Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and variable interest entities where we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary. Minority interests are recorded as noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. See below for further information. Non-consolidated investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, these equity securities are classified as either marketable investment securities or other investments and recorded at fair value with changes recognized in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

On February 28, 2017, DISH Network and EchoStar and certain of their respective subsidiaries completed the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) that was previously entered into on January 31, 2017 (the “Share Exchange”). Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, among other things, EchoStar transferred to us certain assets and liabilities of the EchoStar technologies and EchoStar broadcasting businesses, consisting primarily of the businesses that design, develop and distribute digital set-top boxes, provide satellite uplink services and develop and support streaming video technology, as well as certain investments in joint ventures, spectrum licenses, real estate properties and EchoStar’s ten percent non-voting interest in Sling TV Holding L.L.C. (the “Transferred Businesses”), and in exchange, we transferred to EchoStar the 6,290,499 shares of preferred tracking stock issued by EchoStar (the “EchoStar Tracking Stock”) and 81.128 shares of preferred tracking stock issued by Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation, a subsidiary of EchoStar (the “HSSC Tracking Stock,” and together with the EchoStar Tracking Stock, collectively, the “Tracking Stock”), that tracked the residential retail satellite broadband business of Hughes Network Systems, L.L.C. (“HNS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hughes.

In connection with the Share Exchange, DISH Network and EchoStar and certain of their respective subsidiaries entered into certain agreements covering, among other things, tax matters, employee matters, intellectual property matters and the provision of transitional services. See Note 16 for further information.

As the Share Exchange was a transaction between entities that are under common control, accounting rules require that our Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of the Transferred Businesses for all periods presented, including periods prior to the completion of the Share Exchange. We initially recorded the Transferred Businesses at EchoStar’s historical cost basis. The difference between the historical cost basis of the Transferred Businesses and the net carrying value of the Tracking Stock was recorded in “Additional paid-in capital” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The results of the Transferred Businesses were prepared from separate records maintained by EchoStar for the periods prior to March 1, 2017, and may not necessarily be indicative of the conditions that would have existed, or the results of operations, if the Transferred Businesses had been operated on a combined basis with our subsidiaries. Our financial statements include the results of the Transferred Businesses as described above for all periods presented, including periods prior to the completion of the Share Exchange.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, allowances for doubtful accounts, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of options granted under our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, relative standalone selling prices of performance obligations, capital leases, asset impairments, estimates of future cash flows used to evaluate impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets, independent third-party retailer incentives, programming expenses and subscriber lives. Economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they occur.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all liquid investments purchased with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 may consist of money market funds, government bonds, corporate notes and commercial paper. The cost of these investments approximates their fair value.

Marketable Investment Securities

Historically, we classified all marketable investment securities as available-for-sale, except for investments which were accounted for as trading securities, and adjusted the carrying amount of our available-for-sale securities to fair value and reported the related temporary unrealized gains and losses as a separate component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total stockholder’s equity (deficit),” net of related deferred income tax on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our trading securities were carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2016-01 during the first quarter 2018, all equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All debt securities are classified as available-for-sale. We adjust the carrying amount of our debt securities to fair value and report the related temporary unrealized gains and losses as a separate component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total stockholder’s equity (deficit),” net of related deferred income tax on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Declines in the fair value of a marketable debt security which are determined to be “other-than-temporary” are recognized on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), thus establishing a new cost basis for such investment.

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

the fair value of our debt investments compared to the carrying amount,

the historical volatility of the price of each security, and

any market and company specific factors related to each security.

Declines in the fair value of debt investments below cost basis are generally accounted for as follows:


Length of Time Investment
Has Been In a Continuous		Treatment of the Decline in Value
Loss Position		(absent specific factors to the contrary)
Less than six months		Generally, considered temporary.
Six to nine months		Evaluated on a case by case basis to determine whether any company or market-specific factors exist indicating that such decline is other-than-temporary.
Greater than nine months		Generally, considered other-than-temporary. The decline in value is recorded as a charge to earnings.

Additionally, in situations where the fair value of a debt security is below its carrying amount, we consider the decline to be other-than-temporary and record a charge to earnings if any of the following factors apply:

we have the intent to sell the security,

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

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

In general, we use the first in, first out method to determine the cost basis on sales of marketable investment securities.

Trade Accounts Receivable

Management estimates the amount of required allowances for the potential non-collectability of accounts receivable based upon past collection experience and consideration of other relevant factors. However, past experience may not be indicative of future collections and therefore additional charges could be incurred in the future to reflect differences between estimated and actual collections.

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. The cost of manufactured inventory includes the cost of materials, labor, freight-in, royalties and manufacturing overhead. Net realizable value is calculated as the estimated selling price less reasonable costs necessary to complete, sell, transport and dispose of the inventory.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at amortized cost less impairment losses, if any. Our set-top boxes are generally capitalized when they are installed in customers’ homes. The costs of satellites under construction, including interest and certain amounts prepaid under our satellite service agreements, are capitalized during the construction phase, assuming the eventual successful launch and in-orbit operation of the satellite. If a satellite were to fail during launch or while in-orbit, the resultant loss would be charged to expense in the period such loss was incurred. The amount of any such loss would be reduced to the extent of insurance proceeds estimated to be received, if any. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over useful lives ranging from two to 40 years. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. Renewals and improvements that add value or extend the asset’s useful life are capitalized. 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.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review our long-lived assets and identifiable finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For assets which are held and used in operations, the asset would be impaired if the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) exceeded its undiscounted future net cash flows. Once an impairment is determined, the actual impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value as estimated using one of the following approaches: income, cost and/or market. Assets which are to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flows from such asset or asset group is less than its carrying amount. In that event, a loss is recorded in “Impairment of long-lived assets” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset or asset group. Fair value, using the income approach, is determined primarily using a discounted cash flow model that uses the estimated cash flows associated with the asset or asset group under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Fair value, utilizing the cost approach, is determined based on the replacement cost of the asset reduced for, among other things, depreciation and obsolescence. Fair value, utilizing the market approach, benchmarks the fair value against the carrying amount. See Note 6 for further information.

DBS Satellites. We currently evaluate our DBS satellite fleet for impairment as one asset group whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. We do not believe any triggering event has occurred which would indicate impairment as of December 31, 2018.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill

We do not amortize indefinite lived intangible assets and goodwill but test these assets for impairment annually during the fourth quarter or more often if indicators of impairment arise. We have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. However, we may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and tested for impairment as described above for long-lived assets. Our intangible assets with indefinite lives primarily consist of FCC licenses. Generally, we have determined that our DBS licenses have indefinite useful lives due to the following:

FCC licenses are a non-depleting asset;

existing FCC licenses are integral to our business segments and will contribute to cash flows indefinitely;

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

maintenance expenditures to obtain future cash flows are not significant;

FCC licenses are not technologically dependent; and

we intend to use these assets indefinitely.

DBS Licenses. We combine all of our indefinite-lived DBS licenses that we currently utilize or plan to utilize in the future into a single unit of accounting. For 2018, 2017 and 2016, management performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the DBS licenses exceeds its carrying amount. In our assessment, we considered several qualitative factors, including, among others, overall financial performance, industry and market considerations, and relevant company specific events. In contemplating all factors in their totality, we concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the DBS licenses exceeds its carrying amount. As such, no further analysis was required.

MVDDS Licenses. During 2018, 2017, and 2016, our multichannel video distribution and data service (“MVDDS”) wireless spectrum licenses were assessed as a single unit of accounting. For 2018, 2017, and 2016, management assessed these licenses quantitatively. Our quantitative assessment in each year for the MVDDS wireless spectrum licenses consisted of a market approach. The market approach uses prior transactions including auctions to estimate the fair value of the licenses. In conducting these quantitative assessments, we determined that the fair value of our MVDDS wireless spectrum licenses exceeded their carrying amount.

Business Combinations

When we acquire a business, we allocate the purchase price to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component using various valuation techniques, including the market approach, income approach and/or cost approach. The accounting standard for business combinations requires most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired to be recorded at fair value. Transaction costs related to the acquisition of the business are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with the issuance of debt associated with a business combination are capitalized and included as a yield adjustment to the underlying debt’s stated rate. Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless the lives are determined to be indefinite. Amortization of these intangible assets are recorded on a straight-line basis over an average finite useful life primarily ranging from approximately one to 20 years or in relation to the estimated discounted cash flows over the life of the intangible asset.

Long-Term Deferred Revenue and Other Long-Term Liabilities

Certain programmers provide us up-front payments. Such amounts are deferred and recognized as reductions to “Subscriber-related expenses” on a straight-line basis over the relevant remaining contract term (generally up to ten years). The current and long-term portions of these deferred credits are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in “Deferred revenue and other” and “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities,” respectively.

Sales Taxes

We account for sales taxes imposed on our goods and services on a net basis on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Since we primarily act as an agent for the governmental authorities, the amount charged to the customer is collected and remitted directly to the appropriate jurisdictional entity.

Income Taxes

We establish a provision for income taxes currently payable or receivable and for income tax amounts deferred to future periods. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated future tax effects of differences that exist between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are offset by valuation allowances when we believe it is more likely than not that such net deferred tax assets will not be realized.

From time to time, we engage in transactions where the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty. We record a liability when, in management’s judgment, a tax filing position does not meet the more likely than not threshold. For tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold, we may record a liability depending on management’s assessment of how the tax position will ultimately be settled. We adjust our estimates periodically for ongoing examinations by and settlements with various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our uncertain tax positions as a component of “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” and “Other, net,” respectively, on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

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 apply 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; and quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other participants therefore requiring assumptions based on the best information available.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts) and current liabilities (excluding the “Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations”) was equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates. See Note 4 for the fair value of our marketable investment securities.

Fair values for our publicly traded debt securities are based on quoted market prices, when available. The fair values of private debt are based on, among other things, available trade information, and/or an analysis in which we evaluate market conditions, related securities, various public and private offerings, and other publicly available information. In performing this analysis, we make various assumptions regarding, among other things, credit spreads, and the impact of these factors on the value of the debt securities. See Note 7 for the fair value of our long-term debt.

Deferred Debt Issuance Costs

Costs of issuing debt are generally deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the terms of the respective notes. See Note 7 for further information.

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue is primarily derived from Pay-TV programming services that we provide to our subscribers. We also generate revenue from equipment rental fees and other hardware related fees, including DVRs and fees from subscribers with multiple receivers; advertising services; fees earned from our Smart Home service operations; warranty services; and sales of digital receivers and related equipment to third-party pay-TV providers. See Note 13 for further information, including revenue disaggregated by major source.

Our residential video subscribers contract for individual services or combinations of services, as discussed above, the majority of which are generally distinct and are accounted for as separate performance obligations. We consider our installations for first time DISH TV subscribers to be a service. However, since we provide a significant integration service combining the installation with programming services, we have concluded that the installation is not distinct from programming and thus the installation and programming services are accounted for as a single performance obligation. We generally satisfy these performance obligations and recognize revenue as the services are provided, for example as the programming is broadcast to subscribers, as this best represents the transfer of control of the services to the subscriber.

In cases where a subscriber is charged certain nonrefundable upfront fees, those fees are generally considered to be material rights to the subscriber related to the subscriber’s option to renew without having to pay an additional fee upon renewal. These fees are deferred and recognized over the estimated period of time during which the fee remains material to the customer, which we estimate to be less than one year. Revenues arising from our in-home service operations that are separate from the initial installation, such as mounting a TV on a subscriber’s wall, are generally recognized when these services are performed.

For our residential video subscribers, we have concluded that the contract term under Accounting Standard Codification Topic 606 (“ASC 606”) is one month and as a result the revenue recognized for these subscribers for a given month is equal to the amount billed in that month, except for certain nonrefundable upfront fees that are accounted for as material rights, as discussed above.

Revenues from our advertising services are typically recognized as the advertisements are broadcast. Sales of equipment to subscribers or other third parties are recognized when control is transferred under the contract. Revenue from our commercial video subscribers typically follows the residential model described above, with the exception that the contract term for most of our commercial subscribers exceeds one month and can be multiple years in length. However, commercial subscribers typically do not receive time-limited discounts or free service periods and accordingly, while they may have multiple performance obligations, revenue is equal to the amount billed in a given month.

Contract Balances

The timing of revenue recognition generally differs from the timing of invoicing to customers. When revenue is recognized prior to invoicing, we record a receivable. When revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing, we record deferred revenue. Our residential video subscribers are typically billed monthly, and the contract balances for those customers arise from the timing of the monthly billing cycle. We do not adjust the amount of consideration for financing impacts as we apply a practical expedient when we anticipate that the period between transfer of goods and services and eventual payment for those goods and services will be less than one year. See Note 14 for further information, including balance and activity detail about our allowance for doubtful accounts and deferred revenue related to contracts with subscribers.

Assets Recognized Related to the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Subscriber

We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a subscriber if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales incentive programs, including those with our independent third-party retailers, meet the requirements to be capitalized, and payments made under these programs are capitalized and amortized to expense over the estimated subscriber life. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we capitalized $183 million under these programs. The amortization expense related to these programs was $28 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, we had a total of $169 million capitalized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, of which $14 million related to open contracts as of January 1, 2018. These amounts are capitalized in “Other currents assets” and “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and then amortized in “Other subscriber acquisition costs” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Impact of Adoption of ASU 2014-09

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”) and modified the standard thereafter. We adopted ASU 2014-09, as modified, and now codified as ASC 606 and Accounting Standard Codification Topic 340-40 (“ASC 340-40”) on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. Under that method, we applied the new guidance to all open contracts existing as of January 1, 2018, recognizing in beginning retained earnings an adjustment for the cumulative effect of the change, which was $2 million, net of deferred taxes of $1 million.

In addition, we are providing additional disclosures comparing the results under previous guidance to those as follows:


Consolidated Statements of Operations	DISH DBS (as would have been reported under previous standards)		Impact of adopting ASU 2014-09		DISH DBS (as currently reported)
	(In thousands)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Subscriber-related revenue	$	13,215,083	$	(17,089)	$	13,197,994
Subscriber-related expenses	$	8,405,311	$	(13,161)	$	8,392,150
Total subscriber acquisition costs	$	927,547	$	(158,240)	$	769,307
Operating income (loss)	$	1,912,198	$	154,312	$	2,066,510
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	1,137,679	$	154,312	$	1,291,991
Income tax (provision) benefit, net	$	(280,179)	$	(38,126)	$	(318,305)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS	$	855,101	$	116,186	$	971,287

Consolidated Balance Sheets	DISH DBS (as would have been reported under previous standards)		Impact of adopting ASU 2014-09		DISH DBS (as currently reported)
	(In thousands)
As of December 31, 2018
Inventory	$	261,160	$	29,537	$	290,697
Other current assets	$	184,725	$	49,329	$	234,054
Other noncurrent assets, net	$	167,172	$	119,581	$	286,753
Total assets	$	3,707,097	$	198,447	$	3,905,544
Deferred revenue and other	$	606,551	$	38,369	$	644,920
Deferred tax liabilities	$	422,533	$	38,919	$	461,452
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities	$	196,187	$	2,653	$	198,840
Total liabilities	$	15,867,763	$	79,941	$	15,947,704
Total stockholder's equity (deficit)	$	(12,160,666)	$	118,506	$	(12,042,160)
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit)	$	3,707,097	$	198,447	$	3,905,544

The adoption of ASU 2014-09 had no impact to cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Subscriber-Related Expenses

The cost of television programming distribution rights is generally incurred on a per subscriber basis and various upfront carriage payments are recognized when the related programming is distributed to subscribers. Long-term flat rate programming contracts are generally charged to expense using the straight-line method over the term of the agreement. The cost of television programming rights to distribute live sporting events for a season or tournament is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the course of the season or tournament. “Subscriber-related expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) principally include programming expenses, costs for Pay-TV services incurred in connection with our Smart Home service and call center operations, billing costs, refurbishment and repair costs related to DBS receiver systems, subscriber retention and other variable subscriber expenses. These costs are recognized as the services are performed or as incurred.

Cost of Sales – Equipment and Other

Costs include the cost of non-subsidized sales of DBS accessories and the cost of sales of digital receivers and related components to third-party pay-TV providers, both of which include freight and royalties. Costs are generally recognized as products are delivered to customers and the related revenue is recognized.

Subscriber Acquisition Costs

Subscriber acquisition costs on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) consist of costs incurred to acquire new Pay-TV subscribers through independent third-party retailers, third-party marketing agreements and our direct sales distribution channel. Subscriber acquisition costs include the following line items from our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss):

“Cost of sales - subscriber promotion subsidies” includes the cost of our DBS receiver systems sold to independent third-party retailers and other distributors of our equipment and DBS receiver systems sold directly by us to DISH TV subscribers.

“Other subscriber acquisition costs” includes net costs related to promotional incentives and costs related to installation and other promotional subsidies for our DISH TV services as well as our direct sales efforts and commissions for our Sling TV services.

“Subscriber acquisition advertising” includes advertising and marketing expenses related to the acquisition of new Pay-TV subscribers. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

We characterize amounts paid to our independent third-party retailers as consideration for equipment installation services and for equipment buydowns (incentives and rebates) as a reduction of revenue. We expense payments for equipment installation services as “Other subscriber acquisition costs.” Our payments for equipment buydowns represent a partial or complete return of the independent third-party retailer’s purchase price and are, therefore, netted against the proceeds received from the independent third-party retailer. We report the net cost from our various sales promotions through our independent third-party retailer network as a component of “Other subscriber acquisition costs.”

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs totaled $24 million, $33 million and $41 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Equipment Lease Programs

DISH TV subscribers have the choice of leasing or purchasing the satellite receiver and other equipment necessary to receive our DISH TV services. Most of our new DISH TV subscribers choose to lease equipment and thus we retain title to such equipment. Equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers is capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), and has modified the standard thereafter. ASU 2016-02 amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring that lessees recognize right of use assets and lease liabilities for the vast majority of leases. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Classification is based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. The accounting guidance for lessors remains largely unchanged.

This standard became effective for us on January 1, 2019, and we elected to adopt the standard using the modified retrospective approach. Under the modified retrospective approach, we will recognize in beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2019 an adjustment for the cumulative effect of the adoption, which we believe will be immaterial. We will also recognize right of use assets and lease liabilities for periods ending after January 1, 2019 for the majority of our operating leases, which will be the primary impact of the standard on our results. Our operating leases consist principally of satellites, real estate, vehicles used in our in-home service operations and other equipment.

As permitted under the standard, we do not intend to recognize right of use assets or lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. In transition, we plan to apply practical expedients that permit us not to reassess (i) whether expired or existing contracts contain a lease under the new standard, (ii) the lease classification for expired or existing leases, or (iii) whether previously-capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new standard. In addition, we do not intend to use hindsight during transition. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-02 to have a significant impact to our Consolidated Statements of Operations or Cash Flows. We will provide additional disclosures for periods ending in 2019 comparing the results under previous guidance to those under the new standard.

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which changes the way entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net earnings. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Fair Value Measurement. On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by adding, modifying or removing certain disclosures. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Certain disclosures in ASU 2018-13 are required to be applied on a retrospective basis and others on a prospective basis. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2018-13 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.