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EchoStar Corporation Completes Merger with DISH Network Corporation

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EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) completed its acquisition of DISH Network Corporation on December 31, 2023. The merger combines DISH Network's satellite technology, streaming services, and nationwide 5G network with EchoStar's satellite communications solutions, creating a global leader in wireless connectivity. The combined company is uniquely positioned to deliver communication and content distribution capabilities, accelerating the delivery of satellite and wireless connectivity solutions desired by customers.
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The acquisition of DISH Network by EchoStar represents a significant consolidation within the telecommunications sector, particularly impacting the satellite and wireless connectivity markets. By merging DISH Network's assets, including its satellite technology, streaming services and nascent 5G wireless network, with EchoStar's existing satellite communications infrastructure, the new entity is poised to offer a comprehensive suite of services that could reshape competitive dynamics.

From a market perspective, the consolidation may lead to increased pricing power and cost synergies, potentially improving EchoStar's profitability. Moreover, the enhanced scale and combined resources could enable the company to accelerate innovation and expand its service offerings, which is critical in a market characterized by rapid technological advancements and evolving consumer demands.

The merger's success will largely depend on the integration of the two companies' operations and cultures, which can present significant challenges. However, if managed effectively, EchoStar could emerge as a formidable player in the connectivity space, with a diversified portfolio capable of serving a broad customer base across consumer, enterprise and government segments.

The completion of EchoStar's acquisition of DISH Network has considerable financial implications. The transaction structure, involving stock conversion, is designed to align the interests of shareholders from both companies. The exchange ratio of 0.350877 shares of EchoStar for each share of DISH Network indicates the valuation metrics applied to DISH Network by EchoStar.

Investors will scrutinize the post-merger performance, focusing on revenue growth and margin expansion as indicators of the deal's success. EchoStar's ability to leverage DISH Network's 5G infrastructure and content distribution channels may provide a competitive edge, potentially leading to an enhanced market share and improved financial metrics.

One key area of interest will be the combined company's capacity to manage its debt profile while investing in growth initiatives. The merger's impact on EchoStar's balance sheet and cash flows will be closely monitored, as will the execution of cost synergies, which could be a critical factor in achieving financial targets and delivering shareholder value.

The EchoStar and DISH Network merger is a strategic move that reflects the industry's trend towards vertical integration and the bundling of services. By combining satellite and terrestrial technologies, EchoStar is positioning itself to offer end-to-end connectivity solutions, which is increasingly important as the demand for ubiquitous internet access grows.

With the successful launch of EchoStar's JUPITER 3 satellite and DISH Network's coverage of over 70% of the U.S. population with its 5G network, the combined company has a significant infrastructure advantage. This infrastructure could be leveraged to bridge the digital divide, particularly in rural and underserved areas where traditional broadband services are limited or unavailable.

The emphasis on hybrid connectivity solutions also indicates a strategic focus on flexibility and resilience, catering to the needs of a diverse customer base that includes not only consumers but also businesses and government entities requiring secure and reliable communication channels.

EchoStar Fortifies its Position as a Global Connectivity Leader with Unmatched Wireless, Satellite and Video Distribution Capabilities 

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) ("EchoStar") announced today the completion of its acquisition of DISH Network Corporation ("DISH Network") on December 31, 2023. To complete the acquisition, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar merged with and into DISH Network, with DISH Network surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar. As previously announced, as a result of the merger, each share of DISH Network Class A Common Stock and DISH Network Class C Common Stock converted into 0.350877 shares of EchoStar Class A Common Stock, and each share of DISH Network Class B Common Stock converted into 0.350877 shares of EchoStar Class B Common Stock.

"This merger brings us one step closer to our goal of offering ubiquitous connectivity to people, enterprises and things, everywhere," said Hamid Akhavan, President and Chief Executive Officer of EchoStar. "Together we're better positioned to realize the connected future by leveraging every type of transport, combined with smart, enabling technologies and fully integrated services. Our superior portfolio of technology, spectrum, engineering, manufacturing and network management expertise will deliver the unparalleled connectivity solutions that customers demand."

The transaction combines DISH Network's satellite technology, streaming services and nationwide 5G network with EchoStar's premier satellite communications solutions, creating a global leader in terrestrial and non-terrestrial wireless connectivity. Both companies have strong momentum, highlighted by DISH Network's 5G wireless network that now covers more than 70 percent of the U.S. population and the successful launch of EchoStar's JUPITER 3 satellite with significant available capacity for converged terrestrial and non-terrestrial services. The combined company is uniquely positioned to deliver a broad set of communication and content distribution capabilities, accelerating the delivery of satellite and wireless connectivity solutions desired by customers.

"The completion of this merger marks an important milestone for our company and our customers, launching a new era of connectivity," said Charles Ergen, Executive Chairman of the Board of EchoStar. "We have brought together two trailblazing companies with complementary portfolios to create a global connectivity leader with premier wireless, satellite, and video distribution capabilities. Together, EchoStar and DISH offer an enhanced consumer connectivity business and an unmatched enterprise managed services business. In a world that is increasingly wireless, we are well-positioned to drive revenue and profitable growth."

The combined company is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado. It goes to market worldwide under a suite of proven consumer and business brands, including Boost Mobile, Boost Infinite, Sling TV and DISH TV, as well as EchoStar, Hughes® and JUPITER™ satellite services, HughesON™ managed services and HughesNet® satellite internet.

"Bridging the digital divide and seamlessly connecting people, enterprises, and things is essential in the digital-first economy," said John Swieringa, President, Technology & Chief Operating Officer of EchoStar. "Our combined brands, technology and operational and engineering resources uniquely position EchoStar to provide a compelling global offering that connects consumers to the internet access, mobile phone service, television programming, and streaming content they want, as well as delivering business and government customers the secure terrestrial, non-terrestrial, and hybrid connectivity solutions they need."

Advisors

Evercore served as exclusive financial advisor, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP served as legal counsel to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of EchoStar. White & Case LLP served as legal counsel to EchoStar.

J.P. Morgan served as exclusive financial advisor, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal counsel to the Special Transaction Committee of the Board of Directors of DISH Network. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as legal counsel to DISH Network.

 

About EchoStar

EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) is a premier provider of technology, networking services, television entertainment and connectivity, offering consumer, enterprise, operator and government solutions worldwide under its EchoStar®, Boost Mobile®, Boost Infinite, Sling TV, DISH TV, Hughes®, HughesNet®, HughesON™, and JUPITER™ brands. In Europe, EchoStar operates under its EchoStar Mobile Limited subsidiary and in Australia, the company operates as EchoStar Global Australia. For more information, visit www.echostar.com and follow EchoStar on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including, in particular, statements about plans, objectives and strategies, growth opportunities in our industries and businesses, our expectations regarding future results, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, estimates regarding the impact of regulatory developments and legal proceedings, and other trends and projections. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as "future," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "predict," "will," "would," "could," "can," "may," and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us  as of the date hereof and represent management's current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. Accordingly, actual performance, events or results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) our ability to realize synergies from the merger with DISH Network within expected time-frames or at all, and the potential impact of the merger on operating costs, customer loss and business disruption to, among other things, relationships with our employees, customers, suppliers or vendors; (ii) risks relating to our substantially increased leverage following the merger; (iii) significant risks related to our ability to launch, operate, and control our satellites, operational and environmental risks related to our owned and leased satellites, and risks related to our satellites under construction; (iv) our ability and the ability of third parties with whom we engage to operate our business as a result of changes in the global business environment, including regulatory and competitive considerations; (v) our ability to implement and/or realize benefits of our investments and other strategic initiatives; (vi) risks related to our foreign operations and other uncertainties associated with doing business internationally; (vii) risks related to our dependency upon third-party providers, including supply chain disruptions and inflation; (viii) risks related to cybersecurity incidents; and (ix) risks related to our human capital resources.

The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in each of EchoStar's and DISH Network's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in EchoStar's subsequent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings. All cautionary statements made or referred to herein should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear. You should consider the risks and uncertainties described or referred to herein and should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described herein or in any documents we file with the SEC occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE EchoStar Corporation

FAQ

When did EchoStar complete the acquisition of DISH Network Corporation?

EchoStar completed the acquisition of DISH Network Corporation on December 31, 2023.

What did the merger between EchoStar and DISH Network create?

The merger created a global leader in wireless connectivity, combining DISH Network's satellite technology, streaming services, and nationwide 5G network with EchoStar's satellite communications solutions.

Where is the combined company headquartered?

The combined company is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado.

What are some of the brands under which the combined company goes to market?

The combined company goes to market worldwide under a suite of proven consumer and business brands, including Boost Mobile, Boost Infinite, Sling TV, DISH TV, EchoStar, Hughes, and JUPITER satellite services, HughesON managed services, and HughesNet satellite internet.

Who served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of EchoStar?

Evercore served as the exclusive financial advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of EchoStar.

EchoStar Corporation

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About SATS

echostar corporation (nasdaq: sats) is the premier global provider of satellite operations and video delivery solutions. echostar’s wholly owned subsidiary, hughes, is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband services, delivering network technologies and managed services in more than 100 countries. headquartered in englewood, colo., with business units worldwide, echostar is a multiple emmy award-winning company that has pioneered advancements in the tv and satellite industries for nearly 30 years, consistently delivering value for customers, partners and investors. over the last three decades, echostar’s innovations in video technology have impacted the way consumers view, receive and manage tv programming, garnering numerous awards in recognition of echostar’s advancements to the media landscape. echostar’s consumer solutions include hughesnet®, north america’s #1 high-speed satellite internet service; sling media's slingbox® products; echostar’s line of advanced digit