Summary

EchoStar's DISH Network added approximately 445,000 net subscribers in Q2 2000, ending the quarter with over 4.3 million customers — a 34 percent improvement over Q2 1999. Total revenue reached $646 million for the quarter, beating Wall Street estimates despite increased subscriber acquisition costs and a growing operating loss.

Source document circa 2000 preserved as-is

Wednesday, August 2, 2000

DISH Reports Record Second Quarter


EchoStar's DISH Network added about 445,000 net subscribers during the second quarter, ending the three month period with more than 4.3 million customers.

DISH Network's second quarter subscriber growth was 34 percent greater than the number of net new customers added in the second quarter of 1999. And the subscriber growth for the first half of 2000 was 37 percent greater than the subscriber growth that occurred in the first half of 1999, the company said.

So far in 2000, DISH has added 900,000 subscribers.

The subscriber totals were announced Wednesday along with financial results for the second quarter, which beat Wall Street estimates.
Total revenue for the quarter was $646 million, compared to $350 million for the corresponding period in 1999. Pre-marketing cash flow was $221 million.

EchoStar saw increased subscriber acquisition costs, resulting in higher operating and net losses compared to second quarter 1999. The operating loss for the quarter grew to $86 million, compared to $51 million reported during the same period in 1999.

EchoStar Chairman Charlie Ergen said during the second quarter the company concentrated on improving its customer service infrastructure. "We wanted to put things in place to take care of the subscriber," he said. "We are not going to compromise customer service."