0001415404-21-000005 | 10-K | XBRL Viewer

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Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Billions	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 11, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33807
Entity Registrant Name	EchoStar Corporation
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NV
Entity Tax Identification Number	26-1232727
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 Inverness Terrace East,
Entity Address, City or Town	Englewood,
Entity Address, State or Province	CO
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80112-5308
City Area Code	(303)
Local Phone Number	706-4000
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A common stock
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Trading Symbol	SATS
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Public Float			$ 1.3
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III.
Entity Central Index Key	0001415404
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Common Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		46,011,533
Common Class B
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		47,687,039

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 896,005	$ 1,519,431
Marketable investment securities	1,638,271	940,623
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	183,989	196,629
Other current assets, net	189,821	179,531
Total current assets	2,908,086	2,836,214
Non-current assets:
Property and equipment, net	2,390,313	2,528,738
Operating lease right-of-use assets	128,303	114,042
Goodwill	511,597	506,953
Regulatory authorizations, net	478,762	478,598
Other investments, net	284,937	325,405
Other non-current assets, net	352,921	334,841
Total non-current assets	4,165,266	4,318,084
Total assets	7,073,352	7,154,298
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	122,366	124,080
Current portion of long-term debt, net	898,237	0
Contract liabilities	104,569	101,060
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	299,999	270,879
Total current liabilities	1,425,171	496,019
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt, net	1,495,256	2,389,168
Deferred tax liabilities, net	359,896	351,692
Operating lease liabilities	114,886	96,941
Other non-current liabilities	70,893	74,925
Total non-current liabilities	2,040,931	2,912,726
Total liabilities	3,466,102	3,408,745
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Additional paid-in capital	3,321,426	3,290,483
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(187,876)	(122,138)
Accumulated earnings (losses)	583,591	632,809
Treasury stock, at cost	(174,912)	(131,454)
Total EchoStar Corporation stockholders' equity	3,542,334	3,669,805
Non-controlling interests	64,916	75,748
Total stockholders' equity	3,607,250	3,745,553
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	7,073,352	7,154,298
Regulatory authorization
Non-current assets:
Regulatory authorizations, net	478,762	478,598
Other intangible assets, net	34,742	38,307
Other Intangible Assets
Non-current assets:
Other intangible assets, net	18,433	29,507
Common Class A
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	57	57
Common Class B
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	48	48
Common Class C
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	0	0
Common Class D
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	0	0
Preferred Stock
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized:
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
Common Class A
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized:
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)	57,254,201	56,592,251
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	48,863,374	50,107,330
Common Class B
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized:
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
Common Class C
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized:
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
Common Class D
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized:
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
Stockholders' equity:
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, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Total revenue	$ 1,887,907	$ 1,886,081	$ 1,762,638
Costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	474,912	509,145	436,088
Research and development expenses	29,448	25,739	27,570
Depreciation and amortization	525,011	490,765	457,116
Impairment of long-lived assets	1,685	0	65,220
Total costs and expenses	1,775,434	1,813,004	1,726,501
Operating income (loss)	112,473	73,077	36,137
Other income (expense):
Interest income, net	39,982	82,352	80,275
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(147,927)	(251,016)	(219,288)
Gains (losses) on investments, net	(31,306)	28,912	(12,622)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	(7,267)	(14,734)	(5,954)
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net	6,015	(11,590)	(15,583)
Other, net	195	(166)	11,249
Total other income (expense), net	(140,308)	(166,242)	(161,923)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(27,835)	(93,165)	(125,786)
Income tax benefit (provision), net	(24,069)	(20,488)	(6,576)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	(51,904)	(113,653)	(132,362)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	39,401	93,729
Net income (loss)	(51,904)	(74,252)	(38,633)
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests	11,754	11,335	(1,842)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$ (40,150)	$ (62,917)	$ (40,475)
Earnings (losses) per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.41)	$ (1.06)	$ (1.39)
Total basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.65)	$ (0.42)
Services and other revenue
Total revenue	$ 1,682,304	$ 1,619,271	$ 1,557,228
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	577,943	561,353	563,907
Equipment revenue
Total revenue	205,603	266,810	205,410
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	$ 166,435	$ 226,002	$ 176,600

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (51,904)	$ (74,252)	$ (38,633)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(83,736)	2,845	(34,399)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(253)	2,571	(962)
Other	2,614	1,466	(1,910)
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss):
Foreign currency translation realized on impairment of long lived assets	0	0	32,136
Realized losses (gains) on available-for-sale debt securities	(2)	(592)	0
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	0	0	(278)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(81,377)	6,290	(5,413)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(133,281)	(67,962)	(44,046)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	27,392	(8,007)	453
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation	$ (160,673)	$ (59,955)	$ (44,499)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Common Stock	Common Stock Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Additional Paid-In Capital	Additional Paid-In Capital Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Accumulated Earnings (Losses)	Accumulated Earnings (Losses) Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Earnings (Losses) Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Treasury Stock, at cost	Treasury Stock, at cost Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Non-controlling Interests	Non-controlling Interests Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Non-controlling Interests Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 4,177,385	$ 23,123	$ 4,200,508	$ 102	$ 102	$ 3,669,461	$ 3,669,461	$ (130,154)	$ 10,467	$ (119,687)	$ 721,316	$ 12,656	$ 733,972	$ (98,162)	$ (98,162)	$ 14,822		$ 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
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,851)							(3,462)								(1,389)
Net income (loss)	(38,633)										(40,475)					1,842
Treasury share repurchase	(33,292)													(33,292)
Other, net	375					1,694		(1,951)			632
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	4,155,474			102		3,702,522		(125,100)			694,129			(131,454)		15,275
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	67,310			3		67,307
Employee benefits	6,654					6,654
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	9,778					9,778
Stock-based compensation	9,353					9,353
Purchase of non-controlling interest	(7,313)					(833)										(6,480)
Net assets distributed pursuant to the BSS Transaction	(532,747)					(532,747)
Issuance of equity and contribution of assets pursuant to the Yahsat JV formation	102,775					29,576										73,199
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6,290							2,962								3,328
Net income (loss)	(74,252)										(62,917)					(11,335)
Other, net	2,231					(1,127)					1,597					1,761
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	3,745,553	$ (9,308)	$ 3,736,245	105	$ 105	3,290,483	$ 3,290,483	(122,138)		$ (122,138)	632,809	$ (9,068)	$ 623,741	(131,454)	$ (131,454)	75,748	$ (240)	$ 75,508
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	855					855
Employee benefits	6,921					6,921
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	10,109					10,109
Stock-based compensation	8,887					8,887
Issuance of equity and contribution of assets pursuant to the Yahsat JV formation	2,758					4,338										(1,580)
Contribution by non-controlling interest holder	18,241															18,241
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(81,369)							(65,738)								(15,631)
Net income (loss)	(51,904)										(40,150)					(11,754)
Treasury share repurchase	(43,458)													(43,458)
Other, net	(35)					(167)										132
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 3,607,250			$ 105		$ 3,321,426		$ (187,876)			$ 583,591			$ (174,912)		$ 64,916

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (51,904,000)	$ (74,252,000)	$ (38,633,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	525,011,000	588,200,000	598,178,000
Impairment of long-lived assets	1,685,000	0	65,220,000
Losses (gains) on investments, net	31,306,000	(28,912,000)	12,109,000
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	7,267,000	14,734,000	6,037,000
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	(6,015,000)	11,590,000	15,583,000
Deferred tax provision (benefit), net	18,147,000	32,542,000	26,327,000
Stock-based compensation	8,887,000	9,353,000	9,990,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs	4,324,000	5,912,000	7,923,000
Dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates	0	2,716,000	10,000,000
Other, net	(12,501,000)	6,297,000	(3,489,000)
Changes in assets and current liabilities, net:
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	2,237,000	8,289,000	(17,842,000)
Other current assets, net	(12,984,000)	(39,190,000)	18,577,000
Trade accounts payable	(12,339,000)	13,149,000	9,562,000
Contract liabilities	3,509,000	26,376,000	7,867,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	42,822,000	66,352,000	12,183,000
Non-current assets and non-current liabilities, net	(15,064,000)	13,166,000	(5,070,000)
Net cash flows from operating activities	534,388,000	656,322,000	734,522,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(2,799,838,000)	(993,369,000)	(2,973,254,000)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	2,110,336,000	2,391,220,000	1,498,463,000
Expenditures for property and equipment	(408,798,000)	(418,584,000)	(555,141,000)
Expenditures for externally marketed software	(38,655,000)	(29,310,000)	(31,639,000)
Purchase of other investments	(5,500,000)	(93,687,000)	0
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	0	(2,149,000)	(115,991,000)
Purchases of regulatory authorizations	0	(34,447,000)	0
Refunds and other receipts related to property and equipment	0	0	77,524,000
Dividend received from unconsolidated affiliate	0	2,284,000	0
Sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliates	0	0	1,558,000
Net cash flows from investing activities	(1,142,455,000)	821,958,000	(2,098,480,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase and maturity of the 2019 Senior Secured Notes	0	(920,923,000)	(70,173,000)
Repayment of other long-term debt and finance lease obligations	(811,000)	(29,347,000)	(41,019,000)
Payment of in-orbit incentive obligations	(1,554,000)	(5,447,000)	(5,350,000)
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised	855,000	67,337,000	4,424,000
Net proceeds from Class A common stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	10,109,000	9,779,000	9,368,000
Treasury share purchase	(43,458,000)	0	(33,292,000)
Contribution by non-controlling interest holder	18,241,000	0	0
Purchase of non-controlling interest	0	(7,313,000)	0
Other, net	998,000	603,000	(521,000)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(15,620,000)	(885,311,000)	(136,563,000)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(1,390,000)	(575,000)	(2,233,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(625,077,000)	592,394,000	(1,502,754,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, beginning of period	1,521,889,000	929,495,000	2,432,249,000
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, end of period	$ 896,812,000	$ 1,521,889,000	$ 929,495,000

Organization and Business Activities	12 Months Ended
Organization and Business Activities	Dec. 31, 2020
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 “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 (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “SATS.” We are a global provider of broadband satellite technologies, broadband internet services for consumer customers, which include home and small to medium-sized businesses, and satellite services. We also deliver innovative network technologies, managed services and communications solutions for enterprise customers, which include aeronautical and government enterprises. We operate in the following two business segments: •Hughes — which provides broadband satellite technologies and broadband internet services to domestic and international consumer customers and broadband network technologies, managed services, equipment, hardware, satellite services and communication solutions to service providers and enterprise 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. •ESS — which uses certain of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related licenses to provide satellite services on a full-time and/or occasional-use basis to 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, Accounting, Real Estate and Legal) and other activities, such as costs incurred in certain satellite development programs and other business development activities, and gains or losses from certain of our investments, that have not been assigned to our business segments. These activities, costs and income, as well as eliminations of intersegment transactions, are accounted for in Corporate and Other. We also divide our operations by primary geographic market as follows: (i) North America (the U.S. and its territories, Mexico, and Canada); (ii) South and Central America and; (iii) Other (Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, India, and the Middle East). Refer to Note 20. Segment Reporting for further detail. In September 2019, pursuant to a master transaction agreement (the “Master Transaction Agreement”) with DISH and a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH (“Merger Sub”), (i) we transferred certain real property and the various businesses, products, licenses, technology, revenues, billings, operating activities, assets and liabilities primarily related to the former portion of our ESS segment that managed, marketed and provided (1) broadcast satellite services primarily to DISH and its subsidiaries (together with DISH, “DISH Network”) and our joint venture Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Dish Mexico”) and its subsidiaries, and (2) telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) services for satellites owned by DISH Network and a portion of our other businesses (collectively, the “BSS Business”) to one of our former subsidiaries, EchoStar BSS Corporation (“BSS Corp.”), (ii) we distributed to each holder of shares of our Class A or Class B common stock entitled to receive consideration in the transaction an amount of shares of common stock of BSS Corp., par value $0.001 per share (“BSS Common Stock”), equal to one share of BSS Common Stock for each share of our Class A or Class B common stock owned by such stockholder (the “Distribution”); and (iii) immediately after the Distribution, (1) Merger Sub merged with and into BSS Corp. (the “Merger”), such that BSS Corp. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH and with DISH then owning and operating the BSS Business, and (2) each issued and outstanding share of BSS Common Stock owned by EchoStar stockholders was converted into the right to receive 0.23523769 shares of DISH Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“DISH Common Stock”) ((i) - (iii) collectively, the “BSS Transaction”). In connection with the BSS Transaction, we and DISH Network agreed to indemnify each other against certain losses with respect to breaches of certain representations and covenants and certain retained and assumed liabilities, respectively. Additionally, we and DISH and certain of our and their subsidiaries (i) entered into certain customary agreements covering, among other things, matters relating to taxes, employees, intellectual property and the provision of transitional services; (ii) terminated certain previously existing agreements; and (iii) amended certain existing agreements and entered into certain new agreements pursuant to which we and DISH Network will obtain and provide certain products, services and rights from and to each other. The BSS Transaction was structured in a manner intended to be tax-free to us and our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes and was accounted for as a spin-off to our shareholders as we did not receive any consideration. Following the consummation of the BSS Transaction, we no longer operate the BSS Business, which was a substantial portion of our ESS segment. As a result of the BSS Transaction, the financial results of the BSS Business, except for certain real estate that transferred in the transaction, are presented as discontinued operations and, as such, excluded from continuing operations and segment results for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, as presented in these Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes (collectively, the “Consolidated Financial Statements’). Refer to Note 5. Discontinued Operations for further detail. Additionally, all amounts in the following footnotes reference results from continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

These Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). 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 in which we are the primary beneficiary and in other entities in which 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 non-controlling interest within stockholders’ equity for the portion of the entity’s equity attributed to the non-controlling ownership interests. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

All amounts presented in these Consolidated Financial Statements and their accompanying notes are expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts and unless otherwise noted.

Reclassification

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

Use of Estimates

We are required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these Consolidated Financial Statements. The most significant estimates and assumptions are used in determining: (i) inputs used to recognize revenue over time, including amortization periods for deferred contract acquisition costs; (ii) allowances for doubtful accounts; (iii) deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, including uncertain tax positions; (iv) loss contingencies; (v) fair value of financial instruments; (vi) fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations; and (vii) asset impairment testing.

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 measured on a recurring basis 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 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 other investments, 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 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net, trade accounts payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities were equal to or approximated their fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates.

Revenue Recognition

Overview

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.

We also recognize lease revenue which is derived from leases of property and equipment which, for operating leases, is reported in Services and other revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and, for sales-type leases, is reported in Equipment revenue in the 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 Segment

Our Hughes segment 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 based upon shipment terms. 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 for mobile system operators and enterprise customers. Revenue from such contracts is generally recognized over time as 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 SegmentGenerally, our ESS segment 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.

Lease Revenue

We lease satellite capacity, communications equipment and real estate to certain of our customers. We identify and determine the classification of such leases as operating leases or sales-type leases. A lease is classified as a sales-type lease if it meets the criteria for a finance lease; otherwise it is classified as an operating lease. Some of our leases are embedded in contracts with customers that include non-lease performance obligations. For such contracts, except where we have elected otherwise, we allocate consideration in the contract between lease and non-lease components based on their relative standalone selling prices. We elected an accounting policy to not separate the lease of equipment from related services in our HughesNet satellite internet service (the “HughesNet service”) contracts with customers and account for all revenue from such contracts as non-lease service revenue. Assets subject to operating leases remain in Property and equipment, net and continue to be depreciated. Assets subject to sales-type leases are derecognized from Property and equipment, net at lease commencement and a net investment in the lease asset is recognized in Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net and Other non-current assets, net.

Operating lease revenue is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Sales-type lease revenue and a corresponding receivable generally are recognized at lease commencement based on the present value of the future lease payments and related interest income on the receivable is recognized over the lease term. Payments under sales-type leases are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or our incremental borrowing rate if the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be reasonably determined. We report revenue from

sales-type leases at the commencement date in Equipment revenue and periodic interest income in Services and other revenue. We report operating lease revenue in Services and other revenue.

Other

Sales and Value Added Taxes, Universal Service Fees and other taxes that we collect concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue and included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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 the Consolidated Statements of Operations at the time of shipment.

Cost of Sales - Services and Other

Cost of sales - services and other in the 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 and is generally charged to expense as incurred.

Cost of Sales - Equipment

Cost of sales - equipment in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily consists of inventory costs, including freight and royalties, and is generally recognized at the point in time control of the equipment is passed to the customer and related revenue is recognized.

Additionally, customer-related research and development costs are incurred in connection with the specific requirements of a customer’s order; in such instances, the amounts for these customer funded development efforts are also included in Cost of sales - equipment in the 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.

Advertising Costs

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

Research and Development

Research and development costs, not incurred in connection with customer requirements, are generally expensed when incurred.

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

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 as Foreign currency translation adjustments in the 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 the re-measurement of transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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 reflect the effects of tax losses, credits, and the future income tax effects of temporary differences between U.S. GAAP 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. 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 non-current asset or liability in the 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 and tax credit 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. 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. We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax provision or benefit.

Lessee Accounting

We lease real estate, satellite capacity and equipment in the conduct of our business operations. For contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2019, at contract inception, we assess whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. Generally, we determine that a lease exists when (i) the contract involves the use of a distinct identified asset, (ii) we obtain the right to substantially all economic benefits from use of the asset and (iii) we have the right to direct the use of the asset. A lease is classified as a finance lease when one or more of the following criteria are met: (i) the lease transfers ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, (ii) the lease contains an option to purchase the asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, (iii) the lease term is for a major part of the remaining useful life of the asset, (iv) the present value of the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset or (v) the asset is of a specialized nature and there is not expected to be an alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any of these criteria. Our operating leases consist primarily of leases for office space, data centers and satellite-related ground infrastructure. Our finance leases consist primarily of leases for satellite capacity.

At the lease commencement date, we recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases, except short-term leases with an original term of 12 months or less. The right-of-use asset represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term including any renewal options we are reasonably certain to exercise. The lease liability represents the present value of the lease payments under the lease. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at

cost, which primarily comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, plus any prepayments to the lessor and initial direct costs such as brokerage commissions, less any lease incentives received. All right-of-use assets are periodically reviewed for impairment in accordance with standards that apply to long-lived assets. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the minimum lease payments, discounted using an estimate of our incremental borrowing rate for a collateralized loan with the same term as the underlying lease. The incremental borrowing rates used for the initial measurement of lease liabilities are based on the original lease terms.

We report operating lease right-of-use assets in Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Operating lease liabilities. We report finance lease right-of-use assets in Property and equipment, net and finance lease liabilities in Current portion of long-term debt, net and Long-term debt, net.

Minimum lease payments included in the measurement of lease liabilities consist of (i) fixed lease payments for the non-cancelable lease term, (ii) fixed lease payments for optional renewal periods where it is reasonably certain the renewal option will be exercised and (iii) variable lease payments that depend on an underlying index or rate, based on the index or rate in effect at lease commencement. Certain of our real estate lease agreements require payments for non-lease costs such as utilities and common area maintenance. We elected an accounting policy to not account for such payments separately from the related lease payments. Our policy election results in a higher initial measurement of lease liabilities when such non-lease payments are fixed amounts. Certain of our real estate lease agreements require variable lease payments that do not depend on an underlying index or rate, such as sales and value-added taxes and our proportionate share of actual property taxes, insurance and utilities, which are recognized in operating expenses as incurred.

Lease expense for operating leases consists of the fixed lease payments recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term plus variable lease payments as incurred. Lease expense for finance leases consists of the amortization of the right-of-use asset on a straight-line basis over the lease term and interest expense on the lease liability based on the discount rate at lease commencement. For both operating and finance leases, lease payments are allocated between a reduction of the lease liability and interest expense. Amortization of the right-of-use asset for operating leases reflects amortization of the lease liability, any differences between straight-line expense and related lease payments during the accounting period, and any impairments.

Business Combinations

We account for all business combinations that result in our control over another entity by using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires us to allocate the purchase price of the acquired business to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration, and non-controlling interests, based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The difference between the purchase price and the excess of the aggregate estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. In determining the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, we use various recognized valuation methods including present value modeling, referenced market values, where available and cost-based approaches. Valuations are performed by management or independent valuation specialists under management’s supervision, where appropriate.

Accounting for business combinations requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date, including our estimates for intangible assets, contractual obligations assumed and contingent consideration, where applicable. While we believe the assumptions and estimates we have made are reasonable and appropriate, they are based in part on historical experience and information obtained from management of the acquired business and are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement.

We believe that the estimated fair values assigned to the assets we have acquired and liabilities we have assumed are based on reasonable and appropriate assumptions. While we believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable and appropriate, they are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets we have acquired and liabilities we have assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the estimated fair values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments would be recorded in the Consolidated

Statements of Operations. In addition, results of operations of the acquired company are included in our results from the date of the acquisition forward and include amortization expense arising from acquired intangible assets. We expense all costs as incurred related to or involved with an acquisition in Other, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.Earnings Per ShareWe present basic and diluted earnings or losses per share (“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 is computed using the treasury stock method based on the average market value of our Class A common stock during the period.Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)The amounts reclassified to net income (loss) related to unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities in are included in Gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of less than 90 days to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 primarily consisted of commercial paper, government bonds, corporate notes and money market funds. The amortized cost of these investments approximates their fair value.

Marketable Investment Securities

Debt Securities

Our corporate bond portfolio includes debt instruments issued by individual corporations, primarily in the industrial and financial services industries. Our commercial paper portfolio includes instruments issued by individual corporations, primarily in the industrial, financial services and utilities industries. Our other debt securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments, including U.S. government bonds and mutual funds. We consider all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.

We account for our debt securities as available-for-sale or using the fair value option based on our investment strategy for the securities. For available-for-sale debt securities, we recognize periodic changes in the difference between fair value and amortized cost in Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Gains and losses realized upon sales of available-for-sale debt securities are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized on the trade date in Gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We use the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method to determine the cost basis on sales of available-for-sale debt securities. Interest income from available-for-sale debt securities is reported in Interest income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We periodically evaluate our available-for-sale debt securities portfolio to determine whether any declines in the fair value of these securities are other-than-temporary. Our evaluation considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and extent to which the fair value of such security has been lower than amortized cost, (ii) market and company-specific factors related to the security and (iii) 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 the Consolidated Statements of Operations, thus establishing a new cost basis for the investment.

From time to time we make strategic investments in marketable 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 the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest income from these securities is reported in Interest income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.Equity SecuritiesWe account for our equity securities with readily determinable fair values at fair value and recognize periodic changes in the fair value in Gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recognize dividend income on equity securities on the ex-dividend date and report such income in Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.Restricted Marketable Investment Securities Restricted marketable investment securities that are pledged as collateral for our letters of credit and surety bonds are included in Other non-current assets, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted marketable securities are accounted for in the same manner as marketable securities that are not restricted, but are presented differently in the Consolidated Balance Sheets due to the restrictions.

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 collectability 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 the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Contract AssetsContract 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 non-current assets, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the expected timing of customer payment. 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 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 non-current assets, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and related amortization expense is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

InventoryInventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of inventory is determined using the FIFO method and 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 Cost of sales - equipment in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when we determine that the cost of inventory and commitments to purchase inventory exceed net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Satellites

Satellites are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. 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. We depreciate our owned satellites on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each satellite.

We have satellites acquired under finance leases. The recorded costs of those satellites are the present values of all lease payments. We amortize our finance lease right-of-use satellites over their respective lease terms.

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 evaluate our satellites for impairment and test for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Certain anomalies may be considered a significant adverse change in the physical condition of a particular satellite. However, based on redundancies designed within each satellite, certain of these anomalies may not be considered to be significant events requiring a test of recoverability.

We generally do not carry in-orbit insurance on our satellites and payloads 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. However, we may be required to carry insurance on specific satellites and payloads per the terms of certain agreements. We will continue to assess circumstances going forward and make insurance-related decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Other Property and Equipment

Other property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Other property and equipment includes: land; buildings and improvements; furniture, fixtures, equipment and internal-use software; customer premises equipment; and construction in process. 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. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the estimated fair values assigned to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We test goodwill for impairment annually in our second fiscal quarter, or more frequently if indicators of impairment may exist. All of our goodwill is assigned to our Hughes segment, as it was generated through the acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. (“Hughes Communications”) and its subsidiaries in 2011 (the “Hughes Acquisition”), and the agreement with Al Yah Satellite Communications

Company PrJSC (“Yahsat”) pursuant to which, in November 2019, Yahsat contributed its satellite communications services business in Brazil to one of our Brazilian subsidiaries in exchange for a 20% equity ownership interest in that subsidiary (the “Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction”).We consider qualitative factors to assess if it is more likely than not that the fair value for goodwill is below the carrying amount. We may also elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and perform a quantitative assessment. In conducting a qualitative assessment, we analyze a variety of events or factors that may influence the fair value of the reporting unit. There has been no impairment to date.

Regulatory Authorizations

Finite Lived

We have regulatory authorizations that are not related to the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and have determined that they have finite lives due to uncertainties about the ability to extend or renew their terms.

Finite lived regulatory authorizations are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. Renewal costs are usually capitalized when they are incurred.

Indefinite Lived

We also have indefinite lived regulatory authorizations that primarily consist of FCC authorizations and certain other contractual or regulatory rights to use spectrum at specified orbital locations. We have determined that our FCC authorizations generally have indefinite useful lives based on 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.

Costs incurred to maintain or renew indefinite-lived regulatory authorizations are expensed as incurred.

Other Intangible Assets

Our other intangible assets consist of customer relationships, patents, trademarks and licenses which are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. We evaluate the recoverability of intangible assets periodically by taking into account events or circumstances that indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.

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 Impairment of long-lived assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Other Investments

Equity Method Investments

We use the equity method to account for investments when we have the ability to exercise significant influence on the operating decisions of the affiliate. Such investments are initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for our proportionate share of the net earnings or loss of the investee, which is reported in Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we changed our accounting policy to record our share of the net earnings or losses of these affiliates on a three-month lag. This change was immaterial to these Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, the carrying amount of such investments includes a component of goodwill when the cost of our investment exceeds the fair value of the underlying identifiable assets and liabilities of the affiliate. Lastly, dividends received from these affiliates reduces the carrying amount of our investment.

Other Equity Investments

We generally measure investments in non-publicly traded equity instruments without a readily determinable fair value at cost adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar securities of the same issuer and changes resulting from impairments, if any. Other equity instruments are measured to determine their value based on observable market information.

Other Debt Investments

We generally record our investments in non-publicly traded debt instruments without a readily determinable fair value at amortized cost. We recognize any discounts over the term of the loan in Interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, some of our debt instruments have interest income that is paid-in-kind, which is added to the principal balance to determine the then current interest income.

Impairment Considerations

We periodically evaluate all of our other investments to determine whether (i) events or changes in circumstances have occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment and (ii) if there has been observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar securities of the same issuer. We consider information if provided to us by our investees such as current financial statements, business plans, investment documentation, capitalization tables, liquidation waterfalls, and board materials; and we may make additional inquiries of investee management.

Indicators of impairment may include, but are not limited to, unprofitable operations, material loss contingencies, changes in business strategy, changes in the investees’ enterprise value and changes in the investees’ investment pricing. When we determine that one of our other investments is impaired we reduce its carrying value to its estimated fair value and recognize the impairment loss in Gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, when there has been an observable price change to a cost method investment, we adjust the carrying amount of the investment to its then estimated fair value and recognize the investment gain or loss in Gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Externally Marketed SoftwareCosts related to the procurement and development of 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 non-current assets, net in the 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.Contract LiabilitiesContract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized under customer contracts and are included in Contract liabilities or Other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue. We recognize contract liabilities as revenue after all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Credit Losses

On January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), as amended, and codified in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 326 (“ASC 326”). ASC 326 introduces a new approach to the periodic estimation of credit losses for certain financial assets 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 that have experienced credit deterioration since their original purchase. We have elected to apply the requirements of the new standard prospectively and we recognized a cumulative effect of adoption of $9.1 million to Accumulated earnings (losses) as of January 1, 2020. Based on this election, we did not restate our comparative Consolidated Financial Statements and they continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the periods before January 1, 2020.

The following describes the accounting impacts, by major balance sheet line item, of our adoption of this new standard based on the relevant types of losses that we and our equity method investees may be subject to:

•Trade Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets, Net — Our trade accounts receivables and contract assets consist of amounts due from both our consumer and enterprise customers. Our receivables and related credit losses for our consumer customers are limited due to policies that require advance payment for services, predominant use of credit card and ACH payment processes, and our ability to promptly terminate service when timely payments are not received. However, for our enterprise customers, we estimate expected credit losses on a collective basis based on our historical loss experience, as adjusted to reflect changes in relevant factors, such as macroeconomic conditions and customer mix, that can significantly impact collectability.

We apply our collective estimation processes separately to several pools of receivables that share common risk characteristics, generally based on the customers’ geographical location. Customers with significant past-due balances or other atypical characteristics are excluded from our collective analysis and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Our estimates of expected credit losses for such receivables reflect significant judgments that consider customer-specific matters such as the customer’s financial condition, payment history, and recent developments in the customer’s business and industry. Due to the short-term nature of our trade receivables and contract assets, forecasts about the future have limited relevance to our expected credit loss estimates.

We record our customer related estimated credit losses as a component of our bad debt expense as reported in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

•Other Current Assets, Net, and Other Non-current Assets, Net — We estimate expected credit losses for receivables with payment terms longer than one year separately by borrower, due to the unique risk characteristics of such receivables. We generally use discounted cash flow techniques to estimate such credit losses. In applying such techniques, we may estimate principal and interest cash flows under probability-weighted scenarios that consider entity-specific matters and forecasted economic conditions. The majority of our other non-current receivables are from entities in the telecommunications industry. The collection of contractual principal and interest on these receivables is highly dependent on the future business operations of those entities. Our estimation of expected credit losses for such receivables requires significant judgment about matters specific to the borrower and their industry. Accordingly, our actual collection experience may differ from the assumptions reflected in our expected credit loss estimates.

We record our estimated credit losses as a component of our bad debt expense as reported in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

•Other Investments, Net — We estimate expected credit losses on our other debt investments with payment terms longer than one year separately by debtor, due to the unique risk characteristics of such debt investments. We generally use discounted cash flow techniques to estimate such credit losses. In applying such techniques, we may estimate principal and interest cash flows under probability-weighted scenarios that consider entity-specific matters and forecasted economic conditions. The majority of our other debt investments are with entities in the telecommunications industry. The collection of contractual principal and interest on these debt investments are highly dependent on the future business operations of those entities. Our estimation of expected credit losses for such debt investments require significant judgment about matters specific to the debtor and their industry. Accordingly, our actual collection experience may differ from the assumptions reflected in our expected credit loss estimates.

We record our other debt investments related estimated credit losses as a reduction of Interest income, net.

Financial Impact of Adoption. The following table presents our adoption of this new standard resulting in adjustments to our Consolidated Balance Sheet effective January 1, 2020:


	Balance December 31, 2019		Adoption of ASC 326 Increase (Decrease)		Balance January 1, 2020
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	196,629	$	(13,672)	$	182,957
Other current assets, net	$	179,531	$	6,723	$	186,254
Other investments, net	$	325,405	$	(7,381)	$	318,024
Other non-current assets, net	$	334,841	$	4,050	$	338,891
Total assets	$	7,154,298	$	(10,280)	$	7,144,018
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$	351,692	$	(972)	$	350,720
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	632,809	$	(9,068)	$	623,741
Non-controlling interests	$	75,748	$	(240)	$	75,508
Total stockholders’ equity	$	3,745,553	$	(9,308)	$	3,736,245
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,154,298	$	(10,280)	$	7,144,018

The application of ASC 326 requirements did not materially affect our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Leases

We adopted ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842) Leases (Topic 842), as amended, codified as Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC 842”), as of January 1, 2019. The primary impact of ASC 842 on these Consolidated Financial Statements is the recognition of right-of-use assets and related liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for leases where we are the lessee. We elected to apply the requirements of the new standard prospectively on January 1, 2019 and did not restate these Consolidated Financial Statements for prior periods. Our adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Except for the new requirement to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for operating leases where we are the lessee, under our ASC 842 transition method, we continue to apply prior accounting standards to leases that commenced prior to 2019. We fully apply ASC 842 requirements only to leases that commenced or were modified on or after January 1, 2019. We elected certain practical expedients under our transition method, including elections to not reassess (i) whether a contract is or contains a lease and (ii) the classification of existing leases. We also elected not to apply hindsight in determining whether optional renewal periods should be included in the lease

term, which in some instances may impact the initial measurement of the lease liability and the calculation of straight-line expense over the lease term for operating leases. As a result of our transition elections, there was no change in our recognition of revenue and expense for leases that commenced prior to 2019. In addition, the application of ASC 842 requirements to new and modified leases did not materially affect our recognition of revenue or expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Financial Impact of Adoption. The following table presents our adoption of this standard resulting in adjustments to our Consolidated Balance Sheet effective January 1, 2019:


	Balance December 31, 2018		Adoption of ASC 842 Increase (Decrease)		Balance January 1, 2019
Other current assets, net	$	165,809	$	(28)	$	165,781
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	—	$	120,358	$	120,358
Other non-current assets, net	$	338,390	$	(7,272)	$	331,118
Total assets	$	8,661,294	$	113,058	$	8,774,352
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	181,698	$	17,453	$	199,151
Operating lease liabilities	$	—	$	100,085	$	100,085
Other non-current liabilities	$	80,304	$	(3,871)	$	76,433
Total liabilities	$	4,505,820	$	113,667	$	4,619,487
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	694,129	$	(609)	$	693,520
Total stockholders’ equity	$	4,155,474	$	(609)	$	4,154,865
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	8,661,294	$	113,058	$	8,774,352

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2019-12 - Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 is part of the FASB’s overall simplification initiative and seeks to simplify the accounting for income taxes by updating certain guidance and removing certain exceptions. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We have assessed the impact of adopting this new guidance and it will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), codified as ASC 848 (“ASC 848”). The purpose of ASC 848 is to provide optional guidance to ease the potential effects on financial reporting of the market-wide migration away from Interbank Offered Rates to alternative reference rates. ASC 848 applies only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference a reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The guidance may be applied upon issuance of ASC 848 through December 31, 2022. We expect to utilize the optional expedients provided by the guidance for contracts amended solely to use an alternative reference rate. We have evaluated the impact of adopting this new guidance and do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Contract Balances

The following table presents the components of our contract balances:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net:
Sales and services	$	149,513	$	152,632
Leasing	4,554		4,016
Total trade accounts receivable	154,067		156,648
Contract assets	45,308		63,758
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(15,386)		(23,777)
Total trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	183,989	$	196,629

Contract liabilities:
Current	$	104,569	$	101,060
Non-current	10,519		10,572
Total contract liabilities	$	115,088	$	111,632

The following table presents the revenue recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations that was previously included within contract liabilities:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Revenue	$	72,877	$	65,417	$	52,000

The following table presents the activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	23,777	$	16,604	$	12,027
Credit losses (1)	18,582		30,027		24,984
Deductions	(26,031)		(21,832)		(16,888)
Foreign currency translation	(942)		(1,022)		(3,519)
Balance at end of period	$	15,386	$	23,777	$	16,604

(1) The impact of adopting ASC 326 on January 1, 2020 was a net decrease to our allowance for doubtful accounts largely driven by a $13.4 million reclassification to Other current assets, net and Other non-current assets, net, offset by a $2.9 million adjustment to Accumulated earnings (losses).

Contract Acquisition Costs

The following table presents the activity in our contract acquisition costs, net:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	113,592	$	114,306	$	90,899
Additions	91,143		97,457		113,265
Amortization expense	(101,278)		(97,650)		(88,949)
Foreign currency translation	(3,620)		(521)		(909)
Balance at end of period	$	99,837	$	113,592	$	114,306

Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations

As of December 31, 2020, the remaining performance obligations for our customer contracts with original expected durations of more than one year was $942.3 million. We expect to recognize 38.2% 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, our leasing arrangements and agreements with certain customers under which collectibility of all amounts due through the term of contracts is uncertain.

Disaggregation of Revenue

Geographic Information

The following table presents our revenue from customer contracts disaggregated by primary geographic market and by segment:


	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other		Consolidated Total
For the year ended December 31, 2020
North America	$	1,556,961	$	17,398	$	9,443	$	1,583,802
South and Central America	151,194		—		232		151,426
Other	152,679		—		—		152,679
Total revenue	$	1,860,834	$	17,398	$	9,675	$	1,887,907

For the year ended December 31, 2019
North America	$	1,527,823	$	16,257	$	16,526	$	1,560,606
South and Central America	125,458		—		448		125,906
Other	199,461		—		108		199,569
Total revenue	$	1,852,742	$	16,257	$	17,082	$	1,886,081

For the year ended December 31, 2018
North America	$	1,444,628	$	27,231	$	18,495	$	1,490,354
South and Central America	101,632		—		384		102,016
Other	170,268		—		—		170,268
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	27,231	$	18,879	$	1,762,638

Nature of Products and Services

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by the nature of products and services and by segment:


	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other		Consolidated Total
For the year ended December 31, 2020
Services and other revenue:
Services	$	1,614,730	$	10,785	$	4,631	$	1,630,146
Lease revenue	40,503		6,613		5,042		52,158
Total services and other revenue	1,655,233		17,398		9,673		1,682,304
Equipment revenue:
Equipment	110,108		—		2		110,110
Design, development and construction services	88,511		—		—		88,511
Lease revenue	6,982		—		—		6,982
Total equipment revenue	205,601		—		2		205,603
Total revenue	$	1,860,834	$	17,398	$	9,675	$	1,887,907

For the year ended December 31, 2019
Services and other revenue:
Services	$	1,535,966	$	10,464	$	6,493	$	1,552,924
Lease revenue	50,073		5,793		10,481		66,347
Total services and other revenue	1,586,039		16,257		16,974		1,619,271
Equipment revenue:
Equipment	115,052		—		107		115,159
Design, development and construction services	145,646		—		—		145,646
Lease revenue	6,005						6,005
Total equipment revenue	266,703		—		107		266,810
Total revenue	$	1,852,742	$	16,257	$	17,082	$	1,886,081

For the year ended December 31, 2018
Services and other revenue:
Services	$	1,313,059	$	21,044	$	5,821	$	1,339,924
Lease revenue	198,059		6,187		13,058		217,304
Total services and other revenue	1,511,118		27,231		18,879		1,557,228
Equipment revenue:
Equipment	119,657		—		—		119,657
Design, development and construction services	85,753		—		—		85,753
Total equipment revenue	205,410		—		—		205,410
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	27,231	$	18,879	$	1,762,638

Lease Revenue

We elected to apply the requirements of ASC Topic 842, Leases, prospectively on January 1, 2019. As a result, the following disclosures required by the new guidance are not presented for periods prior to that date.

The following table presents our lease revenue by type of lease:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Sales-type lease revenue:
Revenue at lease commencement	$	6,982	$	6,005
Interest income	393		784
Total sales-type lease revenue	7,375		6,789
Operating lease revenue	51,765		65,563
Total lease revenue	$	59,140	$	72,352

Substantially all of our net investment in sales-type leases consisted of lease receivables totaling $13.0 million and $6.5 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The following table presents future operating lease payments to be received as of December 31, 2020:


	Amounts
December 31,
2021	$	45,332
2022	34,137
2023	31,907
2024	29,666
2025	28,035
2026 and beyond	99,692
Total lease payments	$	268,769

The following table presents amounts for assets subject to operating leases, which are included in Property and equipment, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020						2019
	Cost		Accumulated Depreciation		Net		Cost		Accumulated Depreciation		Net
Customer premises equipment	$	1,617,053	$	(1,265,129)	$	351,924	$	1,377,914	$	(1,043,431)	$	334,483
Satellites	104,620		(38,335)		66,285		104,620		(31,360)		73,260
Real estate	48,275		(17,094)		31,181		46,930		(16,048)		30,882
Total	$	1,769,948	$	(1,320,558)	$	449,390	$	1,529,464	$	(1,090,839)	$	438,625

The following table presents depreciation expense for assets subject to operating leases, which is included in Depreciation and amortization:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Customer premises equipment	$	230,079	$	182,523
Satellites	6,975		7,495
Real estate	942		923
Total	$	237,996	$	190,941

- Definition

The entire disclosure of revenue from contract with customer to transfer good or service and to transfer nonfinancial asset. Includes, but is not limited to, disaggregation of revenue, credit loss recognized from contract with customer, judgment and change in judgment related to contract with customer, and asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. Excludes insurance and lease contracts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=49130388

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130551-203045

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130556-203045

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130550-203045

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130558-203045

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121604090&loc=SL49130554-203045

+ Details

Lessee Accounting

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Lessee Accounting

The following table presents the amounts for right-of-use assets and lease liabilities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Right-of-use assets:
Operating	$	128,303	$	114,042
Finance	278,237		325,826
Total right-of-use assets	$	406,540	$	439,868

Lease liabilities:
Current:
Operating	$	14,699	$	14,651
Finance	423		486
Total current	15,122		15,137
Non-current:
Operating	114,886		96,941
Finance	129		565
Total non-current	115,015		97,506
Total lease liabilities	$	130,137	$	112,643

As of December 31, 2020, we have prepaid our obligations regarding most of our finance right-of-use assets. Finance lease assets are reported net of accumulated amortization of $74.0 million and $57.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The following table presents the components of lease cost and weighted average lease terms and discount rates for operating and finance leases:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Lease cost:
Operating lease cost	$	24,000	$	24,342
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	27,611		26,489
Interest on lease liabilities	106		173
Total finance lease cost	27,717		26,662
Short-term lease cost	376		434
Variable lease cost	3,853		8,837
Total lease cost	$	55,946	$	60,275


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Lease term and discount rate:
Weighted average remaining lease term:
Finance leases	1.2 years		2.1 years
Operating leases	10.6 years		10.3 years

Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases	12.2	%	11.9	%
Operating leases	6.0	%	6.1	%

The following table presents the detailed cash flows from operating and finance leases:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	21,834	$	22,618
Operating cash flows from finance leases	106		173
Financing cash flows from finance leases	499		654

We obtained right-of-use assets in exchange for lease liabilities of $22.6 million and $8.5 million upon commencement of operating leases during the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The following table presents future minimum lease payments of our lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020:


	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Total
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	21,051	$	472	$	21,523
2022	20,409		136		20,545
2023	19,628		—		19,628
2024	16,364		—		16,364
2025	12,355		—		12,355
2026 and beyond	86,194		—		86,194
Total future minimum lease payments	176,001		608		176,609
Less: Interest	(46,416)		(56)		(46,472)
Total lease liabilities	$	129,585	$	552	$	130,137

Lessee Accounting

The following table presents the amounts for right-of-use assets and lease liabilities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Right-of-use assets:
Operating	$	128,303	$	114,042
Finance	278,237		325,826
Total right-of-use assets	$	406,540	$	439,868

Lease liabilities:
Current:
Operating	$	14,699	$	14,651
Finance	423		486
Total current	15,122		15,137
Non-current:
Operating	114,886		96,941
Finance	129		565
Total non-current	115,015		97,506
Total lease liabilities	$	130,137	$	112,643

The following table presents the components of lease cost and weighted average lease terms and discount rates for operating and finance leases:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Lease cost:
Operating lease cost	$	24,000	$	24,342
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	27,611		26,489
Interest on lease liabilities	106		173
Total finance lease cost	27,717		26,662
Short-term lease cost	376		434
Variable lease cost	3,853		8,837
Total lease cost	$	55,946	$	60,275


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Lease term and discount rate:
Weighted average remaining lease term:
Finance leases	1.2 years		2.1 years
Operating leases	10.6 years		10.3 years

Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases	12.2	%	11.9	%
Operating leases	6.0	%	6.1	%

The following table presents the detailed cash flows from operating and finance leases:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	21,834	$	22,618
Operating cash flows from finance leases	106		173
Financing cash flows from finance leases	499		654

The following table presents future minimum lease payments of our lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020:


	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Total
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	21,051	$	472	$	21,523
2022	20,409		136		20,545
2023	19,628		—		19,628
2024	16,364		—		16,364
2025	12,355		—		12,355
2026 and beyond	86,194		—		86,194
Total future minimum lease payments	176,001		608		176,609
Less: Interest	(46,416)		(56)		(46,472)
Total lease liabilities	$	129,585	$	552	$	130,137

Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

BSS Business

The following table presents the financial results of our discontinued operations of the BSS Business:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	195,942	$	305,229
Services and other revenue - other	16,260		23,496
Total revenue	212,202		328,725
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	28,057		40,398
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,946		159
Depreciation and amortization	97,435		141,062
Total costs and expenses	134,438		181,619
Operating income (loss)	77,764		147,106
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(17,865)		(29,280)
Total other income (expense), net	(17,865)		(29,280)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	59,899		117,826
Income tax benefit (provision), net	(20,498)		(24,097)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	39,401	$	93,729

No assets or liabilities attributable to our discontinued operations were held by us as of December 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

The following table presents the significant supplemental cash flow information and adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flow from operating activities for discontinued operations of the BSS business:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	39,401	$	93,729
Depreciation and amortization	$	97,435	$	141,062

Investing activities:
Expenditures for property and equipment	$	510	$	175

Financing activities:
Payment of finance lease obligations	$	27,203	$	35,886
Payment of in-orbit incentive obligations	$	4,474	$	4,883

Terminated or Transferred Related Party Agreements

Effective September 10, 2019, the following agreements were terminated or transferred to DISH Network as part of the BSS Transaction. Unless noted differently below, we have no further obligations and have neither earned additional revenue nor incurred additional expense, as applicable, under or in connection with these agreements after the consummation of the BSS Transaction.

Satellite Capacity Leased to DISH Network. We entered into certain agreements to lease satellite capacity pursuant to which we provided satellite services to DISH Network on certain satellites, as listed below, owned or leased by us. The fees for the services provided under these agreements depended, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite, the number of transponders that provided services on the applicable satellite and the length of the service arrangements. The terms of each of the agreements are set forth below:

•EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV — In March 2014, we began leasing certain satellite capacity to DISH Network on the EchoStar VII satellite, the EchoStar X satellite, the EchoStar XI satellite and the EchoStar XIV satellite.

•EchoStar XII — DISH Network leased satellite capacity from us on the EchoStar XII satellite.

•EchoStar XVI — In December 2009, we entered into an agreement to lease satellite capacity to DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network leased satellite capacity from us on the EchoStar XVI satellite beginning in January 2013.

•Nimiq 5 Agreement — In September 2009, we entered into an 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 entered into an agreement with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network leased 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 made certain monthly payments to us that commenced in September 2009, when the Nimiq 5 satellite was placed into service. Following the consummation of the BSS Transaction, we retained certain obligations related to DISH Network’s performance under the Telesat Transponder Agreement.

•QuetzSat-1 Agreement — In November 2008, we entered into an agreement to lease satellite capacity from SES Latin America, which provided, 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 leased 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 leased back from DISH Network certain satellite capacity on five DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite.

TT&C Agreement. Effective January 2012, we entered into a TT&C agreement pursuant to which we provided TT&C services to DISH Network, which we subsequently amended (the “2012 TT&C Agreement”). The fees for services provided under the 2012 TT&C Agreement were calculated at either: (i) a fixed fee or (ii) cost plus a fixed margin, which varied depending on the nature of the services provided.

Real Estate Leases to DISH Network. We entered into lease agreements pursuant to which DISH Network leased certain real estate from us. The rent on a per square foot basis each of the leases or subsequent amendments was comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the leases or subsequent amendments and DISH Network was responsible for its portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. These components of the BSS Transaction do not qualify for discontinued operations treatment, and therefore the revenue from these lease agreements has not been treated as discontinued operations. The terms of each of the leases are set forth below:

•Santa Fe Lease Agreement — DISH Network leased from us all of 5701 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, Colorado. In connection with the BSS Transaction, we transferred this property to DISH Network.

•Cheyenne Lease Agreement — During 2017, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with DISH and certain of its subsidiaries whereby we and certain of our subsidiaries received all the shares of preferred tracking stock previously issued by us and one of our subsidiaries (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”). 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, among other things, provide for a continued lease to DISH Network of the portion of the property we retained (the “Cheyenne Data Center”). In connection with the BSS Transaction, we transferred the Cheyenne Data Center to DISH Network.

Real Estate Leases from DISH Network. We entered into a lease agreement pursuant to which we leased from DISH Network certain space at 801 N. DISH Dr. in Gilbert, Arizona for the Satellite Operations Center and Satellite Access Center. The rent on a per square foot basis was comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the leases or subsequent amendments and included our portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and certain maintenance of the premises. In connection with the BSS Transaction, we terminated this lease and transferred the Gilbert Satellite Operations Center, including any and all equipment, software, processes, software licenses, hardware licenses, furniture and technical documentation located within, to DISH Network.

Business Combinations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combinations

BUSINESS COMBINATIONSIn May 2019, we entered into an agreement with Al Yah Satellite Communications Company PrJSC (“Yahsat”) pursuant to which, in November 2019, Yahsat contributed its satellite communications services business in Brazil to one of our Brazilian subsidiaries in exchange for a 20% equity ownership interest in that subsidiary (the “Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction”). The combined business provides broadband internet services and enterprise solutions in Brazil using the Telesat T19V satellite, the Eutelsat 65W satellite and Yahsat’s Al Yah 3 satellite. The results of operations related to the business we acquired from Yahsat have been included in these Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. As of December 31, 2020, we incurred $1.6 million of costs associated with the closing of the Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction.

All assets and liabilities acquired from Yahsat in the Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction have been recorded at fair value. The following table presents our allocation of the purchase price:


	Amounts
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,110
Other current assets, net	5,876
Property and equipment	86,983
Regulatory authorization	4,498
Goodwill	9,186
Other non-current assets, net	1,502
Total assets	$	116,155

Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	3,879
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,676
Total liabilities	$	10,555

Total purchase price (1)	$	105,600

(1) Based on the value determined for the equity ownership interest issued by our Brazilian subsidiary as consideration for the business acquired by us in the Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction.

The following valuation of the acquired assets was derived using primarily unobservable Level 3 inputs, which require significant management judgment and estimation:


	Amounts
Satellite payload	$	49,363
Regulatory authorization	4,498
Total	$	53,861

The satellite payload asset and regulatory authorization were valued using an income approach and will be being amortized over seven and 11 years, respectively.

The goodwill we recognized was allocated entirely to our Hughes segment and attributed to expected synergies, projected long-term business growth in current and new markets and an assembled workforce.

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted EPS:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(40,150)	$	(102,318)	$	(134,204)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		39,401		93,729
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$	(40,150)	$	(62,917)	$	(40,475)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Class A and B common stock:
Basic and diluted	97,920		96,738		96,250

Earnings (losses) per share:
Class A and B common stock:
Basic and diluted:
Continuing operations	$	(0.41)	$	(1.06)	$	(1.39)
Discontinued operations	—		0.41		0.97
Total basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share	$	(0.41)	$	(0.65)	$	(0.42)

The following table presents the number of anti-dilutive options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock which have been excluded from the calculation of our weighted-average common shares outstanding:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020	2019	2018
Number of shares	4,374	4,813	5,013

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table presents the changes in the balances of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component:


	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments		Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities		Other		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	(121,693)	$	(1,574)	$	(1,833)	$	(125,100)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(483)		2,571		1,466		3,554
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	—		(592)		—		(592)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(483)		1,979		1,466		2,962
Balance, December 31, 2019	(122,176)		405		(367)		(122,138)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(68,097)		(253)		2,614		(65,736)
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	—		(2)		—		(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(68,097)		(255)		2,614		(65,738)
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	(190,273)	$	150	$	2,247	$	(187,876)

Marketable Investment Securities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Marketable Investment Securities

MARKETABLE INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The following table presents our Marketable investment securities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Marketable investment securities:
Debt securities:
Available-for-sale:
Corporate bonds	$	372,746	$	568,442
Commercial paper	1,101,888		321,706
Other debt securities	148,292		13,874
Total available-for-sale debt securities	1,622,926		904,022
Fair value option - corporate bonds	—		9,128
Total debt securities	1,622,926		913,150
Equity securities	24,435		35,566
Total marketable investment securities, including restricted amounts	1,647,361		948,716
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	(9,090)		(8,093)
Total marketable investment securities	$	1,638,271	$	940,623

Debt Securities

Available-for-Sale

The following table presents the components of our available-for-sale debt securities:


	Amortized		Unrealized				Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
As of December 31, 2020
Corporate bonds	$	372,702	$	78	$	(34)	$	372,746
Commercial paper	1,101,888		—		—		1,101,888
Other debt securities	148,292		6		(6)		148,292
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$	1,622,882	$	84	$	(40)	$	1,622,926
As of December 31, 2019
Corporate bonds	$	567,926	$	518	$	(2)	$	568,442
Commercial paper	321,705		1		—		321,706
Other debt securities	13,867		7		—		13,874
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$	903,498	$	526	$	(2)	$	904,022

The following table presents the activity on our available-for-sale debt securities:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Proceeds from sales	$	160,494	$	435,978	$	75,000
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$	2	$	549	$	—

As of December 31, 2020, we have $1.6 billion of available-for-sale debt securities with contractual maturities of one year or less and zero with contractual maturities greater than one year.

Fair Value Option

The following table presents the activity on our fair value option corporate bonds:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Proceeds from sales	$	32,054	$	46,717	$	75,877
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$	14,980	$	6,746	$	4,212

Equity Securities

The following table presents the activity of our equity securities:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Proceeds from sales	$	14,401	$	104,729	$	62,111
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$	(3,241)	$	53,873	$	(16,599)

Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents our marketable investment securities categorized by the fair value hierarchy, certain of which have historically experienced volatility:


	As of December 31,
	2020						2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	$	416	$	809,698	$	810,114	$	31,451	$	1,408,043	$	1,439,494
Debt securities:
Available-for-sale:
Corporate bonds	$	—	$	372,746	$	372,746	$	—	$	568,442	$	568,442
Commercial paper	—		1,101,888		1,101,888		—		321,706		321,706
Other debt securities	139,486		8,806		148,292		8,093		5,781		13,874
Total available-for-sale debt securities	139,486		1,483,440		1,622,926		8,093		895,929		904,022
Fair value option - corporate bonds	—		—		—		—		9,128		9,128
Total debt securities	139,486		1,483,440		1,622,926		8,093		905,057		913,150
Equity securities	14,441		9,994		24,435		27,933		7,633		35,566
Total marketable investment securities, including restricted amounts	153,927		1,493,434		1,647,361		36,026		912,690		948,716
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	(9,090)		—		(9,090)		(8,093)		—		(8,093)
Total marketable investment securities	$	144,837	$	1,493,434	$	1,638,271	$	27,933	$	912,690	$	940,623

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not have any investments that were categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The following table presents the components of Property and equipment, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Property and equipment, net:
Satellites, net	$	1,602,076	$	1,749,576
Other property and equipment, net	788,237		779,162
Total property and equipment, net	$	2,390,313	$	2,528,738

Satellites

As of December 31, 2020, our operating satellite fleet consisted of 10 satellites, seven of which are owned and three of which are leased. They are all in geosynchronous orbit, approximately 22,300 miles above the equator.

The following table presents our operating satellite fleet as of December 31, 2020 which consists of both owned and leased satellites:

Satellite

Segment

Launch Date

Nominal Degree Orbital Location (Longitude)

Depreciable Life (In Years)

Owned:

SPACEWAY 3 (1)

Hughes

August 2007

95 W

EchoStar XVII

Hughes

July 2012

107 W

EchoStar XIX

Hughes

December 2016

97.1 W

Al Yah 3 (2)

Hughes

January 2018

20 W

EchoStar IX (3)

ESS

August 2003

121 W

EUTELSAT 10A (“W2A”) (4)

Corporate and Other

April 2009

10 E

EchoStar XXI

Corporate and Other

June 2017

10.25 E

Finance leases:

Eutelsat 65 West A

Hughes

March 2016

65 W

Telesat T19V

Hughes

July 2018

63 W

EchoStar 105/SES-11

ESS

October 2017

105 W

(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) Upon consummation of our joint venture with Yahsat in Brazil in November 2019, we acquired the Brazilian Ka-band payload on this satellite. Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of November 2019.

(3) We own the Ka-band and Ku-band payloads on this satellite.

(4) We acquired the S-band payload on this satellite in December 2013. Prior to acquisition, the S-band payload experienced an anomaly at the time of launch and, as a result, is not fully operational.

The following table presents the components of our satellites, net:


	Depreciable Life (In Years)	As of December 31,
		2020		2019
Satellites, net:
Satellites - owned	7 to 15	$	1,805,590	$	1,816,303
Satellites - acquired under finance leases	15	352,245		381,163
Construction in progress	—	409,032		365,133
Total satellites		2,566,867		2,562,599
Accumulated depreciation
Satellites - owned		(890,783)		(756,635)
Satellites - acquired under finance leases		(74,008)		(56,388)
Total accumulated depreciation		(964,791)		(813,023)
Total satellites, net		$	1,602,076	$	1,749,576

The following table presents the depreciation expense associated with our satellites, net:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Depreciation expense:
Satellites - owned	128,404		130,705		124,987
Satellites - acquired under finance leases	27,611		25,755		20,269
Total depreciation expense	$	156,015	$	156,460	$	145,256

The following table presents capitalized interest associated with our satellites and satellite-related ground infrastructure:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Capitalized interest	$	27,369	$	22,576	$	18,285

Construction in Progress

In August 2017, we entered into a contract for the design and construction of the EchoStar XXIV satellite, a new, next-generation, high throughput geostationary satellite. The EchoStar XXIV satellite is primarily intended to provide additional capacity for our HughesNet satellite internet service (“HughesNet service”) in North, Central and South America as well as enterprise broadband services. Maxar Space, LLC (formerly Space Systems/Loral, LLC), the manufacturer of our EchoStar XXIV satellite has notified us of a delay in completion of the satellite. Capital expenditures associated with the construction and launch of the EchoStar XXIV satellite are included in Corporate and Other in our segment reporting. We launched two nano-satellites in the third quarter of 2020. Following launch, both nano-satellites experienced technical anomalies that precluded them from fulfilling their intended regulatory milestone missions. We recorded an impairment of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, related to these nano-satellites.

Satellite-Related Commitments

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 our satellite-related commitments were $487.7 million and $419.0 million, respectively. These include payments pursuant to agreements for the construction of the EchoStar XXIV satellite, payments pursuant to the EchoStar XXIV launch contract, payments pursuant to regulatory authorizations, non-lease costs associated with our finance lease satellites, in-orbit incentives relating to certain satellites and commitments for satellite service arrangements.

Satellite Anomalies and Impairments

We are not aware of any anomalies with respect to our owned or leased satellites or payloads that have had any significant adverse effect on their remaining useful lives, the commercial operation of the satellites or payloads or our operating results or financial position as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Satellite InsuranceWe generally do not carry in-orbit insurance on our satellites or payloads 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 long-term debt and our joint venture agreements with Yahsat, we are required, subject to certain limitations on coverage, to maintain only for the SPACEWAY 3 satellite, the EchoStar XVII satellite and the Al Yah 3 Brazilian payload, insurance or other contractual arrangements during the commercial in-orbit service of such satellite or payload. Our other satellites and payloads, either in orbit or under construction, are not covered by launch or in-orbit insurance or other contractual arrangements. We will continue to assess circumstances going forward and make insurance-related decisions on a case-by-case basis.

Fair Value of In-Orbit Incentives

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the fair values of our in-orbit incentive obligations from our continuing operations approximated their carrying amounts of $55.4 million and $57.0 million, respectively.

Other Property and Equipment, Net


	Depreciable Life (In Years)	As of December 31,
		2020		2019
Other property and equipment, net:
Land	—	$	29,055	$	28,943
Buildings and improvements	1 to 40	115,335		113,938
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	1 to 12	887,086		855,274
Customer premises equipment	2 to 4	1,617,053		1,377,914
Construction in progress		99,716		52,986
Total other property and equipment		$	2,748,245	$	2,429,055
Accumulated depreciation		(1,960,008)		(1,649,893)
Other property and equipment, net		$	788,237	$	779,162

The following table presents the depreciation expense associated with our other property and equipment:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Other property and equipment depreciation expense:
Buildings and improvements	$	5,394	$	5,791	$	11,285
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	94,389		90,885		82,945
Customer premises equipment	230,079		194,906		174,749
Total depreciation expense	$	329,862	$	291,582	$	268,979

Regulatory Authorizations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Regulatory Authorizations

REGULATORY AUTHORIZATIONS

The following table presents our Regulatory authorizations, net:


	Finite lived
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Total		Indefinite lived		Total
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	92,621	$	(21,342)	$	71,279	$	400,042	$	471,321
Impairment	(37,476)		7,848		(29,628)		—		(29,628)
Amortization expense	—		(5,190)		(5,190)		—		(5,190)
Currency translation adjustments	(8,358)		1,894		(6,464)		—		(6,464)
Balance, December 31, 2018	46,787		(16,790)		29,997		400,042		430,039
Additions	12,833		—		12,833		39,491		52,324
Amortization expense	—		(3,672)		(3,672)		—		(3,672)
Currency translation adjustments	(1,169)		318		(851)		758		(93)
Balance, December 31, 2019	58,451		(20,144)		38,307		440,291		478,598
Amortization expense	—		(4,483)		(4,483)		—		(4,483)
Currency translation adjustments	2,930		(2,012)		918		3,729		4,647
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	61,381	$	(26,639)	$	34,742	$	444,020	$	478,762

Weighted average useful life (in years)			13

Finite Lived Assets

In November 2019, we were granted an S-band spectrum license for terrestrial rights in Mexico for $7.9 million. The acquired asset is subject to amortization over a period of 15 years.

In November 2019, we also acquired Ka-band spectrum rights $4.5 million, upon consummation of the Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction, which are subject to amortization over a period of 11 years.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, impairment of long-lived assets was $65.2 million, which was primarily attributable to the determination that the fair value of the 45 degree west longitude regulatory authorization was de minimis. Our recognition of a loss on the assets and the in-substance liquidation of the business related to this regulatory authorization are as follows: (i) $29.6 million related to the regulatory authorization; (ii) $3.5 million related to other assets; and (iii) $32.1 million of foreign currency translation adjustment.

Future Amortization

The following table presents our estimated future amortization of our regulatory authorizations with finite lives as of December 31, 2020:


	Amount
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$	4,610
2022	4,658
2023	4,658
2024	4,668
2025	4,658
2026 and beyond	11,490
Total	$	34,742

Indefinite Lived Assets

In October 2019, we acquired Sirion Global Pty Ltd., which we have renamed EchoStar Global Australia Pty Ltd (“EchoStar Global”), which holds global S-band non-geostationary stationary satellite spectrum rights for mobile satellite services. We acquired the global S-band non-geostationary satellite spectrum rights for $39.5 million, of which $26.5 million were made in cash payments and the remainder relate to deferred tax liabilities. The acquired spectrum rights are not subject to amortization.

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETSThe following table presents our other intangible assets:


	Customer Relationships		Patents		Trademarks and Licenses		Total
Cost:
As of December 31, 2017	$	270,300	$	61,300	$	29,700	$	361,300
Write-off	—		(17)		—		(17)
As of December 31, 2018	270,300		61,283		29,700		361,283
As of December 31, 2019	270,300		61,283		29,700		361,283
As of December 31, 2020	$	270,300	$	61,283	$	29,700	$	361,283

Accumulated amortization:
As of December 31, 2017	$	(231,642)	$	(60,927)	$	(9,776)	$	(302,345)
Amortization expense	(13,145)		(94)		(1,485)		(14,724)
Write-off	—		17		—		17
As of December 31, 2018	(244,787)		(61,004)		(11,261)		(317,052)
Amortization expense	(13,146)		(93)		(1,485)		(14,724)
As of December 31, 2019	(257,933)		(61,097)		(12,746)		(331,776)
Amortization expense	(9,496)		(93)		(1,485)		(11,074)
As of December 31, 2020	$	(267,429)	$	(61,190)	$	(14,231)	$	(342,850)

Carrying amount:
As of December 31, 2017	$	38,658	$	373	$	19,924	$	58,955
As of December 31, 2018	$	25,513	$	279	$	18,439	$	44,231
As of December 31, 2019	$	12,367	$	186	$	16,954	$	29,507
As of December 31, 2020	$	2,871	$	93	$	15,469	$	18,433

Weighted average useful life (in years)	8		6		20

Future Amortization

The following table presents our estimated future amortization of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2020:


	Amount
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$	4,449
2022	1,485
2023	1,485
2024	1,485
2025	1,485
2026 and beyond	8,044
Total	$	18,433

Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Intangible Assets

REGULATORY AUTHORIZATIONS

The following table presents our Regulatory authorizations, net:


	Finite lived
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Total		Indefinite lived		Total
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	92,621	$	(21,342)	$	71,279	$	400,042	$	471,321
Impairment	(37,476)		7,848		(29,628)		—		(29,628)
Amortization expense	—		(5,190)		(5,190)		—		(5,190)
Currency translation adjustments	(8,358)		1,894		(6,464)		—		(6,464)
Balance, December 31, 2018	46,787		(16,790)		29,997		400,042		430,039
Additions	12,833		—		12,833		39,491		52,324
Amortization expense	—		(3,672)		(3,672)		—		(3,672)
Currency translation adjustments	(1,169)		318		(851)		758		(93)
Balance, December 31, 2019	58,451		(20,144)		38,307		440,291		478,598
Amortization expense	—		(4,483)		(4,483)		—		(4,483)
Currency translation adjustments	2,930		(2,012)		918		3,729		4,647
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	61,381	$	(26,639)	$	34,742	$	444,020	$	478,762

Weighted average useful life (in years)			13

Finite Lived Assets

In November 2019, we were granted an S-band spectrum license for terrestrial rights in Mexico for $7.9 million. The acquired asset is subject to amortization over a period of 15 years.

In November 2019, we also acquired Ka-band spectrum rights $4.5 million, upon consummation of the Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction, which are subject to amortization over a period of 11 years.

Future Amortization

The following table presents our estimated future amortization of our regulatory authorizations with finite lives as of December 31, 2020:


	Amount
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$	4,610
2022	4,658
2023	4,658
2024	4,668
2025	4,658
2026 and beyond	11,490
Total	$	34,742

Indefinite Lived Assets

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETSThe following table presents our other intangible assets:


	Customer Relationships		Patents		Trademarks and Licenses		Total
Cost:
As of December 31, 2017	$	270,300	$	61,300	$	29,700	$	361,300
Write-off	—		(17)		—		(17)
As of December 31, 2018	270,300		61,283		29,700		361,283
As of December 31, 2019	270,300		61,283		29,700		361,283
As of December 31, 2020	$	270,300	$	61,283	$	29,700	$	361,283

Accumulated amortization:
As of December 31, 2017	$	(231,642)	$	(60,927)	$	(9,776)	$	(302,345)
Amortization expense	(13,145)		(94)		(1,485)		(14,724)
Write-off	—		17		—		17
As of December 31, 2018	(244,787)		(61,004)		(11,261)		(317,052)
Amortization expense	(13,146)		(93)		(1,485)		(14,724)
As of December 31, 2019	(257,933)		(61,097)		(12,746)		(331,776)
Amortization expense	(9,496)		(93)		(1,485)		(11,074)
As of December 31, 2020	$	(267,429)	$	(61,190)	$	(14,231)	$	(342,850)

Carrying amount:
As of December 31, 2017	$	38,658	$	373	$	19,924	$	58,955
As of December 31, 2018	$	25,513	$	279	$	18,439	$	44,231
As of December 31, 2019	$	12,367	$	186	$	16,954	$	29,507
As of December 31, 2020	$	2,871	$	93	$	15,469	$	18,433

Weighted average useful life (in years)	8		6		20

Future Amortization

The following table presents our estimated future amortization of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2020:


	Amount
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$	4,449
2022	1,485
2023	1,485
2024	1,485
2025	1,485
2026 and beyond	8,044
Total	$	18,433

Other Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Other Investments

OTHER INVESTMENTS

The following table presents our Other investments, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other investments, net:
Equity method investments	$	151,070	$	166,209
Other equity investments	31,662		66,627
Other debt investments, net	102,205		92,569
Total other investments, net	$	284,937	$	325,405

Equity Method Investments

Dish Mexico

We own 49% of Dish Mexico, a joint venture that we entered into in 2008 to provide direct-to-home satellite services in Mexico. Historically, we provided certain satellite services to Dish Mexico. However, following the consummation of the BSS Transaction, we no longer provide these services.

Deluxe/EchoStar LLC

We own 50% of Deluxe/EchoStar LLC (“Deluxe”), a joint venture that we entered into in 2010 to build an advanced digital cinema satellite distribution network targeting delivery to digitally equipped theaters in the U.S. and Canada.

Broadband Connectivity Solutions (Restricted) Limited

In August 2018, we entered into an agreement with 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 $100.0 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.

Financial Information for Our Equity Method Investments

The following table presents revenue recognized:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Deluxe	$	4,393	$	4,377	$	4,433
BCS	$	9,080	$	8,979	$	695

The following table presents trade accounts receivable:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Deluxe	$	716	$	631
BCS	$	9,347	$	5,171

There were no cash distributions from our investments for the year ended December 31, 2020. We recorded cash distributions from our investments of $2.7 million and $10.0 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. These cash distributions were determined to be a return on investment and reported in Net cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additionally, we recorded an additional dividend from our investments of $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 that was considered a return of investment and reported in Net cash flows from investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. There were no returns of investment during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2018.

Other Equity Investments

The following table presents reductions to the carrying amount of our investments based on circumstances that indicated the fair value of the investments was less than their carry amount:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Loss (gain) on investments, net	$	29,833	$	36,700	$	—

Other Debt Investments, Net

The following table presents our other debt investments, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other debt investments, net:
Cost basis	$	114,903	$	102,878
Discount	(10,185)		(10,309)
Allowance for credit losses	(2,513)		—
Total other debt investments, net	$	102,205	$	92,569

The following table presents the activity in our allowance for credit losses for these investments:


	For the year ended December 31, 2020
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	—
Credit Losses (1)	2,513
Deductions	—
Balance at end of period	$	2,513

(1) The impact of adopting ASC 326 on January 1, 2020 was a $2.1 million adjustment to Accumulated earnings (losses).

The following table presents the interest income, net related to our debt investments, net:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Interest income, net
Interest income	$	14,736	$	2,500
Credit losses	(367)		—
Total interest income, net	$	14,369	$	2,500

Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT

The following table presents the carrying amount and fair values of our Current portion of long-term debt, net and Long-term debt, net:


	Effective Interest Rate	As of December 31,
		2020				2019
		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes:
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026	5.301%	$	750,000	$	834,045	$	750,000	$	825,308
Senior Unsecured Notes:
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	8.028%	900,000		924,003		900,000		963,783
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	6.667%	750,000		852,810		750,000		833,903
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs		(6,507)		—		(10,832)		—
Total long-term debt		2,393,493		2,610,858		2,389,168		2,622,994
Less: Current portion, net		(898,237)		(924,003)		—		—
Long-term debt, net		$	1,495,256	$	1,686,855	$	2,389,168	$	2,622,994

2021 Senior Unsecured Notes

On June 1, 2011, HSSC issued $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Senior Unsecured Notes,”) at an issue price of 100.0%, pursuant to an Unsecured Indenture dated June 1, 2011 (the “2011 Indenture”). 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.

2026 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes

On July 27, 2016, HSSC issued $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Secured Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0%, pursuant to an indenture dated July 27, 2016 (the “2016 Secured Indenture”) and $750.0 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 Indenture and the 2016 Secured Indenture, the “Indentures”). 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 accrue 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 are payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears, on February 1 and August 1 of each year.

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.

The 2026 Senior Secured Notes are:

•secured obligations of HSSC;

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

•effectively junior to HSSC’s obligations that are secured by assets that are not part of the collateral that secures the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, in each case, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations;

•effectively senior to HSSC’s existing and future unsecured obligations to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, after giving effect to permitted liens as provided in the 2016 Secured Indenture;

•senior in right of payment to all existing and future obligations of HSSC that are expressly subordinated to the 2026 Senior Secured Notes;

•structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any of HSSC’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2026 Senior Secured Notes; and

•unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior secured basis by certain of our HSSC’s 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 2026 Senior Secured Notes.

The Unsecured Notes are:

•unsecured senior obligations of HSSC;

•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 HSSC’s 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 HSSC that are expressly subordinated to the respective Unsecured Notes;

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

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

•incur additional debt;

•pay dividends or make distributions on HSSC’s or their capital stock or repurchase HSSC’s or their 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 its or their ability to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets.

In the event of a Change of Control, as defined in the respective Indentures, HSSC 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, non-payment, 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 25.0% 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.

Debt Issuance Costs

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we amortized $4.3 million, $5.9 million and $7.9 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs incurred for all debt issuances, which are included in Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

The following table presents the components of Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Domestic	$	108,078	$	120,295	$	33,176
Foreign	(135,913)		(213,460)		(158,962)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(27,835)	$	(93,165)	$	(125,786)

The following table presents the components of Income tax benefit (provision), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Current benefit (provision), net:
Federal	$	(2,750)	$	(5,089)	$	(1,476)
State	(4,868)		286		4,881
Foreign	(2,116)		(633)		(2,690)
Total current benefit (provision), net	$	(9,734)	$	(5,436)	$	715

Deferred benefit (provision), net:
Federal	$	(9,707)	$	(7,511)	$	6,857
State	3,497		(10,964)		(14,375)
Foreign	(8,125)		3,423		227
Total deferred benefit (provision), net	(14,335)		(15,052)		(7,291)
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	$	(24,069)	$	(20,488)	$	(6,576)

The following table presents our actual tax provisions reconciled to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations :


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Statutory rate	$	5,845	$	19,565	$	26,415
State income taxes, net of federal provision (benefit)	(349)		(8,137)		(10,519)
Permanent differences	(2,209)		(6,531)		(1,367)
Tax credits	1,353		12,453		7,825
Valuation allowance	(44,212)		(54,251)		(50,118)
Rates different than statutory	17,180		18,786		20,254
Withholding tax	(766)		(2,171)		(80)
Other	(911)		(202)		1,014
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	$	(24,069)	$	(20,488)	$	(6,576)

The following table presents the components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$	274,894	$	289,353
Unrealized losses on investments, net	43,693		39,018
Accrued expenses	21,787		19,660
Stock-based compensation	6,723		5,772
Other assets	35,689		28,163
Total deferred tax assets	382,786		381,966
Valuation allowance	(225,593)		(181,032)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	$	157,193	$	200,934

Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	$	(514,091)	$	(544,158)
Other liabilities	(1,217)		(1,217)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(515,308)		(545,375)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(358,115)	$	(344,441)

Net deferred tax asset foreign jurisdiction	$	1,781	$	7,251
Net deferred tax liability domestic	(359,896)		(351,692)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(358,115)	$	(344,441)

Overall, our net deferred tax assets were offset by a valuation allowance of $225.6 million and $181.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, 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, 2020, we had net operating loss carryforwards of $657.5 million, including $521.2 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards. A substantial portion of these net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2037. As of December 31, 2020, we have tax credit carryforwards of $148.0 million and $103.4 million for federal and state income tax purposes, respectively. If not utilized, the federal tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2024 and the state tax credit carryforwards begin to expire in 2020.

As of December 31, 2020, 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. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had net deferred tax assets related to our foreign subsidiaries of $1.8 million and $7.3 million, respectively, which were recorded in Other non-current assets, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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, 2020, we are not currently under a U.S. federal income tax examination. However, the IRS could perform tax examinations on years as early as tax year 2008. We are also subject to frequent state income tax audits and have open state examinations on 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, 2020, we are currently being audited by the Indian tax authorities for fiscal years 2003 through 2018. We have no other on-going significant income tax examinations in process in our foreign jurisdictions.

The following table presents the reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Unrecognized tax benefit balance as of beginning of period:	$	70,401	$	69,540	$	63,296
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	3,349		861		4,361
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	76,882		—		2,539
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	(572)		—		(656)
Balance as of end of period	$	150,060	$	70,401	$	69,540

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had $150.1 million and $70.4 million, respectively, of unrecognized income tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. Additions based on tax positions related to prior years in 2020 include amounts in our deferred tax assets previously considered contingent liabilities related to combined state filings with DISH Network. During 2020, we and DISH Network concluded that combined state filings were no longer required. The amounts have been added to this schedule to reflect the change in filing status.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, our income tax provision included an insignificant amount of interest and penalties.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in March 2020. The CARES Act features significant tax provisions and other measures to assist individuals and businesses impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including a five-year carryback of net operating losses, relaxation of Section 163(j) interest deduction limitations, acceleration of Alternative Minimum Tax refunds, relief for payroll tax and tax credits for employers who retain employees. These provisions did not affect our income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2020.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References + Details

Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors is authorized to issue preferred stock and may divide such 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.

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. Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and certain entities established for the benefit of his family beneficially 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 stock repurchase programs approved by our board of directors, we were authorized to repurchase up to $500.0 million of our outstanding shares of Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2020. The following table presents information with respect to purchases made by the Company:


Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)		Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Disclosed Plans or Program	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Program
Beginning Balance					$	500,000
Year ended December 31, 2018	952,603	$	34.95	952,603	466,708
Q4 Repurchase Authorization (1)					500,000
Year ended December 31, 2019	—	—		—	500,000
Year ended December 31, 2020	1,905,906	22.79		1,905,906	456,542
Total	2,858,509	$	26.85	2,858,509	$	456,542

(1) On October 29, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to $500.0 million of our Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2020. Purchases under our repurchase authorization may be made through privately negotiated transactions, open market repurchases, one or more trading plans in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise, subject to market conditions and other factors. We may elect to purchase some or all, or not to purchase the maximum amount or any of, the remaining shares allowable under this program and we may also enter into additional share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors. All shares repurchased reflected in the table above have been converted to treasury shares.

Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]

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, 2020, we had approximately 1.7 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, 2020, 2019 and 2018, employee purchases of Class A common stock through the ESPP totaled approximately 452,000 shares, 285,000 shares and 245,000 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, on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis, subject to the maximum contribution limit provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). 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.

The following table presents our matching contributions, discretionary contributions and shares:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Matching contributions	$	5,239	$	5,095	$	5,007
Fair value of discretionary contributions of our Class A common stock, net of forfeitures, under 401(k) plan	$	6,921	$	6,654	$	7,605
Approximate number of shares	160,000		181,000		127,000

- Definition

The entire disclosure for retirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 17
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118257860&loc=d3e4179-114921

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
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+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Incentive Plans

We maintain stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors, employees, consultants and advisors. Stock awards under these plans may include both performance-based and non-performance-based stock incentives. As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding stock options to acquire approximately 4.8 million shares of our Class A common stock under these plans. Stock options granted prior to December 31, 2020 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 we generally issue stock awards subject to vesting, typically over five years, some stock awards have been granted with immediate or longer vesting periods or that vest 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, 2020, we had approximately 6.3 million shares of our Class A common stock available for future grant under our stock incentive plans.

In connection with the BSS Transaction, we adjusted stock options that were unexercised and outstanding as of the date of the Distribution, which resulted in an increase in the number of such options and a reduction in the exercise price of such options.

xercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020:


	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Exercise Price Range	Number Outstanding as of December 31, 2020	Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable as of December 31, 2020	Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$0.00 - $20.00	21,864	1	$	18.20	21,864	1	$	18.20
$20.01 - $25.00	5,221	5	23.65		3,221	1	22.96
$25.01 - $30.00	430,635	2	29.60		430,635	2	29.60
$30.01 - $35.00	810,361	5	32.57		488,397	3	33.13
$35.01 - $40.00	1,572,812	8	38.77		506,582	7	38.59
$40.01 - $45.00	1,025,386	4	42.19		1,019,235	4	42.19
$45.01 - $50.00	875,335	6	48.51		531,357	6	48.50
$50.01 - $55.00	63,277	5	52.69		43,709	5	52.71
	4,804,891	6	39.48		3,045,000	4	39.42

Stock Award Activity

The following table presents our stock option activity:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
	Options	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Options	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Options	Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of period	4,812,644	$	43.40	5,013,038	$	41.80	4,951,256	$	41.42
Granted	180,500	30.39		1,959,597	38.12		215,500	51.71
Exercised	(45,170)	18.93		(1,986,937)	33.89		(108,318)	40.67
Forfeited and canceled	(143,083)	41.58		(173,054)	48.99		(45,400)	50.21
Total options outstanding, end of period	4,804,891	39.48		4,812,644	43.40		5,013,038	41.80
Exercisable at end of period	3,045,000	39.42		2,510,947	38.76		3,710,138	38.59

The following table presents our additional share-based compensation disclosures:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Tax benefits from stock options exercised	$	173	$	6,989	$	364
Aggregate intrinsic value of our stock options exercised	$	603	$	17,101	$	1,774

Stock-Based Compensation

The following table presents our total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Stock-based compensation expense:
Research and development expenses	$	551	$	465	$	634
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,327		8,860		9,442
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	8,878	$	9,325	$	10,076

The income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation expense was $1.7 million, $1.9 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to our unvested stock awards was $15.0 million. This amount is based on an estimated future forfeiture rate of 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, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was estimated at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. The following table presents the estimated grant-date fair values and related assumptions:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020	2019	2018
Assumptions:
Risk-free interest rate	0.25% - 1.72%	1.83% - 2.54%	2.25% - 2.99%
Volatility	24.32% - 30.07%	23.58% - 30.95%	22.77% - 23.28%
Expected term of options (in years)	4.0 - 5.9	5.7 - 5.8	5.7 - 5.8
Weighted-average grant-date fair value	$6.56 - $11.63	$10.22 - $14.49	$12.38 - $16.23

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, 2020, the aggregate intrinsic value of our stock options was $0.1 million for options outstanding and $0.1 million for options exercisable as of December 31, 2020.

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations from our continuing operations as of December 31, 2020:


	Payments Due in the Years Ending December 31,
	Total		2021		2022		2023		2024		2025		Thereafter
Long-term debt	$	2,400,000	$	900,000	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,500,000
Interest on long-term debt	568,711		123,396		89,063		89,063		89,063		89,063		89,063
Satellite-related commitments	487,665		223,528		73,412		22,778		20,743		21,487		125,717
Operating lease obligations	176,001		21,051		20,409		19,628		16,364		12,355		86,194
Finance lease obligations	608		472		136		—		—		—		—
Total	$	3,632,985	$	1,268,447	$	183,020	$	131,469	$	126,170	$	122,905	$	1,800,974

The table above does not include amounts related to deferred tax liabilities, unrecognized tax positions and certain other amounts recorded in our non-current 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. Additionally, our satellite-related commitments include payments pursuant to agreements for the construction of the EchoStar XXIV satellite, payments pursuant to the EchoStar XXIV launch contract, payments pursuant to regulatory authorizations, non-lease costs associated with our finance lease satellites, in-orbit incentives relating to certain satellites and commitments for satellite service arrangements.

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

ContingenciesPatents and Intellectual PropertyMany 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.

Certain Arrangements with DISH Network

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. In connection with the Share Exchange and BSS Transaction, we entered into the Share Exchange Agreement and the Master Transaction Agreement, respectively, 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, in the case of the Share Exchange, certain pre-existing liabilities and legal proceedings and, in the case of the BSS Transaction, certain losses with respect to breaches of certain representations and covenants and certain liabilities.

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 legal proceedings are charged to expense as incurred.

For certain proceedings, 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, motions or other proceedings; (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, tribunal, other body 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”). In December 2019, we entered into a comprehensive settlement agreement with Elbit pursuant to which we paid a total of $33.0 million in satisfaction of all amounts relating to these matters and all open proceedings, including appeals, were dismissed with prejudice.

Shareholder Litigation

On July 2, 2019, the City of Hallandale Beach Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Personnel Retirement Trust, purporting to sue on behalf of a class of EchoStar Corporation’s stockholders, filed a complaint in the District Court of Clark County, Nevada against our directors, Charles W. Ergen, R. Stanton Dodge, Anthony M. Federico, Pradman P. Kaul, C. Michael Schroeder, Jeffrey R. Tarr, William D. Wade, and Michael T. Dugan; our officer, David J. Rayner; EchoStar Corporation; our subsidiary Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (“HSSC”); our former subsidiary BSS Corp.; and DISH and its subsidiary Merger Sub. On September 5, 2019, the defendants filed motions to dismiss. On October 11, 2019, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint removing Messrs. Dodge, Federico, Kaul, Schroeder, Tarr and Wade as defendants. The amended complaint alleges that Mr. Ergen, as our controlling stockholder, breached fiduciary duties to EchoStar Corporation’s minority stockholders by structuring the BSS Transaction with inadequate consideration and improperly influencing our and HSSC’s boards of directors to approve the BSS Transaction. The amended complaint also alleges that the other defendants aided and abetted such alleged breaches. The plaintiffs seek equitable and monetary relief, including the issuance of additional DISH Common Stock, and other costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees on behalf of the purported class. On November 11, 2019, we and the other defendants filed separate motions to dismiss plaintiff’s amended complaint and during a hearing on January 13, 2020 the court denied these motions. On February 10, 2020, we and the other defendants filed answers to the amended complaint. The Court certified plaintiff’s class on January 11, 2021. We intend to vigorously defend this case. We cannot predict its outcome with any degree of certainty.

License Fee Dispute with Government of India, Department of Telecommunications

In 1994, the Government of India promulgated a “National Telecommunications Policy” under which the government liberalized the telecommunications sector and required telecommunications service providers to pay fixed license fees. Pursuant to this policy, our subsidiary Hughes Communications India Private Limited (“HCIPL”), formerly known as Hughes Escorts Communications Limited, obtained a license to operate a data network over satellite using VSAT systems. In 1999, HCIPL’s license was amended pursuant to a new government policy that eliminated the fixed license fees and instead required each telecommunications service provider to pay license fees based on its adjusted gross revenue (“AGR”). In March 2005, the Indian Department of Telecommunications (“DOT”) notified HCIPL that, based on its review of HCIPL’s audited accounts and AGR statements, HCIPL must pay additional license fees, interest on such fees and penalties and interest on the penalties. HCIPL responded that the DOT had improperly calculated its AGR by including revenue from licensed and unlicensed activities. The DOT rejected this explanation and in 2006, HCIPL filed a petition with an administrative tribunal (the “Tribunal”), challenging the DOT’s calculation of its AGR. The DOT also issued license fee assessments to other telecommunications service providers and a number of similar petitions were filed by several other such providers with the Tribunal. These petitions were amended, consolidated, remanded and re-appealed several times. On April 23, 2015, the Tribunal issued a judgment affirming the DOT’s calculation of AGR for the telecommunications service providers but reversing the DOT’s imposition of interest, penalties and interest on such penalties as excessive. Over subsequent years, the DOT and HCIPL and other telecommunications service providers, respectively, filed several appeals of the Tribunal’s ruling. On October 24, 2019, the Supreme Court of India (“Supreme Court”) issued an order (the “October 2019 Order”) affirming the license fee assessments imposed by the DOT, including its imposition of interest, penalties and interest on the penalties, but without indicating the amount HCIPL is required to pay the DOT, and ordering payment by January 23, 2020. On November 23, 2019, HCIPL and other telecommunication service providers filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to reconsider the October 2019 Order. The petition was denied on January 20, 2020. On January 22, 2020, HCIPL and other telecommunication service providers filed an application requesting that the Supreme Court modify the October 2019 Order to permit the DOT to calculate the final amount due and extend HCIPL’s and the other telecommunication service providers’ payment deadline. On February 14, 2020, the Supreme Court directed HCIPL and the other telecommunication service providers to explain why the Supreme Court should not initiate contempt proceedings for failure to pay the amounts due. During a hearing on March 18, 2020, the Supreme Court ordered that all amounts that were due before the October 2019 Order must be paid, including interest, penalties and interest on the penalties. The Supreme Court also ordered that the parties appear for a further hearing addressing, potentially among other things, a proposal by the DOT to allow for extended or deferred payments of amounts due. On June 11, 2020, the Supreme Court ordered HCIPL and the other telecommunication service providers to submit affidavits addressing the proposal made by the DOT to extend the time frame for payment of the amounts owed and for HCIPL and the other telecommunication providers to provide security for such payments. On September 1, 2020, the Supreme Court issued a judgment permitting a

10-year payment schedule. Under the payment schedule, HCIPL is required to make a payment of 10% of the legally payable dues by March 31, 2021, and thereafter make payments in yearly installments through 2031. To date, HCIPL has paid the DOT $2.9 million with respect to this matter. As a result of the Supreme Court’s orders, HCIPL’s payments to date and the impact of foreign exchange rates, we have recorded an accrual of $81.7 million as of December 31, 2020, comprised of $3.9 million for additional license fees, $4.0 million for penalties and $73.8 million for interest and interest on penalties. We had recorded an accrual of $80.2 million as of December 31, 2019. Any eventual payments made with respect to the ultimate outcome of this matter may be different from our accrual and such differences could be significant.

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, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT REPORTING

Business segments are 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 operate in two business segments, Hughes and ESS, as described in Note 1. Organization and Business Activities.

The following table presents revenue, EBITDA and capital expenditures for each of our business segments. Capital expenditures are net of refunds and other receipts related to our property and equipment.


	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other		Consolidated Total
For the year ended December 31, 2020
External revenue	$	1,860,834	$	16,237	$	10,836	$	1,887,907
Intersegment revenue	—		1,161		(1,161)		—
Total revenue	$	1,860,834	$	17,398	$	9,675	$	1,887,907

EBITDA	$	727,608	$	7,873	$	(118,606)	$	616,875
Capital expenditures	$	355,197	$	41	$	53,560	$	408,798

For the year ended December 31, 2019
External revenue	$	1,852,742	$	15,131	$	18,208	$	1,886,081
Intersegment revenue	—		1,126		(1,126)		—
Total revenue	$	1,852,742	$	16,257	$	17,082	$	1,886,081

EBITDA	$	625,660	$	6,994	$	(55,055)	$	577,599
Capital expenditures	$	308,781	$	—	$	109,293	$	418,074

For the year ended December 31, 2018
External revenue	$	1,716,169	$	27,009	$	19,460	$	1,762,638
Intersegment revenue	359		222		(581)		—
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	27,231	$	18,879	$	1,762,638

EBITDA	$	601,319	$	17,764	$	(150,582)	$	468,501
Capital expenditures	$	390,108	$	(76,757)	$	164,091	$	477,442

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


	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(27,835)	$	(93,165)	$	(125,786)
Interest income, net	(39,982)		(82,352)		(80,275)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	147,927		251,016		219,288
Depreciation and amortization	525,011		490,765		457,116
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests	11,754		11,335		(1,842)
EBITDA	$	616,875	$	577,599	$	468,501

Geographic Information

The following table summarizes total long-lived assets attributed to the North America, South and Central America and other foreign locations:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Long-lived assets:
North America	$	2,954,421	$	3,092,773
South and Central America	311,063		310,226
Other	133,621		140,797
Total long-lived assets	$	3,399,105	$	3,543,796

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8924-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120311839&loc=d3e8721-108599

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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-Publisher FASB
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+ Details

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following table presents our quarterly results of operations:


	For the Three Months Ended
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Total revenue	$	489,273	$	473,502	$	459,466	$	465,666
Operating income (loss)	30,108		36,990		34,772		10,603
Net income (loss)	(2,597)		23,273		(14,843)		(57,737)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to EchoStar common stock	117		25,440		(11,412)		(54,295)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	117		25,440		(11,412)		(54,295)
Basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share	0.01		0.26		(0.12)		(0.56)
Total basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share	0.01		0.26		(0.12)		(0.56)

Year Ended December 31, 2019
Total revenue	$	499,006	$	472,262	$	460,431	$	454,382
Operating income (loss)	23,597		26,093		(4,661)		28,048
Net income (loss)	(63,094)		(21,106)		(5,060)		15,008
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to EchoStar common stock	(46,297)		(20,317)		(30,660)		(5,044)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock	(53,118)		(18,309)		(5,692)		14,202
Basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share	(0.48)		(0.21)		(0.32)		(0.05)
Total basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share	(0.55)		(0.19)		(0.06)		0.15

Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Overview

EchoStar Corporation and DISH have operated as separate publicly-traded companies since 2008. 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 for the benefit of his family. In addition, prior to March 2017, DISH Network owned the Trading Stock, which in the aggregate represented an 80% economic interest in the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment. The Trading Stock was retired in March 2017.

In connection with and following the Spin-off, the Share Exchange and the BSS Transaction, 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. 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. We may also enter into additional agreements with DISH Network in the future.

The following is a summary of the transactions and the terms of the underlying principal agreements that have had or may have an impact on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Services and Other Revenue — DISH Network

The following table presents our Services and other revenue - DISH Network:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	36,531	$	53,429	$	73,465

The following table presents the related trade accounts receivable:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	$	5,612	$	10,683

Satellite Capacity Leased to DISH Network. We have entered into an agreement and have previously entered into a now terminated agreement to lease satellite capacity pursuant to which we have provided satellite services to DISH Network on certain satellites owned or leased by us. The fees for the services provided under these agreements depend upon, among other things, the orbital location of the applicable satellite, the number of transponders that are providing services on the applicable satellite, the length of the service arrangements and any third-party costs associated with the satellite capacity. The terms of these agreements are set forth below:

•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.

•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. Telesat Obligation Agreement. We transferred the Telesat Transponder Agreement to DISH Network as part of the BSS Transaction; however, we retained certain obligations related to DISH Network’s performance under that agreement. In September 2019, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement whereby DISH Network compensates us for retaining such obligations.

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 leases or subsequent amendments. Additionally, DISH Network compensates us for its portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and/or maintenance of the premises. The terms of each of the leases are set forth below:

•100 Inverness Occupancy License 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. Effective December 2020, we amended this agreement to extend the license until December 2021. This agreement may be terminated by either party upon 180 days’ prior notice. This agreement will be converted to a month-to-month lease agreement unless extended by mutual consent or terminated by one of the parties upon 30 days’ notice. In connection with the BSS Transaction, we transferred to DISH Network the Englewood Satellite Operations Center located at 100 Inverness Terrace East, including any and all equipment, hardware licenses, software, processes, software licenses, furniture and technical documentation associated with the satellites transferred in the BSS Transaction.

•Meridian Lease Agreement — The lease for all of 9601 S. Meridian Blvd., Englewood, Colorado was originally 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 2021. After December 2021, 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 (the “TerreStar Agreements”). 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. In March 2020, we entered into an agreement with DISH Network pursuant to which we perform certain work and provide certain credits to amounts owed to us under the TerreStar Agreements in exchange for DISH Network’s granting us rights to use certain satellite capacity under the Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement (as defined below). As a result, we and DISH Network amended the TerreStar Agreements to suspend our provision of warranty services to DISH Network from April 2020 through December 2020. Following the expiration of this suspension, we will continue to provide warranty services to DISH Network. Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement. 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 Gen 4 HughesNet service. DISH Network pays us a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for our Gen 4 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 obligation, to purchase certain broadband equipment from us to support the sale of the Gen 4 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 Gen 4 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 all 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. 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.

Operating Expenses — DISH Network

The following table presents our operating expenses related to DISH Network:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Operating expenses - DISH Network	$	5,793	$	5,198	$	3,889

The following table presents the related trade accounts payable:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	$	752	$	1,923

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, all of which 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. 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 (as amended to date, 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 (collectively, the “TT&C Antennas”). In September 2019, in connection with the BSS Transaction, we and DISH further amended 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 BSS Transaction and to remove our access to and the maintenance and support services for the TT&C Antennas. The term of the Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement is through January 2021 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 or subsequent amendments and, includes our portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and/or maintenance of the premises. The terms of each of the leases are set forth below:

•Cheyenne Lease Agreement — Effective March 2017, we entered into a lease with DISH Network for 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. In connection with the BSS Transaction, we transferred the Cheyenne Satellite Operations Center, including any equipment, software licenses, and furniture located within, to DISH Network and amended this lease to reduce the space provided to us for the Cheyenne Satellite Access Center for a period ending in September 2021, with the option for us to renew for a one year period upon 180 days’ written notice prior to the end of the term.

•American Fork Occupancy License Agreement — Effective March 2017, we entered into an agreement with DISH Network for 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 agreement for a five-year period ending in August 2022. We and DISH Network amended this agreement to, among other things, terminate this agreement in March 2019.

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 October 2019, we provided a termination notice for our New Braunfels, Texas agreement to be effective May 2020. 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 us in Monee, Illinois and Spokane, Washington through August 2022. Generally, we 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. In September 2019, in connection with the BSS Transaction, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network provided us with certain additional collocation space in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a period ending in September 2020. The fees for the services provided under these agreements depend on the number of racks located at the location. Also in connection with the BSS Transaction, in September 2019, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network provides us with antenna space and power in Cheyenne, Wyoming for a period of five years commencing in August 2020, with four three-year renewal terms, with prior written notice no more than 120 days but no less than 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term.Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement. In conjunction with the launch of our EchoStar XIX satellite, 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 Gen 5 HughesNet service and related equipment and other telecommunication services and (ii) installs Gen 5 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 through March 2022 with automatic renewal for successive one-year terms. Either party has the ability to terminate the Hughes Broadband MSA, in whole or in part, for any reason upon at least 90 days’ notice to the other party. Upon expiration or termination of the Hughes Broadband MSA, we will continue to provide our Gen 5 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 $16.6 million, $17.1 million and $33.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.2019 TT&C Agreement. In September 2019, in connection with the BSS Transaction, we entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network provides TT&C services to us for a period ending in September 2021, with the option for us to renew for a one-year period upon written notice at least 90 days prior to the initial expiration (the “2019 TT&C Agreement”). The fees for services provided under the 2019 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. Any party is able to terminate the 2019 TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 12 months’ notice.

Other Receivables - DISH Network

The following table presents our other receivables owed from DISH Network:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other receivables - DISH Network	$	92,680	$	92,892

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 non-current 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 non-current 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 from 2008 through 2019. We have earned and recognized tax benefits for certain state income tax credits that we would be unable to fully 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. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, DISH Network has utilized tax benefits of $2.2 million, tax provisions of $1.6 million and tax benefits of $1.8 million, respectively.

Other AgreementsMaster Transaction Agreement. In May 2019, we and BSS Corp. entered into the Master Transaction Agreement with DISH and Merger Sub with respect to the BSS Transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement, on September 10, 2019: (i) we transferred the BSS Business to BSS Corp.; (ii) we completed the Distribution; and (iii) immediately after the Distribution, (1) BSS Corp. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH such that DISH owns and operates the BSS Business and (2) each issued and outstanding share of BSS Common Stock owned by EchoStar stockholders was converted into the right to receive 0.23523769 shares of DISH Common Stock. Following the consummation of the BSS Transaction, we no longer operate the BSS Business, which was a substantial portion of our ESS segment. The Master Transaction Agreement contained customary representations and warranties by us and DISH Network, including our representations relating to the assets, liabilities and financial condition of the BSS Business, and representations by DISH Network relating to its financial condition and liabilities. We and DISH Network have agreed to indemnify each other against certain losses with respect to breaches of certain representations and covenants and certain retained and assumed liabilities, respectively.BSS Transaction Intellectual Property and Technology License Agreement. Effective September 2019, in connection with the BSS Transaction, we and DISH Network entered into an intellectual property and technology license agreement (the “BSS IPTLA”) pursuant to which we and DISH Network license to each other certain intellectual property and technology. The BSS IPTLA will continue in perpetuity, unless mutually terminated by the parties. Pursuant to the BSS 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 BSS Business acquired pursuant to the BSS Transaction, including a limited license to use the “ESS” and “ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES” trademarks during a transition period. EchoStar retains full ownership of the “ESS” and “ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES” trademarks. 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 BSS Transaction. BSS Transaction Tax Matters Agreement. Effective September 2019, in connection with the BSS Transaction, we, BSS Corp. and DISH entered into a tax matters agreement. This agreement governs certain of our rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to taxes of the BSS Business transferred pursuant to the BSS Transaction. Generally, we are responsible for all tax returns and tax liabilities for the BSS Business for periods prior to the BSS Transaction and DISH is responsible for all tax returns and tax liabilities for the BSS Business from and after the BSS Transaction. Both we and DISH made certain tax-related representations and are subject to various tax-related covenants after the consummation of the BSS Transaction. Both we and DISH Network have agreed to indemnify each other for certain losses if there is a breach of any the tax representations or violation of any of the tax covenants in the tax matters agreement and that breach or violation results in the failure of the BSS Transaction being treated as a transaction that is tax-free for EchoStar or its stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, DISH Network has agreed to indemnify us if the BSS Business is acquired, either directly or indirectly (e.g., via an acquisition of DISH Network), by one or more persons, where either it took an action, or knowingly facilitated, consented to or assisted with an action by its stockholders, that resulted in the failure of the BSS Transaction being treated as a transaction that is tax-free for EchoStar and its stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This tax matters agreement supplements the Tax Sharing Agreement outlined above and the Share Exchange Tax Matters Agreement outlined below, both of which continue in full force and effect.BSS Transaction Employee Matters Agreement. Effective September 2019, in connection with the BSS Transaction, we and DISH Network entered into an employee matters agreement that addressed the transfer of employees from us 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 BSS Business. DISH Network assumed employee-related liabilities relating to the BSS Business as part of the BSS Transaction, except that we are responsible for certain pre-BSS Transaction compensation and benefits for employees who transferred to DISH Network in connection with the BSS Transaction.Share Exchange Agreement. In January 2017, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into the Share Exchange Agreement with DISH and certain of its subsidiaries pursuant to which, in February 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, 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. Share Exchange 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.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 above which continues in full force and effect.Share Exchange 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 us 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 pre-Share Exchange employee related litigation, and compensation and benefits for employees who transferred to DISH Network in connection with the Share Exchange.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - OTHERHughes Systique CorporationWe contract with Hughes Systique Corporation (“Hughes Systique”) for software development services. In addition to our approximately 43% ownership in Hughes Systique, Mr. Pradman Kaul, the President of our subsidiary 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%, on an undiluted basis, of Hughes Systique’s outstanding shares as of December 31, 2020. 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 these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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 provide, among other things, warranty and support services. We recognized revenue of $4.4 million, $12.5 million, and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had $0.4 million and $2.7 million trade accounts receivable from TSI.

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, served as a member of the board of directors of Global IP and as an executive advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of Global IP from September 2017 until April 2019 and from September 2017 until December 2019, respectively. 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 $9.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. We have not recognized any revenue since the termination of this agreement. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we were owed $7.5 million from Global IP.

Maxar Technologies Inc.Mr. Jeffrey Tarr, who joined our board of directors in March 2019, served as a consultant and advisor to Maxar Technologies Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Maxar Tech”) through May 2019. We previously entered into agreements with Maxar Tech for the manufacture and certain other services of the EchoStar IX satellite, the EchoStar XVII satellite, the EchoStar XIX satellite, the EchoStar XXI satellite and the EchoStar XXIV satellite and our former EchoStar XI satellite, EchoStar XIV satellite, EchoStar XVI satellite and EchoStar XXIII satellite. Maxar Tech provides us with anomaly support for these satellites once launched pursuant to the terms of the agreements. Maxar Tech also provides a warranty on one of these satellites and may be required to pay us certain amounts should the satellite not operate according to certain performance specifications. Our obligations to pay Maxar Tech under these agreements during the design life of the applicable satellites may be reduced if the applicable satellites do not operate according to certain performance specifications. We incurred aggregate costs payable to Maxar Tech under these agreements of $23.9 million and $90.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. At both December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no trade payable to Maxar Tech.

Related Party Transactions - Other

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - OTHER

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS - DISH NETWORK

Overview

Services and Other Revenue — DISH Network

The following table presents our Services and other revenue - DISH Network:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	36,531	$	53,429	$	73,465

The following table presents the related trade accounts receivable:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	$	5,612	$	10,683

Operating Expenses — DISH Network

The following table presents our operating expenses related to DISH Network:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Operating expenses - DISH Network	$	5,793	$	5,198	$	3,889

The following table presents the related trade accounts payable:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	$	752	$	1,923

Other Receivables - DISH Network

The following table presents our other receivables owed from DISH Network:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other receivables - DISH Network	$	92,680	$	92,892

TerreStar Solutions

Global IP

Supplemental Financial Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Research and Development

The following table presents the research and development costs incurred in connection with customers’ orders:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Cost of sales - equipment	$	19,788	$	24,495	$	23,422
Research and development expenses	$	29,448	$	25,739	$	27,570

Advertising Costs

We incurred advertising expense of $65.1 million, $88.2 million and $75.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, as presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total of the same as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, beginning of period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,519,431	$	928,306	$	2,431,456
Restricted cash	2,458		1,189		793
Total cash and cash equivalents, included restricted amounts, beginning of period	$	1,521,889	$	929,495	$	2,432,249

Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, end of period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	896,005	$	1,519,431	$	928,306
Restricted cash	807		2,458		1,189
Total cash and cash equivalents, included restricted amounts, end of period	$	896,812	$	1,521,889	$	929,495

Other Current Assets, Net and Other Non-current Assets, Net

The following table presents the components of Other current assets, net and Other non-current assets, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other current assets, net:
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	$	5,612	$	10,683
Inventory	97,992		79,621
Prepaids and deposits	55,381		67,014
Other, net	30,836		22,213
Total other current assets	$	189,821	$	179,531

Other non-current assets, net:
Other receivables - DISH Network	$	92,680	$	92,892
Restricted marketable investment securities	9,090		8,093
Restricted cash	807		2,458
Deferred tax assets, net	1,781		7,251
Capitalized software, net	116,661		101,786
Contract acquisition costs, net	99,837		96,723
Contract fulfillment costs, net	2,580		3,010
Other, net	29,485		22,628
Total other non-current assets, net	$	352,921	$	334,841

The following table presents the activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts, which is included within Other, net in each of Other current assets, net and Other non-current assets, net in the table above:


	For the years ended December 31,
	Other current assets, net		Other non-current assets, net
Balance at beginning of period	$	—	$	—
Credit losses (1)	1,595		13,378

Foreign currency translation	152		(509)
Balance at end of period	$	1,747	$	12,869

(1) The impact of adopting ASC 326 on January 1, 2020 was a net increase to our allowance for doubtful accounts largely driven by a $13.4 million reclassification from Trade accounts receivables and contracts assets, net.

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

The following table presents the components of Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	$	752	$	1,923
Accrued interest	42,388		42,622
Accrued compensation	62,299		50,787
Accrued taxes	20,297		18,525
Operating lease obligation	14,699		14,651
Other	159,564		142,371
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	299,999	$	270,879

Inventory

The following table presents the components of inventory:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Raw materials	$	4,564	$	4,240
Work-in-process	8,280		6,979
Finished goods	85,148		68,402
Total inventory	$	97,992	$	79,621

Capitalized Software Costs

The following tables present the activity related to our capitalized software cost:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Net carrying amount of externally marketed software	$	116,661	$	101,786
Externally marketed software under development and not yet placed into service	$	72,047	$	38,766


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Capitalized costs related to development of externally marketed software	$	38,655	$	29,310	$	31,639
Amortization expense relating to externally marketed software	$	23,780	$	24,284	$	22,966
Weighted average useful life (in years)	2

Supplemental and Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities

The following table presents the supplemental and non-cash investing and financing activities:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	139,280	$	195,331	$	240,596
Cash paid for income taxes	$	15,254	$	3,575	$	5,209

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	$	6,921	$	6,654	$	7,605
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	$	(6,935)	$	(11,111)	$	7,318
Non-cash assets exchanged for BSS Transaction	$	—	$	532,855	$	—
Non-cash net assets received in exchange for a 20% ownership interest in our existing Brazilian subsidiary	$	—	$	94,918	$	—

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Reclassification

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

Use of Estimates

Fair Value Measurements

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

Revenue Recognition

Overview

Hughes Segment

Lease Revenue

sales-type leases at the commencement date in Equipment revenue and periodic interest income in Services and other revenue. We report operating lease revenue in Services and other revenue.

Other

Trade Accounts Receivable

Contract Acquisition Costs

Contract LiabilitiesContract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized under customer contracts and are included in Contract liabilities or Other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue. We recognize contract liabilities as revenue after all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Cost of Sales - Services and Other and Equipment

Cost of Sales - Services and Other

Cost of Sales - Equipment

Stock-based Compensation Expense

Advertising Costs

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

Research and Development

Research and DevelopmentResearch and development costs, not incurred in connection with customer requirements, are generally expensed when incurred.

Business Combinations

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per ShareWe present basic and diluted earnings or losses per share (“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 is computed using the treasury stock method based on the average market value of our Class A common stock during the period.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)The amounts reclassified to net income (loss) related to unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities in are included in Gains (losses) on investments, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Marketable Investment Securities

Debt Securities

Inventory

Property and Equipment

Satellites

Other Property and Equipment

Goodwill

Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets

Regulatory Authorizations

Finite Lived

Finite lived regulatory authorizations are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. Renewal costs are usually capitalized when they are incurred.

Indefinite Lived

•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.

Costs incurred to maintain or renew indefinite-lived regulatory authorizations are expensed as incurred.

Other Intangible Assets

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Other Investments

Equity Method Investments

Other Equity Investments

Other Debt Investments

Impairment Considerations

Externally Marketed Software

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Credit Losses

We record our customer related estimated credit losses as a component of our bad debt expense as reported in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

We record our estimated credit losses as a component of our bad debt expense as reported in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

We record our other debt investments related estimated credit losses as a reduction of Interest income, net.

Financial Impact of Adoption. The following table presents our adoption of this new standard resulting in adjustments to our Consolidated Balance Sheet effective January 1, 2020:


	Balance December 31, 2019		Adoption of ASC 326 Increase (Decrease)		Balance January 1, 2020
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	196,629	$	(13,672)	$	182,957
Other current assets, net	$	179,531	$	6,723	$	186,254
Other investments, net	$	325,405	$	(7,381)	$	318,024
Other non-current assets, net	$	334,841	$	4,050	$	338,891
Total assets	$	7,154,298	$	(10,280)	$	7,144,018
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$	351,692	$	(972)	$	350,720
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	632,809	$	(9,068)	$	623,741
Non-controlling interests	$	75,748	$	(240)	$	75,508
Total stockholders’ equity	$	3,745,553	$	(9,308)	$	3,736,245
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,154,298	$	(10,280)	$	7,144,018

The application of ASC 326 requirements did not materially affect our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Leases

Financial Impact of Adoption. The following table presents our adoption of this standard resulting in adjustments to our Consolidated Balance Sheet effective January 1, 2019:


	Balance December 31, 2018		Adoption of ASC 842 Increase (Decrease)		Balance January 1, 2019
Other current assets, net	$	165,809	$	(28)	$	165,781
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	—	$	120,358	$	120,358
Other non-current assets, net	$	338,390	$	(7,272)	$	331,118
Total assets	$	8,661,294	$	113,058	$	8,774,352
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	181,698	$	17,453	$	199,151
Operating lease liabilities	$	—	$	100,085	$	100,085
Other non-current liabilities	$	80,304	$	(3,871)	$	76,433
Total liabilities	$	4,505,820	$	113,667	$	4,619,487
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	694,129	$	(609)	$	693,520
Total stockholders’ equity	$	4,155,474	$	(609)	$	4,154,865
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	8,661,294	$	113,058	$	8,774,352

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

The following table presents our adoption of this new standard resulting in adjustments to our Consolidated Balance Sheet effective January 1, 2020:


	Balance December 31, 2019		Adoption of ASC 326 Increase (Decrease)		Balance January 1, 2020
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	196,629	$	(13,672)	$	182,957
Other current assets, net	$	179,531	$	6,723	$	186,254
Other investments, net	$	325,405	$	(7,381)	$	318,024
Other non-current assets, net	$	334,841	$	4,050	$	338,891
Total assets	$	7,154,298	$	(10,280)	$	7,144,018
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$	351,692	$	(972)	$	350,720
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	632,809	$	(9,068)	$	623,741
Non-controlling interests	$	75,748	$	(240)	$	75,508
Total stockholders’ equity	$	3,745,553	$	(9,308)	$	3,736,245
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,154,298	$	(10,280)	$	7,144,018

The following table presents our adoption of this standard resulting in adjustments to our Consolidated Balance Sheet effective January 1, 2019:


	Balance December 31, 2018		Adoption of ASC 842 Increase (Decrease)		Balance January 1, 2019
Other current assets, net	$	165,809	$	(28)	$	165,781
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	—	$	120,358	$	120,358
Other non-current assets, net	$	338,390	$	(7,272)	$	331,118
Total assets	$	8,661,294	$	113,058	$	8,774,352
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	181,698	$	17,453	$	199,151
Operating lease liabilities	$	—	$	100,085	$	100,085
Other non-current liabilities	$	80,304	$	(3,871)	$	76,433
Total liabilities	$	4,505,820	$	113,667	$	4,619,487
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$	694,129	$	(609)	$	693,520
Total stockholders’ equity	$	4,155,474	$	(609)	$	4,154,865
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	8,661,294	$	113,058	$	8,774,352

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

The following table presents the components of our contract balances:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net:
Sales and services	$	149,513	$	152,632
Leasing	4,554		4,016
Total trade accounts receivable	154,067		156,648
Contract assets	45,308		63,758
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(15,386)		(23,777)
Total trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$	183,989	$	196,629

Contract liabilities:
Current	$	104,569	$	101,060
Non-current	10,519		10,572
Total contract liabilities	$	115,088	$	111,632

The following table presents the revenue recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations that was previously included within contract liabilities:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Revenue	$	72,877	$	65,417	$	52,000

Schedule of Activity in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The following table presents the activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	23,777	$	16,604	$	12,027
Credit losses (1)	18,582		30,027		24,984
Deductions	(26,031)		(21,832)		(16,888)
Foreign currency translation	(942)		(1,022)		(3,519)
Balance at end of period	$	15,386	$	23,777	$	16,604


	For the years ended December 31,
	Other current assets, net		Other non-current assets, net
Balance at beginning of period	$	—	$	—
Credit losses (1)	1,595		13,378

Foreign currency translation	152		(509)
Balance at end of period	$	1,747	$	12,869

Schedule of Activity in Contract Acquisition Costs

The following table presents the activity in our contract acquisition costs, net:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	113,592	$	114,306	$	90,899
Additions	91,143		97,457		113,265
Amortization expense	(101,278)		(97,650)		(88,949)
Foreign currency translation	(3,620)		(521)		(909)
Balance at end of period	$	99,837	$	113,592	$	114,306

Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents our revenue from customer contracts disaggregated by primary geographic market and by segment:


	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other		Consolidated Total
For the year ended December 31, 2020
North America	$	1,556,961	$	17,398	$	9,443	$	1,583,802
South and Central America	151,194		—		232		151,426
Other	152,679		—		—		152,679
Total revenue	$	1,860,834	$	17,398	$	9,675	$	1,887,907

For the year ended December 31, 2019
North America	$	1,527,823	$	16,257	$	16,526	$	1,560,606
South and Central America	125,458		—		448		125,906
Other	199,461		—		108		199,569
Total revenue	$	1,852,742	$	16,257	$	17,082	$	1,886,081

For the year ended December 31, 2018
North America	$	1,444,628	$	27,231	$	18,495	$	1,490,354
South and Central America	101,632		—		384		102,016
Other	170,268		—		—		170,268
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	27,231	$	18,879	$	1,762,638

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by the nature of products and services and by segment:


	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other		Consolidated Total
For the year ended December 31, 2020
Services and other revenue:
Services	$	1,614,730	$	10,785	$	4,631	$	1,630,146
Lease revenue	40,503		6,613		5,042		52,158
Total services and other revenue	1,655,233		17,398		9,673		1,682,304
Equipment revenue:
Equipment	110,108		—		2		110,110
Design, development and construction services	88,511		—		—		88,511
Lease revenue	6,982		—		—		6,982
Total equipment revenue	205,601		—		2		205,603
Total revenue	$	1,860,834	$	17,398	$	9,675	$	1,887,907

For the year ended December 31, 2019
Services and other revenue:
Services	$	1,535,966	$	10,464	$	6,493	$	1,552,924
Lease revenue	50,073		5,793		10,481		66,347
Total services and other revenue	1,586,039		16,257		16,974		1,619,271
Equipment revenue:
Equipment	115,052		—		107		115,159
Design, development and construction services	145,646		—		—		145,646
Lease revenue	6,005						6,005
Total equipment revenue	266,703		—		107		266,810
Total revenue	$	1,852,742	$	16,257	$	17,082	$	1,886,081

For the year ended December 31, 2018
Services and other revenue:
Services	$	1,313,059	$	21,044	$	5,821	$	1,339,924
Lease revenue	198,059		6,187		13,058		217,304
Total services and other revenue	1,511,118		27,231		18,879		1,557,228
Equipment revenue:
Equipment	119,657		—		—		119,657
Design, development and construction services	85,753		—		—		85,753
Total equipment revenue	205,410		—		—		205,410
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	27,231	$	18,879	$	1,762,638

Schedule of Operating Lease Revenue

The following table presents our lease revenue by type of lease:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Sales-type lease revenue:
Revenue at lease commencement	$	6,982	$	6,005
Interest income	393		784
Total sales-type lease revenue	7,375		6,789
Operating lease revenue	51,765		65,563
Total lease revenue	$	59,140	$	72,352

Schedule of Sales-type Lease Revenue

The following table presents our lease revenue by type of lease:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Sales-type lease revenue:
Revenue at lease commencement	$	6,982	$	6,005
Interest income	393		784
Total sales-type lease revenue	7,375		6,789
Operating lease revenue	51,765		65,563
Total lease revenue	$	59,140	$	72,352

Schedule of Operating Lease Payments to be Received

The following table presents future operating lease payments to be received as of December 31, 2020:


	Amounts
December 31,
2021	$	45,332
2022	34,137
2023	31,907
2024	29,666
2025	28,035
2026 and beyond	99,692
Total lease payments	$	268,769

Schedule of Property and Equipment Subject to Operating Leases

The following table presents amounts for assets subject to operating leases, which are included in Property and equipment, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020						2019
	Cost		Accumulated Depreciation		Net		Cost		Accumulated Depreciation		Net
Customer premises equipment	$	1,617,053	$	(1,265,129)	$	351,924	$	1,377,914	$	(1,043,431)	$	334,483
Satellites	104,620		(38,335)		66,285		104,620		(31,360)		73,260
Real estate	48,275		(17,094)		31,181		46,930		(16,048)		30,882
Total	$	1,769,948	$	(1,320,558)	$	449,390	$	1,529,464	$	(1,090,839)	$	438,625

The following table presents depreciation expense for assets subject to operating leases, which is included in Depreciation and amortization:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Customer premises equipment	$	230,079	$	182,523
Satellites	6,975		7,495
Real estate	942		923
Total	$	237,996	$	190,941

Lessee Accounting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Lease Assets and Liabilities

The following table presents the amounts for right-of-use assets and lease liabilities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Right-of-use assets:
Operating	$	128,303	$	114,042
Finance	278,237		325,826
Total right-of-use assets	$	406,540	$	439,868

Lease liabilities:
Current:
Operating	$	14,699	$	14,651
Finance	423		486
Total current	15,122		15,137
Non-current:
Operating	114,886		96,941
Finance	129		565
Total non-current	115,015		97,506
Total lease liabilities	$	130,137	$	112,643

Schedule of Lease Cost, Weighted Average Term, Discount Rates and Cash Flows

The following table presents the components of lease cost and weighted average lease terms and discount rates for operating and finance leases:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Lease cost:
Operating lease cost	$	24,000	$	24,342
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	27,611		26,489
Interest on lease liabilities	106		173
Total finance lease cost	27,717		26,662
Short-term lease cost	376		434
Variable lease cost	3,853		8,837
Total lease cost	$	55,946	$	60,275


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Lease term and discount rate:
Weighted average remaining lease term:
Finance leases	1.2 years		2.1 years
Operating leases	10.6 years		10.3 years

Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases	12.2	%	11.9	%
Operating leases	6.0	%	6.1	%

The following table presents the detailed cash flows from operating and finance leases:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	21,834	$	22,618
Operating cash flows from finance leases	106		173
Financing cash flows from finance leases	499		654

Schedule of Operating Lease Liability Maturity

The following table presents future minimum lease payments of our lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020:


	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Total
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	21,051	$	472	$	21,523
2022	20,409		136		20,545
2023	19,628		—		19,628
2024	16,364		—		16,364
2025	12,355		—		12,355
2026 and beyond	86,194		—		86,194
Total future minimum lease payments	176,001		608		176,609
Less: Interest	(46,416)		(56)		(46,472)
Total lease liabilities	$	129,585	$	552	$	130,137

Schedule of Financing Lease Liability Maturity

The following table presents future minimum lease payments of our lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020:


	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Total
Year ending December 31,
2021	$	21,051	$	472	$	21,523
2022	20,409		136		20,545
2023	19,628		—		19,628
2024	16,364		—		16,364
2025	12,355		—		12,355
2026 and beyond	86,194		—		86,194
Total future minimum lease payments	176,001		608		176,609
Less: Interest	(46,416)		(56)		(46,472)
Total lease liabilities	$	129,585	$	552	$	130,137

Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Schedule of Discontinued Operations

The following table presents the financial results of our discontinued operations of the BSS Business:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	195,942	$	305,229
Services and other revenue - other	16,260		23,496
Total revenue	212,202		328,725
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	28,057		40,398
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,946		159
Depreciation and amortization	97,435		141,062
Total costs and expenses	134,438		181,619
Operating income (loss)	77,764		147,106
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(17,865)		(29,280)
Total other income (expense), net	(17,865)		(29,280)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	59,899		117,826
Income tax benefit (provision), net	(20,498)		(24,097)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	39,401	$	93,729


	For the years ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	39,401	$	93,729
Depreciation and amortization	$	97,435	$	141,062

Investing activities:
Expenditures for property and equipment	$	510	$	175

Financing activities:
Payment of finance lease obligations	$	27,203	$	35,886
Payment of in-orbit incentive obligations	$	4,474	$	4,883

- 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

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Topic 205
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Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721677-107760

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-Section 45
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222160&loc=SL51721533-107759

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721659-107760

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721665-107760

Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721675-107760

Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-Section 50
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721683-107760

Reference 10: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=d3e1361-107760

Reference 11: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721671-107760

Reference 12: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721673-107760

Reference 13: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109222650&loc=SL51721663-107760

+ Details

Business Combinations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

All assets and liabilities acquired from Yahsat in the Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction have been recorded at fair value. The following table presents our allocation of the purchase price:


	Amounts
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,110
Other current assets, net	5,876
Property and equipment	86,983
Regulatory authorization	4,498
Goodwill	9,186
Other non-current assets, net	1,502
Total assets	$	116,155

Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	$	3,879
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,676
Total liabilities	$	10,555

Total purchase price (1)	$	105,600

(1) Based on the value determined for the equity ownership interest issued by our Brazilian subsidiary as consideration for the business acquired by us in the Yahsat Brazil JV Transaction.

Schedule of Other Intangible Assets

The following valuation of the acquired assets was derived using primarily unobservable Level 3 inputs, which require significant management judgment and estimation:


	Amounts
Satellite payload	$	49,363
Regulatory authorization	4,498
Total	$	53,861

The following table presents our other intangible assets:


	Customer Relationships		Patents		Trademarks and Licenses		Total
Cost:
As of December 31, 2017	$	270,300	$	61,300	$	29,700	$	361,300
Write-off	—		(17)		—		(17)
As of December 31, 2018	270,300		61,283		29,700		361,283
As of December 31, 2019	270,300		61,283		29,700		361,283
As of December 31, 2020	$	270,300	$	61,283	$	29,700	$	361,283

Accumulated amortization:
As of December 31, 2017	$	(231,642)	$	(60,927)	$	(9,776)	$	(302,345)
Amortization expense	(13,145)		(94)		(1,485)		(14,724)
Write-off	—		17		—		17
As of December 31, 2018	(244,787)		(61,004)		(11,261)		(317,052)
Amortization expense	(13,146)		(93)		(1,485)		(14,724)
As of December 31, 2019	(257,933)		(61,097)		(12,746)		(331,776)
Amortization expense	(9,496)		(93)		(1,485)		(11,074)
As of December 31, 2020	$	(267,429)	$	(61,190)	$	(14,231)	$	(342,850)

Carrying amount:
As of December 31, 2017	$	38,658	$	373	$	19,924	$	58,955
As of December 31, 2018	$	25,513	$	279	$	18,439	$	44,231
As of December 31, 2019	$	12,367	$	186	$	16,954	$	29,507
As of December 31, 2020	$	2,871	$	93	$	15,469	$	18,433

Weighted average useful life (in years)	8		6		20

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted EPS:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(40,150)	$	(102,318)	$	(134,204)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		39,401		93,729
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$	(40,150)	$	(62,917)	$	(40,475)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Class A and B common stock:
Basic and diluted	97,920		96,738		96,250

Earnings (losses) per share:
Class A and B common stock:
Basic and diluted:
Continuing operations	$	(0.41)	$	(1.06)	$	(1.39)
Discontinued operations	—		0.41		0.97
Total basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share	$	(0.41)	$	(0.65)	$	(0.42)

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020	2019	2018
Number of shares	4,374	4,813	5,013

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents the changes in the balances of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component:


	Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments		Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities		Other		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	(121,693)	$	(1,574)	$	(1,833)	$	(125,100)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(483)		2,571		1,466		3,554
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	—		(592)		—		(592)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(483)		1,979		1,466		2,962
Balance, December 31, 2019	(122,176)		405		(367)		(122,138)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(68,097)		(253)		2,614		(65,736)
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	—		(2)		—		(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(68,097)		(255)		2,614		(65,738)
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	(190,273)	$	150	$	2,247	$	(187,876)

Marketable Investment Securities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of Marketable Investment Securities

The following table presents our Marketable investment securities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Marketable investment securities:
Debt securities:
Available-for-sale:
Corporate bonds	$	372,746	$	568,442
Commercial paper	1,101,888		321,706
Other debt securities	148,292		13,874
Total available-for-sale debt securities	1,622,926		904,022
Fair value option - corporate bonds	—		9,128
Total debt securities	1,622,926		913,150
Equity securities	24,435		35,566
Total marketable investment securities, including restricted amounts	1,647,361		948,716
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	(9,090)		(8,093)
Total marketable investment securities	$	1,638,271	$	940,623

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation

The following table presents the components of our available-for-sale debt securities:


	Amortized		Unrealized				Estimated
	Cost		Gains		Losses		Fair Value
As of December 31, 2020
Corporate bonds	$	372,702	$	78	$	(34)	$	372,746
Commercial paper	1,101,888		—		—		1,101,888
Other debt securities	148,292		6		(6)		148,292
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$	1,622,882	$	84	$	(40)	$	1,622,926
As of December 31, 2019
Corporate bonds	$	567,926	$	518	$	(2)	$	568,442
Commercial paper	321,705		1		—		321,706
Other debt securities	13,867		7		—		13,874
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$	903,498	$	526	$	(2)	$	904,022

Schedule of Activity on Available-for-sale Debt Securities

The following table presents the activity on our available-for-sale debt securities:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Proceeds from sales	$	160,494	$	435,978	$	75,000
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$	2	$	549	$	—

Schedule of Fair Value Option Corporate Bonds

The following table presents the activity on our fair value option corporate bonds:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Proceeds from sales	$	32,054	$	46,717	$	75,877
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$	14,980	$	6,746	$	4,212

Schedule of Activity of Equity Securities

The following table presents the activity of our equity securities:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Proceeds from sales	$	14,401	$	104,729	$	62,111
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$	(3,241)	$	53,873	$	(16,599)

Schedule of Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents our marketable investment securities categorized by the fair value hierarchy, certain of which have historically experienced volatility:


	As of December 31,
	2020						2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Total
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	$	416	$	809,698	$	810,114	$	31,451	$	1,408,043	$	1,439,494
Debt securities:
Available-for-sale:
Corporate bonds	$	—	$	372,746	$	372,746	$	—	$	568,442	$	568,442
Commercial paper	—		1,101,888		1,101,888		—		321,706		321,706
Other debt securities	139,486		8,806		148,292		8,093		5,781		13,874
Total available-for-sale debt securities	139,486		1,483,440		1,622,926		8,093		895,929		904,022
Fair value option - corporate bonds	—		—		—		—		9,128		9,128
Total debt securities	139,486		1,483,440		1,622,926		8,093		905,057		913,150
Equity securities	14,441		9,994		24,435		27,933		7,633		35,566
Total marketable investment securities, including restricted amounts	153,927		1,493,434		1,647,361		36,026		912,690		948,716
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	(9,090)		—		(9,090)		(8,093)		—		(8,093)
Total marketable investment securities	$	144,837	$	1,493,434	$	1,638,271	$	27,933	$	912,690	$	940,623

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment

The following table presents the components of Property and equipment, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Property and equipment, net:
Satellites, net	$	1,602,076	$	1,749,576
Other property and equipment, net	788,237		779,162
Total property and equipment, net	$	2,390,313	$	2,528,738

The following table presents the components of our satellites, net:


	Depreciable Life (In Years)	As of December 31,
		2020		2019
Satellites, net:
Satellites - owned	7 to 15	$	1,805,590	$	1,816,303
Satellites - acquired under finance leases	15	352,245		381,163
Construction in progress	—	409,032		365,133
Total satellites		2,566,867		2,562,599
Accumulated depreciation
Satellites - owned		(890,783)		(756,635)
Satellites - acquired under finance leases		(74,008)		(56,388)
Total accumulated depreciation		(964,791)		(813,023)
Total satellites, net		$	1,602,076	$	1,749,576

The following table presents the depreciation expense associated with our satellites, net:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Depreciation expense:
Satellites - owned	128,404		130,705		124,987
Satellites - acquired under finance leases	27,611		25,755		20,269
Total depreciation expense	$	156,015	$	156,460	$	145,256

The following table presents capitalized interest associated with our satellites and satellite-related ground infrastructure:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Capitalized interest	$	27,369	$	22,576	$	18,285

The following table presents Other property and equipment, net:


	Depreciable Life (In Years)	As of December 31,
		2020		2019
Other property and equipment, net:
Land	—	$	29,055	$	28,943
Buildings and improvements	1 to 40	115,335		113,938
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	1 to 12	887,086		855,274
Customer premises equipment	2 to 4	1,617,053		1,377,914
Construction in progress		99,716		52,986
Total other property and equipment		$	2,748,245	$	2,429,055
Accumulated depreciation		(1,960,008)		(1,649,893)
Other property and equipment, net		$	788,237	$	779,162

The following table presents the depreciation expense associated with our other property and equipment:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Other property and equipment depreciation expense:
Buildings and improvements	$	5,394	$	5,791	$	11,285
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	94,389		90,885		82,945
Customer premises equipment	230,079		194,906		174,749
Total depreciation expense	$	329,862	$	291,582	$	268,979

Schedule of Satellites

The following table presents our operating satellite fleet as of December 31, 2020 which consists of both owned and leased satellites:

Satellite

Segment

Launch Date

Nominal Degree Orbital Location (Longitude)

Depreciable Life (In Years)

Owned:

SPACEWAY 3 (1)

Hughes

August 2007

95 W

EchoStar XVII

Hughes

July 2012

107 W

EchoStar XIX

Hughes

December 2016

97.1 W

Al Yah 3 (2)

Hughes

January 2018

20 W

EchoStar IX (3)

ESS

August 2003

121 W

EUTELSAT 10A (“W2A”) (4)

Corporate and Other

April 2009

10 E

EchoStar XXI

Corporate and Other

June 2017

10.25 E

Finance leases:

Eutelsat 65 West A

Hughes

March 2016

65 W

Telesat T19V

Hughes

July 2018

63 W

EchoStar 105/SES-11

ESS

October 2017

105 W

(3) We own the Ka-band and Ku-band payloads on this satellite.

Regulatory Authorizations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Regulatory Authorizations With Finite and Indefinite Useful Lives

The following table presents our Regulatory authorizations, net:


	Finite lived
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization		Total		Indefinite lived		Total
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	92,621	$	(21,342)	$	71,279	$	400,042	$	471,321
Impairment	(37,476)		7,848		(29,628)		—		(29,628)
Amortization expense	—		(5,190)		(5,190)		—		(5,190)
Currency translation adjustments	(8,358)		1,894		(6,464)		—		(6,464)
Balance, December 31, 2018	46,787		(16,790)		29,997		400,042		430,039
Additions	12,833		—		12,833		39,491		52,324
Amortization expense	—		(3,672)		(3,672)		—		(3,672)
Currency translation adjustments	(1,169)		318		(851)		758		(93)
Balance, December 31, 2019	58,451		(20,144)		38,307		440,291		478,598
Amortization expense	—		(4,483)		(4,483)		—		(4,483)
Currency translation adjustments	2,930		(2,012)		918		3,729		4,647
Balance, December 31, 2020	$	61,381	$	(26,639)	$	34,742	$	444,020	$	478,762

Weighted average useful life (in years)			13

Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization of Intangible Assets

The following table presents our estimated future amortization of our regulatory authorizations with finite lives as of December 31, 2020:


	Amount
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$	4,610
2022	4,658
2023	4,658
2024	4,668
2025	4,658
2026 and beyond	11,490
Total	$	34,742

The following table presents our estimated future amortization of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2020:


	Amount
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$	4,449
2022	1,485
2023	1,485
2024	1,485
2025	1,485
2026 and beyond	8,044
Total	$	18,433

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Intangible Assets

The following valuation of the acquired assets was derived using primarily unobservable Level 3 inputs, which require significant management judgment and estimation:


	Amounts
Satellite payload	$	49,363
Regulatory authorization	4,498
Total	$	53,861

The following table presents our other intangible assets:


	Customer Relationships		Patents		Trademarks and Licenses		Total
Cost:
As of December 31, 2017	$	270,300	$	61,300	$	29,700	$	361,300
Write-off	—		(17)		—		(17)
As of December 31, 2018	270,300		61,283		29,700		361,283
As of December 31, 2019	270,300		61,283		29,700		361,283
As of December 31, 2020	$	270,300	$	61,283	$	29,700	$	361,283

Accumulated amortization:
As of December 31, 2017	$	(231,642)	$	(60,927)	$	(9,776)	$	(302,345)
Amortization expense	(13,145)		(94)		(1,485)		(14,724)
Write-off	—		17		—		17
As of December 31, 2018	(244,787)		(61,004)		(11,261)		(317,052)
Amortization expense	(13,146)		(93)		(1,485)		(14,724)
As of December 31, 2019	(257,933)		(61,097)		(12,746)		(331,776)
Amortization expense	(9,496)		(93)		(1,485)		(11,074)
As of December 31, 2020	$	(267,429)	$	(61,190)	$	(14,231)	$	(342,850)

Carrying amount:
As of December 31, 2017	$	38,658	$	373	$	19,924	$	58,955
As of December 31, 2018	$	25,513	$	279	$	18,439	$	44,231
As of December 31, 2019	$	12,367	$	186	$	16,954	$	29,507
As of December 31, 2020	$	2,871	$	93	$	15,469	$	18,433

Weighted average useful life (in years)	8		6		20

Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization of Intangible Assets

The following table presents our estimated future amortization of our regulatory authorizations with finite lives as of December 31, 2020:


	Amount
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$	4,610
2022	4,658
2023	4,658
2024	4,668
2025	4,658
2026 and beyond	11,490
Total	$	34,742

The following table presents our estimated future amortization of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2020:


	Amount
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$	4,449
2022	1,485
2023	1,485
2024	1,485
2025	1,485
2026 and beyond	8,044
Total	$	18,433

Other Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Investments and Equity Method Investments

The following table presents our Other investments, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other investments, net:
Equity method investments	$	151,070	$	166,209
Other equity investments	31,662		66,627
Other debt investments, net	102,205		92,569
Total other investments, net	$	284,937	$	325,405

The following table presents revenue recognized:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Deluxe	$	4,393	$	4,377	$	4,433
BCS	$	9,080	$	8,979	$	695

The following table presents trade accounts receivable:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Deluxe	$	716	$	631
BCS	$	9,347	$	5,171

The following table presents reductions to the carrying amount of our investments based on circumstances that indicated the fair value of the investments was less than their carry amount:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Loss (gain) on investments, net	$	29,833	$	36,700	$	—

The following table presents our other debt investments, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other debt investments, net:
Cost basis	$	114,903	$	102,878
Discount	(10,185)		(10,309)
Allowance for credit losses	(2,513)		—
Total other debt investments, net	$	102,205	$	92,569

Schedule of Allowance for Credit Losses

The following table presents the activity in our allowance for credit losses for these investments:


	For the year ended December 31, 2020
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	—
Credit Losses (1)	2,513
Deductions	—
Balance at end of period	$	2,513

(1) The impact of adopting ASC 326 on January 1, 2020 was a $2.1 million adjustment to Accumulated earnings (losses).

Schedule of Interest Income, Net

The following table presents the interest income, net related to our debt investments, net:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Interest income, net
Interest income	$	14,736	$	2,500
Credit losses	(367)		—
Total interest income, net	$	14,369	$	2,500

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Carrying Amount and Fair Values of Long-term Debt

The following table presents the carrying amount and fair values of our Current portion of long-term debt, net and Long-term debt, net:


	Effective Interest Rate	As of December 31,
		2020				2019
		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes:
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026	5.301%	$	750,000	$	834,045	$	750,000	$	825,308
Senior Unsecured Notes:
7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021	8.028%	900,000		924,003		900,000		963,783
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026	6.667%	750,000		852,810		750,000		833,903
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs		(6,507)		—		(10,832)		—
Total long-term debt		2,393,493		2,610,858		2,389,168		2,622,994
Less: Current portion, net		(898,237)		(924,003)		—		—
Long-term debt, net		$	1,495,256	$	1,686,855	$	2,389,168	$	2,622,994

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

The following table presents the components of Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Domestic	$	108,078	$	120,295	$	33,176
Foreign	(135,913)		(213,460)		(158,962)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(27,835)	$	(93,165)	$	(125,786)

Schedule of Components of the Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes

The following table presents the components of Income tax benefit (provision), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Current benefit (provision), net:
Federal	$	(2,750)	$	(5,089)	$	(1,476)
State	(4,868)		286		4,881
Foreign	(2,116)		(633)		(2,690)
Total current benefit (provision), net	$	(9,734)	$	(5,436)	$	715

Deferred benefit (provision), net:
Federal	$	(9,707)	$	(7,511)	$	6,857
State	3,497		(10,964)		(14,375)
Foreign	(8,125)		3,423		227
Total deferred benefit (provision), net	(14,335)		(15,052)		(7,291)
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	$	(24,069)	$	(20,488)	$	(6,576)

Schedule of Income Tax Rate Reconciliation


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Statutory rate	$	5,845	$	19,565	$	26,415
State income taxes, net of federal provision (benefit)	(349)		(8,137)		(10,519)
Permanent differences	(2,209)		(6,531)		(1,367)
Tax credits	1,353		12,453		7,825
Valuation allowance	(44,212)		(54,251)		(50,118)
Rates different than statutory	17,180		18,786		20,254
Withholding tax	(766)		(2,171)		(80)
Other	(911)		(202)		1,014
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	$	(24,069)	$	(20,488)	$	(6,576)

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The following table presents the components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$	274,894	$	289,353
Unrealized losses on investments, net	43,693		39,018
Accrued expenses	21,787		19,660
Stock-based compensation	6,723		5,772
Other assets	35,689		28,163
Total deferred tax assets	382,786		381,966
Valuation allowance	(225,593)		(181,032)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	$	157,193	$	200,934

Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	$	(514,091)	$	(544,158)
Other liabilities	(1,217)		(1,217)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(515,308)		(545,375)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(358,115)	$	(344,441)

Net deferred tax asset foreign jurisdiction	$	1,781	$	7,251
Net deferred tax liability domestic	(359,896)		(351,692)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(358,115)	$	(344,441)

Schedule of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The following table presents the reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Unrecognized tax benefit balance as of beginning of period:	$	70,401	$	69,540	$	63,296
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	3,349		861		4,361
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	76,882		—		2,539
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	(572)		—		(656)
Balance as of end of period	$	150,060	$	70,401	$	69,540

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of Common Stock Repurchases

The following table presents information with respect to purchases made by the Company:


Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)		Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Disclosed Plans or Program	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Program
Beginning Balance					$	500,000
Year ended December 31, 2018	952,603	$	34.95	952,603	466,708
Q4 Repurchase Authorization (1)					500,000
Year ended December 31, 2019	—	—		—	500,000
Year ended December 31, 2020	1,905,906	22.79		1,905,906	456,542
Total	2,858,509	$	26.85	2,858,509	$	456,542

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]

Schedule of Matching Contributions, Discretionary Contributions and Shares

The following table presents our matching contributions, discretionary contributions and shares:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Matching contributions	$	5,239	$	5,095	$	5,007
Fair value of discretionary contributions of our Class A common stock, net of forfeitures, under 401(k) plan	$	6,921	$	6,654	$	7,605
Approximate number of shares	160,000		181,000		127,000

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense [Abstract]

Schedule of Exercise Prices for Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable

The following table presents our exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020:


	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Exercise Price Range	Number Outstanding as of December 31, 2020	Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Number Exercisable as of December 31, 2020	Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$0.00 - $20.00	21,864	1	$	18.20	21,864	1	$	18.20
$20.01 - $25.00	5,221	5	23.65		3,221	1	22.96
$25.01 - $30.00	430,635	2	29.60		430,635	2	29.60
$30.01 - $35.00	810,361	5	32.57		488,397	3	33.13
$35.01 - $40.00	1,572,812	8	38.77		506,582	7	38.59
$40.01 - $45.00	1,025,386	4	42.19		1,019,235	4	42.19
$45.01 - $50.00	875,335	6	48.51		531,357	6	48.50
$50.01 - $55.00	63,277	5	52.69		43,709	5	52.71
	4,804,891	6	39.48		3,045,000	4	39.42

Schedule of Stock Option Activity

The following table presents our stock option activity:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020			2019			2018
	Options	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Options	Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Options	Weighted- Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of period	4,812,644	$	43.40	5,013,038	$	41.80	4,951,256	$	41.42
Granted	180,500	30.39		1,959,597	38.12		215,500	51.71
Exercised	(45,170)	18.93		(1,986,937)	33.89		(108,318)	40.67
Forfeited and canceled	(143,083)	41.58		(173,054)	48.99		(45,400)	50.21
Total options outstanding, end of period	4,804,891	39.48		4,812,644	43.40		5,013,038	41.80
Exercisable at end of period	3,045,000	39.42		2,510,947	38.76		3,710,138	38.59

Schedule of Additional Share-based Compensation Disclosures

The following table presents our additional share-based compensation disclosures:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Tax benefits from stock options exercised	$	173	$	6,989	$	364
Aggregate intrinsic value of our stock options exercised	$	603	$	17,101	$	1,774

Schedule of Allocated Non-cash, Stock-based Compensation Expense for All Employees

The following table presents our total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Stock-based compensation expense:
Research and development expenses	$	551	$	465	$	634
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8,327		8,860		9,442
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	8,878	$	9,325	$	10,076

Schedule of Assumptions of Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model

The following table presents the estimated grant-date fair values and related assumptions:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020	2019	2018
Assumptions:
Risk-free interest rate	0.25% - 1.72%	1.83% - 2.54%	2.25% - 2.99%
Volatility	24.32% - 30.07%	23.58% - 30.95%	22.77% - 23.28%
Expected term of options (in years)	4.0 - 5.9	5.7 - 5.8	5.7 - 5.8
Weighted-average grant-date fair value	$6.56 - $11.63	$10.22 - $14.49	$12.38 - $16.23

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations from our continuing operations as of December 31, 2020:


	Payments Due in the Years Ending December 31,
	Total		2021		2022		2023		2024		2025		Thereafter
Long-term debt	$	2,400,000	$	900,000	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,500,000
Interest on long-term debt	568,711		123,396		89,063		89,063		89,063		89,063		89,063
Satellite-related commitments	487,665		223,528		73,412		22,778		20,743		21,487		125,717
Operating lease obligations	176,001		21,051		20,409		19,628		16,364		12,355		86,194
Finance lease obligations	608		472		136		—		—		—		—
Total	$	3,632,985	$	1,268,447	$	183,020	$	131,469	$	126,170	$	122,905	$	1,800,974

Segment Reporting (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Revenue, EBITDA, and Capital Expenditures by Operating Segments


	Hughes		ESS		Corporate and Other		Consolidated Total
For the year ended December 31, 2020
External revenue	$	1,860,834	$	16,237	$	10,836	$	1,887,907
Intersegment revenue	—		1,161		(1,161)		—
Total revenue	$	1,860,834	$	17,398	$	9,675	$	1,887,907

EBITDA	$	727,608	$	7,873	$	(118,606)	$	616,875
Capital expenditures	$	355,197	$	41	$	53,560	$	408,798

For the year ended December 31, 2019
External revenue	$	1,852,742	$	15,131	$	18,208	$	1,886,081
Intersegment revenue	—		1,126		(1,126)		—
Total revenue	$	1,852,742	$	16,257	$	17,082	$	1,886,081

EBITDA	$	625,660	$	6,994	$	(55,055)	$	577,599
Capital expenditures	$	308,781	$	—	$	109,293	$	418,074

For the year ended December 31, 2018
External revenue	$	1,716,169	$	27,009	$	19,460	$	1,762,638
Intersegment revenue	359		222		(581)		—
Total revenue	$	1,716,528	$	27,231	$	18,879	$	1,762,638

EBITDA	$	601,319	$	17,764	$	(150,582)	$	468,501
Capital expenditures	$	390,108	$	(76,757)	$	164,091	$	477,442

Schedule of Reconciliation of EBITDA to Reported Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

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


	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(27,835)	$	(93,165)	$	(125,786)
Interest income, net	(39,982)		(82,352)		(80,275)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	147,927		251,016		219,288
Depreciation and amortization	525,011		490,765		457,116
Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests	11,754		11,335		(1,842)
EBITDA	$	616,875	$	577,599	$	468,501

Schedule of Total Long-lived Assets

The following table summarizes total long-lived assets attributed to the North America, South and Central America and other foreign locations:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Long-lived assets:
North America	$	2,954,421	$	3,092,773
South and Central America	311,063		310,226
Other	133,621		140,797
Total long-lived assets	$	3,399,105	$	3,543,796

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table presents our quarterly results of operations:


	For the Three Months Ended
	December 31		September 30		June 30		March 31
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Total revenue	$	489,273	$	473,502	$	459,466	$	465,666
Operating income (loss)	30,108		36,990		34,772		10,603
Net income (loss)	(2,597)		23,273		(14,843)		(57,737)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to EchoStar common stock	117		25,440		(11,412)		(54,295)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	117		25,440		(11,412)		(54,295)
Basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share	0.01		0.26		(0.12)		(0.56)
Total basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share	0.01		0.26		(0.12)		(0.56)

Year Ended December 31, 2019
Total revenue	$	499,006	$	472,262	$	460,431	$	454,382
Operating income (loss)	23,597		26,093		(4,661)		28,048
Net income (loss)	(63,094)		(21,106)		(5,060)		15,008
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to EchoStar common stock	(46,297)		(20,317)		(30,660)		(5,044)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common stock	(53,118)		(18,309)		(5,692)		14,202
Basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations per share	(0.48)		(0.21)		(0.32)		(0.05)
Total basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share	(0.55)		(0.19)		(0.06)		0.15

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Schedule of related party transactions

The following table presents our Services and other revenue - DISH Network:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$	36,531	$	53,429	$	73,465

The following table presents the related trade accounts receivable:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	$	5,612	$	10,683

The following table presents our operating expenses related to DISH Network:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Operating expenses - DISH Network	$	5,793	$	5,198	$	3,889

The following table presents the related trade accounts payable:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	$	752	$	1,923

Other Receivables - DISH Network

The following table presents our other receivables owed from DISH Network:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other receivables - DISH Network	$	92,680	$	92,892

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Cost of Sales and Research and Development Costs

The following table presents the research and development costs incurred in connection with customers’ orders:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Cost of sales - equipment	$	19,788	$	24,495	$	23,422
Research and development expenses	$	29,448	$	25,739	$	27,570

Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, beginning of period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,519,431	$	928,306	$	2,431,456
Restricted cash	2,458		1,189		793
Total cash and cash equivalents, included restricted amounts, beginning of period	$	1,521,889	$	929,495	$	2,432,249

Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, end of period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	896,005	$	1,519,431	$	928,306
Restricted cash	807		2,458		1,189
Total cash and cash equivalents, included restricted amounts, end of period	$	896,812	$	1,521,889	$	929,495

Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, beginning of period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,519,431	$	928,306	$	2,431,456
Restricted cash	2,458		1,189		793
Total cash and cash equivalents, included restricted amounts, beginning of period	$	1,521,889	$	929,495	$	2,432,249

Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted amounts, end of period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	896,005	$	1,519,431	$	928,306
Restricted cash	807		2,458		1,189
Total cash and cash equivalents, included restricted amounts, end of period	$	896,812	$	1,521,889	$	929,495

Schedule of Other Assets and Other Liabilities

The following table presents the components of Other current assets, net and Other non-current assets, net:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Other current assets, net:
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	$	5,612	$	10,683
Inventory	97,992		79,621
Prepaids and deposits	55,381		67,014
Other, net	30,836		22,213
Total other current assets	$	189,821	$	179,531

Other non-current assets, net:
Other receivables - DISH Network	$	92,680	$	92,892
Restricted marketable investment securities	9,090		8,093
Restricted cash	807		2,458
Deferred tax assets, net	1,781		7,251
Capitalized software, net	116,661		101,786
Contract acquisition costs, net	99,837		96,723
Contract fulfillment costs, net	2,580		3,010
Other, net	29,485		22,628
Total other non-current assets, net	$	352,921	$	334,841

The following table presents the components of Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	$	752	$	1,923
Accrued interest	42,388		42,622
Accrued compensation	62,299		50,787
Accrued taxes	20,297		18,525
Operating lease obligation	14,699		14,651
Other	159,564		142,371
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	299,999	$	270,879

Schedule of Activity in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The following table presents the activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Balance at beginning of period	$	23,777	$	16,604	$	12,027
Credit losses (1)	18,582		30,027		24,984
Deductions	(26,031)		(21,832)		(16,888)
Foreign currency translation	(942)		(1,022)		(3,519)
Balance at end of period	$	15,386	$	23,777	$	16,604


	For the years ended December 31,
	Other current assets, net		Other non-current assets, net
Balance at beginning of period	$	—	$	—
Credit losses (1)	1,595		13,378

Foreign currency translation	152		(509)
Balance at end of period	$	1,747	$	12,869

Schedule of Inventory

The following table presents the components of inventory:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Raw materials	$	4,564	$	4,240
Work-in-process	8,280		6,979
Finished goods	85,148		68,402
Total inventory	$	97,992	$	79,621

Schedule of Capitalized Software Costs

The following tables present the activity related to our capitalized software cost:


	As of December 31,
	2020		2019
Net carrying amount of externally marketed software	$	116,661	$	101,786
Externally marketed software under development and not yet placed into service	$	72,047	$	38,766


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Capitalized costs related to development of externally marketed software	$	38,655	$	29,310	$	31,639
Amortization expense relating to externally marketed software	$	23,780	$	24,284	$	22,966
Weighted average useful life (in years)	2

Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities

The following table presents the supplemental and non-cash investing and financing activities:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2020		2019		2018
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	139,280	$	195,331	$	240,596
Cash paid for income taxes	$	15,254	$	3,575	$	5,209

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	$	6,921	$	6,654	$	7,605
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	$	(6,935)	$	(11,111)	$	7,318
Non-cash assets exchanged for BSS Transaction	$	—	$	532,855	$	—
Non-cash net assets received in exchange for a 20% ownership interest in our existing Brazilian subsidiary	$	—	$	94,918	$	—

Organization and Business Activities (Details)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Organization and Business Activities (Details)	Sep. 30, 2019 $ / shares shares	May 31, 2019 shares	Dec. 31, 2020 segment $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019 $ / shares shares
Principal Business
Number of business segments \| segment			2
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)			$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Class A
Principal Business
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)			$ 0.001	$ 0.001
BSS Corp. \| Common Stock
Principal Business
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001
Share of BSS common stock issued for each share of Echostar Class A or Class B common stock (in shares) \| shares				1
DISH Network \| Common Class A
Principal Business
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001
Stock conversion, numerator (in shares) \| shares	0.23523769	0.23523769

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Nov. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adoption of accounting principle	$ (3,607,250)		$ (3,745,553)		$ (4,154,865)	$ (4,155,474)	$ (4,177,385)
Weighted average useful life (in years)	13 years
Yahsat
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Equity ownership percentage	20.00%			20.00%
Computer Software, Intangible Asset
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life (in years)	5 years
Accumulated Earnings (Losses)
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adoption of accounting principle	$ (583,591)		(632,809)			$ (694,129)	(721,316)
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adoption of accounting principle		$ 9,308	9,308				(23,123)
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment \| Accumulated Earnings (Losses)
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adoption of accounting principle			$ 9,068				$ (12,656)
Maximum \| Computer Software, Intangible Asset
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life (in years)	5 years

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Impact of Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	$ 183,989		$ 196,629
Other current assets, net	189,821		179,531	$ 165,781	$ 165,809
Operating lease right-of-use assets	128,303		114,042	120,358	0
Other investments, net	284,937		325,405
Other non-current assets, net	352,921		334,841	331,118	338,390
Total assets	7,073,352		7,154,298	8,774,352	8,661,294
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	299,999		270,879	199,151	181,698
Operating lease liabilities	114,886		96,941	100,085	0
Other non-current liabilities	70,893		74,925	76,433	80,304
Total liabilities	3,466,102		3,408,745	4,619,487	4,505,820
Deferred tax liabilities, net	359,896		351,692
Accumulated earnings (losses)	583,591		632,809	693,520	694,129
Non-controlling interests	64,916		75,748
Total stockholders’ equity	3,607,250		3,745,553	4,154,865	4,155,474	$ 4,177,385
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 7,073,352		7,154,298	8,774,352	$ 8,661,294
Adoption of ASC 842 Increase (Decrease)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Other current assets, net				(28)
Operating lease right-of-use assets				120,358
Other non-current assets, net				(7,272)
Total assets				113,058
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities				17,453
Operating lease liabilities				100,085
Other non-current liabilities				(3,871)
Total liabilities				113,667
Accumulated earnings (losses)				(609)
Total stockholders’ equity				(609)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity				$ 113,058
Adoption of ASC 326 Increase (Decrease)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net		$ (13,672)
Other current assets, net		6,723
Other investments, net		(7,381)
Other non-current assets, net		4,050
Total assets		(10,280)
Deferred tax liabilities, net		(972)
Accumulated earnings (losses)		(9,068)
Non-controlling interests		(240)
Total stockholders’ equity		(9,308)	(9,308)			23,123
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		(10,280)
Balance January 1, 2020
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net		182,957
Other current assets, net		186,254
Other investments, net		318,024
Other non-current assets, net		338,891
Total assets		7,144,018
Deferred tax liabilities, net		350,720
Accumulated earnings (losses)		623,741
Non-controlling interests		75,508
Total stockholders’ equity		3,736,245	$ 3,736,245			$ 4,200,508
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$ 7,144,018

Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Components of Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net:
Total trade accounts receivable	$ 154,067	$ 156,648
Contract assets	45,308	63,758
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(15,386)	(23,777)
Total trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net	183,989	196,629
Contract liabilities:
Current	104,569	101,060
Non-current	10,519	10,572
Total contract liabilities	115,088	111,632
Revenue recognized	72,877	65,417	$ 52,000
Sales and services
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net:
Total trade accounts receivable	149,513	152,632
Leasing
Trade accounts receivable and contract assets, net:
Total trade accounts receivable	$ 4,554	$ 4,016

Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2020	Jan. 01, 2019
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 23,777	$ 16,604	$ 12,027
Credit losses	18,582	30,027	24,984
Deductions	(26,031)	(21,832)	(16,888)
Foreign currency translation	(942)	(1,022)	(3,519)
Balance at end of period	15,386	23,777	16,604
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$ 583,591	$ 632,809	$ 694,129		$ 693,520
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Other current assets and other non-current assets				$ 13,400
Accumulated earnings (losses)				$ 2,900

Revenue Recognition - Activity in Contract Acquisition Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Increase (Decrease) In Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 113,592	$ 114,306	$ 90,899
Additions	91,143	97,457	113,265
Amortization expense	(101,278)	(97,650)	(88,949)
Foreign currency translation	(3,620)	(521)	(909)
Balance at end of period	$ 99,837	$ 113,592	$ 114,306

Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Remaining performance obligation	$ 942.3
Expected percent recognized in next twelve months	38.20%
Sales-type lease receivable	$ 13.0	$ 6.5

Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 489,273	$ 473,502	$ 459,466	$ 465,666	$ 499,006	$ 472,262	$ 460,431	$ 454,382	$ 1,887,907	$ 1,886,081	$ 1,762,638
North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,583,802	1,560,606	1,490,354
South and Central America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									151,426	125,906	102,016
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									152,679	199,569	170,268
Services and other revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,682,304	1,619,271	1,557,228
Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,630,146	1,552,924	1,339,924
Lease revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									52,158	66,347	217,304
Total equipment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									205,603	266,810	205,410
Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									110,110	115,159	119,657
Design, development and construction services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									88,511	145,646	85,753
Lease revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									6,982	6,005
Corporate and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									9,675	17,082	18,879
Corporate and Other \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									9,443	16,526	18,495
Corporate and Other \| South and Central America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									232	448	384
Corporate and Other \| Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0	108	0
Corporate and Other \| Services and other revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									9,673	16,974	18,879
Corporate and Other \| Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									4,631	6,493	5,821
Corporate and Other \| Lease revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									5,042	10,481	13,058
Corporate and Other \| Total equipment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									2	107	0
Corporate and Other \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									2	107	0
Corporate and Other \| Design, development and construction services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0	0	0
Corporate and Other \| Lease revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0
Hughes
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,860,834	1,852,742	1,716,169
Hughes \| Operating segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,860,834	1,852,742	1,716,528
Hughes \| Operating segments \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,556,961	1,527,823	1,444,628
Hughes \| Operating segments \| South and Central America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									151,194	125,458	101,632
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									152,679	199,461	170,268
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Services and other revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,655,233	1,586,039	1,511,118
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,614,730	1,535,966	1,313,059
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Lease revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									40,503	50,073	198,059
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Total equipment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									205,601	266,703	205,410
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									110,108	115,052	119,657
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Design, development and construction services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									88,511	145,646	85,753
Hughes \| Operating segments \| Lease revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									6,982	6,005
ESS
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									16,237	15,131	27,009
ESS \| Operating segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									17,398	16,257	27,231
ESS \| Operating segments \| North America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									17,398	16,257	27,231
ESS \| Operating segments \| South and Central America
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0	0	0
ESS \| Operating segments \| Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0	0	0
ESS \| Operating segments \| Services and other revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									17,398	16,257	27,231
ESS \| Operating segments \| Services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									10,785	10,464	21,044
ESS \| Operating segments \| Lease revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									6,613	5,793	6,187
ESS \| Operating segments \| Total equipment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0	0	0
ESS \| Operating segments \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0	0	0
ESS \| Operating segments \| Design, development and construction services
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									0	0	$ 0
ESS \| Operating segments \| Lease revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue									$ 0

Revenue Recognition - Lease Income By Lease Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Sales-type lease revenue:
Revenue at lease commencement	$ 6,982	$ 6,005
Interest income	393	784
Total sales-type lease revenue	7,375	6,789
Operating lease revenue	51,765	65,563
Total lease revenue	$ 59,140	$ 72,352

Revenue Recognition - Lease Income Maturity (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Amounts
2021	$ 45,332
2022	34,137
2023	31,907
2024	29,666
2025	28,035
2026 and beyond	99,692
Total lease payments	$ 268,769

Revenue Recognition - Property and Equipment Subject to Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 329,862	$ 291,582	$ 268,979
Customer premises equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	1,617,053	1,377,914
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,265,129)	(1,043,431)
Property and equipment, net	351,924	334,483
Depreciation	230,079	182,523
Satellites
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	104,620	104,620
Accumulated Depreciation	(38,335)	(31,360)
Property and equipment, net	66,285	73,260
Depreciation	6,975	7,495
Real estate
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	48,275	46,930
Accumulated Depreciation	(17,094)	(16,048)
Property and equipment, net	31,181	30,882
Depreciation	942	923
Assets leased to others
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Cost	1,769,948	1,529,464
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,320,558)	(1,090,839)
Property and equipment, net	449,390	438,625
Depreciation	$ 237,996	$ 190,941

Lessee Accounting - Schedule of Lease Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Right-of-use assets:
Operating	$ 128,303	$ 114,042	$ 120,358	$ 0
Finance	278,237	325,826
Total right-of-use assets	406,540	439,868
Current:
Operating	14,699	14,651
Finance	423	486
Total current	15,122	15,137
Non-current:
Operating	114,886	96,941	$ 100,085	$ 0
Finance	129	565
Total non-current	115,015	97,506
Total lease liabilities	130,137	112,643
Finance lease, accumulated amortization	$ 74,000	$ 57,300

Lessee Accounting - Schedule of Lease Cost, Weighted Average Term, Discount Rates and Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Lease cost:
Operating lease cost	$ 24,000	$ 24,342
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	27,611	26,489
Interest on lease liabilities	106	173
Total finance lease cost	27,717	26,662
Short-term lease cost	376	434
Variable lease cost	3,853	8,837
Total lease cost	$ 55,946	$ 60,275
Weighted average remaining lease term:
Finance leases	1 year 2 months 12 days	2 years 1 month 6 days
Operating leases	10 years 7 months 6 days	10 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases	12.20%	11.90%
Operating leases	6.00%	6.10%
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 21,834	$ 22,618
Operating cash flows from finance leases	106	173
Financing cash flows from finance leases	499	654
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for lease liability	$ 22,600	$ 8,500

Lessee Accounting - Schedule of Lease Liability Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating Leases
2021	$ 21,051
2022	20,409
2023	19,628
2024	16,364
2025	12,355
2026 and beyond	86,194
Total future minimum lease payments	176,001
Less: Interest	(46,416)
Total lease liabilities	129,585
Finance Leases
2021	472
2022	136
2023	0
2024	0
2025	0
2026 and beyond	0
Total future minimum lease payments	608
Less: Interest	(56)
Total lease liabilities	552
Total
2021	21,523
2022	20,545
2023	19,628
2024	16,364
2025	12,355
2026 and beyond	86,194
Total future minimum lease payments	176,609
Less: Interest	(46,472)
Total lease liabilities	$ 130,137	$ 112,643

Discontinued Operations - Summary of Financial Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 489,273	$ 473,502	$ 459,466	$ 465,666	$ 499,006	$ 472,262	$ 460,431	$ 454,382	$ 1,887,907	$ 1,886,081	$ 1,762,638
Other income (expense):
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations									0	39,401	93,729
Discontinued Operations
Costs and expenses:
Depreciation and amortization										97,435	141,062
Other income (expense):
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations										39,401	93,729
Discontinued Operations \| BSS Business
Revenue:
Total revenue										212,202	328,725
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)										28,057	40,398
Selling, general and administrative expenses										8,946	159
Depreciation and amortization										97,435	141,062
Total costs and expenses										134,438	181,619
Operating income (loss)										77,764	147,106
Other income (expense):
Interest expense										(17,865)	(29,280)
Total other income (expense), net										(17,865)	(29,280)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes										59,899	117,826
Income tax benefit (provision), net										(20,498)	(24,097)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations										39,401	93,729
Services and other revenue
Revenue:
Total revenue									$ 1,682,304	1,619,271	1,557,228
Services and other revenue \| Discontinued Operations \| BSS Business
Revenue:
Total revenue										16,260	23,496
Services and other revenue \| Discontinued Operations \| BSS Business \| DISH Network
Revenue:
Total revenue										$ 195,942	$ 305,229

Discontinued Operations - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 39,401	$ 93,729
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of finance lease obligations	499	654
Payment of in-orbit incentive obligations	$ 1,554	5,447	5,350
Discontinued Operations
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations		39,401	93,729
Depreciation and amortization		97,435	141,062
Cash flows from investing activities:
Expenditures for property and equipment		510	175
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of finance lease obligations		27,203	35,886
Payment of in-orbit incentive obligations		$ 4,474	$ 4,883

- Definition

Amount after tax of income (loss) from a discontinued operation including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Includes, but is not limited to, the income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, gain (loss) for reversal of write-down (write-down) to fair value, less cost to sell, and adjustments to a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400993&loc=SL114874131-224263

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109227538&loc=d3e44648-109337

+ Details

Discontinued Operations - Narrative (Details) - transponder	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2009	Nov. 30, 2008
DISH Network \| DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services				32
DISH Network \| Share Exchange Agreement \| EchoStar Technologies segment
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%	100.00%
Telesat Canada \| TeleSat Transponder Agreement
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services				32
QuetzSat-1 \| DISH Network \| Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of DBS transponders receiving services					24
Number of DBS transponders receiving services sublease			5
QuetzSat-1 \| S E S Latin America \| Satellite Services Agreement
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of DBS transponders expected to receive services					32

Business Combinations - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period	11 years
Yahsat
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity ownership percentage	20.00%	20.00%
Transaction cost		$ 1.6
Yahsat \| Satellite payload
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period	7 years
Regulatory authorization \| Yahsat
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period	11 years

Business Combinations - Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Nov. 30, 2019
Assets:
Goodwill	$ 511,597	$ 506,953
Yahsat
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 8,110
Other current assets, net			5,876
Property and equipment			86,983
Regulatory authorization			4,498
Goodwill			9,186
Other non-current assets, net			1,502
Total assets			116,155
Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable			3,879
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			6,676
Total liabilities			10,555
Total purchase price			$ 105,600

Business Combinations - Schedule of Acquired Assets (Details) - Yahsat $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 86,983
Regulatory authorization	4,498
Total assets	53,861
Satellite payload
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 49,363

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, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 117	$ 25,440	$ (11,412)	$ (54,295)	$ (46,297)	$ (20,317)	$ (30,660)	$ (5,044)	$ (40,150)	$ (102,318)	$ (134,204)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations									0	39,401	93,729
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$ 117	$ 25,440	$ (11,412)	$ (54,295)	$ (53,118)	$ (18,309)	$ (5,692)	$ 14,202	$ (40,150)	$ (62,917)	$ (40,475)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted (in shares)									97,920	96,738	96,250
Basic and diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.26	$ (0.12)	$ (0.56)	$ (0.48)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.32)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.41)	$ (1.06)	$ (1.39)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)									0	0.41	0.97
Total basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.26	$ (0.12)	$ (0.56)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.15	$ (0.41)	$ (0.65)	$ (0.42)

Earnings Per Share - Antidilutive Securities (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Stock awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	4,374	4,813	5,013

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 3,745,553	$ 4,155,474	$ 4,177,385
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(65,736)	3,554
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	(2)	(592)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(81,377)	6,290	(5,413)
Ending balance	3,607,250	3,745,553	4,155,474
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(122,176)	(121,693)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(68,097)	(483)
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(68,097)	(483)
Ending balance	(190,273)	(122,176)	(121,693)
Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Available-For-Sale Securities
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	405	(1,574)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(253)	2,571
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	(2)	(592)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(255)	1,979
Ending balance	150	405	(1,574)
Other
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(367)	(1,833)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,614	1,466
Amounts reclassified to net income (loss)	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,614	1,466
Ending balance	2,247	(367)	(1,833)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(122,138)	(125,100)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(65,738)	2,962
Ending balance	$ (187,876)	$ (122,138)	$ (125,100)

- Definition

Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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+ Details

- Definition

Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity.

+ References

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+ Details

Marketable Investment Securities - Schedule of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Available-for-sale:
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$ 1,622,926	$ 904,022
Fair value option - corporate bonds	0	9,128
Total debt securities	1,622,926	913,150
Equity securities	24,435	35,566
Total marketable investment securities, including restricted amounts	1,647,361	948,716
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	9,090	8,093
Marketable investment securities	1,638,271	940,623
Corporate bonds
Available-for-sale:
Total available-for-sale debt securities	372,746	568,442
Commercial paper
Available-for-sale:
Total available-for-sale debt securities	1,101,888	321,706
Other debt securities
Available-for-sale:
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$ 148,292	$ 13,874

Marketable Investment Securities - Schedule of Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value to Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 1,622,926	$ 904,022
Corporate bonds
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value to Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Amortized cost	372,702	567,926
Unrealized Gains	78	518
Unrealized Losses	(34)	(2)
Estimated Fair Value	372,746	568,442
Commercial paper
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value to Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,101,888	321,705
Unrealized Gains	0	1
Unrealized Losses	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	1,101,888	321,706
Other debt securities
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value to Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Amortized cost	148,292	13,867
Unrealized Gains	6	7
Unrealized Losses	(6)	0
Estimated Fair Value	148,292	13,874
Total available-for-sale debt securities
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Fair Value to Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,622,882	903,498
Unrealized Gains	84	526
Unrealized Losses	(40)	(2)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 1,622,926	$ 904,022

Marketable Investment Securities - Activity on Available for Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Proceeds from sales	$ 160,494	$ 435,978	$ 75,000
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$ 2	$ 549	$ 0

Marketable Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Debt securities with contractual maturities of one year or less	$ 1,600.0
Debt securities with contractual maturities exceeding one year	$ 0.0

Marketable Investment Securities - Fair Value Option (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales	$ 160,494	$ 435,978	$ 75,000
Corporate bonds
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales	32,054	46,717	75,877
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$ 14,980	$ 6,746	$ 4,212

Marketable Investment Securities - Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Proceeds from sales	$ 14,401	$ 104,729	$ 62,111
Gains (losses) on sales, net	$ (3,241)	$ 53,873	$ (16,599)

Marketable Investment Securities - Schedule of Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	$ 810,114	$ 1,439,494
Total available-for-sale debt securities	1,622,926	904,022
Fair value option - corporate bonds	0	9,128
Total debt securities	1,622,926	913,150
Equity securities	24,435	35,566
Total marketable investment securities, including restricted amounts	1,647,361	948,716
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	(9,090)	(8,093)
Marketable investment securities	1,638,271	940,623
Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	372,746	568,442
Commercial paper
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	1,101,888	321,706
Other debt securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	148,292	13,874
Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	416	31,451
Total available-for-sale debt securities	139,486	8,093
Fair value option - corporate bonds	0	0
Total debt securities	139,486	8,093
Equity securities	14,441	27,933
Total marketable investment securities, including restricted amounts	153,927	36,026
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	(9,090)	(8,093)
Marketable investment securities	144,837	27,933
Level 1 \| Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	0	0
Level 1 \| Commercial paper
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	0	0
Level 1 \| Other debt securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	139,486	8,093
Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	809,698	1,408,043
Total available-for-sale debt securities	1,483,440	895,929
Fair value option - corporate bonds	0	9,128
Total debt securities	1,483,440	905,057
Equity securities	9,994	7,633
Total marketable investment securities, including restricted amounts	1,493,434	912,690
Less: Restricted marketable investment securities	0	0
Marketable investment securities	1,493,434	912,690
Level 2 \| Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	372,746	568,442
Level 2 \| Commercial paper
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	1,101,888	321,706
Level 2 \| Other debt securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Total available-for-sale debt securities	$ 8,806	$ 5,781

Property and Equipment - Major Asset Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, net	$ 2,390,313	$ 2,528,738
Satellites
Property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, net	1,602,076	1,749,576
Other property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, net	$ 788,237	$ 779,162

Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020 satellite	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) satellite mi	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of nano-satellites launched	2
Impairment of nano-satellites \| $		$ 1,685	$ 0	$ 65,220
Satellite-related obligations
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Satellite-related obligations \| $		$ 487,700	419,000
Satellites
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator		10
Length of satellites utilized in geosynchronous orbit above the equator (in miles) \| mi		22,300
Satellites - owned
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator		7
Satellites, Leased
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of satellites utilized under finance lease		3
Level 2
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fair values of in-orbit incentive obligations \| $		$ 55,400	$ 57,000

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Satellites (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
SPACEWAY 3
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	10 years
EchoStar XVII
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	15 years
EchoStar XIX
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	15 years
Al Yah 3
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	7 years
EchoStar IX
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	12 years
EchoStar XXI
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	15 years
Eutelsat 65 West A
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	15 years
Telesat T19V
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	15 years
EchoStar 105/SES-11
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	15 years

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Satellites, net:
Satellites - acquired under finance leases	$ 352,245	$ 381,163
Accumulated depreciation
Total satellites, net	2,390,313	2,528,738
Satellites - owned
Satellites, net:
Property and equipment, gross	1,805,590	1,816,303
Accumulated depreciation
Accumulated depreciation	$ (890,783)	(756,635)
Satellites - owned \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	7 years
Satellites - owned \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	15 years
Satellites - acquired under finance leases
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Life (In Years)	15 years
Accumulated depreciation
Accumulated depreciation	$ (74,008)	(56,388)
Construction in progress
Satellites, net:
Property and equipment, gross	409,032	365,133
Total Satellites
Satellites, net:
Total satellites	2,566,867	2,562,599
Accumulated depreciation
Accumulated depreciation	(964,791)	(813,023)
Total satellites, net	$ 1,602,076	$ 1,749,576

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Depreciation and Capitalized Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Depreciation expense:
Depreciation	$ 329,862	$ 291,582	$ 268,979
Amortization of right-of-use assets	27,611	26,489
Total depreciation expense	525,011	490,765	457,116
Capitalized interest	27,369	22,576	18,285
Total Satellites
Depreciation expense:
Total depreciation expense	156,015	156,460	145,256
Satellites - owned
Depreciation expense:
Depreciation	128,404	130,705	124,987
Satellites - acquired under finance leases
Depreciation expense:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$ 27,611	$ 25,755	$ 20,269

Property and Equipment - Other Property Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Land
Other property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, other, gross	$ 29,055	$ 28,943
Buildings and improvements
Other property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, other, gross	$ 115,335	113,938
Buildings and improvements \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	1 year
Buildings and improvements \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	40 years
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Other property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, other, gross	$ 887,086	855,274
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	1 year
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	12 years
Customer premises equipment
Other property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, other, gross	$ 1,617,053	1,377,914
Customer premises equipment \| Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	2 years
Customer premises equipment \| Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	4 years
Construction in progress
Other property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, other, gross	$ 99,716	52,986
Other property and equipment, net
Other property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, other, gross	2,748,245	2,429,055
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,960,008)	(1,649,893)
Other property and equipment, net	$ 788,237	$ 779,162

Property and Equipment - Other Property Plant and Equipment Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other property and equipment depreciation expense:
Depreciation expense	$ 329,862	$ 291,582	$ 268,979
Buildings and improvements
Other property and equipment depreciation expense:
Depreciation expense	5,394	5,791	11,285
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Other property and equipment depreciation expense:
Depreciation expense	94,389	90,885	82,945
Customer premises equipment
Other property and equipment depreciation expense:
Depreciation expense	$ 230,079	$ 194,906	$ 174,749

Regulatory Authorizations - Schedule of Regulatory Authorizations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Cost
Additions	$ 7,900			$ 12,833
Accumulated Amortization
Amortization expense		$ (4,483)	$ (3,672)	(5,190)
Total
Impairment				17
Additions			12,833
Indefinite lived
Balance at the beginning of the period		440,291	400,042	400,042
Impairment				0
Additions			39,491
Currency translation adjustment		3,729	758	0
Balance at the end of the period		444,020	440,291	400,042
Total
Balance at the beginning of the period		478,598	430,039	471,321
Impairment				(29,628)
Additions			52,324
Currency translation adjustment		4,647	(93)	(6,464)
Balance at the end of the period		$ 478,762	478,598	430,039
Weighted average useful life (in years)		13 years
Regulatory authorization
Cost
Balance at the beginning of the period		$ 58,451	46,787	92,621
Impairment				(37,476)
Currency translation adjustments		2,930	(1,169)	(8,358)
Balance at the end of the period		61,381	58,451	46,787
Accumulated Amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period		(20,144)	(16,790)	(21,342)
Impairment				7,848
Amortization expense		(4,483)	(3,672)	(5,190)
Currency translation adjustment		(2,012)	318	1,894
Balance at the end of the period		(26,639)	(20,144)	(16,790)
Total
Balance at the beginning of the period		38,307	29,997	71,279
Impairment				(29,628)
Currency translation adjustment		918	(851)	(6,464)
Balance at the end of the period		34,742	38,307	$ 29,997
Total
Balance at the beginning of the period		478,598
Balance at the end of the period		$ 478,762	$ 478,598

Regulatory Authorizations - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Terrestrial rights granted	$ 7,900				$ 12,833
Amortization period	11 years
Acquisition of spectrum rights	$ 4,500
Impairment of long-lived assets			$ 1,685	$ 0	65,220
Impairment of long-lived assets, regulatory authorization					29,600
Impairment of long-lived assets, other					3,500
Impairment of long-lived assets, foreign currency translation adjustment					32,100
Indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 39,500
Payments to acquire intangible assets		$ 26,500	$ 0	$ 34,447	$ 0
Licensing Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization period	15 years

Regulatory Authorizations - Future Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) - Regulatory authorization - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Estimated future amortization of intangible assets
2021	$ 4,610
2022	4,658
2023	4,658
2024	4,668
2025	4,658
2026 and beyond	11,490
Carrying amount:	$ 34,742	$ 38,307	$ 29,997	$ 71,279

Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of other intangible assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cost:
Write-off			$ (17)
Accumulated Amortization
Write-off			17
Weighted average useful life (in years)	13 years
Total
Cost:
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 361,283	$ 361,283	361,300
Write-off			(17)
Balance at the end of the period	361,283	361,283	361,283
Accumulated Amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(331,776)	(317,052)	(302,345)
Amortization expense	(11,074)	(14,724)	(14,724)
Write-off			17
Balance at the end of the period	(342,850)	(331,776)	(317,052)
Carrying amount:	18,433	29,507	44,231	$ 58,955
Customer Relationships
Cost:
Balance at the beginning of the period	270,300	270,300	270,300
Balance at the end of the period	270,300	270,300	270,300
Accumulated Amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(257,933)	(244,787)	(231,642)
Amortization expense	(9,496)	(13,146)	(13,145)
Balance at the end of the period	(267,429)	(257,933)	(244,787)
Carrying amount:	$ 2,871	12,367	25,513	38,658
Weighted average useful life (in years)	8 years
Patents
Cost:
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 61,283	61,283	61,300
Write-off			(17)
Balance at the end of the period	61,283	61,283	61,283
Accumulated Amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(61,097)	(61,004)	(60,927)
Amortization expense	(93)	(93)	(94)
Write-off			17
Balance at the end of the period	(61,190)	(61,097)	(61,004)
Carrying amount:	$ 93	186	279	373
Weighted average useful life (in years)	6 years
Trademarks and Licenses
Cost:
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 29,700	29,700	29,700
Balance at the end of the period	29,700	29,700	29,700
Accumulated Amortization
Balance at the beginning of the period	(12,746)	(11,261)	(9,776)
Amortization expense	(1,485)	(1,485)	(1,485)
Balance at the end of the period	(14,231)	(12,746)	(11,261)
Carrying amount:	$ 15,469	$ 16,954	$ 18,439	$ 19,924
Weighted average useful life (in years)	20 years

Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of estimated future amortization (Details) - Other Intangible Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
For the years ending December 31,
2021	$ 4,449
2022	1,485
2023	1,485
2024	1,485
2025	1,485
2026 and beyond	8,044
Carrying amount:	$ 18,433	$ 29,507	$ 44,231	$ 58,955

Other Investments - Schedule of Other Investments, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity method investments	$ 151,070	$ 166,209
Other equity investments	31,662	66,627
Other debt investments, net	102,205	92,569
Total other investments, net	$ 284,937	$ 325,405

Other Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Other Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 511,597,000	$ 506,953,000
Proceeds from equity method investment, distribution		0	2,700,000	$ 10,000,000.0
Refunds and other receipts related to property and equipment		$ 0	$ 2,284,000	$ 0
Dish Mexico
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture		49.00%
Deluxe
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture		50.00%
Broadband Connectivity Solutions
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity interest, percentage in joint venture	20.00%			20.00%
Payments to acquire equity method investments	$ 100,000,000.0

Other Investments - Schedule of Revenue Recognized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deluxe
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	$ 4,393	$ 4,377	$ 4,433
Broadband Connectivity Solutions
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenue from related parties	$ 9,080	$ 8,979	$ 695

Other Investments - Schedule of Trade Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deluxe
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Receivables from related party	$ 716	$ 631
Broadband Connectivity Solutions
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Receivables from related party	$ 9,347	$ 5,171

Other Investments - Other Equity Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Loss (gain) on investments, net	$ 29,833	$ 36,700	$ 0

Other Investments - Schedule of Other Debt Investments, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Cost basis	$ 114,903	$ 102,878
Discount	(10,185)	(10,309)
Allowance for credit losses	(2,513)	0
Total other debt investments, net	$ 102,205	$ 92,569

Other Investments - Allowance for Credit Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair Value, Allowance For Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 0
Credit Losses	2,513
Deductions	0
Balance at end of period	2,513
New accounting pronouncement disclosures
Accumulated earnings (losses)	$ 583,591		$ 632,809	$ 693,520	$ 694,129
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
New accounting pronouncement disclosures
Accumulated earnings (losses)		$ 2,900
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 \| Investments In And Advances To Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, And Joint Ventures
New accounting pronouncement disclosures
Accumulated earnings (losses)		$ 2,100

Other Investments - Interest Income, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Interest income, net
Interest income	$ 14,736	$ 2,500
Credit losses	(367)	0
Total interest income, net	$ 14,369	$ 2,500

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Debt and Finance Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (6,507)	$ (10,832)
Carrying amount, total long-term debt	2,393,493	2,389,168
Carrying amount, less: current portion, net	(898,237)	0
Carrying amount, long-term debt, net	1,495,256	2,389,168
Fair value, total long-term debt	2,610,858	2,622,994
Fair value, less: current portion, net	(924,003)	0
Fair value, long-term debt, net	$ 1,686,855	2,622,994
Senior Secured Notes \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	5.25%
Effective Interest Rate	5.301%
Carrying amount, gross	$ 750,000	750,000
Fair value, total long-term debt	$ 834,045	825,308
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	7.625%
Effective Interest Rate	8.028%
Carrying amount, gross	$ 900,000	900,000
Fair value, total long-term debt	$ 924,003	963,783
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	6.625%
Effective Interest Rate	6.667%
Carrying amount, gross	$ 750,000	750,000
Fair value, total long-term debt	$ 852,810	$ 833,903

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jul. 27, 2016	Jun. 01, 2011
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
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%
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	$ 4,324,000	$ 5,912,000	$ 7,923,000
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Redemption price percentage	100.00%
5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Issue price as percent of principal				100.00%
6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance				$ 750,000,000.0
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	7.625%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance					$ 900,000,000.0
Issue price as percent of principal					100.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	6.625%
Issue price as percent of principal				100.00%
Senior Secured Notes \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Interest rate	5.25%
Senior Secured Notes \| 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 \| Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (HSSC)
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance				$ 750,000,000.0
Interest Expense
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	$ 4,300,000	$ 5,900,000	$ 7,900,000

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Components of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
Domestic	$ 108,078,000	$ 120,295,000	$ 33,176,000
Foreign	(135,913,000)	(213,460,000)	(158,962,000)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(27,835,000)	(93,165,000)	(125,786,000)
Current benefit (provision), net:
Federal	(2,750,000)	(5,089,000)	(1,476,000)
State	(4,868,000)	286,000	4,881,000
Foreign	(2,116,000)	(633,000)	(2,690,000)
Total current benefit (provision), net	(9,734,000)	(5,436,000)	715,000
Deferred benefit (provision), net:
Federal	(9,707,000)	(7,511,000)	6,857,000
State	3,497,000	(10,964,000)	(14,375,000)
Foreign	(8,125,000)	3,423,000	227,000
Total deferred benefit (provision), net	(14,335,000)	(15,052,000)	(7,291,000)
Actual tax provision reconciliation to the amounts computed by applying statutory federal tax rate to income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
Statutory rate	5,845,000	19,565,000	26,415,000
State income taxes, net of federal provision (benefit)	(349,000)	(8,137,000)	(10,519,000)
Permanent differences	(2,209,000)	(6,531,000)	(1,367,000)
Tax credits	1,353,000	12,453,000	7,825,000
Valuation allowance	(44,212,000)	(54,251,000)	(50,118,000)
Rates different than statutory	17,180,000	18,786,000	20,254,000
Withholding tax	(766,000)	(2,171,000)	(80,000)
Other	(911,000)	(202,000)	1,014,000
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	(24,069,000)	(20,488,000)	(6,576,000)
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	274,894,000	289,353,000
Unrealized losses on investments, net	43,693,000	39,018,000
Accrued expenses	21,787,000	19,660,000
Stock-based compensation	6,723,000	5,772,000
Other assets	35,689,000	28,163,000
Total deferred tax assets	382,786,000	381,966,000
Valuation allowance	(225,593,000)	(181,032,000)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	157,193,000	200,934,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(514,091,000)	(544,158,000)
Other liabilities	(1,217,000)	(1,217,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(515,308,000)	(545,375,000)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	(358,115,000)	(344,441,000)
Net operating loss carryforwards	657,500,000
Provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes	0
Deferred tax assets related to foreign subsidiaries	1,800,000	7,300,000
Unrecognized tax benefit balance as of beginning of period:
Balance as of beginning of period	70,401,000	69,540,000	63,296,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		861,000	4,361,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	3,349,000
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	76,882,000	0	2,539,000
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	(572,000)	0	(656,000)
Balance as of end of period	150,060,000	70,401,000	$ 69,540,000
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, could affect our effective tax rate	70,400,000	150,100,000
Foreign
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	1,781,000	7,251,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Net operating loss carryforwards	521,200,000
Federal
Deferred tax liabilities:
Total net deferred tax liabilities	(359,896,000)	$ (351,692,000)
Tax credit available to offset future tax liabilities	148,000,000.0
State
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax credit available to offset future tax liabilities	$ 103,400,000

Stockholders' Equity - Preferred Stock and Common Stock (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 shares vote	Dec. 31, 2019 shares
Common Class A
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Votes per share \| vote	1
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	48,863,374	50,107,330
Common Class C
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
Common Class B
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
Common Class D
Stockholders Equity (Deficit)
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0

Stockholders' Equity - Common Stock Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Oct. 29, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Total number of shares purchased (in shares)	1,905,906	0	952,603
Average price paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 22.79	$ 0	$ 34.95
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Program	$ 456,542,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 466,708,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Total number of shares purchased (in shares)	2,858,509
Average price paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 26.85
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Program	$ 456,542,000
Common Class A
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Amount of shares authorized for repurchase	$ 500,000,000.0			$ 500,000,000.0

Employee Benefit Plans - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Employee benefit plans
Required service period	3 months
Common Class A
Employee benefit plans
Number of common stock available for future grant under stock incentive plans (in shares)	6,300,000
Common Class A \| Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Employee benefit plans
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares)	5,000,000.0
Number of common stock available for future grant under stock incentive plans (in shares)	1,700,000
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 (in shares)	452,000	285,000	245,000

Employee Benefit Plans - 401(k) Employee Savings Plans (Details) - EchoStar 401(k) Plan - USD ($) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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
Common Class A
Employee benefit plans
Matching contributions	$ 5,239,000	$ 5,095,000	$ 5,007,000
Fair value of discretionary contributions of our Class A common stock, net of forfeitures, under 401(k) plan	$ 6,921,000	$ 6,654,000	$ 7,605,000
Approximate number of shares	160	181	127

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Stock-Based Compensation
Tax benefit from compensation expense	$ 1.7	$ 1.9	$ 2.0
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 15.0
Future forfeiture rate (as a percent)	2.00%
Period for recognition of compensation cost	2 years
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$ 0.1
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercisable	$ 0.1
Common Class A
Stock-Based Compensation
Number of common stock available for future grant under stock incentive plans (in shares)	6,300,000
Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Stock-Based Compensation
Shares outstanding under stock incentive plans (in shares)	4,804,891	4,812,644	5,013,038	4,951,256
Employee Stock Options
Stock-Based Compensation
Maximum expiration term	10 years
Vesting period	5 years
Non-Employee Stock Option
Stock-Based Compensation
Maximum expiration term	5 years

Stock-Based Compensation - Exercise Prices for Stock Options (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 $ / shares shares
Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	4,804,891
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	6 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 39.48
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	3,045,000
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	4 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 39.42
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
Range of Exercise Prices $0.00 - $20.00 \| Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	21,864
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	1 year
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.20
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	21,864
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	1 year
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 18.20
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
Range of Exercise Prices $20.01 - $25.00 \| Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	5,221
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	5 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 23.65
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	3,221
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	1 year
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 22.96
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
Range of Exercise Prices $25.01 - $30.00 \| Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	430,635
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	2 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 29.60
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	430,635
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	2 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 29.60
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
Range of Exercise Prices $30.01 - $35.00 \| Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	810,361
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	5 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 32.57
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	488,397
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	3 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 33.13
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
Range of Exercise Prices $35.01 - $40.00 \| Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	1,572,812
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	8 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 38.77
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	506,582
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	7 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 38.59
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
Range of Exercise Prices $40.01 to $45.00 \| Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	1,025,386
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	4 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 42.19
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	1,019,235
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	4 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 42.19
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
Range of Exercise Prices $45.01 to $50.00 \| Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	875,335
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	6 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 48.51
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	531,357
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	6 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 48.50
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
Range of Exercise Prices $50.01 and above \| Employee And Non Employee Stock Option
Exercise prices for stock options outstanding and exercisable:
Number of stock options outstanding (in shares) \| shares	63,277
Options outstanding, Weighted-average remaining contractual term	5 years
Options outstanding, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 52.69
Number of stock options exercisable (in shares) \| shares	43,709
Options exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life	5 years
Options exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 52.71

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Award Activity (Details) - Employee And Non Employee Stock Option - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	4,812,644	5,013,038	4,951,256
Granted (in shares)	180,500	1,959,597	215,500
Exercised (in shares)	(45,170)	(1,986,937)	(108,318)
Forfeited and canceled (in shares)	(143,083)	(173,054)	(45,400)
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	4,804,891	4,812,644	5,013,038
Exercisable at end of period (in shares)	3,045,000	2,510,947	3,710,138
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 43.40	$ 41.80	$ 41.42
Granted (in dollars per share)	30.39	38.12	51.71
Exercised (in dollars per share)	18.93	33.89	40.67
Forfeited and canceled (in dollars per share)	41.58	48.99	50.21
Total options outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	39.48	43.40	41.80
Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 39.42	$ 38.76	$ 38.59

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Disclosures (Details) - Employee And Non Employee Stock Option - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Stock-Based Compensation
Tax benefits from stock options exercised	$ 173	$ 6,989	$ 364
Aggregate intrinsic value of our stock options exercised	$ 603	$ 17,101	$ 1,774

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Stock-based compensation expense:
Total stock-based compensation	$ 8,878	$ 9,325	$ 10,076
Research and development expenses
Stock-based compensation expense:
Total stock-based compensation	551	465	634
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Stock-based compensation expense:
Total stock-based compensation	$ 8,327	$ 8,860	$ 9,442

Stock-Based Compensation - Valuation of Stock Options (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Minimum
Black-Scholes option valuation model assumptions
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 6.56	$ 10.22	$ 12.38
Maximum
Black-Scholes option valuation model assumptions
Weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$ 11.63	$ 14.49	$ 16.23
Employee And Non Employee Stock Option \| Minimum
Black-Scholes option valuation model assumptions
Risk-free interest rate	0.25%	1.83%	2.25%
Volatility factor	24.32%	23.58%	22.77%
Expected term of options	4 years	5 years 8 months 12 days	5 years 8 months 12 days
Employee And Non Employee Stock Option \| Maximum
Black-Scholes option valuation model assumptions
Risk-free interest rate	1.72%	2.54%	2.99%
Volatility factor	30.07%	30.95%	23.28%
Expected term of options	5 years 10 months 24 days	5 years 9 months 18 days	5 years 9 months 18 days

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Commitments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Finance Leases
Total future minimum lease payments	$ 608
2021	472
2022	136
2023	0
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Operating Leases
Total future minimum lease payments	176,001
2021	21,051
2022	20,409
2023	19,628
2024	16,364
2025	12,355
Thereafter	86,194
Continuing Operations
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total	3,632,985
2021	1,268,447
2022	183,020
2023	131,469
2024	126,170
2025	122,905
Thereafter	1,800,974
Finance Leases
Total future minimum lease payments	608
2021	472
2022	136
2023	0
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Operating Leases
Total future minimum lease payments	176,001
2021	21,051
2022	20,409
2023	19,628
2024	16,364
2025	12,355
Thereafter	86,194
Continuing Operations \| Long-term debt
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total	2,400,000
2021	900,000
2022	0
2023	0
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	1,500,000
Continuing Operations \| Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total	568,711
2021	123,396
2022	89,063
2023	89,063
2024	89,063
2025	89,063
Thereafter	89,063
Continuing Operations \| Satellite-related obligations
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Total	487,665
2021	223,528
2022	73,412
2023	22,778
2024	20,743
2025	21,487
Thereafter	$ 125,717

Commitments and Contingencies - Contingencies Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020
Elbit \| Hughes Network Systems
Commitment and Contingencies
Litigation settlement, amount awarded to other party		$ 33.0
License Fee Dispute
Commitment and Contingencies
Payment schedule term	10 years
Percentage of legally payable dues	10.00%
Payments for written assessments			$ 2.9
License Fee Dispute \| Hughes Network Systems
Commitment and Contingencies
Loss contingency accrual		$ 80.2	81.7
Additional License Fee \| License Fee Dispute \| Hughes Network Systems
Commitment and Contingencies
Loss contingency accrual			3.9
Penalties \| License Fee Dispute \| Hughes Network Systems
Commitment and Contingencies
Loss contingency accrual			4.0
Interest and Interest on Penalties \| License Fee Dispute \| Hughes Network Systems
Commitment and Contingencies
Loss contingency accrual			$ 73.8

Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of business segments	2

Segment Reporting - Revenue, Capital Expenditures, and EBITDA (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 489,273	$ 473,502	$ 459,466	$ 465,666	$ 499,006	$ 472,262	$ 460,431	$ 454,382	$ 1,887,907	$ 1,886,081	$ 1,762,638
EBITDA									616,875	577,599	468,501
Capital expenditures									408,798	418,074	477,442
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(27,835)	(93,165)	(125,786)
Interest income, net									(39,982)	(82,352)	(80,275)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									147,927	251,016	219,288
Depreciation and amortization									525,011	490,765	457,116
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests									11,754	11,335	(1,842)
All Other Segments and Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									10,836	18,208	19,460
Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									(1,161)	(1,126)	(581)
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									9,675	17,082	18,879
EBITDA									(118,606)	(55,055)	(150,582)
Capital expenditures									53,560	109,293	164,091
Hughes segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,860,834	1,852,742	1,716,169
Hughes segment \| Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									1,860,834	1,852,742	1,716,528
EBITDA									727,608	625,660	601,319
Capital expenditures									355,197	308,781	390,108
Hughes segment \| Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									0	0	359
EchoStar Satellite Services segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									16,237	15,131	27,009
EchoStar Satellite Services segment \| Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									17,398	16,257	27,231
EBITDA									7,873	6,994	17,764
Capital expenditures									41	0	(76,757)
EchoStar Satellite Services segment \| Intersegment Elimination
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue									$ 1,161	$ 1,126	$ 222

Segment Reporting - Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 3,399,105	$ 3,543,796
North America
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	2,954,421	3,092,773
South and Central America
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	311,063	310,226
Other
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 133,621	$ 140,797

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Summary of Results (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 489,273	$ 473,502	$ 459,466	$ 465,666	$ 499,006	$ 472,262	$ 460,431	$ 454,382	$ 1,887,907	$ 1,886,081	$ 1,762,638
Operating income (loss)	30,108	36,990	34,772	10,603	23,597	26,093	(4,661)	28,048	112,473	73,077	36,137
Net income (loss)	(2,597)	23,273	(14,843)	(57,737)	(63,094)	(21,106)	(5,060)	15,008	(51,904)	(74,252)	(38,633)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	117	25,440	(11,412)	(54,295)	(46,297)	(20,317)	(30,660)	(5,044)	(40,150)	(102,318)	(134,204)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$ 117	$ 25,440	$ (11,412)	$ (54,295)	$ (53,118)	$ (18,309)	$ (5,692)	$ 14,202	$ (40,150)	$ (62,917)	$ (40,475)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.26	$ (0.12)	$ (0.56)	$ (0.48)	$ (0.21)	$ (0.32)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.41)	$ (1.06)	$ (1.39)
Total basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.26	$ (0.12)	$ (0.56)	$ (0.55)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.15	$ (0.41)	$ (0.65)	$ (0.42)

- Definition

Amount after tax of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent.

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+ Details

- Definition

Amount, after deduction of tax, noncontrolling interests, dividends on preferred stock and participating securities; of income (loss) available to common shareholders.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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+ Details

Related Party Transactions - DISH Network - Overview (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
DISH Network \| Preferred Tracking Stock \| Hughes Retail Group \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Related party transactions
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - DISH Network - Services and Other Revenue - DISH Network (Details) - DISH Network - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Principal Business
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	$ 36,531	$ 53,429	$ 73,465
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	$ 5,612	$ 10,683

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Satellite Capacity Leased to DISH Network (Details)	1 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012
DISH Network \| 103 Spectrum Development Agreement \| Ciel Satellite Holdings Inc
Related party transactions
Agreement term	10 years

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Real Estate Leases to DISH Network (Details) - Related Party Transactions, Lessor, Operating Lease, Real Estate - DISH Network	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2020
100 Inverness Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement	180 days
Period for termination of agreement after lease extension	30 days
Meridian Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Period for termination of agreement after lease extension		30 days

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - TerreStar Agreement (Details) - DISH Network - TerreStar Agreement	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Related party transactions
Minimum termination notice period	21 days
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement	90 days

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement (Details) - Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012
Related party transactions
Agreement term	5 years
Automatic renewal period	1 year
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement	180 days

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - DBSD North America Agreement (Details) - DISH Network - DBSD North America Agreement	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2022	Feb. 28, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017
Related party transactions
Minimum termination notice period		21 days
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement			120 days
Subsequent Event
Related party transactions
Minimum termination notice period	180 days
Forecast
Related party transactions
Automatic renewal period	5 years

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Hughes Equipment and Services Agreement (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Oct. 31, 2012
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
DISH Network \| Hughes Equipment And Service Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term	5 years
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement	180 days
Minimum termination notice period	365 days
Automatic renewal period	1 year

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Operating Expenses - DISH Network (Details) - DISH Network - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Related party transactions
Operating expenses - DISH Network	$ 5,793	$ 5,198	$ 3,889
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	$ 752	$ 1,923

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement (Details) - DISH Network - Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement	1 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2010
Related party transactions
Automatic renewal period	1 year
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement	60 days
Required minimum notice for termination of individual service	30 days

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Real Estate Leases From DISH Network (Details) - Related Party Transactions, Lessee, Operating Lease, Real Estate - DISH Network	1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Cheyenne Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Term of contract	1 year
Renewal term	1 year
Minimum termination notice period	180 days
American Fork Occupancy License Agreement
Related party transactions
Agreement term		5 years

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements (Details) - DISH Network - Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements - term	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2015
Related party transactions
Term of renewal option	3 years		4 years
Termination notice required		180 days
Agreement term	5 years
Number of renewal terms	4
Maximum
Related party transactions
Required renewal notice	120 days	120 days
Minimum
Related party transactions
Required renewal notice	90 days	90 days

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement (Details) - DISH Network - Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Related party transactions
Agreement term	5 years
Automatic renewal period	1 year
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement	90 days
Sales commissions and fees		$ 16.6	$ 17.1	$ 33.2

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - 2019 TT&C Agreement (Details) - DISH Network - TT&C Agreement	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Related party transactions
Term of renewal option	1 year
Required renewal notice	90 days
Termination notice required	12 months

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Other Receivables - DISH Network (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
DISH Network
Related party transactions
Other receivables - DISH Network	$ 92,680	$ 92,892

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Tax Sharing Agreement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Related party transactions
Income tax provision (benefit)	$ 24,069	$ 20,488	$ 6,576
DISH Network
Related party transactions
Income tax provision (benefit)	$ (2,200)	$ 1,600	$ (1,800)

- Definition

Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References + Details

Related Party Transactions - Dish Network - Other Agreements (Details) - shares	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	May 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017
DISH Network \| EchoStar Technologies segment \| Share Exchange Agreement
Related party transactions
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)			100.00%	100.00%
Common Class A \| DISH Network
Related party transactions
Stock conversion, numerator (in shares)	0.23523769	0.23523769

Related Party Transactions - Other (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Hughes Systique
Related party transactions
Ownership interest in related party (as a percent)	43.00%
Ownership interest percentage by related party	25.00%
TerreStar Solutions, Inc.
Related party transactions
Investment nonvoting interest ownership percentage(at least)	15.00%
Revenue from related parties	$ 4.4	$ 12.5	$ 6.0
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	0.4	2.7
Global IP Revenue
Related party transactions
Revenue from related parties			$ 9.0
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	7.5	7.5
Maxar Technologies Inc.
Related party transactions
Aggregate costs payable	$ 23.9	$ 90.3

Supplemental Financial Information - Schedule of Research and Development Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Research and development expenses	$ 29,448	$ 25,739	$ 27,570
Cost of sales - equipment
Research and development expenses	19,788	24,495	23,422
Research and development expenses
Research and development expenses	$ 29,448	$ 25,739	$ 27,570

Supplemental Financial Information - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Advertising expense	$ 65.1	$ 88.2	$ 75.8

Supplemental Financial Information - Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 896,005	$ 1,519,431	$ 928,306	$ 2,431,456
Restricted cash	807	2,458	1,189	793
Total cash and cash equivalents, included restricted amounts, beginning of period	$ 896,812	$ 1,521,889	$ 929,495	$ 2,432,249

Supplemental Financial Information - Other Current Assets, Net and Other Non-current Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other current assets, net:
Inventory	$ 97,992	$ 79,621
Prepaids and deposits	55,381	67,014
Other, net	30,836	22,213
Total other current assets	189,821	179,531	$ 165,781	$ 165,809
Other non-current assets, net:
Restricted marketable investment securities	9,090	8,093
Restricted cash	807	2,458
Deferred tax assets, net	1,781	7,251
Capitalized software, net	116,661	101,786
Contract acquisition costs	99,837	113,592		114,306	$ 90,899
Other, net	29,485	22,628
Total other non-current assets, net	352,921	334,841	$ 331,118	$ 338,390
DISH Network
Other current assets, net:
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	5,612	10,683
Other non-current assets, net:
Other receivables - DISH Network	92,680	92,892
Contract Acquisition Costs
Other non-current assets, net:
Contract acquisition costs	99,837	96,723
Contract Fulfillment Costs
Other non-current assets, net:
Contract acquisition costs	$ 2,580	$ 3,010

Supplemental Financial Information - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2020
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 23,777	$ 16,604	$ 12,027
Credit losses	18,582	30,027	24,984
Foreign currency translation	(942)	(1,022)	(3,519)
Balance at end of period	15,386	23,777	$ 16,604
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Other current assets and other non-current assets				$ 13,400
Other Current Assets [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0
Credit losses	1,595
Foreign currency translation	152
Balance at end of period	1,747	0
Other noncurrent assets, net
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0
Credit losses	13,378
Foreign currency translation	(509)
Balance at end of period	$ 12,869	$ 0

Supplemental Financial Information - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Accrued interest	$ 42,388	$ 42,622
Accrued compensation	62,299	50,787
Accrued taxes	20,297	18,525
Operating lease obligation	14,699	14,651
Other	159,564	142,371
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$ 299,999	$ 270,879	$ 199,151	$ 181,698
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	us-gaap:OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
DISH Network
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	$ 752	$ 1,923

Supplemental Financial Information - Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 4,564	$ 4,240
Work-in-process	8,280	6,979
Finished goods	85,148	68,402
Total inventory	$ 97,992	$ 79,621

Supplemental Financial Information - Capitalized Software Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net carrying amount of externally marketed software	$ 116,661	$ 101,786
Other noncurrent assets, net
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net carrying amount of externally marketed software	116,661	101,786
Externally marketed software under development and not yet placed into service	72,047	38,766
Capitalized costs related to development of externally marketed software	38,655	29,310	$ 31,639
Amortization expense relating to externally marketed software	$ 23,780	$ 24,284	$ 22,966
Weighted-average
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Weighted average useful life (in years)	2 years

Supplemental Financial Information - Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Nov. 30, 2019
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$ 139,280	$ 195,331	$ 240,596
Cash paid for income taxes	15,254	3,575	5,209
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	6,921	6,654	7,605
Increase (decrease) in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	(6,935)	(11,111)	7,318
Non-cash net assets received/exchanged	$ 0	94,918	0
Yahsat
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Equity ownership percentage	20.00%			20.00%
Discontinued Operations
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Non-cash net assets received/exchanged	$ 0	$ 532,855	$ 0