 S. Meridian Blvd., Englewood, Colorado was for a period ending in December 2016. We and DISH Network have amended this lease over time to, among other things, extend the term through December 2019. After December 2019, this agreement may be converted by mutual consent to a month-to-month lease agreement with either party having the right to terminate upon 30 days’ notice. Santa Fe Lease Agreement. The lease for all of 5701 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, Colorado was for a period ending in December 2016. We and DISH Network have amended this lease over time to, among other things, extend the term through December 2019. After December 2019, this agreement may be converted by mutual consent to a month-to-month lease agreement with either party having the right to terminate upon 30 days’ notice. Atlanta Sublease Agreement. The sublease for certain space at 211 Perimeter Center, Atlanta, Georgia terminated in October 2016. Cheyenne Lease Agreement. Prior to the Share Exchange, we leased to DISH Network certain space at 530 EchoStar Drive, Cheyenne, Wyoming. In connection with the Share Exchange, we transferred ownership of a portion of this property to DISH Network and we and DISH Network amended this agreement to (i) terminate the lease for the transferred space and (ii) provide for a continued lease to DISH Network of the portion of the property we retained for a period ending in December 2031. After December 2031, this agreement may be converted by mutual consent to a month-to-month lease agreement with either party having the right to terminate upon 30 days’ notice. 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 we provide, among other things, warranty, operations and maintenance and hosting services for TerreStar’s ground-based communications equipment. In December 2017, we and DISH Network amended these agreements, effective as of January 1, 2018, to reduce certain pricing terms through December 31, 2023 and to modify certain termination provisions. DISH Network generally has the right to continue to receive warranty services from us for our products on a month-to-month basis unless terminated by DISH Network upon at least 21 days’ written notice to us. DISH Network generally has the right to continue to receive operations and maintenance services from us on a quarter-to-quarter basis unless operations and maintenance services are terminated by DISH Network upon at least 90 days’ written notice to us. The provision of hosting services will continue until May 2022. In addition, DISH Network generally may terminate any and all services for convenience subject to providing us with prior notice and/or payment of termination charges. Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement. 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, we and DISH Network 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, we and DISH Network will continue to provide our HughesNet service to the Effective October 2012, we and DISH Network, entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) pursuant to which DISH Network has the right, but not the obligation, to market, sell and distribute our HughesNet satellite internet service (the “HughesNet service”). DISH Network pays us a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for the HughesNet service based upon a subscriber’s service level and based upon certain volume subscription thresholds. The Distribution Agreement also provides that DISH Network has the right, but not the ob then-current DISH Network subscribers pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement. ligation, to purchase certain broadband equipment from us to support the sale of the HughesNet 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, we and DISH Network 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, we and DISH Network will continue to provide our HughesNet service to the then-current DISH Network 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 we provide, among other things, warranty, operations and maintenance and hosting services of DBSD North America’s gateway and ground-based communications equipment. In December 2017, we and DBSD North America amended these agreements, effective as of January 1, 2018, to reduce certain pricing terms through December 31, 2023 and to modify certain termination provisions. DBSD North America has the right to continue to receive operations and maintenance services from us on a quarter-to-quarter basis, unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 120 days’ written notice to us. In February 2019, we further amended these agreements to provide DBSD North America with the right to continue to receive warranty services from us on a month-to-month basis until December 2023, unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 21 days’ written notice to us. 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. In addition, DBSD North America generally may terminate any and all such services for convenience, subject to providing us with prior notice and/or payment of termination charges. RUS Implementation Agreement. In September 2010, DISH Network was selected by the Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to receive up to approximately $14 million in broadband stimulus grant funds. Effective November 2011, we and DISH Network entered into a RUS Implementation Agreement (the “RUS Agreement”) pursuant to which we provided certain portions of the equipment and broadband service used to implement DISH Network’s RUS program. While the RUS Agreement expired in June 2013 when the broadband stimulus grant funds were exhausted, we are required to continue providing services to DISH Network’s customers activated prior to the expiration of the RUS Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions of the RUS Agreement. Hughes Equipment and Services Agreement. In February 2019, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which we will sell to DISH Network our HughesNet Service and HughesNet equipment that has been modified to meet DISH Network’s internet-of-things specifications for the transfer of data to DISH Network’s network operations centers. This agreement has an initial term of five years expiring February 2024 with automatic renewal for successive one-year terms unless terminated by DISH Network with at least 180 days’ written notice to us or by us with at least 365 days’ written notice to DISH Network. General and Administrative Expenses — DISH Network Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, we entered into various agreements with DISH Network including a transition services agreement, satellite procurement agreement and services agreement, which all expired in January 2010 and were replaced by a professional services agreement (the “Professional Services Agreement”). In January 2010, we and DISH Network agreed that we 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 a transition services agreement: information technology, travel and event coordination, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services. Mr. Vivek Khemka, who was then employed as DISH Network’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, provided services to us during portions of 2016 and through February 2017 pursuant to the Professional Services Agreement as President -- EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. Additionally, we and DISH Network agreed that DISH Network would continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage us to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network (previously provided under a satellite procurement agreement), receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from us (previously provided under a services agreement) and provide other support services. In connection with the consummation of the Share Exchange, we and DISH amended and restated the Professional Services Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement”) to provide that we and DISH Network shall have the right to receive additional services that either we or DISH Network may require as a result of the Share Exchange, including access to antennas owned by DISH Network for our use in performing TT&C services and maintenance and support services for our antennas. The term of the Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement is through January 2020 and renews automatically for successive one-year periods thereafter, unless the agreement is terminated earlier by either party upon at least 60 days’ notice. We or DISH Network may generally terminate the Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement in part with respect to any particular service it receives for any reason upon at least 30 days’ notice, unless the statement of work for particular services states otherwise. Certain services being provided for under the Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement may survive the termination of the agreement. Real Estate Leases from DISH Network. We have entered into lease agreements pursuant to which we lease certain real estate from DISH Network. The rent on a per square foot basis is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the leases, and for certain properties, we are responsible for our portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. Cheyenne Lease Agreement. Effective March 2017 we lease from DISH Network certain space at 530 EchoStar Drive in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a period ending in February 2019. In August 2018, we exercised our option to renew this lease for a one year period ending in February 2020. We have the option to renew this lease for twelve one-year periods. Gilbert Lease Agreement. Effective March 2017 we lease from DISH Network certain space at 801 N. DISH Dr. in Gilbert, Arizona for a period ending in February 2019. In August 2018, we exercised our option to renew this lease for a one year period ending in February 2020. We have the option to renew this lease for twelve one-year periods. American Fork Occupancy License Agreement. In connection with the Share Exchange, effective March 2017, we subleased from DISH Network certain space at 796 East Utah Valley Drive in American Fork, Utah for a period ending in August 2017. We exercised our option to renew this sublease for a five-year period ending in August 2022. Employee Matters Agreement. Effective March 2017 in connection with the Share Exchange, we and DISH Network entered into an employee matters agreement that addressed the transfer of employees from EchoStar to DISH Network, including certain benefit and compensation matters and the allocation of responsibility for employee related liabilities relating to current and past employees of the transferred businesses. DISH Network assumed employee-related liabilities relating to the transferred businesses as part of the Share Exchange, except that we are responsible for certain existing employee related litigation as well as certain pre-Share Exchange compensation and benefits for employees transferring to DISH Network in connection with the Share Exchange. Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements. We and DISH Network have entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network provides us with collocation space in El Paso, Texas. This agreement was for an initial period ending in August 2015, and provides us with renewal options for four consecutive years. Effective August 2015, we exercised our first renewal option for a period ending in August 2018, and in April 2018 we exercised our second renewal option for a period ending in August 2021. In connection with the Share Exchange, effective March 2017, we also entered into certain agreements pursuant to which DISH Network provides collocation and antenna space to EchoStar through February 2022 at the following locations: Cheyenne, Wyoming; Gilbert, Arizona; New Braunfels, Texas; Monee, Illinois; Spokane, Washington; and Englewood, Colorado. In August 2017, we and DISH Network also entered into certain other agreements pursuant to which DISH Network provides additional collocation and antenna space to EchoStar in Monee, Illinois and Spokane, Washington through August 2022. We generally may renew our collocation and antenna space agreements for three-year periods by providing DISH Network with prior written notice no more than 120 days but no less than 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term. We may terminate certain of these agreements with 180 days’ prior written notice. The fees for the services provided under these agreements depend on the number of racks leased at the location. Other Agreements — DISH Network 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 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 million in cash; and (ii) in March 2014, DISH Network began receiving certain satellite services from us as discussed above on these five satellites (collectively, the “Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction.”) The Tracking Stock was retired in March 2017 and is no longer outstanding and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to such Tracking Stock terminated and are of no further effect. Share Exchange Agreement. On January 31, 2017, EchoStar Corporation and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with DISH and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to which, on February 28, 2017, we received all of the shares of the Tracking Stock in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain EchoStar subsidiaries that held substantially all of our EchoStar Technologies businesses and certain other assets. Following consummation of the Share Exchange on February 28, 2017, we no longer operate the transferred EchoStar Technologies businesses and the Tracking Stock was retired and is no longer outstanding and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to such Tracking Stock terminated and are of no further effect. Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, we transferred certain assets, investments in joint ventures, spectrum licenses and real estate properties and DISH Network assumed certain liabilities relating to the transferred assets and businesses. The Share Exchange Agreement contained customary representations and warranties by the parties, including representations by us related to the transferred assets, assumed liabilities and the financial condition of the transferred businesses. We and DISH Network also agreed to customary indemnification provisions whereby each party indemnifies the other against certain losses with respect to breaches of representations, warranties or covenants and certain liabilities and if certain actions undertaken by us or DISH causes the transaction to be taxable to the other party after closing. See Notes 1 and 4 for further information. Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement. In March 2017, we and DISH Network entered into a master service agreement (the “Hughes Broadband MSA”) pursuant to which DISH Network, among other things: (i) has the right, but not the obligation, to market, promote and solicit orders and upgrades for our HughesNet service and related equipment and other telecommunication services and (ii) installs HughesNet service equipment with respect to activations generated by DISH Network. Under the Hughes Broadband MSA, we and DISH Network make certain payments to each other relating to sales, upgrades, purchases and installation services. The Hughes Broadband MSA has an initial term of five years until March 2022 with automatic renewal for successive one-year terms. Upon expiration or termination of the Hughes Broadband MSA, we will continue to provide our HughesNet service to subscribers and make certain payments to DISH Network pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Hughes Broadband MSA. We incurred sales incentives and other costs under the Hughes Broadband MSA totaling $33 million and $29 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement. Effective March 2017 in connection with the Share Exchange, we and DISH Network entered into an Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement (“IPTLA”) pursuant to which we and DISH Network license to each other certain intellectual property and technology. The IPTLA will continue in perpetuity, unless mutually terminated by the parties. Pursuant to the IPTLA, we granted to DISH Network a license to our intellectual property and technology for use by DISH Network, among other things, in connection with its continued operation of the businesses acquired pursuant to the Share Exchange, including a limited license to use the “ECHOSTAR” trademark during a transition period. EchoStar retains full ownership of the “ECHOSTAR” trademark. In addition, DISH Network granted a license back to us, among other things, for the continued use of all intellectual property and technology that is used in our retained businesses but the ownership of which was transferred to DISH Network pursuant to the Share Exchange. Tax Matters Agreement. Effective March 2017, in connection with the Share Exchange, we and DISH entered into a tax matters agreement. This agreement governs certain of our rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes of the transferred businesses pursuant to the Share Exchange. Generally, we are responsible for all tax returns and tax liabilities for the transferred businesses and assets for periods prior to the Share Exchange and DISH Network is responsible for all tax returns and tax liabilities for the transferred businesses and assets from and after the Share Exchange. Both we and DISH Network made certain tax-related representations and are subject to various tax-related covenants after the consummation of the Share Exchange. Both we and DISH Network have agreed to indemnify each other if there is a breach of any such tax representation or violation of any such tax covenant and that breach or violation results in the Share Exchange not qualifying for tax free treatment for the other party. In addition, DISH Network has agreed to indemnify us if the transferred businesses are acquired, either directly or indirectly (e.g., via an acquisition of DISH Network), by one or more persons and such acquisition results in the Share Exchange not qualifying for tax free treatment. The tax matters agreement supplements the Tax Sharing Agreement outlined below, which continues in full force and effect. Tax Sharing Agreement. Effective December 2007, we and DISH Network entered into a tax sharing agreement (the “Tax Sharing Agreement”) in connection with the Spin-off. This agreement governs our 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 indemnifies us for such taxes. However, DISH Network is not liable for and does not indemnify us for any taxes that are incurred as a result of the Spin-off or certain related transactions failing to qualify as tax-free distributions pursuant to any provision of Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code, because of: (i) a direct or indirect acquisition of any of our stock, stock options or assets; (ii) any action that we take or fail to take; or (iii) any action that we take that is inconsistent with the information and representations furnished to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter ruling, or to counsel in connection with any opinion being delivered by counsel with respect to the Spin-off or certain related transactions. In such case, we will be solely liable for, and will indemnify DISH Network for, any resulting taxes, as well as any losses, claims and expenses. The Tax Sharing Agreement will terminate after the later of the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations, including extensions, or once all rights and obligations are fully effectuated or performed. In light of the Tax Sharing Agreement, among other things, and in connection with our consolidated federal income tax returns for certain tax years prior to and for the year of the Spin-off, in September 2013, we and DISH Network agreed upon a supplemental allocation of the tax benefits arising from certain tax items resolved in the course of the IRS’s examination of our consolidated tax returns. Prior to the agreement with DISH Network in 2013, the federal tax benefits were reflected as a deferred tax asset for depreciation and amortization, which was netted in our noncurrent deferred tax liabilities. The agreement with DISH Network in 2013 requires DISH Network to pay us the federal tax benefit it receives at such time as we would have otherwise been able to realize such tax benefit. We recorded a noncurrent receivable from DISH Network in Other receivables - DISH Network and a corresponding increase in our Deferred tax liabilities, net to reflect the effects of this agreement in September 2013. In addition, in September 2013, we and DISH Network agreed upon a tax sharing arrangement for filing certain combined state income tax returns and a method of allocating the respective tax liabilities between us and DISH Network for such combined returns, through the taxable period ending on December 31, 2017 (the “State Tax Arrangement”). In August 2018, we and DISH Network amended the Tax Sharing Agreement and the 2013 agreements (the “Tax Sharing Amendment”). Under the Tax Sharing Amendment, to the extent permitted by applicable tax law, DISH Network is entitled to apply the benefit of our 2009 net operating losses (the “SATS 2009 NOLs”) to DISH Network’s federal tax return for the year ended December 31, 2008, in exchange for DISH Network paying us over time the value of the net annual federal income taxes paid by us that would have been otherwise offset by the SATS 2009 NOLs. The Tax Sharing Amendment also requires us and DISH Network to pay the other for the benefits of certain past and future federal research and development tax credits that we or DISH Network receive or received as a result of being part of a controlled group under the Code, and requires DISH Network to compensate us for certain past tax losses utilized by DISH Network and for certain past and future excess California research and development tax credits generated by us and used by DISH Network. In addition, the Tax Sharing Amendment extends the term of the State Tax Arrangement to the earlier to occur of termination of the Tax Sharing Agreement, a change in control of either us or DISH Network or, for any particular state, if we and DISH Network no longer file a combined tax return for such state. We and DISH Network file combined income tax returns in certain states. We have earned and recognized tax benefits for certain state income tax credits that we would be unable to utilize currently if we had filed separately from DISH Network. We have charged Additional paid-in capital in prior periods when DISH Network has utilized such tax benefits. We expect to increase Additional paid-in capital upon receipt of any consideration that DISH Network pays to us in exchange for these tax credits. gTLD Bidding Agreement. In April 2015, we and DISH Network entered into a generic top level domain (“gTLD”) Bidding Agreement whereby, among other things: (i) DISH Network obtained rights from us to participate in a gTLD auction, assuming all rights and obligations from us related to our application with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers for a particular gTLD; (ii) DISH Network agreed to reimburse us for our Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers application fee and certain out-of-pocket expenses related to the application and the auction; and (iii) we and DISH Network agreed to split equally the net proceeds obtained by DISH Network as the losing bidder in the auction, less such fee reimbursement and out-of-pocket expenses. Patent Cross-License Agreements. In December 2011, we and DISH Network entered into separate patent cross-license agreements with the same third party whereby: (i) we and such third party licensed our respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions; and (ii) DISH Network and such third party licensed their respective patents to each other subject to certain conditions (each, a “Cross-License Agreement”). Each Cross-License Agreement covers patents acquired by the respective party prior to January 2017 and aggregate payments under both Cross-License Agreements were less than $10 million. Each Cross-License Agreement contained an option to extend each Cross-License Agreement to include patents acquired by the respective party prior to January 2022. In December 2016, both we and DISH Network exercised our respective renewal options, resulting in aggregate additional payments to such third party totaling less than $3 million. Since the aggregate payments under both Cross-License Agreements were based on the combined annual revenue of us and DISH Network, we and DISH Network agreed to allocate our respective payments to such third party based on our respective percentage of combined total revenue. Caltech. On October 1, 2013, Caltech Institute of Technology (“Caltech”) filed complaints against us and DISH Network, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleging infringement of U.S. 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 infringed each of the asserted patents. Caltech claimed that certain of our satellite broadband products and services, infringed the asserted patents by implementing the DVB-S2 standard. Pursuant to a settlement agreement among us, DISH Network and Caltech, Caltech dismissed with prejudice all of its claims in these actions in May 2016. Orange, NJ. In October 2016, we and DISH Network sold two parcels of real estate owned separately by us and DISH Network in Orange, NJ to a third party pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, we and DISH Network separately received our respective payments from the buyer. Invidi. In November 2010 and April 2011, we made investments in Invidi in exchange for shares of Invidi’s Series D Preferred Stock. In November 2016, DIRECTV, LLC, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of AT&T Inc., DISH Network and Cavendish Square Holding B.V., an affiliate of WPP plc, entered into a series of agreements to acquire Invidi. As a result of the transaction, we sold our ownership interest in Invidi on the same terms offered to the other shareholders of Invidi. The transaction closed in January 2017. Other Agreements Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”) We contract with Hughes Systique for software development services. In addition to our approximately 43.4% ownership in Hughes Systique, Mr. Pradman Kaul, the President of Hughes Communications, Inc. and a member of our board of directors, and his brother, who is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Hughes Systique, in the aggregate, own approximately 25.5%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of December 31, 2018. 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 accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Dish Mexico We own 49.0% of Dish Mexico, an entity that provides direct-to-home satellite services in Mexico. We provide certain satellite services to Dish Mexico. We recognized revenue from sales of services we provided to Dish Mexico of approximately $23 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had trade accounts receivable from Dish Mexico of approximately $6 million and $8 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 $4 million, $5 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had trade accounts receivable from Deluxe of approximately $1 million and $1 million, respectively. AsiaSat We contract with AsiaSat Telecommunications Inc. (“AsiaSat”) for the use of transponder capacity on one of AsiaSat's satellites. Mr. William David Wade, who joined our board of directors in February 2017, served as the Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat in 2016 and as a senior advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat through March 2017. We incurred expenses payable to AsiaSat under this agreement of approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Global IP In May 2017, we entered into an agreement with Global-IP Cayman (“Global IP”) providing for the sale of certain equipment and services to Global IP. Mr. William David Wade, a member of our board of directors, serves as a member of the board of directors of Global IP and as an executive advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of Global IP. In August 2018, we and Global IP amended the agreement to (i) change certain of the equipment and services to be provided to Global IP; (ii) modify certain payment terms; (iii) provide Global IP an option to use one of our test lab facilities; and (iv) effectuate the assignment of the agreement from Global IP to one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In February 2019, we terminated the agreement as a result of Global IP’s defaults resulting from its failure to make payments to us as required under the terms of the agreement and we reserved our rights and remedies against Global IP under the agreement. We recognized revenue under this agreement of approximately $9 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had trade accounts receivable from Global IP of approximately $7.5 million and nil, respectively. TerreStar Solutions DISH Network owns more than 15% of TerreStar Solutions, Inc. (“TSI”). In May 2018, we and TSI entered into an equipment and services agreement pursuant to which we design, manufacture and install upgraded ground communications network equipment for TSI’s network and provides, among other things, warranty and support services. We recognized revenue of approximately $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, we had $2 million trade accounts receivable from TSI. Broadband Connectivity Solutions In August 2018, we entered into an agreement with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC (“Yahsat”) to establish a new entity, Broadband Connectivity Solutions (Restricted) Limited (together with its subsidiaries, “BCS”), to provide commercial Ka-band satellite broadband services across Africa, the Middle East and southwest Asia operating over Yahsat's Al Yah 2 and Al Yah 3 Ka-band satellites. The transaction was consummated in December 2018 when we invested $100 million in cash in exchange for a 20% interest in BCS. Under the terms of the agreement, we may also acquire, for further cash investments, additional ownership interests in BCS in the future provided certain conditions are met. We supply network operations and management services and equipment to BCS. We recognized revenue from BCS for such services and equipment of approximately $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, we had $3 million trade accounts receivable from BCS. Discontinued Operations The following agreements or investments were terminated or transferred to DISH Network as part of the Share Exchange. We have no further obligations, have earned no additional revenue and incurred no additional expense, as applicable, under such agreements and investments after February 2017. Historical transactions under such agreements and investments are reported in Net income from discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Operations (see Notes 1 and 4). Set-Top Box Application Development Agreement. In November 2012, one of our former subsidiaries and DISH Network entered into a set-top box application development agreement (the “Application Development Agreement”) pursuant to which we provided DISH Network with certain services relating to the development of web-based applications for set-top boxes. The fees for services provided under the Application Development Agreement were calculated at our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed margin, which depended on the nature of the services provided. Receiver Agreement. Effective January 2012, one of our former subsidiaries and DISH Network entered into a receiver agreement (the “2012 Receiver Agreement”), pursuant to which DISH Network had the right, but not the obligation, to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories, and other equipment from us. The 2012 Receiver Agreement replaced the receiver agreement one of our former subsidiaries entered into with DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off. The 2012 Receiver Agreement allowed DISH Network to purchase digital set-top boxes, related accessories, and other equipment from us either: (i) at cost (decreasing as we reduced costs and increasing as costs increased) plus a dollar mark-up which depended upon the cost of the product subject to a collar on our mark-up; or (ii) at cost plus a fixed margin, which depended on the nature of the equipment purchased. Under the 2012 Receiver Agreement, our margins would have increased if we were able to reduce the costs of our digital set-top boxes and our margins would have reduced if these costs increased. One of our former subsidiaries provided DISH Network with standard manufacturer warranties for the goods sold under the 2012 Receiver Agreement. Additionally, the 2012 Receiver Agreement included an indemnification provision, whereby the parties agreed to indemnify each other for certain intellectual property matters. Broadcast Agreement. Effective January 2012, one of our former subsidiaries and DISH Network entered into a broadcast agreement (the “2012 Broadcast Agreement”), pursuant to which we provided certain broadcast services to DISH Network, including teleport services such as transmission and downlinking, channel origination services, and channel management services. The fees for the services provided under the 2012 Broadcast Agreement were calculated at either: (a) our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed dollar fee, which was subject to certain adjustments; or (b) our cost of providing the relevant service plus a fixed margin, depending on the nature of the services provided. Broadcast Agreement for Certain Sports Related Programming. In May 2010, one of our former subsidiaries and DISH Network entered into a broadcast agreement pursuant to which we provided certain broadcast services to DISH Network in connection with its carriage of certain sports related programming. The fees for the broadcast services provided under this agreement depended, among other things, upon the cost to develop and provide such services. Gilbert Lease Agreement. DISH Network leased certain space from us at 801 N. DISH Drive, Gilbert, Arizona. The rent on a per square foot basis for this lease was comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the lease, and DISH Network was responsible for its portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. Product Support Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, one of our former subsidiaries entered into a product support agreement pursuant to which DISH Network had the right, but not the obligation, to receive product support from us (including certain engineering and technical support services) for all set-top boxes and related accessories that we had previously sold to DISH Network. The fees for the services provided under the product support agreement were calculated at cost plus a fixed margin, which varied depending on the nature of the services provided. The term of the product support agreement was the economic life of such set-top boxes and related accessories, unless terminated earlier. DISHOnline.com Services Agreement. Effective January 2010, DISH Network entered into a two-year agreement with one of our former subsidiaries pursuant to which DISH Network received certain services associated with an online video portal. The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depended, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services. DISH Remote Access Services Agreement. Effective February 2010, one of our former subsidiaries entered into an agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network received, among other things, certain remote digital video recorder (“DVR”) management services. The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depended, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services. SlingService Services Agreement. Effective February 2010, one of our former subsidiaries entered into an agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which DISH Network received certain services related to placeshifting. The fees for the services provided under this services agreement depended, among other things, upon the cost to develop and operate such services. XiP Encryption Agreement. In July 2012, we entered into an encryption agreement with DISH Network for our whole-home high definition (“HD”) DVR line of set-top boxes (the “XiP Encryption Agreement”) pursuant to which we provided certain security measures on our whole-home HD DVR line of set-top boxes to encrypt the content delivered to the set-top box via a smart card and secure the content between set-top boxes. The XiP Encryption Agreement’s term ended on the same day as the 2012 Receiver Agreement. The fees for the services provided under the XiP Encryption Agreement were calculated on a monthly basis based on the number of receivers utilizing such security measures each month. Sling TV Holding. Effective July 2012, we and DISH Network formed Sling TV Holding, which was owned two-thirds by DISH Network and one-third by us. Sling TV Holding was formed to develop and commercialize certain advanced technologies. At that time, we, DISH Network and Sling TV Holding entered into the following agreements with respect to Sling TV Holding: (i) a contribution agreement pursuant to which we and DISH Network contributed certain assets in exchange for our respective ownership interests in Sling TV Holding; (ii) a limited liability company operating agreement (“Operating Agreement”), which provided for the governance of Sling TV Holding; and (iii) a commercial agreement (“Commercial Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Sling TV Holding had: (a) certain rights and corresponding obligations with respect to its business; and (b) the right, but not the obligation, to receive certain services from us and DISH Network, respectively. Additionally, the spouse of Mr. Vivek Khemka, who was the President - EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. during portions of 2016 and through February 2017, was employed during 2016 as Vice President of Business Development and Operations of Sling TV Holding. Effective August 2014, we and Sling TV Holding entered into an exchange agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Sling TV Holding distributed certain assets to us and we reduced our interest in Sling TV Holding to a 10.0% non-voting interest. As a result, DISH Network had a 90.0% equity interest and a 100% voting interest in Sling TV Holding. In addition, we, DISH Network and Sling TV Holding amended and restated the Operating Agreement, primarily to reflect the changes implemented by the Exchange Agreement. Finally, we, DISH Network and Sling TV Holding amended and restated the Commercial Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, Sling TV Holding: (1) had certain rights and corresponding obligations with respect to its business; (2) had the right, but not the obligation, to receive certain services from us and DISH Network; and (3) had a license from us to use certain of the assets distributed to us as part of the Exchange Agreement. Remanufactured Receiver and Services Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, one of our former subsidiaries entered into a remanufactured receiver and services agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which we had the right, but not the obligation, to purchase remanufactured receivers and related components from DISH Network at cost plus a fixed margin, which varied depending on the nature of the equipment purchased. Intellectual Property Matters Agreement. We entered into an intellectual property matters agreement (the “Intellectual Property Matters Agreement”) with DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off. The Intellectual Property Matters Agreement governed our relationship with DISH Network with respect to patents, trademarks and other intellectual property. Pursuant to the Intellectual Property Matters Agreement, DISH Network irrevocably assigned to us all right, title and interest in certain patents, trademarks and other intellectual property necessary for the operation of our set-top box business. In addition, the agreement permitted us to use, in the operation of our set-top box business, certain other intellectual property currently owned or licensed by DISH Network. In addition, DISH Network was prohibited from using the “EchoStar” name as a trademark, except in certain limited circumstances. Similarly, the Intellectual Property Matters Agreement provided that we would not make any use of the name or trademark “DISH Network” or any other trademark owned by DISH Network, except in certain circumstances. TiVo. In April 2011, we and DISH Network entered into a settlement agreement with TiVo, Inc. (“TiVo”). The settlement resolved all pending litigation between us and DISH Network, on the one hand, and TiVo, on the other hand, including litigation relating to alleged patent infringement involving certain DISH Network DVRs. Under the settlement agreement, all pending litigation was dismissed with prejudice and all injunctions that permanently restrain, enjoin or compel any action by us or DISH Network were dissolved. We and DISH Network were jointly responsible for making payments to TiVo in the aggregate amount of $500 million, including an initial payment of $300 million and the remaining $200 million in six equal annual installments between 2012 and 2017. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements entered into in connection with the Spin-off, DISH Network made the initial payment to TiVo in May 2011, except for the contribution from us totaling approximately $10 million, representing an allocation of liability relating to our sales of DVR-enabled receivers to an international customer. Subsequent payments were allocated between us and DISH Network based on historical sales of certain licensed products, with EchoStar being responsible for 5% of each annual payment. Sling Trademark License Agreement. In December 2014, Sling TV Holding entered into an agreement with Sling Media, Inc., our former subsidiary, pursuant to which Sling TV Holding had the right, for a fixed fee, to use certain trademarks, domain names and other intellectual property related to the “Sling” trademark. NagraStar L.L.C. Prior to March 2017, we owned 50.0% of NagraStar, a joint venture that was the primary provider of encryption and related security technology used in the set-top boxes produced by our former EchoStar Technologies segment. We accounted for our investment in NagraStar using the equity method. SmarDTV. Prior to March 2017, we owned a 22.5% interest in SmarDTV, which we accounted for using the equity method. Pursuant to our agreements with SmarDTV and its subsidiaries, our former EchoStar Technologies segment purchased engineering services from and paid royalties to SmarDTV and its subsidiaries.

Supplemental Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Supplemental Financial Information

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	$	7,605	$	11,200		$	11,126
Property and equipment financed under capital lease obligations	$	364	$	8,484		$	7,652
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	$	7,318	$	(3,831	)	$	3,054
E	$	—	$	43,890		$	—
Noncash net assets exchanged for Tracking Stock (Note 1)	$	—	$	299,888		$	—

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

The beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents presented in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included restricted cash and cash equivalents of $1 million and $1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2018, and $1 million and $1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017. These amounts are included in Other noncurrent assets, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Foreign Currency

We recognized net foreign currency transaction losses of $16 million, gains of $1 million and losses of $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Fair Value of In-Orbit Incentives

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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 $107 million and $112 million, respectively.

Contract Acquisition and Fulfillment Costs

Unamortized contract acquisition costs totaled $104 million as of December 31, 2018 and related amortization expense totaled $83 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively.

Unamortized contract fulfillment costs totaled $3 million as of December 31, 2018 and related amortization expense was de minimis for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Research and Development

The table below summarizes the research and development costs incurred in connection with customers’ orders included in cost of sales and other expenses we incurred for research and development.



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
Cost of sales	$	23,422	$	27,899	$	23,663
Research and development	$	27,570	$	31,745	$	31,170

Capitalized Software Costs

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the net carrying amount of externally marketed software was $97 million and $88 million, respectively, of which $29 million and $20 million, respectively, is under development and not yet placed in service. We capitalized costs related to the development of externally marketed software of $32 million, $31 million and $23 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We recorded amortization expense relating to the development of externally marketed software of $23 million, $20 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The weighted average useful life of our externally marketed software was approximately three years as of December 31, 2018.

Advertising Costs

We incurred advertising expense of $76 million, $64 million and $44 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

ECHOSTAR CORPORATION

SCHEDULE II

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Our valuation and qualifying accounts as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 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, 2018	$	12,027	$	22,184	$	(17,607	)	$	16,604
December 31, 2017	$	12,955	$	9,551	$	(10,479	)	$	12,027
December 31, 2016	$	11,687	$	14,393	$	(13,125	)	$	12,955

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Use of Estimates

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.

acquired companies. Those fair value measurements typically include significant unobservable inputs and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Revenue Recognition

Overview

Hughes

ESS

Other

Sales and Value Added Taxes, Universal Service Fees and other taxes that we collect concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue.

Contract Balances

Trade Accounts Receivable

Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities

Contract Acquisition and Fulfillment Costs

Contract Acquisition Costs

Contract Fulfillment Costs

Foreign Currency

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Inventory

nventory

Capitalized Software Costs

Internal-Use Software

Externally Marketed Software

Marketable Investment Securities

Our marketable investment securities portfolio consists of investments in debt and equity instruments with readily determinable fair values.

Debt Securities

Equity Securities

Restricted Marketable Investment Securities

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

Our investments in unconsolidated entities consist of investments in equity securities that are not publicly traded and do not have readily determinable fair values.

Equity Method

Other Investments

Impairment Considerations

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.

Debt Issuance Costs

Income Taxes

Cost of Sales - Services and Equipment

Research and Development

er. In such instances, the amounts for these customer funded development efforts are included in

Stock-based Compensation Expense

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Recently Adopted and Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Leases

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Credit Losses

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition and Financial Instruments

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

The cumulative effects of changes to the impacted line items on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 1, 2018 for the adoption of these standards were as follows:



	Balance at December 31, 2017			Adjustments Due to the						Balance at January 1, 2018
	Balance at December 31, 2017			New Revenue Standard			New Investment Standard			Balance at January 1, 2018
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	196,840		$	(7,103	)	$	—		$	189,737
Other current assets	$	91,671		$	533		$	—		$	92,204
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$	161,427		$	6,917		$	—		$	168,344
Other noncurrent assets, net	$	214,814		$	22,545		$	—		$	237,359
Total assets	$	8,750,014		$	22,892		$	—		$	8,772,906
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities	$	65,959		$	(1,542	)	$	—		$	64,417
Accrued expenses and other	$	82,647		$	255		$	—		$	82,902
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$	436,023		$	5,124		$	—		$	441,147
Other noncurrent liabilities	$	128,503		$	(4,068	)	$	—		$	124,435
Total liabilities	$	4,572,629		$	(231	)	$	—		$	4,572,398
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(130,154	)	$	—		$	10,467		$	(119,687	)
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	721,316		$	23,123		$	(10,467	)	$	733,972
Total stockholders’ equity	$	4,177,385		$	23,123		$	—		$	4,200,508
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	8,750,014		$	22,892		$	—		$	8,772,906

Our adoption of these standards impacted the referenced line items on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, Statement of Operations and Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) as follows:



	As of December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Adjustments Due to the						Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
Balance Sheet	As Reported			New Revenue Standard			New Investment Standard			Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	201,096		$	8,379		$	—		$	209,475
Other current assets	$	18,539		$	(533	)	$	—		$	18,006
Investments in unconsolidated entities	$	262,473		$	(5,639	)	$	—		$	256,834
Other noncurrent assets, net	$	263,892		$	(35,314	)	$	—		$	228,578
Total assets	$	8,661,294		$	(33,107	)	$	—		$	8,628,187
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities	$	72,284		$	878		$	—		$	73,162
Accrued expenses and other	$	72,470		$	(255	)	$	—		$	72,215
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$	465,933		$	(6,976	)	$	—		$	458,957
Other noncurrent liabilities	$	121,546		$	1,635		$	—		$	123,181
Total liabilities	$	4,505,820		$	(4,718	)	$	—		$	4,501,102
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(125,100	)	$	—		$	20,064		$	(105,036	)
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	694,129		$	(28,389	)	$	(20,064	)	$	645,676
Total stockholders’ equity	$	4,155,474		$	(28,389	)	$	—		$	4,127,085
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	8,661,294		$	(33,107	)	$	—		$	8,628,187



	For the year ended December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Adjustments Due to the						Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
Statement of Operations	As Reported			New Revenue Standard			New Investment Standard			Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - other	$	1,507,259		$	2,323		$	—		$	1,509,582
Total revenue	$	2,091,363		$	2,323		$	—		$	2,093,686
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	$	604,305		$	2,738		$	—		$	607,043
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	436,247		$	8,520		$	—		$	444,767
Total costs and expenses	$	1,908,120		$	11,258		$	—		$	1,919,378
Operating income (loss)	$	183,243		$	(8,935	)	$	—		$	174,308
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	$	(248,568	)	$	539		$	—		$	(248,029	)
Gains and losses on investments, net	$	(12,207	)	$	—		$	(30,531	)	$	(42,738	)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	$	(5,954	)	$	1,278		$	—		$	(4,676	)
Total other income (expense), net	$	(191,203	)	$	1,817		$	(30,531	)	$	(219,917	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(7,960	)	$	(7,118	)	$	(30,531	)	$	(45,609	)
Income tax benefit (provision)	$	(30,673	)	$	1,852		$	—		$	(28,821	)
Net income (loss)	$	(38,633	)	$	(5,266	)	$	(30,531	)	$	(74,430	)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$	(40,475	)	$	(5,266	)	$	(30,531	)	$	(76,272	)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.79	)
Diluted	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.32	)	$	(0.79	)



	For the year ended December 31, 2018
	As Reported			Adjustments Due to the						Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	As Reported			New Revenue Standard			New Investment Standard			Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
	(In thousands)
Net income (loss)	$	(38,633	)	$	(5,266	)	$	(30,531	)	$	(74,430	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other	$	(2,872	)	$	—		$	(6,485	)	$	(9,357	)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities in net income	$	—		$	—		$	37,016		$	37,016
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	(5,413	)	$	—		$	30,531		$	25,118
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(44,046	)	$	(5,266	)	$	—		$	(49,312	)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation	$	(44,499	)	$	(5,266	)	$	—		$	(49,765	)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

The following table provides information about our contract balances with customers, including amounts for certain embedded leases.



	As of
	December 31, 2018			January 1, 2018
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable:
Sales and services	$	154,415		$	156,794
Leasing	7,990			10,355
Total	162,405			167,149
Contract assets	55,295			34,615
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(16,604		)	(12,027		)
Total trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	201,096		$	189,737

Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network:
Sales and services	$	12,274		$	16,118
Leasing	1,926			27,177
Total trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net	$	14,200		$	43,295

Contract liabilities:
Current	$	72,284		$	64,417
Noncurrent	10,133			13,036
Total contract liabilities	$	82,417		$	77,453

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table disaggregates revenue based on the nature of products and services and by segment.



	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other			Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
For the year ended December 31, 2018
Equipment	$	119,657	$	—	$	—		$	119,657
Services	1,313,059		24,113		18,908			1,356,080
Design, development and construction services	85,753		—		—			85,753
Revenue from sales and services	1,518,469		24,113		18,908			1,561,490
Leasing income	198,059		333,945		(2,131		)	529,873
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	358,058	$	16,777		$	2,091,363



	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other			Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
For the year ended December 31, 2018
North America	$	1,444,628	$	357,357	$	17,478		$	1,819,463
South and Central America	101,632		—		—			101,632
All other	170,268		701		(701		)	170,268
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	358,058	$	16,777		$	2,091,363

Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Schedule of Discontinued Operations

The following table presents the operating results of our discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Revenue:
Equipment, services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	143,118		$	1,127,610
Equipment, services and other revenue - other	10,344			118,654
Total revenue	153,462			1,246,264
Costs and expenses:
Cost of equipment, services and other	121,967			1,010,421
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5,439			60,590
Research and development expenses	4,635			44,854
Depreciation and amortization	11,659			62,164
Total costs and expenses	143,700			1,178,029
Operating income	9,762			68,235
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(15		)	(144		)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	(1,159		)	2,508
Other, net	(57		)	(381		)
Total income (expense), net	(1,231		)	1,983
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	8,531			70,218
Income tax provision	(22		)	(25,898		)
Net income from discontinued operations	$	8,509		$	44,320

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of information related to a disposal group. Includes, but is not limited to, a discontinued operation, disposal classified as held-for-sale or disposed of by means other than sale or disposal of an individually significant component.

+ References

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+ Details

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

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



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018			2017		2016
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Amounts attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock:
Net income from continuing operations	$	(40,475	)	$	385,261	$	137,353
Net income from discontinued operations	—			8,509		44,320
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$	(40,475	)	$	393,770	$	181,673

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	96,250			95,425		93,795
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding	—			1,316		615
Diluted	96,250			96,741		94,410

Earnings per share:
Basic:
Continuing operations	$	(0.42	)	$	4.04	$	1.46
Discontinued operations	—			0.09		0.48
Total basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.42	)	$	4.13	$	1.94
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$	(0.42	)	$	3.98	$	1.45
Discontinued operations	—			0.09		0.47
Total diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.42	)	$	4.07	$	1.92

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]

Schedule of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss

The changes in the balances of Accumulated other comprehensive loss by component were as follows:



	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Losses		Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities		Other		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2016	(135,434	)	10,646		(15	)	(124,803	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	16,004		(21,987	)	92		(5,891	)
Amounts reclassified to net income	—		540		—		540
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,004		(21,447	)	92		(5,351	)
Balance, December 31, 2017	(119,430	)	(10,801	)	77		(130,154	)
Cumulative effect of adoption of the New Investment Standard	—		10,467		—		10,467
Balance, January 1, 2018	(119,430	)	(334	)	77		(119,687	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(34,399	)	(962	)	(1,910	)	(37,271	)
Amounts reclassified to net income	32,136		(278	)	—		31,858
Other comprehensive loss	(2,263	)	(1,240	)	(1,910	)	(5,413	)
Balance, December 31, 2018	(121,693	)	(1,574	)	(1,833	)	(125,100	)

Marketable Investment Securities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Investments [Abstract]

Schedule of Investments



	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
Marketable investment securities:
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	1,735,653	$	542,573
Other debt securities	464,997		142,036
Total debt securities	2,200,650		684,609
Equity securities	90,976		139,571
Total marketable investment securities	2,291,626		824,180
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	9,474		10,019
Total marketable investment securities - current	$	2,282,152	$	814,161

Schedule of Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale Securities

A summary of our available-for-sale debt securities, exclusive of securities where we have elected the fair value option, is presented in the table below.



	Amortized		Unrealized					Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
As of December 31, 2018
Corporate bonds	$	1,689,093	$	318	$	(1,896	)	$	1,687,515
Other debt securities	464,993		7		(3		)	464,997
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$	2,154,086	$	325	$	(1,899	)	$	2,152,512
As of December 31, 2017
Corporate bonds	$	542,861	$	—	$	(288	)	$	542,573
Other debt securities	142,082		—		(46		)	142,036
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$	684,943	$	—	$	(334	)	$	684,609

Schedule of Fair Value Measurements



	As of December 31,
	2018						2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total
	(In thousands)
Debt securities:
Corporate bonds	$	—	$	1,735,653	$	1,735,653	$	—	$	542,573	$	542,573
Other debt securities	9,474		455,523		464,997		13,311		128,725		142,036
Total debt securities	9,474		2,191,176		2,200,650		13,311		671,298		684,609
Equity securities	85,298		5,678		90,976		133,736		5,835		139,571
Total marketable investment securities	$	94,772	$	2,196,854	$	2,291,626	$	147,047	$	677,133	$	824,180

Inventory (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Inventory, Net [Abstract]

Schedule of inventory

Our inventory consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
Raw materials	$	4,856	$	5,484
Work-in-process	13,901		7,442
Finished goods	56,622		70,669
Total inventory	$	75,379	$	83,595

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment

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



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
Buildings and improvements	$	11,596	$	17,285	$	7,505
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	83,746		72,387		64,767
Customer rental equipment	174,749		146,562		114,568
Satellites	285,206		239,072		191,729
Total depreciation expense	$	555,297	$	475,306	$	378,569

Property and equipment consisted of the following:



	Depreciable Life In Years	As of December 31,
	Depreciable Life In Years	2018			2017
		(In thousands)
Land	—	$	33,606		$	33,713
Buildings and improvements	1 to 40	174,227			185,148
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	1 to 12	812,566			736,533
Customer rental equipment	2 to 4	1,159,977			929,775
Satellites - owned	2 to 15	2,816,628			3,064,391
Satellites - acquired under capital leases	10 to 15	1,051,110			916,820
Construction in progress	—	307,026			260,220
Total property and equipment		6,355,140			6,126,600
Accumulated depreciation		(2,940,232		)	(2,661,129		)
Property and equipment, net		$	3,414,908		$	3,465,471

Schedule of Construction in Progress

Construction in progress consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs	$	277,583	$	211,765
Satellite related equipment	13,001		28,358
Other	16,442		20,097
Construction in progress	$	307,026	$	260,220

Schedule of Satellites

Our operating satellite fleet consists of both owned and leased satellites detailed in the table below as of December 31, 2018.



Satellites	Segment	Launch Date	Nominal Degree Orbital Location (Longitude)	Depreciable Life In Years
Owned:
SPACEWAY 3 (1)	Hughes	August 2007	95 W	12
EchoStar XVII	Hughes	July 2012	107 W	15
EchoStar XIX	Hughes	December 2016	97.1 W	15
EchoStar VII (2)(3)(4)	ESS	February 2002	119 W	3
EchoStar IX (2)(4)	ESS	August 2003	121 W	12
EchoStar X (2)(3)	ESS	February 2006	110 W	7
EchoStar XI (2)(3)	ESS	July 2008	110 W	9
EchoStar XII (2)(4)(5)	ESS	July 2003	86.4 W	2
EchoStar XIV (2)(3)	ESS	March 2010	119 W	11
EchoStar XVI (2)	ESS	November 2012	61.5 W	15
EchoStar XXI	Corporate and Other	June 2017	10.25 E	15
EchoStar XXIII	Corporate and Other	March 2017	45 W	15
EUTELSAT 10A (“W2A”) (6)	Corporate and Other	April 2009	10 E	—

Capital Leases:
Eutelsat 65 West A	Hughes	March 2016	65 W	15
Telesat T19V	Hughes	July 2018	63 W	15
Nimiq 5 (2)	ESS	September 2009	72.7 W	15
QuetzSat-1 (2)	ESS	September 2011	77 W	10
EchoStar 105/SES-11	ESS	October 2017	105 W	15


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

(4) Fully depreciated assets as of December 31, 2018.

(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, 2018

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of regulatory authorizations with finite and indefinite useful lives

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



	As of December 31, 2017			Additions			Impairment			Currency Translation Adjustment			As of December 31, 2018
	(In thousands)
Finite useful lives:
Cost	$	92,621		$	—		$	(37,476	)	$	(8,358	)	$	46,787
Accumulated amortization	(21,342		)	(5,190		)	7,848			1,894			(16,790		)
Net	71,279			(5,190		)	(29,628		)	(6,464		)	29,997
Indefinite lives	465,657			—			—			—			465,657
Total regulatory authorizations, net	$	536,936		$	(5,190	)	$	(29,628	)	$	(6,464	)	$	495,654

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,
		2018							2017
		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
Customer relationships	8	$	270,300	$	(244,787	)	$	25,513	$	270,300	$	(231,642	)	$	38,658
Technology-based	6	61,283		(61,004		)	279		61,300		(60,927		)	373
Trademark portfolio	20	29,700		(11,261		)	18,439		29,700		(9,776		)	19,924
Total other intangible assets		$	361,283	$	(317,052	)	$	44,231	$	361,300	$	(302,345	)	$	58,955

Schedule of estimated future amortization of intangible assets

As of December 31, 2018, our estimated future amortization of intangible assets, including regulatory authorizations with finite lives, was as follows:



	Amount
	(In thousands)
For the years ending December 31,
2019	$	18,304
2020	14,663
2021	8,029
2022	5,065
2023	5,065
Thereafter	23,102
Total	$	74,228

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Schedule of Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

A summary of financial information for Dish Mexico and our equity method investees in the aggregate is as follows:



	As of December 31,
	2018			2017
	Dish Mexico		Aggregate	Dish Mexico		Aggregate
	(In thousands)
Balance sheet data:
Current assets	$	147,140	162,593	$	146,851	172,234
Noncurrent assets	187,130		188,077	185,345		187,067
Total assets	$	334,270	350,670	$	332,196	359,301

Current liabilities	$	128,708	129,837	$	129,087	130,443
Noncurrent liabilities	109,643		110,460	109,428		110,472
Total liabilities	$	238,351	240,297	$	238,515	240,915



	As of December 31,
	2018						2017				2016
	Dish Mexico			Aggregate			Dish Mexico		Aggregate		Dish Mexico		Aggregate
	(In thousands)
Income statement data:
Revenue	$	444,264		$	475,559		$	497,096	$	535,153	$	498,069	$	541,066
Operating income (loss)	$	(55,062	)	$	(43,553	)	$	15,094	$	31,919	$	32,280	$	52,656
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(33,449	)	$	(23,701	)	$	18,267	$	32,739	$	10,195	$	29,083
Net income (loss)	$	(20,126	)	$	(10,378	)	$	15,658	$	30,130	$	6,374	$	25,262
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	$	(10,828	)	$	(5,954	)	$	9,946	$	16,973	$	1,358	$	10,802

Our investments in unconsolidated entities consisted of the following:



	As of December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
Investments in unconsolidated entities:
Equity method	$	182,035	$	91,702
Other equity investments without a readily determinable fair value	80,438		69,725
Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$	262,473	$	161,427

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Long-term 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 long-term debt and capital lease obligations.



	Effective Interest Rate	As of December 31,
		2018					2017
		Carrying Amount			Fair Value		Carrying Amount			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Senior Secured Notes:
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019	6.959%	$	920,836		$	932,696	$	990,000		$	1,042,609
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026	5.320%	750,000			695,865		750,000			769,305
Senior Unsecured Notes:
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	8.062%	900,000			934,902		900,000			992,745
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	6.688%	750,000			696,353		750,000			791,865
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs		(16,757		)	—		(24,857		)	—
Subtotal		3,304,079			$	3,259,816	3,365,143			$	3,596,524
Capital lease obligations		228,702					269,701
Total debt and capital lease obligations		3,532,781					3,634,844
Less: Current portion		(959,577		)			(40,631		)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net		$	2,573,204				$	3,594,213

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, 2018, are as follows:



	Amount
	(In thousands)
For the Years Ending December 31,
2019	$	88,615
2020	88,395
2021	84,248
2022	63,484
2023	63,360
Thereafter	47,520
Total minimum lease payments	435,622
Less: Amount representing use of the orbital location and estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(136,799		)
Net minimum lease payments	298,823
Less: Amount representing interest	(70,121		)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	228,702
Less: Current portion	(40,662		)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	$	188,040

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of components of income (loss) before income taxes

The components of Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Domestic	$	151,002		$	146,383		$	236,200
Foreign	(158,962		)	(45,689		)	(19,574		)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(7,960	)	$	100,694		$	216,626

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

The components of Income tax benefit (provision), net, in our Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Current benefit (provision):
Federal	$	(1,472	)	$	(8,652	)	$	(19,385	)
State	(184		)	(1,237		)	267
Foreign	(2,690		)	(2,335		)	(2,481		)
Total current benefit (provision)	(4,346		)	(12,224		)	(21,599		)

Deferred benefit (provision):
Federal	(19,189		)	299,693			(58,250		)
State	(7,365		)	2,356			(6,232		)
Foreign	227			(5,539		)	5,827
Total deferred benefit (provision)	(26,327		)	296,510			(58,655		)
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	$	(30,673	)	$	284,286		$	(80,254	)

Schedule of income tax rate reconciliation



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Statutory rate	21.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit	(94.4	)%	(12.2	)%	5.0	%
Permanent differences	(16.9	)%	(0.3	)%	1.4	%
Tax credits	68.6	%	(8.1	)%	(4.2	)%
Valuation allowance	(491.9	)%	4.6	%	(0.3	)%
Enactment of Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017	—	%	(301.4	)%	—	%
Rates different than statutory	116.6	%	—	%	—	%
Other	11.6	%	0.1	%	0.1	%
Total effective tax rate	(385.4	)%	(282.3	)%	37.0	%

Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities

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



	As of December 31,
	2018			2017
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$	284,300		$	278,540
Unrealized losses on investments, net	41,852			22,260
Accrued expenses	22,148			23,583
Stock-based compensation	10,210			9,148
Other assets	22,366			11,890
Total deferred tax assets	380,876			345,421
Valuation allowance	(109,762		)	(66,886		)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	271,114			278,535

Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(731,447		)	(708,599		)
Other liabilities	(1,290		)	(1,509		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(732,737		)	(710,108		)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(461,623	)	$	(431,573	)

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	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Balance as of beginning of period	$	63,296		$	63,502		$	62,366
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	4,361			1,116			2,132
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	2,539			258			3
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	(656		)	(852		)	(734		)
Reductions based on tax settlements	—			—			(265		)
Reductions based on expirations of statute of limitations	—			(728		)	—
Balance as of end of period	$	69,540		$	63,296		$	63,502

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule of exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable

Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2018 are as follows:



	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Price Range	Number Outstanding as of December 31, 2018	Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable as of December 31, 2018	Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$0.00 - $20.00	51,359	2	$	18.74	51,359	2	$	18.74
$20.01 - $25.00	429,306	1	$	20.18	429,306	1	$	20.18
$25.01 - $30.00	3,300	3	$	26.42	3,300	3	$	26.42
$30.01 - $35.00	352,500	4	$	34.22	352,500	4	$	34.22
$35.01 - $40.00	1,985,200	4	$	38.19	1,832,500	3	$	38.09
$40.01 - $45.00	277,000	7	$	43.98	111,400	7	$	44.04
$45.01 - $50.00	766,973	6	$	47.58	577,473	5	$	47.64
$50.01 - $55.00	487,400	7	$	52.24	197,300	6	$	51.99
$55.01 - $60.00	600,000	8	$	56.97	127,000	8	$	56.95
$60.01 and over	60,000	7	$	60.70	28,000	5	$	60.70
	5,013,038	5	$	41.80	3,710,138	4	$	38.59

Schedule of stock option activity

Our stock option activity was as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
	Options		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Options		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Options		Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of period	4,951,256		$	41.42	5,968,763		$	39.30	5,893,241		$	38.38
Granted	215,500		$	51.71	1,262,500		$	57.12	732,000		$	41.86
Exercised	(108,318	)	$	40.67	(1,018,507	)	$	35.84	(453,182	)	$	28.83
Forfeited and canceled	(45,400	)	$	50.21	(1,261,500	)	$	51.63	(203,296	)	$	45.15
Total options outstanding, end of period	5,013,038		$	41.80	4,951,256		$	41.42	5,968,763		$	39.30
Exercisable at end of period	3,710,138		$	38.59	3,143,656		$	36.98	3,551,063		$	35.40

Schedule of restricted stock unit activity

Our restricted stock unit activity was as follows:



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018			2017				2016
	Restricted Stock Units	Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Restricted Stock Units		Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Total restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of period	—	$	—	6,667		$	34.22	57,328		$	42.31
Vested	—	$	—	(6,667	)	$	34.22	(50,661	)	$	43.38
Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period	—	$	—	—		$	—	6,667		$	34.22

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



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
Research and development expenses	$	634	$	1,010	$	1,046
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,356		10,630		9,865
Total stock-based compensation	$	9,990	$	11,640	$	10,911

Schedule of assumptions of Black-Scholes option valuation model



	For the years ended December 31,
Assumptions:	2018	2017	2016
Risk-free interest rate	2.25% - 2.99%	1.98% - 2.05%	1.10% - 1.87%
Volatility factor	22.77% - 23.28%	24.20% - 26.69%	27.22% - 27.37%
Expected term of options in years	5.7 - 5.8	5.7 - 5.8	5.7 - 5.8
Weighted-average grant-date fair value	$12.38 - $16.23	$15.25 - $16.49	$11.15 - $12.49

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of contractual obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2018:



	Payments Due in the Year Ending December 31,
	Total		2019		2020		2021		2022		2023		Thereafter
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt	$	3,320,836	$	920,836	$	—	$	900,000	$	—	$	—	$	1,500,000
Capital lease obligations	228,702		40,662		45,031		46,353		31,857		35,476		29,323
Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	983,824		209,989		175,808		136,662		98,265		94,529		268,571
Satellite-related obligations	731,684		207,403		166,601		60,852		47,996		47,907		200,925
Operating lease obligations	93,918		21,146		18,081		13,873		10,118		8,814		21,886
Service commitments	866		176		181		186		192		131		—
Total	$	5,359,830	$	1,400,212	$	405,702	$	1,157,926	$	188,428	$	186,857	$	2,020,705

Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

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



	Hughes		ESS			Corporate and Other			Consolidated Total
	(In thousands)
For the year ended December 31, 2018
External revenue	$	1,716,169	$	355,734		$	19,460		$	2,091,363
Intersegment revenue	$	359	$	2,324		$	(2,683	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	358,058		$	16,777		$	2,091,363
EBITDA	$	601,319	$	308,058		$	(152,708	)	$	756,669
Capital expenditures	$	390,108	$	(76,582	)	$	164,091		$	477,617

For the year ended December 31, 2017
External revenue	$	1,476,131	$	390,831		$	18,546		$	1,885,508
Intersegment revenue	$	1,787	$	1,413		$	(3,200	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,477,918	$	392,244		$	15,346		$	1,885,508
EBITDA	$	475,222	$	315,285		$	4,070		$	794,577
Capital expenditures	$	376,502	$	20,725		$	169,157		$	566,384

For the year ended December 31, 2016
External revenue	$	1,389,152	$	406,970		$	14,344		$	1,810,466
Intersegment revenue	$	3,209	$	690		$	(3,899	)	$	—
Total revenue	$	1,392,361	$	407,660		$	10,445		$	1,810,466
EBITDA	$	477,165	$	341,516		$	(67,676	)	$	751,005
Capital expenditures	$	322,362	$	58,925		$	247,223		$	628,510

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

The following table reconciles total consolidated EBITDA to reported Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations:



	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
EBITDA	$	756,669		$	794,577		$	751,005
Interest income and expense, net	(168,293		)	(172,621		)	(102,237		)
Depreciation and amortization	(598,178		)	(522,190		)	(432,904		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,842			928			762
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(7,960	)	$	100,694		$	216,626

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



	As of December 31,
Long-lived assets:	2018		2017
	(In thousands)
North America	$	4,114,087	$	4,221,793
Central and South America	226,232		213,890
All other	118,647		129,852
Total long-lived assets	$	4,458,966	$	4,565,535



	For the Years Ended December 31,
Revenue:	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
North America	$	1,819,463	$	1,612,349	$	1,566,576
Central and South America	101,632		90,000		50,952
All other	170,268		183,159		192,938
Total revenue	$	2,091,363	$	1,885,508	$	1,810,466

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,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Total revenue:
DISH Network:
Hughes segment	$	50,275		$	82,625		$	107,300
EchoStar Satellite Services segment	309,815			344,841			349,549
Corporate and Other	19,075			18,522			15,433
Total DISH Network	379,165			445,988			472,282
All other	1,712,198			1,439,520			1,338,184
Total revenue	$	2,091,363		$	1,885,508		$	1,810,466

Percentage of total revenue:
DISH Network	18.1		%	23.7		%	26.1		%
All other	81.9		%	76.3		%	73.9		%

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

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 (2)
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Total revenue	$	501,792		$	525,957	$	532,953	$	530,661
Operating income	$	58,010		$	74,765	$	70,035	$	(19,567	)
Net income (loss)	$	(21,171	)	$	77,684	$	16,502	$	(111,648	)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock	$	(21,551	)	$	77,222	$	16,052	$	(112,198	)
Basic earnings per share	$	(0.22	)	$	0.80	$	0.17	$	(1.17	)
Diluted earnings per share	$	(0.22	)	$	0.80	$	0.17	$	(1.17	)

Year Ended December 31, 2017
Total revenue (1)	$	433,151		$	465,076	$	481,233	$	506,048
Operating income (1)	$	51,651		$	45,890	$	56,414	$	42,352
Net income	$	37,352		$	7,122	$	35,201	$	313,814
Net income attributable to EchoStar common stock	$	38,924		$	6,940	$	34,669	$	313,237
Basic earnings per share	$	0.41		$	0.07	$	0.36	$	3.29
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.41		$	0.07	$	0.36	$	3.23

(1)

(2)

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	$	7,605	$	11,200		$	11,126
Property and equipment financed under capital lease obligations	$	364	$	8,484		$	7,652
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	$	7,318	$	(3,831	)	$	3,054
E	$	—	$	43,890		$	—
Noncash net assets exchanged for Tracking Stock (Note 1)	$	—	$	299,888		$	—

Schedule of Cost of Sales and Research and Development Costs

The table below summarizes the research and development costs incurred in connection with customers’ orders included in cost of sales and other expenses we incurred for research and development.



	For the years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(In thousands)
Cost of sales	$	23,422	$	27,899	$	23,663
Research and development	$	27,570	$	31,745	$	31,170

Organization and Business Activities (Details) - segment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2017
Principal Business
Number of business segments	2
EchoStar Technologies segment \| DISH Network \| Share Exchange Agreement
Principal Business
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)		100.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Jan. 01, 2017
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Amount of transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy	$ 0	$ 0
Cumulative effect of adoption			$ 23,123,000	$ 14,508,000
Accumulated earnings	$ (694,129,000)		(733,972,000)
Expected increase in operating lease assets and lIabilities as percent of total assets	1.00%
Minimum
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	1 year
Useful life	1 year
Maximum
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Useful life	40 years
Useful life	30 years
Software Development \| Maximum
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Software useful life	5 years
Computer Software, Intangible Asset \| Maximum
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Software useful life	5 years
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets				14,000,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accumulated earnings	$ 20,064,000		10,467,000
Retained Earnings
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adoption			12,656,000	14,508,000
Retained Earnings \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of adoption				$ 14,000,000
New Revenue Standard \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accumulated earnings	$ 28,389,000		$ (23,123,000)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Impact of Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$ 201,096				$ 196,840				$ 201,096	$ 196,840		$ 189,737
Other current assets	18,539				91,671				18,539	91,671		92,204
Investments in unconsolidated entities	262,473				161,427				262,473	161,427		168,344
Other noncurrent assets, net	263,892				214,814				263,892	214,814		237,359
Total assets	8,661,294				8,750,014				8,661,294	8,750,014		8,772,906
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities	72,284				65,959				72,284	65,959		64,417
Accrued expenses and other	72,470				82,647				72,470	82,647		82,902
Deferred tax liabilities, net	465,933				436,023				465,933	436,023		441,147
Other noncurrent liabilities	121,546				128,503				121,546	128,503		124,435
Total liabilities	4,505,820				4,572,629				4,505,820	4,572,629		4,572,398
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(125,100)								(125,100)			(119,687)
Accumulated earnings	694,129								694,129			733,972
Total stockholders’ equity	4,155,474				4,177,385				4,155,474	4,177,385	$ 4,006,805	4,200,508	$ 3,781,642
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	8,661,294								8,661,294			8,772,906
Revenue:
Total revenue	530,661	$ 532,953	$ 525,957	$ 501,792	506,048	$ 481,233	$ 465,076	$ 433,151	2,091,363	1,885,508	1,810,466
Costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses									436,247	366,007	325,044
Total costs and expenses									1,908,120	1,689,201	1,514,303
Operating income (loss)	(19,567)	70,035	74,765	58,010	42,352	56,414	45,890	51,651	183,243	196,307	296,163
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(248,568)	(217,240)	(123,481)
Gains (losses) on investments, net									(12,207)	53,453	9,767
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net									(5,954)	16,973	10,802
Total other income (expense), net									(191,203)	(95,613)	(79,537)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(7,960)	100,694	216,626
Income tax benefit (provision), net									(30,673)	284,286	(80,254)
Net income (loss)	(111,648)	16,502	77,684	(21,171)	313,814	35,201	7,122	37,352	(38,633)	393,489	180,692
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock	$ (112,198)	$ 16,052	$ 77,222	$ (21,551)	$ 313,237	$ 34,669	$ 6,940	$ 38,924	$ (40,475)	$ 393,770	$ 181,673
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.17)	$ 0.17	$ 0.80	$ (0.22)	$ 3.29	$ 0.36	$ 0.07	$ 0.41	$ (0.42)	$ 4.13	$ 1.94
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.17)	$ 0.17	$ 0.80	$ (0.22)	$ 3.23	$ 0.36	$ 0.07	$ 0.41	$ (0.42)	$ 4.07	$ 1.92
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (111,648)	$ 16,502	$ 77,684	$ (21,171)	$ 313,814	$ 35,201	$ 7,122	$ 37,352	$ (38,633)	$ 393,489	$ 180,692
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(2,872)	(21,895)	9,149
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									(5,413)	(4,942)	(7,756)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(44,046)	388,547	172,936
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation									(44,499)	387,210	172,360
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	20,064								20,064			10,467
Accumulated earnings	(20,064)								(20,064)			(10,467)
Other income (expense):
Gains (losses) on investments, net									(30,531)
Total other income (expense), net									(30,531)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(30,531)
Net income (loss)									(30,531)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock									$ (30,531)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)									$ (0.32)
Diluted (in dollars per share)									$ (0.32)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income (loss)									$ (30,531)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(6,485)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									37,016
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									30,531
Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
Assets
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net					196,840					196,840
Other current assets					91,671					91,671
Investments in unconsolidated entities					161,427					161,427
Other noncurrent assets, net					214,814					214,814
Total assets					8,750,014					8,750,014
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities					65,959					65,959
Accrued expenses and other					82,647					82,647
Deferred tax liabilities, net					436,023					436,023
Other noncurrent liabilities					128,503					128,503
Total liabilities					4,572,629					4,572,629
Stockholders’ Equity:
Total stockholders’ equity					4,177,385					4,177,385
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity					8,750,014					8,750,014
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Comprehensive income (loss)									(49,312)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation									(49,765)
Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Assets
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	209,475								209,475
Other current assets	18,006								18,006
Investments in unconsolidated entities	256,834								256,834
Other noncurrent assets, net	228,578								228,578
Total assets	8,628,187								8,628,187
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities	73,162								73,162
Accrued expenses and other	72,215								72,215
Deferred tax liabilities, net	458,957								458,957
Other noncurrent liabilities	123,181								123,181
Total liabilities	4,501,102								4,501,102
Stockholders’ Equity:
Total stockholders’ equity	4,127,085								4,127,085
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	8,628,187								8,628,187
Revenue:
Total revenue									2,093,686
Costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses									444,767
Total costs and expenses									1,919,378
Operating income (loss)									174,308
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(248,029)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net									(4,676)
Income tax benefit (provision), net									(28,821)
Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss					(130,154)					(130,154)
Accumulated earnings					$ 721,316					721,316
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(9,357)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									37,016
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									25,118
Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 And 2016-01
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(105,036)								(105,036)
Accumulated earnings	645,676								645,676
Other income (expense):
Gains (losses) on investments, net									(42,738)
Total other income (expense), net									(219,917)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(45,609)
Net income (loss)									(74,430)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock									$ (76,272)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)									$ (0.79)
Diluted (in dollars per share)									$ (0.79)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income (loss)									$ (74,430)
New Revenue Standard \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Assets
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	8,379								8,379			(7,103)
Other current assets	(533)								(533)			533
Investments in unconsolidated entities	(5,639)								(5,639)			6,917
Other noncurrent assets, net	(35,314)								(35,314)			22,545
Total assets	(33,107)								(33,107)			22,892
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities	878								878			(1,542)
Accrued expenses and other	(255)								(255)			255
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(6,976)								(6,976)			5,124
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,635								1,635			(4,068)
Total liabilities	(4,718)								(4,718)			(231)
Stockholders’ Equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	0								0			0
Accumulated earnings	(28,389)								(28,389)			23,123
Total stockholders’ equity	(28,389)								(28,389)			23,123
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ (33,107)								(33,107)			$ 22,892
Revenue:
Total revenue									2,323
Costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses									8,520
Total costs and expenses									11,258
Operating income (loss)									(8,935)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									539
Gains (losses) on investments, net									0
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net									1,278
Total other income (expense), net									1,817
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(7,118)
Income tax benefit (provision), net									1,852
Net income (loss)									(5,266)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock									$ (5,266)
Earnings (losses) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)									$ (0.05)
Diluted (in dollars per share)									$ (0.05)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net income (loss)									$ (5,266)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Comprehensive income (loss)									(5,266)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation									(5,266)
Services and other revenue
Revenue:
Total revenue									1,507,259	1,200,321	1,100,828
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									604,305	$ 563,346	$ 536,568
Services and other revenue \| Balances If We Had Not Adopted the New Standards \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue:
Total revenue									1,509,582
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									607,043
Services and other revenue \| New Revenue Standard \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Revenue:
Total revenue									2,323
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									$ 2,738

Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Contract with Customer, Assets and Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 162,405	$ 167,149
Contract assets	55,295	34,615
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(16,604)	(12,027)
Total trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	201,096	189,737	$ 196,840
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	14,200	43,295	43,295
Contract liabilities:
Current	72,284	64,417	$ 65,959
Noncurrent	10,133	13,036
Total contract liabilities	82,417	77,453
Sales and services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable	154,415	156,794
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	12,274	16,118
Leasing
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable	7,990	10,355
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	$ 1,926	$ 27,177

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue recognized	$ 52
Bad debt expense	25	$ 10	$ 14
Remaining performance obligation	$ 939
Expected percent recognized in next twelve months	35.70%

Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 530,661	$ 532,953	$ 525,957	$ 501,792	$ 506,048	$ 481,233	$ 465,076	$ 433,151	$ 2,091,363	$ 1,885,508	$ 1,810,466
North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,819,463	1,612,349	1,566,576
South and Central America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									101,632	90,000	50,952
All other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									170,268	183,159	192,938
Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									119,657
Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,356,080
Design, development and construction services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									85,753
Revenue from sales and services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,561,490
Leasing income
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									529,873
Corporate and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									16,777
Corporate and Other \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									17,478
Corporate and Other \| South and Central America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0
Corporate and Other \| All other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									(701)
Corporate and Other \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0
Corporate and Other \| Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									18,908
Corporate and Other \| Design, development and construction services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0
Corporate and Other \| Revenue from sales and services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									18,908
Corporate and Other \| Leasing income
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									(2,131)
Hughes
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,716,169	1,476,131	1,389,152
Hughes \| Operating segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,716,528	1,477,918	1,392,361
Hughes \| Operating segments \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,444,628
Hughes \| Operating segments \| South and Central America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									101,632
Hughes \| Operating segments \| All other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									170,268
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									119,657
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,313,059
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Design, development and construction services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									85,753
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Revenue from sales and services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,518,469
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Leasing income
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									198,059
ESS
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									355,734	390,831	406,970
ESS \| Operating segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									358,058	$ 392,244	$ 407,660
ESS \| Operating segments \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									357,357
ESS \| Operating segments \| South and Central America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0
ESS \| Operating segments \| All other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									701
ESS \| Operating segments \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0
ESS \| Operating segments \| Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									24,113
ESS \| Operating segments \| Design, development and construction services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0
ESS \| Operating segments \| Revenue from sales and services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									24,113
ESS \| Operating segments \| Leasing income
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									$ 333,945

Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures [Abstract]
Net income from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 8,509	$ 44,320
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures [Abstract]
Equipment, services and other revenue - DISH Network		143,118	1,127,610
Equipment, services and other revenue - other		10,344	118,654
Total revenue		153,462	1,246,264
Cost of equipment, services and other		121,967	1,010,421
Selling, general and administrative expenses		5,439	60,590
Research and development expenses		4,635	44,854
Depreciation and amortization		11,659	62,164
Total costs and expenses		143,700	1,178,029
Operating income		9,762	68,235
Interest expense		(15)	(144)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net		(1,159)	2,508
Other, net		(57)	(381)
Total income (expense), net		(1,231)	1,983
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		8,531	70,218
Income tax provision		(22)	(25,898)
Net income from discontinued operations		8,509	44,320
Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Discontinued operations capital expenditures		12,000	$ 70,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Classified Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]
Total assets of discontinued operations		100
Total liabilities of discontinued operations		$ 1,000
EchoStar Technologies segment \| DISH Network \| Share Exchange Agreement
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)				100.00%

Earnings Per Share - Antidilutive Securities (Details) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Stock awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	1	4

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Amounts attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock:
Net income from continuing operations									$ (40,475)	$ 385,261	$ 137,353
Net income from discontinued operations									0	8,509	44,320
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$ (112,198)	$ 16,052	$ 77,222	$ (21,551)	$ 313,237	$ 34,669	$ 6,940	$ 38,924	$ (40,475)	$ 393,770	$ 181,673
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)									96,250	95,425	93,795
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)									0	1,316	615
Diluted (in shares)									96,250	96,741	94,410
Basic:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)									$ (0.42)	$ 4.04	$ 1.46
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									0	0.09	0.48
Total basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.17)	$ 0.17	$ 0.80	$ (0.22)	$ 3.29	$ 0.36	$ 0.07	$ 0.41	(0.42)	4.13	1.94
Diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)									(0.42)	3.98	1.45
Discontinued operation (in dollars per share)									0	0.09	0.47
Total diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.17)	$ 0.17	$ 0.80	$ (0.22)	$ 3.23	$ 0.36	$ 0.07	$ 0.41	$ (0.42)	$ 4.07	$ 1.92

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018	Jan. 01, 2017
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 4,177,385	$ 4,006,805	$ 3,781,642
Cumulative effect of adoption of the New Investment Standard				$ 23,123	$ 14,508
Adjusted opening balance				4,200,508	4,021,313
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(37,271)	(5,891)
Amounts reclassified to net income	31,858	540
Other comprehensive loss	(5,413)	(4,942)	(7,756)
Ending balance	4,155,474	4,177,385	4,006,805
Unrecognized foreign currency translation tax benefits		7,000
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Losses
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(119,430)	(135,434)
Cumulative effect of adoption of the New Investment Standard				0
Adjusted opening balance				(119,430)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(34,399)	16,004
Amounts reclassified to net income	32,136	0
Other comprehensive loss	(2,263)	16,004
Ending balance	(121,693)	(119,430)	(135,434)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(10,801)	10,646
Cumulative effect of adoption of the New Investment Standard				10,467
Adjusted opening balance				(334)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(962)	(21,987)
Amounts reclassified to net income	(278)	540
Other comprehensive loss	(1,240)	(21,447)
Ending balance	(1,574)	(10,801)	10,646
Other
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	77	(15)
Cumulative effect of adoption of the New Investment Standard				0
Adjusted opening balance				77
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,910)	92
Amounts reclassified to net income	0	0
Other comprehensive loss	(1,910)	92
Ending balance	(1,833)	77	(15)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(130,154)	(124,803)	(117,233)
Cumulative effect of adoption of the New Investment Standard				10,467
Adjusted opening balance				$ (119,687)	$ (124,803)
Other comprehensive loss	(5,413)	(5,351)
Ending balance	$ (125,100)	$ (130,154)	$ (124,803)

Marketable Investment Securities - Schedule of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt securities	$ 2,200,650	$ 684,609
Equity securities	90,976	139,571
Total marketable investment securities	2,291,626	824,180
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	9,474	10,019
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	2,282,152	814,161
Corporate bonds
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt securities	1,735,653	542,573
Other debt securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt securities	$ 464,997	$ 142,036

Marketable Investment Securities - Schedule of Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized cost		$ 684,943
Unrealized Gains		0
Unrealized Losses		(334)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 2,200,650	684,609
Corporate bonds
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized cost	1,689,093
Unrealized Gains	318
Unrealized Losses	(1,896)
Estimated Fair Value	1,687,515
Corporate bonds
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized cost		542,861
Unrealized Gains		0
Unrealized Losses		(288)
Estimated Fair Value	1,735,653	542,573
Other debt securities
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized cost	464,993	142,082
Unrealized Gains	7	0
Unrealized Losses	(3)	(46)
Estimated Fair Value	464,997	$ 142,036
Total available-for-sale debt securities
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized cost	2,154,086
Unrealized Gains	325
Unrealized Losses	(1,899)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 2,152,512

Marketable Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Debt securities with contractual maturities of one year or less		$ 1,600,000,000
Debt securities with contractual maturities exceeding one year		512,000,000
Equity trading securities	$ 47,000,000		$ 47,000,000	$ 7,000,000
Other than temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings			3,000,000
Gains (losses) related to trading securities	23,000,000		43,000,000	1,000,000
Equity securities realized gain (loss)		(17,000,000)
Equity securities	139,571,000	90,976,000	139,571,000
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities		151,000,000	31,000,000	80,000,000
Realized gains from the sales of available-for-sale securities		0	3,000,000	$ 6,000,000
Corporate bonds
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fair value of investments		48,000,000			$ 0
Gain on investment		$ 4,000,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Equity securities available for sale	87,000,000		87,000,000
Equity trading securities	53,000,000		53,000,000
Available-for-sale equity securities cost	97,000,000		97,000,000
Available-for-sale equity securities unrealized gain	8,000,000		8,000,000
Available-for-sale equity securities unrealized loss	$ 18,000,000		$ 18,000,000

Marketable Investment Securities - Schedule of Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	$ 2,200,650	$ 684,609
Equity securities	90,976	139,571
Total marketable investment securities	2,291,626	824,180
Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	1,735,653	542,573
Other debt securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	464,997	142,036
Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	9,474	13,311
Equity securities	85,298	133,736
Total marketable investment securities	94,772	147,047
Level 1 \| Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	0	0
Level 1 \| Other debt securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	9,474	13,311
Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	2,191,176	671,298
Equity securities	5,678	5,835
Total marketable investment securities	2,196,854	677,133
Level 2 \| Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	1,735,653	542,573
Level 2 \| Other debt securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	$ 455,523	$ 128,725

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 4,856	$ 5,484
Work-in-process	13,901	7,442
Finished goods	56,622	70,669
Total inventory	$ 75,379	$ 83,595

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 6,355,140	$ 6,126,600
Accumulated depreciation	(2,940,232)	(2,661,129)
Property and equipment, net	$ 3,414,908	3,465,471
Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	1 year
Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	40 years
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 33,606	33,713
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 174,227	185,148
Buildings and improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	1 year
Buildings and improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	40 years
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 812,566	736,533
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	1 year
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	12 years
Customer rental equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 1,159,977	929,775
Customer rental equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	2 years
Customer rental equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	4 years
Satellites - owned
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 2,816,628	3,064,391
Satellites - owned \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	2 years
Satellites - owned \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
Satellites - acquired under capital leases
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 1,051,110	916,820
Satellites - acquired under capital leases \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	10 years
Satellites - acquired under capital leases \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 307,026	$ 260,220

Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) solar_array_circuit	Oct. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) satellite solar_array_circuit mi	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital leases, accumulated depreciation	$ 394		$ 468	$ 394
Capitalized interest related to satellites, satellite payloads and related ground facilities under construction			18	52	$ 94
Satellites
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Amortization of satellites under capital lease agreements			$ 76	$ 66	$ 56
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator \| satellite			18
Length of satellites utilized in geosynchronous orbit above the equator (in miles) \| mi			22,300
Satellites, Leased
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease \| satellite			5
Satellites, Owned
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator \| satellite			13
EchoStar 105/SES-11
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Term of lease contract			10 years
EchoStar X
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Solar array circuits affected \| solar_array_circuit	1		7
Functional solar array circuits \| solar_array_circuit			16
Reduction in revenue in period			$ 4
Other Current Assets \| EchoStar 105/SES-11
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Transfer of EchoStar 105/SES-11 payloads to SES in exchange for receivable		$ 77

Property and Equipment - Construction in Progress (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction in progress	$ 307,026	$ 260,220
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction in progress	277,583	211,765
Satellite related equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction in progress	13,001	28,358
Other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Construction in progress	$ 16,442	$ 20,097

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	$ 555,297	$ 475,306	$ 378,569
Buildings and improvements
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	11,596	17,285	7,505
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	83,746	72,387	64,767
Customer rental equipment
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	174,749	146,562	114,568
Satellites
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	$ 285,206	$ 239,072	$ 191,729

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Satellites (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
SPACEWAY 3
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	12 years
EchoStar XVII
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
EchoStar XIX
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
EchoStar VII
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	3 years
EchoStar IX
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	12 years
EchoStar X
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	7 years
EchoStar XI
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	9 years
EchoStar XII
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	2 years
EchoStar XIV
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	11 years
EchoStar XVI
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
EchoStar XXI
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
EchoStar XXIII
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
Eutelsat 65 West A
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
Telesat 19V satellite
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
Nimiq 5
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years
QuetzSat-1
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	10 years
EchoStar 105/SES-11
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable life	15 years

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets - Regulatory Authorizations (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Gross [RollForward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 361,300
Balance at the end of the period	361,283
Accumulated amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(302,345)
Balance at the end of the period	(317,052)
Net
Balance at the beginning of the period	58,955
Balance at the end of the period	44,231
Total regulatory authorizations, net
Balance at the beginning of the period	536,936
Additions	(5,190)
Impairment	(29,628)
Currency Translation Adjustment	(6,464)
Balance at the end of the period	495,654
Indefinite Lives
Indefinite lives
Balance at the beginning of the period	465,657
Additions	0
Impairment	0
Currency Translation Adjustment	0
Balance at the end of the period	465,657
Finite lives
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Gross [RollForward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	92,621
Additions	0
Impairment	(37,476)
Currency Translation Adjustment	(8,358)
Balance at the end of the period	46,787
Accumulated amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(21,342)
Additions	(5,190)
Impairment	7,848
Currency Translation Adjustment	1,894
Balance at the end of the period	(16,790)
Net
Balance at the beginning of the period	71,279
Additions	(5,190)
Impairment	(29,628)
Currency Translation Adjustment	(6,464)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 29,997

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense			$ 43,000	$ 47,000	$ 54,000
Loss from foreign currency transactions			6,464
Finite lives
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense			$ 5,000	$ 5,000	$ 5,000
Contractual Rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets						$ 6,000
Intangible asset impairment		$ 6,000
Subsequent Event
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Loss on impairment of asset	$ 33,000
Loss from foreign currency transactions	$ 32,000

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 361,283	$ 361,300
Accumulated Amortization	(317,052)	(302,345)
Carrying Amount	44,231	58,955
Customer relationships
Other intangible assets
Cost	270,300	270,300
Accumulated Amortization	(244,787)	(231,642)
Carrying Amount	$ 25,513	38,658
Customer relationships \| Weighted-average
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful Life (in Years)	8 years
Technology-based
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 61,283	61,300
Accumulated Amortization	(61,004)	(60,927)
Carrying Amount	$ 279	373
Technology-based \| Weighted-average
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful Life (in Years)	6 years
Trademark portfolio
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 29,700	29,700
Accumulated Amortization	(11,261)	(9,776)
Carrying Amount	$ 18,439	$ 19,924
Trademark portfolio \| Weighted-average
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful Life (in Years)	20 years

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets - Future Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Estimated future amortization of intangible assets
2019	$ 18,304
2020	14,663
2021	8,029
2022	5,065
2023	5,065
Thereafter	23,102
Total	$ 74,228

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Schedule of Investments in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity method	$ 182,035		$ 91,702
Other equity investments without a readily determinable fair value	80,438		69,725
Total investments in unconsolidated entities	$ 262,473	$ 168,344	$ 161,427

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 504,173	$ 504,173
Proceeds from equity method investment, distribution		10,000	19,000	$ 10,000
Invidi Technologies Corporation
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cost method investment sold	$ 19,000
Cost method investments	$ 11,000
Gain on sale of cost method investment			$ 9,000
Equity Method Investments
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 24,000

Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Schedule of Equity Method Investee Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	$ (5,954)	$ 16,973	$ 10,802
Dish Mexico
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Current assets	147,140	146,851
Noncurrent assets	187,130	185,345
Total assets	334,270	332,196
Current liabilities	128,708	129,087
Noncurrent liabilities	109,643	109,428
Total liabilities	238,351	238,515
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	444,264	497,096	498,069
Operating income (loss)	(55,062)	15,094	32,280
Income (loss) before income taxes	(33,449)	18,267	10,195
Net income (loss)	(20,126)	15,658	6,374
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	(10,828)	9,946	1,358
Aggregate
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Current assets	162,593	172,234
Noncurrent assets	188,077	187,067
Total assets	350,670	359,301
Current liabilities	129,837	130,443
Noncurrent liabilities	110,460	110,472
Total liabilities	240,297	240,915
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	475,559	535,153	541,066
Operating income (loss)	(43,553)	31,919	52,656
Income (loss) before income taxes	(23,701)	32,739	29,083
Net income (loss)	(10,378)	30,130	25,262
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	$ (5,954)	$ 16,973	$ 10,802

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Schedule of Debt and Capital Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Fair Value	$ 3,259,816	$ 3,596,524
Subtotal	3,304,079	3,365,143
Capital lease obligations	228,702	269,701
Total debt and capital lease obligations	3,532,781	3,634,844
Less: Current portion	(959,577)	(40,631)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net	2,573,204	$ 3,594,213
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate		6.50%
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate		5.25%
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate		7.625%
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate		6.625%
Unamortized debt issuance costs
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (16,757)	$ (24,857)
Senior Secured Notes: \| 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	6.50%
Effective Interest Rate	6.959%
Carrying Amount	$ 920,836	990,000
Fair Value	$ 932,696	1,042,609
Senior Secured Notes: \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	5.25%
Effective Interest Rate	5.32%
Carrying Amount	$ 750,000	750,000
Fair Value	$ 695,865	769,305
Senior Unsecured Notes: \| 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	7.625%
Effective Interest Rate	8.062%
Carrying Amount	$ 900,000	900,000
Fair Value	$ 934,902	992,745
Senior Unsecured Notes: \| 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	6.625%
Effective Interest Rate	6.688%
Carrying Amount	$ 750,000	750,000
Fair Value	$ 696,353	$ 791,865

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	May 11, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jul. 27, 2016	Jun. 01, 2011
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Payments of debt issuance costs		$ 0	$ 414,000	$ 7,097,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs		7,923,000	7,378,000	6,551,000
Sublease rental income		132,000,000	132,000,000	132,000,000
Future minimum sublease rental income		216,000,000
Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Amortization of debt issuance costs		$ 8,000,000	$ 7,000,000	$ 7,000,000
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate			6.50%
6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance						$ 1,100,000,000
Issue price as percent of principal						100.00%
Outstanding principal balance			$ 990,000,000
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		100.00%
Purchase price due to change of control, as percentage of aggregate principal amount		101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt		25.00%
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate			7.625%
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance						$ 900,000,000
Issue price as percent of principal						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 due to change of control, as percentage of aggregate principal amount		101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt		25.00%
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate			5.25%
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		100.00%
Purchase price due to change of control, as percentage of aggregate principal amount		101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt		25.00%
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 \| Prior to August 1, 2020
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%
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 \| Prior to August 1, 2019
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%
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance					$ 750,000,000
Issue price as percent of principal					100.00%
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate			6.625%
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 \| Prior to August 1, 2019
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%
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance					$ 750,000,000
Issue price as percent of principal					100.00%
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount		100.00%
Purchase price due to change of control, as percentage of aggregate principal amount		101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt		25.00%
2026 Senior Secured and Unsecured Notes
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Unregistered note percent exchange	99.98%
Payments of debt issuance costs		$ 8,000,000
Senior Secured Notes: \| 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate		6.50%
Outstanding principal balance		$ 920,836,000	$ 990,000,000
Debt repurchase amount		69,000,000
Loss repurchase of debt		$ 1,000,000
Effective Interest Rate		6.959%
Senior Secured Notes: \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate		5.25%
Outstanding principal balance		$ 750,000,000	750,000,000
Effective Interest Rate		5.32%
Senior Secured Notes: \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Outstanding principal balance		$ 750,000,000	750,000,000
Unsecured Debt \| 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate		7.625%
Outstanding principal balance		$ 900,000,000	900,000,000
Effective Interest Rate		8.062%
Unsecured Debt \| 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate		6.625%
Outstanding principal balance		$ 750,000,000	$ 750,000,000
Effective Interest Rate		6.688%
Minimum \| Capital lease obligations
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Effective Interest Rate		9.10%
Maximum \| Capital lease obligations
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Effective Interest Rate		11.20%
Weighted-average
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Sublease remaining term		2 years
Weighted-average \| Capital lease obligations
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Weighted average interest rate		10.70%

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Capital Lease Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
2019	$ 88,615
2020	88,395
2021	84,248
2022	63,484
2023	63,360
Thereafter	47,520
Total minimum lease payments	435,622
Less: Amount representing use of the orbital location and estimated executory costs including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(136,799)
Net minimum lease payments	298,823
Less: Amount representing interest	(70,121)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	228,702
Less: Current portion	(40,662)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	$ 188,040

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Components of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
Domestic		$ 151,002,000	$ 146,383,000	$ 236,200,000
Foreign		(158,962,000)	(45,689,000)	(19,574,000)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		(7,960,000)	100,694,000	216,626,000
Current benefit (provision):
Federal		(1,472,000)	(8,652,000)	(19,385,000)
State		(184,000)	(1,237,000)	267,000
Foreign		(2,690,000)	(2,335,000)	(2,481,000)
Total current benefit (provision)		(4,346,000)	(12,224,000)	(21,599,000)
Deferred benefit (provision):
Federal		(19,189,000)	299,693,000	(58,250,000)
State		(7,365,000)	2,356,000	(6,232,000)
Foreign		227,000	(5,539,000)	5,827,000
Total deferred benefit (provision)		(26,327,000)	296,510,000	(58,655,000)
Total income tax benefit (provision), net		$ (30,673,000)	$ 284,286,000	$ (80,254,000)
Actual tax provision reconciliation to the amounts computed by applying statutory federal tax rate to income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
Statutory rate		21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit		(94.40%)	(12.20%)	5.00%
Permanent differences		(16.90%)	(0.30%)	1.40%
Tax credits		68.60%	(8.10%)	(4.20%)
Valuation allowance		(491.90%)	4.60%	(0.30%)
Enactment of Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017		0.00%	(301.40%)	0.00%
Rates different than statutory		116.60%	0.00%	0.00%
Other		11.60%	0.10%	0.10%
Total effective tax rate		(385.40%)	(282.30%)	37.00%
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$ 278,540,000	$ 284,300,000	$ 278,540,000
Unrealized losses on investments, net	22,260,000	41,852,000	22,260,000
Accrued expenses	23,583,000	22,148,000	23,583,000
Stock-based compensation	9,148,000	10,210,000	9,148,000
Other assets	11,890,000	22,366,000	11,890,000
Total deferred tax assets	345,421,000	380,876,000	345,421,000
Valuation allowance	(66,886,000)	(109,762,000)	(66,886,000)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	278,535,000	271,114,000	278,535,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(708,599,000)	(731,447,000)	(708,599,000)
Other liabilities	(1,509,000)	(1,290,000)	(1,509,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(710,108,000)	(732,737,000)	(710,108,000)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	(431,573,000)	(461,623,000)	(431,573,000)
Net operating loss carryforwards		797,000,000
Amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries		0
Benefit as result of change in enacted tax rate	(304,000,000)	1,000,000	304,000,000
Change in allowance for foreign tax credit carryover as result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act		0
Income tax provision on deemed mandatory repatriation of foreign earnings		0
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance as of beginning of period		63,296,000	63,502,000	$ 62,366,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		4,361,000	1,116,000	2,132,000
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		2,539,000	258,000	3,000
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years		(656,000)	(852,000)	(734,000)
Reductions based on tax settlements		0	0	(265,000)
Reductions based on expirations of statute of limitations		0	(728,000)	0
Balance as of end of period	63,296,000	69,540,000	63,296,000	$ 63,502,000
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, could affect our effective tax rate	$ 63,000,000	70,000,000	$ 63,000,000
Foreign
Deferred tax liabilities:
Net operating loss carryforwards		237,000,000
Federal
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax credit available to offset future tax liabilities		133,000,000
State
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax credit available to offset future tax liabilities		$ 98,000,000

Stockholders' Equity - Preferred Stock and Common Stock (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 shares vote	Dec. 31, 2017 shares	Mar. 01, 2014 shares	Feb. 28, 2014 $ / shares shares
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Class A common stock
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Votes per share \| vote	1
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	47,657,645	48,131,541
Class B common stock
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Votes per share \| vote	10
Number of shares of Class A common stock into which each share of common stock is convertible (in shares)	1
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	47,687,039	47,687,039
Class C common stock
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Votes per share \| vote	1
Votes per share in event of change of control \| vote	10
Number of shares of Class A common stock into which each share of common stock is convertible (in shares)	1
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Class D common stock
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)				13,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares				$ 0.001
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| DISH Network
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)			6,290,499

Stockholders' Equity - Common Stock Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Shares repurchased amount	$ 33,292,000
Class A common stock
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Amount of shares authorized for repurchase	$ 500,000,000
Number of common stock shares repurchased (in shares)	952,603	0	0
Average price per share of shares repurchased (in dollars per share)	$ 34.95
Shares repurchased amount	$ 33,000,000

Employee Benefit Plans - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Employee benefit plans
Required service period	3 months
Class A common stock
Employee benefit plans
Number of common stock available for future grant under stock incentive plans (in shares)	8,000,000
Class A common stock \| Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Employee benefit plans
Number of shares authorized for issue (in shares)	5,000,000.0
Number of common stock available for future grant under stock incentive plans (in shares)	2,500,000
Maximum allowed purchase under the ESPP	$ 25,000
Purchase price as percentage of closing market price on the last business day of each calendar quarter under ESPP	85.00%
Number of shares of common stock purchased under ESPP	245,000	176,000	227,000

Employee Benefit Plans - 401(k) Employee Savings Plans (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
EchoStar 401(k) Plan
Employee benefit plans
Maximum contribution limit	75.00%
Employer matching contribution as a percentage of voluntary employee contributions under 401(k) plan (as a percent)	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
EchoStar 401(k) Plan \| Class A common stock
Employee benefit plans
Matching contributions made by the company during the year	$ 5,000,000	$ 5,000,000	$ 6,000,000
Discretionary contributions, net of forfeitures, fair value, under 401(k) plan	$ 8,000,000	$ 7,000,000	$ 8,000,000
Discretionary contributions, shares, under 401(k) plan (in shares)	127,000	130,000	210,500
Roth 401(k) Plan
Employee benefit plans
Maximum contribution limit	75.00%

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 24, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation
Tax benefit from compensation expense			$ 2,000,000	$ 4,000,000	$ 4,000,000
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 14,000,000
Future forfeiture rate (as a percent)			2.00%
Period for recognition of compensation cost			2 years
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding			$ 9,000,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercisable			$ 9,000,000
Class A common stock
Stock-Based Compensation
Number of common stock available for future grant under stock incentive plans (in shares)			8,000,000
Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Stock-Based Compensation
Shares outstanding under stock incentive plans (in shares)			5,013,038	4,951,256	5,968,763	5,893,241
Granted (in shares)			215,500	1,262,500	732,000
Tax benefits from stock options exercised			$ 400,000	$ 3,000,000	$ 2,000,000
Options exercised in period intrinsic value			$ 2,000,000	20,000,000	8,000,000
Employee Stock Options
Stock-Based Compensation
Maximum expiration term			10 years
Vesting period			5 years
Granted (in shares)		1,100,000
Nonvested options forfeited (in shares)	600,000
Non-Employee Stock Option
Stock-Based Compensation
Maximum expiration term			5 years
Restricted stock units
Stock-Based Compensation
Equity instruments other than options vested in period			$ 0	$ 200,000	$ 2,000,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Exercise Prices for Stock Options (Details) - Employee And Non Employee Stock Option	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 $ / shares shares
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	5,013,038
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	5 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 41.80
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	3,710,138
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	4 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 38.59
Range of Exercise Prices $0.00 - $20.00
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	0.00
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 20.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	51,359
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	2 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.74
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	51,359
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	2 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.74
Range of Exercise Prices $20.01 - $25.00
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	20.01
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 25.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	429,306
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	1 year
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.18
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	429,306
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	1 year
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.18
Range of Exercise Prices $25.01 - $30.00
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	25.01
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 30.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	3,300
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	3 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 26.42
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	3,300
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	3 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 26.42
Range of Exercise Prices $30.01 - $35.00
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	30.01
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 35.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	352,500
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	4 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 34.22
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	352,500
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	4 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 34.22
Range of Exercise Prices $35.01 - $40.00
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	35.01
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 40.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	1,985,200
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	4 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 38.19
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	1,832,500
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	3 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 38.09
Range of Exercise Prices $40.01 to $45.00
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	40.01
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 45.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	277,000
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	7 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 43.98
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	111,400
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	7 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 44.04
Range of Exercise Prices $45.01 to $50.00
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	45.01
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 50.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	766,973
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	6 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 47.58
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	577,473
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	5 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 47.64
Range of Exercise Prices $50.01 and above
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	50.01
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 55.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	487,400
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	7 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 52.24
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	197,300
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	6 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 51.99
Range Of Exercise Prices From Dollars 55.01 To 60.00
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	55.01
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, high end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 60.00
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	600,000
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	8 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 56.97
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	127,000
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	8 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 56.95
Range Of Exercise Prices From Dollars 60.01 And Above
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Exercise prices, outstanding stock option awards, low end of range (in dollars per share)	$ 60.01
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	60,000
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	7 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 60.70
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	28,000
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	5 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 60.70

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Award Activity (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	4,951,256	5,968,763	5,893,241
Granted (in shares)	215,500	1,262,500	732,000
Exercised (in shares)	(108,318)	(1,018,507)	(453,182)
Forfeited and canceled (in shares)	(45,400)	(1,261,500)	(203,296)
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	5,013,038	4,951,256	5,968,763
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	3,710,138	3,143,656	3,551,063
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 41.42	$ 39.30	$ 38.38
Granted (in dollars per share)	51.71	57.12	41.86
Exercised (in dollars per share)	40.67	35.84	28.83
Forfeited and canceled (in dollars per share)	50.21	51.63	45.15
Total options outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	41.80	41.42	39.30
Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 38.59	$ 36.98	$ 35.40
Restricted stock units
Restricted stock unit activity
Total restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	0	6,667	57,328
Vested (in shares)	0	(6,667)	(50,661)
Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period (in shares)	0	0	6,667
Weighted - Average Grant Date Fair Value
Total restricted stock units outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 34.22	$ 42.31
Vested (in dollars per share)	0	34.22	43.38
Total restricted stock units outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 34.22

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Stock-Based Compensation
Total stock-based compensation	$ 9,990	$ 11,640	$ 10,911
Research and development expenses
Stock-Based Compensation
Total stock-based compensation	634	1,010	1,046
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Stock-Based Compensation
Total stock-based compensation	$ 9,356	$ 10,630	$ 9,865

Stock-Based Compensation - Valuation of Stock Options (Details) - Employee And Non Employee Stock Option - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Black-Scholes option valuation model assumptions
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Minimum
Black-Scholes option valuation model assumptions
Risk-free interest rate	2.25%	1.98%	1.10%
Volatility factor	22.77%	24.20%	27.22%
Expected term of options	5 years 8 months 24 days	5 years 8 months 24 days	5 years 8 months 24 days
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 12.38	$ 15.25	$ 11.15
Maximum
Black-Scholes option valuation model assumptions
Risk-free interest rate	2.99%	2.05%	1.87%
Volatility factor	23.28%	26.69%	27.37%
Expected term of options	5 years 9 months 24 days	5 years 9 months 24 days	5 years 9 months 24 days
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 16.23	$ 16.49	$ 12.49

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Commitments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
2019	$ 1,400,212
2020	405,702
2021	1,157,926
2022	188,428
2023	186,857
Thereafter	2,020,705
Total	5,359,830
Long-term debt
Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
2019	920,836
2020	0
2021	900,000
2022	0
2023	0
Thereafter	1,500,000
Total	3,320,836
Capital lease obligations
Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
2019	40,662
2020	45,031
2021	46,353
2022	31,857
2023	35,476
Thereafter	29,323
Total	228,702
Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
2019	209,989
2020	175,808
2021	136,662
2022	98,265
2023	94,529
Thereafter	268,571
Total	983,824
Satellite-related obligations
Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
2019	207,403
2020	166,601
2021	60,852
2022	47,996
2023	47,907
Thereafter	200,925
Total	731,684
Operating lease obligations
Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
2019	21,146
2020	18,081
2021	13,873
2022	10,118
2023	8,814
Thereafter	21,886
Total	93,918
Service commitments
Contractual Obligations [Line Items]
2019	176
2020	181
2021	186
2022	192
2023	131
Thereafter	0
Total	$ 866

Commitments and Contingencies - Satellite Leases and Rent Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Satellite-related expenses	$ 101	$ 140	$ 144
Total rent expense	$ 27	$ 30	$ 21

Commitments and Contingencies - Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions				1 Months Ended
	Feb. 13, 2018 claim	Aug. 07, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 14, 2017 patent	Nov. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Elbit \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC) \| Hughes Network Systems
Commitment and Contingencies
Damages awarded		$ 21		$ 29
Attorney's fees sought				$ 14
Loss contingency accrual					$ 3	$ 3
Realtime Data LLC
Commitment and Contingencies
Patents allegedly infringed \| patent			4
Patent 728 \| Realtime Data LLC
Commitment and Contingencies
Pending Claims validity challenged \| claim	1

Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018 segment	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments \| segment	2
Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Discontinued operations capital expenditures \| $		$ 12	$ 70

Segment Reporting - Revenue, Capital Expenditures, and EBITDA (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 530,661	$ 532,953	$ 525,957	$ 501,792	$ 506,048	$ 481,233	$ 465,076	$ 433,151	$ 2,091,363	$ 1,885,508	$ 1,810,466
EBITDA									756,669	794,577	751,005
Capital expenditures									477,617	566,384	628,510
Interest income and expense, net									(168,293)	(172,621)	(102,237)
Depreciation and amortization									(598,178)	(522,190)	(432,904)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,842	928	762
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(7,960)	100,694	216,626
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									16,777
Hughes segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,716,169	1,476,131	1,389,152
Hughes segment \| Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,716,528	1,477,918	1,392,361
EBITDA									601,319	475,222	477,165
Capital expenditures									390,108	376,502	322,362
Hughes segment \| Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									359	1,787	3,209
EchoStar Satellite Services segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									355,734	390,831	406,970
EchoStar Satellite Services segment \| Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									358,058	392,244	407,660
EBITDA									308,058	315,285	341,516
Capital expenditures									(76,582)	20,725	58,925
EchoStar Satellite Services segment \| Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									2,324	1,413	690
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									19,460	18,546	14,344
Corporate and Other \| Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									(2,683)	(3,200)	(3,899)
Corporate and Other \| Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									16,777	15,346	10,445
EBITDA									(152,708)	4,070	(67,676)
Capital expenditures									$ 164,091	$ 169,157	$ 247,223

Segment Reporting - Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 4,458,966				$ 4,565,535				$ 4,458,966	$ 4,565,535
Total revenue	530,661	$ 532,953	$ 525,957	$ 501,792	506,048	$ 481,233	$ 465,076	$ 433,151	2,091,363	1,885,508	$ 1,810,466
North America
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	4,114,087				4,221,793				4,114,087	4,221,793
Total revenue									1,819,463	1,612,349	1,566,576
South and Central America
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	226,232				213,890				226,232	213,890
Total revenue									101,632	90,000	50,952
All other
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 118,647				$ 129,852				118,647	129,852
Total revenue									$ 170,268	$ 183,159	$ 192,938

Segment Reporting - Transactions with Major Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue	$ 530,661	$ 532,953	$ 525,957	$ 501,792	$ 506,048	$ 481,233	$ 465,076	$ 433,151	$ 2,091,363	$ 1,885,508	$ 1,810,466
Corporate and Other
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									16,777
Hughes segment
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									1,716,169	1,476,131	1,389,152
Hughes segment \| Operating segments
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									1,716,528	1,477,918	1,392,361
EchoStar Satellite Services segment
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									355,734	390,831	406,970
EchoStar Satellite Services segment \| Operating segments
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									358,058	392,244	407,660
DISH Network
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 379,165	$ 445,988	$ 472,282
DISH Network \| Revenue
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Percentage of total revenue									18.10%	23.70%	26.10%
DISH Network \| Corporate and Other
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 19,075	$ 18,522	$ 15,433
DISH Network \| Hughes segment \| Operating segments
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									50,275	82,625	107,300
DISH Network \| EchoStar Satellite Services segment \| Operating segments
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									309,815	344,841	349,549
All other
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 1,712,198	$ 1,439,520	$ 1,338,184
All other \| Revenue
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Percentage of total revenue									81.90%	76.30%	73.90%

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Summary of Results (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Total revenue		$ 530,661	$ 532,953	$ 525,957	$ 501,792	$ 506,048	$ 481,233	$ 465,076	$ 433,151	$ 2,091,363	$ 1,885,508	$ 1,810,466
Operating income		(19,567)	70,035	74,765	58,010	42,352	56,414	45,890	51,651	183,243	196,307	296,163
Net income (loss)		(111,648)	16,502	77,684	(21,171)	313,814	35,201	7,122	37,352	(38,633)	393,489	180,692
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock		$ (112,198)	$ 16,052	$ 77,222	$ (21,551)	$ 313,237	$ 34,669	$ 6,940	$ 38,924	$ (40,475)	$ 393,770	$ 181,673
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ (1.17)	$ 0.17	$ 0.80	$ (0.22)	$ 3.29	$ 0.36	$ 0.07	$ 0.41	$ (0.42)	$ 4.13	$ 1.94
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ (1.17)	$ 0.17	$ 0.80	$ (0.22)	$ 3.23	$ 0.36	$ 0.07	$ 0.41	$ (0.42)	$ 4.07	$ 1.92
Benefit as result of change in enacted tax rate						$ 304,000				$ (1,000)	$ (304,000)
Gains (losses) related to trading securities	$ 23,000										43,000	$ 1,000
Impairment of long-lived assets	$ 11,000									$ 65,220	$ 10,762	$ 0
BRAZIL
Impairment of long-lived assets		$ 65,000

Related Party Transactions - DISH Network (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended																	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2022	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 28, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2009 transponder	Nov. 30, 2008 transponder	Dec. 31, 2018 term	Aug. 31, 2018	Feb. 28, 2013 transponder	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)
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
Subsequent Event \| Hughes Equipment And Service Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum termination notice period		365 days
DISH Network \| DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement
Related party transactions
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services																32
DISH Network \| TT&C Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum termination notice period			12 months
DISH Network \| TerreStar Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum termination notice period				21 days
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement				90 days
DISH Network \| DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement				120 days
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)																					100.00%
DISH Network \| RUS Service Implementation Agreement
Related party transactions
Grants receivable by related parties \| $																						$ 14
DISH Network \| Amended and Restated 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 \| Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements
Related party transactions
Term of renewal option					3 years					4 years
Termination notice required					180 days
DISH Network \| Subsequent Event \| DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum termination notice period		21 days
DISH Network \| Subsequent Event \| Hughes Equipment And Service Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term		5 years
Minimum termination notice period		180 days
Automatic renewal period		1 year
Hughes Retail Group \| Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock \| DISH Network \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Related party transactions
Percentage of economic interest held								80.00%
Telesat Canada \| TeleSat Transponder Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term																15 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services																32
Ciel Satellite Holdings Inc \| DISH Network \| 103 Spectrum Development Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term													10 years
Maximum \| DISH Network \| Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements
Related party transactions
Required renewal notice					120 days
Minimum \| DISH Network \| Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements
Related party transactions
Required renewal notice					90 days
EchoStar XVI \| DISH Network \| Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term									1 year						10 years
Agreement term from commencement of service date											4 years
Renewal option reduction									1 year
EchoStar XVI \| DISH Network \| Satellite Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Additional term of renewal option						5 years
QuetzSat-1 \| DISH Network \| Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Number of DBS transponders currently receiving services																	24
Number of DBS transponders receiving certain satellite services from related party																				5
QuetzSat-1 \| S E S Latin America \| Satellite Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term																	10 years
Number of DBS transponders expected to receive services																	32
Related Party Transactions, Lessor, Operating Lease, Real Estate \| DISH Network \| 100 Inverness Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement							180 days
Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement after extension							30 days
Related Party Transactions, Lessor, Operating Lease, Real Estate \| DISH Network \| Meridian Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement after extension																		30 days
Related Party Transactions, Lessor, Operating Lease, Real Estate \| DISH Network \| Santa Fe Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement after extension																		30 days
Related Party Transactions, Lessor, Operating Lease, Real Estate \| DISH Network \| Cheyenne Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement after extension																		30 days
Related Party Transactions, Lessee, Operating Lease, Real Estate \| DISH Network \| Cheyenne Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Operating lease contract term																			1 year
Maximum number of one year renewal options \| term																		12
Term of renewal option																		1 year
Related Party Transactions, Lessee, Operating Lease, Real Estate \| DISH Network \| Gilbert Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Operating lease contract term																			1 year
Maximum number of one year renewal options \| term																		12
Term of renewal option																		1 year
Related Party Transactions, Lessee, Operating Lease, Real Estate \| DISH Network \| American Fork Occupancy License Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term					5 years
Scenario, Forecast \| DISH Network \| DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum termination notice period	180 days
Automatic renewal period	5 years

Related Party Transactions - Tax Sharing and Patent Cross-License Agreements (Details) - DISH Network $ in Millions		1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2014 USD ($) satellite	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016 parcel	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2017
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Related party transactions
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	$ 11
Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term		5 years
Automatic renewal period						1 year
Cost of sales - services/equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)						$ 33	$ 29
Patent Cross-License Agreements
Related party transactions
Maximum aggregate payments required under cross license agreements					$ 10
Maximum additional aggregate payments required under cross license agreements if options are exercised			$ 3
Orange New Jersey
Related party transactions
Number of parcels sold \| parcel				2
EchoStar Technologies segment \| Share Exchange Agreement
Related party transactions
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)								100.00%
EchoStar and HSSC \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Related party transactions
Number of owned satellites transferred \| satellite	5

Related Party Transactions - Other Agreements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Hughes Systique Corporation
Related party transactions
Ownership interest in related party (as a percent)		43.40%
Ownership percentage by related party		25.50%
Dish Mexico
Related party transactions
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture	49.00%	49.00%
Revenue from related parties		$ 23.0	$ 23.0	$ 23.0
Receivables from related party	$ 6.0	$ 6.0	8.0
Deluxe
Related party transactions
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture	50.00%	50.00%
Revenue from related parties		$ 4.0	5.0	$ 3.0
Receivables from related party	$ 1.0	1.0	1.0
AsiaSat
Related party transactions
Expenses from transaction with related party			0.1
Global IP Revenue
Related party transactions
Revenue from related parties		9.0	$ 0.3
Receivables from related party	7.5	7.5
TerreStar Solutions, Inc.
Related party transactions
Revenue from related parties		6.0
Receivables from related party	$ 2.0	$ 2.0
Ownership percentage in equity method investment (at least)	15.00%	15.00%
Broadband Connectivity Solutions
Related party transactions
Revenue from related parties		$ 0.7
Receivables from related party	$ 3.0	$ 3.0
Broadband Connectivity Solutions
Related party transactions
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture	20.00%	20.00%
Payments to acquire equity method investments	$ 100.0

Related Party Transactions - Discontinued Operations (Details) - Discontinued Operations $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($) installment	Jan. 31, 2010	Feb. 28, 2017	Aug. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2012
NagraStar
Related party transactions
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture			50.00%
SmarDTV SA
Related party transactions
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture			22.50%
TiVo vs Dish Network And Echostar Corporation \| DISH Network
Related party transactions
Litigation settlement, amount awarded to other party	$ 500
Initial settlement amount paid	300
Litigation settlement amount paid in six month installments	$ 200
Litigation settlement, number of annual installments \| installment	6
Portion of the $300 million initial settlement agreement payment paid by EchoStar	$ 10
Estimated percentage of annual payments	5.00%
Sling TV Holding \| DISH Network
Related party transactions
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)				90.00%	67.00%
Percentage of voting interests acquired by related party				100.00%
EchoStar Corporation \| Sling TV Holding
Related party transactions
Nonvoting ownership percentage				10.00%
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture					33.00%
D I S H Online. Com Services Agreement \| DISH Network
Related party transactions
Agreement term		2 years

Supplemental Financial Information - Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	$ 7,605	$ 11,200	$ 11,126
Property and equipment financed under capital lease obligations	364	8,484	7,652
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	7,318	(3,831)	3,054
E	0	43,890	0
Noncash net assets exchanged for Tracking Stock	$ 0	$ 299,888	$ 0

Supplemental Financial Information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restricted cash	$ 1.0	$ 1.0
Cash equivalents	1.0	1.0
Gain (loss) from foreign currency transactions	(16.0)	1.0	$ (0.5)
Level 2
In-orbit incentive obligations	107.0	112.0
Contract Acquisition Costs
Contract acquisition costs	104.0
Capitalized contract cost amortization	83.0
Contract Fulfillment Costs
Contract acquisition costs	3.0
Other noncurrent assets, net
Capitalized computer software, net	97.0	88.0
Capitalized software development costs for software sold to customers	29.0	20.0
Capitalized computer software costs	32.0	31.0	23.0
Capitalized computer software, amortization	$ 23.0	20.0	10.0
Weighted-average
Software useful life	3 years
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Advertising expense	$ 76.0	$ 64.0	$ 44.0

Supplemental Financial Information - Schedule of Research and Development Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Research and development expenses	$ 27,570	$ 31,745	$ 31,170
Cost of sales
Research and development expenses	23,422	27,899	23,663
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses	$ 27,570	$ 31,745	$ 31,170

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - Allowance for doubtful accounts - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Changes in valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 12,027	$ 12,955	$ 11,687
Charged to Costs and Expenses	22,184	9,551	14,393
Deductions	(17,607)	(10,479)	(13,125)
Balance at End of Year	$ 16,604	$ 12,027	$ 12,955

Label	Element	Value
Retained Earnings [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	$ 328,755,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	733,972,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	3,828,677,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	3,669,461,000
Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	100,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	102,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	73,910,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	0
Treasury Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	(98,162,000)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	(98,162,000)
Other Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	12,830,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	14,822,000
Preferred Tracking Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	6,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Adjusted Balance	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1	$ 0