v3.25.3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2025
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation ​ The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements prepared under GAAP. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Our results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation ​ 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. The portion of equity in a subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to us 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, 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests ​ SNR Wireless. SNR Wireless LicenseCo, LLC (“SNR Wireless”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNR Wireless HoldCo, LLC (“SNR HoldCo”), which is an entity wholly-owned by us and, prior to February 16, 2024, by us and SNR Wireless Management, LLC (“SNR Management”). On February 16, 2024, the FCC consented to the sale of SNR Management’s ownership interests in SNR HoldCo, which was purchased by our direct wholly-owned subsidiary EchoStar SNR HoldCo L.L.C. for a total of approximately $442 million. This purchase resulted in the elimination of all of our redeemable noncontrolling interest as it related to SNR HoldCo as of the purchase date and we continue to consolidate the SNR Entities as wholly-owned subsidiaries. ​ For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
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 (including those related to our installment billing programs), self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments including embedded derivatives, fair value of options granted under our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations or as part of an asset acquisition, fair value of exit or disposal cost obligations, timing and amount of asset retirement obligations, inputs or outputs used to recognize revenue over time, including the 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, estimates of the timing of future cash flows used to pay principal on certain debt obligations, estimated credit risk underlying installment receivables, nonrefundable upfront fees, independent third-party retailer incentives, programming expenses, subscriber lives and likelihood of certain contingent events. 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 condensed consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively in the period they occur.
Capitalized Interest | Capitalized Interest ​ We capitalize interest associated with the acquisition or construction of certain assets, including, among other things, our Wireless spectrum licenses, build-out costs associated with our 5G Network deployment and satellites. Capitalization of interest begins when, among other things, steps are taken to prepare the asset for its intended use and ceases when the asset is ready for its intended use or when substantially all activities related to the project are suspended. ​ While we were commercializing our 5G Network, the interest expense was being capitalized based on the carrying amount of the 5G Network qualifying assets and the capitalization rate applied to those assets. As the qualifying assets, including markets within certain bands of wireless spectrum licenses, were placed into service with the deployment of our 5G Network, we no longer capitalized interest on those assets. As a result of the termination of the deployment of our 5G Network, we no longer have 5G Network activities that qualify for capitalization and as such ceased capitalizing interest on the 5G Network qualifying assets at the end of August 2025. ​ Capitalized interest totaled $211 million and $269 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and $837 million and $794 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which reduced “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). As of September 30, 2025, substantially all capitalized interest has ceased, except for capitalized interest on our satellites under construction.
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 model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; 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 September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, 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 debt, finance lease and other 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, exit or disposal cost obligations and the assignment of purchase consideration to assets in a non-cash exchange of assets and for 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. See Note 5 for the fair value of our marketable investment securities and derivative instruments. ​ Fair values for our publicly traded debt securities are based on quoted market prices, when available. The fair values of non-publicly traded debt are based on, among other things, available trade information, valuations performed by a third-party, 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. The non-publicly traded debt is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. See Note 9 for the fair value of our debt.
Assets Recognized Related to the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer | ​ ​ 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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and then amortized in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Advertising Costs | Advertising Costs ​ We recognize advertising expense when incurred as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Advertising expenses totaled $202 million and $210 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Advertising expenses totaled $628 million and $538 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). ​ Additionally, customer-related research and development costs are incurred in connection with the specific requirements of a customer’s order; in such instances, the amounts for these customer funded development efforts are also included in “Cost of sales–equipment and other” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Research and development costs totaled $19 million and $20 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Research and development costs totaled $53 million and $74 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
New Accounting Pronouncements | New Accounting Pronouncements ​ Not Yet Adopted ​ 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 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. We will adopt the standard when it becomes effective for us beginning in our fiscal year 2025 annual financial statements, and the adoption of the standard will impact certain of our income tax disclosures. ​ ​ Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. On November 5, 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40) (“ASU 2024-03”), which will enhance financial statement reporting by providing additional information about specific expense categories, including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and amortization. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2024-03 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements, related disclosures and control environment. ​ Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. On July 30, 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-05, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses for Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets (“ASU 2025-05”), which allows entities to elect a practical expedient to assume current conditions as of the balance sheet date do not change for the remaining life of current accounts receivable and current contract assets arising from transactions under Topic 606 on revenue from contracts with customers. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. Early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt the standard in our 2025 annual financial statements, and we expect the adoption of the standard will have an immaterial impact on our allowance for credit losses. ​ Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software. On September 18, 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software (“ASU 2025-06”), which removes the references to the sequential software development stages from the guidance in Subtopic 350-40. Upon the adoption of ASU 2025-06, an entity is required to start capitalizing software costs when both of the following occur: (1) management has authorized and committed to funding the software project, and (2) it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2025-06 will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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