UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006.

OR

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     .

EchoStar Communications Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada		88-0336997
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
9601 South Meridian Boulevard
Englewood, Colorado		80112
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

(303) 723-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ     Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

As of October 31, 2006, the Registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of 206,559,116 shares of Class A common stock and 238,435,208 Shares of Class B common stock.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements					i
Item 1.		Financial Statements
		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (Unaudited)			1
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)			2
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)			3
		Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)			4
Item 2.		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			24
Item 3.		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			43
Item 4.		Controls and Procedures			45
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.		Legal Proceedings			46
Item 1A.		Risk Factors			50
Item 2.		Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			52
Item 3.		Defaults Upon Senior Securities		None
Item 4.		Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		None
Item 5.		Other Information		None
Item 6.		Exhibits			53
Signatures					54
Section 302 Certification
Section 302 Certification
Section 906 Certification
Section 906 Certification

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We make “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 throughout this report. Whenever you read a statement that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as when we describe what we “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect” or “anticipate” will occur and other similar statements), you must remember that our expectations may not be correct, even though we believe they are reasonable. We do not guarantee that any future transactions or events described herein will happen as described or that they will happen at all. You should read this report completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Whether actual events or results will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

	•		we face intense and increasing competition from satellite and cable television providers as well as new competitors, including telephone companies; our competitors are increasingly offering bundled television and high speed internet access services that consumers may find attractive and which are likely to further increase competition;
	•		as technology changes, and in order to remain competitive, we will have to upgrade or replace some, or all, subscriber equipment periodically. We will not be able to pass on to our customers the entire cost of these upgrades;
	•		DISH Network subscriber growth may decrease, subscriber turnover may increase and subscriber acquisition costs may increase;
	•		satellite programming signals are subject to theft and will continue to be in the future; theft of service could cause us to lose subscribers and revenue and could increase in the future, resulting in higher costs to us;
	•		we depend on others to produce programming; programming costs may increase beyond our current expectations; we may be unable to obtain or renew programming agreements on acceptable terms or at all; existing programming agreements could be subject to cancellation; foreign programming is increasingly offered on other platforms which could cause our subscriber additions and related revenue to decline and could cause our subscriber turnover to increase;
	•		we depend on the Telecommunications Act of 1996 as Amended (“Communications Act”) and Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) program access rules to secure nondiscriminatory access to programming produced by others, neither of which assure that we have fair access to all programming that we need to remain competitive;
	•		the regulations governing our industry may change;
	•		if we are unable to protect access to distant network channels through judicial, legislative or other avenues, we will be required by December 1, 2006 to shut off those channels to all of our approximately 900,000 customers who currently subscribe to that programming, and we would be prohibited from offering distant network channels to new subscribers in the future. This would reduce our competitiveness in the market, and would result, among other things, in a small reduction in average monthly revenue per subscriber and free cash flow, and a temporary increase in subscriber churn;
	•		absent reversal of the jury verdict in our Tivo patent infringement case, and if we are unable to successfully implement alternative technology, we will be required to pay substantial damages as well as materially modify or eliminate certain user-friendly digital video recorder features that we currently offer to consumers, and we could be forced to discontinue offering digital video recorders to our customers completely, any of which could have an adverse affect on our business;
	•		if our EchoStar X satellite experienced a significant failure we could lose the ability to deliver local network channels in many markets;
	•		our satellite launches may be delayed or fail, or our satellites may fail in orbit prior to the end of their scheduled lives causing extended interruptions of some of the channels we offer;
	•		we currently do not have commercial insurance covering losses incurred from the failure of satellite launches and/or in-orbit satellites we own;
	•		service interruptions arising from technical anomalies on satellites or on-ground components of our direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) system, or caused by war, terrorist activities or natural disasters, may cause customer cancellations or otherwise harm our business;

	•		we are heavily dependent on complex information technologies; weaknesses in our information technology systems could have an adverse impact on our business; we may have difficulty attracting and retaining qualified personnel to maintain our information technology infrastructure;
	•		we rely on key personnel including Charles W. Ergen, our chairman and chief executive officer, and other executives;
	•		we may be unable to obtain needed retransmission consents, FCC authorizations or export licenses, and we may lose our current or future authorizations;
	•		we are party to various lawsuits which, if adversely decided, could have a significant adverse impact on our business;
	•		we may be unable to obtain patent licenses from holders of intellectual property or redesign our products to avoid patent infringement;
	•		sales of digital equipment and related services to international direct-to-home service providers may decrease;
	•		we depend on telecommunications providers, independent retailers and others to solicit orders for DISH network services. Certain of these providers account for a significant percentage of our total new subscriber acquisitions. If we are unable to continue our arrangements with these resellers, we cannot guarantee that we would be able to obtain other sales agents, thus adversely affecting our business;
	•		we are highly leveraged and subject to numerous constraints on our ability to raise additional debt;
	•		we may pursue acquisitions, business combinations, strategic partnerships, divestitures and other significant transactions that involve uncertainties; these transactions may require us to raise additional capital, which may not be available on acceptable terms;
	•		weakness in the global or U.S. economy may harm our business generally, and adverse political or economic developments may occur in some of our markets;
	•		terrorist attacks, the possibility of war or other hostilities, natural and man-made disasters, and changes in political and economic conditions as a result of these events may continue to affect the U.S. and the global economy and may increase other risks;
	•		we periodically evaluate and test our internal control over financial reporting in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Although our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2005, and while no change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, if in the future we are unable to report that our internal control over financial reporting is effective (or if our auditors do not agree with our assessment of the effectiveness of, or are unable to express an opinion on, our internal control over financial reporting), we could lose investor confidence in our financial reports, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock price and our business; and
	•		we may face other risks described from time to time in periodic and current reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

All cautionary statements made herein should be read as being applicable to all forward-looking statements wherever they appear. In this connection, investors should consider the risks described herein and should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

We assume no responsibility for updating forward-looking information contained or incorporated by reference herein or in other reports we file with the SEC.

In this report, the words “EchoStar,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to EchoStar Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. “EDBS” refers to EchoStar DBS Corporation and its subsidiaries.

ii

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

		As of
		September 30,				December 31,
		2006				2005
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,755,287			$	615,669
Marketable investment securities			1,032,946				565,691
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $12,759 and $11,523, respectively			582,877				478,414
Inventories, net (Note 4)			268,125				221,329
Current deferred tax assets			410,435				397,076
Other current assets			142,472				118,866
Total current assets			4,192,142				2,397,045
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities			197,411				67,120
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,673,844 and $2,124,298, respectively			3,647,649				3,514,539
FCC authorizations			748,101				748,287
Long-term deferred tax assets			—				206,146
Intangible assets, net (Note 7)			199,135				226,650
Other noncurrent assets, net			367,140				250,423
Total assets		$	9,351,578			$	7,410,210
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable		$	299,054			$	239,788
Deferred revenue and other			837,013				757,484
Accrued programming			786,716				681,500
Other accrued expenses			535,237				434,829
Current portion of capital lease and other long-term obligations			37,878				36,470
Total current liabilities			2,495,898				2,150,071
Long-term obligations, net of current portion:
5 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008			1,000,000				1,000,000
9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2009 (Note 8)			—				441,964
3% Convertible Subordinated Note due 2010			500,000				500,000
Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2008 (Note 14)			500,000				500,000
5 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008			1,000,000				1,000,000
6 3/8% Senior Notes due 2011			1,000,000				1,000,000
3% Convertible Subordinated Note due 2011			25,000				25,000
6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2014			1,000,000				1,000,000
7 1/8% Senior Notes due 2016 (Note 8)			1,500,000				—
Capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable, net of current portion			414,407				431,867
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities			281,161				227,932
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion			7,220,568				6,126,763
Total liabilities			9,716,466				8,276,834
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):
Class A common stock, $.01 par value, 1,600,000,000 shares authorized, 251,551,675 and 250,052,516 shares issued, 206,538,875 and 205,468,898 shares outstanding, respectively			2,516				2,501
Class B common stock, $.01 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 238,435,208 shares issued and outstanding			2,384				2,384
Class C common stock, $.01 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding			—				—
Additional paid-in capital			1,905,296				1,860,774
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			17,230				4,030
Accumulated earnings (deficit)			(931,261	)			(1,386,937	)
Treasury stock, at cost			(1,361,053	)			(1,349,376	)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)			(364,888	)			(866,624	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)		$	9,351,578			$	7,410,210

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

		For the Three Months								For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,								Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2006				2005
Revenue:
Subscriber-related revenue		$	2,373,888			$	2,010,441			$	6,884,074			$	5,898,769
Equipment sales			74,803				95,875				274,274				278,317
Other			22,675				21,905				61,413				70,621
Total revenue			2,471,366				2,128,221				7,219,761				6,247,707
Costs and Expenses:
Subscriber-related expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown below — Note 11)			1,220,026				997,473				3,500,515				3,011,382
Satellite and transmission expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown below — Note 11)			36,542				34,239				108,907				98,092
Cost of sales — equipment			58,809				68,763				212,062				205,657
Cost of sales — other			2,093				4,811				5,388				20,623
Subscriber acquisition costs:
Cost of sales — subscriber promotion subsidies (exclusive of depreciation shown below — Note 11)			34,634				23,641				113,772				95,080
Other subscriber promotion subsidies			342,864				330,690				895,055				855,540
Subscriber acquisition advertising			61,329				48,234				162,194				130,420
Total subscriber acquisition costs			438,827				402,565				1,171,021				1,081,040
General and administrative			135,366				116,250				408,631				342,314
Tivo litigation expense (Note 10)			1,442				—				89,677				—
Depreciation and amortization (Note 11)			296,451				212,236				817,913				573,087
Total costs and expenses			2,189,556				1,836,337				6,314,114				5,332,195
Operating income (loss)			281,810				291,884				905,647				915,512
Other income (expense):
Interest income			33,884				12,668				87,354				29,995
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized			(112,795	)			(94,022	)			(354,362	)			(278,396	)
Gain on insurance settlement			—				—				—				134,000
Other			1,361				7,342				54,365				41,424
Total other income (expense)			(77,550	)			(74,012	)			(212,643	)			(72,977	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			204,260				217,872				693,004				842,535
Income tax benefit (provision), net			(64,644	)			(9,008	)			(237,328	)			539,380
Net income (loss)		$	139,616			$	208,864			$	455,676			$	1,381,915
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share — weighted-average common shares outstanding			444,899				451,732				444,478				453,358
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share — weighted-average common shares outstanding			446,396				483,792				452,782				485,536
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic net income (loss)		$	0.31			$	0.46			$	1.03			$	3.05
Diluted net income (loss)		$	0.31			$	0.46			$	1.02			$	2.92

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

		For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,
		2006				2005
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)		$	455,676			$	1,381,915
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			817,913				573,087
Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates			4,450				(385	)
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments			(67,178	)			(46,567	)
Gain on insurance settlement			—				(134,000	)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation recognized			13,153				—
Deferred tax expense (benefit)			194,163				(569,214	)
Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs			7,392				4,734
Other, net			(2,697	)			3,919
Change in noncurrent assets			(10,263	)			6,845
Change in long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities			23,870				(29,197	)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net			272,372				180,882
Net cash flows from operating activities			1,708,851				1,372,019
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities			(1,472,423	)			(553,793	)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities			934,254				462,490
Purchases of property and equipment			(988,595	)			(951,994	)
Proceeds from insurance settlement			—				240,000
Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities			(35,498	)			(16,677	)
FCC auction deposits			—				(4,245	)
Purchase of technology-based intangibles			—				(25,500	)
Purchase of strategic investments included in noncurrent assets and other			(24,636	)			(25,402	)
Net cash flows from investing activities			(1,586,898	)			(875,121	)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Redemption and repurchase of 9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2009, respectively			(441,964	)			(4,189	)
Issuance of 7 1/8% Senior Notes due 2016			1,500,000				—
Deferred debt issuance costs			(7,500	)			—
Class A common stock repurchases			(11,677	)			(152,464	)
Repayment of capital lease obligations, mortgages and other notes payable			(31,051	)			(41,467	)
Proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and Class A common stock issued under Employee Stock Purchase Plan			9,857				9,184
Net cash flows from financing activities			1,017,665				(188,936	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			1,139,618				307,962
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			615,669				704,560
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	1,755,287			$	1,012,522
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest		$	266,088			$	222,244
Capitalized interest		$	6,067			$	5,264
Cash received for interest		$	46,222			$	23,981
Cash paid for income taxes		$	29,788			$	8,280
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock		$	22,098			$	13,055
Satellites financed under capital lease obligations		$	—			$	191,950
Satellite and other vendor financing		$	15,000			$	1,940

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Business Activities

Principal Business

EchoStar Communications Corporation (“ECC”) is a holding company. Its subsidiaries (which together with ECC are referred to as “EchoStar,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) operate two interrelated business units:

	•		The DISH Network – which provides a direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) subscription television service in the United States; and
	•		EchoStar Technologies Corporation (“ETC”) – which designs and develops DBS set-top boxes, antennae and other digital equipment for the DISH Network. We refer to this equipment collectively as “EchoStar receiver systems.” ETC also designs, develops and distributes similar equipment for international satellite service providers.

We have deployed substantial resources to develop the “EchoStar DBS System.” The EchoStar DBS System consists of our FCC allocated DBS spectrum, our owned and leased satellites, EchoStar receiver systems, digital broadcast operations centers, customer service facilities, and certain other assets utilized in our operations. Our principal business strategy is to continue developing our subscription television service in the United States to provide consumers with a fully competitive alternative to others in the multi-channel video programming distribution, or MVPD, industry.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

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. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 were increased by prior period adjustments totaling approximately $8.9 million and $19.3 million, respectively, primarily related to income tax benefits.

Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006. 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, 2005 (“2005 10-K”).

Principles of Consolidation

We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries and investments in entities in which we have controlling influence. Non-majority owned investments are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the issuer. When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an issuer, the cost method is used. For entities that are considered variable interest entities, we apply the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 46-R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities – An Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46-R”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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 revenues and expenses for each reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, allowances for uncollectible accounts, inventory allowances, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, loss contingencies, fair values of financial instruments, fair value of options granted under our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, capital leases, asset impairments, useful lives of property, equipment and intangible assets, retailer commissions, programming expenses, subscriber lives including those related to our co-branding and other distribution relationships, royalty obligations and smart card replacement obligations. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected prospectively beginning in the period they occur.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

		For the Three Months								For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,								Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2006				2005
		(In thousands)
Net income (loss)		$	139,616			$	208,864			$	455,676			$	1,381,915
Foreign currency translation adjustments			924				(101	)			4,358				(694	)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities			(7,709	)			(1,222	)			14,822				(43,161	)
Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)			(273	)			(5,235	)			(408	)			(5,251	)
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities			2,646				2,260				(5,572	)			(1,179	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	135,204			$	204,566			$	468,876			$	1,331,630

“Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” presented on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of the accumulated net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and foreign currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes.

Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings Per Share” (“SFAS 128”) requires entities to present both basic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options were exercised and convertible securities were converted to common stock.

The potential dilution from our subordinated notes convertible into common stock was computed using the “if converted” method. The potential dilution from stock options exercisable into common stock and non-performance based rights to receive Class A common stock (“Restricted Share Units”) was computed using the treasury stock method based on the average market value of our Class A common stock for each period presented. The following table reflects the basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. Earnings per share amounts for all periods are presented below in accordance with the requirements of SFAS 128.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

		For the Three Months								For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,								Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2006				2005
		(In thousands)
Numerator:
Numerator for basic net income (loss) per share — Net income (loss)		$	139,616			$	208,864			$	455,676			$	1,381,915
Interest on subordinated notes convertible into common shares, net of related tax effect			117				11,537				7,354				34,611
Numerator for diluted net income (loss) per common share		$	139,733			$	220,401			$	463,030			$	1,416,526
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per common share – weighted-average common shares outstanding			444,899				451,732				444,478				453,358
Dilutive impact of options and restricted share units outstanding			1,098				1,695				1,039				1,813
Dilutive impact of subordinated notes convertible into common shares			399				30,365				7,265				30,365
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share – weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding			446,396				483,792				452,782				485,536
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic net income (loss)		$	0.31			$	0.46			$	1.03			$	3.05
Diluted net income (loss)		$	0.31			$	0.46			$	1.02			$	2.92
Shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of:
5 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2008			23,100				23,100				23,100				23,100
3% Convertible Subordinated Note due 2010			6,866				6,866				6,866				6,866
3% Convertible Subordinated Note due 2011			399				399				399				399

During the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, there were options to purchase approximately 10.4 million and 8.0 million shares outstanding, respectively, that are not included in the above denominator as their effect is antidilutive. Further, during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, there were options to purchase approximately 10.6 million and 8.0 million shares outstanding, respectively, that are not included in the above denominator as their effect is antidilutive.

Vesting of options and rights to acquire shares of our Class A common stock (“Restricted Performance Units”) granted pursuant to our long term incentive plans is contingent upon meeting certain long-term goals which have not yet been achieved. As a consequence, the following are not included in the diluted EPS calculation:

		As of
		September 30,
		2006				2005
		(In thousands)
Performance based options			11,210				11,407
Restricted Performance Units			711				548

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). FIN 48 also prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In addition, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FIN 48 will have on our financial position and results of operations.

3. Stock-Based Compensation

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (R) (As Amended), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”) which (i) revises Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, “Accounting and Disclosure of Stock-Based Compensation,” (“SFAS 123”) to eliminate both the disclosure only provisions of that statement and the alternative to follow the intrinsic value method of accounting under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations, and (ii) requires the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions with employees be recognized in the results of operations over the period during which an employee provides the requisite service in exchange for the award and establishes fair value as the measurement basis of the cost of such transactions. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS 123(R) under the modified prospective method.

Total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, net of related tax effect, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $3.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively, and was allocated to the same expense categories as the base compensation for key employees who participate in our stock option plans, as follows:

		For the				For the
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2006				September 30, 2006
		(In thousands)
Subscriber-related		$	162			$	417
Satellite and transmission			94				243
General and administrative			3,098				7,529
Total non-cash, stock based compensation		$	3,354			$	8,189

Prior to January 1, 2006, we applied the intrinsic value method of accounting under APB 25 and applied the disclosure only provisions of SFAS 123. Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share was required by SFAS 123 and has been determined as if we had accounted for our stock-based compensation plans using the fair value method prescribed by that statement. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options was amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period on a straight-line basis. We accounted for forfeitures as they occurred. Compensation previously recognized was reversed upon forfeiture of unvested options. The following table illustrates the effect on net income (loss) per share if we had accounted for our stock-based compensation plans using the fair value method:

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

		For the				For the
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2005				September 30, 2005
		(In thousands)
Net income (loss), as reported		$	208,864			$	1,381,915
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effect			(3,260	)			(10,585	)
Pro forma net income (loss)		$	205,604			$	1,371,330
Basic income (loss) per share, as reported		$	0.46			$	3.05
Diluted income (loss) per share, as reported		$	0.46			$	2.92
Pro forma basic income (loss) per share		$	0.46			$	3.02
Pro forma diluted income (loss) per share		$	0.45			$	2.90

The fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

		For the Three Months								For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,								Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2006				2005
Risk-free interest rate			4.49	%			4.18	%			4.70	%			3.95	%
Volatility factor			25.02	%			25.66	%			25.03	%			26.32	%
Expected term of options in years			6.1				6.4				6.2				6.4
Weighted-average fair value of options granted		$	11.60			$	10.57			$	11.25			$	10.64

During December 2004, we paid a one-time dividend of $1 per outstanding share of our Class A and Class B common stock. We do not currently plan to pay additional dividends on our common stock, and therefore the dividend yield percentage is set at zero for all periods. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Consequently, our estimate of fair value may differ from other valuation models. Further, the Black-Scholes model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate. Therefore, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of stock-based compensation awards.

We will continue to evaluate our assumptions used to derive the estimated fair value of options for our stock as new events or changes in circumstances become known.

Stock Incentive Plans

We have adopted stock incentive plans to attract and retain officers, directors and key employees. As of September 30, 2006, we had 65.6 million shares of our Class A common stock authorized for awards under our Stock Incentive Plans. In general, stock options granted through September 30, 2006 have included exercise prices not less than the market value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant and a maximum term of ten years. While historically our Board of Directors has issued options that vest at the rate of 20% per year, some option grants have been immediately vested.

Effective January 26, 2005, we adopted a long-term, performance-based stock incentive plan (the “2005 LTIP”) within the terms of our 1999 Stock Incentive Plan to provide incentive to our executive officers and certain other key employees upon achievement of specified long-term business objectives. Employees participating in the 2005 LTIP elect to receive a one-time award of: (i) an option to acquire a specified number of shares priced at market value on the date of the awards; (ii) rights to acquire for no additional consideration a specified smaller number of

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

shares of our Class A common stock; or (iii) a corresponding combination of a lesser number of option shares and such rights to acquire our Class A common stock. The options and rights are subject to certain performance criteria and vest over a seven year period at the rate of 10% per year during the first four years, and at the rate of 20% per year thereafter.

Options to purchase 5.9 million shares pursuant to a long-term incentive plan under our 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1999 LTIP”), and 5.3 million shares pursuant to the 2005 LTIP were outstanding as of September 30, 2006. These options were granted with exercise prices at least equal to the market value of the underlying shares on the dates they were issued. The weighted-average exercise price of these options is $8.72 under our 1999 LTIP and $29.76 under our 2005 LTIP. The weighted-average fair value of the options granted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 pursuant to the 2005 LTIP plan was $15.54 and $15.36, respectively. Further, pursuant to the 2005 LTIP, there were also 711,132 outstanding Restricted Performance Units as of September 30, 2006 with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $30.05. Vesting of these options and Restricted Performance Units is contingent upon meeting certain long-term goals which have not yet been achieved. Consequently, no compensation was recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 related to these long-term options and Restricted Performance Units. We will record the related compensation when achievement of the performance goals is probable, if ever. In accordance with SFAS 123(R), such compensation, if recorded, would result in total non-cash, stock-based compensation expense of approximately $138.3 million, of which $116.9 million relates to performance based options and $21.4 million relates to Restricted Performance Units. This would be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period or expensed immediately, if fully vested, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

A summary of our stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was as follows:

		For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30, 2006
						Weighted-
						Average
						Exercise
		Options				Price
Options outstanding, beginning of period			25,086,883			$	24.43
Granted			1,915,000				31.71
Exercised			(606,593	)			13.10
Forfeited and Cancelled			(2,627,400	)			26.83
Options outstanding, end of period			23,767,890				25.04
Exercisable at end of period			7,372,140				30.66

Based on the average market value for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the aggregate intrinsic value for the options outstanding was $182.4 million, of which $40.5 million was exercisable at the end of the period.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

Exercise prices for options outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2006 were as follows:

		Options Outstanding												Options Exercisable
		Number				Weighted-								Number
		Outstanding as				Average				Weighted-				Exercisable				Weighted-
		of				Remaining				Average				as of				Average
		September 30,				Contractual				Exercise				September 30,				Exercise
		2006 *				Life				Price				2006				Price
$  2.12500-$  6.00000			6,029,788				2.22			$	5.89				1,005,788			$	5.34
$10.20315-$19.17975			1,114,542				2.82				13.80				510,542				13.22
$22.26000-$28.88000			2,478,600				7.41				27.45				1,903,000				27.45
$29.25000-$39.50000			12,909,960				8.30				30.86				2,849,810				32.63
$48.75000-$79.00000			1,235,000				3.52				62.91				1,103,000				62.29
$  2.12500-$79.00000			23,767,890				6.16				25.04				7,372,140				30.66

As of September 30, 2006, our total unrecognized compensation cost related to our non-performance based unvested stock options was $62.5 million. This cost is based on an assumed future forfeiture rate of approximately 8.0% per year and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately three years.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the grant date value of Restricted Share Units (performance and non-performance based) outstanding was as follows:

		For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30, 2006
						Weighted-
		Restricted				Average
		Share				Grant Date
		Units *				Fair Value
Restricted Share Units outstanding, beginning of period			644,637			$	29.46
Granted			262,663				31.95
Exercised			(20,000	)			30.16
Forfeited			(46,168	)			29.49
Restricted Share Units outstanding, end of period			841,132				30.22
Exercisable at end of period			—				—

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

4. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

		As of
		September 30,				December 31,
		2006				2005
		(In thousands)
Finished goods – DBS		$	136,377			$	140,955
Raw materials			57,999				55,115
Work-in-process — service repair and refurbishment			75,179				23,705
Work-in-process			12,635				10,936
Consignment			1,930				803
Inventory allowance			(15,995	)			(10,185	)
Inventories, net		$	268,125			$	221,329

5. Marketable and Non-Marketable Investment Securities

We currently classify all marketable investment securities as available-for-sale. Our approximately $2.986 billion of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities includes debt and equity securities which we own for strategic and financial purposes. We adjust the carrying value of our available-for-sale 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 stockholders’ equity (deficit),” net of related deferred income tax. Declines in the fair value of a marketable investment security which are estimated to be “other than temporary” are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, thus establishing a new cost basis for such investment. We evaluate our marketable investment securities 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 marketable investment securities 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. Generally, absent specific factors to the contrary, declines in the fair value of investments below cost basis for a continuous period of less than six months are considered to be temporary. Declines in the fair value of investments for a continuous period of six to nine months are evaluated on a case by case basis to determine whether any company or market-specific factors exist which would indicate that such declines are other than temporary. Declines in the fair value of investments below cost basis for a continuous period greater than nine months are considered other than temporary and are recorded as charges to earnings, absent specific factors to the contrary.

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had unrealized gains net of related tax effect of approximately $12.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively, as a part of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within “Total stockholders’ equity (deficit).” During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we did not record any charge to earnings for other than temporary declines in the fair value of our marketable investment securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we recognized realized and unrealized net gains on marketable and non-marketable investment securities of approximately $67.2 million and $53.2 million, respectively. Gains and losses are generally accounted for on the specific identification method.

The fair value of our strategic marketable investment securities aggregated approximately $285.2 million and $148.5 million as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, our strategic investments have experienced and continue to experience volatility. If the fair value of our strategic marketable investment securities portfolio does not remain above cost basis or if we become aware of any market or company specific factors that indicate that the carrying value of certain of our securities is impaired, we may be required to record charges to earnings in future periods equal to the amount of the decline in fair value.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

The following table reflects the length of time that the individual securities have been in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by investment category, where those declines are considered temporary in accordance with our policy.

		As of September 30, 2006
		Less than Six Months								Six to Nine Months								Nine Months or More								Total
		Fair				Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized
		Value				Loss				Value				Loss				Value				Loss				Value				Loss
		(In thousands)
Corporate bonds		$	37,893			$	(53	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	37,893			$	(53	)
Government bonds			35,227				(9	)			26,177				(42	)			—				—				61,404				(51	)
Corporate equity securities			71,367				(4,954	)			—				—				—				—				71,367				(4,954	)
Total		$	144,487			$	(5,016	)		$	26,177			$	(42	)		$	—			$	—			$	170,664			$	(5,058	)

		As of December 31, 2005
		Less than Six Months								Six to Nine Months								Nine Months or More								Total
		Fair				Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized				Fair				Unrealized
		Value				Loss				Value				Loss				Value				Loss				Value				Loss
		(In thousands)
Government bonds		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	119,290			$	(662	)		$	119,290			$	(662	)
Corporate equity securities			32,444				(379	)			—				—				—				—				32,444				(379	)
Total		$	32,444			$	(379	)		$	—			$	—			$	119,290			$	(662	)		$	151,734			$	(1,041	)

Corporate Bonds

We believe the unrealized losses on our corporate bonds were caused primarily by interest rate increases. At September 30, 2006, maturities on these corporate bonds ranged from one to eleven months. We have the ability and intent to hold these investments until maturity when the obligors are required to redeem them at their full face value, and we believe the obligors have the financial resources to redeem those bonds. Accordingly, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2006.

Government Bonds

We believe the unrealized losses on our investments in government bonds were caused primarily by interest rate increases. At September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, maturities on these government bonds ranged from two to twelve months. We have the ability and intent to hold these investments until maturity when the Government is required to redeem them at their full face value. Accordingly, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2006.

Corporate Equity Securities

The unrealized loss on our investments in corporate equity securities represents an investment in the marketable common stock of three companies in the communications industry. We are not aware of any specific factors which indicate the unrealized loss is due to anything other than temporary market fluctuations.

Other Non-Marketable Securities

We also have several strategic investments in certain non-marketable equity securities which are included in “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Generally, we account for our unconsolidated equity investments under either the equity method or cost method of accounting. Because these equity securities are not publicly traded, it is not practical to regularly estimate the fair value of the investments; however, these investments are subject to an evaluation for other than temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. This quarterly evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things, company business plans and current financial statements, if available, for factors that may indicate an impairment of our investment. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, cash flow

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

concerns, material litigation, violations of debt covenants and changes in business strategy. The fair value of these equity investments is not estimated unless there are identified changes in circumstances that may indicate an impairment exists and these changes are likely to have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had $214.6 million and $94.2 million aggregate carrying amount of non-marketable and unconsolidated strategic equity investments, respectively, of which $101.8 million and $52.7 million is accounted for under the cost method, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we did not record any impairment charges with respect to these investments.

We also have a strategic investment in non-public preferred stock, public common stock and convertible debt of a foreign public company which is included in “Other noncurrent assets, net” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The debt is convertible into the issuer’s publicly traded common shares. During the second quarter of 2006, we converted a portion of the convertible debt to public common shares and determined that we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the issuer. Consequently, we account for the common share component of our investment under the equity method of accounting. We recorded $73.7 million of goodwill to account for the amount by which the carrying value of our investment in the issuer’s common stock exceeded the value of our portion of the underlying balance sheet equity of the investee. This goodwill is included as part of the total equity investment in “Other non-current assets, net” as of September 30, 2006.

Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are not publicly traded is dependent on the success of their business and their ability to obtain sufficient capital to execute their business plans. Because private markets are not as liquid as public markets, there is also increased risk that we will not be able to sell these investments, or that when we desire to sell them we will not be able to obtain full value for them.

Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, restricted cash and marketable investment securities included amounts set aside as collateral for investments in marketable securities and our letters of credit. Additionally, restricted cash and marketable investment securities as of September 30, 2006 included approximately $96.6 million escrowed related to our litigation with Tivo.

6. Satellites and FCC Auction Participation

Satellites

We presently have 11 owned satellites in orbit. Each of these satellites had an original minimum useful life of at least 12 years. In addition, we currently lease three in-orbit satellites. Two of the leased satellites are accounted for as capital leases pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 13 and are depreciated over the ten-year terms of the satellite service agreements. Our satellite fleet is a major component of our EchoStar DBS System. While we believe that overall our satellite fleet is generally in good condition, during 2006 and prior periods, certain satellites in our fleet have experienced anomalies, some of which have had a significant adverse impact on their commercial operation. We currently do not carry insurance for any of our owned in-orbit satellites. We believe we generally have in-orbit satellite capacity sufficient to recover, in a relatively short time frame, transmission of most of our critical programming but could not recover certain local markets, international and other niche programming in the event one of our in-orbit satellites fails. Further, programming continuity cannot be assured in the event of multiple satellite losses, and in the event our EchoStar X satellite experienced a significant failure we could lose the ability to deliver local network channels in many markets.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

Recent developments with respect to certain of our satellites are discussed below.

EchoStar I

EchoStar I, which was launched during December 1995, currently operates at the 148 degree orbital location. During the second quarter of 2006, the satellite experienced anomalies resulting in the possible loss of two solar array strings. An investigation of the anomalies is continuing. The anomalies have not impacted commercial operation of the satellite to date. Even if permanent loss of the two solar array strings is confirmed, the original minimum 12-year design life of the satellite is not expected to be impacted since the satellite is equipped with a total of 104 solar array strings, only approximately 98 of which are required to assure full power availability for the design life of the satellite. However, there can be no assurance future anomalies will not cause further losses which could impact the remaining life or commercial operation of the satellite.

EchoStar III

EchoStar III, which was launched during October 1997, currently operates at the 61.5 degree orbital location. The satellite was originally designed to operate a maximum of 32 transponders at approximately 120 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at over 230 watts per channel, and was equipped with a total of 44 transponders to provide redundancy. Prior to 2006, traveling wave tube amplifier (“TWTA”) anomalies have caused 22 transponders to fail. During April and October 2006, further TWTA anomalies caused the failure of four additional transponders. As a result, a maximum of 18 transponders are currently available for use on EchoStar III, but due to redundancy switching limitations and specific channel authorizations, we can only operate 15 of the 19 FCC authorized frequencies we have the right to utilize at the 61.5 degree location. While we do not expect a large number of additional TWTAs to fail in any year, and the failures have not reduced the original minimum 12-year design life of the satellite, it is likely that additional TWTA failures will occur from time to time in the future, and those failures will further impact commercial operation of the satellite.

EchoStar V

EchoStar V, which was launched during September 1999, currently operates at the 129 degree orbital location. The satellite was originally designed with a minimum 12-year design life. As previously disclosed, momentum wheel failures in prior years, together with relocation of the satellite between orbital locations, resulted in increased fuel consumption. These issues have not impacted commercial operation of the satellite, but have reduced the remaining spacecraft life to approximately two years as of September 30, 2006. Prior to 2006, EchoStar V also experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of six solar array strings. During July 2006, the satellite lost an additional solar array string. The solar array anomalies have not impacted commercial operation of the satellite to date. Since the satellite only has an approximate two year life, the solar array failures (which would normally have resulted in a reduction in the number of transponders to which power can be provided in later years), are not expected to reduce the current remaining life of the satellite. However, there can be no assurance that future anomalies will not cause further losses which could impact commercial operation, or the remaining life, of the satellite. See discussion of evaluation of impairment in “Long-Lived Satellite Assets” below.

EchoStar VI

EchoStar VI, which was launched during July 2000, is currently stationed at the 110 degree orbital location as an in-orbit spare. The satellite was originally equipped with 108 solar array strings, approximately 102 of which are required to assure full power availability for the original minimum 12-year design life of the satellite. Prior to 2006, EchoStar VI experienced anomalies resulting in the loss of 15 solar array strings. During 2006, two additional solar array strings failed, reducing the number of functional solar array strings to 91. While the design life of the satellite has not been affected, commercial operability has been reduced. The satellite was designed to operate 32 transponders at approximately 125 watts per channel, switchable to 16 transponders operating at approximately 225 watts per channel. The power reduction resulting from the solar array failures limits us to operation of a maximum

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

of 26 transponders in standard power mode, or 13 transponders in high power mode currently. The number of transponders to which power can be provided will continue to decline in the future at the rate of approximately one transponder every three years. See discussion of evaluation of impairment in “Long-Lived Satellite Assets” below.

EchoStar VII

EchoStar VII, which was launched during February 2002, currently operates at the 119 degree orbital location. During March 2006, the satellite experienced an anomaly which resulted in the loss of a receiver. Service was quickly restored through a spare receiver. These receivers process signals sent from our uplink center, for transmission back to earth by the satellite. The design life of the satellite has not been affected and the anomaly is not expected to result in the loss of other receivers on the satellite. However, there can be no assurance future anomalies will not cause further receiver losses which could impact the useful life or commercial operation of the satellite. In the event the spare receiver placed in operation following the March 2006 anomaly also fails, there would be no impact to the satellite’s ability to provide service to the continental United States (“CONUS”) when operating in CONUS mode. However, we would lose one-fifth of the spot beam capacity when operating in spot beam mode.

EchoStar X

EchoStar X was launched during February 2006 and commenced commercial operation during the second quarter of 2006. The satellite currently operates at the 110 degree orbital location. Its 49 spot beams use up to 42 active 140 watt TWTAs to provide standard and high definition local channels, and other programming, to markets across the United States.

EchoStar XII

EchoStar XII, which we purchased in orbit from a third party during 2005, currently operates at the 61.5 degree orbital location. The satellite was originally launched during July 2003. EchoStar XII was designed to operate 13 transponders at 270 watts per channel, in CONUS mode, or 22 spot beams using a combination of 135 and 65 watt TWTAs. We currently operate the satellite in CONUS mode. EchoStar XII has a total of 24 solar array circuits, approximately 22 of which are required to assure full power for the original minimum 12 year design life of the satellite. Prior to our purchase, two solar array circuits failed, one of which was subsequently restored to partial use. Between February and April 2006, two additional solar array circuits failed. The cause of the failures is being investigated. While the design life of the satellite has not been affected, in future years the power loss will cause a reduction in the number of transponders which can be operated. The exact extent of this impact has not yet been determined. There can be no assurance future anomalies will not cause further losses, which could further impact commercial operation of the satellite or its useful life. See discussion of evaluation of impairment in “Long-Lived Satellite Assets” below.

Long-Lived Satellite Assets

We account for long-lived satellite assets in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”). SFAS 144 requires a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Based on the guidance under SFAS 144, we evaluate our satellite fleet for recoverability as an asset group. While certain of the anomalies discussed above, and previously disclosed, may be considered to represent a significant adverse change in the physical condition of an individual satellite, based on the redundancy designed within each satellite and considering the asset grouping, these anomalies (none of which caused a loss of service to subscribers for an extended period) are not considered to be significant events that would require evaluation for impairment recognition pursuant to the guidance under SFAS 144. Unless and until a specific satellite is abandoned or otherwise determined to have no service potential, the net carrying amount related to the satellite would not be written off.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

FCC Auction Participation

During May 2006, EchoStar and DirecTV agreed to jointly participate in the FCC Advanced Wireless Services (“AWS”) spectrum auction which commenced August 9, 2006 through Wireless DBS LLC (“Wireless DBS”), a jointly formed and funded entity. In July 2006, EchoStar and DirecTV each paid a deposit of $486.3 million enabling Wireless DBS to bid on a significant portion of the licenses available through the auction. Wireless DBS was not the winning bidder on any of the auctioned spectrum and the EchoStar deposit was returned in August 2006.

7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, our identifiable intangibles subject to amortization consisted of the following:

		As of
		September 30, 2006								December 31, 2005
		Intangible				Accumulated				Intangible				Accumulated
		Assets				Amortization				Assets				Amortization
		(In thousands)
Contract-based		$	189,426			$	(41,878	)		$	189,426			$	(29,739	)
Customer relationships			73,298				(45,561	)			73,298				(31,818	)
Technology-based			25,500				(5,010	)			25,500				(3,377	)
Total		$	288,224			$	(92,449	)		$	288,224			$	(64,934	)

Amortization of these intangible assets, recorded on a straight line basis over an average finite useful life primarily ranging from approximately three to fourteen years, was $9.2 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In addition, amortization was $27.5 million and $29.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. For all of 2006, the aggregate amortization expense related to these identifiable assets is estimated to be $36.7 million. The aggregate amortization expense is estimated to be approximately $36.1 million for 2007, $22.5 million for 2008, $17.7 million for 2009, $17.7 million for 2010, $17.7 million for 2011 and $74.9 million thereafter.

The excess of our investments in consolidated subsidiaries over net tangible and intangible asset value at acquisition is recorded as goodwill and is not subject to amortization. We had approximately $3.4 million of goodwill as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, which arose from a 2002 acquisition.

8. Long-Term Debt

$1.5 Billion Senior Notes Offering

On February 2, 2006, we sold $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our ten-year, 7 1/8% Senior Notes due February 1, 2016. Interest on the notes will be paid February 1 and August 1 of each year. The proceeds from the sale of the notes were used to redeem our outstanding 9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2009 and are also intended to be used for other general corporate purposes.

9 1/8% Senior Notes Redemption

Effective February 17, 2006, we redeemed the balance of our outstanding 9 1/8% Senior Notes due 2009. In accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes, the remaining principal amount of the notes of approximately $442.0 million was redeemed at 104.563%, for a total of approximately $462.1 million. The premium paid of approximately $20.1 million, along with unamortized debt issuance costs of approximately $2.8 million, were recorded as charges to earnings in February 2006.

See also Note 14 “Subsequent Events”.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

9. Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

Common Stock Repurchases

During the third quarter of 2004, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an aggregate of up to $1.0 billion of our Class A common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, we purchased approximately 0.4 million shares of our Class A common stock under this plan for approximately $11.7 million. During the second quarter of 2006, the Board of Directors extended the plan to expire on the earlier of December 31, 2006 or when an aggregate amount of $1.0 billion of stock has been purchased under the plan.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies

Distant Network Litigation

On October 20, 2006, a District Court in Florida entered a permanent nationwide injunction prohibiting us from offering distant network channels to consumers effective December 1, 2006. Distant networks are ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox network channels which originate outside the community where the consumer who wants to view them, lives.

Approximately 900,000 of our customers currently subscribe to distant network channels, generating approximately $3.0 million of gross distant network channel revenue per month. We are pursuing judicial, legislative and other avenues to attempt to protect access to these channels by our customers but there can be no assurance we will be successful.

We currently offer local network channels by satellite in approximately 170 markets, serving over 95% of all U.S. households. Consequently, a majority of our distant network subscribers live in markets where we offer local network channels by satellite, but a significant percentage live in the approximately 40 markets where local network channels are not available by satellite. Our customers in those 40 markets are at greatest risk of canceling their subscription for our other services, particularly the substantial percentage of those customers who are eligible to obtain local or distant network channels from our competitors. Further, in approximately a dozen markets where we offer local channels, one or more networks do not have a local affiliate. In those markets distant networks are the only option available for consumers who want access to the network signals missing from the market. Those customers are also at increased risk of canceling their subscription for our other services.

We are beginning to install free off air antennas for the small percentage of those subscribers who can receive local channels off air and are willing to have an antenna installed, and continue to pursue other options to minimize potential disruption to these customers. We are also preparing to provide local channels to our distant network customers who live in the 170 markets where we offer local channels by satellite. Some of those subscribers will need additional equipment to receive local channels. We are beginning to install that equipment without cost to those customers but will not be able to complete all of those installations by December 1, 2006. Some of those customers currently subscribe to both distant and local channels so revenue from those subscribers will decline. Further, we cannot predict the number of customers who currently subscribe to only distant network channels, but will choose not to switch to local channels.

Absent modification, the injunction would negate a settlement agreement we recently reached with the ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox Affiliate Associations, which would have required us to pay $100.0 million in order to retain a limited right to offer distant networks in their markets. It also negates settlement agreements we reached with the ABC, NBC and CBS Networks, and with various independent stations and station groups, over the eight year course of the litigation.

Termination of distant network channels will result, among other things, in a small reduction in average monthly revenue per subscriber and free cash flow, and a temporary increase in subscriber churn. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty how many of our distant network subscribers would cancel their primary DISH Network programming as a result of termination of their distant channels. We would also be at a competitive disadvantage in the future, since the injunction prohibits us from offering distant network channels that may continue to be offered by our competitors to new customers in markets where they do not offer local channels.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

Superguide

During 2000, Superguide Corp. (“Superguide”) filed suit against us, DirecTV, Thomson and others in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Asheville Division, alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,038,211 (the ‘211 patent), 5,293,357 (the ‘357 patent) and 4,751,578 (the ‘578 patent) which relate to certain electronic program guide functions, including the use of electronic program guides to control VCRs. Superguide sought injunctive and declaratory relief and damages in an unspecified amount.

On summary judgment, the District Court ruled that none of the asserted patents were infringed by us. These rulings were appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. During February 2004, the Federal Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part the District Court’s findings and remanded the case back to the District Court for further proceedings. In July 2005, SuperGuide indicated that it would no longer pursue infringement allegations with respect to the ‘211 and ‘357 patents and those patents have now been dismissed from the suit. The District Court subsequently entered judgment of non-infringement in favor of all defendants as to the ‘211 and ‘357 patents and ordered briefing on Thomson’s license defense as to the ‘578 patent. At the same time, we requested leave to add a license defense as to the ‘578 patent in view of a new (at the time) license we obtained from a third-party licensed by Superguide. Activity in the case has been suspended pending resolution of the license defense and a trial date has not been set. We are awaiting a decision by the District Court regarding Thomson’s license defense and regarding whether it will hear our license defense. We examined the ‘578 patent and believe that it is not infringed by any of our products or services. We will continue to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly electronic programming guide and related features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Broadcast Innovation, L.L.C.

In 2001, Broadcast Innovation, L.L.C. (“Broadcast Innovation”) filed a lawsuit against us, DirecTV, Thomson Consumer Electronics and others in Federal District Court in Denver, Colorado. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,076,094 (the ‘094 patent) and 4,992,066 (the ‘066 patent). The ‘094 patent relates to certain methods and devices for transmitting and receiving data along with specific formatting information for the data. The ‘066 patent relates to certain methods and devices for providing the scrambling circuitry for a pay television system on removable cards. We examined these patents and believe that they are not infringed by any of our products or services. Subsequently, DirecTV and Thomson settled with Broadcast Innovation leaving us as the only defendant.

During 2004, the judge issued an order finding the ‘066 patent invalid. In August of 2004, the Court ruled the ‘094 invalid in a parallel case filed by Broadcast Innovation against Charter and Comcast. In August of 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“CAFC”) overturned this finding of invalidity and remanded the case back to the District Court. During June 2006, Charter filed a reexamination request with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Court has stayed the case pending reexamination. Our case remains stayed pending resolution of the Charter case.

We intend to continue to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

Tivo, Inc.

During April 2006, a Texas jury concluded that certain of our digital video recorders, or DVRs, infringed a patent held by Tivo. The Texas court subsequently issued an injunction prohibiting us from offering DVR functionality. A Court of Appeals has stayed that injunction during the pendency of our appeal.

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5: “Accounting for Contingencies” (“SFAS 5”), we recorded a total reserve of $89.7 million in “Tivo litigation expense” on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations to reflect the jury verdict, supplemental damages and pre-judgment interest awarded through July 31, 2006. Based on our current analysis of the case, including the appellate record and other factors, we believe it is more likely than not that we will prevail on appeal. Consequently, we are not recording additional amounts for supplemental damages or interest subsequent to the July 31, 2006 judgment date.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, we would be required to pay additional amounts from August 1, 2006 until such time, if ever, as we successfully implement alternative technology. Those amounts would be approximately $5.7 million, $5.9 million and $6.0 million for August, September and October 2006, respectively, and would increase each month as the number of our DVR customers increases and as interest compounds. If the verdict is upheld on appeal and we are not able to successfully implement alternative technology (including the successful defense of any challenge that such technology infringes Tivo’s patent), we could also be prohibited from distributing DVRs, or be required to modify or eliminate certain user-friendly DVR features that we currently offer to consumers. In that event we would be at a significant disadvantage to our competitors who could offer this functionality and, while we would attempt to provide that functionality through other manufacturers, the adverse affect on our business could be material.

Acacia

In June 2004, Acacia Media Technologies (“Acacia”) filed a lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit also named DirecTV, Comcast, Charter, Cox and a number of smaller cable companies as defendants. Acacia is an intellectual property holding company which seeks to license the patent portfolio that it has acquired. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,132,992 (the ‘992 patent), 5,253,275 (the ‘275 patent), 5,550,863 (the ‘863 patent), 6,002,720 (the ‘720 patent) and 6,144,702 (the ‘702 patent). The ‘992, ‘863, ‘720 and ‘702 patents have been asserted against us.

The patents relate to various systems and methods related to the transmission of digital data. The ‘992 and ‘702 patents have also been asserted against several internet content providers in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. During 2004 and 2005, the Court issued Markman rulings which found that the ‘992 and ‘702 patents were not as broad as Acacia had contended, and that certain terms in the ‘702 patent were indefinite. During April 2006, EchoStar and other defendants asked the Court to rule that the claims of the ‘702 patent are invalid and not infringed. That motion is pending. In June and September 2006, the Court held Markman hearings on the ‘992, ‘863, ‘720 and ‘275 patents, but has not yet issued a ruling.

Acacia’s various patent infringement cases have been consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Forgent

In July 2005, Forgent Networks, Inc. (“Forgent”) filed a lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The suit also named DirecTV, Charter, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cable One and Cox as defendants. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent No. 6,285,746 (the ‘746 patent).

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

The ‘746 patent discloses a video teleconferencing system which utilizes digital telephone lines. We have examined this patent and do not believe that it is infringed by any of our products or services. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe this patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify certain user-friendly features that we currently offer to consumers. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages. Trial is currently scheduled for May 2007 in Marshall, Texas. On October 2, 2006, the Patent and Trademark Office granted our petition for reexamination of the ‘746 patent. On October 27, 2006, the Patent and Trademark Office issued its initial office action rejecting all of the claims of the ‘746 patent in light of several prior art references. Forgent will have an opportunity to challenge the initial office action. We have moved to have the case stayed pending resolution of the reexamination. The Court has not yet ruled on the motion.

Finisar Corporation

Finisar Corporation (“Finisar”) recently obtained a $100.0 million verdict in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against DirecTV for patent infringement. Finisar alleged that DirecTV’s electronic program guide and other elements of its system infringe United States Patent No. 5,404,505 (the ‘505 patent).

On July 10, 2006, we, together with NagraStar LLC, filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Finisar that asks the Court to declare that they and we do not infringe, and have not infringed, any valid claim of the ‘505 patent. Trial is not currently scheduled. We intend to vigorously defend our rights in this action. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe this patent, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to modify our system architecture. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Trans Video

In August 2006, Trans Video Electronic, Ltd. (“Trans Video”) filed a patent infringement action against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit alleges infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,903,621 (the ‘621 patent) and 5,991,801 (the ‘801 patent). The patents relate to various methods related to the transmission of digital data. We have not been served with the complaint yet. We intend to vigorously defend this case. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe any of the patents, we may be subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Retailer Class Actions

During 2000, lawsuits were filed by retailers in Colorado state and federal court attempting to certify nationwide classes on behalf of certain of our satellite hardware retailers. The plaintiffs are requesting the Courts declare certain provisions of, and changes to, alleged agreements between us and the retailers invalid and unenforceable, and to award damages for lost incentives and payments, charge backs, and other compensation. We are vigorously defending against the suits and have asserted a variety of counterclaims. The federal court action was stayed during the pendency of the state court action. We filed a motion for summary judgment on all counts and against all plaintiffs. The plaintiffs filed a motion for additional time to conduct discovery to enable them to respond to our motion. The Court granted limited discovery which ended during 2004. The plaintiffs claimed we did not provide adequate disclosure during the discovery process, and a specially appointed master agreed with the plaintiffs, recently recommending to the judge that our motion for summary judgment be denied, or that plaintiffs be permitted to conduct additional discovery. Plaintiffs also asked the Court to go beyond the scope of the special master’s recommendation, and further sanction us for the alleged discovery problems by entering judgment against us on the issue of liability, leaving only the issue of damages for trial. The judge has not yet ruled on the special master’s recommendation. A trial date has not been set. We cannot

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Enron Commercial Paper Investment Complaint

During October 2001, we received approximately $40.0 million from the sale of Enron commercial paper to a third party broker. That commercial paper was ultimately purchased by Enron. During November 2003, an action was commenced in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, against approximately 100 defendants, including us, who invested in Enron’s commercial paper. The complaint alleges that Enron’s October 2001 purchase of its commercial paper was a fraudulent conveyance and voidable preference under bankruptcy laws. We dispute these allegations. We typically invest in commercial paper and notes which are rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. At the time of our investment in Enron commercial paper, it was considered to be high quality and low risk. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Bank One

During 2004, Bank One, N.A. (“Bank One”) filed suit against us and one of our subsidiaries, EchoStar Acceptance Corporation (“EAC”), in Ohio state court alleging breach of a duty to indemnify. The case was subsequently moved to federal court. Bank One alleges EAC is contractually required to indemnify Bank One for a settlement it paid to consumers who entered private label credit card agreements with Bank One to purchase satellite equipment in the late 1990s. The case is currently in discovery. A trial date has not been set. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of the suit or determine the extent of any potential liability or damages.

Church Communications Network, Inc.

During 2004, Church Communications Network, Inc. (“CCN”) filed suit against us in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. CCN claimed approximately $20.0 million in actual damages, plus punitive damages for, among other things, alleged breaches of two contracts, and negligent, intentional and reckless misrepresentation. During March 2006, the Court granted summary judgment in our favor limiting CCN to one contract claim, and limiting damages to no more than $500,000, plus interest. During April 2006, we reached a settlement which did not have a material impact on our results of operations.

Vivendi

In January 2005, Vivendi Universal, S.A. (“Vivendi”) filed a breach of contract suit against us. During April 2005, the Court granted Vivendi’s motion for a preliminary injunction requiring that we carry a music-video channel during the pendency of the litigation. On May 23, 2006, the parties settled the litigation and Vivendi’s complaint was dismissed with prejudice. As part of the settlement, we agreed to continue to carry the music-video channel. The settlement amount did not have a material impact on our results of operations.

Riyad Alshuaibi

During 2002, Riyad Alshuaibi filed suit against Michael Kelly, one of our executive officers, Kelly Broadcasting Systems, Inc. (“KBS”), and EchoStar in the District Court of New Jersey. Plaintiff alleged breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, negligence, and unjust enrichment resulting in damages in excess of $50.0 million. Plaintiff claimed that when KBS was acquired by us, Michael Kelly and KBS breached an alleged agreement with the plaintiff. We denied the allegations of plaintiff’s complaint. On October 26, 2006, we reached a settlement which did not have a material impact on our results of operations.

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

Other

In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

11. Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and amortization expense consists of the following:

		For the Three Months								For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,								Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2006				2005
		(In thousands)
Equipment leased to customers		$	185,959			$	119,794			$	503,507			$	303,211
Satellites			59,421				50,982				174,573				144,941
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other			40,034				30,577				107,572				90,975
Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization			9,172				9,171				27,515				29,864
Buildings and improvements			1,865				1,712				4,746				4,096
Total depreciation and amortization		$	296,451			$	212,236			$	817,913			$	573,087

Cost of sales and operating expense categories included in our accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations do not include depreciation expense related to satellites or equipment leased to customers.

12. Segment Reporting

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS 131”) establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial statements of public business enterprises and requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports issued to stockholders. Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker(s) of an enterprise. Under this definition we currently operate as two business units. The All Other category consists of revenue and net income (loss) from other operating segments for which the disclosure requirements of SFAS 131 do not apply.

		For the Three Months								For the Nine Months
		Ended September 30,								Ended September 30,
		2006				2005				2006				2005
		(In thousands)
Revenue
DISH Network		$	2,413,813			$	2,057,881			$	6,984,868			$	6,045,969
ETC			33,903				40,730				164,928				130,918
All other			29,718				32,649				86,025				79,530
Eliminations			(6,068	)			(3,039	)			(16,060	)			(8,710	)
Total revenue		$	2,471,366			$	2,128,221			$	7,219,761			$	6,247,707
Net income (loss)
DISH Network		$	128,137			$	198,105			$	424,917			$	1,360,538
ETC			(6,869	)			(4,538	)			2,481				(9,617	)
All other			18,348				15,297				28,278				30,994
Total net income (loss)		$	139,616			$	208,864			$	455,676			$	1,381,915

ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)

13. Related Party

We own 50% of NagraStar L.L.C. (“NagraStar”), a joint venture that is our exclusive provider of encryption and related security systems intended to assure that only paying customers have access to our programming. During the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we purchased approximately $6.6 million and $18.4 million, respectively, of security access devices from NagraStar and during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, we purchased approximately $41.0 million and $104.7 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, amounts payable to NagraStar totaled $6.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Additionally as of September 30, 2006, we were committed to purchase approximately $24.2 million of security access devices from NagraStar.

14. Subsequent Events

On October 1, 2006, we redeemed the balance of our outstanding Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2008. In accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the notes, the principal amount of the notes of $500.0 million was redeemed at 101.0%, for a total of $505.0 million. The premium paid of $5.0 million, along with unamortized debt issuance costs of approximately $1.0 million, were recorded as charges to earnings in October 2006.

On October 18, 2006, we sold $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of our seven-year, 7% Senior Notes due October 1, 2013 in a private placement in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933. Interest on the notes will be paid April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing April 1, 2007. The proceeds from the sale of the notes replaced the cash on hand that was used to redeem our outstanding Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2008 on October 1, 2006.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

EXPLANATION OF KEY METRICS AND OTHER ITEMS

Subscriber-related revenue. “Subscriber-related revenue” consists principally of revenue from basic, movie, local, international and pay-per-view subscription television services, advertising sales, digital video recorder (“DVR”) fees, equipment rental fees and additional outlet fees from subscribers with multiple set-top boxes, fees earned from our DishHOME Protection Plan and other subscriber revenue. “Subscriber-related revenue” also includes revenue from equipment sales, installation and other services related to our original agreement with AT&T. Revenue from equipment sales to AT&T is deferred and recognized over the estimated average co-branded subscriber life. Revenue from installation and certain other services performed at the request of AT&T is recognized upon completion of the services.

Development and implementation fees received from AT&T are being recognized in “Subscriber-related revenue” over the next several years. In order to estimate the amount recognized monthly, we first divide the number of subscribers activated during the month under the AT&T agreement by total estimated subscriber activations during the life of the contract. We then multiply this percentage by the total development and implementation fees received from AT&T. The resulting estimated amount is recognized monthly as revenue over the estimated average subscriber life.

During the fourth quarter 2005, we modified and extended our distribution and sales agency agreement with AT&T. We believe our overall economic return will be similar under both arrangements. However, the impact of subscriber acquisition on many of our line item business metrics was substantially different under the original AT&T agreement, compared to most other sales channels (including the revised AT&T agreement).

Among other things, our “Subscriber-related revenue” will be impacted in a number of respects. Commencing in the fourth quarter 2005, new subscribers acquired under our revised AT&T agreement do not generate equipment sales, installation or other services revenue from AT&T. However, our programming services revenue is greater for subscribers acquired under the revised AT&T agreement.

Deferred equipment sales revenue relating to subscribers acquired through our original AT&T agreement will continue to have a positive impact on “Subscriber-related revenue” over the estimated average life of those subscribers. Further, development and implementation fees received from AT&T will continue to be recognized over the estimated average subscriber life of all subscribers acquired under both the original and revised agreements with AT&T.

Equipment sales. “Equipment sales” include sales of non-DISH Network digital receivers and related components to an international DBS service provider and to other international customers. “Equipment sales” also includes unsubsidized sales of DBS accessories to retailers and other distributors of our equipment domestically and to DISH Network subscribers. “Equipment sales” does not include revenue from sales of equipment to AT&T.

Effective the second quarter of 2006, we reclassified certain warranty and service related revenue from “Equipment sales” to “Subscriber-related revenue.” All prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

“Other” sales. “Other” sales consist principally of satellite transmission revenue and C-band subscription television service revenue.

Subscriber-related expenses. “Subscriber-related expenses” principally include programming expenses, costs incurred in connection with our in-home service and call center operations, overhead costs associated with our installation business, copyright royalties, billing costs, residual commissions paid to distributors, direct marketers, retailers and telecommunications partners, refurbishment and repair costs related to EchoStar receiver systems, subscriber retention and other variable subscriber expenses. “Subscriber-related expenses” also include the cost of sales from equipment sales, and expenses related to installation and other services from our original agreement with AT&T. Cost of sales from equipment sales to AT&T are deferred and recognized over the estimated average co-branded subscriber life. Expenses from installation and certain other services performed at the request of AT&T are recognized as the services are performed.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS —
             Continued

Under the revised AT&T agreement, we are including costs from equipment and installations in “Subscriber acquisition costs” or in capital expenditures, rather than in “Subscriber-related expenses.” To the extent all other factors remain constant, this will tend to improve operating margins compared to previous periods. We will continue to include in “Subscriber-related expenses” the costs deferred from equipment sales made to AT&T. These costs are being amortized over the life of the subscribers acquired under the original AT&T agreement.

Since equipment and installation costs previously reflected in “Subscriber-related expenses” are being included in “Subscriber acquisition costs” or in capital expenditures under the revised AT&T agreement, to the extent all other factors remain constant, this change will also cause increases in “Subscriber acquisition costs” and SAC. This will tend to negatively impact free cash flow in the short term if substantial additional subscribers are added through AT&T in the future, but we believe that free cash flow will improve over time since better operating margins are expected from those customers under the terms of the revised AT&T agreement. We also expect that the historical negative impact on subscriber turnover from subscribers acquired pursuant to our agreement with AT&T will decline.

Satellite and transmission expenses. “Satellite and transmission expenses” include costs associated with the operation of our digital broadcast centers, the transmission of local channels, satellite telemetry, tracking and control services, satellite and transponder leases, and other related services.

Cost of sales – equipment. “Cost of sales – equipment” principally includes costs associated with non-DISH Network digital receivers and related components sold to an international DBS service provider and to other international customers. “Cost of sales – equipment” also includes unsubsidized sales of DBS accessories to retailers and other distributors of our equipment domestically and to DISH Network subscribers. “Cost of sales – equipment” does not include the costs from sales of equipment to AT&T.

Effective the second quarter of 2006, we reclassified certain warranty and service related expenses from “Cost of sales – equipment” to “Subscriber-related expenses” and “Depreciation and amortization.” All prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Cost of sales – other. “Cost of sales – other” principally includes programming and other expenses associated with the C-band subscription television service business of SNG and costs related to satellite transmission services.

Subscriber acquisition costs. In addition to leasing receivers, we generally subsidize installation and all or a portion of the cost of EchoStar receiver systems in order to attract new DISH Network subscribers. Our “Subscriber acquisition costs” include the cost of EchoStar receiver systems sold to retailers and other distributors of our equipment, the cost of receiver systems sold directly by us to subscribers, net costs related to our promotional incentives, and costs related to installation and acquisition advertising. We exclude the value of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new subscribers from “Subscriber acquisition costs.”

As discussed above, equipment and installation costs previously reflected in “Subscriber-related expenses” are being included in “Subscriber acquisition costs” or in capital expenditures under the revised AT&T agreement. To the extent all other factors remain constant, this change will also cause increases in “Subscriber acquisition costs” and SAC. This will tend to negatively impact free cash flow in the short term if substantial additional subscribers are added through AT&T in the future, but we believe that free cash flow will improve over time since better operating margins are expected from those customers under the terms of the revised AT&T agreement. The historical negative impact on subscriber turnover from subscribers acquired pursuant to our agreement with AT&T declined under the revised AT&T agreement.

SAC. We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating the “average subscriber acquisition costs per new subscriber activation,” or SAC, and we believe presentations of SAC may not be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. We include all new DISH Network subscribers in our calculation, including DISH Network subscribers added with little or no subscriber acquisition costs.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS —
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Prior to January 1, 2006, we calculated SAC for the period by dividing the amount of our expense line item “Subscriber acquisition costs” for the period, by our gross new DISH Network subscribers added during that period. Separately, we then disclosed our “Equivalent SAC” for the period by adding the value of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new subscribers, and other offsetting amounts, to our “Subscriber acquisition cost” expense line item prior to dividing by our gross new subscriber number. Management believes subscriber acquisition cost measures are commonly used by those evaluating companies in the multi-channel video programming distribution, or MVPD, industry. Because our Equivalent SAC includes all of the costs of acquiring subscribers (i.e., subsidized and capitalized equipment), our management focuses on Equivalent SAC as the more comprehensive measure of how much we are spending to acquire new subscribers. As such, effective January 1, 2006, we began disclosing only “Equivalent SAC,” which we now refer to as SAC. SAC is now calculated as “Subscriber acquisition costs,” plus the value of equipment capitalized under our lease program for new subscribers, divided by gross subscriber additions. During the first quarter of 2006, we included in our calculation of SAC the benefit of payments we received in connection with equipment not returned to us from disconnecting lease subscribers and returned equipment that is made available for sale rather than being redeployed through our lease program, as described in that Form 10-Q. Effective the second quarter of 2006, our revised SAC calculation no longer includes these benefits. Instead, these benefits are separately disclosed. All prior period SAC calculations have been revised to conform to the current period calculation.

General and administrative expenses. “General and administrative expenses” primarily include employee-related costs associated with administrative services such as legal, information systems, accounting and finance. It also includes outside professional fees (i.e. legal and accounting services) and building maintenance expense and other items associated with administration.

Interest expense. “Interest expense” primarily includes interest expense, prepayment premiums and amortization of debt issuance costs associated with our senior debt and convertible subordinated debt securities (net of capitalized interest) and interest expense associated with our capital lease obligations.

“Other” income (expense). The main components of “Other” income and expense are unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair value of non-marketable strategic investments accounted for at fair value, equity in earnings and losses of our affiliates, gains and losses realized on the sale of investments, and impairment of marketable and non-marketable investment securities.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). EBITDA is defined as “Net income (loss)” plus “Interest expense” net of “Interest income,” “Taxes” and “Depreciation and amortization.”

DISH Network subscribers. We include customers obtained through direct sales, and through our retail networks, including our co-branding relationship with AT&T and other distribution relationships, in our DISH Network subscriber count. We believe our overall economic return for co-branded and traditional subscribers will be comparable. We also provide DISH Network service to hotels, motels and other commercial accounts. For certain of these commercial accounts, we divide our total revenue for these commercial accounts by an amount approximately equal to the retail price of our most widely distributed programming package, AT60 (but taking into account, periodically, price changes and other factors), and include the resulting number, which is substantially smaller than the actual number of commercial units served, in our DISH Network subscriber count.

During April 2004, we acquired a C-band subscription television service business, the assets of which primarily consist of acquired customer relationships. Although we are converting some of these customer relationships from C-band subscription television services to our DISH Network DBS subscription television service, acquired C-band subscribers are not included in our DISH Network subscriber count unless they have also subscribed to our DISH Network DBS television service.

Monthly average revenue per subscriber (“ARPU”). We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating ARPU and believe presentations of ARPU may not be calculated consistently by other companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate average monthly revenue per subscriber, or ARPU, by dividing average monthly

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS —
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“Subscriber-related revenues” for the period (total “Subscriber-related revenue” during the period divided by the number of months in the period) by our average DISH Network subscribers for the period. Average DISH Network subscribers are calculated for the period by adding the average DISH Network subscribers for each month and dividing by the number of months in the period. Average DISH Network subscribers for each month are calculated by adding the beginning and ending DISH Network subscribers for the month and dividing by two.

The changes to our agreement with AT&T will also impact ARPU. The magnitude of that impact, and whether ARPU increases or decreases during particular future periods, will depend on the timing and number of subscribers acquired pursuant to the modified agreement with AT&T.

Subscriber churn rate/subscriber turnover. We are not aware of any uniform standards for calculating subscriber churn rate and believe presentations of subscriber churn rates may not be calculated consistently by different companies in the same or similar businesses. We calculate percentage monthly subscriber churn by dividing the number of DISH Network subscribers who terminate service during each month by total DISH Network subscribers as of the beginning of that month. We calculate average subscriber churn rate for any period by dividing the number of DISH Network subscribers who terminated service during that period by the average number of DISH Network subscribers subject to churn during the period, and further dividing by the number of months in the period. Average DISH Network subscribers subject to churn during the period are calculated by adding the DISH Network subscribers as of the beginning of each month in the period and dividing by the total number of months in the period.

Free cash flow. We define free cash flow as “Net cash flows from operating activities” less “Purchases of property and equipment,” as shown on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS —
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2006 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005.

		For the Three Months
		Ended September 30,								Variance
		2006				2005				Amount				%
Statements of Operations Data		(In thousands)
Revenue:
Subscriber-related revenue		$	2,373,888			$	2,010,441			$	363,447				18.1	%
Equipment sales			74,803				95,875				(21,072	)			(22.0	%)
Other			22,675				21,905				770				3.5	%
Total revenue			2,471,366				2,128,221				343,145				16.1	%
Costs and Expenses:
Subscriber-related expenses			1,220,026				997,473				222,553				22.3	%
% of Subscriber-related revenue			51.4	%			49.6	%
Satellite and transmission expenses			36,542				34,239				2,303				6.7	%
% of Subscriber-related revenue			1.5	%			1.7	%
Cost of sales – equipment			58,809				68,763				(9,954	)			(14.5	%)
% of Equipment sales			78.6	%			71.7	%
Cost of sales – other			2,093				4,811				(2,718	)			(56.5	%)
Subscriber acquisition costs			438,827				402,565				36,262				9.0	%
General and administrative			135,366				116,250				19,116				16.4	%
% of Total revenue			5.5	%			5.5	%
Tivo litigation expense			1,442				—				1,442				N/M
Depreciation and amortization			296,451				212,236				84,215				39.7	%
Total costs and expenses			2,189,556				1,836,337				353,219				19.2	%
Operating income (loss)			281,810				291,884				(10,074	)			(3.5	%)
Other income (expense):
Interest income			33,884				12,668				21,216				N/M
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized			(112,795	)			(94,022	)			(18,773	)			(20.0	%)
Other			1,361				7,342				(5,981	)			(81.5	%)
Total other income (expense)			(77,550	)			(74,012	)			(3,538	)			(4.8	%)
Income (loss) before income taxes			204,260				217,872				(13,612	)			(6.2	%)
Income tax benefit (provision), net			(64,644	)			(9,008	)			(55,636	)			N/M
Net income (loss)		$	139,616			$	208,864			$	(69,248	)			(33.2	%)
Other Data:
DISH Network subscribers, as of period end (in millions)			12.755				11.710				1.045				8.9	%
DISH Network subscriber additions, gross (in millions)			0.958				0.900				0.058				6.4	%
DISH Network subscriber additions, net (in millions)			0.295				0.255				0.040				15.7	%
Subscriber churn rate			1.76	%			1.86	%			(0.10	%)			(5.4	%)
Average revenue per subscriber (“ARPU”)		$	62.86			$	57.87			$	4.99				8.6	%
Average subscriber acquisition costs per subscriber (“SAC”)		$	688			$	697			$	(9	)			(1.3	%)
EBITDA		$	579,622			$	511,462			$	68,160				13.3	%