Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all balances and results of operations of DISH DBS and our consolidated subsidiaries and are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling influence and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary. Minority interests are recorded as noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests. 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, which will be initially recorded at cost, and based on observable market prices, will be adjusted to their fair value. We record fair value adjustments 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.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain 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 based on historical experience, observable market inputs, and other reasonable assumptions in accounting for, among other things, allowances for credit losses, 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 EchoStar’s stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, relative standalone selling prices of performance obligations, finance leases, asset impairments, estimates of future cash flows used to evaluate and recognize impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets, incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) on lease right of use assets, nonrefundable upfront fees, 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

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, 2023 and 2022 may consist of money market funds, government bonds, corporate notes and commercial paper. The amortized cost of these investments approximates their fair value.

Marketable Investment Securities

Marketable Investment Securities

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 and are recorded at fair value. We report the temporary unrealized gains and losses related to changes in market conditions of marketable debt securities as a separate component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Stockholder’s Equity (Deficit),” net of related deferred income tax on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The changes in the fair value of marketable debt securities, which are determined to be company specific credit losses are recorded in “Other, net” within “Other Income (Expense)” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Interest income from available for sale debt securities is reported in “Interest income, net” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

We evaluate our debt investment portfolio to determine whether declines in the fair value of these securities are related to credit loss. Management estimates credit losses on marketable debt securities utilizing a credit loss impairment model on a quarterly basis. We estimate the expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of marketable debt securities considering relevant issuer specific factors, including, but not limited to, a decrease in credit ratings or an entity’s ability to pay.

Receivables and Related Allowance for Credit Losses

Receivables and Related Allowance for Credit Losses

General Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable represent our unconditional rights to consideration arising from our performance under our customer contracts and are recorded at cost less an allowance for expected credit losses that are not expected to be recovered. We maintain allowances for credit losses resulting from the expected failure or inability of our customers to make required payments. We recognize the allowance for expected credit losses at inception and reassess quarterly based on management’s expectation of the asset’s collectability. Management estimates credit losses on financial assets, including our trade accounts receivable, utilizing a current expected credit loss impairment model. We estimate the expected credit losses, measured over the contractual life of an asset considering relevant historical loss information, credit quality of the customer base, current economic conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions.

In determining the allowance for credit losses, management groups similar types of financial assets with consistent risk characteristics. Pools identified by management include, but are not limited to residential customers, commercial customers and advertising services. The risk characteristics of the financial asset portfolios are monitored by management and reviewed periodically. The forecasts for future economic conditions are based on several factors including, but not limited to, changes in the unemployment rate, external economic forecasts and current collection rates. Our estimates of the allowance for credit losses may not be indicative of our actual credit losses requiring additional charges to be incurred to reflect the actual amount collected. Past due trade accounts receivable balances are written off against our allowance for credit losses when our internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful.

Inventory

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. We record write downs for inventory for obsolete and slow moving items based on trends and experience. We enter into arrangements with distributors where physical delivery of a product to a distributor has occurred, but we maintain control of the product until such time it is sold to an end consumer. For these arrangements, we account for the products as consigned inventory.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, including capitalized expenditures related to our satellites, are stated at cost less depreciation and impairment losses, if any. Capitalized expenditures include the cost of long-lived assets, plus the cost to construct the asset such as labor and overhead directly benefiting the asset. Interest is capitalized when pre-construction activity commences and ends once the asset is ready for its intended purpose. Our equipment leased to customers is generally capitalized when they are installed in customers’ homes. We have certain assets acquired under finance leases. The recorded costs of those assets are the present values of all lease payments. We amortize our finance lease right of use (“ROU”) assets over their respective lease terms.

If a satellite were to fail 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.

Internal Use Software

We capitalize certain costs related to developing or acquiring internal use software. Capitalization of software costs begins once the preliminary project stage is completed and we commit to funding the software project. Capitalizing ceases when the software project is ready for its intended use. Capitalized software costs are recorded in “Property and equipment, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized over the estimated useful life of the software.

Other Investments

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 “Other, net” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). 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. Dividends received from these affiliates reduces the carrying amount of our investment.

Cost Method 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. When we adjust the carrying amount of an investment to its estimated fair value, the gain or loss is recorded in “Other, net” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Impairment Considerations

We periodically evaluate all of our other investments to determine whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. 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 market trends or market conditions, 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 “Other, net” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Finite-Lived Intangible 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. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. 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. When 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. In the event of an impairment, a loss is recorded in “Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill” 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. Assets which are to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. 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.

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, 2023 and 2022. We will continue to monitor the DBS satellite fleet for indicators of impairment.

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks, and certain below market contracts. These assets are amortized over their respective useful lives. We do not believe any triggering event has occurred which would indicate impairment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Goodwill

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. Our intangible assets with indefinite lives primarily consist of FCC licenses. Generally, we have determined that our FCC 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 2023, 2022 and 2021, management performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the DBS licenses exceeds the carrying amount. In our assessment, we considered several 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.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which includes, among others, the SLING TV and DISH TV reporting units.

We perform our annual impairment assessment for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets each year during the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may be possible. We may consider qualitative factors to assess if it is more likely than not that the fair value for goodwill is below the carrying amount. If we determine in the qualitative assessment that it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying value, then we perform a quantitative assessment to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. We may also elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and perform a quantitative assessment.

Our assessment process included, among other things, discounted cash flow analyses, consideration of fair values of tangible and indefinite-lived intangible assets held by the reporting units and our ultimate parent, EchoStar’s recent market capitalization. Our assessment indicated the goodwill attributed to certain acquisitions was no longer supported based on the sustained decrease in our ultimate parent, EchoStar’s market capitalization. As such, we recorded a total noncash impairment charge of approximately $6 million in “Impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

No impairments were indicated for any reporting unit for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

When we acquire a business that is not subject to rules pertaining to common control, 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 identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests and goodwill acquired to be recorded at acquisition-date fair values. 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 in general are recognized on a straight-line basis over an average finite useful life primarily ranging from approximately 13 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

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 “Cost of services” 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

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

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

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, 2023 and 2022, the carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable (net of allowance for credit losses) and current liabilities (excluding the “Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations”) was equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates. 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. 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, 2023 and 2022. 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 8 for the fair value of our long-term debt.

Deferred Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts

Deferred Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts

Costs of issuing debt, including premiums and discounts relative to par value, are generally deferred and amortized to “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) using the effective interest rate method over the terms of the respective notes. We report unamortized debt issuance costs as a reduction of the related long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8 for further information.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Our revenue is primarily derived from Pay-TV subscriber revenue. 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 in-home service operations; warranty services; sales of digital receivers and related equipment to third-party pay-TV providers; satellite uplink and telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) services; and revenue from in-home services. See Note 14 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 services 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, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“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. A contract asset is recorded when revenue is recognized in advance of our right to receive consideration (i.e., we must perform additional services in order to receive consideration). Amounts are recorded as trade accounts receivable when our right to consideration is unconditional. When consideration is received, or we have an unconditional right to consideration in advance of delivery of goods or services, a contract liability is recorded. The transaction price can include nonrefundable upfront fees, which are allocated to the identifiable performance obligations. 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 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. Contract assets are included in “Trade accounts receivable, net” and contract liabilities are included in “Deferred revenue and other” and “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Contract balances are amortized over the contract term. See Note 15 for further information, including balance and activity detail about our allowance for credit losses and deferred revenue related to contracts with subscribers.

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

We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer 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 customer life or the contract term.  These amounts are capitalized in “Prepaids and other assets” and “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and then amortized in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Leases

Leases

Lessee Accounting

We enter into non-cancelable operating and finance leases for, among other things, satellites, office space, warehouses and distribution centers, vehicles and other equipment. Substantially all of our leases have remaining lease terms from one to nine years, some of which include renewal options, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year. For certain arrangements, the lease term includes the non-cancelable period plus the renewal period that we are reasonably certain to exercise.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease and classify that lease as either an operating or finance lease at inception. Operating leases are included in “Operating lease assets,” “Other accrued expenses and liabilities” and “Operating lease liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases are included in “Property and equipment, net,” “Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations” and “Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current portion” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). See Note 7 for further information on our lease expenses.

Right of use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the present value of our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The operating lease ROU asset also includes the impact of prepaid or deferred lease payments. When our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our IBR based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Our IBR is based on an estimated secured rate for the same term as the underlying lease plus a credit spread as secured by our assets. For leases denominated in a currency different than U.S. dollar, IBR is estimated using the collateralized borrowing rate in the foreign currency using the U.S. dollar and foreign currency swap spread, when available. The length of our lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. Our variable lease payments are immaterial and our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Lessor Accounting

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.

For equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers, we made an accounting policy election to combine the equipment with our programming services as a single performance obligation in accordance with the revenue recognition guidance as the programming services are the predominant component. The non-lease service revenue related to equipment leased to new and existing DISH TV subscribers would have otherwise been accounted for as an operating lease.

Cost of Services

Cost of Services

“Cost of services” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) principally includes programming expenses and other operating costs related to our Pay-TV services.

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.

Cost of Sales - Equipment and Other

Cost of Sales – Equipment and Other

“Cost of sales – equipment and other” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) principally includes costs related to the non-subsidized sales of Pay-TV equipment. Costs are generally recognized as products are delivered to customers and the related revenue is recognized.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

We recognize advertising expense when incurred as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Advertising expenses totaled $365 million, $480 million and $431 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and Development

Research and development costs, not incurred in connection with customer requirements, are expensed as incurred and are included as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Research and development costs totaled $42 million, $45 million and $29 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

Joint Ventures. On August 23, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-05, Business Combinations — Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60) (“ASU 2023-05”), which requires an entity that qualifies as either a joint venture or a corporate joint venture as defined in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) master glossary to apply a new basis of accounting upon the formation of the joint venture. This standard will be effective for all joint venture formations with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025. A joint venture that was formed before January 1, 2025 may elect to apply the amendments retrospectively if it has sufficient information. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period in which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2023-05 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Segment Reporting. On November 27, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reporting Segment Disclosures (“ASU 2023-07”), which will enhance financial reporting by providing additional information about a public company’s significant segment expenses and more timely and detailed segment information reporting throughout the fiscal period. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2023-07 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Income Taxes. On December 14, 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-9, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”), which will enhance income tax disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires among other items disaggregated information in a reporting entity’s rate reconciliation table, clarification on uncertain tax positions and the related financial statement impact as well as information on income taxes paid on a disaggregated basis. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.