Editing Dish Network (section)

==History==
[[File:EchoStar-Logo.svg|thumb|200px|Original logo as EchoStar Communications used from 1980 to 2007.]]
[[File:Original_Dish_Network_logo.svg|thumb|220x220px|Dish Network brand logo used by EchoStar from 2000–2005.]]
===Founding, early growth and launch of DBS services===
The company was formed in 1980 as EchoStar Communications by [[Charlie Ergen]], Candy Ergen, and Jim DeFranco, as a distributor of [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]] satellite television systems.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2002/09/02/327891/index.htm | title=The Charlie Ergen Show Echostar's founder is one tough operator who will soon take control of the satellite TV industry—if Washington lets him. |last=Gunther |first=Marc | work=[[CNN]] |date=September 2, 2002 }}</ref> In 1987, EchoStar applied for a [[satellite television]] [[broadcast license]] with the FCC and was granted access to orbital slot 119° west [[longitude]] in 1992.{{Citation needed|date=August 2020}} A year after the launch of its first satellite, [[EchoStar I]],<ref>{{Cite web | title=Technical details for satellite ECHOSTAR 1 | url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=23754 | website=N2YO.com}}</ref> EchoStar launched its DBS broadcast services under the DISH Network name on March 4, 1996.<ref name=scoop/> That launch marked the beginning of its television services under a [[subscription business model]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

===Spin-off of infrastructural assets===
In January 2007, EchoStar Communications completed the [[corporate spin-off]] of its technology and infrastructure assets into a separate company under the EchoStar name, and the remainder of the company was renamed DISH Network Corporation.<ref>{{cite news | last=Hachman | first=Mark | title=Echostar to Change Name to DISH, Spin off Set-Tops | url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2230153,00.asp | work=[[PC Magazine]] | date=December 7, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/echostar-spinoff-begins-trading/ | title=EchoStar Spinoff Begins Trading | work=[[The New York Times]] | date=January 3, 2008 | url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/01/03/echostar-holding-gains-in-second-day-after-spinoff-dish-climbs/ | title=EchoStar Holding gains in second day after spin-off, Dish climbs | agency=[[Bloomberg News]] | work=[[The Denver Post]] | date=January 3, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/echostar-names-dugan-ceo-ergen-remains-chairman-329182 | title=EchoStar Names Dugan CEO, As Ergen Remains Chairman | last=Spangler | first=Todd | work=[[Multichannel News]] | date=November 18, 2009}}</ref>

=== Acquisitions and expansion ===
Joseph Clayton became president and chief executive officer of the company in June 2011, while Charlie Ergen remained chairman.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2011/05/16/ergen-leaving-as-president-ceo-of-dish.html | title=New Dish Network CEO sees changed company soon | last=Avery | first=Greg | work=[[American City Business Journals]] | date=May 16, 2011 | url-access=subscription}}</ref> Clayton remained in the position until March 31, 2015, when he retired, leaving Ergen to resume the post.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/02/23/dish-network-ceo-joe-clayton-stepping-down.html | title=Dish Network CEO Joe Clayton stepping down | last=Wilking | first=Rick | work=[[CNBC]] | date=February 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/05/01/ergen-lays-out-dish-networks-10-year-plan/ |title=Ergen lays out Dish Network's 10-year plan | work=[[The Denver Post]] | agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=May 2, 2012}}</ref> In December 2017, Ergen was replaced by Erik Carlson.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dish-network-ceo-charlie-ergen-stepping-down-2017-12 | title=Dish Network's CEO is stepping down | first=Johnathan | last=Garber | work=[[Business Insider]] | date=December 5, 2017}}</ref> That same year, DISH Network spent over $3 billion in acquisitions of companies in bankruptcy,<ref name=deeper>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-10-13/a-deeper-dish-network | title=A Deeper Dish Network | first1=Alex | last1=Sherman | first2=Ronald | last2=Grover | work=[[Bloomberg News]] | date=October 13, 2011| url-access=subscription | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016172408/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/a-deeper-dish-network-10132011.html |archive-date=October 16, 2011 | url-status=live}}</ref> This included the April 6, 2011, purchase of [[Blockbuster (retailer)|Blockbuster]] in a bankruptcy auction for $322 million in cash and the assumption of $87 million in liabilities.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2011-apr-07-la-fi-ct-dish-blockbuster-20110407-story.html | title=Dish Network wins bidding for assets of bankrupt Blockbuster |first=Ben |last=Fritz |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=April 7, 2011 | url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.fastcompany.com/1745065/dish-buys-blockbuster-320-million-why | title=Dish Buys Blockbuster for $320 Million. Why? | first=David | last=Zax | work=[[Fast Company]] | date=April 6, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2011/04/06/why-does-dish-network-want-blockbuster/ | title=Why Does Dish Network Want Blockbuster? | first=Dorothy | last= Pomerantz | work=[[Forbes]] | date=April 6, 2011}}</ref> DISH Network also acquired DBSD and [[TerreStar Corporation]].<ref name="deeper" />

In September 2011, DISH would leverage Blockbuster's existing video on-demand and [[DVD-by-mail]] services as part of a new offering known as "Blockbuster Movie Pass"—an add-on for DISH Network television service incorporating movie channels, access to Blockbuster On Demand, and DVD-by-mail with unlimited in-store exchanges. The offering was positioned as a competitor to [[Netflix]], and [[Redbox]], with Blockbuster having touted that it received new releases for rental sooner than its competitors due to agreements they had reached requiring a 28-day delay.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Nilay |date=2011-09-23 |title=Blockbuster Movie Pass offers Dish Network customers streaming videos and discs by mail for just $10 a month |url=https://www.theverge.com/2011/9/27/2454809/blockbuster-movie-pass-offers-dish-network-customers-streaming-videos |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref name="deeper" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallenstein |first=Andrew |date=2011-10-27 |title=WB seeks 28-day delay for Blockbuster |url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/wb-seeks-28-day-delay-for-blockbuster-1118045112/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> DISH Network also made a bid to purchase [[Hulu]] in October 2011, but Hulu's owners chose not to sell the company.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-10-14/hulu-not-for-sale/50770090/1 | title=Hulu no longer for sale, owners say | first=Ryan | last=Nakashima | work=[[USA Today]] | date=October 14, 2011}}</ref> 

In January 2013, DISH bid $5 billion for [[Clearwire]] to add wireless internet and mobile video services.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/01/08/colorado-based-dish-network-makes-5-15-billion-bid-for-clearwire/ | title=Colorado-based Dish Network makes $5.15 billion bid for Clearwire | agency=[[Dow Jones Newswires]] | work=[[The Denver Post]] | date=January 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2013/05/30/dish-tops-rival-sprints-bid-for-clearwire.html | title=Dish Tops Rival Sprint’s Bid For Clearwire | first=Holly | last=Ellyatt | work=[[CNBC]] | date=May 30, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2013/05/30/dish-raises-clearwire-bid/2371439/ | title=Dish raises bid to buy Clearwire to top Sprint's offer | first=Roger | last=Yu | work=[[USA Today]] | date=May 30, 2013}}</ref> In April 2013, it made a $25 billion bid for [[Sprint Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/4/15/4225958/dish-sprint-takeover-bid | title=Dish Network attempts $25.5 billion Sprint merger | first=Aaron | last=Souppouris | work=[[The Verge]] | date=April 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/04/15/dish-makes-25-5b-bid-for-sprint-to-snatch-it-out-of-softbanks-hands/ | title=Dish Makes $25.5B Bid For Sprint To Snatch It Out Of Softbank’s Hands | first=Ingrid | last=Lunden | work=[[TechCrunch]] | date=April 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/04/dish-bids-25-5-billion-for-sprint-nextel/ | title=Dish bids $25.5 billion for Sprint-Nextel | first=CYRUS | last=FARIVAR | work=[[Ars Technica]] | date=April 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2013-apr-16-la-fi-ct-dish-sprint-20130416-story.html | title=Dish Network makes $25.5-billion bid for Sprint Nextel | first1=Joe | last1=Flint | first2=Andrea | last2=Chang | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=April 16, 2013 | url-access=limited}}</ref> In 2011, Dish petitioned the [[Federal Communications Commission]] to combine the S-Band spectrum it acquired from DBSD and Terrestar, and combine this spectrum with [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]]. Unlike [[LightSquared]], Dish's spectrum has minimal risk of disrupting [[Global Positioning System]]s.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-s-wireless-plan-unveiled-satellite-terrestrial-lte-advanced-network | title=Dish's wireless plan unveiled: satellite-terrestrial LTE-Advanced network | first=Phil | last=Goldstein | work=[[Fierce Wireless]] | date=August 23, 2011}}</ref>

At the 2012 [[Consumer Electronics Show]], DISH Network announced it would shorten its trade name to "DISH", to emphasize new developments such as its [[Hopper (DVR)|Hopper DVR]] and broadband services.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/01/09/dish-reboots-business-at-the-2012-international-consumer-electronics-show/ | title=Dish reboots business at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show | last=Vuong | first=Andy | work=[[The Denver Post]] | date=January 10, 2012 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

After changing the position of a satellite orbital position from being over Mexico to Brazil in 2011, DISH sought companies that could make a deal, among them {{lang|es|[[Telefónica]]|italic=no}}. However, nothing ever came of this, and DISH decided to enter the country itself. According to the [[National Telecommunications Agency (Brazil)|Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications]] (Anatel), they awaited the authorization of the application.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wiziack|first=Julio|title=TV paga terá novo competidor estrangeiro|url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/1249150-tv-paga-tera-novo-competidor-estrangeiro.shtml|work=[[Folha de S.Paulo]]|publisher=Folha.com|date=20 March 2013|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> In June 2019, nonetheless, DISH TV accepted to resign its satellite exploration rights assigned to EchoStar and thus ending the possibility of entering the Brazilian market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://teletime.com.br/12/06/2019/echostar-desiste-do-dth-no-brasil-anatel-aprova-rescisao-de-posicao-orbital/|title=Echostar desiste do DTH no Brasil; Anatel aprova rescisão de posição orbital|first=Samuel|last=Possebon|date=June 12, 2019}}</ref>

In January 2015, the company launched a subsidiary, [[Sling TV]]—an [[IPTV]] service distributed as an [[over-the-top media service]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Joshua Brustein |date=January 5, 2015 |title=Dish's New Sling TV Service Could Free You From Cable |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2015-01-05/dish-sling-tv-service-takes-on-cable-television |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106181233/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2015-01-05/dish-sling-tv-service-takes-on-cable-television |archive-date=January 6, 2015 |access-date=January 12, 2015 |publisher=[[Bloomberg LP]] |periodical=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]}}</ref>

In 2019, EchoStar transferred the portion of its business which managed and provided broadcast satellite services, referred to as the BSS (Broadcast Satellite Services) business, to DISH to concentrate on broadband services and other initiatives.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://ir.echostar.com/news-releases/news-release-details/echostar-announces-completion-spin-and-merger-its-bss-business |title=EchoStar Announces Completion of the Spin-Off and Merger of its BSS Business |website=[[EchoStar Corporation]] | date=September 10, 2019}}</ref>

==== Wireless ====
{{Main|Boost Mobile}}
[[File:Dish Wireless logo.svg|thumb|Logo used by DISH Wireless prior to its discontinuance as a distinct brand.]]In 2019, as part of the [[merger of Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile US]], DISH reached an agreement to acquire Sprint's prepaid wireless businesses, including [[Boost Mobile]], in order to quell [[antitrust]] concerns. After the merger was approved by the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]], DISH stated that it intended to supplant Sprint as a fourth major national wireless carrier, and had committed to building out a 5G network serving at least 70% of the U.S. population by June 2023. As part of the agreement, DISH would receive access to the T-Mobile network for seven years while it builds out its 5G-specific network.<ref name="buysprepaid" /><ref name=":3">{{cite web |last1=Welch |first1=Chris |title=Dish confirms that it will become a major US mobile carrier |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/26/8931827/dish-carrier-plans-5g-network-tmobile-sprint-us-confirms |access-date=6 May 2020 |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media}}</ref> The $1.4 billion sale was completed on July 1, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=2020-07-01 |title=Dish buys Boost prepaid biz from T-Mobile, finally enters wireless market |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/07/dish-is-finally-a-mobile-provider-but-doesnt-operate-its-own-network-yet/ |access-date=2020-08-21 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref> 

With this purchase it officially launched its wireless business, DISH Wireless, offering prepaid service through the Boost brand as an [[MVNO]] on the T-Mobile network.<ref name="buysprepaid">{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Christine |date=July 1, 2020 |title=Dish buys prepaid carrier Boost Mobile for $1.4 billion |url=https://www.engadget.com/dish-acquires-boost-mobile-wireless-carrier-171217646.html |work=[[Engadget]]}}</ref> DISH stated intentions to offer branded postpaid service in the future with the build-out of their own network.<ref name="buysprepaid" />

DISH purchased [[Ting Mobile]] from [[Tucows]] on August 1, 2020,<ref>{{Cite press release |title=DISH selects Tucows as technology partner, acquires Ting Mobile assets |date=2020-08-03 |url=http://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/08/03/2071636/0/en/DISH-selects-Tucows-as-technology-partner-acquires-Ting-Mobile-assets.html |access-date=2020-08-03 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room}}</ref> [[Republic Wireless]] on March 8, 2021,<ref>{{Cite press release |title=DISH to acquire Republic Wireless |date=2021-03-08 |url=https://about.dish.com/2021-03-08-DISH-to-acquire-Republic-Wireless |access-date=2021-03-10 |author=<!--Not stated-->}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=A Letter from Our CEO: Republic Wireless Joins DISH! |date=2021-03-10 |url=https://forums.republicwireless.com/t/a-letter-from-our-ceo-republic-wireless-joins-dish |last=Chuang |first=Chris |access-date=2021-03-10}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> and [[Gen Mobile]] on September 1, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Alleven |first=Monica |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Dish acquires Gen Mobile, boosting its EBB play |url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/operators/dish-acquires-gen-mobile-boosting-its-ebb-play |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=FierceWireless}}</ref> On July 19, 2021, DISH announced a 10-year, non-exclusive agreement with [[AT&T Mobility]] for 4G and 5G roaming on its network, accompanying the existing T-Mobile agreement. The $5 billion deal also includes sharing of DISH wireless spectrum with AT&T.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Allison |date=2021-07-19 |title=Dish cuts a 10-year, $5 billion deal to make AT&T the primary service provider for its MVNO |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/19/22583799/dish-network-att-mvno-t-mobile-5g-4g |access-date=2021-07-23 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2022, DISH Wireless began to launch its self-developed 5G network, codenamed "Project Genesis", in [[Las Vegas]]; the company stated that it planned to serve at least 120 cities by the June 2023 deadline.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardesty |first=Linda |date=2022-05-04 |title=Dish lights up its first 5G market — Las Vegas |url=https://www.fierce-network.com/5g/dish-lights-its-first-5g-market-las-vegas |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Fierce Network |language=en}}</ref> In June 2022, DISH announced it had met a milestone requiring it to provide coverage to 20% of the U.S. population by June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dish Says It Has Hit Its Latest FCC Deadline for 5G Network Buildout |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/dish-says-it-has-hit-its-latest-fcc-deadline-for-5g-network-buildout/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> In December 2022, DISH Wireless launched a postpaid service under the spin-off brand [[Boost Infinite]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Alleven |author= |first=Monica |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Dish launches beta for $25/month Boost Infinite postpaid service |url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/dish-launches-beta-25month-boost-infinite-postpaid-service |access-date= |website=www.fiercewireless.com |publisher= |language= |quote=}}</ref> In June 2023, the company announced that it had met the requirement to provide coverage to 70% of the U.S. population by June 14, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gunnersonconsulting.com/blog/60-dish-wireless-network-progress|title=Dish Wireless Network Progress|website=www.gunnersonconsulting.com}}</ref>

==== EchoStar merger ====
In August 2023, EchoStar announced that it would acquire DISH Network in an all-stock purchase, undoing their previous split. The acquisition, which was completed December 31, 2023, was part of an effort to bolster the company's wireless business, with Ergen stating that it would allow them to offer "an enhanced consumer connectivity business". As Ergen already held 90% of the voting stock in both companies, the FCC considered the "acquisition" to be a reorganization of assets with no change in effective control.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/2/24022413/dish-network-echostar-acquisition-5g-boost-mobile-wireless | title=Dish Network rejoins EchoStar as it tries to compete in 5G | first=Wes | last=Davis | work=[[The Verge]] | date=January 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.thewrap.com/echostar-dish-network-acqusition-complete/ | title=EchoStar Completes Dish Network Acquisition: A New Era of Connectivity | first=Eileen AJ | last=Connelly | work=[[TheWrap]] | date=January 2, 2024}}</ref>

In July 2024, amid declines in subscribers, Boost Mobile underwent a relaunch with an updated brand identity, and Boost Infinite merged into the Boost Mobile business as part of a new plan lineup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alleven |first=Monica |date=2024-07-17 |title=Try, try again. Dish reboots Boost Mobile |url=https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/dish-try-try-again-boost-mobile-gets-reboot |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=www.fierce-network.com |language=en}}</ref> EchoStar began referring to its 5G wireless network as the "Boost Mobile Network" and discontinued its usage of the DISH Wireless brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boost Mobile – the Newest Wireless Carrier – Launches New State-of-the-Art Nationwide 5G Network, Plans and Branding |url=https://about.dish.com/2024-07-17-Boost-Mobile-the-Newest-Wireless-Carrier-Launches-New-State-of-the-Art-Nationwide-5G-Network,-Plans-and-Branding |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=About DISH |language=en}}</ref>

==== Attempted acquisition by DirecTV ====
On September 30, 2024, [[DirecTV]] announced its intent to acquire DISH Network, under an arrangement under which [[TPG Inc.]] will acquire the remaining stake of DirecTV it does not already own from [[AT&T]], and then acquire DISH Network's video business from Echostar for $1 while assuming its [[Debt|net debt]]. The combined company would have had a total of approximately 20 million television subscribers. DirecTV stated that it had no plans for any changes to the DISH or SlingTV services following the purchase. The sale comes amid declines in both services' customer bases amid [[cord-cutting]] and other factors. EchoStar CEO Hamid Akhavan stated that the agreement would allow the company to place a larger focus on expanding its wireless [[Boost Mobile]] network.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-30 |title=DirecTV acquires EchoStar’s video business |url=https://advanced-television.com/2024/09/30/directv-acquires-echostars-video-business/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Advanced Television |language=en-GB}}</ref> In November, DirecTV abandoned the deal due to opposition from EchoStar's bondholders.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Szalai |first1=Georg |last2=Werpin |first2=Alex |date=November 21, 2024 |title=DirecTV Abandons Deal to Acquire Dish Amid Bondholder Opposition |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/directv-echostar-deal-abandoned-dish-sling-tv-bondholder-opposition-1236066400/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122043619/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/directv-echostar-deal-abandoned-dish-sling-tv-bondholder-opposition-1236066400/ |archive-date=November 22, 2024 |access-date=November 21, 2024 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>