v3.25.2
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations  
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations

8.Debt and Finance Lease Obligations

Fair Value of our Debt

The following table summarizes the carrying amount and fair value of our debt facilities as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024:

As of

June 30, 2025

December 31, 2024

Issuer

    

Carrying
Amount

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying
Amount

    

Fair Value

(In thousands)

0% Convertible Notes due 2025

DISH

$

138,403

$

125,717

$

138,403

$

124,916

Term Loan due 2025 (1)

DBS SubscriberCo

166,667

166,667

500,000

500,000

7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026

DDBS

2,000,000

1,779,660

2,000,000

1,678,640

3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026

DISH

45,209

37,987

45,209

38,495

5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026

DDBS

2,750,000

2,502,500

2,750,000

2,507,780

11 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2027

DISH

3,500,000

3,605,000

3,500,000

3,708,460

7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2028

DDBS

1,000,000

722,500

1,000,000

715,680

5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028

DDBS

2,500,000

2,175,000

2,500,000

2,143,350

5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2029

DDBS

1,500,000

987,480

1,500,000

959,610

Term Loan due 2029 (2)

DBS SubscriberCo

1,800,000

1,761,313

1,800,000

1,800,000

Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Shares due 2029 (2)(5)

DBS SubscriberCo

200,000

193,519

200,000

200,000

DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche (3)

Intercompany

4,767,289

4,767,289

4,767,289

4,767,289

EchoStar 2024 Intercompany Loan (4)

Intercompany

2,666,444

2,625,370

1,014,522

1,014,522

Other notes payable

38,402

38,402

63,297

63,297

Subtotal

23,072,414

$

21,488,404

21,778,720

$

20,222,039

Unamortized deferred financing costs and other debt discounts, net

(106,442)

(157,662)

Finance lease obligations (6)

55,793

67,199

Total

23,021,765

21,688,257

Less: current portion (2)

(1,042,012)

(933,481)

Total debt, finance lease and other obligations, net of current portion

$

21,979,753

$

20,754,776

(1)During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we redeemed approximately $166 million and $333 million, respectively, of our Term Loan due 2025. The remaining balance of approximately $167 million is paid monthly and the final payment is due September 30, 2025.
(2)A portion of the principal balance of these instruments is classified as “Current portion of debt, finance lease and other obligations” due to payment terms upon which we will pay a portion of principal balance based on the variable cash flows for certain Pay-TV business metrics which are an estimate and could change significantly based on actual performance.
(3)The DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche is not publicly traded and the estimated fair value of the assets associated with the underlying collateral are greater than or equal to carrying value, therefore the carrying value is deemed to be the fair value.
(4)During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we borrowed an addition principal amount of $847 million and $1.557 billion, respectively, under the EchoStar 2024 Intercompany Loan. In addition, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we made interest payments in kind of $59 million and $95 million, respectively.
(5)Due to the June 30, 2029 mandatory redemption feature of this instrument, it is considered a debt instrument.
(6)Disclosure regarding fair value of finance leases is not required.

We estimated the fair value of our publicly traded long-term debt using market prices in less active markets (Level 2). We estimated the fair value of our non-publicly traded debt based on, among other things, available trade information and/or valuations performed by a third-party (Level 3).

Senior Notes and Convertible Notes

The below summaries are not complete and are qualified in entirety by reference to the full and complete text of the applicable indentures.

Existing DISH Convertible Notes

0% Convertible Notes due 2025

On December 21, 2020, we issued $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes due December 15, 2025 in a private placement. A portion of these notes were extinguished and an aggregate principal amount of $138 million remains outstanding. These notes will not bear interest, and the principal amount of the Notes will not increase over time.

The Convertible Notes due 2025 are:

our general unsecured obligations;
ranked senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes due 2025;
ranked equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness;
ranked effectively junior to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness;
ranked structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; and
not guaranteed by our subsidiaries.

We may not redeem the Convertible Notes due 2025 prior to the maturity date. If a “fundamental change” (as defined in the related indenture) occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes due 2025, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes due 2025 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Convertible Notes due 2025, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The indenture related to the Convertible Notes due 2025 does not contain any financial covenants and does not restrict us from paying dividends, issuing or repurchasing our other securities, issuing new debt (including secured debt) or repaying or repurchasing our debt.

Subject to the terms of the related indenture, the Convertible Notes due 2025 may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 8.566 shares of EchoStar’s Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes due 2025 (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $116.74 per share of EchoStar’s Class A common stock) (the “Initial Conversion Rate”), at any time on or after July 15, 2025 through the second scheduled trading day preceding the maturity date. Holders of the Convertible Notes due 2025 also had the right to convert the Convertible Notes due 2025 at the Initial Conversion Rate prior to July 15, 2025, but only upon the occurrence of specified events described in the related indenture. The conversion rate is subject to anti-dilution adjustments if certain events occur. Upon any conversion, EchoStar will settle its conversion obligation in cash, shares of EchoStar’s Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of EchoStar’s Class A common stock, at its election.

3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026

On August 8, 2016, we issued $3.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes due August 15, 2026 in a private offering. A portion of these notes were extinguished and an aggregate principal amount of $45 million remains outstanding. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 3 3/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year.

The Convertible Notes due 2026 are:

our general unsecured obligations;
ranked senior in right of payment to any future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes due 2026;
ranked equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness;
ranked effectively junior to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness;
ranked structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries; and
not guaranteed by our subsidiaries.

We may not redeem the Convertible Notes due 2026 prior to the maturity date. If a “fundamental change” (as defined in the related indenture) occurs prior to the maturity date of the Convertible Notes due 2026, holders may require us to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes due 2026 at a specified make-whole price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Convertible Notes due 2026, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The indenture related to the Convertible Notes due 2026 does not contain any financial covenants and does not restrict us from paying dividends, issuing or repurchasing our other securities, issuing new debt (including secured debt) or repaying or repurchasing our debt.

Subject to the terms of the related indenture, the Convertible Notes due 2026 may be converted at an initial conversion rate of 5.383 shares of EchoStar’s Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes due 2026 (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $185.76 per share of EchoStar’s Class A common stock) (the “Initial Conversion Rate”), at any time on or after March 15, 2026 through the second scheduled trading day preceding the maturity date. Holders of the Convertible Notes due 2026 will also have the right to convert the Convertible Notes due 2026 at the Initial Conversion Rate prior to March 15, 2026, but only upon the occurrence of specified events described in the related indenture. The conversion rate is subject to anti-dilution adjustments if certain events occur. Upon any conversion, EchoStar will settle its conversion obligation in cash, shares of EchoStar’s Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of EchoStar’s Class A common stock, at its election.

DISH DBS Unsecured Senior Notes

7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2026

On June 13, 2016, we issued $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our ten-year 7 3/4% Senior Notes due July 1, 2026. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 7 3/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year. We elected not to make the approximately $78 million cash interest payment due on July 1, 2025 (the “7 3/4% Interest Payment”). Under the related indenture, such non-payment is a default and we had a 30-day grace period to make the 7 3/4% Interest Payment before such non-payment would have been an Event of Default, as defined in the related indenture. On July 30, 2025, we made the scheduled 7 3/4% Interest Payment originally due July 1, 2025, including interest on the defaulted interest, within the applicable 30-day grace period to make such interest payment.

7 3/8% Senior Notes due 2028

On July 1, 2020, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our 7 3/8% Senior Notes due July 1, 2028. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 7 3/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year. We elected not to make the approximately $37 million cash interest payment due on July 1, 2025 (the “7 3/8% Interest Payment”). Under the related indenture, such non-payment is a default and we had a 30-day grace period to make the 7 3/8% Interest Payment before such non-payment would have been an Event of Default, as defined in the related indenture. On July 30, 2025, we made the scheduled 7 3/8% Interest Payment originally due July 1, 2025, including interest on the defaulted interest, within the applicable 30-day grace period to make such interest payment.

5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2029

On May 24, 2021, we issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 1/8% Senior Notes due June 1, 2029. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. We elected not to make the approximately $38 million cash interest payment due on June 2, 2025 (the “5 1/8% Interest Payment”). Under the related indenture, such non-payment is a default and we had a 30-day grace period to make the 5 1/8% Interest Payment before such non-payment would have been an Event of Default, as defined in the related indenture. On June 27, 2025, we made the scheduled 5 1/8% Interest Payment originally due June 2, 2025, including interest on the defaulted interest, within the applicable 30-day grace period to make such interest payment.

DISH DBS Senior Secured Notes

5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026

On November 26, 2021, we issued $2.750 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due December 1, 2026. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. We elected not to make the approximately $72 million cash interest payment due on June 2, 2025 (the “5 1/4% Interest Payment”). Under the related indenture, such non-payment is a default and we had a 30-day grace period to make the 5 1/4% Interest Payment before such non-payment would have been an Event of Default, as defined in the related indenture. On June 27, 2025, we made the scheduled 5 1/4% Interest Payment originally due June 2, 2025, including interest on the defaulted interest, within the applicable 30-day grace period to make such interest payment.

5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028

On November 26, 2021, we issued $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due December 1, 2028. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 5 3/4% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year. We elected not to make the approximately $72 million cash interest payment due on June 2, 2025 (the “5 3/4% Interest Payment”). Under the related indenture, such non-payment is a default and we had a 30-day grace period to make the 5 3/4% Interest Payment before such non-payment would have been an Event of Default, as defined in the related indenture. On June 27, 2025, we made the scheduled 5 3/4% Interest Payment originally due June 2, 2025, including interest on the defaulted interest, within the applicable 30-day grace period to make such interest payment.

Intercompany Loans

DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan

The net proceeds from the offering of our 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 and our 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “DISH DBS Senior Secured Notes”) issued on November 26, 2021 were used by DISH DBS to make an intercompany loan to DISH Network pursuant to a Loan and Security Agreement dated November 26, 2021 (together with potential future advances to DISH Network, the “DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan”) between DISH DBS and DISH Network in order to finance the purchase of wireless spectrum licenses and for general corporate purposes, including our 5G Network deployment. The DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan matures in two tranches, with the first tranche maturing on December 1, 2026 (the “DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche”) and the second tranche maturing on December 1, 2028 (the “DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2028 Tranche”). DISH DBS may make additional advances to DISH Network under the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan, and on February 11, 2022, DISH DBS advanced an additional $1.5 billion to DISH Network under the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche.

Interest accrues and is payable semiannually, and interest payments with respect to the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan were, at our option, payable in kind for the first two years from the issuance date of November 2021. In the third year post issuance date, a minimum of 50% of each interest payment due with respect to each tranche of the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan were required to be paid in cash. Currently and prospectively, interest payments must be paid in cash. Interest accrues: (a) when paid in cash, at a fixed rate of 0.25% per annum in excess of the interest rate applicable to, in the case of the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche, the 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026, and in the case of the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2028 Tranche, the 5 3/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (each, the “Cash Accrual Rate” with respect to the applicable tranche); and (b) when paid in kind, at a rate of 0.50% per annum in excess of the Cash Accrual Rate for the applicable tranche.

As of June 30, 2025, the total DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan amount outstanding plus interest paid in kind was $7.612 billion.

DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2028 Tranche. As of June 30, 2025, the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2028 Tranche amount outstanding plus interest paid in kind was $2.844 billion. The DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2028 Tranche is eliminated in consolidation.

DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche. In January 2024, DISH DBS assigned the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche of $4.7 billion to EchoStar Intercompany Receivable Company L.L.C., our parent, EchoStar’s, direct wholly-owned subsidiary, such that amounts owed in respect of the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche will now be paid by us to EchoStar Intercompany Receivable Company L.L.C. The DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche was previously eliminated in consolidation as it was held by DISH DBS.

As of June 30, 2025, the total DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche amount outstanding plus interest paid in kind was $4.767 billion, not including “DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche - Interest payable in cash” of $22 million recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we made $131 million in interest payments for the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan 2026 Tranche paid in cash to EchoStar Intercompany Receivable Company L.L.C., a subsidiary of our parent, EchoStar.

The DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan was initially secured by interest in the wireless spectrum licenses for the 3.45-3.55 GHz Licenses up to the total loan amount outstanding including interest paid in kind. Pursuant to the terms of the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan, under certain circumstances, DISH Network wireless spectrum licenses (valued based upon a third-party valuation) may be substituted for the collateral. During the first quarter of 2025, we exercised our right to exchange certain of the 3.45-3.55 GHz Licenses for certain other previously unencumbered wireless spectrum licenses of equal or greater value based upon the most recent third-party valuation, which we acquired as part of the Wireless Spectrum License Exchange, detailed and defined in Note 9. The DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan is not included as collateral for the DISH DBS Senior Secured Notes, and the DISH DBS Senior Secured Notes are subordinated to DISH DBS’s existing and certain future unsecured notes with respect to certain realizations under the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan and any collateral pledged as security for the DISH 2021 Intercompany Loan.

DISH Q2 2024 Intercompany Loan

In June 2024, we entered into an intercompany loan with DISH DBS (the “DISH Q2 2024 Intercompany Loan”) for an initial principal amount of $1.508 billion. The DISH Q2 2024 Intercompany Loan matures on August 13, 2028. Interest accrues and is payable monthly and interest payments are payable in kind. The interest rate with respect to the DISH Q2 2024 Intercompany Loan is at a variable rate. As of June 30, 2025, the total DISH Q2 2024 Intercompany Loan amount outstanding plus interest paid in kind was $1.631 billion. The DISH Q2 2024 Intercompany Loan is eliminated in consolidation.

DISH Q3 2024 Intercompany Loan

In September 2024, we entered into an intercompany loan with DISH DBS (the “DISH Q3 2024 Intercompany Loan”) for an initial principal amount of $481 million. The DISH Q3 2024 Intercompany Loan matures on November 13, 2028. Interest accrues and is payable monthly and interest payments are payable in kind. The interest rate with respect to the DISH Q3 2024 Intercompany Loan is at a variable rate. As of June 30, 2025, the total DISH Q3 2024 Intercompany Loan amount outstanding plus interest paid in kind was $510 million. The DISH Q3 2024 Intercompany Loan is eliminated in consolidation.

EchoStar 2024 Intercompany Loan

In November 2024, DISH Wireless L.L.C., our subsidiary, entered into an intercompany loan with EchoStar Financing L.L.C., a subsidiary of our parent, EchoStar, for a borrowing principal amount of up to $4.500 billion (the “EchoStar 2024 Intercompany Loan”), with all borrowings at the sole discretion of our parent, EchoStar. The EchoStar 2024 Intercompany Loan matures on November 30, 2030. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 11.50% and is payable monthly. Interest payments are payable in kind. DISH Wireless L.L.C., at its option, may elect to repay the EchoStar 2024 Intercompany Loan amount outstanding prior to maturity in cash or assets at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we borrowed an addition principal amount of $847 million and $1.557 billion, respectively. As of June 30, 2025, the total EchoStar 2024 Intercompany Loan amount outstanding plus interest paid in kind was $2.666 billion. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, we recorded $59 million and $95 million, respectively, of “Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized” on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).