Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions

17.Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions with DISH Network

“Notes Receivable – DISH Network”

Concurrently with the issuance of the 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and the 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (our “Senior Secured Notes”) and using the proceeds thereof, we made the Intercompany Loan to DISH Network to be used by DISH Network to finance the purchase of certain wireless spectrum licenses and for general corporate purposes, including the buildout of wireless infrastructure. The Intercompany Loan is secured by: (i) the cash proceeds of the loan and (ii) an interest in the wireless spectrum licenses acquired using such proceeds. Such collateral may be replaced by other then-existing wireless spectrum licenses held directly or indirectly by DISH Network of equivalent value (based upon a third-party valuation). The Intercompany Loan will mature in two tranches, with the first tranche maturing on December 1, 2026 (the “2026 Tranche”) and the second tranche maturing on December 1, 2028 (the “2028 Tranche”). The aggregate principal amount of the Intercompany Loan was initially $5.250 billion, and on February 11, 2022, we advanced an additional $1.5 billion to DISH Network under the 2026 Tranche. Interest accrues and is payable semiannually, and interest payments with respect to the Intercompany Loan are, at DISH Network’s option, payable in kind for the first two years. In the third year, beginning November 2023, a minimum of 50% of each interest payment due with respect to each tranche of the Intercompany Loan must be paid in cash. Thereafter, beginning in November 2024, interest payments must be paid in cash. Interest accrues: (a) when paid in cash, at a fixed rate of 0.25% per annum in excess of the interest rate applicable to, in the case of the 2026 Tranche, the 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, and in the case of the 2028 Tranche, the 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (each, the “Cash Accrual Rate” with respect to the applicable tranche); and (b) when paid in kind, at a rate of 0.75% per annum in excess of the Cash Accrual Rate for the applicable tranche. The Intercompany Loan is repayable by DISH Network in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon. We may use the proceeds of any such pre-payment for general corporate purposes, including refinancing of indebtedness, but may not use any such prepaid amounts to make a cash dividend or distribution to DISH Network prior to the repayment in full of the Intercompany Loan. The 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and the 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 are subordinated to our existing and certain future unsecured notes with respect to certain realizations under the Intercompany Loan and any collateral pledged as security therefor. Any material amendments or modifications to the terms of the Intercompany Loan will require the written consent of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and the 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028.

During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we recorded $441 million and $415 million, respectively, of “Interest income” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, “Notes receivable – DISH Network” was $7.496 billion and $7.160 billion including interest paid in kind, respectively, and “Interest receivable – DISH Network” was $37 million and $37 million, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

“Cost of services”

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we incurred $206 million, $194 million and $219 million, respectively, for satellite capacity leased from DISH Network and telemetry, tracking and control and other professional services provided to us by DISH Network. DISH Network is a supplier of the vast majority of our transponder capacity. These amounts are recorded in “Cost of services” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The agreements pertaining to these expenses are discussed below.

Satellite Capacity Leased from DISH Network. We lease satellite capacity on satellites owned or leased by DISH Network from a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network. See “Satellites” in Note 6 for further information. The term of each lease is set forth below:

● EchoStar X, XI, XIV and XVI. We lease all available capacity on the EchoStar X, XI, XIV and XVI satellites from a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network. The term of each satellite capacity agreement generally terminates upon the earlier of: (i) the end-of-life of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; or (iii) a certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite. We generally have the option to renew each satellite capacity agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of the respective satellite’s life.

● EchoStar XXIII. On March 1, 2023, we began leasing certain capacity on the EchoStar XXIII satellite from a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network on a month to month basis.

● Nimiq 5. DISH Network has a 15-year satellite service agreement with Telesat Canada (“Telesat”) to receive service on all 32 DBS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7 degree orbital location with the option to renew on a year-to-year basis through the end-of-life of the Nimiq 5 satellite. We are receiving transponder service on all 32 of the DBS transponders on this satellite from DISH Network and have exercised our option to renew for a one-year period through September 2024. As discussed in Note 6, “Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets,” the Nimiq 5 satellite lease is accounted for as a finance lease. Expenses related to this lease are recorded in “Depreciation and amortization” and “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).  During each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recorded $34 million of “Depreciation and amortization” expense related to Nimiq 5 and $5 million, $8 million and $12 million of “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized,” respectively.

● QuetzSat-1. Our arrangement with DISH Network to receive service on 24 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite at the 77 degree orbital location expired in November 2021.

TT&C Agreement. We receive TT&C services from a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network for certain satellites. In February 2018, we amended the TT&C Agreement to, among other things, extend the term for one-year with four automatic one-year renewal periods. The fees for services provided under the TT&C Agreement are calculated at either: (i) a fixed fee; or (ii) cost plus a fixed margin, which will vary depending on the nature of the services provided. We and DISH Network are able to terminate the TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 12 months’ notice.

“Selling, general and administrative expenses”

During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we incurred $9 million, $11 million and $8 million, respectively, for selling, general and administrative expenses for services provided to us by DISH Network. These amounts are recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The agreements pertaining to these expenses are discussed below.

Real Estate Lease Agreements. We lease office space owned or leased by DISH Network from a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network. The term of each lease is set forth below:

● Santa Fe Lease Agreement. Our lease for all of 5701 S. Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton, Colorado from a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network expired on December 31, 2021.

● Cheyenne Lease Agreement. Our lease for certain space at 530 EchoStar Drive in Cheyenne, Wyoming from a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network is for a period ending on December 31, 2031. 

Other Agreements – DISH Network

Broadband, Wireless and Other Operations. We provide certain administrative, call center, installation, marketing and other services to DISH Network’s broadband, wireless and other operations. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the costs associated with these services were $115 million, $116 million and $91 million, respectively.

Sale of Assets to DISH Network. During the fourth quarter of 2021, we sold certain assets and equity interests to DISH Network at fair value for approximately $60 million. This was accounted for as a transaction among entities under common control. The difference between our net carrying value of the assets sold to their fair value of $17 million, net of tax, was recorded in “Additional paid-in capital” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Related Party Transactions with NagraStar L.L.C.

We own a 50% interest in NagraStar, a joint venture that is our primary provider of encryption and related security systems intended to assure that only authorized customers have access to our programming. Certain payments related to NagraStar are recorded in “Cost of services” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). In addition, certain other payments are initially included in “Inventory” and are subsequently capitalized as “Property and equipment, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets or expensed as “Selling, general and administrative expenses” or “Cost of services” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) when the equipment is deployed. We record all payables in “Trade accounts payable” or “Other accrued expenses” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our investment in NagraStar is accounted for using the equity method.

The table below summarizes our transactions with NagraStar.

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
	(In thousands)
Purchases (including fees):
Purchases from NagraStar	$	37,068	$	43,416	$	45,944
			As of December 31,
			2023		2022
			(In thousands)
Amounts Payable and Commitments:
Amounts payable to NagraStar			$	9,821	$	7,422
Commitments to NagraStar			$	1,727	$	3,272