EchoStar CORP Revenue Disclosure
17.Revenue Recognition
Contract Balances
Our allowance for credit losses for trade accounts receivable were as follows:
| Pay-TV | Wireless (1) | Broadband and Satellite Services | Consolidated Total | ||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | | $ | 40,642 | $ | 3,789 | $ | 15,359 | $ | 59,790 | |||
Current period provision for expected credit losses | 56,421 | 10,881 | 34,085 | 101,387 | ||||||||
Write-offs charged against allowance | (61,743) | 4,001 | (29,371) | (87,113) | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation | — | — | 326 | 326 | ||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | 35,320 | $ | 18,671 | $ | 20,399 | $ | 74,390 | ||||
Current period provision for expected credit losses | 56,729 | 24,989 | 25,653 | 107,371 | ||||||||
Write-offs charged against allowance | (49,474) | (14,921) | (34,193) | (98,588) | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation | — | — | (545) | (545) | ||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2024 | $ | 42,575 | $ | 28,739 | $ | 11,314 | $ | 82,628 | ||||
Current period provision for expected credit losses | 27,303 | 33,640 | 21,073 | 82,016 | ||||||||
Write-offs charged against allowance | (33,861) | (36,365) | (14,877) | (85,103) | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation | — | — | 49 | 49 | ||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2025 | $ | 36,017 | $ | 26,014 | $ | 17,559 | $ | 79,590 | ||||
| (1) | Our allowance for credit losses for trade accounts receivable for our Other segment is immaterial and therefore included in the Wireless segment in the table above. |
Contract assets arise when we recognize revenue for providing a service in advance of billing our customers. Our contract assets typically relate to our long-term contracts where we recognize revenue using the cost-based input method and the revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer.
Our contract assets also include receivables related to sales-type leases recognized over the lease term as the customer is billed. Contract assets are amortized as the customer is billed for services. Contract assets are recorded in “Trade accounts receivable, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table summarizes our contract asset balances:
As of December 31, | ||||||
| 2025 | | 2024 | |||
(In thousands) | ||||||
Contract assets | $ | 138,723 | $ | 108,092 | ||
Contract liabilities arise when we bill our customers and receive consideration in advance of providing the service. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when the service has been provided to the customer.
Contract liabilities are recorded in “Deferred revenue and other” and “Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table summarizes our contract liability balances:
As of December 31, | ||||||
| 2025 | | 2024 | |||
(In thousands) | ||||||
Contract liabilities | $ | 607,970 | $ | 649,054 | ||
Our beginning of period contract liability recorded as customer contract revenue during 2025 was $607 million.
Performance Obligations
Pay-TV and Wireless Segments
We apply a practical expedient and do not disclose the value of the remaining performance obligations for contracts that are less than one year in duration, which represent a substantial majority of our revenue. As such, the amount of revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is not necessarily indicative of our future revenue.
Broadband and Satellite Services Segment
As of December 31, 2025, the remaining performance obligations for our customer contracts was approximately $1.4 billion. Performance obligations expected to be satisfied within one year and greater than one year are 28% and 72%, respectively. This amount and percentages exclude leasing arrangements and agreements with consumer customers.
Contract Acquisition Costs
The following table presents the activity in our contract acquisition costs, net:
For the Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||
| 2025 | | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 289,200 | $ | 352,114 | $ | 460,876 | |||
Additions | 243,801 | 260,403 | 321,470 | ||||||
Amortization expense | (271,881) | (321,717) | (431,181) | ||||||
Foreign currency translation | 826 | (1,600) | 949 | ||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 261,946 | $ | 289,200 | $ | 352,114 | |||
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 2, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 27, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Feb 23, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Feb 24, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Feb 23, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Feb 20, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Feb 21, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Feb 22, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Feb 24, 2017 | |
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.