Hughes Satellite Systems 10-K 22 Feb 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 12, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Hughes Satellite Systems Corp
Entity Central Index Key	1,533,758
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	No
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 0
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,078
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,822,561	$ 2,070,964
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	455,602	187,923
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,027 and $12,752, respectively	196,840	182,512
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	38,641	19,323
Inventory	83,595	62,638
Prepaids and deposits	38,797	34,505
Advances to affiliates, net	114,858	110,452
Other current assets	91,544	11,809
Total current assets	2,842,438	2,680,126
Noncurrent Assets:
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,551,904 and $2,503,187, respectively	2,753,098	2,294,726
Regulatory authorizations	465,658	471,658
Goodwill	504,173	504,173
Other intangible assets, net	58,582	80,734
Investments in unconsolidated entities	30,587	42,560
Other noncurrent assets, net	202,814	307,557
Total noncurrent assets	4,014,912	3,701,408
Total assets	6,857,350	6,381,534
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	102,816	106,410
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	3,769	6
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	40,631	32,984
Advances from affiliates, net	477	598
Deferred revenue and prepayments	65,959	59,989
Accrued interest	46,834	46,255
Accrued compensation	36,924	33,457
Accrued expenses and other	85,510	80,612
Total current liabilities	382,920	360,311
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,594,213	3,622,463
Deferred tax liabilities, net	439,631	528,462
Advances from affiliates	33,715	31,968
Other noncurrent liabilities	107,627	83,307
Total noncurrent liabilities	4,175,186	4,266,200
Total liabilities	4,558,106	4,626,511
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, 1,078 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 1,000 shares issued and outstanding December 31, 2016	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	1,754,561	1,516,199
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(52,822)	(60,719)
Accumulated earnings	582,683	286,713
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	2,284,422	1,742,193
Noncontrolling interests	14,822	12,830
Total shareholders’ equity	2,299,244	1,755,023
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	6,857,350	6,381,534
Preferred Stock
Shareholders’ Equity:
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock, $.001 par value, zero authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 300 shares authorized, 81.128 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable	$ 12,027	$ 12,752
Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	0	0
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 2,551,904	$ 2,503,187
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,078	1,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,078	1,000
Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	0	300
Preferred Stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	81.128
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	81.128

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - other									$ 1,203,551	$ 1,103,127	$ 1,095,249
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									433,829	449,547	518,853
Equipment revenue - other									239,199	238,279	212,278
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									290	8,840	10,752
Total revenue	$ 506,124	$ 478,362	$ 462,265	$ 430,118	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	1,876,869	1,799,793	1,837,132
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									542,665	517,957	525,471
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									212,458	204,753	195,537
Selling, general and administrative expenses									337,591	281,048	276,616
Research and development expenses									31,745	31,170	26,377
Depreciation and amortization									496,798	414,133	430,127
Impairment of long-lived asset									6,000	0	0
Total costs and expenses									1,627,257	1,449,061	1,454,128
Operating income	66,969	68,919	53,034	60,690	90,561	91,400	87,546	81,225	249,612	350,732	383,004
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									31,952	12,598	4,416
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(245,478)	(187,198)	(169,150)
Loss from partial redemption of debt									0	0	(5,044)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									1,724	6,995	(6,463)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									(3,298)	0	(6,139)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									7,027	9,444	8,502
Other, net									(2,188)	2,909	2,222
Total other expense, net									(210,261)	(155,252)	(171,656)
Income before income taxes									39,351	195,480	211,348
Income tax benefit (provision)									258,202	(73,759)	(72,364)
Net income	276,341	11,483	302	9,427	21,603	28,089	37,999	34,030	297,553	121,721	138,984
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,583	1,706	1,617
Net income attributable to HSS	275,764	10,951	120	9,135	20,843	27,565	37,688	33,919	295,970	120,015	137,367
Comprehensive Income:
Net income	$ 276,341	$ 11,483	$ 302	$ 9,427	$ 21,603	$ 28,089	$ 37,999	$ 34,030	297,553	121,721	138,984
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									7,196	(5,377)	(25,012)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(2,188)	1,584	(4,202)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income									3,298	0	6,139
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income									0	(2,996)	(15)
Total other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax									8,306	(6,789)	(23,090)
Comprehensive income									305,859	114,932	115,894
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,992	1,520	1,297
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									$ 303,867	$ 113,412	$ 114,597

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Earnings	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,369,597	$ 1,361,599	$ (31,346)	$ 29,331	$ 10,013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	5,204	5,204	0	0	0
Transfer of launch service contracts from (to) EchoStar	52,250	52,250	0	0	0
Other, net	(1,229)	(1,305)	76	0	0
Net income	138,984	0	0	137,367	1,617
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(25,012)	0	(24,692)	0	(320)
Unrealized gains and other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities, net	1,846	0	1,846	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,541,640	1,417,748	(54,116)	166,698	11,310
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	4,822	4,822	0	0	0
Transfer of launch service contracts from (to) EchoStar	70,300	70,300	0	0	0
Contribution of net assets pursuant to Share Exchange Agreement	23,750	23,750	0	0	0
Other, net	(485)	(421)	(64)	0	0
Net income	121,721	0	0	120,015	1,706
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(5,377)	0	(5,191)	0	(186)
Unrealized gains and other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities, net	(1,348)	0	(1,348)	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	1,755,023	1,516,199	(60,719)	286,713	12,830
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	5,117	5,117	0	0	0
Transfer of launch service contracts from (to) EchoStar	(145,114)	(145,114)	0	0	0
Contribution of EchoStar XIX satellite, net of deferred tax	349,337	349,337	0	0	0
Contribution of net assets pursuant to Share Exchange Agreement	219,662	219,662	0	0	0
Exchange of uplinking business net assets for HSS Tracking Stock	(190,221)	(190,221)
Other, net	(327)	(419)	92	0	0
Net income	297,553	0	0	295,970	1,583
Foreign currency translation adjustment	7,196	0	6,787	0	409
Unrealized gains and other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities, net	1,018	0	1,018	0	0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 2,299,244	$ 1,754,561	$ (52,822)	$ 582,683	$ 14,822

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 297,553,000	$ 121,721,000	$ 138,984,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	496,798,000	414,133,000	430,127,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs	7,378,000	6,551,000	6,042,000
Loss from partial redemption of debt	0	0	5,044,000
Losses (gains) and impairment on marketable investment securities, net	1,574,000	(6,995,000)	12,602,000
Impairment of long-lived asset	6,000,000	0	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	(7,027,000)	(9,444,000)	(8,502,000)
Stock-based compensation	5,117,000	4,822,000	5,204,000
Deferred tax (benefit) provision	(268,071,000)	70,901,000	68,011,000
Dividends received from unconsolidated entity	19,000,000	10,000,000	0
Proceeds from sale of trading securities	8,922,000	7,140,000	380,000
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net:
Trade accounts receivable, net	(12,459,000)	(39,092,000)	(20,873,000)
Advances to and from affiliates, net	12,176,000	(67,579,000)	(67,940,000)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	(19,318,000)	1,935,000	(2,009,000)
Inventory	(23,373,000)	(13,221,000)	1,941,000
Other current assets	(9,303,000)	298,000	(9,894,000)
Trade accounts payable	(4,826,000)	9,429,000	2,598,000
Accrued expenses and other	13,701,000	30,603,000	7,181,000
Changes in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net	(30,831,000)	14,233,000	8,038,000
Other, net	4,018,000	10,436,000	(1,444,000)
Net cash flows from operating activities	497,029,000	565,871,000	575,490,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(535,476,000)	(396,730,000)	(208,821,000)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	259,263,000	452,446,000	355,202,000
Expenditures for property and equipment	(401,538,000)	(381,287,000)	(386,714,000)
Refunds and other receipts related to capital expenditures	4,311,000	0	0
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(70,000)	8,320,000	(2,488,000)
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services	0	(23,750,000)	(11,875,000)
Expenditures for externally marketed software	(31,331,000)	(23,252,000)	(22,327,000)
Other, net	0	(1,636,000)	(10,000)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(704,841,000)	(365,889,000)	(277,033,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	1,500,000,000	0
Payments of debt issuance costs	(414,000)	(7,097,000)	0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium	0	0	(113,300,000)
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(37,063,000)	(31,669,000)	(39,441,000)
Advances from (to) affiliates	(36,000)	6,982,000	20,002,000
Capital contribution from EchoStar	0	23,750,000	0
Other, net	(4,364,000)	(4,157,000)	(5,154,000)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(41,877,000)	1,487,809,000	(137,893,000)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	1,286,000	183,000	(3,131,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(248,403,000)	1,687,974,000	157,433,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,070,964,000	382,990,000	225,557,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,822,561,000	2,070,964,000	382,990,000
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	259,060,000	172,029,000	178,363,000
Capitalized interest	22,828,000	30,202,000	15,852,000
Cash paid for income taxes	3,574,000	4,796,000	4,783,000
Property and equipment financed under capital lease obligations	8,484,000	1,130,000	673,000
Increase in capital expenditures included in accounts payable, net	(2,522,000)	1,175,000	4,694,000
Transfer of EchoStar 105/SES-11 payloads to SES in exchange for receivable	77,524,000	0	0
Transfer of launch contracts from (to) EchoStar	(145,114,000)	70,300,000	52,250,000
Contribution of net assets pursuant to Share Exchange Agreement	219,662,000	0	0
Exchange of uplinking business net assets for HSS Tracking Stock	(190,221,000)	0	0
Capitalized in-orbit incentive obligations	31,000,000	0	0
Contribution of EchoStar XIX satellite	$ 514,448,000	$ 0	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAS7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Senior Secured Notes: | 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Interest rate	6.50%	6.50%

Organization and Business Activ

Organization and Business Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Business Activities	Organization and Business Activities Principal Business Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation (which, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “HSS,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) is a holding company and a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”). We are a global provider of satellite service operations, video delivery solutions, broadband satellite technologies and broadband internet services for home and small office customers. We also deliver innovative network technologies, managed services, and various communications solutions for aeronautical, enterprise and government customers. In February 2014, HSS and EchoStar entered into agreements with certain subsidiaries of DISH Network Corporation (“DISH”) pursuant to which, effective March 1, 2014, (i) EchoStar and HSS issued the Tracking Stock (as defined below) to subsidiaries of DISH in exchange for five satellites (EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI, and EchoStar XIV), including the assumption of related in-orbit incentive obligations, and approximately $11.4 million in cash and (ii) DISH and certain of its subsidiaries began receiving certain satellite services on these five satellites from us (the “Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction”). The Tracking Stock tracked the economic performance of the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment, including certain operations, assets and liabilities attributed to such business (collectively, the “Hughes Retail Group” or “HRG”), and represented an aggregate 80.0% economic interest in HRG (the Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock issued by us (the “HSS Tracking Stock”) represented a 28.11% economic interest in HRG and the Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock issued by EchoStar (the “EchoStar Tracking Stock”, together with the HSS Tracking Stock, the “Tracking Stock) represented a 51.89% economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group). In addition to the remaining 20.0% economic interest in HRG, HSS retained all economic interest in the wholesale satellite broadband business and other businesses of HSS. On January 31, 2017, EchoStar and certain of its and our subsidiaries entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with DISH and certain of its subsidiaries. Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, on February 28, 2017 among other things, EchoStar and certain of its and our subsidiaries received all of the shares of the Tracking Stock in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain EchoStar subsidiaries that held substantially all of EchoStar’s EchoStar Technologies businesses and certain other assets (collectively, the “Share Exchange”). EchoStar’s former EchoStar Technologies businesses designed, developed and distributed secure end-to-end video technology solutions including digital set-top boxes and related products and technology, primarily for satellite TV service providers and telecommunication companies and provided digital broadcast operations, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management, and other services. Following consummation of the Share Exchange, EchoStar no longer operates the EchoStar Technologies businesses, the Tracking Stock was retired and is no longer outstanding and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to the Tracking Stock terminated and are of no further effect. We currently operate in the following two business segments: • Hughes — which provides broadband satellite technologies and broadband internet services to domestic and international home and small office customers and broadband network technologies, managed services, equipment, hardware, satellite services and communication solutions to domestic and international consumers and aeronautical, enterprise and government customers. The Hughes segment also designs, provides and installs gateway and terminal equipment to customers for other satellite systems. In addition, our Hughes segment provides satellite ground segment systems and terminals to mobile system operators. • EchoStar Satellite Services (“ESS”) — which uses certain of our owned and leased in-orbit satellites and related licenses to provide satellite service operations and video delivery solutions on a full-time and occasional-use basis primarily to DISH Network Corporation and its subsidiaries (“DISH Network”), Dish Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., a joint venture that EchoStar entered into in 2008 (“Dish Mexico”), United States (“U.S.”) government service providers, internet service providers, broadcast news organizations, programmers, and private enterprise customers. ESS also manages satellite operations for certain satellites owned by DISH Network. Our operations also include various corporate departments (primarily Executive, Strategic Development, Human Resources, IT, Finance, Real Estate and Legal) as well as other activities that have not been assigned to our operating segments, including costs incurred in certain satellite development programs and other business development activities, our centralized treasury operations, and gains (losses) from certain of our investments. These activities, costs and income are accounted for in “Corporate and Other.” We were formed as a Colorado corporation in March 2011 to facilitate the acquisition by EchoStar (the “Hughes Acquisition”) of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Hughes Communications”) and related financing transactions. In connection with our formation, EchoStar contributed the assets and liabilities of its satellite services business to us, including the principal operating subsidiary of its satellite services business, EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. A substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of each of EchoStar and DISH is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation We consolidate all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. We are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary. We are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in other entities when we own more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting shares and other shareholders do not have substantive rights to participate in management. For entities we control but do not wholly own, we record a noncontrolling interest within shareholders’ equity for the portion of the entity’s equity attributed to the noncontrolling ownership interests. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheets, the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period, and certain information disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, amortization periods for deferred subscriber acquisition costs, revenue recognition using the percentage-of-completion method, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowances for sales returns and rebates, warranty obligations, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of EchoStar’s stock-based compensation awards, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, lease classifications, asset impairment testing, useful lives and methods for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, and certain royalty obligations. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience, observable market inputs and on various other factors that we believe to be relevant under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our consolidated financial statements. Changing economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above. We review our estimates and assumptions periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period they occur or prospectively if the revised estimate affects future periods. Foreign Currency The functional currency for certain of our foreign operations is determined to be the local currency. Accordingly, we translate assets and liabilities of these foreign entities from their local currencies to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates and translate income and expense accounts at monthly average rates. The resulting translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) as “ Foreign currency translation adjustments ” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) . Except in certain uncommon circumstances, we have not recorded deferred income taxes related to our foreign currency translation adjustments. Gains and losses resulting from re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies into the functional currency are recognized in “ Other, net ” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). We recognized net foreign currency transaction losses of $1.2 million , gains of $0.1 million and losses of $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily consisted of commercial paper, government bonds, corporate notes, and money market funds. The amortized cost of these investments approximates their fair value. Marketable Investment Securities We classify our marketable investment securities as available for sale, except in instances where we have designated certain securities as trading securities. We report all marketable investment securities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognize periodic changes in the fair value of trading securities and realized gains and losses on sale of available-for-sale securities in “Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities,” a component of net income, in our consolidated statements of operations. For available-for-sale securities, we recognize periodic changes in the difference between fair value and amortized cost in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses upon sale of available-for-sale securities are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in net income on the trade date. We use the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method to determine the cost basis on sales of marketable investment securities. Interest and dividend income from marketable investment securities is reported in “ Interest income ” and “ Other, net ,” respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. We evaluate our available-for-sale securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether declines in the fair value of these securities are other than temporary. Our evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things: • the fair value of each security compared to its amortized cost; • the length of time and the extent to which the fair value of a security has been lower than amortized cost; • the historical volatility of the price of each security; • any market and company-specific factors related to each security; and • our intent and ability to hold the investment to recovery. Where the fair value of a debt security has declined below its amortized cost, we consider the decline to be other than temporary if any of the following factors apply: • we intend to sell the security, • it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery, or • we do not expect to recover the security’s entire amortized cost basis, even if there is no intent to sell the security. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities that are determined to be other than temporary are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in net income, thus establishing a new cost basis for the investment. Investments in Unconsolidated Entities — Cost and Equity Method We use the equity method to account for equity investments in entities that we do not control but have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. We use the cost method when we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. Generally, our equity investments accounted for using either the equity method or cost method are not publicly traded and it is not practicable to regularly estimate the fair value of such investments. We evaluate these equity investments on a quarterly basis to determine whether an event or changes in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. As part of our evaluation, we review available information such as business plans and current financial statements of these companies for factors that may indicate an impairment of our investments. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, unprofitable operations, negative cash flow, material litigation, violations of debt covenants, bankruptcy and changes in business strategy. When we determine that an investment is impaired, and the impairment is other than temporary, we adjust the carrying amount of the investment to its estimated fair value and recognize the impairment loss in net income. Generally, equity method investments are initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for our proportionate share of the net earnings or loss of the investee, which is reported in “ Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate ” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The carrying amount of our investments may include a component of goodwill if the cost of our investment exceeds the fair value of the underlying identifiable assets and liabilities of the investee. Dividends received from equity method investees reduce the carrying amount of the investment. We defer, to the extent of our ownership interest in the investee, recognition of intra-entity profits on sales of equipment to the investee until the investee has charged the cost of the equipment to expense in a subsequent sale to a third party or through depreciation. In these circumstances, we report the gross amounts of revenue and cost of sales in the statement of operations and include the intra-entity profit eliminations within “Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate.” Accounts Receivable We make ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of our accounts receivable and maintain an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. In determining the amount of the allowance, we consider historical levels of credit losses and make judgments about the creditworthiness of significant customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost, determined using the FIFO method, or net realizable value. Cost of inventory consists primarily of materials, direct labor and indirect overhead incurred in the procurement and manufacturing of our products. We use standard costing methodologies in determining the cost of certain of our finished goods and work-in-process inventories. We determine net realizable value using our best estimates of future use or recovery, considering the aging and composition of inventory balances, the effects of technological and/or design changes, forecasted future product demand based on firm or near-firm customer orders, and alternative means of disposition of excess or obsolete items. We recognize losses within operating income when we determine that the cost of inventory and commitments to purchase inventory exceed net realizable value. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The cost of our satellites includes construction costs, including the present value of in-orbit incentives payable to the satellite manufacturer, launch costs, capitalized interest, and related insurance premiums. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from one to 40 years . Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. Costs of renewals and betterments are capitalized. Impairment of Long-lived Assets We review our long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For assets held and used in operations, the asset is not recoverable if the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its undiscounted estimated future net cash flows. When an asset is not recoverable, we adjust the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair value and recognize the impairment loss in net income. Assets to be disposed of by sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value assigned to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We do not amortize goodwill, but test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist. Our goodwill as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment. We test such goodwill for impairment in the second fiscal quarter. The goodwill impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. We typically estimate fair value of reporting units using discounted cash flow techniques, which includes significant assumptions about prospective financial information, terminal value and discount rates (Level 3 inputs). If the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, we recognize an impairment loss equal to such excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We may bypass the quantitative goodwill impairment test if we determine, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount including goodwill. Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets At acquisition and periodically thereafter, we evaluate our intangible assets to determine whether their useful lives are finite or indefinite. We consider our intangible assets to have indefinite lives when no significant legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, or other factors limit their useful lives. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from approximately one to 20 years . When we expect to incur significant costs to renew or extend finite-lived intangible assets, we amortize the total initial and estimated renewal costs over the combined initial and expected renewal terms. In such instances, actual renewal costs are capitalized when they are incurred. We test intangible assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, as discussed above under “Impairment of Long-lived Assets.” We do not amortize our indefinite-lived intangible assets, but test those assets for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset may be impaired. Costs incurred to maintain or renew indefinite-lived intangible assets are expensed as incurred. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets include Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) authorizations and certain other contractual or regulatory rights to use spectrum at specified orbital locations (collectively “Regulatory Authorizations”). We have determined that our FCC authorizations generally have indefinite useful lives due to the following: • FCC authorizations are non-depleting assets; • renewal satellite applications generally are authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions, without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative, and legal environment; • expenditures required to maintain the authorization are not significant; and • we intend to use these authorizations indefinitely. Income Taxes We are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of EchoStar. We recognize a provision or benefit for income taxes currently payable or receivable and for income tax amounts deferred to future periods based upon a separate return allocation method which results in income tax expense that approximates the expense that would result if we were a stand-alone entity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on enacted tax laws for the estimated future tax effects of differences that exist between the financial reporting carrying amount and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are offset by valuation allowances when we determine it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized in the foreseeable future. We determine deferred tax assets and liabilities separately for each taxing jurisdiction and report the net amount for each jurisdiction as a noncurrent asset or liability in our consolidated balance sheets . From time to time, we engage in transactions where the income tax consequences are uncertain. We recognize tax benefits when, in management’s judgment, a tax filing position is more likely than not to be sustained if challenged by the tax authorities. For tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not threshold, we may not recognize a portion of a tax benefit depending on management’s assessment of how the tax position will ultimately be settled. Unrecognized tax benefits generally are netted against the deferred tax assets associated with our net operating loss carryforwards. We adjust our estimates periodically based on ongoing examinations by and settlements with various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax provision or benefit. Fair Value Measurements We determine fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Market or observable inputs are the preferred source of values, followed by unobservable inputs or assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs. We utilize the highest level of inputs available according to the following hierarchy in determining fair value: • Level 1, defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; • Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and • Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with characteristics of the asset or liability that would be considered by market participants in a transaction to purchase or sell the asset or liability. Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are considered to occur at the beginning of the quarterly accounting period. There were no transfers between levels for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 or 2016 . As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, accounts payable and accrued liabilities were equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates. Fair values of our marketable investment securities are based on a variety of observable market inputs. For our investments in publicly traded equity securities and U.S. government securities, fair value ordinarily is determined based on a Level 1 measurement that reflects quoted prices for identical securities in active markets. Fair values of our investments in other marketable debt securities generally are based on Level 2 measurements, as the markets for such debt securities are less active. Trades of identical debt securities on or near the measurement date are considered a strong indication of fair value. Matrix pricing techniques that consider par value, coupon rate, credit quality, maturity and other relevant features also may be used to determine fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities. Fair values for our 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “2019 Senior Secured Notes”), 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Senior Unsecured Notes”), 5.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Secured Notes”) and 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Unsecured Notes” and together with the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, the “2026 Notes”) (see Note 9 ) are based on quoted market prices in less active markets and are categorized as Level 2 measurements. The fair values of our other debt are Level 2 measurements and are estimated to approximate their carrying amounts based on the proximity of their interest rates to current market rates. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the fair values of our in-orbit incentive obligations, based on measurements categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, approximated their carrying amounts of $99.3 million and $74.1 million , respectively. We use fair value measurements from time to time in connection with asset impairment testing and the assignment of purchase consideration to assets and liabilities of acquired companies. Those fair value measurements typically include significant unobservable inputs and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Revenue Recognition Revenue from the sale of equipment and services generally is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, prices are fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and the goods have been delivered or services have been rendered. If any of these criteria are not met, revenue recognition is deferred until such time as all of the criteria are met. Revenue from equipment sales generally is recognized upon shipment to customers. Revenue from recurring services generally is recognized ratably over the service term. Upfront fees collected in connection with services to consumer subscribers in our Hughes segment are deferred and recognized as revenue over the estimated subscriber life. We may offer rebates to qualifying new consumer subscribers in our Hughes segment. We reduce related revenue at inception of the subscriber contract based on an estimate of the number of rebates that will be redeemed. Our estimates are based on historical experience and actual sales during the promotion. Services and other revenue includes revenue from leases of satellite capacity and equipment. We typically determine based on applicable criteria that our leasing arrangements are operating leases and recognize related revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In situations where customer offerings represent an arrangement for both services and equipment, revenue elements with standalone value to the customer are separated for revenue recognition purposes based on their selling prices if sold separately. We determine selling prices under a hierarchy that considers vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), third-party evidence and estimated selling prices. Typically, we derive VSOE from service renewal rates and optional equipment prices specified in customer contracts or we estimate prices based on the gross margin that we ordinarily realize in transactions with similarly situated customers. In addition to equipment and service offerings, our Hughes segment also enters into contracts to design, develop, and deliver complex telecommunication networks to customers in its enterprise and mobile satellite systems markets. Those contracts require significant effort to develop and construct the network over an extended time period. Revenue from such contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, we measure progress toward contract completion using the cost-to-cost method or the units-of-delivery method. Under the cost-to-cost method, revenue reflects the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs at completion multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue. Under the units-of-delivery method, revenue and related costs are recognized as products are delivered based on the expected profit for the entire agreement. Profit margins on long-term contracts are based on estimates of revenue and costs at completion. We review and revise our estimates periodically and recognize related adjustments in the period in which the revisions are made. Estimated losses on contracts are recorded in the period in which they are identified. We report revenue net of sales taxes imposed on our goods and services in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Since we primarily act as an agent for the governmental authorities, the amount charged to the customer is collected and remitted directly to the appropriate jurisdictional entity. Debt Issuance Costs Costs of issuing debt generally are deferred and amortized utilizing the effective interest method with amortization included in “ Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized ” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). We report unamortized debt issuance costs as a reduction of the related long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheets. Cost of Sales — Services and Equipment Cost of sales - services primarily consists of costs of satellite capacity and services, hub infrastructure, customer care, wireline and wireless capacity, and direct labor costs associated with the services provided. Costs of sales - services generally are charged to expense as incurred. Cost of sales - equipment primarily consists of inventory costs, including freight and royalties. Cost of sales - equipment generally is recognized as products are delivered to customers and related revenue is recognized. Research and Development Costs incurred in research and development activities generally are expensed as incurred. A significant portion of our research and development costs are incurred in connection with the specific requirements of a customer’s order. In such instances, the amounts for these customer funded development efforts are included in cost of sales. Cost of sales includes research and development costs incurred in connection with customers’ orders of approximately $27.9 million , $23.7 million and $19.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. In addition, we incurred other research and development expenses of approximately $31.7 million , $31.2 million and $26.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Subscriber Acquisition Costs Subscriber Acquisition Costs (“SAC”) consists of costs paid to third-party dealers and customer service representative commissions on new service activations and hardware upgrades and, in certain cases, the cost of hardware and installation services provided to non-wholesale consumer customers at the inception of service or hardware upgrade. SAC is deferred when a customer enters into a service agreement and is subsequently amortized over the service agreement term in proportion to when the related service revenue is recognized. We monitor the recoverability of deferred SAC and are entitled to an early termination fee if the subscriber cancels service prior to the end of the service agreement term. The recoverability of deferred SAC is reasonably assured through the monthly service fee charged to customers, our ability to recover the equipment, and/or our ability to charge an early termination fee. Deferred SAC is included in “ Other noncurrent assets, net ” in our consolidated balance sheets. Capitalized Software Costs Costs related to the procurement and development of software for internal-use and externally marketed software are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, not in excess of five years . Capitalized costs of internal-use software are included in “Property and equipment, net” and capitalized costs of externally marketed software are included in “ Other noncurrent assets, net ” in our consolidated balance sheets. Externally marketed software generally is installed in the equipment we sell to customers. We conduct software program reviews for externally marketed capitalized software costs at least annually, or as events and circumstances warrant such a review, to determine if capitalized software development costs are recoverable and to ensure that costs associated with programs that are no longer generating revenue are expensed. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the net carrying amount of externally marketed software was $88.1 million and $76.3 million , respectively, of which $19.6 million and $50.1 million, respectively, is under development and not yet placed in service. We capitalized costs related to the development of externally marketed software of $31.3 million , $23.3 million and $22.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. We recorded amortization expense relating to the development of externally marketed software of $19.5 million , $9.7 million and $8.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The weighted average useful life of our externally marketed software was approximately four years as of December 31, 2017 . Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “ Selling, general and administrative expenses ” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). We incurred advertising expense of $64.2 million , $43.9 million and $44.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”) and has modified the standard thereafter. It outlines a single comprehensive model, codified in Topic 606 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” Public entities are required to adopt the new revenue standard in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and in interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard may be applied either retrospectively to prior periods or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method for contracts that were not substantially completed as of January 1, 2018. We expect the adoption of the new standard to impact certain up-front fees charged to our customers in our consumer markets, however we do not expect this change to have a material impact on the timing or amount of revenue recognition. We expect to record an adjustment as of January 1, 2018 to increase accumulated earnings by approximately $8.0 million, net of related income taxes as a result of this change. Our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 and interim periods therein will include disclosures about the effect of the new standard. The prior period results will not be recast to reflect the new standard. We expect that the adoption of the new standard will impact our operating results primarily due to how we account for commission costs. Historically, we have charged sales commissions to expense as incurred, except for commissions related to the consumer business in our Hughes segment, which are accounted for as SAC as described above. The requirement to defer incremental contract acquisition costs and recognize them over the contract period or expected customer life will result in the recognition of an additional deferred charge on our consolidated balance sheets and corresponding impact to the consolidated statements of operations in future periods. In addition, we historically amortized our sales acquisition costs related to our consumer business in our Hughes segment over the contract term. Under the new guidance, the amortization period for these contract acquisition costs will be over the estimated customer life, which is a longer period of time. We are finalizing our analysis of the effects of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements. Subject to completion of our analysis, we expect to record an adjustment as of January 1, 2018 to increase accumulated earnings, and record previously expensed amounts on our balance sheet by approximately $15.0 million to $18.0 million, net of related income taxes, primarily to reflect the impact of longer amortization periods for contract acquisition costs. We expect ASU 2014-09 will have a similar reve

Other Comprehensive Income (Los

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects Except in unusual circumstances, we do not recognize tax effects on foreign currency translation adjustments because they are not expected to result in future taxable income or deductions. We have not recognized any tax effects on unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities because such gains or losses would affect the amount of unrealized capital losses for which the related deferred tax asset has been fully offset by a valuation allowance. Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes net cumulative foreign currency translation losses of $52.3 million , $59.0 million and $53.8 million as of December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 were as follows: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Affected Line Item in our For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income (1) Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net $ — $ (2,996 ) $ (15 ) Recognition of other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (2) Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities 3,298 — 6,139 Total reclassifications, net of tax and noncontrolling interests $ 3,298 $ (2,996 ) $ 6,124 (1) When available-for-sale securities are sold, the related unrealized gains and losses that were previously recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified and recognized as “Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). (2)

Investment Securities

Investment Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments [Abstract]
Investment Securities	Investment Securities Marketable Investment Securities Our marketable investment securities consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value: Corporate bonds $ 368,083 $ 164,619 Strategic equity securities 1,102 10,309 Other 86,417 12,995 Total marketable investment securities—current 455,602 187,923 Our marketable investment securities portfolio consists of various debt and equity instruments, which generally are classified as available-for-sale or trading securities depending on our investment strategy for those securities. The value of our investment portfolio depends on the value of such securities and other instruments comprising the portfolio. Corporate Bonds Our corporate bond portfolio includes debt instruments issued by individual corporations, primarily in the industrial and financial services industries. Strategic Equity Securities Our strategic investment portfolio consists of investments in shares of common stock of public companies, which are highly speculative and have experienced and continue to experience volatility. We did not receive any dividend income for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . We recognized a $3.3 million , zero , and $ 6.1 million other-than-temporary impairment for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively on certain investments. These losses related to strategic equity investments that experienced significant declines in market value that we determined to be attributable to company-specific events and circumstances other than temporary market conditions. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , “ Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net ” for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 included gains of zero , gains of $0.6 million and losses of $6.5 million , respectively, related to trading securities that we held as of December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The fair values of our trading securities were zero and $7.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Other Our other current marketable investment securities portfolio includes investments in various debt instruments, including U.S. government bonds and commercial paper. Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities The components of our available-for-sale securities are summarized in the table below. Amortized Unrealized Estimated Cost Gains Losses Fair Value (In thousands) As of December 31, 2017 Debt securities: Corporate bonds $ 368,291 $ — $ (208 ) $ 368,083 Other 86,425 — (8 ) 86,417 Equity securities - strategic 1,535 — (433 ) 1,102 Total available-for-sale securities $ 456,251 $ — $ (649 ) $ 455,602 As of December 31, 2016 Debt securities: Corporate bonds $ 164,563 $ 94 $ (38 ) $ 164,619 Other 12,994 1 — 12,995 Equity securities - strategic 4,834 — (1,724 ) 3,110 Total available-for-sale securities $ 182,391 $ 95 $ (1,762 ) $ 180,724 As of December 31, 2017 , restricted and non-restricted available-for-sale securities included debt securities of $454.1 million with contractual maturities of one year or less and $0.4 million with contractual maturities greater than one year. We may realize proceeds from certain investments prior to their contractual maturity as a result of our ability to sell these securities prior to their contractual maturity. Available-for-Sale Securities in a Loss Position The following table reflects the length of time that our available-for-sale securities have been in an unrealized loss position. The unrealized losses as of December 31, 2017 relate primarily to one of our strategic equity securities, which has been in an unrealized loss position for less than three months. We do not intend to sell securities in a loss position before they recover or mature, and it is more likely than not that we will hold these securities until they recover or mature. We believe that changes in the estimated fair values of these securities are primarily related to temporary market conditions. As of December 31, 2017 2016 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized (In thousands) Less than 12 months $ 438,029 $ (649 ) $ 62,473 $ (1,760 ) 12 months or more — — 1,571 (2 ) Total $ 438,029 $ (649 ) $ 64,044 $ (1,762 ) Sales of Available-for-Sale Securities We recognized de minimis, $3.0 million and de minimis gains from the sales of our available-for-sale securities for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. We recognized zero losses for December 31, 2017 and de minimis losses from the sales of our available-for-sale securities for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Proceeds from sales of our available-for-sale securities totaled $8.9 million , $20.1 million and $21.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Fair Value Measurements Our current marketable investment securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as summarized in the table below. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , we did not have investments that were categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2017 2016 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 (In thousands) Cash equivalents $ 1,746,878 $ 125 $ 1,746,753 $ 1,991,949 $ 14,011 $ 1,977,938 Debt securities: Corporate bonds $ 368,083 $ — $ 368,083 $ 164,619 $ — $ 164,619 Other 86,417 — 86,417 12,995 — 12,995 Equity securities - strategic 1,102 1,102 — 10,309 10,309 — Total marketable investment securities $ 455,602 $ 1,102 $ 454,500 $ 187,923 $ 10,309 $ 177,614 Investments in Unconsolidated Entities — Noncurrent We have strategic investments in certain non-publicly traded equity securities that are accounted for using either the equity or the cost method of accounting. Our ability to realize value from our strategic investments in companies that are not publicly traded depends on the success of those companies’ businesses 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 fair value for them. Our investments in unconsolidated entities consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent: Cost method $ 15,438 $ 15,438 Equity method 15,149 27,122 Total investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent $ 30,587 $ 42,560 We recorded cash distributions from our investments accounted for using the equity method of $19.0 million , $10.0 million and zero for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade Accounts Receivable	Trade Accounts Receivable Our trade accounts receivable consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Trade accounts receivable $ 197,294 $ 159,094 Contracts in process, net 11,573 36,170 Total trade accounts receivable 208,867 195,264 Allowance for doubtful accounts (12,027 ) (12,752 ) Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network 38,641 19,323 Total trade accounts receivable, net $ 235,481 $ 201,835 As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , progress billings offset against contracts in process amounted to $22.8 million and $14.6 million

Inventory

Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventory Our inventory consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Finished goods $ 70,669 $ 49,773 Raw materials 5,484 6,678 Work in process 7,442 6,187 Total inventory $ 83,595 $ 62,638

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment consisted of the following: Depreciable Life As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Land — $ 13,475 $ 13,273 Buildings and improvements 1 - 40 128,292 79,765 Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other 1 - 12 650,385 430,078 Customer rental equipment 2 - 4 929,775 689,579 Satellites - owned 2 - 15 2,516,685 2,381,120 Satellites acquired under capital leases 10 - 15 916,820 781,761 Construction in progress — 149,570 422,337 Total property and equipment 5,305,002 4,797,913 Accumulated depreciation (2,551,904 ) (2,503,187 ) Property and equipment, net $ 2,753,098 $ 2,294,726 As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , accumulated depreciation included amounts for satellites acquired under capital leases of $393.9 million and $328.2 million , respectively. Construction in progress consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs $ 101,733 $ 244,234 Satellite related equipment 28,358 152,683 Other 19,479 25,420 Construction in progress $ 149,570 $ 422,337 Construction in progress included the following owned and leased satellites under construction as of December 31, 2017 . Satellites Segment Expected Launch Date Telesat T19V (“63 West”) (1) Hughes Second quarter of 2018 (1) We entered into an agreement for certain capacity on this satellite once launched, but are not party to the construction contract We recorded capitalized interest related to our satellites, satellite payloads and related ground facilities under construction of $22.8 million , $30.2 million and $15.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Depreciation expense associated with our property and equipment consisted of the following: For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Satellites $ 224,738 $ 191,729 $ 197,469 Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other 78,465 58,535 70,962 Customer rental equipment 146,562 114,568 105,725 Buildings and improvements 5,278 4,194 5,111 Total depreciation expense $ 455,043 $ 369,026 $ 379,267 Satellites depreciation expense includes amortization of satellites under capital lease agreements of $66.1 million , $56.2 million and $56.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Satellites As of December 31, 2017 , our satellite fleet consisted of 16 of our owned and leased satellites in geosynchronous orbit, approximately 22,300 miles above the equator. We depreciate our owned satellites on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each satellite. As of December 31, 2017 , four of our satellites are accounted for as capital leases and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their respective lease terms. Our operating satellite fleet consists of both owned and leased satellites detailed in the table below as of December 31, 2017 . Satellites Segment Launch Date Nominal Degree Orbital Locations (West Longitude) Depreciable Life (In Years) Owned: SPACEWAY 3 (1) Hughes August 2007 95 12 EchoStar XVII Hughes July 2012 107 15 EchoStar XIX (6) Hughes December 2016 97.1 15 EchoStar I (2)(3)(4)(7) ESS December 1995 77 — EchoStar VI (4)(7) ESS July 2000 96.2 12 EchoStar VII (2)(3)(4) ESS February 2002 119 3 EchoStar IX (2)(4) ESS August 2003 121 12 EchoStar X (2)(3) ESS February 2006 110 7 EchoStar XI (2)(3) ESS July 2008 110 9 EchoStar XII (2)(4)(5) ESS July 2003 61.5 2 EchoStar XIV (2)(3) ESS March 2010 119 11 EchoStar XVI (2) ESS November 2012 61.5 15 Capital Leases: Nimiq 5 (2) ESS September 2009 72.7 15 QuetzSat-1 (2) ESS September 2011 77 10 Eutelsat 65 West A Hughes March 2016 65 15 EchoStar 105/SES-11 ESS October 2017 105 15 (1) Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of June 8, 2011, the date EchoStar completed its acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries. (2) See Note 15 for discussion of related party transactions with DISH Network. (3) Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of March 1, 2014, the effective date of our receipt of the satellites from DISH Network as part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction (See Note 15). (4) Fully depreciated assets as of December 31, 2017. (5) Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of June 30, 2013, the date the EchoStar XII satellite was impaired. (6) EchoStar contributed the EchoStar XIX satellite to us in February 2017. (7) The EchoStar I satellite was retired in January 2018 and the EchoStar VI satellite is expected to be retired in the second quarter of 2018. Recent Developments EchoStar I . The EchoStar I satellite was removed from its orbital location and retired from commercial service in January 2018. This retirement is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. EchoStar VI . We expect to remove the EchoStar VI satellite from its orbital location and retire it from commercial service in the second quarter of 2018. This retirement is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. EchoStar 105/SES-11. The EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite was launched in October 2017 and was placed into service in November 2017 at the 105 degree west longitude orbital location. Pursuant to agreements we entered into in August 2014, we funded substantially all construction, launch and other costs associated with the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite and transferred the C-, Ku- and Ka-band payloads to two affiliates of SES Americom, Inc. (“SES”) after the launch date, while retaining the right to use the entire Ku-band payload on the satellite for an initial ten-year term, with an option for us to renew the agreement on a year-to-year basis. In October 2017, we recorded a $77.5 million receivable from SES in “Other current assets,” representing capitalized costs allocable to certain satellite payloads controlled by SES, and we reduced our carrying amount of the satellite by such amount. In January 2018, we received payment from SES for the receivable plus accrued interest. Our leased Ku-band payload on the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite has replaced the capacity we had on the AMC-15 satellite. EchoStar III. In July 2017, the EchoStar III satellite experienced an anomaly that caused communications with the satellite to be interrupted resulting in a loss of control. We regained communications with and control of the EchoStar III satellite and retired the satellite from commercial service in August 2017. This retirement has not had, and is not expected to have, a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. EchoStar VIII. During the second quarter of 2017, the EchoStar VIII satellite was removed from its orbital location and retired from commercial service. This retirement has not had, and is not expected to have, a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. EchoStar XIX . The EchoStar XIX satellite was launched in December 2016 and placed into service in March 2017 at the 97.1 degree west longitude orbital location. The EchoStar XIX satellite provides capacity for the Hughes broadband services to our customers in North America, capacity in certain Central and South American countries and capability for aeronautical, enterprise and international broadband services. EchoStar contributed the EchoStar XIX satellite to us in February 2017. AMC-15 and AMC-16. In August 2014, in connection with the execution of agreements related to the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite, we entered into amendments that extended the terms of our then existing agreements with a subsidiary of SES for satellite services on the AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites. Our agreement for satellite services on certain transponders on the AMC-15 satellite terminated according to its terms in December 2017. The AMC-15 satellite was accounted for as an operating lease. Our agreement for the AMC-16 satellite services terminated according to its terms in February 2016. As a result of anomalies that affected the operation of the AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites, our monthly recurring payments were reduced under the related capital lease agreements during the three months ending March 31, 2015. We have accounted for these lease modifications generally by reducing the carrying amounts of the satellite and related capital lease obligation by the present value of the payment reduction. In such instances where the carrying amount of the satellite had been reduced to zero as a result of accumulated depreciation or impairments, we have recognized the reductions in the capital lease obligations as gains in “ Other, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we recognized such gains of zero , zero and $4.5 million , respectively. Satellite Anomalies and Impairments Our satellites may experience anomalies from time to time, some of which may have a significant adverse effect on their remaining useful lives, the commercial operation of the satellites or our operating results or financial position. We are not aware of any anomalies with respect to our owned or leased satellites that have had any such significant adverse effect during the year ended December 31, 2017 . There can be no assurance, however, that anomalies will not have any such adverse impacts in the future. In addition, there can be no assurance that we can recover critical transmission capacity in the event one or more of our in-orbit satellites were to fail. EchoStar X experienced anomalies in the past which affected seven solar array circuits. In December 2017, EchoStar X experienced anomalies which affected one additional solar array circuit reducing the number of functional solar array circuits to 16. While these anomalies did not significantly impact commercial operation or remaining useful life of the satellite or our operating results or financial position for the year ended December 31, 2017, we do expect a loss of future revenue on this satellite as a result of such anomalies. We historically have not carried in-orbit insurance on our satellites because we assessed that the cost of insurance was uneconomical relative to the risk of failures. Therefore, we generally bear the risk of any in-orbit failures. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing certain portions of our indebtedness, we are required, subject to certain limitations on coverage, to maintain in-orbit insurance for our SPACEWAY 3, EchoStar XVI, and EchoStar XVII satellites. Based on economic analysis of the current insurance market we obtained launch plus one year in-orbit insurance, subject to certain limitations, for the EchoStar XIX satellite. Additionally, we obtained certain launch and in-orbit insurance for our interest in the EchoStar 105/SES-11 satellite. Our other satellites, either in orbit or under construction, are not covered by launch or in-orbit insurance. We will continue to assess circumstances going forward and make insurance decisions on a case by case basis. We evaluate our satellites for impairment and test for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Certain of the anomalies previously disclosed may be considered to represent a significant adverse change in the physical condition of a particular satellite. However, based on the redundancy designed within each satellite, certain of these anomalies are not necessarily considered to be significant events that would require a test of recoverability.

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizat

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill The excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair values of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets at the time of the acquisition is recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is assigned to the reporting units within our operating segments and is subject to impairment testing annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than its carrying amount. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , all of our goodwill was assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment. We test this goodwill for impairment annually in the second quarter. Based on our qualitative assessment of impairment in the second quarter of 2017, we determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of the Hughes segment reporting units were less than the corresponding carrying amounts. Regulatory Authorizations Regulatory Authorizations consisted of FCC authorizations and other regulatory rights with indefinite useful lives totaling $465.7 million and $471.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2017, our regulatory authorizations with indefinite lives included $6.0 million for contractual rights to utilize certain frequencies at the 45 degree west longitude orbital location. We acquired such contractual rights in 2012 and have evaluated potential opportunities to utilize the frequencies. We determined in the fourth quarter of 2017 that certain actions required to utilize the frequencies had become impractical with the passage of time. As a result of these circumstances, we determined that the fair value of such contractual rights was de minimis and we recognized a $6.0 million impairment loss in our ESS segment in the fourth quarter of 2017. Other Intangible Assets Our other intangible assets, which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following: Weighted Average Useful Life (in Years) As of December 31, 2017 2016 Cost Accumulated Amortization Carrying Amount Cost Accumulated Amortization Carrying Amount (In thousands) Customer relationships 8 $ 270,300 $ (231,642 ) $ 38,658 $ 270,300 $ (214,544 ) $ 55,756 Technology-based 6 51,417 (51,417 ) — 51,417 (47,848 ) 3,569 Trademark portfolio 20 29,700 (9,776 ) 19,924 29,700 (8,291 ) 21,409 Total other intangible assets $ 351,417 $ (292,835 ) $ 58,582 $ 351,417 $ (270,683 ) $ 80,734 Customer relationships are amortized predominantly in relation to the expected contribution of cash flow to the business over the life of the intangible asset. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods the assets are expected to contribute to our cash flows. Intangible asset amortization expense, including amortization of externally marketed capitalized software, was $41.8 million , $45.1 million and $50.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Future Amortization As of December 31, 2017 , our estimated future amortization of intangible assets was as follows: Amount (In thousands) For the Years Ending December 31, 2018 $ 14,631 2019 14,631 2020 10,981 2021 4,356 2022 1,485 Thereafter 12,498 Total $ 58,582

Debt and Capital Lease Obligati

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	Debt and Capital Lease Obligations As of December 31, 2017 , our debt primarily consisted of the 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes, each as defined below, and our capital lease obligations. The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and fair values of our debt: Effective Interest Rate As of December 31, 2017 2016 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (In thousands) Senior Secured Notes: 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 6.959% $ 990,000 $ 1,042,609 $ 990,000 $ 1,084,050 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 5.320% 750,000 769,305 750,000 739,688 Senior Unsecured Notes: 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 8.062% 900,000 992,745 900,000 990,189 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 6.688% 750,000 791,865 750,000 760,245 Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs (24,857 ) — (31,821 ) — Subtotal 3,365,143 $ 3,596,524 3,358,179 $ 3,574,172 Capital lease obligations 269,701 297,268 Total debt and capital lease obligations 3,634,844 3,655,447 Less: Current portion (40,631 ) (32,984 ) Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs $ 3,594,213 $ 3,622,463 The fair values of our debt are estimates categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. 2019 Senior Secured Notes and 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes On June 1, 2011, we issued $1.10 billion aggregate principal amount of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “2019 Senior Secured Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0% , pursuant to a Secured Indenture dated June 1, 2011, (as amended the “2011 Secured Indenture”). The 2019 Senior Secured Notes mature on June 15, 2019. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 6 1/2% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the outstanding principal balance on the 2019 Senior Secured Notes was $990.0 million . On June 1, 2011, we also issued $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Senior Unsecured Notes,”) at an issue price of 100.0% , pursuant to an Unsecured Indenture dated June 1, 2011 (together with the “2011 Secured Indenture”, the “2011 Indentures”). The 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes mature on June 15, 2021. Interest accrues at an annual rate of 7 5/8% and is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the outstanding principal balance on the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes was $900.0 million . On June 12, 2015, we redeemed $110.0 million of the 2019 Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price equal to 103.0% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. As a result, we recorded a $5.0 million loss consisting of the $3.3 million redemption premium and a $1.7 million write-off of related unamortized debt issuance costs . 2026 Senior Secured Notes and 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes On July 27, 2016, we issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Secured Notes” and, together with the 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the “Secured Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0% , pursuant to an indenture dated July 27, 2016 (the “2016 Secured Indenture”) and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Unsecured Notes” and, together with the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, the “Unsecured Notes”) at an issue price of 100.0% , pursuant to an indenture dated July 27, 2016 (together with the 2011 Indentures and the 2016 Secured Indenture, the “Indentures”). The 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes are referred to collectively as the “Notes” and individually as a series of the Notes. The 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes (collectively, the “2026 Notes”) mature on August 1, 2026. Interest on the 2026 Senior Secured Notes accrues at an annual rate of 5 1/4% and interest on the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes accrues at an annual rate of 6 5/8%. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable semi-annually in cash, in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year commencing February 1, 2017. At each of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the outstanding principal balance on each of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes was $750.0 million , respectively. Additional Information Relating to the Notes Each series of the Notes is redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount thereof plus a “make-whole” premium, as defined in the applicable Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. We may also redeem up to 10% of the outstanding 2026 Senior Secured Notes per year prior to August 1, 2020 at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In addition, we may, at any time prior to August 1, 2019, with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings or capital contributions, redeem up to 35% of the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, at 105.250% of the principal amount, and up to 35% of the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes, at a redemption price equal to 106.625% of the principal amount plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the 2026 Notes being redeemed to the date of redemption. The Secured Notes are: • our secured obligations ; • secured by security interests in substantially all of our and certain of our subsidiaries existing and future tangible and intangible assets on a first priority basis, subject to certain exceptions; • ranked equally and ratably as between the 2019 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Secured Notes; • effectively junior to our obligations that are secured by assets that are not part of the collateral that secures the respective Secured Notes, in each case, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations; • effectively senior to our existing and future unsecured obligations to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the respective Secured Notes, after giving effect to permitted liens as provided in the Indenture governing the respective Secured Notes; • senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future obligations that are expressly subordinated to the respective Secured Notes; • structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the respective Secured Notes; and • unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior secured basis by certain of our subsidiaries, which guarantees rank equally with all of the guarantors’ existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness and effectively senior to such guarantors’ existing and future obligations to the extent of the value of the assets securing the respective Secured Notes. The Unsecured Notes are: • our unsecured senior obligations ; • ranked equally with all existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness (including as between the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2026 Senior Unsecured Notes) and effectively junior to any secured indebtedness up to the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; • effectively junior to our obligations that are secured to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations; • senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future obligations that are expressly subordinated to the respective Unsecured Notes; • structurally junior to any existing and future obligations of any of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the respective Unsecured Notes; and • unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a general senior secured basis by certain of our subsidiaries, which guarantees rank equally with all of the guarantors’ existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness, and effectively junior to any secured indebtedness of the guarantors up to the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indentures contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability and, in certain instances, the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to: • incur additional debt; • pay dividends or make distributions on our capital stock or repurchase our capital stock; • make certain investments; • create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions; • enter into transactions with affiliates; • merge or consolidate with another company; • transfer and sell assets; and • allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets to us or our subsidiaries. In the event of a Change of Control, as defined in the respective Indentures, we would be required to make an offer to repurchase all or any part of a holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. The Indentures provide for customary events of default for each series of the Notes, including, among other things, nonpayment, breach of the covenants in the applicable Indentures, payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. If any event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of the Notes, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series may declare all the Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately, together with any accrued and unpaid interest. Pursuant to the terms of a registration rights agreement, HSS registered notes having substantially identical terms as the 2026 Notes with the SEC as part of an offer to exchange registered notes for the 2026 Notes. This exchange offer expired May 11, 2017 with 99.98% of the 2026 Notes being tendered for exchange. Debt Issuance Costs In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes, we incurred $7.5 million of debt issuance costs. For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we amortized $7.4 million , $6.6 million and $6.0 million of debt issuance costs, respectively, which are included in “ Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized ” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) . Capital Lease Obligations Our capital lease obligations reflect the present value of future minimum lease payments under noncancelable lease agreements, primarily for certain of our satellites (see Note 7 ). These agreements require monthly recurring payments, which generally include principal, interest, an amount for use of the orbital location and estimated executory costs, such as insurance and maintenance. The monthly recurring payments generally are subject to reduction in the event of failures that reduce the satellite transponder capacity. Certain of these agreements provide for extension of the initial lease term at our option. The effective interest rates for our satellite capital lease obligations range from 6.0% to 11.2% , with a weighted average of 10.5% as of December 31, 2017 . Our capital lease obligations consist primarily of our payment obligations under agreements for the Nimiq 5 and QuetzSat-1 satellites, which have remaining noncancelable terms ending in September 2024 and November 2021, respectively. As discussed in Note 15 , we have subleased transponders on these satellites to DISH Network. Future minimum lease payments under our capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2017 , are as follows: Amount (In thousands) For the Years Ending December 31, 2018 $ 93,038 2019 88,739 2020 88,496 2021 84,371 2022 63,622 Thereafter 110,880 Total minimum lease payments 529,146 Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments (162,404 ) Net minimum lease payments 366,742 Less: Amount representing interest (97,041 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 269,701 Less: Current portion (40,631 ) Long-term portion of capital lease obligations $ 229,070 We received rental income from the sublease of our capital lease satellites of approximately $132.4 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . As of December 31, 2017 , our future minimum sublease rental income was $348.5 million relating to such satellites. The subleases have a remaining weighted average term of three years

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The components of income before income taxes are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Domestic $ 66,947 $ 202,905 $ 203,217 Foreign (27,596 ) (7,425 ) 8,131 Income before income taxes $ 39,351 $ 195,480 $ 211,348 The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Current benefit (provision): Federal $ (638 ) $ (223 ) $ (95 ) State (7,211 ) (62 ) (27 ) Foreign (2,020 ) (2,573 ) (4,231 ) Total current provision (9,869 ) (2,858 ) (4,353 ) Deferred benefit (provision): Federal 275,957 (67,035 ) (70,052 ) State (2,618 ) (8,693 ) 1,209 Foreign (5,268 ) 4,827 832 Total deferred benefit (provision) 268,071 (70,901 ) (68,011 ) Total income tax benefit (provision), net $ 258,202 $ (73,759 ) $ (72,364 ) The actual tax provisions for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 reconcile to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to income before income taxes as shown below: For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal effect (6.0 )% 4.5 % (0.7 )% Permanent differences (2.6 )% 0.6 % 0.8 % Tax credits (8.2 )% (1.5 )% (2.7 )% Valuation allowance 44.0 % (1.1 )% 2.0 % Enactment of Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 (719.2 )% — % — % Other 0.8 % 0.2 % (0.2 )% Total effective tax rate (656.2 )% 37.7 % 34.2 % The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards $ 155,450 $ 153,807 Unrealized losses on investments, net 6,597 11,874 Accrued expenses 22,683 31,036 Stock-based compensation 1,285 1,606 Other assets 7,179 7,445 Total deferred tax assets 193,194 205,768 Valuation allowance (39,511 ) (26,447 ) Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance 153,683 179,321 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and amortization (588,105 ) (697,314 ) Other liabilities (1,509 ) (1,319 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (589,614 ) (698,633 ) Total net deferred tax liabilities $ (435,931 ) $ (519,312 ) Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the effects of tax losses, credits, and the future income tax effects of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We evaluate our deferred tax assets for realization and record a valuation allowance when we determine that it is more likely than not that the amounts will not be realized. Overall, our net deferred tax assets were offset by a valuation allowance of $39.5 million and $26.4 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The change in the valuation allowance primarily relates to a decrease in realized and unrealized gains that are capital in nature, and an increase in the net operating loss carryforwards of certain foreign subsidiaries. Tax benefits of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are evaluated on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carryforward period, and other circumstances. As of December 31, 2017 , we had net operating loss carryforwards of $440.2 million , including $101.3 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards. A substantial portion of these net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2029. As of December 31, 2017 , we have tax credit carryforwards of $36.9 million and $2.7 million for federal and state income tax purposes, respectively. If not utilized, the federal tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2026 and the state tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2018. As of December 31, 2017 , we had undistributed earnings attributable to foreign subsidiaries for which no provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes has been made because it is expected that such earnings will be reinvested outside the U.S. indefinitely. It is not practicable to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability at this time. Accounting for the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) was enacted in December 2017 and has significantly impacted our effective tax rate and the tax benefit calculated for the year ended December 31, 2017. We have provisionally recorded a benefit of $283.0 million to reflect the change in the value of our deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from the change in the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. This amount includes a provisional estimate of zero related to valuation allowances on foreign tax credit carryovers. In order to complete this analysis, we must refine our forecast of qualifying foreign source income under the 2017 Tax Act including the effects of the new foreign-derived intangible income provisions. We will account for the effects, if any, of the global intangible low-taxed income provisions (“GILTI”) of the 2017 Tax Act as incurred. We also have recorded a provisional estimate of zero related to the tax on deemed mandatory repatriation of our unrepatriated foreign earnings. We are gathering more detailed historical financial information from our non-consolidated foreign affiliates in order to complete our analysis of the impacts of the 2017 Tax Act on our financial position and operating results. Due to the timing of the enactment and the complexity involved in applying the provisions of the 2017 Tax Act, we made reasonable estimates of the effects and recorded provisional amounts in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. As we collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret the 2017 Tax Act and any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS or other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. Those adjustment may materially impact the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rate in the period in which the adjustments are made. Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes In addition to filing U.S. federal income tax returns with EchoStar, we file income tax returns in all states that impose an income tax. We also file income tax returns in the United Kingdom, Brazil, India and a number of other foreign jurisdictions. We generally are open to income tax examination in these foreign jurisdictions for taxable years beginning in 2003. As of December 31, 2017 , we are currently being audited by the Indian tax authorities for fiscal years 2003 through 2012. We have no other on-going significant income tax examinations in process in our foreign jurisdictions. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, Unrecognized tax benefit 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 7,057 $ 3,508 $ 3,508 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 656 388 — Additions based on tax positions related to prior years 237 3,161 — Balance as of end of period $ 7,950 $ 7,057 $ 3,508 As of December 31, 2017 , we had $8.0 million of unrecognized income tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2016 , we had $7.1 million of unrecognized income tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. We do not believe that the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months due to the lapse of statute of limitations or settlement with tax authorities. For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , our income tax provision included an insignificant amount of interest and penalties. Estimates of our uncertain tax positions are made based upon prior experience and are updated in light of changes in facts and circumstances. However, due to the uncertain and complex application of tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in liabilities which could be materially different from these estimates. In such an event, we will record additional income tax provision or benefit in the period in which such resolution occurs.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cost (Reversal of Cost) [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans Employee Stock Purchase Plan EchoStar has an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”), under which it is authorized to issue 5.0 million shares of EchoStar Class A common stock. As of December 31, 2017 , EchoStar had 2.7 million shares of Class A common stock which remain available for issuance under the ESPP. Substantially all full-time employees are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Employee stock purchases are made through payroll deductions. Under the terms of the ESPP, each employee’s deductions are limited so that the maximum they may purchase under the ESPP is $25,000 in fair value of Class A common stock per year. Stock purchases are made on the last business day of each calendar quarter at 85.0% of the closing price of the Class A common stock on that date. For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , our employees’ purchases of EchoStar Class A common stock through the ESPP totaled approximately 169,000 shares, 209,000 shares and 198,000 shares, respectively. 401(k) Employee Savings Plans Under the EchoStar 401(k) Plan (“the Plan”), eligible employees are entitled to contribute up to 75.0% of their eligible compensation subject to the maximum contribution limit provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Eligible employees have the option to contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis subject to the Code limits. All employee contributions to the Plan are immediately vested. EchoStar matches 50 cents on the dollar for the first 6.0% of each employee’s salary contributions to the Plan for a total of 3.0% match on a pre-tax basis up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. EchoStar’s match is calculated each pay period there is an employee contribution. In addition, EchoStar may make an annual discretionary contribution to the 401(k) plan to be made in cash or EchoStar’s stock. EchoStar’s contributions under the Plan vest at 20.0% per year and are 100.0% vested after an eligible employee has completed five years of employment. Forfeitures of unvested participant balances may be used to fund matching and discretionary contributions. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we recognized matching contributions, net of forfeitures, of $5.1 million , $4.4 million and $4.0 million , respectively, and EchoStar made discretionary contributions to our employees of shares of its Class A common stock, net of forfeitures, with a fair value of $6.7 million , $5.6 million and $5.2 million

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Commitments The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2017 : Payments Due in the Year Ending December 31, Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter (In thousands) Long-term debt $ 3,390,000 $ — $ 990,000 $ — $ 900,000 $ — $ 1,500,000 Capital lease obligations 269,701 40,631 40,740 45,096 46,450 31,985 64,799 Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations 1,235,317 248,840 212,466 175,899 136,730 98,282 363,100 Satellite-related obligations 543,273 164,510 69,535 63,863 49,468 76,565 119,332 Operating lease obligations 83,996 15,132 14,103 13,808 11,453 7,588 21,912 Total $ 5,522,287 $ 469,113 $ 1,326,844 $ 298,666 $ 1,144,101 $ 214,420 $ 2,069,143 Our “Satellite-related obligations” primarily include payments pursuant to launch services contracts and regulatory authorizations; executory costs for our capital lease satellites; costs under satellite service agreements; and in-orbit incentives relating to certain satellites; as well as commitments for long-term satellite operating leases and satellite service arrangements. We incurred satellite-related expenses of $139.9 million , $144.2 million and $116.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The table above does not include amounts related to deferred tax liabilities, unrecognized tax positions and certain other amounts recorded in our noncurrent liabilities as the timing of any payments is uncertain. The table also excludes long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities that do not require future cash payments. In certain circumstances, the dates on which we are obligated to pay our contractual obligations could change. Rent Expense For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we recorded $27.8 million , $19.1 million and $17.5 million , respectively, of operating lease expense relating to the leases of office space, equipment, and other facilities. Contingencies Patents and Intellectual Property Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that cover or affect products or services directly or indirectly related to those that we offer. We may not be aware of all patents and other intellectual property rights that our products and services may potentially infringe. Damages in patent infringement cases can be substantial, and in certain circumstances can be trebled. Further, we cannot estimate the extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain licenses with respect to intellectual property rights held by others and the availability and cost of any such licenses. Various parties have asserted patent and other intellectual property rights with respect to our products and services. We cannot be certain that these persons do not own the rights they claim, that these rights are not valid or that our products and services do not infringe on these rights. Further, we cannot be certain that we would be able to obtain licenses from these persons on commercially reasonable terms or, if we were unable to obtain such licenses, that we would be able to redesign our products and services to avoid infringement. Separation Agreement; Share Exchange In 2008, DISH Network contributed its digital set-top box business and certain infrastructure and other assets, including certain of its satellites, uplink and satellite transmission assets, real estate, and other assets and related liabilities to EchoStar (the “Spin-off”). In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into a separation agreement with DISH Network that provides, among other things, for the division of certain liabilities, including liabilities resulting from litigation. Under the terms of the separation agreement, EchoStar assumed certain liabilities that relate to its and our business, including certain designated liabilities for acts or omissions that occurred prior to the Spin-off. Certain specific provisions govern intellectual property related claims under which, generally, EchoStar will only be liable for its acts or omissions following the Spin-off and DISH Network will indemnify EchoStar for any liabilities or damages resulting from intellectual property claims relating to the period prior to the Spin-off, as well as DISH Network’s acts or omissions following the Spin-off. Additionally, in connection with the Share Exchange, EchoStar entered into the Share Exchange Agreement and other agreements which provide, among other things, for the division of certain liabilities, including liabilities relating to taxes, intellectual property and employees and liabilities resulting from litigation and the assumption of certain liabilities that relate to the transferred businesses and assets. These agreements also contain additional indemnification provisions between EchoStar and us and DISH Network for certain pre-existing liabilities and legal proceedings. Litigation We are involved in a number of legal proceedings (including those described below) concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our business activities. Many of these proceedings are at preliminary stages and/or seek an indeterminate amount of damages. We regularly evaluate the status of the legal proceedings in which we are involved to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or an additional loss may have been incurred and to determine if accruals are appropriate. We record an accrual for litigation and other loss contingencies when we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. If accruals are not appropriate, we further evaluate each legal proceeding to assess whether an estimate of possible loss or range of loss can be made. There can be no assurance that legal proceedings against us will be resolved in amounts that will not differ from the amounts of our recorded accruals. Legal fees and other costs of defending litigation are charged to expense as incurred. For certain cases described below, management is unable to predict with any degree of certainty the outcome or provide a meaningful estimate of the possible loss or range of possible loss because, among other reasons, (i) the proceedings are in various stages; (ii) damages have not been sought or specified; (iii) damages are unsupported, indeterminate and/or exaggerated in management’s opinion; (iv) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending trials, appeals or motions; (v) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (vi) there are novel legal issues or unsettled legal theories to be presented or a large number of parties are involved (as with many patent-related cases). Except as described below, for these cases, however, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the outcomes of these proceedings will have a material effect on our financial condition, operating results or cash flows, though there is no assurance that the resolution and outcomes of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not be material to our financial condition, operating results or cash flows for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period. We intend to vigorously defend the proceedings against us. In the event that a court or jury ultimately rules against us, we may be subject to adverse consequences, including, without limitation, substantial damages, which may include treble damages, fines, penalties, compensatory damages and/or other equitable or injunctive relief that could require us to materially modify our business operations or certain products or services that we offer to our consumers. Elbit On January 23, 2015, Elbit Systems Land and C4I LTD and Elbit Systems of America Ltd. (together referred to as “Elbit”) filed a complaint against our subsidiary Hughes Network Systems, L.L.C. (“HNS”), as well as against Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations, LLC, Bluetide Communications, Inc. and Helm Hotels Group, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 6,240,073 (the “073 patent”) and 7,245,874 (“874 patent”). The 073 patent is entitled “Reverse Link for a Satellite Communication Network” and the 874 patent is entitled “Infrastructure for Telephony Network.” Elbit alleges that the 073 patent is infringed by broadband satellite systems that practice the Internet Protocol Over Satellite standard. Elbit alleges that the 874 patent is infringed by the manufacture and sale of broadband satellite systems that provide cellular backhaul service via connections to E1 or T1 interfaces at cellular backhaul base stations. On April 2, 2015, Elbit filed an amended complaint removing Helm Hotels Group as a defendant, but making similar allegations against a new defendant, Country Home Investments, Inc. On November 3 and 4, 2015, and January 22, 2016, the defendants filed petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office challenging the validity of the patents in suit, which the Patent and Trademark Office subsequently declined to institute. On April 13, 2016, the defendants answered Elbit’s complaint. At Elbit’s request, on June 26, 2017, the court dismissed Elbit’s claims of infringement against all parties other than HNS. Trial commenced on July 31, 2017. On August 7, 2017, the jury returned a verdict that the 073 patent was valid and infringed, and awarded Elbit approximately $21.1 million . As a result of interest, costs and unit sales through the 073 patent’s expiration in November 2017, we estimate the jury verdict could result in a judgment of approximately $27.0 million if not overturned or modified by post-trial motions or appeals. The jury also found that such infringement of the 073 patent was not willful and that the 874 patent was not infringed. HNS intends to vigorously pursue its post-trial rights, including appeals. We cannot predict with certainty the outcome of any post-trial motions or appeals. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we have recorded an accrual of $2.5 million with respect to this liability. Any eventual payments made with respect to the ultimate outcome of this matter may be different from our accruals and such differences could be significant. Realtime Data LLC On May 8, 2015, Realtime Data LLC (“Realtime”) filed suit against EchoStar Corporation and our subsidiary HNS in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of United States Patent Nos. 7,378,992 (the “992 patent”), entitled “Content Independent Data Compression Method and System”; 7,415,530 (the “530 patent”), entitled “System and Methods for Accelerated Data Storage and Retrieval”; and 8,643,513 (the “513 patent”), entitled “Data Compression System and Methods.” On September 14, 2015, Realtime amended its complaint, additionally alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 9,116,908 (the “908 patent”), entitled “System and Methods for Accelerated Data Storage and Retrieval.” Realtime generally alleges that the asserted patents are infringed by certain HNS data compression products and services. Over April 29, 2016 and May 5, 2016, the defendants filed petitions before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) challenging the validity of the asserted patents. The USPTO instituted proceedings on each of those petitions. The USPTO invalidated the asserted claims of the 513 patent, but Realtime is still asserting this patent against us and may appeal this ruling. Realtime is no longer asserting the 992 patent against us and additionally, the USPTO invalidated the claims of the 992 patent that had been asserted against us. The USPTO is still reviewing the 530 patent; however, two of the four claims from that patent asserted against us were invalidated in a separate litigation between Realtime and a third party, which Realtime may appeal. The USPTO did not invalidate the asserted claims of the 908 patent, but a third party has challenged these claims in a separate proceeding before the USPTO. On February 14, 2017, Realtime filed a second suit against EchoStar Corporation and our subsidiary HNS in the same District Court, alleging infringement of four additional United States Patents, Nos. 7,358,867 (the “867 patent”), entitled “Content Independent Data Compression Method and System;” 8,502,707 (the “707 patent”), entitled “Data Compression Systems and Methods;” 8,717,204 (the “204 patent”), entitled “Methods for Encoding and Decoding Data;” and 9,054,728 (the “728 patent”), entitled “Data Compression System and Methods.” On June 6, 2017, Realtime filed an amended complaint, adding claims of infringement against EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C., a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH, DISH, DISH Network L.L.C., Sling TV L.L.C., Sling Media L.L.C., and Arris Group, Inc., as well as additionally alleging infringement of United States Patent No. 8,553,759 (the “759 patent”), entitled “Bandwidth Sensitive Data Compression and Decompression.” The cases were consolidated and no trial date has been set. On July 20, 2017, the claims against the newly added parties, with the exception of EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C., were severed into a separate case. On September 1, 2017, EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C. was dismissed from the case. On October 10, 2017, Realtime informed us that it is not pursuing the 759 patent against us. In response to petitions filed by third parties, the USPTO has instituted proceedings regarding the validity of all but one asserted claim of the 867 patent, all but one asserted claim of the 728 patent, and all asserted claims of the 204 patent. Additional third party petitions challenging the validity of all claims asserted in the 204 and 728 patents are awaiting institution decisions. On February 13, 2018 we filed petitions before the USPTO challenging the validity of all claims asserted against us from the 707 and 204 patents, as well as the one asserted claim of the 728 patent for which the USPTO has not yet instituted a proceeding. These petitions are also awaiting institution decisions. Trial is scheduled for January 21, 2019. Realtime is an entity that seeks to license an acquired patent portfolio without itself practicing any of the claims recited therein. Other In addition to the above actions, we are subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of our business. As part of our ongoing operations, the Company is subject to various inspections, audits, inquiries, investigations and similar actions by third parties, as well as by governmental/regulatory authorities responsible for enforcing the laws and regulations to which the Company may be subject. Further, under the federal False Claims Act, private parties have the right to bring qui tam, or “whistleblower,” suits against companies that submit false claims for payments to, or improperly retain overpayments from, the federal government. Some states have adopted similar state whistleblower and false claims provisions. In addition, the Company from time to time receives inquiries from federal, state and foreign agencies regarding compliance with various laws and regulations. In our opinion, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any of these other actions is unlikely to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, though the resolutions and outcomes, individually or in the aggregate, could be material to our financial position, operating results or cash flows for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period. The Company indemnifies its directors, officers and employees for certain liabilities that might arise from the performance of their responsibilities for the Company. Additionally, in the normal course of its business, the Company enters into contracts pursuant to which the Company may make a variety of representations and warranties and indemnify the counterparty for certain losses. The Company’s possible exposure under these arrangements cannot be reasonably estimated as this involves the resolution of claims made, or future claims that may be made, against the Company or its officers, directors or employees, the outcomes of which are unknown and not currently predictable or estimable.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting Operating segments are business components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who for HSS, is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. We operate in two primary business segments, Hughes and ESS as described in Note 1 of these consolidated financial statements. The primary measure of segment profitability that is reported regularly to our CODM is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA. Effective in March 2017, we also changed our overhead allocation methodology to reflect how the CODM evaluates our segments. Historically, the costs of all corporate functions were included on an allocated basis in each of the business segments’ EBITDA. Under the revised allocation methodology, these costs are now reported and analyzed as part of “Corporate and Other” (previously “All Other and Eliminations”). Our prior period segment EBITDA disclosures have been restated to reflect this change. Our operations also include various corporate departments (primarily Executive, Strategic Development, Human Resources, IT, Finance, Real Estate and Legal) as well as other activities that have not been assigned to our operating segments, including costs incurred in certain satellite development programs and other business development activities, our centralized treasury operations, and gains (losses) from certain of our investments. Costs and income associated with these departments and activities are accounted for in the “Corporate and Other” column in the table below or in the reconciliation of EBITDA below. Transactions between segments were not significant for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . Total assets by segment have not been reported herein because the information is not provided to our CODM on a regular basis. The following table presents revenue, EBITDA and capital expenditures for each of our operating segments: Hughes EchoStar Corporate Consolidated (In thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 External revenue $ 1,476,131 $ 390,831 $ 9,907 $ 1,876,869 Intersegment revenue $ 1,787 $ 1,413 $ (3,200 ) $ — Total revenue $ 1,477,918 $ 392,244 $ 6,707 $ 1,876,869 EBITDA $ 475,222 $ 315,285 $ (42,415 ) $ 748,092 Capital expenditures (1) $ 376,502 $ 20,725 $ — $ 397,227 For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 External revenue $ 1,389,152 $ 406,970 $ 3,671 $ 1,799,793 Intersegment revenue $ 3,209 $ 690 $ (3,899 ) $ — Total revenue $ 1,392,361 $ 407,660 $ (228 ) $ 1,799,793 EBITDA $ 477,165 $ 341,516 $ (36,174 ) $ 782,507 Capital expenditures $ 322,362 $ 58,925 $ — $ 381,287 For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 External revenue $ 1,344,945 $ 489,842 $ 2,345 $ 1,837,132 Intersegment revenue $ 2,395 $ 749 $ (3,144 ) $ — Total revenue $ 1,347,340 $ 490,591 $ (799 ) $ 1,837,132 EBITDA $ 444,342 $ 414,727 $ (54,477 ) $ 804,592 Capital expenditures $ 285,499 $ 101,215 $ — $ 386,714 (1) Capital expenditures are net of refunds and other receipts related to capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2017. The following table reconciles total consolidated EBITDA to reported “Income before income taxes” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss): For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) EBITDA $ 748,092 $ 782,507 $ 804,592 Interest income and expense, net (213,526 ) (174,600 ) (164,734 ) Depreciation and amortization (496,798 ) (414,133 ) (430,127 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,583 1,706 1,617 Income before income taxes $ 39,351 $ 195,480 $ 211,348 Geographic Information and Transactions with Major Customers Geographic Information. Revenue is attributed to geographic regions based upon the location where the goods and services are provided. North America revenue includes transactions with North America customers. All other revenue includes transactions with customers in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America, and the Middle East. The following table summarizes total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to the North America and other foreign locations. As of December 31, Long-lived assets: 2017 2016 (In thousands) North America: United States $ 3,482,462 $ 3,111,452 Canada and Mexico 28,360 16,630 All other 270,689 223,209 Total long-lived assets $ 3,781,511 $ 3,351,291 For the Years Ended December 31, Revenue: 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) North America: United States $ 1,511,096 $ 1,469,666 $ 1,516,627 Canada and Mexico 89,928 86,236 67,648 All other 275,845 243,891 252,857 Total revenue $ 1,876,869 $ 1,799,793 $ 1,837,132 Transactions with Major Customers. For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , our revenue included sales to one major customer. The following table summarizes sales to this customer and its percentage of total revenue. For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Total revenue: DISH Network: Hughes segment $ 82,625 $ 107,300 $ 105,181 EchoStar Satellite Services segment 344,841 349,549 423,465 Corporate and Other 6,653 1,538 959 Total DISH Network 434,119 458,387 529,605 All other 1,442,750 1,341,406 1,307,527 Total revenue $ 1,876,869 $ 1,799,793 $ 1,837,132 Percentage of total revenue: DISH Network 23.1 % 25.5 % 28.8 % All other 76.9 % 74.5 % 71.2 %

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Our quarterly results of operations are summarized as follows: For the Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (1) (In thousands) Year ended December 31, 2017 Total revenue $ 430,118 $ 462,265 $ 478,362 $ 506,124 Operating income $ 60,690 $ 53,034 $ 68,919 $ 66,969 Net income $ 9,427 $ 302 $ 11,483 $ 276,341 Net income attributable to HSS $ 9,135 $ 120 $ 10,951 $ 275,764 Year ended December 31, 2016 Total revenue $ 429,126 $ 440,718 $ 457,266 $ 472,683 Operating income $ 81,225 $ 87,546 $ 91,400 $ 90,561 Net income $ 34,030 $ 37,999 $ 28,089 $ 21,603 Net income attributable to HSS $ 33,919 $ 37,688 $ 27,565 $ 20,843 (1) Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2017 include a discrete income tax benefit of $283.0 million related to the enactment of federal tax legislation in December 2017 and an impairment loss of $6.0 million

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions EchoStar We and EchoStar have agreed that we shall have the right, but not the obligation, to receive from EchoStar certain corporate services, including among other things: treasury, tax, accounting and reporting, risk management, legal, internal audit, human resources, and information technology. These services are intended to be provided at cost. Effective March 2017, and as a result of the Share Exchange Agreement, we implemented a new methodology for determining the cost of these services. We may terminate a particular service we receive from EchoStar for any reason upon at least 30 days’ notice. We recorded expenses for services received from EchoStar of $22.2 million , $16.7 million and $16.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. In addition, we occupy certain office space in buildings owned or leased by EchoStar and pay a portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises in accordance with the percentage of the space we occupy. We participate in certain of EchoStar’s shared services arrangements for its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including arrangements for payroll, accounts payable and cash management. From time to time in connection with the processing of transactions under these arrangements, we may pay or receive amounts attributable to other domestic subsidiaries of EchoStar. We report net payments on behalf of other subsidiaries in “Advances to affiliates, net” within current assets and we report net receipts on behalf of other subsidiaries in “Advances from affiliates, net” within current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. No repayment schedule for these net advances has been determined. EchoStar and certain of its subsidiaries have provided cash advances to certain of our foreign subsidiaries to fund certain expenditures pursuant to loan agreements that mature in 2021 and 2022. Advances under these agreements bear interest at annual rates ranging from one to three percent, subject to periodic adjustment based on the one-year U.S. LIBOR rate. We report amounts payable under these agreements in “Advances from affiliates” within noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Contribution of EchoStar XIX Satellite. On February 1, 2017, EchoStar contributed the EchoStar XIX satellite and assigned the related construction contract with the satellite manufacturer to us. We recorded a $349.3 million increase in “Additional paid-in capital,” reflecting EchoStar’s $514.4 million carrying amount of the satellite, including capitalized interest that was previously charged to expense in our consolidated financial statements, less related deferred taxes of $165.1 million . See Note 7 for additional information about the EchoStar XIX satellite. EchoStar XXI and EchoStar XXIII Launch Facilitation and Operational Control Agreements. As part of applying for launch licenses for the EchoStar XXI and XXIII satellites through the UK Space Agency, our subsidiary, Hughes Network Systems, Ltd. (“HNS Ltd.”) and a subsidiary of EchoStar, EchoStar Operating L.L.C. (“EOC”), entered into agreements in June 2015 and March 2016 to transfer to HNS Ltd. EOC’s launch service contracts for the EchoStar XXI and EchoStar XXIII satellites, respectively, and to grant HNS Ltd. certain rights to control the in-orbit operations of these satellites. EOC retained ownership of the satellites and agreed to make additional payments to HNS Ltd. for amounts that HNS Ltd. is required to pay under both launch service contracts. In 2015 and 2016, we recorded additions to “Other noncurrent assets, net” and corresponding increases in “Additional paid-in capital” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet to reflect EOC’s cumulative payments under the launch service contracts prior to the transfer dates and to reflect EOC’s funding of additional cash payments to the launch service provider. The EchoStar XXIII and the EchoStar XXI satellites were successfully launched in March 2017 and June 2017, respectively. We recorded decreases in “Other noncurrent assets, net” and “Additional paid-in capital” of $61.8 million and $83.3 million , respectively, representing the carrying amounts of the launch service contracts at the time of launch to reflect the consumption of the contracts’ economic benefits by EOC, the owner of the satellites. HNS Ltd.’s future payment obligations under the launch service contracts are included in our disclosure of satellite-related obligations in Note 12 . Share Exchange Agreement. Prior to consummation of the Share Exchange, EchoStar was required to complete steps necessary for the transferring of certain assets and liabilities to DISH and certain of its subsidiaries. As part of these steps, subsidiaries of EchoStar that, prior to the consummation of the Share Exchange, owned EchoStar’s business of providing online video delivery and satellite video delivery for broadcasters and pay-TV operators, including satellite uplinking/downlinking, transmission services, signal processing, conditional access management and other services and related assets and liabilities were contributed to one of our subsidiaries in consideration for additional shares of HSS’ common stock that were then issued to a subsidiary of EchoStar. Certain data center assets that were included in the contribution of certain assets and liabilities to one of our subsidiaries were not included in the Share Exchange and continue to be owned by one of our subsidiaries and are pledged as collateral to support our obligations under the indentures relating to the 2019 Senior Secured Notes and the 2026 Senior Secured Notes. EchoStar Mobile Limited Service Agreements. Certain of our subsidiaries provide services to subsidiaries of EchoStar to support the business of EchoStar Mobile Limited, a subsidiary of EchoStar that is licensed by the European Union and its member states (“EU”) to provide mobile satellite services and complementary ground component services covering the entire EU using S-band spectrum. Generally, the amounts EchoStar’s subsidiaries pay for these services are based on cost plus a fixed margin. We recorded revenue in “Services and other revenue” for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $2.7 million related to these services. DISH Network Following the Spin-off, EchoStar and DISH Network have operated as separate publicly-traded companies. However, prior to the consummation of the Share Exchange on February 28, 2017, DISH Network owned the Tracking Stock representing an aggregate 80.0% economic interest in the residential retail satellite broadband business of our Hughes segment. Following the consummation of the Share Exchange, the Tracking Stock was retired. In addition, a substantial majority of the voting power of the shares of each of EchoStar Corporation and DISH is owned beneficially by Charles W. Ergen, our Chairman, and by certain trusts established by Mr. Ergen for the benefit of his family . In connection with and following both the Spin-off and the Share Exchange, EchoStar and certain of its subsidiaries and DISH and certain of its subsidiaries have entered into certain agreements pursuant to which we and EchoStar obtain certain products, services and rights from DISH Network; DISH Network obtains certain products, services and rights from us and EchoStar; and we and DISH Network indemnify each other against certain liabilities arising from our respective businesses. We and/or EchoStar also may enter into additional agreements with DISH Network in the future. Generally, the amounts we or DISH Network pay for products and services provided under the agreements are based on cost plus a fixed margin (unless noted differently below), which varies depending on the nature of the products and services provided. The following is a summary of the terms of our principal agreements with DISH Network that may have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Equipment revenue — DISH Network Equipment revenue - DISH Network consists primarily of sales of broadband equipment under the Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement described below under Services and other revenue — DISH Network. Services and other revenue — DISH Network Satellite Services Provided to DISH Network. Since the Spin-off, we have entered into certain satellite service agreements pursuant to which DISH Network receives satellite services on certain satellites owned or leased by us. The fees for the services provided under these satellite service agreements depend, among other things, upon the orbital location of the applicable satellite, the number of transponders that are providing services on the applicable satellite, and the length of the service arrangements. The terms of each service arrangement is set forth below: EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV. As part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction described below, in March 2014, we began providing certain satellite services to DISH Network on the EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV satellites. The term of each satellite services agreement generally terminates upon the earlier of: (i) the end of life of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; or (iii) a certain date, which depends upon, among other things, the estimated useful life of the satellite. DISH Network generally has the option to renew each satellite service agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of the respective satellite’s life. There can be no assurance that any options to renew such agreements will be exercised. In December 2016, DISH Network renewed the satellite services agreement relative to the EchoStar VII satellite for one year to June 2018. DISH Network has not renewed the agreement relative to the EchoStar VII satellite past such date. EchoStar IX. Effective January 2008, DISH Network began receiving satellite services from us on the EchoStar IX satellite. Subject to availability, DISH Network generally has the right to continue to receive satellite services from us on the EchoStar IX satellite on a month-to-month basis. EchoStar XII. DISH Network received satellite services from us on the EchoStar XII satellite. The term of the satellite services agreement expired at the end of September 2017. EchoStar XVI. In December 2009, we entered into an initial ten -year transponder service agreement with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network has received satellite services from us on the EchoStar XVI satellite since January 2013. Effective December 2012, we and DISH Network amended the transponder service agreement to, among other things, change the initial term to generally expire upon the earlier of: (i) the end-of-life or replacement of the satellite; (ii) the date the satellite fails; (iii) the date the transponder(s) on which service is being provided under the agreement fails; or (iv) four years following the actual service commencement date. In July 2016, we and DISH Network further amended the transponder service agreement to, among other things, extend the initial term by one additional year through January 2018 and to reduce the term of the first renewal option by one year. In May 2017, DISH Network renewed the satellite services agreement relative to the EchoStar XVI satellite for five -years to January 2023. DISH Network has the option to renew for an additional five -year period prior to expiration of the term. There can be no assurance that such option to renew this agreement will be exercised. In the event that DISH Network does not exercise its five -year renewal option, DISH Network has the option to purchase the EchoStar XVI satellite for a certain price. If DISH Network does not elect to purchase the EchoStar XVI satellite at that time, we may sell the EchoStar XVI satellite to a third party and DISH Network is required to pay us a certain amount in the event we are not able to sell the EchoStar XVI satellite for more than a certain amount. Nimiq 5 Agreement. In September 2009, we entered into a fifteen -year satellite service agreement with Telesat Canada (“Telesat”) to receive service on all 32 DBS transponders on the Nimiq 5 satellite at the 72.7 degree west longitude orbital location (the “Telesat Transponder Agreement”). In September 2009, we also entered into a satellite service agreement (the “DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement”) with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network receives satellite services from us on all 32 of the DBS transponders covered by the Telesat Transponder Agreement. Under the terms of the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to us that commenced in September 2009, when the Nimiq 5 satellite was placed into service, and continue through the service term. Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement, the service term will expire in October 2019. Upon expiration of the initial term, DISH Network has the option to renew the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite. Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the Nimiq 5 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite. There can be no assurance that any options to renew the DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite. QuetzSat-1 Agreement. In November 2008, we entered into a ten -year satellite service agreement with SES Latin America, which provides, among other things, for the provision by SES Latin America to us of service on 32 DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite. Concurrently, in 2008, we entered into a transponder service agreement with DISH Network, pursuant to which DISH Network receives satellite services on 24 of the DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite. The QuetzSat-1 satellite was launched in September 2011 and was placed into service in November 2011 at the 67.1 degree west longitude orbital location. In February 2013, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which we receive certain satellite services from DISH Network on five DBS transponders on the QuetzSat-1 satellite. In January 2013, the QuetzSat-1 satellite was moved to the 77 degree west longitude orbital location and DISH Network commenced commercial operations at such location in February 2013. Under the terms of our contractual arrangements with DISH Network, we began to provide service to DISH Network on the QuetzSat-1 satellite in February 2013 and will continue to provide service through the remainder of the service term. Unless extended or earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of our agreement with DISH Network for the QuetzSat-1 satellite, the initial service term will expire in November 2021. Upon expiration of the initial service term, DISH Network has the option to renew the agreement for the QuetzSat-1 satellite on a year-to-year basis through the end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite. Upon an in-orbit failure or end of life of the QuetzSat-1 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite. There can be no assurance that any options to renew this agreement will be exercised or that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite. 103 Degree Orbital Location/SES-3. In May 2012, we entered into a spectrum development agreement (the “103 Spectrum Development Agreement”) with Ciel Satellite Holdings Inc. (“Ciel”) to develop certain spectrum rights at the 103 degree west longitude orbital location (the “103 Spectrum Rights”). In June 2013, we and DISH Network entered into a spectrum development agreement (the “DISH 103 Spectrum Development Agreement”) pursuant to which DISH Network may use and develop the 103 Spectrum Rights. Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH 103 Spectrum Development Agreement, the term generally will continue for the duration of the 103 Spectrum Rights. In connection with the 103 Spectrum Development Agreement, in May 2012, we also entered into a ten -year service agreement with Ciel pursuant to which we receive certain satellite services from Ciel on the SES-3 satellite at the 103 degree orbital location. In June 2013, we and DISH Network entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network receives certain satellite services from us on the SES-3 satellite (the “DISH 103 Service Agreement”). Under the terms of the DISH 103 Service Agreement, DISH Network makes certain monthly payments to us through the service term. Unless earlier terminated under the terms and conditions of the DISH 103 Service Agreement, the initial service term will expire on the earlier of: (i) the date the SES-3 satellite fails; (ii) the date the transponder(s) on which service was being provided under the agreement fails; or (iii) June 2023. Upon in-orbit failure or end of life of the SES-3 satellite, and in certain other circumstances, DISH Network has certain rights to receive service from us on a replacement satellite. There can be no assurance that DISH Network will exercise its option to receive service on a replacement satellite. TT&C Agreement. Effective January 2012, we entered into a telemetry, tracking and control (“TT&C”) agreement pursuant to which we provide TT&C services to DISH Network for a period ending in December 2016 (the “TT&C Agreement”). In November 2016, we and DISH Network amended the TT&C Agreement to extend the term for one year through December 2017. In December 2017, we and DISH Network amended the TT&C Agreement to extend the term for one month through January 2018. In January and February 2018, we and DISH Network amended the TT&C Agreement to extend the term through February 2018. The fees for services provided under the TT&C Agreement are calculated at either: (i) a fixed fee or (ii) cost plus a fixed margin, which will vary depending on the nature of the services provided. DISH Network is able to terminate the TT&C Agreement for any reason upon 60 days’ notice. In connection with the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction, in February 2014, we amended the TT&C Agreement to cease the provision of TT&C services to DISH Network for the EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV satellites. Effective March 2014, we provide TT&C services for the D-1 and EchoStar XV satellites; however, for the period that we received satellite services on the EchoStar XV satellite from DISH Network, we waived the fees for the TT&C services on the EchoStar XV satellite. Effective August 2016, we provide TT&C services to DISH Network for the EchoStar XVIII satellite. Real Estate Lease . Prior to the Share Exchange, EchoStar leased to DISH Network certain space at 530 EchoStar Drive, Cheyenne, Wyoming. In connection with the Share Exchange, EchoStar transferred ownership of a portion of this property to DISH Network and contributed a portion to us and we amended the agreement to (i) terminate the lease for the transferred space and (ii) provide for a continued lease to DISH Network of the portion of the property contributed to us for a period ending in December 2031. The rent on a per square foot basis for the lease is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the lease, and DISH Network is responsible for its portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. This agreement may be extended by mutual consent, in which case this agreement will be converted to a month-to-month lease agreement. Upon extension, either party has the right to terminate this agreement upon 30 days’ notice. TerreStar Agreement. In March 2012, DISH Network completed its acquisition of substantially all the assets of TerreStar Networks Inc. (“TerreStar”). Prior to DISH Network’s acquisition of substantially all the assets of TerreStar and our completion of the Hughes Acquisition, TerreStar and HNS entered into various agreements pursuant to which our Hughes segment provides, among other things, warranty, operations and maintenance and hosting services for TerreStar’s ground-based communications equipment. In December 2017, we and DISH Network amended these agreements, effective as of January 1, 2018, to reduce certain pricing terms through December 31, 2023 and to modify certain termination provisions. DISH Network generally has the right to continue to receive warranty services from us for our products on a month-to-month basis unless terminated by DISH Network upon at least 21 days’ written notice to us. DISH Network generally has the right to continue to receive operations and maintenance services from us on a quarter-to-quarter basis unless operations and maintenance services are terminated by DISH Network upon at least 90 days’ written notice to us. The provision of hosting services will continue until May 2022 and will not renew beyond May 2022 unless the parties enter into a new agreement or amend the existing agreement. In addition, DISH Network generally may terminate any and all services for convenience subject to providing us with prior notice and/or payment of termination charges. Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement. Effective October 2012, HNS and dishNET Satellite Broadband L.L.C. (“dishNET”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH Network, entered into a distribution agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”) pursuant to which dishNET has the right, but not the obligation, to market, sell and distribute the Hughes satellite internet service (the “Hughes service”). dishNET pays HNS a monthly per subscriber wholesale service fee for the Hughes service based upon a subscriber’s service level and based upon certain volume subscription thresholds. The Distribution Agreement also provides that dishNET has the right, but not the obligation, to purchase certain broadband equipment from us to support the sale of the Hughes service. The Distribution Agreement had an initial term of five years with automatic renewal for successive one year terms unless terminated by either party with a written notice at least 180 days before the expiration of the then-current term. In February 2014, HNS and dishNET entered into an amendment to the Distribution Agreement which, among other things, extended the initial term of the Distribution Agreement until March 2024. Upon expiration or termination of the Distribution Agreement, the parties will continue to provide the Hughes service to the then-current dishNET subscribers pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreement. DBSD North America Agreement. In March 2012, DISH Network completed its acquisition of 100% of the equity of reorganized DBSD North America, Inc. (“DBSD North America”). Prior to DISH Network’s acquisition of DBSD North America and our completion of the Hughes Acquisition, DBSD North America and HNS entered into various agreements pursuant to which our Hughes segment provides, among other things, warranty, operations and maintenance and hosting services of DBSD North America’s gateway and ground-based communications equipment. In December 2017, we and DBSD amended these agreements, effective as of January 1, 2018, to reduce certain pricing terms through December 31, 2023 and to modify certain termination provisions. DBSD North America generally has the right to continue to receive warranty services from us on a month-to-month basis until February 2019 unless terminated by DBSD upon at least 21 days’ written notice to us and the right to continue to receive operations and maintenance services from us on a quarter-to-quarter basis unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 120 days’ written notice to us. The provision of hosting services will continue until February 2022 and will automatically renew for an additional five -year period until February 2027 unless terminated by DBSD North America upon at least 180 days’ written notice to us. In addition, DBSD North America generally may terminate any and all such services for convenience, subject to providing us with prior notice and/or payment of termination charges. RUS Implementation Agreement. In September 2010, DISH Broadband L.L.C. (“DISH Broadband”), DISH’s indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, was selected by the Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) of the United States Department of Agriculture to receive up to approximately $14.1 million in broadband stimulus grant funds (the “Grant Funds”). Effective November 2011, HNS and DISH Broadband entered into a RUS Implementation Agreement (the “RUS Agreement”) pursuant to which HNS provided certain portions of the equipment and broadband service used to implement DISH Broadband’s RUS program. While the RUS Agreement expired in June 2013 when the Grant Funds were exhausted, HNS is required to continue providing services to DISH Broadband’s customers activated prior to the expiration of the RUS Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions of the RUS Agreement. General and administrative expenses — DISH Network Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement. In connection with the Spin-off, EchoStar entered into various agreements with DISH Network including the Transition Services Agreement, Satellite Procurement Agreement and Services Agreement, which all expired in January 2010 and were replaced by a Professional Services Agreement. In January 2010, EchoStar and DISH Network agreed that EchoStar and its subsidiaries shall continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to receive the following services from DISH Network, among others, certain of which were previously provided under the Transition Services Agreement: information technology, travel and event coordination, internal audit, legal, accounting and tax, benefits administration, program acquisition services and other support services. Additionally, EchoStar and DISH agreed that DISH Network would continue to have the right, but not the obligation, to engage us to manage the process of procuring new satellite capacity for DISH Network (previously provided under the Satellite Procurement Agreement), receive logistics, procurement and quality assurance services from EchoStar and its subsidiaries (previously provided under the Services Agreement) and other support services. In connection with the consummation of the Share Exchange, EchoStar and DISH amended and restated the Professional Services Agreement to provide that EchoStar and its subsidiaries and DISH Network shall have the right to receive additional services that either EchoStar and its subsidiaries or DISH Network may require as a result of the Share Exchange. A portion of these costs and expenses have been allocated to us in the manner described above under the caption “EchoStar.” The term of the Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement is through January 2019 and renews automatically for successive one -year periods thereafter, unless the agreement is terminated earlier by either party upon at least 60 days’ notice. However, either party may generally terminate the Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement in part with respect to any particular service it receives for any reason upon at least 30 days’ notice. Real Estate Lease from DISH Network . In connection with the Share Exchange, effective March 2017, we sublease from DISH Network certain space at 796 East Utah Valley Drive in American Fork, Utah for a period ending in August 2017. We have exercised our option to renew this sublease for a five -year period ending in August 2022. The rent on a per square foot basis for the lease is comparable to per square foot rental rates of similar commercial property in the same geographic area at the time of the lease, and we are responsible for our portion of the taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance of the premises. Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements . We and DISH Network have entered into an agreement pursuant to which DISH Network provides us with collocation space in El Paso, Texas. This agreement was for an initial period ending in August 2015, and provides us with renewal options for four consecutive years. Effective August 2015, we exercised our first renewal option for a period ending in August 2018. In connection with the Share Exchange, effective March 2017, we also entered into certain agreements pursuant to which DISH Network will provide collocation and antenna space to EchoStar through February 2022 at the following locations: Cheyenne, Wyoming; Gilbert, Arizona; New Braunfels, Texas; Monee, Illinois; Spokane, Washington; and Englewood, Colorado. In August 2017, we and DISH Network also entered into certain other agreements pursuant to which DISH Network will provide additional collocation and antenna space to EchoStar in Monee, Illinois and Spokane, Washington through August 2022. EchoStar may renew each of these agreements for four three -year periods by providing DISH Network with prior written notice no more than 120 days but no less than 90 days prior to the end of the then-current term. EchoStar may terminate certain of these agreements with 180 days’ prior written notice. The fees for the services provided under these agreements depend on the number of racks leased at the location. Other agreements — DISH Network Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction . In February 2014, we and EchoStar entered into agreements with DISH Network to implement a transaction pursuant to which, among other things: (i) in March 2014, EchoStar and HSS issued shares of the Tracking Stock to DISH Network in exchange for five satellites owned by DISH Network (EchoStar I, EchoStar VII, EchoStar X, EchoStar XI and EchoStar XIV) (including assumption of related in-orbit incentive obligations) and approximately $11.4 million in cash; and (ii) in March 2014, DISH Network began receiving certain satellite services as discussed above on these five satellites from us (collectively, the “Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction.”) The Tracking Stock was retired in March 2017 and is no longer outstanding and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to such Tracking Stock terminated and are of no further effect. See Note 1 for further information. Share Exchange Agreement . On January 31, 2017, EchoStar and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the Share Exchange Agreement with DISH and certain of its subsidiaries, pursuant to which on February 28, 2017, EchoStar and its subsidiaries received all of the shares of the Tracking Stock in exchange for 100% of the equity interests of certain EchoStar subsidiaries that held substantially all of EchoStar’s EchoStar Technologies businesses and certain other assets. Following consummation of the Share Exchange on February 28, 2017, EchoStar no longer operates the transferred EchoStar Technologies businesses and the Tracking Stock was retired and is no longer outstanding and all agreements, arrangements and policy statements with respect to such Tracking Stock terminated and are of no further effect. Pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement, EchoStar transferred certain assets, investments in joint ventures, spectrum licenses and real estate properties and DISH Network assumed certain liabilities relating to the transferred assets and businesses. The Share Exchange Agreement contains customary representations and warranties by the parties, including representations by EchoStar related to the transferred assets, assumed liabilities and the financial condition of the transferred businesses. EchoStar and DISH Network have also agreed to customary indemnification provisions whereby each party indemnifies the other against certain losses with respect to breaches of representations, warranties or covenants and certain liabilities and if certain actions undertaken by it causes the transaction to be taxable to the other party after closing. Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement . In March 2017, HNS and DISH Network L.L.C. (“DNLLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DISH, entered into a master service agreement (the “MSA”) pursuant to which DNLLC, among other things: (i) has the right, but not the obligation, to market, promote and solicit orders and upgrades for the Hughes service and related equipment and other telecommunication services and (ii) installs Hughes service equipment with respect to activations generated by DNLLC. Under the MSA, HNS and DNLLC will make certain payments to each other relating to sales, upgrades,

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information
Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information	Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information Certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the obligations of our 2019 Senior Secured Notes and 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes, which were issued on June 1, 2011, and our 2026 Notes, which were issued on July 27, 2016. See Note 9 for further information on the 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2026 Notes. In lieu of separate financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries, condensed consolidating financial information prepared in accordance with Rule 3-10(f) of Regulation S-X is presented below, including the condensed balance sheet information, the condensed statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) information and the condensed statement of cash flows information of HSS, the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis and the non-guarantor subsidiaries of HSS on a combined basis and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the corresponding information of HSS on a consolidated basis. The indentures governing the 2019 Senior Secured Notes, the 2021 Senior Unsecured Notes and the 2026 Notes contain restrictive covenants that, among other things, impose limitations on our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions, incur additional debt, make certain investments, create liens or enter into sale and leaseback transactions, merge or consolidate with another company, transfer and sell assets, enter into transactions with affiliates or allow to exist certain restrictions on the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, make other payments, or transfer assets to us. December 31, 2017 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,746,878 $ 42,373 $ 33,310 $ — $ 1,822,561 Marketable investment securities, at fair value 454,500 1,102 — — 455,602 Trade accounts receivable, net — 133,735 63,105 — 196,840 Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net — 38,286 355 — 38,641 Inventory — 59,711 23,884 — 83,595 Advances to affiliates, net 119,605 229,488 7,313 (241,548 ) 114,858 Other current assets 64 98,890 31,788 (401 ) 130,341 Total current assets 2,321,047 603,585 159,755 (241,949 ) 2,842,438 Property and equipment, net — 2,459,703 293,395 — 2,753,098 Regulatory authorizations — 465,658 — — 465,658 Goodwill — 504,173 — — 504,173 Other intangible assets, net — 58,582 — — 58,582 Investments in unconsolidated entities — 30,587 — — 30,587 Investment in subsidiaries 3,260,790 204,208 — (3,464,998 ) — Advances to affiliates 700 80,744 — (81,444 ) — Deferred tax asset 110,546 — 3,700 (110,546 ) 3,700 Other noncurrent assets, net — 185,839 13,275 — 199,114 Total assets $ 5,693,083 $ 4,593,079 $ 470,125 $ (3,898,937 ) $ 6,857,350 Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) Trade accounts payable $ — $ 82,300 $ 20,516 $ — $ 102,816 Trade accounts payable - DISH Network — 3,769 — — 3,769 Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations — 35,886 4,745 — 40,631 Advances from affiliates, net — 185,161 56,864 (241,548 ) 477 Accrued expenses and other 43,518 145,362 46,748 (401 ) 235,227 Total current liabilities 43,518 452,478 128,873 (241,949 ) 382,920 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs 3,365,143 226,997 2,073 — 3,594,213 Deferred tax liabilities, net — 549,217 960 (110,546 ) 439,631 Advances from affiliates — — 115,159 (81,444 ) 33,715 Other non-current liabilities — 104,249 3,378 — 107,627 Total HSS shareholders’ equity (deficit) 2,284,422 3,260,138 204,860 (3,464,998 ) 2,284,422 Noncontrolling interests — — 14,822 — 14,822 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit) $ 5,693,083 $ 4,593,079 $ 470,125 $ (3,898,937 ) $ 6,857,350 Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,991,949 $ 53,905 $ 25,110 $ — $ 2,070,964 Marketable investment securities, at fair value 177,614 10,309 — — 187,923 Trade accounts receivable, net — 138,861 43,651 — 182,512 Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net — 19,323 — — 19,323 Inventory — 45,623 17,015 — 62,638 Advances to affiliates, net 10 999,340 4,968 (893,866 ) 110,452 Other current assets 48 19,183 27,083 — 46,314 Total current assets 2,169,621 1,286,544 117,827 (893,866 ) 2,680,126 Property and equipment, net — 2,061,831 232,895 — 2,294,726 Regulatory authorizations, net — 471,658 — — 471,658 Goodwill — 504,173 — — 504,173 Other intangible assets, net — 80,734 — — 80,734 Investments in unconsolidated entities — 42,560 — — 42,560 Investment in subsidiaries 3,721,688 314,643 — (4,036,331 ) — Advances to affiliates 700 60,761 — (61,461 ) — Deferred tax asset 92,727 — 9,150 (92,727 ) 9,150 Other noncurrent assets, net 11,097 142,091 145,219 — 298,407 Total assets $ 5,995,833 $ 4,964,995 $ 505,091 $ (5,084,385 ) $ 6,381,534 Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) Trade accounts payable $ — $ 94,089 $ 12,321 $ — $ 106,410 Trade accounts payable - DISH Network — 6 — — 6 Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations — 32,177 807 — 32,984 Advances from affiliates, net 850,807 12,228 31,429 (893,866 ) 598 Accrued expenses and other 44,654 136,921 38,738 — 220,313 Total current liabilities 895,461 275,421 83,295 (893,866 ) 360,311 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs 3,358,179 262,883 1,401 — 3,622,463 Deferred tax liabilities, net — 621,061 128 (92,727 ) 528,462 Advances from affiliates — — 93,429 (61,461 ) 31,968 Other non-current liabilities — 80,532 2,775 — 83,307 Total HSS shareholders’ equity (deficit) 1,742,193 3,725,098 311,233 (4,036,331 ) 1,742,193 Noncontrolling interests — — 12,830 — 12,830 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit) $ 5,995,833 $ 4,964,995 $ 505,091 $ (5,084,385 ) $ 6,381,534 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Revenue: Services and other revenue - other $ — $ 1,056,914 $ 178,857 $ (32,220 ) $ 1,203,551 Services and other revenue - DISH Network — 432,090 1,739 — 433,829 Equipment revenue - other — 255,320 27,205 (43,326 ) 239,199 Equipment revenue - DISH Network — 290 — — 290 Total revenue — 1,744,614 207,801 (75,546 ) 1,876,869 Costs and Expenses: Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 441,120 131,177 (29,632 ) 542,665 Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 235,318 20,318 (43,178 ) 212,458 Selling, general and administrative expenses — 293,810 46,517 (2,736 ) 337,591 Research and development expenses — 31,745 — — 31,745 Depreciation and amortization — 458,483 38,315 — 496,798 Impairment of assets — 6,000 — — 6,000 Total costs and expenses — 1,466,476 236,327 (75,546 ) 1,627,257 Operating income — 278,138 (28,526 ) — 249,612 Other Income (Expense): Interest income 28,146 96,992 1,986 (95,172 ) 31,952 Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (229,415 ) (112,855 ) 1,620 95,172 (245,478 ) Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities — — (3,298 ) — (3,298 ) Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net — — 1,724 — 1,724 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate — — 7,027 — 7,027 Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net 471,602 (35,142 ) — (436,460 ) — Other, net — 4,497 (6,685 ) — (2,188 ) Total other income (expense), net 270,333 (46,508 ) 2,374 (436,460 ) (210,261 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 270,333 231,630 (26,152 ) (436,460 ) 39,351 Income tax benefit (provision), net 25,637 240,392 (7,827 ) — 258,202 Net income (loss) 295,970 472,022 (33,979 ) (436,460 ) 297,553 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,583 — 1,583 Net income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 295,970 $ 472,022 $ (35,562 ) $ (436,460 ) $ 295,970 Comprehensive Income (Loss): Net income (loss) $ 295,970 $ 472,022 $ (33,979 ) $ (436,460 ) $ 297,553 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — — 7,196 — 7,196 Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other (273 ) (2,007 ) 92 — (2,188 ) Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss) — 3,298 — — 3,298 Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net 8,170 6,879 — (15,049 ) — Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 7,897 8,170 7,288 (15,049 ) 8,306 Comprehensive income (loss) 303,867 480,192 (26,691 ) (451,509 ) 305,859 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,992 — 1,992 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 303,867 $ 480,192 $ (28,683 ) $ (451,509 ) $ 303,867 Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Revenue: Services and other revenue - other $ — $ 992,480 $ 133,508 $ (22,861 ) $ 1,103,127 Services and other revenue - DISH Network — 449,547 — — 449,547 Equipment revenue - other — 256,361 24,859 (42,941 ) 238,279 Equipment revenue - DISH Network — 8,840 — — 8,840 Total revenue — 1,707,228 158,367 (65,802 ) 1,799,793 Costs and Expenses: Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 438,837 101,288 (22,168 ) 517,957 Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 225,787 19,512 (40,546 ) 204,753 Selling, general and administrative expenses — 246,399 37,737 (3,088 ) 281,048 Research and development expenses — 31,170 — — 31,170 Depreciation and amortization — 401,688 12,445 — 414,133 Total costs and expenses — 1,343,881 170,982 (65,802 ) 1,449,061 Operating income — 363,347 (12,615 ) — 350,732 Other Income (Expense): Interest income 10,826 199 1,649 (76 ) 12,598 Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (177,625 ) (14,538 ) 4,889 76 (187,198 ) Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net — 6,995 — — 6,995 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate — 9,444 — — 9,444 Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net 218,125 (4,906 ) — (213,219 ) — Other, net 9,749 (6,956 ) 116 — 2,909 Total other income (expense), net 61,075 (9,762 ) 6,654 (213,219 ) (155,252 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 61,075 353,585 (5,961 ) (213,219 ) 195,480 Income tax benefit (provision), net 58,940 (135,081 ) 2,382 — (73,759 ) Net income (loss) 120,015 218,504 (3,579 ) (213,219 ) 121,721 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,706 — 1,706 Net income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 120,015 $ 218,504 $ (5,285 ) $ (213,219 ) $ 120,015 Comprehensive Income (Loss): Net income (loss) $ 120,015 $ 218,504 $ (3,579 ) $ (213,219 ) $ 121,721 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — — (5,377 ) — (5,377 ) Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other 3,290 (1,642 ) (64 ) — 1,584 Recognition of realized loss on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss) (2,996 ) — — — (2,996 ) Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net (6,897 ) (5,255 ) — 12,152 — Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (6,603 ) (6,897 ) (5,441 ) 12,152 (6,789 ) Comprehensive income (loss) 113,412 211,607 (9,020 ) (201,067 ) 114,932 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,520 — 1,520 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 113,412 $ 211,607 $ (10,540 ) $ (201,067 ) $ 113,412 Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Revenue: Services and other revenue - other $ — $ 976,507 $ 140,619 $ (21,877 ) $ 1,095,249 Services and other revenue - DISH Network — 518,734 119 — 518,853 Equipment revenue - other — 200,605 30,678 (19,005 ) 212,278 Equipment revenue - DISH Network — 10,752 — — 10,752 Total revenue — 1,706,598 171,416 (40,882 ) 1,837,132 Costs and Expenses: Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 447,106 99,513 (21,148 ) 525,471 Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 190,200 22,581 (17,244 ) 195,537 Selling, general and administrative expenses — 245,725 33,381 (2,490 ) 276,616 Research and development expenses — 26,377 — — 26,377 Depreciation and amortization — 423,923 6,204 — 430,127 Total costs and expenses — 1,333,331 161,679 (40,882 ) 1,454,128 Operating income — 373,267 9,737 — 383,004 Other Income (Expense): Interest income 3,339 171 1,013 (107 ) 4,416 Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (142,215 ) (29,093 ) 2,051 107 (169,150 ) Loss from partial redemption of debt (5,044 ) — — — (5,044 ) Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities (6,139 ) — — — (6,139 ) Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net 15 (6,478 ) — — (6,463 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate — 8,502 — — 8,502 Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net 239,199 4,705 — (243,904 ) — Other, net (5,468 ) 11,054 (3,364 ) — 2,222 Total other income (expense), net 83,687 (11,139 ) (300 ) (243,904 ) (171,656 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 83,687 362,128 9,437 (243,904 ) 211,348 Income tax provision, net 53,680 (122,564 ) (3,480 ) — (72,364 ) Net income (loss) 137,367 239,564 5,957 (243,904 ) 138,984 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,617 — 1,617 Net income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 137,367 $ 239,564 $ 4,340 $ (243,904 ) $ 137,367 Comprehensive Income (Loss): Net income (loss) $ 137,367 $ 239,564 $ 5,957 $ (243,904 ) $ 138,984 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — — (25,012 ) — (25,012 ) Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other (2,478 ) (1,800 ) 76 — (4,202 ) Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss) 6,139 — — — 6,139 Recognition of realized loss on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss) (15 ) — — — (15 ) Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net (26,416 ) (24,616 ) — 51,032 — Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (22,770 ) (26,416 ) (24,936 ) 51,032 (23,090 ) Comprehensive income (loss) 114,597 213,148 (18,979 ) (192,872 ) 115,894 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,297 — 1,297 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 114,597 $ 213,148 $ (20,276 ) $ (192,872 ) $ 114,597 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 295,970 $ 472,022 $ (33,979 ) $ (436,460 ) $ 297,553 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities (206,014 ) (74,310 ) 43,340 436,460 199,476 Net cash flows from operating activities 89,956 397,712 9,361 — 497,029 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Purchases of marketable investment securities (535,476 ) — — — (535,476 ) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 259,263 — — — 259,263 Expenditures for property and equipment — (340,197 ) (61,341 ) — (401,538 ) Refund and other receipts related to capital expenditures — 4,311 — — 4,311 Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents — — (70 ) — (70 ) Investment in subsidiary (59,000 ) (63,000 ) — 122,000 — Expenditures for externally marketed software — (31,331 ) — — (31,331 ) Net cash flows from investing activities $ (335,213 ) $ (430,217 ) $ (61,411 ) $ 122,000 $ (704,841 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from capital contribution from parent — 59,000 63,000 (122,000 ) — Payments of debt issuance costs (414 ) — — — (414 ) Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations — (32,177 ) (4,886 ) — (37,063 ) Advances to affiliates — (36 ) — (36 ) Other, net 600 (5,850 ) 886 — (4,364 ) Net cash flows from financing activities 186 20,973 58,964 (122,000 ) (41,877 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — 1,286 — 1,286 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (245,071 ) (11,532 ) 8,200 — (248,403 ) Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year 1,991,949 53,905 25,110 — 2,070,964 Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year $ 1,746,878 $ 42,373 $ 33,310 $ — $ 1,822,561 Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 120,015 $ 218,504 $ (3,579 ) $ (213,219 ) $ 121,721 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities 78,875 127,462 24,594 213,219 444,150 Net cash flows from operating activities 198,890 345,966 21,015 — 565,871 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Purchases of marketable investment securities (396,730 ) — — — (396,730 ) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 452,446 — — — 452,446 Expenditures for property and equipment — (292,427 ) (88,860 ) — (381,287 ) Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents 888 7,500 (68 ) — 8,320 Investment in subsidiary (80,846 ) (84,871 ) — 165,717 — Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services — — (23,750 ) — (23,750 ) Expenditures for externally marketed software — (23,252 ) — — (23,252 ) Other, net — (1,296 ) — (340 ) (1,636 ) Net cash flows from investing activities (24,242 ) (394,346 ) (112,678 ) 165,377 (365,889 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 1,500,000 — — — 1,500,000 Payments of debt issuance costs (7,097 ) — — — (7,097 ) Proceeds from capital contribution from parent — 80,846 84,871 (165,717 ) — Capital contribution from EchoStar 23,750 — — — 23,750 Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations — (28,829 ) (2,840 ) — (31,669 ) Advances from affiliates — 6,982 — 6,982 Other, net 14 (5,499 ) 988 340 (4,157 ) Net cash flows from financing activities 1,516,667 46,518 90,001 (165,377 ) 1,487,809 Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — 183 — 183 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,691,315 (1,862 ) (1,479 ) — 1,687,974 Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year 300,634 55,767 26,589 — 382,990 Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year $ 1,991,949 $ 53,905 $ 25,110 $ — $ 2,070,964 Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 137,367 $ 239,564 $ 5,957 $ (243,904 ) $ 138,984 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities 32,816 156,301 3,485 243,904 436,506 Net cash flows from operating activities 170,183 395,865 9,442 — 575,490 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Purchases of marketable investment securities (208,821 ) — — — (208,821 ) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 355,202 — — — 355,202 Expenditures of property and equipment — (325,405 ) (61,309 ) — (386,714 ) Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents (2,432 ) — (56 ) — (2,488 ) Investment in subsidiary (43,000 ) (48,043 ) — 91,043 — Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services — (11,875 ) — (11,875 ) Expenditures for externally marketed software — (22,327 ) — — (22,327 ) Other, net — 1,490 — (1,500 ) (10 ) Net cash flows from investing activities 100,949 (394,285 ) (73,240 ) 89,543 (277,033 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from capital contribution from parent — 43,000 48,043 (91,043 ) — Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium (113,300 ) — — — (113,300 ) Repayment debt and capital lease obligations — (33,478 ) (5,963 ) — (39,441 ) Advances from affiliates — — 20,002 — 20,002 Other, net 40 (6,927 ) 233 1,500 (5,154 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (113,260 ) 2,595 62,315 (89,543 ) (137,893 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — (3,131 ) — (3,131 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 157,872 4,175 (4,614 ) — 157,433 Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year 142,762 51,592 31,203 — 225,557 Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year $ 300,634 $ 55,767 $ 26,589 $ — $ 382,990

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Our valuation and qualifying accounts as of December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 were as follows: Allowance for doubtful accounts Balance at Beginning of Year Charged to Costs and Expenses Deductions Balance at End of Year (In thousands) For the years ended: December 31, 2017 $ 12,752 $ 9,551 $ (10,276 ) $ 12,027 December 31, 2016 $ 11,447 $ 14,384 $ (13,079 ) $ 12,752 December 31, 2015 $ 11,950 $ 6,637 $ (7,140 ) $ 11,447

Summary of Significant Accoun25

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation We consolidate all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. We are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary. We are deemed to have a controlling financial interest in other entities when we own more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting shares and other shareholders do not have substantive rights to participate in management. For entities we control but do not wholly own, we record a noncontrolling interest within shareholders’ equity for the portion of the entity’s equity attributed to the noncontrolling ownership interests. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheets, the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period, and certain information disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, amortization periods for deferred subscriber acquisition costs, revenue recognition using the percentage-of-completion method, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowances for sales returns and rebates, warranty obligations, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of EchoStar’s stock-based compensation awards, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, lease classifications, asset impairment testing, useful lives and methods for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, and certain royalty obligations. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience, observable market inputs and on various other factors that we believe to be relevant under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our consolidated financial statements. Changing economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above. We review our estimates and assumptions periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period they occur or prospectively if the revised estimate affects future periods.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency The functional currency for certain of our foreign operations is determined to be the local currency. Accordingly, we translate assets and liabilities of these foreign entities from their local currencies to U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates and translate income and expense accounts at monthly average rates. The resulting translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) as “ Foreign currency translation adjustments ” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) . Except in certain uncommon circumstances, we have not recorded deferred income taxes related to our foreign currency translation adjustments. Gains and losses resulting from re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies into the functional currency are recognized in “ Other, net
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily consisted of commercial paper, government bonds, corporate notes, and money market funds. The amortized cost of these investments approximates their fair value.
Marketable Investment Securities	Marketable Investment Securities We classify our marketable investment securities as available for sale, except in instances where we have designated certain securities as trading securities. We report all marketable investment securities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognize periodic changes in the fair value of trading securities and realized gains and losses on sale of available-for-sale securities in “Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities,” a component of net income, in our consolidated statements of operations. For available-for-sale securities, we recognize periodic changes in the difference between fair value and amortized cost in other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses upon sale of available-for-sale securities are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in net income on the trade date. We use the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method to determine the cost basis on sales of marketable investment securities. Interest and dividend income from marketable investment securities is reported in “ Interest income ” and “ Other, net ,” respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. We evaluate our available-for-sale securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether declines in the fair value of these securities are other than temporary. Our evaluation consists of reviewing, among other things: • the fair value of each security compared to its amortized cost; • the length of time and the extent to which the fair value of a security has been lower than amortized cost; • the historical volatility of the price of each security; • any market and company-specific factors related to each security; and • our intent and ability to hold the investment to recovery. Where the fair value of a debt security has declined below its amortized cost, we consider the decline to be other than temporary if any of the following factors apply: • we intend to sell the security, • it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before maturity or recovery, or • we do not expect to recover the security’s entire amortized cost basis, even if there is no intent to sell the security. Declines in the fair value of available-for-sale securities that are determined to be other than temporary are reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in net income, thus establishing a new cost basis for the investment.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities - Cost and Equity Method	Investments in Unconsolidated Entities — Cost and Equity Method We use the equity method to account for equity investments in entities that we do not control but have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. We use the cost method when we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. Generally, our equity investments accounted for using either the equity method or cost method are not publicly traded and it is not practicable to regularly estimate the fair value of such investments. We evaluate these equity investments on a quarterly basis to determine whether an event or changes in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. As part of our evaluation, we review available information such as business plans and current financial statements of these companies for factors that may indicate an impairment of our investments. Such factors may include, but are not limited to, unprofitable operations, negative cash flow, material litigation, violations of debt covenants, bankruptcy and changes in business strategy. When we determine that an investment is impaired, and the impairment is other than temporary, we adjust the carrying amount of the investment to its estimated fair value and recognize the impairment loss in net income. Generally, equity method investments are initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for our proportionate share of the net earnings or loss of the investee, which is reported in “ Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate ” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The carrying amount of our investments may include a component of goodwill if the cost of our investment exceeds the fair value of the underlying identifiable assets and liabilities of the investee. Dividends received from equity method investees reduce the carrying amount of the investment. We defer, to the extent of our ownership interest in the investee, recognition of intra-entity profits on sales of equipment to the investee until the investee has charged the cost of the equipment to expense in a subsequent sale to a third party or through depreciation. In these circumstances, we report the gross amounts of revenue and cost of sales in the statement of operations and include the intra-entity profit eliminations within “Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate.”
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable We make ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of our accounts receivable and maintain an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. In determining the amount of the allowance, we consider historical levels of credit losses and make judgments about the creditworthiness of significant customers based on ongoing credit evaluations.
Inventory	Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost, determined using the FIFO method, or net realizable value. Cost of inventory consists primarily of materials, direct labor and indirect overhead incurred in the procurement and manufacturing of our products. We use standard costing methodologies in determining the cost of certain of our finished goods and work-in-process inventories. We determine net realizable value using our best estimates of future use or recovery, considering the aging and composition of inventory balances, the effects of technological and/or design changes, forecasted future product demand based on firm or near-firm customer orders, and alternative means of disposition of excess or obsolete items. We recognize losses within operating income when we determine that the cost of inventory and commitments to purchase inventory exceed net realizable value.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The cost of our satellites includes construction costs, including the present value of in-orbit incentives payable to the satellite manufacturer, launch costs, capitalized interest, and related insurance premiums. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from one to 40 years . Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense when incurred. Costs of renewals and betterments are capitalized.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets	Impairment of Long-lived Assets We review our long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For assets held and used in operations, the asset is not recoverable if the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its undiscounted estimated future net cash flows. When an asset is not recoverable, we adjust the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated fair value and recognize the impairment loss in net income. Assets to be disposed of by sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value assigned to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We do not amortize goodwill, but test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist. Our goodwill as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is assigned to reporting units of our Hughes segment. We test such goodwill for impairment in the second fiscal quarter. The goodwill impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. We typically estimate fair value of reporting units using discounted cash flow techniques, which includes significant assumptions about prospective financial information, terminal value and discount rates (Level 3 inputs). If the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, we recognize an impairment loss equal to such excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We may bypass the quantitative goodwill impairment test if we determine, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount including goodwill.
Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets	Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets At acquisition and periodically thereafter, we evaluate our intangible assets to determine whether their useful lives are finite or indefinite. We consider our intangible assets to have indefinite lives when no significant legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, or other factors limit their useful lives. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from approximately one to 20 years . When we expect to incur significant costs to renew or extend finite-lived intangible assets, we amortize the total initial and estimated renewal costs over the combined initial and expected renewal terms. In such instances, actual renewal costs are capitalized when they are incurred. We test intangible assets with finite lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, as discussed above under “Impairment of Long-lived Assets.” We do not amortize our indefinite-lived intangible assets, but test those assets for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the asset may be impaired. Costs incurred to maintain or renew indefinite-lived intangible assets are expensed as incurred. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets include Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) authorizations and certain other contractual or regulatory rights to use spectrum at specified orbital locations (collectively “Regulatory Authorizations”). We have determined that our FCC authorizations generally have indefinite useful lives due to the following: • FCC authorizations are non-depleting assets; • renewal satellite applications generally are authorized by the FCC subject to certain conditions, without substantial cost under a stable regulatory, legislative, and legal environment; • expenditures required to maintain the authorization are not significant; and • we intend to use these authorizations indefinitely.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of EchoStar. We recognize a provision or benefit for income taxes currently payable or receivable and for income tax amounts deferred to future periods based upon a separate return allocation method which results in income tax expense that approximates the expense that would result if we were a stand-alone entity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on enacted tax laws for the estimated future tax effects of differences that exist between the financial reporting carrying amount and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are offset by valuation allowances when we determine it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized in the foreseeable future. We determine deferred tax assets and liabilities separately for each taxing jurisdiction and report the net amount for each jurisdiction as a noncurrent asset or liability in our consolidated balance sheets . From time to time, we engage in transactions where the income tax consequences are uncertain. We recognize tax benefits when, in management’s judgment, a tax filing position is more likely than not to be sustained if challenged by the tax authorities. For tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not threshold, we may not recognize a portion of a tax benefit depending on management’s assessment of how the tax position will ultimately be settled. Unrecognized tax benefits generally are netted against the deferred tax assets associated with our net operating loss carryforwards. We adjust our estimates periodically based on ongoing examinations by and settlements with various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. We classify interest and penalties, if any, associated with our unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax provision or benefit.
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements We determine fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Market or observable inputs are the preferred source of values, followed by unobservable inputs or assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs. We utilize the highest level of inputs available according to the following hierarchy in determining fair value: • Level 1, defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for identical assets; • Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and • Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with characteristics of the asset or liability that would be considered by market participants in a transaction to purchase or sell the asset or liability. Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are considered to occur at the beginning of the quarterly accounting period. There were no transfers between levels for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 or 2016 . As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, accounts payable and accrued liabilities were equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates. Fair values of our marketable investment securities are based on a variety of observable market inputs. For our investments in publicly traded equity securities and U.S. government securities, fair value ordinarily is determined based on a Level 1 measurement that reflects quoted prices for identical securities in active markets. Fair values of our investments in other marketable debt securities generally are based on Level 2 measurements, as the markets for such debt securities are less active. Trades of identical debt securities on or near the measurement date are considered a strong indication of fair value. Matrix pricing techniques that consider par value, coupon rate, credit quality, maturity and other relevant features also may be used to determine fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities. Fair values for our 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “2019 Senior Secured Notes”), 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Senior Unsecured Notes”), 5.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Secured Notes”) and 6.625% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Unsecured Notes” and together with the 2026 Senior Secured Notes, the “2026 Notes”) (see Note 9 ) are based on quoted market prices in less active markets and are categorized as Level 2 measurements. The fair values of our other debt are Level 2 measurements and are estimated to approximate their carrying amounts based on the proximity of their interest rates to current market rates. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the fair values of our in-orbit incentive obligations, based on measurements categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, approximated their carrying amounts of $99.3 million and $74.1 million , respectively. We use fair value measurements from time to time in connection with asset impairment testing and the assignment of purchase consideration to assets and liabilities of acquired companies. Those fair value measurements typically include significant unobservable inputs and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue from the sale of equipment and services generally is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, prices are fixed or determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured, and the goods have been delivered or services have been rendered. If any of these criteria are not met, revenue recognition is deferred until such time as all of the criteria are met. Revenue from equipment sales generally is recognized upon shipment to customers. Revenue from recurring services generally is recognized ratably over the service term. Upfront fees collected in connection with services to consumer subscribers in our Hughes segment are deferred and recognized as revenue over the estimated subscriber life. We may offer rebates to qualifying new consumer subscribers in our Hughes segment. We reduce related revenue at inception of the subscriber contract based on an estimate of the number of rebates that will be redeemed. Our estimates are based on historical experience and actual sales during the promotion. Services and other revenue includes revenue from leases of satellite capacity and equipment. We typically determine based on applicable criteria that our leasing arrangements are operating leases and recognize related revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In situations where customer offerings represent an arrangement for both services and equipment, revenue elements with standalone value to the customer are separated for revenue recognition purposes based on their selling prices if sold separately. We determine selling prices under a hierarchy that considers vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), third-party evidence and estimated selling prices. Typically, we derive VSOE from service renewal rates and optional equipment prices specified in customer contracts or we estimate prices based on the gross margin that we ordinarily realize in transactions with similarly situated customers. In addition to equipment and service offerings, our Hughes segment also enters into contracts to design, develop, and deliver complex telecommunication networks to customers in its enterprise and mobile satellite systems markets. Those contracts require significant effort to develop and construct the network over an extended time period. Revenue from such contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method. Depending on the nature of the arrangement, we measure progress toward contract completion using the cost-to-cost method or the units-of-delivery method. Under the cost-to-cost method, revenue reflects the ratio of costs incurred to estimated total costs at completion multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue. Under the units-of-delivery method, revenue and related costs are recognized as products are delivered based on the expected profit for the entire agreement. Profit margins on long-term contracts are based on estimates of revenue and costs at completion. We review and revise our estimates periodically and recognize related adjustments in the period in which the revisions are made. Estimated losses on contracts are recorded in the period in which they are identified. We report revenue net of sales taxes imposed on our goods and services in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Since we primarily act as an agent for the governmental authorities, the amount charged to the customer is collected and remitted directly to the appropriate jurisdictional entity.
Debt Issuance Costs	Debt Issuance Costs Costs of issuing debt generally are deferred and amortized utilizing the effective interest method with amortization included in “ Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized
Cost of Sales - Equipment and Services	Cost of Sales — Services and Equipment Cost of sales - services primarily consists of costs of satellite capacity and services, hub infrastructure, customer care, wireline and wireless capacity, and direct labor costs associated with the services provided. Costs of sales - services generally are charged to expense as incurred. Cost of sales - equipment primarily consists of inventory costs, including freight and royalties. Cost of sales - equipment generally is recognized as products are delivered to customers and related revenue is recognized.
Research and Development	Research and Development Costs incurred in research and development activities generally are expensed as incurred. A significant portion of our research and development costs are incurred in connection with the specific requirements of a customer’s order. In such instances, the amounts for these customer funded development efforts are included in cost of sales.
Subscriber Acquisition Costs	Subscriber Acquisition Costs Subscriber Acquisition Costs (“SAC”) consists of costs paid to third-party dealers and customer service representative commissions on new service activations and hardware upgrades and, in certain cases, the cost of hardware and installation services provided to non-wholesale consumer customers at the inception of service or hardware upgrade. SAC is deferred when a customer enters into a service agreement and is subsequently amortized over the service agreement term in proportion to when the related service revenue is recognized. We monitor the recoverability of deferred SAC and are entitled to an early termination fee if the subscriber cancels service prior to the end of the service agreement term. The recoverability of deferred SAC is reasonably assured through the monthly service fee charged to customers, our ability to recover the equipment, and/or our ability to charge an early termination fee. Deferred SAC is included in “ Other noncurrent assets, net ” in our consolidated balance sheets.
Capitalized Software Costs	Capitalized Software Costs Costs related to the procurement and development of software for internal-use and externally marketed software are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, not in excess of five years . Capitalized costs of internal-use software are included in “Property and equipment, net” and capitalized costs of externally marketed software are included in “ Other noncurrent assets, net ” in our consolidated balance sheets. Externally marketed software generally is installed in the equipment we sell to customers. We conduct software program reviews for externally marketed capitalized software costs at least annually, or as events and circumstances warrant such a review, to determine if capitalized software development costs are recoverable and to ensure that costs associated with programs that are no longer generating revenue are expensed.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “ Selling, general and administrative expenses
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”) and has modified the standard thereafter. It outlines a single comprehensive model, codified in Topic 606 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that “an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” Public entities are required to adopt the new revenue standard in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and in interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard may be applied either retrospectively to prior periods or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method for contracts that were not substantially completed as of January 1, 2018. We expect the adoption of the new standard to impact certain up-front fees charged to our customers in our consumer markets, however we do not expect this change to have a material impact on the timing or amount of revenue recognition. We expect to record an adjustment as of January 1, 2018 to increase accumulated earnings by approximately $8.0 million, net of related income taxes as a result of this change. Our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 and interim periods therein will include disclosures about the effect of the new standard. The prior period results will not be recast to reflect the new standard. We expect that the adoption of the new standard will impact our operating results primarily due to how we account for commission costs. Historically, we have charged sales commissions to expense as incurred, except for commissions related to the consumer business in our Hughes segment, which are accounted for as SAC as described above. The requirement to defer incremental contract acquisition costs and recognize them over the contract period or expected customer life will result in the recognition of an additional deferred charge on our consolidated balance sheets and corresponding impact to the consolidated statements of operations in future periods. In addition, we historically amortized our sales acquisition costs related to our consumer business in our Hughes segment over the contract term. Under the new guidance, the amortization period for these contract acquisition costs will be over the estimated customer life, which is a longer period of time. We are finalizing our analysis of the effects of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements. Subject to completion of our analysis, we expect to record an adjustment as of January 1, 2018 to increase accumulated earnings, and record previously expensed amounts on our balance sheet by approximately $15.0 million to $18.0 million, net of related income taxes, primarily to reflect the impact of longer amortization periods for contract acquisition costs. We expect ASU 2014-09 will have a similar revenue and contract acquisition costs impact on our unconsolidated subsidiaries accounted for as equity method investments, however we are not able to provide an estimate of that impact at this time. In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). This update substantially revises standards for the recognition, measurement and presentation of financial instruments, including requiring all equity investments, except for investments in consolidated subsidiaries and investments accounted for using the equity method, to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. The update permits an entity to elect to measure an equity security without a readily determinable fair value at its cost, adjusted for changes resulting from impairments and observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar securities of the same issuer. It also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with equity investments and the fair value of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for certain requirements. We adopted all applicable requirements of this update as of January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, we recorded a $0.4 million charge to accumulated earnings to include net unrealized losses on our marketable equity securities then designated as available for sale, which previously were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. For our equity investments without a readily determinable fair value that we now account for using the cost method, we have elected to measure such securities at cost, adjusted for impairments and observable price changes. We expect our future net income or loss to be more volatile as a result of these changes in accounting for our investments in available-for-sale and cost method equity securities. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). This standard requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases with lease terms more than 12 months, including leases classified as operating leases. The standard also modifies the definition of a lease and the criteria for classifying leases as operating leases or financing leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments rather than incurred losses. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (“ASU 2016-16”), which improves the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We early adopted ASU 2016-16 as of January 1, 2017. Our adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). This standard requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted and the standard must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. We have adopted ASU 2016-18 as of January 1, 2018. Following our adoption of this standard, the beginning and ending balances of cash and cash equivalents presented in our consolidated statements of cash flows will include amounts for restricted cash and cash equivalents, which historically were not included in such balances, and receipts and payments of restricted cash and cash equivalents, exclusive of transfers to and from unrestricted accounts, will be reported in our consolidated statements of cash flows. The adoption of this new accounting standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). This standard simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and is to be applied on a prospective basis. We early adopted ASU 2017-04 as of January 1, 2017. Our adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but it may impact the recognition and measurement of a goodwill impairment loss in future periods if we determine that the carrying amount of any reporting units including goodwill exceeds fair value of the reporting unit. In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU 2017-08”). This update shortens the amortization period of premiums on certain purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date, effectively reducing interest income on such securities prior to the earliest call date. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Other Comprehensive Income (L26

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 were as follows: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Affected Line Item in our For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income (1) Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net $ — $ (2,996 ) $ (15 ) Recognition of other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (2) Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities 3,298 — 6,139 Total reclassifications, net of tax and noncontrolling interests $ 3,298 $ (2,996 ) $ 6,124 (1) When available-for-sale securities are sold, the related unrealized gains and losses that were previously recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified and recognized as “Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). (2)

Investment Securities (Tables)

Investment Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of marketable investment securities	Our marketable investment securities consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value: Corporate bonds $ 368,083 $ 164,619 Strategic equity securities 1,102 10,309 Other 86,417 12,995 Total marketable investment securities—current 455,602 187,923
Schedule of unrealized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities	The components of our available-for-sale securities are summarized in the table below. Amortized Unrealized Estimated Cost Gains Losses Fair Value (In thousands) As of December 31, 2017 Debt securities: Corporate bonds $ 368,291 $ — $ (208 ) $ 368,083 Other 86,425 — (8 ) 86,417 Equity securities - strategic 1,535 — (433 ) 1,102 Total available-for-sale securities $ 456,251 $ — $ (649 ) $ 455,602 As of December 31, 2016 Debt securities: Corporate bonds $ 164,563 $ 94 $ (38 ) $ 164,619 Other 12,994 1 — 12,995 Equity securities - strategic 4,834 — (1,724 ) 3,110 Total available-for-sale securities $ 182,391 $ 95 $ (1,762 ) $ 180,724
Schedule of available-for-sale securities in continuous unrealized loss position by length of time and their fair value	. As of December 31, 2017 2016 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized (In thousands) Less than 12 months $ 438,029 $ (649 ) $ 62,473 $ (1,760 ) 12 months or more — — 1,571 (2 ) Total $ 438,029 $ (649 ) $ 64,044 $ (1,762 )
Schedule of fair value measurements	Our current marketable investment securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as summarized in the table below. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , we did not have investments that were categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of December 31, 2017 2016 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 (In thousands) Cash equivalents $ 1,746,878 $ 125 $ 1,746,753 $ 1,991,949 $ 14,011 $ 1,977,938 Debt securities: Corporate bonds $ 368,083 $ — $ 368,083 $ 164,619 $ — $ 164,619 Other 86,417 — 86,417 12,995 — 12,995 Equity securities - strategic 1,102 1,102 — 10,309 10,309 — Total marketable investment securities $ 455,602 $ 1,102 $ 454,500 $ 187,923 $ 10,309 $ 177,614
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block]	As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent: Cost method $ 15,438 $ 15,438 Equity method 15,149 27,122 Total investments in unconsolidated entities—noncurrent $ 30,587 $ 42,560

Trade Accounts Receivable (Tabl

Trade Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of trade accounts receivable	Our trade accounts receivable consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Trade accounts receivable $ 197,294 $ 159,094 Contracts in process, net 11,573 36,170 Total trade accounts receivable 208,867 195,264 Allowance for doubtful accounts (12,027 ) (12,752 ) Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network 38,641 19,323 Total trade accounts receivable, net $ 235,481 $ 201,835

Inventory (Tables)

Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Schedule of inventory	Our inventory consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Finished goods $ 70,669 $ 49,773 Raw materials 5,484 6,678 Work in process 7,442 6,187 Total inventory $ 83,595 $ 62,638

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of property and equipment	Property and equipment consisted of the following: Depreciable Life As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Land — $ 13,475 $ 13,273 Buildings and improvements 1 - 40 128,292 79,765 Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other 1 - 12 650,385 430,078 Customer rental equipment 2 - 4 929,775 689,579 Satellites - owned 2 - 15 2,516,685 2,381,120 Satellites acquired under capital leases 10 - 15 916,820 781,761 Construction in progress — 149,570 422,337 Total property and equipment 5,305,002 4,797,913 Accumulated depreciation (2,551,904 ) (2,503,187 ) Property and equipment, net $ 2,753,098 $ 2,294,726
Schedule of construction in progress	Construction in progress consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs $ 101,733 $ 244,234 Satellite related equipment 28,358 152,683 Other 19,479 25,420 Construction in progress $ 149,570 $ 422,337 Construction in progress included the following owned and leased satellites under construction as of December 31, 2017 . Satellites Segment Expected Launch Date Telesat T19V (“63 West”) (1) Hughes Second quarter of 2018 (1) We entered into an agreement for certain capacity on this satellite once launched, but are not party to the construction contract
Schedule of depreciation expense	Depreciation expense associated with our property and equipment consisted of the following: For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Satellites $ 224,738 $ 191,729 $ 197,469 Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other 78,465 58,535 70,962 Customer rental equipment 146,562 114,568 105,725 Buildings and improvements 5,278 4,194 5,111 Total depreciation expense $ 455,043 $ 369,026 $ 379,267
Schedule of satellites	Our operating satellite fleet consists of both owned and leased satellites detailed in the table below as of December 31, 2017 . Satellites Segment Launch Date Nominal Degree Orbital Locations (West Longitude) Depreciable Life (In Years) Owned: SPACEWAY 3 (1) Hughes August 2007 95 12 EchoStar XVII Hughes July 2012 107 15 EchoStar XIX (6) Hughes December 2016 97.1 15 EchoStar I (2)(3)(4)(7) ESS December 1995 77 — EchoStar VI (4)(7) ESS July 2000 96.2 12 EchoStar VII (2)(3)(4) ESS February 2002 119 3 EchoStar IX (2)(4) ESS August 2003 121 12 EchoStar X (2)(3) ESS February 2006 110 7 EchoStar XI (2)(3) ESS July 2008 110 9 EchoStar XII (2)(4)(5) ESS July 2003 61.5 2 EchoStar XIV (2)(3) ESS March 2010 119 11 EchoStar XVI (2) ESS November 2012 61.5 15 Capital Leases: Nimiq 5 (2) ESS September 2009 72.7 15 QuetzSat-1 (2) ESS September 2011 77 10 Eutelsat 65 West A Hughes March 2016 65 15 EchoStar 105/SES-11 ESS October 2017 105 15 (1) Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of June 8, 2011, the date EchoStar completed its acquisition of Hughes Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries. (2) See Note 15 for discussion of related party transactions with DISH Network. (3) Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of March 1, 2014, the effective date of our receipt of the satellites from DISH Network as part of the Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction (See Note 15). (4) Fully depreciated assets as of December 31, 2017. (5) Depreciable life represents the remaining useful life as of June 30, 2013, the date the EchoStar XII satellite was impaired. (6) EchoStar contributed the EchoStar XIX satellite to us in February 2017. (7) The EchoStar I satellite was retired in January 2018 and the EchoStar VI satellite is expected to be retired in the second quarter of 2018.

Goodwill, Regulatory Authoriz31

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations, and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of other intangible assets subject to amortization	Our other intangible assets, which are subject to amortization, consisted of the following: Weighted Average Useful Life (in Years) As of December 31, 2017 2016 Cost Accumulated Amortization Carrying Amount Cost Accumulated Amortization Carrying Amount (In thousands) Customer relationships 8 $ 270,300 $ (231,642 ) $ 38,658 $ 270,300 $ (214,544 ) $ 55,756 Technology-based 6 51,417 (51,417 ) — 51,417 (47,848 ) 3,569 Trademark portfolio 20 29,700 (9,776 ) 19,924 29,700 (8,291 ) 21,409 Total other intangible assets $ 351,417 $ (292,835 ) $ 58,582 $ 351,417 $ (270,683 ) $ 80,734
Schedule of estimated future amortization of intangible assets	As of December 31, 2017 , our estimated future amortization of intangible assets was as follows: Amount (In thousands) For the Years Ending December 31, 2018 $ 14,631 2019 14,631 2020 10,981 2021 4,356 2022 1,485 Thereafter 12,498 Total $ 58,582

Debt and Capital Lease Obliga32

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Schedule of carrying amounts and fair values of the entity's debt	The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and fair values of our debt: Effective Interest Rate As of December 31, 2017 2016 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (In thousands) Senior Secured Notes: 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 6.959% $ 990,000 $ 1,042,609 $ 990,000 $ 1,084,050 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 5.320% 750,000 769,305 750,000 739,688 Senior Unsecured Notes: 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 8.062% 900,000 992,745 900,000 990,189 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026 6.688% 750,000 791,865 750,000 760,245 Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs (24,857 ) — (31,821 ) — Subtotal 3,365,143 $ 3,596,524 3,358,179 $ 3,574,172 Capital lease obligations 269,701 297,268 Total debt and capital lease obligations 3,634,844 3,655,447 Less: Current portion (40,631 ) (32,984 ) Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs $ 3,594,213 $ 3,622,463
Schedule of future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations	Future minimum lease payments under our capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2017 , are as follows: Amount (In thousands) For the Years Ending December 31, 2018 $ 93,038 2019 88,739 2020 88,496 2021 84,371 2022 63,622 Thereafter 110,880 Total minimum lease payments 529,146 Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments (162,404 ) Net minimum lease payments 366,742 Less: Amount representing interest (97,041 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 269,701 Less: Current portion (40,631 ) Long-term portion of capital lease obligations $ 229,070

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of income (loss) before income taxes	The components of income before income taxes are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Domestic $ 66,947 $ 202,905 $ 203,217 Foreign (27,596 ) (7,425 ) 8,131 Income before income taxes $ 39,351 $ 195,480 $ 211,348
Schedule of components of the benefit (provision) for income taxes	The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Current benefit (provision): Federal $ (638 ) $ (223 ) $ (95 ) State (7,211 ) (62 ) (27 ) Foreign (2,020 ) (2,573 ) (4,231 ) Total current provision (9,869 ) (2,858 ) (4,353 ) Deferred benefit (provision): Federal 275,957 (67,035 ) (70,052 ) State (2,618 ) (8,693 ) 1,209 Foreign (5,268 ) 4,827 832 Total deferred benefit (provision) 268,071 (70,901 ) (68,011 ) Total income tax benefit (provision), net $ 258,202 $ (73,759 ) $ (72,364 )
Schedule of income tax rate reconciliation	The actual tax provisions for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 reconcile to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to income before income taxes as shown below: For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal effect (6.0 )% 4.5 % (0.7 )% Permanent differences (2.6 )% 0.6 % 0.8 % Tax credits (8.2 )% (1.5 )% (2.7 )% Valuation allowance 44.0 % (1.1 )% 2.0 % Enactment of Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 (719.2 )% — % — % Other 0.8 % 0.2 % (0.2 )% Total effective tax rate (656.2 )% 37.7 % 34.2 %
Schedule of deferred tax assets and liabilities	The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards $ 155,450 $ 153,807 Unrealized losses on investments, net 6,597 11,874 Accrued expenses 22,683 31,036 Stock-based compensation 1,285 1,606 Other assets 7,179 7,445 Total deferred tax assets 193,194 205,768 Valuation allowance (39,511 ) (26,447 ) Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance 153,683 179,321 Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation and amortization (588,105 ) (697,314 ) Other liabilities (1,509 ) (1,319 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (589,614 ) (698,633 ) Total net deferred tax liabilities $ (435,931 ) $ (519,312 )
Schedule of reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows: For the Years Ended December 31, Unrecognized tax benefit 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Balance as of beginning of period $ 7,057 $ 3,508 $ 3,508 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 656 388 — Additions based on tax positions related to prior years 237 3,161 — Balance as of end of period $ 7,950 $ 7,057 $ 3,508

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of contractual obligations	The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2017 : Payments Due in the Year Ending December 31, Total 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter (In thousands) Long-term debt $ 3,390,000 $ — $ 990,000 $ — $ 900,000 $ — $ 1,500,000 Capital lease obligations 269,701 40,631 40,740 45,096 46,450 31,985 64,799 Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations 1,235,317 248,840 212,466 175,899 136,730 98,282 363,100 Satellite-related obligations 543,273 164,510 69,535 63,863 49,468 76,565 119,332 Operating lease obligations 83,996 15,132 14,103 13,808 11,453 7,588 21,912 Total $ 5,522,287 $ 469,113 $ 1,326,844 $ 298,666 $ 1,144,101 $ 214,420 $ 2,069,143

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of revenue, EBITDA, and capital expenditures by operating segments	The following table presents revenue, EBITDA and capital expenditures for each of our operating segments: Hughes EchoStar Corporate Consolidated (In thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 External revenue $ 1,476,131 $ 390,831 $ 9,907 $ 1,876,869 Intersegment revenue $ 1,787 $ 1,413 $ (3,200 ) $ — Total revenue $ 1,477,918 $ 392,244 $ 6,707 $ 1,876,869 EBITDA $ 475,222 $ 315,285 $ (42,415 ) $ 748,092 Capital expenditures (1) $ 376,502 $ 20,725 $ — $ 397,227 For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 External revenue $ 1,389,152 $ 406,970 $ 3,671 $ 1,799,793 Intersegment revenue $ 3,209 $ 690 $ (3,899 ) $ — Total revenue $ 1,392,361 $ 407,660 $ (228 ) $ 1,799,793 EBITDA $ 477,165 $ 341,516 $ (36,174 ) $ 782,507 Capital expenditures $ 322,362 $ 58,925 $ — $ 381,287 For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 External revenue $ 1,344,945 $ 489,842 $ 2,345 $ 1,837,132 Intersegment revenue $ 2,395 $ 749 $ (3,144 ) $ — Total revenue $ 1,347,340 $ 490,591 $ (799 ) $ 1,837,132 EBITDA $ 444,342 $ 414,727 $ (54,477 ) $ 804,592 Capital expenditures $ 285,499 $ 101,215 $ — $ 386,714
Schedule of reconciliation of EBITDA to reported income (loss) before income taxes	The following table reconciles total consolidated EBITDA to reported “Income before income taxes” in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss): For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) EBITDA $ 748,092 $ 782,507 $ 804,592 Interest income and expense, net (213,526 ) (174,600 ) (164,734 ) Depreciation and amortization (496,798 ) (414,133 ) (430,127 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 1,583 1,706 1,617 Income before income taxes $ 39,351 $ 195,480 $ 211,348
Summary of total long-lived assets and revenue attributed to the North American and other foreign locations	As of December 31, Long-lived assets: 2017 2016 (In thousands) North America: United States $ 3,482,462 $ 3,111,452 Canada and Mexico 28,360 16,630 All other 270,689 223,209 Total long-lived assets $ 3,781,511 $ 3,351,291 For the Years Ended December 31, Revenue: 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) North America: United States $ 1,511,096 $ 1,469,666 $ 1,516,627 Canada and Mexico 89,928 86,236 67,648 All other 275,845 243,891 252,857 Total revenue $ 1,876,869 $ 1,799,793 $ 1,837,132
Summary of sales to major customer and its percentage of total revenue	The following table summarizes sales to this customer and its percentage of total revenue. For the Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Total revenue: DISH Network: Hughes segment $ 82,625 $ 107,300 $ 105,181 EchoStar Satellite Services segment 344,841 349,549 423,465 Corporate and Other 6,653 1,538 959 Total DISH Network 434,119 458,387 529,605 All other 1,442,750 1,341,406 1,307,527 Total revenue $ 1,876,869 $ 1,799,793 $ 1,837,132 Percentage of total revenue: DISH Network 23.1 % 25.5 % 28.8 % All other 76.9 % 74.5 % 71.2 %

Quarterly Financial Data (Una36

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of quarterly results of operations	Our quarterly results of operations are summarized as follows: For the Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (1) (In thousands) Year ended December 31, 2017 Total revenue $ 430,118 $ 462,265 $ 478,362 $ 506,124 Operating income $ 60,690 $ 53,034 $ 68,919 $ 66,969 Net income $ 9,427 $ 302 $ 11,483 $ 276,341 Net income attributable to HSS $ 9,135 $ 120 $ 10,951 $ 275,764 Year ended December 31, 2016 Total revenue $ 429,126 $ 440,718 $ 457,266 $ 472,683 Operating income $ 81,225 $ 87,546 $ 91,400 $ 90,561 Net income $ 34,030 $ 37,999 $ 28,089 $ 21,603 Net income attributable to HSS $ 33,919 $ 37,688 $ 27,565 $ 20,843

Supplemental Guarantor and No37

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information
Schedule of consolidating balance sheet	Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,746,878 $ 42,373 $ 33,310 $ — $ 1,822,561 Marketable investment securities, at fair value 454,500 1,102 — — 455,602 Trade accounts receivable, net — 133,735 63,105 — 196,840 Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net — 38,286 355 — 38,641 Inventory — 59,711 23,884 — 83,595 Advances to affiliates, net 119,605 229,488 7,313 (241,548 ) 114,858 Other current assets 64 98,890 31,788 (401 ) 130,341 Total current assets 2,321,047 603,585 159,755 (241,949 ) 2,842,438 Property and equipment, net — 2,459,703 293,395 — 2,753,098 Regulatory authorizations — 465,658 — — 465,658 Goodwill — 504,173 — — 504,173 Other intangible assets, net — 58,582 — — 58,582 Investments in unconsolidated entities — 30,587 — — 30,587 Investment in subsidiaries 3,260,790 204,208 — (3,464,998 ) — Advances to affiliates 700 80,744 — (81,444 ) — Deferred tax asset 110,546 — 3,700 (110,546 ) 3,700 Other noncurrent assets, net — 185,839 13,275 — 199,114 Total assets $ 5,693,083 $ 4,593,079 $ 470,125 $ (3,898,937 ) $ 6,857,350 Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) Trade accounts payable $ — $ 82,300 $ 20,516 $ — $ 102,816 Trade accounts payable - DISH Network — 3,769 — — 3,769 Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations — 35,886 4,745 — 40,631 Advances from affiliates, net — 185,161 56,864 (241,548 ) 477 Accrued expenses and other 43,518 145,362 46,748 (401 ) 235,227 Total current liabilities 43,518 452,478 128,873 (241,949 ) 382,920 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs 3,365,143 226,997 2,073 — 3,594,213 Deferred tax liabilities, net — 549,217 960 (110,546 ) 439,631 Advances from affiliates — — 115,159 (81,444 ) 33,715 Other non-current liabilities — 104,249 3,378 — 107,627 Total HSS shareholders’ equity (deficit) 2,284,422 3,260,138 204,860 (3,464,998 ) 2,284,422 Noncontrolling interests — — 14,822 — 14,822 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit) $ 5,693,083 $ 4,593,079 $ 470,125 $ (3,898,937 ) $ 6,857,350 Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2016 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,991,949 $ 53,905 $ 25,110 $ — $ 2,070,964 Marketable investment securities, at fair value 177,614 10,309 — — 187,923 Trade accounts receivable, net — 138,861 43,651 — 182,512 Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net — 19,323 — — 19,323 Inventory — 45,623 17,015 — 62,638 Advances to affiliates, net 10 999,340 4,968 (893,866 ) 110,452 Other current assets 48 19,183 27,083 — 46,314 Total current assets 2,169,621 1,286,544 117,827 (893,866 ) 2,680,126 Property and equipment, net — 2,061,831 232,895 — 2,294,726 Regulatory authorizations, net — 471,658 — — 471,658 Goodwill — 504,173 — — 504,173 Other intangible assets, net — 80,734 — — 80,734 Investments in unconsolidated entities — 42,560 — — 42,560 Investment in subsidiaries 3,721,688 314,643 — (4,036,331 ) — Advances to affiliates 700 60,761 — (61,461 ) — Deferred tax asset 92,727 — 9,150 (92,727 ) 9,150 Other noncurrent assets, net 11,097 142,091 145,219 — 298,407 Total assets $ 5,995,833 $ 4,964,995 $ 505,091 $ (5,084,385 ) $ 6,381,534 Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) Trade accounts payable $ — $ 94,089 $ 12,321 $ — $ 106,410 Trade accounts payable - DISH Network — 6 — — 6 Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations — 32,177 807 — 32,984 Advances from affiliates, net 850,807 12,228 31,429 (893,866 ) 598 Accrued expenses and other 44,654 136,921 38,738 — 220,313 Total current liabilities 895,461 275,421 83,295 (893,866 ) 360,311 Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs 3,358,179 262,883 1,401 — 3,622,463 Deferred tax liabilities, net — 621,061 128 (92,727 ) 528,462 Advances from affiliates — — 93,429 (61,461 ) 31,968 Other non-current liabilities — 80,532 2,775 — 83,307 Total HSS shareholders’ equity (deficit) 1,742,193 3,725,098 311,233 (4,036,331 ) 1,742,193 Noncontrolling interests — — 12,830 — 12,830 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit) $ 5,995,833 $ 4,964,995 $ 505,091 $ (5,084,385 ) $ 6,381,534
Schedule of consolidating statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss)	Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2017 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Revenue: Services and other revenue - other $ — $ 1,056,914 $ 178,857 $ (32,220 ) $ 1,203,551 Services and other revenue - DISH Network — 432,090 1,739 — 433,829 Equipment revenue - other — 255,320 27,205 (43,326 ) 239,199 Equipment revenue - DISH Network — 290 — — 290 Total revenue — 1,744,614 207,801 (75,546 ) 1,876,869 Costs and Expenses: Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 441,120 131,177 (29,632 ) 542,665 Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 235,318 20,318 (43,178 ) 212,458 Selling, general and administrative expenses — 293,810 46,517 (2,736 ) 337,591 Research and development expenses — 31,745 — — 31,745 Depreciation and amortization — 458,483 38,315 — 496,798 Impairment of assets — 6,000 — — 6,000 Total costs and expenses — 1,466,476 236,327 (75,546 ) 1,627,257 Operating income — 278,138 (28,526 ) — 249,612 Other Income (Expense): Interest income 28,146 96,992 1,986 (95,172 ) 31,952 Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (229,415 ) (112,855 ) 1,620 95,172 (245,478 ) Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities — — (3,298 ) — (3,298 ) Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net — — 1,724 — 1,724 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate — — 7,027 — 7,027 Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net 471,602 (35,142 ) — (436,460 ) — Other, net — 4,497 (6,685 ) — (2,188 ) Total other income (expense), net 270,333 (46,508 ) 2,374 (436,460 ) (210,261 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 270,333 231,630 (26,152 ) (436,460 ) 39,351 Income tax benefit (provision), net 25,637 240,392 (7,827 ) — 258,202 Net income (loss) 295,970 472,022 (33,979 ) (436,460 ) 297,553 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,583 — 1,583 Net income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 295,970 $ 472,022 $ (35,562 ) $ (436,460 ) $ 295,970 Comprehensive Income (Loss): Net income (loss) $ 295,970 $ 472,022 $ (33,979 ) $ (436,460 ) $ 297,553 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — — 7,196 — 7,196 Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other (273 ) (2,007 ) 92 — (2,188 ) Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss) — 3,298 — — 3,298 Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net 8,170 6,879 — (15,049 ) — Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 7,897 8,170 7,288 (15,049 ) 8,306 Comprehensive income (loss) 303,867 480,192 (26,691 ) (451,509 ) 305,859 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,992 — 1,992 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 303,867 $ 480,192 $ (28,683 ) $ (451,509 ) $ 303,867 Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Revenue: Services and other revenue - other $ — $ 992,480 $ 133,508 $ (22,861 ) $ 1,103,127 Services and other revenue - DISH Network — 449,547 — — 449,547 Equipment revenue - other — 256,361 24,859 (42,941 ) 238,279 Equipment revenue - DISH Network — 8,840 — — 8,840 Total revenue — 1,707,228 158,367 (65,802 ) 1,799,793 Costs and Expenses: Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 438,837 101,288 (22,168 ) 517,957 Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 225,787 19,512 (40,546 ) 204,753 Selling, general and administrative expenses — 246,399 37,737 (3,088 ) 281,048 Research and development expenses — 31,170 — — 31,170 Depreciation and amortization — 401,688 12,445 — 414,133 Total costs and expenses — 1,343,881 170,982 (65,802 ) 1,449,061 Operating income — 363,347 (12,615 ) — 350,732 Other Income (Expense): Interest income 10,826 199 1,649 (76 ) 12,598 Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (177,625 ) (14,538 ) 4,889 76 (187,198 ) Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net — 6,995 — — 6,995 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate — 9,444 — — 9,444 Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net 218,125 (4,906 ) — (213,219 ) — Other, net 9,749 (6,956 ) 116 — 2,909 Total other income (expense), net 61,075 (9,762 ) 6,654 (213,219 ) (155,252 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 61,075 353,585 (5,961 ) (213,219 ) 195,480 Income tax benefit (provision), net 58,940 (135,081 ) 2,382 — (73,759 ) Net income (loss) 120,015 218,504 (3,579 ) (213,219 ) 121,721 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,706 — 1,706 Net income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 120,015 $ 218,504 $ (5,285 ) $ (213,219 ) $ 120,015 Comprehensive Income (Loss): Net income (loss) $ 120,015 $ 218,504 $ (3,579 ) $ (213,219 ) $ 121,721 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — — (5,377 ) — (5,377 ) Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other 3,290 (1,642 ) (64 ) — 1,584 Recognition of realized loss on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss) (2,996 ) — — — (2,996 ) Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net (6,897 ) (5,255 ) — 12,152 — Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (6,603 ) (6,897 ) (5,441 ) 12,152 (6,789 ) Comprehensive income (loss) 113,412 211,607 (9,020 ) (201,067 ) 114,932 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,520 — 1,520 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 113,412 $ 211,607 $ (10,540 ) $ (201,067 ) $ 113,412 Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Revenue: Services and other revenue - other $ — $ 976,507 $ 140,619 $ (21,877 ) $ 1,095,249 Services and other revenue - DISH Network — 518,734 119 — 518,853 Equipment revenue - other — 200,605 30,678 (19,005 ) 212,278 Equipment revenue - DISH Network — 10,752 — — 10,752 Total revenue — 1,706,598 171,416 (40,882 ) 1,837,132 Costs and Expenses: Costs of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 447,106 99,513 (21,148 ) 525,471 Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) — 190,200 22,581 (17,244 ) 195,537 Selling, general and administrative expenses — 245,725 33,381 (2,490 ) 276,616 Research and development expenses — 26,377 — — 26,377 Depreciation and amortization — 423,923 6,204 — 430,127 Total costs and expenses — 1,333,331 161,679 (40,882 ) 1,454,128 Operating income — 373,267 9,737 — 383,004 Other Income (Expense): Interest income 3,339 171 1,013 (107 ) 4,416 Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized (142,215 ) (29,093 ) 2,051 107 (169,150 ) Loss from partial redemption of debt (5,044 ) — — — (5,044 ) Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities (6,139 ) — — — (6,139 ) Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net 15 (6,478 ) — — (6,463 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate — 8,502 — — 8,502 Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net 239,199 4,705 — (243,904 ) — Other, net (5,468 ) 11,054 (3,364 ) — 2,222 Total other income (expense), net 83,687 (11,139 ) (300 ) (243,904 ) (171,656 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 83,687 362,128 9,437 (243,904 ) 211,348 Income tax provision, net 53,680 (122,564 ) (3,480 ) — (72,364 ) Net income (loss) 137,367 239,564 5,957 (243,904 ) 138,984 Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,617 — 1,617 Net income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 137,367 $ 239,564 $ 4,340 $ (243,904 ) $ 137,367 Comprehensive Income (Loss): Net income (loss) $ 137,367 $ 239,564 $ 5,957 $ (243,904 ) $ 138,984 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments — — (25,012 ) — (25,012 ) Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other (2,478 ) (1,800 ) 76 — (4,202 ) Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income (loss) 6,139 — — — 6,139 Recognition of realized loss on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss) (15 ) — — — (15 ) Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net (26,416 ) (24,616 ) — 51,032 — Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (22,770 ) (26,416 ) (24,936 ) 51,032 (23,090 ) Comprehensive income (loss) 114,597 213,148 (18,979 ) (192,872 ) 115,894 Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — 1,297 — 1,297 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to HSS $ 114,597 $ 213,148 $ (20,276 ) $ (192,872 ) $ 114,597
Schedule of consolidating statement of cash flows	Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 295,970 $ 472,022 $ (33,979 ) $ (436,460 ) $ 297,553 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities (206,014 ) (74,310 ) 43,340 436,460 199,476 Net cash flows from operating activities 89,956 397,712 9,361 — 497,029 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Purchases of marketable investment securities (535,476 ) — — — (535,476 ) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 259,263 — — — 259,263 Expenditures for property and equipment — (340,197 ) (61,341 ) — (401,538 ) Refund and other receipts related to capital expenditures — 4,311 — — 4,311 Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents — — (70 ) — (70 ) Investment in subsidiary (59,000 ) (63,000 ) — 122,000 — Expenditures for externally marketed software — (31,331 ) — — (31,331 ) Net cash flows from investing activities $ (335,213 ) $ (430,217 ) $ (61,411 ) $ 122,000 $ (704,841 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from capital contribution from parent — 59,000 63,000 (122,000 ) — Payments of debt issuance costs (414 ) — — — (414 ) Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations — (32,177 ) (4,886 ) — (37,063 ) Advances to affiliates — (36 ) — (36 ) Other, net 600 (5,850 ) 886 — (4,364 ) Net cash flows from financing activities 186 20,973 58,964 (122,000 ) (41,877 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — 1,286 — 1,286 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (245,071 ) (11,532 ) 8,200 — (248,403 ) Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year 1,991,949 53,905 25,110 — 2,070,964 Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year $ 1,746,878 $ 42,373 $ 33,310 $ — $ 1,822,561 Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 120,015 $ 218,504 $ (3,579 ) $ (213,219 ) $ 121,721 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities 78,875 127,462 24,594 213,219 444,150 Net cash flows from operating activities 198,890 345,966 21,015 — 565,871 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Purchases of marketable investment securities (396,730 ) — — — (396,730 ) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 452,446 — — — 452,446 Expenditures for property and equipment — (292,427 ) (88,860 ) — (381,287 ) Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents 888 7,500 (68 ) — 8,320 Investment in subsidiary (80,846 ) (84,871 ) — 165,717 — Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services — — (23,750 ) — (23,750 ) Expenditures for externally marketed software — (23,252 ) — — (23,252 ) Other, net — (1,296 ) — (340 ) (1,636 ) Net cash flows from investing activities (24,242 ) (394,346 ) (112,678 ) 165,377 (365,889 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 1,500,000 — — — 1,500,000 Payments of debt issuance costs (7,097 ) — — — (7,097 ) Proceeds from capital contribution from parent — 80,846 84,871 (165,717 ) — Capital contribution from EchoStar 23,750 — — — 23,750 Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations — (28,829 ) (2,840 ) — (31,669 ) Advances from affiliates — 6,982 — 6,982 Other, net 14 (5,499 ) 988 340 (4,157 ) Net cash flows from financing activities 1,516,667 46,518 90,001 (165,377 ) 1,487,809 Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — 183 — 183 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,691,315 (1,862 ) (1,479 ) — 1,687,974 Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year 300,634 55,767 26,589 — 382,990 Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year $ 1,991,949 $ 53,905 $ 25,110 $ — $ 2,070,964 Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2015 (In thousands) HSS Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net income (loss) $ 137,367 $ 239,564 $ 5,957 $ (243,904 ) $ 138,984 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities 32,816 156,301 3,485 243,904 436,506 Net cash flows from operating activities 170,183 395,865 9,442 — 575,490 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Purchases of marketable investment securities (208,821 ) — — — (208,821 ) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 355,202 — — — 355,202 Expenditures of property and equipment — (325,405 ) (61,309 ) — (386,714 ) Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents (2,432 ) — (56 ) — (2,488 ) Investment in subsidiary (43,000 ) (48,043 ) — 91,043 — Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services — (11,875 ) — (11,875 ) Expenditures for externally marketed software — (22,327 ) — — (22,327 ) Other, net — 1,490 — (1,500 ) (10 ) Net cash flows from investing activities 100,949 (394,285 ) (73,240 ) 89,543 (277,033 ) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Proceeds from capital contribution from parent — 43,000 48,043 (91,043 ) — Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium (113,300 ) — — — (113,300 ) Repayment debt and capital lease obligations — (33,478 ) (5,963 ) — (39,441 ) Advances from affiliates — — 20,002 — 20,002 Other, net 40 (6,927 ) 233 1,500 (5,154 ) Net cash flows from financing activities (113,260 ) 2,595 62,315 (89,543 ) (137,893 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents — — (3,131 ) — (3,131 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 157,872 4,175 (4,614 ) — 157,433 Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year 142,762 51,592 31,203 — 225,557 Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year $ 300,634 $ 55,767 $ 26,589 $ — $ 382,990

Organization and Business Act38

Organization and Business Activities (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 02, 2014USD ($)satellite	Mar. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2017segment	Jan. 31, 2017
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Number of business segments | segment			2
Hughes Retail Group | DISH Network | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction | Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held		80.00%
EchoStar Technologies Business | DISH Network | Share Exchange Agreement
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)				100.00%
HSS | Hughes Retail Group | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	20.00%
HSS | Hughes Retail Group | DISH Network | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	28.11%
EchoStar and HSSC | DISH Network | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Number of satellites transferred | satellite	5
Proceeds from issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock | $	$ 11.4
EchoStar Corporation | Hughes Retail Group | DISH Network | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Percentage of economic interest held	51.89%

Summary of Significant Accoun39

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 01, 2018
Foreign Currency
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)	$ (1,200,000)	$ 100,000	$ (3,600,000)
Fair Value Measurements
Amount of transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy	0	0
Research and Development
Research and development expenses	31,745,000	31,170,000	26,377,000
New Accounting Pronouncements
Accumulated earnings	582,683,000	286,713,000
Other noncurrent assets
Capitalized Software Costs
Net carrying amount of externally marketed software	88,100,000	76,300,000
Capitalized Software Development Costs for Software Sold to Customers	19,600,000	50,100,000
Capitalized costs related to development of externally marketed software	31,300,000	23,300,000	22,300,000
Amortization expense relating to externally marketed software	$ 19,500,000	9,700,000	8,400,000
Minimum
Property and Equipment
Useful life	1 year
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Useful life	1 year
Maximum
Property and Equipment
Useful life	40 years
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Useful life	20 years
Capitalized Software Costs
Useful life of the software	5 years
Weighted Average | Externally marketed software
Capitalized Software Costs
Useful life of the software	4 years
Cost of sales
Research and Development
Research and development expenses	$ 27,900,000	23,700,000	19,600,000
Research and development
Research and Development
Research and development expenses	31,700,000	31,200,000	26,400,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Advertising Costs
Advertising expenses	64,200,000	43,900,000	$ 44,200,000
Level 2
Fair Value Measurements
Orbital incentive obligations	$ 99,300,000	$ 74,100,000
Accumulated Earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | Subsequent Event
New Accounting Pronouncements
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax				$ (400,000)
Senior Unsecured Notes: | 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Fair Value Measurements
Interest rate	7.625%	7.625%
Senior Unsecured Notes: | 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Fair Value Measurements
Interest rate	6.625%	6.625%
Senior Secured Notes: | 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Fair Value Measurements
Interest rate	6.50%	6.50%
Senior Secured Notes: | 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Fair Value Measurements
Interest rate	5.25%	5.25%
Pro Forma | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Minimum
New Accounting Pronouncements
Accumulated earnings	$ 15,000,000
Pro Forma | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Maximum
New Accounting Pronouncements
Accumulated earnings	18,000,000
Up-front Payment Arrangement | Pro Forma | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements
Accumulated earnings	$ 8,000,000

Other Comprehensive Income (L40

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other comprehensive income or loss, tax (expense) benefit
Tax effects on foreign currency translation adjustments	$ 0
Tax effects on unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities	0
Cumulative foreign currency translation losses	(52,300,000)	$ (59,000,000)	$ (53,800,000)
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	1,724,000	6,995,000	(6,463,000)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	3,298,000	0	6,139,000
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total reclassifications, net of tax and noncontrolling interests	3,298,000	(2,996,000)	6,124,000
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Recognition of realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities in net income
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net	0	(2,996,000)	(15,000)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Recognition of other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities in net income
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	$ 3,298,000	$ 0	$ 6,139,000

Investment Securities - Schedul

Investment Securities - Schedule of Investments (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	$ 455,602,000	$ 187,923,000
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	3,298,000	0	$ 6,139,000
Corporate bonds
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	368,083,000	164,619,000
Strategic equity securities
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	1,102,000	10,309,000
Trading Securities, Equity	0	7,200,000
Strategic equity securities | Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities	3,300,000	0	6,100,000
Dividend income	0	0	0
Strategic equity securities | Gain (Loss) on Investments [Member]
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Gains (losses) related to trading securities	0	600,000	$ (6,500,000)
Other
Marketable investment securities—current, at fair value:
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	$ 86,417,000	$ 12,995,000

Investment Securities - Unreali

Investment Securities - Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 456,251	$ 182,391
Unrealized Gains	0	95
Unrealized Losses	(649)	(1,762)
Estimated Fair Value	455,602	180,724
Corporate bonds
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized Cost	368,291	164,563
Unrealized Gains	0	94
Unrealized Losses	(208)	(38)
Estimated Fair Value	368,083	164,619
Other
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized Cost	86,425	12,994
Unrealized Gains	0	1
Unrealized Losses	(8)	0
Estimated Fair Value	86,417	12,995
Strategic equity securities
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Amortized Cost	1,535	4,834
Unrealized Gains	0	0
Unrealized Losses	(433)	(1,724)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 1,102	$ 3,110

Investment Securities - Contrac

Investment Securities - Contractual Maturities (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Contractual maturities of debt securities
Debt securities with contractual maturities of one year or less	$ 454.1
Debt securities with contractual maturities exceeding one year	$ 0.4

Investment Securities - Availab

Investment Securities - Available-for-Sale Securities in a Loss Position and Sales of Available-for-Sale (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 438,029,000	$ 62,473,000
12 months or more	0	1,571,000
Total	438,029,000	64,044,000
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 months	(649,000)	(1,760,000)
12 months or more	0	(2,000)
Total	(649,000)	(1,762,000)
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Gain from sale of available-for-sale securities		3,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	0
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	$ 8,900,000	$ 20,100,000	$ 21,400,000

Investment Securities - Fair Va

Investment Securities - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	$ 368,083	$ 164,619
Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	86,417	12,995
Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	1,102	10,309
Fair value measurements on recurring basis
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents	1,746,878	1,991,949
Total marketable investment securities	455,602	187,923
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	368,083	164,619
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities	86,417	12,995
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	1,102	10,309
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents	125	14,011
Total marketable investment securities	1,102	10,309
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 1 | Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	0	0
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 1 | Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities	0	0
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 1 | Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	1,102	10,309
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents	1,746,753	1,977,938
Total marketable investment securities	454,500	177,614
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 2 | Corporate bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	368,083	164,619
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 2 | Other
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities	86,417	12,995
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 2 | Strategic equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	$ 0	$ 0

Investment Securities - Investm

Investment Securities - Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Cost Method Investments	$ 15,438,000	$ 15,438,000
Equity Method Investments	15,149,000	27,122,000
Investments in unconsolidated entities	30,587,000	42,560,000
Dividends received from unconsolidated entity	$ 19,000,000	$ 10,000,000	$ 0

Trade Accounts Receivable (Deta

Trade Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivables	$ 208,867	$ 195,264
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(12,027)	(12,752)
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	38,641	19,323
Total trade accounts receivable, net	235,481	201,835
Progress billings offset against contracts in process	22,800	14,600
Trade accounts receivables
Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivables	197,294	159,094
Contracts in process, net
Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivables	$ 11,573	$ 36,170

Inventory (Details)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 70,669	$ 49,773
Raw materials	5,484	6,678
Work-in process	7,442	6,187
Total inventory	$ 83,595	$ 62,638

Property and Equipment - Schedu

Property and Equipment - Schedule of PP&E (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 5,305,002	$ 4,797,913
Accumulated depreciation	(2,551,904)	(2,503,187)
Property and equipment, net	2,753,098	2,294,726
Accumulated depreciation on satellites acquired under capital leases	$ 393,900	328,200
Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	1 year
Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	40 years
Land
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 13,475	13,273
Buildings and improvements
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 128,292	79,765
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	1 year
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	40 years
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 650,385	430,078
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other | Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	1 year
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other | Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	12 years
Customer rental equipment
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 929,775	689,579
Customer rental equipment | Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	2 years
Customer rental equipment | Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	4 years
Satellites - owned
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 2,516,685	2,381,120
Satellites - owned | Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	2 years
Satellites - owned | Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	15 years
Satellites acquired under capital leases
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 916,820	781,761
Satellites acquired under capital leases | Minimum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	10 years
Satellites acquired under capital leases | Maximum
Property and equipment
Depreciable life	15 years
Construction in progress
Property and equipment
Total property and equipment	$ 149,570	$ 422,337

Property and Equipment - Constr

Property and Equipment - Construction in Progress (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	$ 149,570	$ 422,337
Capitalized interest	22,828	30,202	$ 15,852
Progress amounts for satellite construction, including prepayments under capital leases and launch services costs
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	101,733	244,234
Satellite related equipment
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	28,358	152,683
Other
Property and equipment
Construction in progress	$ 19,479	$ 25,420

Property and Equipment - Deprec

Property and Equipment - Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	$ 455,043	$ 369,026	$ 379,267
Satellites
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	224,738	191,729	197,469
Depreciation expense - capital leases	66,100	56,200	56,200
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	78,465	58,535	70,962
Customer rental equipment
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	146,562	114,568	105,725
Buildings and improvements
Depreciation expense
Total depreciation expense	$ 5,278	$ 4,194	$ 5,111

Property and Equipment - Satell

Property and Equipment - Satellites (Details)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)satellitesolar_array_circuit	Sep. 30, 2010solar_array_circuit	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)satellitesolar_array_circuit	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Property and equipment
Transfer of EchoStar 105/SES-11 payloads to SES in exchange for receivable			$ 77,524,000	$ 0	$ 0
Carrying amount	$ 2,753,098,000		$ 2,753,098,000	2,294,726,000
Satellites
Property and equipment
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator | satellite			16
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease | satellite	4		4
SPACEWAY 3
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			12 years
EchoStar XVII
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			15 years
EchoStar XIX
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			15 years
EchoStar VI
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			12 years
EchoStar VII
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			3 years
EchoStar IX
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			12 years
EchoStar X
Property and equipment
Number Of Solar Array Circuits Affected | solar_array_circuit	1	7
Number Of Functional Solar Array Circuits | solar_array_circuit	16		16
Depreciable life			7 years
EchoStar XI
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			9 years
EchoStar XII
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			2 years
EchoStar XIV
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			11 years
EchoStar XVI
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			15 years
EchoStar 105/SES-11 [Member]
Property and equipment
Lessee, Finance Lease, Term of Contract			10 years
Transfer of EchoStar 105/SES-11 payloads to SES in exchange for receivable			$ 77,500,000
Depreciable life			15 years
Nimiq 5
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			15 years
QuetzSat1
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			10 years
Eutelsat 65 West A
Property and equipment
Depreciable life			15 years
AMC15 And AMC16 [Member]
Property and equipment
Carrying amount	$ 0		$ 0
Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellite			$ 0	$ 0	$ 4,500,000

Goodwill, Regulatory Authoriz53

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations, and Other Intangible Assets - Regulatory Authorizations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory authorizations	$ 465,658	$ 471,658
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	(6,000)
Indefinite Useful Lives
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory authorizations	465,700	$ 471,700
Contractual Rights [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 6,000

Goodwill, Regulatory Authoriz54

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations, and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 351,417	$ 351,417
Accumulated Amortization	(292,835)	(270,683)
Carrying Amount	58,582	80,734
Amortization expense	$ 41,800	45,100	$ 50,900
Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	8 years
Cost	$ 270,300	270,300
Accumulated Amortization	(231,642)	(214,544)
Carrying Amount	$ 38,658	55,756
Technology-based
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	6 years
Cost	$ 51,417	51,417
Accumulated Amortization	(51,417)	(47,848)
Carrying Amount	$ 0	3,569
Trademark portfolio
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life	20 years
Cost	$ 29,700	29,700
Accumulated Amortization	(9,776)	(8,291)
Carrying Amount	$ 19,924	$ 21,409

Goodwill, Regulatory Authoriz55

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations, and Other Intangible Assets - Future Amortization of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Estimated future amortization of the entity's intangible assets
2,018	$ 14,631
2,019	14,631
2,020	10,981
2,021	4,356
2,022	1,485
Thereafter	12,498
Carrying Amount	$ 58,582	$ 80,734

Debt and Capital Lease Obliga56

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Schedule of Debt and Capital Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt
Carrying Amount	$ 3,365,143	$ 3,358,179
Capital lease obligations	269,701	297,268
Total debt and capital lease obligations	3,634,844	3,655,447
Less: Current portion	(40,631)	(32,984)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,594,213	3,622,463
Fair Value	3,596,524	3,574,172
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs
Debt
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (24,857)	$ (31,821)
Senior Secured Notes: | 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt
Interest rate	6.50%	6.50%
Effective Interest Rate	6.959%
Carrying Amount	$ 990,000	$ 990,000
Fair Value	$ 1,042,609	$ 1,084,050
Senior Secured Notes: | 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt
Interest rate	5.25%	5.25%
Effective Interest Rate	5.32%
Carrying Amount	$ 750,000	$ 750,000
Fair Value	$ 769,305	$ 739,688
Senior Unsecured Notes: | 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt
Interest rate	7.625%	7.625%
Effective Interest Rate	8.062%
Carrying Amount	$ 900,000	$ 900,000
Fair Value	$ 992,745	$ 990,189
Senior Unsecured Notes: | 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt
Interest rate	6.625%	6.625%
Effective Interest Rate	6.688%
Carrying Amount	$ 750,000	$ 750,000
Fair Value	$ 791,865	$ 760,245

Debt and Capital Lease Obliga57

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Debt (Details) - USD ($)	May 11, 2017	Jun. 12, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 27, 2016	Jun. 01, 2011
Debt and capital lease obligations
Outstanding principal balance			$ 3,365,143,000	$ 3,358,179,000
Loss from partial redemption of debt			0	0	$ 5,044,000
Payments of debt issuance costs			(414,000)	(7,097,000)	0
Amortization of debt issuance costs			7,378,000	$ 6,551,000	$ 6,042,000
2026 Notes
Debt and capital lease obligations
Debt Instrument, Unregistered Note, Percentage Exchanged For Registered Note	99.98%
Payments of debt issuance costs			$ (7,500,000)
Maximum additional interest payment requirement, per week			0.025%
Senior Secured Notes: | 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2019
Debt and capital lease obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance							$ 1,100,000,000
Interest rate			6.50%	6.50%
Issue price as percent of principal amount							100.00%
Outstanding principal balance			$ 990,000,000	$ 990,000,000
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount			100.00%
Debt redeemed		$ 110,000,000
Redemption price as percent of principal		103.00%
Loss from partial redemption of debt		$ 5,000,000
Redemption premium		3,300,000
Write off of deferred financing fees		$ 1,700,000
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control			101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt			25.00%
Senior Secured Notes: | 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance						$ 750,000,000
Interest rate			5.25%	5.25%
Issue price as percent of principal amount						100.00%
Outstanding principal balance			$ 750,000,000	$ 750,000,000
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount			100.00%
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control			101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt			25.00%
Senior Secured Notes: | Prior to August 1, 2020 | 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount			103.00%
Potential annual redemption, as a percentage of amount outstanding			10.00%
Senior Secured Notes: | Prior to August 1, 2019 | 5 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount			105.25%
Potential redemption as a percentage of principal			35.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes: | 7 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021
Debt and capital lease obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance							$ 900,000,000
Interest rate			7.625%	7.625%
Issue price as percent of principal amount							100.00%
Outstanding principal balance			$ 900,000,000	$ 900,000,000
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount			100.00%
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control			101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt			25.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes: | 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Principal amount of debt issuance						$ 750,000,000
Interest rate			6.625%	6.625%
Issue price as percent of principal amount						100.00%
Outstanding principal balance			$ 750,000,000	$ 750,000,000
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount			100.00%
Purchase price as a percentage of aggregate principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in the event of change of control			101.00%
Percent of debt holders required to call debt			25.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes: | Prior to August 1, 2019 | 6 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026
Debt and capital lease obligations
Debt redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount			106.625%
Potential redemption as a percentage of principal			35.00%

Debt and Capital Lease Obliga58

Debt and Capital Lease Obligations - Capital Lease Future Minimum Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments
2,018	$ 93,038
2,019	88,739
2,020	88,496
2,021	84,371
2,022	63,622
Thereafter	110,880
Total minimum lease payments	529,146
Less: Amount representing lease of the orbital location and estimated executory costs (primarily insurance and maintenance) including profit thereon, included in total minimum lease payments	(162,404)
Net minimum lease payments	366,742
Less: Amount representing interest	(97,041)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	269,701
Less: Current portion	(40,631)
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations	229,070
Sublease rental income	132,400	$ 132,400	$ 132,400
Future minimum sublease rental income	$ 348,500
Minimum | Capital lease obligations
Capital lease obligations
Interest rate	6.00%
Maximum | Capital lease obligations
Capital lease obligations
Interest rate	11.20%
Weighted Average
Future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments
Weighted average lease term	3 years
Weighted Average | Capital lease obligations
Capital lease obligations
Interest rate	10.50%

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Components of income (loss) before income taxes
Domestic		$ 66,947,000	$ 202,905,000	$ 203,217,000
Foreign		(27,596,000)	(7,425,000)	8,131,000
Income before income taxes		39,351,000	195,480,000	211,348,000
Current benefit (provision):
Federal		(638,000)	(223,000)	(95,000)
State		(7,211,000)	(62,000)	(27,000)
Foreign		(2,020,000)	(2,573,000)	(4,231,000)
Total current provision		(9,869,000)	(2,858,000)	(4,353,000)
Deferred benefit (provision):
Federal		275,957,000	(67,035,000)	(70,052,000)
State		(2,618,000)	(8,693,000)	1,209,000
Foreign		(5,268,000)	4,827,000	832,000
Total deferred benefit (provision)		268,071,000	(70,901,000)	(68,011,000)
Total income tax benefit (provision), net		$ 258,202,000	$ (73,759,000)	$ (72,364,000)
Actual tax provision reconciliation to the amounts computed by applying statutory Federal tax rate to income before taxes
Statutory rate		35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal effect		(6.00%)	4.50%	(0.70%)
Permanent differences		(2.60%)	0.60%	0.80%
Tax credits		(8.20%)	(1.50%)	(2.70%)
Valuation allowance		44.00%	(1.10%)	2.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Percent		(719.20%)	0.00%	0.00%
Other		0.80%	0.20%	(0.20%)
Total effective tax rate		(656.20%)	37.70%	34.20%
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$ 155,450,000	$ 155,450,000	$ 153,807,000
Unrealized losses on investments, net	6,597,000	6,597,000	11,874,000
Accrued expenses	22,683,000	22,683,000	31,036,000
Stock-based compensation	1,285,000	1,285,000	1,606,000
Other assets	7,179,000	7,179,000	7,445,000
Total deferred tax assets	193,194,000	193,194,000	205,768,000
Valuation allowance	(39,511,000)	(39,511,000)	(26,447,000)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	153,683,000	153,683,000	179,321,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(588,105,000)	(588,105,000)	(697,314,000)
Other liabilities	(1,509,000)	(1,509,000)	(1,319,000)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(589,614,000)	(589,614,000)	(698,633,000)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	(435,931,000)	(435,931,000)	(519,312,000)
Net operating loss carryforwards	440,200,000	440,200,000
Provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes	0	0
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
Balance as of beginning of period		7,057,000	3,508,000	$ 3,508,000
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		656,000	388,000	0
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years		237,000	3,161,000	0
Balance as of end of period	7,950,000	7,950,000	7,057,000	$ 3,508,000
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, could affect our effective tax rate	8,000,000	8,000,000	$ 7,100,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount	283,000,000	283,000,000
Tax Credit Carryforward, Valuation Allowance		0
Foreign Earnings Repatriated		0
Foreign
Deferred tax liabilities:
Net operating loss carryforwards	101,300,000	101,300,000
Federal
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax credit carryforwards	36,900,000	36,900,000
State
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax credit carryforwards	$ 2,700,000	$ 2,700,000

Employee Benefit Plans - Employ

Employee Benefit Plans - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details) - Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Class A common stock - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Employee benefit plans
Employee purchases of common stock under ESPP (in shares)	169,000	209,000	198,000
EchoStar Corporation
Employee benefit plans
Number of shares authorized for issue	5,000,000
Number of shares that remain available for issuance	2,700,000
Minimum period for which full-time employees employed by the entity are eligible to participate in the ESPP	3 months
Maximum fair value of capital stock permitted to be purchased by employees in any one year under ESPP	$ 25,000
Purchase price as percentage of closing market price on the last business day of each calendar quarter under ESPP	85.00%

Employee Benefit Plans - 401(k)

Employee Benefit Plans - 401(k) Employee Savings Plans (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
EchoStar 401(k) Plan
Employee benefit plans
Contribution limit per employee, as a percentage of eligible compensation	75.00%
Employer matching contribution as a percentage of voluntary employee contributions under 401(k) plan	50.00%
Percentage of eligible compensation, matched 50% by employer	6.00%
Percentage of eligible compensation, matched 100% by employer	3.00%
Employer maximum annual contribution per employee under 401(k) plan	$ 7,500
Vesting percentage of matching contributions to eligible employees per year	20.00%
Vesting percentage of matching contributions to eligible employees after specified period of service	100.00%
Eligibility for employer matching contributions, period of service	5 years
Matching contributions, net of forfeitures, made by the company during the year	$ 5,100,000	$ 4,400,000	$ 4,000,000
Discretionary contributions, net of forfeitures, under the 401(k) Plan	$ 6,700,000	$ 5,600,000	$ 5,200,000
Roth 401(k) Plan
Employee benefit plans
Contribution limit per employee, as a percentage of eligible compensation	75.00%

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	$ 5,522,287
2,018	469,113
2,019	1,326,844
2,020	298,666
2,021	1,144,101
2,022	214,420
Thereafter	2,069,143
Satellite Related Expenses	139,900	$ 144,200	$ 116,500
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	27,800	$ 19,100	$ 17,500
Long-term debt
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	3,390,000
2,018	0
2,019	990,000
2,020	0
2,021	900,000
2,022	0
Thereafter	1,500,000
Capital lease obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	269,701
2,018	40,631
2,019	40,740
2,020	45,096
2,021	46,450
2,022	31,985
Thereafter	64,799
Interest on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	1,235,317
2,018	248,840
2,019	212,466
2,020	175,899
2,021	136,730
2,022	98,282
Thereafter	363,100
Satellite-related obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	543,273
2,018	164,510
2,019	69,535
2,020	63,863
2,021	49,468
2,022	76,565
Thereafter	119,332
Operating lease obligations
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	83,996
2,018	15,132
2,019	14,103
2,020	13,808
2,021	11,453
2,022	7,588
Thereafter	$ 21,912

Commitments and Contingencies63

Commitments and Contingencies - Litigation (Details) $ in Millions	Aug. 07, 2017USD ($)	Feb. 14, 2017patent	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)claim
Elbit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement, Expense | $			$ 2.5
Realtime Data LLC [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Invalidated Claims, Number | claim				2
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number | claim				4
Loss Contingency, Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number | patent		4
Subsidiaries [Member] | Hughes Network Systems [Member] | Elbit [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value | $	$ 21.1			$ 27

Segment Reporting - Revenue, Ca

Segment Reporting - Revenue, Capital Expenditures, and EBITDA (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)segment	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of business segments | segment									2
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	$ 506,124	$ 478,362	$ 462,265	$ 430,118	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	$ 1,876,869	$ 1,799,793	$ 1,837,132
EBITDA									748,092	782,507	804,592
Capital Expenditures, Net of Refunds and Other Receipts Related to Capital Expenditures									397,227	381,287	386,714
Interest income and expense, net									(213,526)	(174,600)	(164,734)
Depreciation and amortization									(496,798)	(414,133)	(430,127)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,583	1,706	1,617
Income before income taxes									39,351	195,480	211,348
Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									1,476,131	1,389,152	1,344,945
EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									390,831	406,970	489,842
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									9,907	3,671	2,345
Operating segments | Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									1,477,918	1,392,361	1,347,340
EBITDA									475,222	477,165	444,342
Capital Expenditures, Net of Refunds and Other Receipts Related to Capital Expenditures									376,502	322,362	285,499
Operating segments | EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									392,244	407,660	490,591
EBITDA									315,285	341,516	414,727
Capital Expenditures, Net of Refunds and Other Receipts Related to Capital Expenditures									20,725	58,925	101,215
Corporate and Other | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									6,707	(228)	(799)
EBITDA									(42,415)	(36,174)	(54,477)
Capital Expenditures, Net of Refunds and Other Receipts Related to Capital Expenditures									0	0	0
Intersegment
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									0	0	0
Intersegment | Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									1,787	3,209	2,395
Intersegment | EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									1,413	690	749
Intersegment | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									$ (3,200)	$ (3,899)	$ (3,144)

Segment Reporting - Geographic

Segment Reporting - Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 3,781,511				$ 3,351,291				$ 3,781,511	$ 3,351,291
Total revenue	506,124	$ 478,362	$ 462,265	$ 430,118	472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	1,876,869	1,799,793	$ 1,837,132
United States
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	3,482,462				3,111,452				3,482,462	3,111,452
Total revenue									1,511,096	1,469,666	1,516,627
Canada and Mexico
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	28,360				16,630				28,360	16,630
Total revenue									89,928	86,236	67,648
All other
Geographic Information
Long-lived assets	$ 270,689				$ 223,209				270,689	223,209
Total revenue									$ 275,845	$ 243,891	$ 252,857

Segment Reporting - Transaction

Segment Reporting - Transactions with Major Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue	$ 506,124	$ 478,362	$ 462,265	$ 430,118	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	$ 1,876,869	$ 1,799,793	$ 1,837,132
Hughes Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									1,476,131	1,389,152	1,344,945
EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									390,831	406,970	489,842
DISH Network
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 434,119	$ 458,387	$ 529,605
DISH Network | Revenue
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Percentage of total revenue									23.10%	25.50%	28.80%
All other
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 1,442,750	$ 1,341,406	$ 1,307,527
All other | Revenue
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Percentage of total revenue									76.90%	74.50%	71.20%
Operating segments | Hughes Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 1,477,918	$ 1,392,361	$ 1,347,340
Operating segments | EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									392,244	407,660	490,591
Operating segments | DISH Network | Hughes Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									82,625	107,300	105,181
Operating segments | DISH Network | EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									344,841	349,549	423,465
Corporate and Other | DISH Network
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue
Total revenue									$ 6,653	$ 1,538	$ 959

Quarterly Financial Data (Una67

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 506,124	$ 478,362	$ 462,265	$ 430,118	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	$ 1,876,869	$ 1,799,793	$ 1,837,132
Operating income	66,969	68,919	53,034	60,690	90,561	91,400	87,546	81,225	249,612	350,732	383,004
Net income	276,341	11,483	302	9,427	21,603	28,089	37,999	34,030	297,553	121,721	138,984
Net income attributable to HSS	275,764	$ 10,951	$ 120	$ 9,135	$ 20,843	$ 27,565	$ 37,688	$ 33,919	295,970	$ 120,015	$ 137,367
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	(6,000)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount	$ 283,000								$ 283,000

Related Party Transactions - Ag

Related Party Transactions - Agreements (Details) $ in Thousands

Feb. 01, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 02, 2014USD ($)satellite

Mar. 01, 2014

Feb. 28, 2022

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Aug. 31, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)

May 31, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2016

Nov. 30, 2016

Jul. 31, 2016

Aug. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2012

May 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2009transponder

Nov. 30, 2008transponder

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)term

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)

Jan. 31, 2017

Feb. 28, 2013transponder

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2010USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2008transponder

Related party transactions

Contribution of EchoStar XIX satellite, net of deferred tax

$ 349,337

Contribution of net assets pursuant to Share Exchange Agreement

219,662

$ 0

$ 0

Transfer of launch contracts from (to) EchoStar

(145,114)

70,300

52,250

Capital contribution from EchoStar

$ 0

23,750

0

Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement

Related party transactions

Agreement term

5 years

Automatic renewal period

1 year

Required minimum notice for termination of agreement

180 days

EchoStar

Related party transactions

Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement by the reporting entity

30 days

Expense recorded for services provided

$ 22,200

$ 16,700

$ 16,500

EchoStar Mobile Limited [Member] [Member]

Related party transactions

Revenue from Related Parties

$ 2,700

DISH Network | DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement

Related party transactions

Number of DBS transponders available to receive services | transponder

32

DISH Network | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction | Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock | Hughes Retail Group

Related party transactions

Percentage of economic interest in the Hughes Retail Group

80.00%

DISH Network | TT&C Agreement

Related party transactions

Agreement term

1 month

1 year

Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party

60 days

DISH Network | TerreStar Agreement

Related party transactions

Required minimum notice for termination of agreement

90 days

Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party

21 days

DISH Network | DBSD North America Agreement

Related party transactions

Required minimum notice for termination of agreement

21 days

Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party

120 days

Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)

100.00%

DISH Network | RUS Implementation Agreement

Related party transactions

Grants receivable

$ 14,100

DISH Network | EchoStar Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Automatic renewal period

1 year

Required minimum notice for termination of agreement

60 days

Required minimum notice for termination of individual service

30 days

DISH Network | Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements [Member]

Related party transactions

Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement by the reporting entity

180 days

Agreement term

4 years

Term of renewal option

3 years

Related Party Transactions Agreement Maximum Number of Three Year Renewal Options | term

4

DISH Network | Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements [Member] | Minimum

Related party transactions

Related Party Transactions Agreement, Renewal Notice Required by Reporting Entity

90 days

DISH Network | Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements [Member] | Maximum

Related party transactions

Related Party Transactions Agreement, Renewal Notice Required by Reporting Entity

120 days

DISH Network | Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Agreement term

5 years

Automatic renewal period

1 year

Contract Revenue Cost

$ 29,300

DISH Network | Ciel | 103 Spectrum Development Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Agreement term

10 years

DISH Network | EchoStar and HSSC | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction

Related party transactions

Number of satellites transferred | satellite

5

Proceeds from issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock

$ 11,400

DISH Network | Subsequent Event | DBSD North America Agreement

Related party transactions

Automatic renewal period

5 years

Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party

180 days

DISH Network | Subsequent Event | Hughes Broadband Master Services Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Required minimum notice for termination of agreement

90 days

Telesat | TeleSat Transponder Agreement

Related party transactions

Agreement term

15 years

Number of DBS transponders available to receive services | transponder

32

Related-party advances | Minimum | One-year LIBOR

Related party transactions

Annual rates

1.00%

Related-party advances | Maximum | One-year LIBOR

Related party transactions

Annual rates

3.00%

EchoStar Technologies Business | DISH Network | Share Exchange Agreement

Related party transactions

Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)

100.00%

Related Party Transactions, Lessor, Operating Lease, Real Estate [Member] | DISH Network | Cheyenne Lease Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Related Party Transactions, Required Minimum Notice Period for Termination of Agreement After Lease Extension

30 days

Related Party Transactions, Lessee, Operating Lease, Real Estate [Member] | DISH Network | American Fork Occupancy License Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Agreement term

5 years

QuetzSat-1 | DISH Network | Satellite Services Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Number of DBS transponders currently receiving services | transponder

24

Number of DBS transponders receiving services from related party | transponder

5

QuetzSat-1 | SES Latin America | Satellite Services Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Agreement term

10 years

Number of DBS transponders available to receive services | transponder

32

EchoStar XVI | DISH Network | Transponder Service Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Agreement term

1 year

10 years

Agreement term from commencement of service date

4 years

Renewal option, reduction

1 year

EchoStar XVI | DISH Network | Satellite Services Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Agreement term

5 years

Additional term of renewal option

5 years

EchoStar XIX | EchoStar

Related party transactions

Contribution of net assets pursuant to Share Exchange Agreement

$ 514,400

Deferred Tax Liabilities, Deferred Expense

165,100

EchoStar XXIII [Member] | Other noncurrent assets | EOC

Related party transactions

Transfer of launch contracts from (to) EchoStar

$ (61,800)

EchoStar VII | DISH Network | Satellite Services Agreement [Member]

Related party transactions

Agreement term

1 year

Additional Paid-In Capital

Related party transactions

Contribution of EchoStar XIX satellite, net of deferred tax

$ 349,337

Additional Paid-In Capital | EchoStar XIX | EchoStar

Related party transactions

Contribution of EchoStar XIX satellite, net of deferred tax

$ 349,300

Additional Paid-In Capital | EchoStar XXI [Member] | Other noncurrent assets | EOC

Related party transactions

Transfer of launch contracts from (to) EchoStar

$ (83,300)

Related Party Transactions - Ta

Related Party Transactions - Tax Sharing Agreement (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2013subsidiary
Related party transactions
Net amount of the allocated tax attributes receivable	$ 0	$ 0
California Institute of Technology
Related party transactions
Number of subsidiaries against which lawsuit is filed | subsidiary			2
DISH Network
Related party transactions
Net amount of the allocated tax attributes receivable	$ 93,100

Related Party Transactions - Ot

Related Party Transactions - Other Agreements (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	May 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2008
Hughes Systique
Related party transactions
Loan repayment	$ 600,000				$ 1,500,000
Remaining balance of loan			$ 0
Ownership interest in related party (as a percent)			43.70%
Ownership interest percentage by related party			25.70%
Hughes Systique | Hughes Communications, Inc. [Member]
Related party transactions
Amount agreed to be funded under term loan facility						$ 1,500,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		8.00%				6.00%
Dish Mexico
Related party transactions
Ownership percentage			49.00%
Revenue from related parties			$ 23,300,000	$ 23,300,000	23,300,000
Receivables from related parties			$ 7,600,000	10,700,000
Deluxe
Related party transactions
Ownership percentage			50.00%
Revenue from related parties			$ 4,900,000	3,000,000	$ 2,700,000
Receivables from related parties			1,100,000	$ 700,000
AsiaSat
Related party transactions
Due to Related Parties			100,000
Global IP Revenue [Member]
Related party transactions
Revenue from related parties			$ 300,000

Supplemental Guarantor and No71

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information - Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,822,561	$ 2,070,964	$ 382,990	$ 225,557
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	455,602	187,923
Trade accounts receivable, net	196,840	182,512
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	38,641	19,323
Inventory	83,595	62,638
Advances to affiliates, net	114,858	110,452
Other current assets	130,341	46,314
Total current assets	2,842,438	2,680,126
Property and equipment, net	2,753,098	2,294,726
Regulatory authorizations	465,658	471,658
Goodwill	504,173	504,173
Other intangible assets, net	58,582	80,734
Investments in unconsolidated entities	30,587	42,560
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Advances to affiliates	0	0
Deferred tax asset	3,700	9,150
Other noncurrent assets, net	199,114	298,407
Total assets	6,857,350	6,381,534
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	102,816	106,410
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	3,769	6
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	40,631	32,984
Advances from affiliates, net	477	598
Accrued expenses and other	235,227	220,313
Total current liabilities	382,920	360,311
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,594,213	3,622,463
Deferred tax liabilities, net	439,631	528,462
Advances from affiliates	33,715	31,968
Other noncurrent liabilities	107,627	83,307
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	2,284,422	1,742,193
Noncontrolling interests	14,822	12,830
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	6,857,350	6,381,534
Eliminations
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Advances to affiliates, net	(241,548)	(893,866)
Other current assets	(401)	0
Total current assets	(241,949)	(893,866)
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Regulatory authorizations	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	(3,464,998)	(4,036,331)
Advances to affiliates	(81,444)	(61,461)
Deferred tax asset	(110,546)	(92,727)
Other noncurrent assets, net	0	0
Total assets	(3,898,937)	(5,084,385)
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	0	0
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Advances from affiliates, net	(241,548)	(893,866)
Accrued expenses and other	(401)	0
Total current liabilities	(241,949)	(893,866)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	0	0
Deferred tax liabilities, net	(110,546)	(92,727)
Advances from affiliates	(81,444)	(61,461)
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	(3,464,998)	(4,036,331)
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	(3,898,937)	(5,084,385)
HSS
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,746,878	1,991,949	300,634	142,762
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	454,500	177,614
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	0	0
Inventory	0	0
Advances to affiliates, net	119,605	10
Other current assets	64	48
Total current assets	2,321,047	2,169,621
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Regulatory authorizations	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	3,260,790	3,721,688
Advances to affiliates	700	700
Deferred tax asset	110,546	92,727
Other noncurrent assets, net	0	11,097
Total assets	5,693,083	5,995,833
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	0	0
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Advances from affiliates, net	0	850,807
Accrued expenses and other	43,518	44,654
Total current liabilities	43,518	895,461
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	3,365,143	3,358,179
Deferred tax liabilities, net	0	0
Advances from affiliates	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	2,284,422	1,742,193
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	5,693,083	5,995,833
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	42,373	53,905	55,767	51,592
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	1,102	10,309
Trade accounts receivable, net	133,735	138,861
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	38,286	19,323
Inventory	59,711	45,623
Advances to affiliates, net	229,488	999,340
Other current assets	98,890	19,183
Total current assets	603,585	1,286,544
Property and equipment, net	2,459,703	2,061,831
Regulatory authorizations	465,658	471,658
Goodwill	504,173	504,173
Other intangible assets, net	58,582	80,734
Investments in unconsolidated entities	30,587	42,560
Investment in subsidiaries	204,208	314,643
Advances to affiliates	80,744	60,761
Deferred tax asset	0	0
Other noncurrent assets, net	185,839	142,091
Total assets	4,593,079	4,964,995
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	82,300	94,089
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	3,769	6
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	35,886	32,177
Advances from affiliates, net	185,161	12,228
Accrued expenses and other	145,362	136,921
Total current liabilities	452,478	275,421
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	226,997	262,883
Deferred tax liabilities, net	549,217	621,061
Advances from affiliates	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	104,249	80,532
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	3,260,138	3,725,098
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	4,593,079	4,964,995
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	33,310	25,110	$ 26,589	$ 31,203
Marketable investment securities, at fair value	0	0
Trade accounts receivable, net	63,105	43,651
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	355	0
Inventory	23,884	17,015
Advances to affiliates, net	7,313	4,968
Other current assets	31,788	27,083
Total current assets	159,755	117,827
Property and equipment, net	293,395	232,895
Regulatory authorizations	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other intangible assets, net	0	0
Investments in unconsolidated entities	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Advances to affiliates	0	0
Deferred tax asset	3,700	9,150
Other noncurrent assets, net	13,275	145,219
Total assets	470,125	505,091
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)
Trade accounts payable	20,516	12,321
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	4,745	807
Advances from affiliates, net	56,864	31,429
Accrued expenses and other	46,748	38,738
Total current liabilities	128,873	83,295
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	2,073	1,401
Deferred tax liabilities, net	960	128
Advances from affiliates	115,159	93,429
Other noncurrent liabilities	3,378	2,775
Total HSS shareholders’ equity	204,860	311,233
Noncontrolling interests	14,822	12,830
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 470,125	$ 505,091

Supplemental Guarantor and No72

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information - Consolidating Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - other									$ 1,203,551	$ 1,103,127	$ 1,095,249
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									433,829	449,547	518,853
Equipment revenue - other									239,199	238,279	212,278
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									290	8,840	10,752
Total revenue	$ 506,124	$ 478,362	$ 462,265	$ 430,118	$ 472,683	$ 457,266	$ 440,718	$ 429,126	1,876,869	1,799,793	1,837,132
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									542,665	517,957	525,471
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									212,458	204,753	195,537
Selling, general and administrative expenses									337,591	281,048	276,616
Research and development expenses									31,745	31,170	26,377
Depreciation and amortization									496,798	414,133	430,127
Impairment of long-lived asset									6,000	0	0
Total costs and expenses									1,627,257	1,449,061	1,454,128
Operating income	66,969	68,919	53,034	60,690	90,561	91,400	87,546	81,225	249,612	350,732	383,004
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									31,952	12,598	4,416
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(245,478)	(187,198)	(169,150)
Loss from partial redemption of debt									0	0	(5,044)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									(3,298)	0	(6,139)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									1,724	6,995	(6,463)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									7,027	9,444	8,502
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Other, net									(2,188)	2,909	2,222
Total other expense, net									(210,261)	(155,252)	(171,656)
Income before income taxes									39,351	195,480	211,348
Income tax benefit (provision), net									258,202	(73,759)	(72,364)
Net income (loss)	276,341	11,483	302	9,427	21,603	28,089	37,999	34,030	297,553	121,721	138,984
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,583	1,706	1,617
Net income attributable to HSS	275,764	10,951	120	9,135	20,843	27,565	37,688	33,919	295,970	120,015	137,367
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net income	$ 276,341	$ 11,483	$ 302	$ 9,427	$ 21,603	$ 28,089	$ 37,999	$ 34,030	297,553	121,721	138,984
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									7,196	(5,377)	(25,012)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(2,188)	1,584	(4,202)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income									3,298	0	6,139
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income									0	(2,996)	(15)
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax									8,306	(6,789)	(23,090)
Comprehensive income									305,859	114,932	115,894
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,992	1,520	1,297
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									303,867	113,412	114,597
Eliminations
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - other									(32,220)	(22,861)	(21,877)
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Equipment revenue - other									(43,326)	(42,941)	(19,005)
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Total revenue									(75,546)	(65,802)	(40,882)
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									(29,632)	(22,168)	(21,148)
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									(43,178)	(40,546)	(17,244)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(2,736)	(3,088)	(2,490)
Research and development expenses									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Impairment of long-lived asset									0
Total costs and expenses									(75,546)	(65,802)	(40,882)
Operating income									0	0	0
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									(95,172)	(76)	(107)
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									95,172	76	107
Loss from partial redemption of debt											0
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									0		0
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									0	0	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									0	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									(436,460)	(213,219)	(243,904)
Other, net									0	0	0
Total other expense, net									(436,460)	(213,219)	(243,904)
Income before income taxes									(436,460)	(213,219)	(243,904)
Income tax benefit (provision), net									0	0	0
Net income (loss)									(436,460)	(213,219)	(243,904)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net income attributable to HSS									(436,460)	(213,219)	(243,904)
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net income									(436,460)	(213,219)	(243,904)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									0	0	0
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income									0		0
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income										0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									(15,049)	12,152	51,032
Total other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax									(15,049)	12,152	51,032
Comprehensive income									(451,509)	(201,067)	(192,872)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									(451,509)	(201,067)	(192,872)
HSS
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - other									0	0	0
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Equipment revenue - other									0	0	0
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Total revenue									0	0	0
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									0	0	0
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses									0	0	0
Research and development expenses									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									0	0	0
Impairment of long-lived asset									0
Total costs and expenses									0	0	0
Operating income									0	0	0
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									28,146	10,826	3,339
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(229,415)	(177,625)	(142,215)
Loss from partial redemption of debt											(5,044)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									0		(6,139)
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									0	0	15
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									0	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									471,602	218,125	239,199
Other, net									0	9,749	(5,468)
Total other expense, net									270,333	61,075	83,687
Income before income taxes									270,333	61,075	83,687
Income tax benefit (provision), net									25,637	58,940	53,680
Net income (loss)									295,970	120,015	137,367
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net income attributable to HSS									295,970	120,015	137,367
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net income									295,970	120,015	137,367
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(273)	3,290	(2,478)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income									0		6,139
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income										(2,996)	(15)
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									8,170	(6,897)	(26,416)
Total other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax									7,897	(6,603)	(22,770)
Comprehensive income									303,867	113,412	114,597
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									303,867	113,412	114,597
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - other									1,056,914	992,480	976,507
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									432,090	449,547	518,734
Equipment revenue - other									255,320	256,361	200,605
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									290	8,840	10,752
Total revenue									1,744,614	1,707,228	1,706,598
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									441,120	438,837	447,106
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									235,318	225,787	190,200
Selling, general and administrative expenses									293,810	246,399	245,725
Research and development expenses									31,745	31,170	26,377
Depreciation and amortization									458,483	401,688	423,923
Impairment of long-lived asset									6,000
Total costs and expenses									1,466,476	1,343,881	1,333,331
Operating income									278,138	363,347	373,267
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									96,992	199	171
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									(112,855)	(14,538)	(29,093)
Loss from partial redemption of debt											0
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									0		0
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									0	6,995	(6,478)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									0	9,444	8,502
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									(35,142)	(4,906)	4,705
Other, net									4,497	(6,956)	11,054
Total other expense, net									(46,508)	(9,762)	(11,139)
Income before income taxes									231,630	353,585	362,128
Income tax benefit (provision), net									240,392	(135,081)	(122,564)
Net income (loss)									472,022	218,504	239,564
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Net income attributable to HSS									472,022	218,504	239,564
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net income									472,022	218,504	239,564
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									(2,007)	(1,642)	(1,800)
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income									3,298		0
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income										0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									6,879	(5,255)	(24,616)
Total other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax									8,170	(6,897)	(26,416)
Comprehensive income									480,192	211,607	213,148
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									480,192	211,607	213,148
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Revenue:
Services and other revenue - other									178,857	133,508	140,619
Services and other revenue - DISH Network									1,739	0	119
Equipment revenue - other									27,205	24,859	30,678
Equipment revenue - DISH Network									0	0	0
Total revenue									207,801	158,367	171,416
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									131,177	101,288	99,513
Cost of sales - equipment (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)									20,318	19,512	22,581
Selling, general and administrative expenses									46,517	37,737	33,381
Research and development expenses									0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization									38,315	12,445	6,204
Impairment of long-lived asset									0
Total costs and expenses									236,327	170,982	161,679
Operating income									(28,526)	(12,615)	9,737
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income									1,986	1,649	1,013
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized									1,620	4,889	2,051
Loss from partial redemption of debt											0
Other-than-temporary impairment loss on available-for-sale securities									(3,298)		0
Gains (losses) on marketable investment securities, net									1,724	0	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate									7,027	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Other, net									(6,685)	116	(3,364)
Total other expense, net									2,374	6,654	(300)
Income before income taxes									(26,152)	(5,961)	9,437
Income tax benefit (provision), net									(7,827)	2,382	(3,480)
Net income (loss)									(33,979)	(3,579)	5,957
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,583	1,706	1,617
Net income attributable to HSS									(35,562)	(5,285)	4,340
Comprehensive Income (loss) :
Net income									(33,979)	(3,579)	5,957
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments									7,196	(5,377)	(25,012)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other									92	(64)	76
Recognition of other-than-temporary loss on available-for-sale securities in net income									0		0
Recognition of realized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income										0	0
Equity in other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax									7,288	(5,441)	(24,936)
Comprehensive income									(26,691)	(9,020)	(18,979)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1,992	1,520	1,297
Comprehensive income attributable to HSS									$ (28,683)	$ (10,540)	$ (20,276)

Supplemental Guarantor and No73

Supplemental Guarantor and Non-Guarantor Financial Information - Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 276,341	$ 11,483	$ 302	$ 9,427	$ 21,603	$ 28,089	$ 37,999	$ 34,030	$ 297,553	$ 121,721	$ 138,984
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									199,476	444,150	436,506
Net cash flows from operating activities									497,029	565,871	575,490
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									(535,476)	(396,730)	(208,821)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									259,263	452,446	355,202
Expenditures for property and equipment									(401,538)	(381,287)	(386,714)
Refunds and other receipts related to capital expenditures									4,311	0	0
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									(70)	8,320	(2,488)
Investment in subsidiary									0	0	0
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services									0	(23,750)	(11,875)
Expenditures for externally marketed software									(31,331)	(23,252)	(22,327)
Other, net									0	(1,636)	(10)
Net cash flows from investing activities									(704,841)	(365,889)	(277,033)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									0	1,500,000	0
Payments of debt issuance costs									(414)	(7,097)	0
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									0	0	0
Capital contribution from EchoStar									0	23,750	0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium									0	0	(113,300)
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									(37,063)	(31,669)	(39,441)
Advances from (to) affiliates									(36)	6,982	20,002
Other, net									(4,364)	(4,157)	(5,154)
Net cash flows from financing activities									(41,877)	1,487,809	(137,893)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									1,286	183	(3,131)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(248,403)	1,687,974	157,433
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				2,070,964				382,990	2,070,964	382,990	225,557
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,822,561				2,070,964				1,822,561	2,070,964	382,990
Eliminations
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)									(436,460)	(213,219)	(243,904)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									436,460	213,219	243,904
Net cash flows from operating activities									0	0	0
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Expenditures for property and equipment									0	0	0
Refunds and other receipts related to capital expenditures									0
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Investment in subsidiary									122,000	165,717	91,043
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services										0	0
Expenditures for externally marketed software									0	0	0
Other, net										(340)	(1,500)
Net cash flows from investing activities									122,000	165,377	89,543
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt										0
Payments of debt issuance costs									0	0
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									(122,000)	(165,717)	(91,043)
Capital contribution from EchoStar										0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium											0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									0	0	0
Advances from (to) affiliates									0	0	0
Other, net									0	340	1,500
Net cash flows from financing activities									(122,000)	(165,377)	(89,543)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				0				0	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	0				0				0	0	0
HSS
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)									295,970	120,015	137,367
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									(206,014)	78,875	32,816
Net cash flows from operating activities									89,956	198,890	170,183
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									(535,476)	(396,730)	(208,821)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									259,263	452,446	355,202
Expenditures for property and equipment									0	0	0
Refunds and other receipts related to capital expenditures									0
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									0	888	(2,432)
Investment in subsidiary									(59,000)	(80,846)	(43,000)
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services										0	0
Expenditures for externally marketed software									0	0	0
Other, net										0	0
Net cash flows from investing activities									(335,213)	(24,242)	100,949
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt										1,500,000
Payments of debt issuance costs									(414)	(7,097)
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									0	0	0
Capital contribution from EchoStar										23,750
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium											(113,300)
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									0	0	0
Advances from (to) affiliates									0	0	0
Other, net									600	14	40
Net cash flows from financing activities									186	1,516,667	(113,260)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(245,071)	1,691,315	157,872
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				1,991,949				300,634	1,991,949	300,634	142,762
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,746,878				1,991,949				1,746,878	1,991,949	300,634
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)									472,022	218,504	239,564
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									(74,310)	127,462	156,301
Net cash flows from operating activities									397,712	345,966	395,865
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Expenditures for property and equipment									(340,197)	(292,427)	(325,405)
Refunds and other receipts related to capital expenditures									4,311
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									0	7,500	0
Investment in subsidiary									(63,000)	(84,871)	(48,043)
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services										0
Expenditures for externally marketed software									(31,331)	(23,252)	(22,327)
Other, net										(1,296)	1,490
Net cash flows from investing activities									(430,217)	(394,346)	(394,285)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt										0
Payments of debt issuance costs									0	0
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									59,000	80,846	43,000
Capital contribution from EchoStar										0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium											0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									(32,177)	(28,829)	(33,478)
Advances from (to) affiliates											0
Other, net									(5,850)	(5,499)	(6,927)
Net cash flows from financing activities									20,973	46,518	2,595
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(11,532)	(1,862)	4,175
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				53,905				55,767	53,905	55,767	51,592
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	42,373				53,905				42,373	53,905	55,767
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)									(33,979)	(3,579)	5,957
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities									43,340	24,594	3,485
Net cash flows from operating activities									9,361	21,015	9,442
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities									0	0	0
Expenditures for property and equipment									(61,341)	(88,860)	(61,309)
Refunds and other receipts related to capital expenditures									0
Changes in restricted cash and cash equivalents									(70)	(68)	(56)
Investment in subsidiary									0	0	0
Payment for EchoStar XXI launch services										(23,750)	(11,875)
Expenditures for externally marketed software									0	0	0
Other, net										0	0
Net cash flows from investing activities									(61,411)	(112,678)	(73,240)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt										0
Payments of debt issuance costs									0	0
Proceeds from capital contributions from parent									63,000	84,871	48,043
Capital contribution from EchoStar										0
Repayment of 6 1/2% Senior Secured Notes Due 2019 and related premium											0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations									(4,886)	(2,840)	(5,963)
Advances from (to) affiliates									(36)	6,982	20,002
Other, net									886	988	233
Net cash flows from financing activities									58,964	90,001	62,315
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									1,286	183	(3,131)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									8,200	(1,479)	(4,614)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				$ 25,110				$ 26,589	25,110	26,589	31,203
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 33,310				$ 25,110				$ 33,310	$ 25,110	$ 26,589

Schedule II - Valuation and Q74

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Allowance for doubtful accounts - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Changes in valuation and qualifying accounts
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 12,752	$ 11,447	$ 11,950
Charged to Costs and Expenses	9,551	14,384	6,637
Deductions	(10,276)	(13,079)	(7,140)
Balance at End of Year	$ 12,027	$ 12,752	$ 11,447