Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)

Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)

13.    Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

Common Stock

The 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.  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.  Upon a change in control of DISH Network, each holder of outstanding shares of Class C common stock is entitled to 10 votes for each share of Class C common stock held.  Our principal stockholder owns the majority of all outstanding Class B common stock. Together with all other stockholders, he also owns outstanding Class A common stock.  There are no shares of Class C common stock outstanding.

Common Stock Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors previously authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion of our Class A common stock.  On November 1, 2011, our Board of Directors extended the plan and authorized an increase in the maximum dollar value of shares that may be repurchased under the plan, such that we are currently authorized to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our outstanding shares of our Class A common stock through and including December 31, 2012.  As of December 31, 2011, we may repurchase up to $1.0 billion under the plan.

The following table provides information regarding repurchases of our Class A common stock.

	For the Years Ended December 31,
Class A Common Stock Repurchases	2011		2010		2009
	(In thousands)
Total number of shares repurchased	—		6,020		1,948
Dollar value of shares repurchased	$	—	$	107,079	$	18,594

Cash Dividend

On December 2, 2009, we paid a cash dividend of $2.00 per share, or approximately $894 million, on our outstanding Class A and Class B common stock to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 20, 2009.

On December 1, 2011, we paid a cash dividend of $2.00 per share, or approximately $893 million, on our outstanding Class A and Class B common stock to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 17, 2011.