EXHIBIT 99.4 QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ECHO SATELLITE (A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1) 5701 S. SANTA FE DRIVE LITTLETON, COLORADO 80120 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) (303) 723-1000 (Telephone number, including area code) TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements Condensed Combined and Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998 (Unaudited)....................... 1 Condensed Combined and Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 (Unaudited)................. 2 Condensed Combined and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 (Unaudited)................. 3 Notes to Condensed Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)............................................................ 4 Item 2. Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations................. 8 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk............... None PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings........................................................ 11 Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds................................ * Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.......................................... * Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders...................... * Item 5. Other Information........................................................ None Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K......................................... N/A DISH NETWORK-SM- IS A SERVICE MARK OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION. - ------------------------------ (*) This item has been omitted pursuant to the reduced disclosure format as set forth in General Instructions (H)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q. ECHO SATELLITE (A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1) CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in thousands) DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, 1997 1998 ---------------------------- (Unaudited) ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................... $ 45,653 $ 13,324 Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $1,347 and, $1,673 respectively......................................................... 66,045 82,553 Inventories........................................................................ 22,993 34,643 Subscriber acquisition costs, net.................................................. 18,819 7,848 Other current assets............................................................... 9,424 7,758 -------------------------- Total current assets................................................................. 162,934 146,126 Restricted cash and marketable investment securities................................. 2,245 2,245 Property and equipment, net.......................................................... 597,755 605,498 Advances to affiliates, net.......................................................... 161,222 169,969 Other noncurrent assets.............................................................. 118,747 117,859 -------------------------- Total assets..................................................................... $1,042,903 $1,041,697 -------------------------- -------------------------- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current Liabilities: Trade accounts payable............................................................. $ 68,800 $ 64,096 Deferred revenue................................................................... 122,215 113,066 Accrued expenses................................................................... 72,605 102,374 Current portion of long-term debt.................................................. 17,885 18,186 -------------------------- Total current liabilities............................................................ 281,505 297,722 Long-term obligations, net of current portion: 1994 Notes......................................................................... 499,863 516,829 1996 Notes......................................................................... 438,512 452,405 Notes payable to ECC including accumulated interest................................ 54,597 55,883 Mortgages and other notes payable, net of current portion.......................... 51,846 47,520 Long-term deferred satellite services revenue and other long-term liabilities...... 19,500 22,464 -------------------------- Total long-term obligations, net of current portion.................................. 1,064,318 1,095,101 -------------------------- Total liabilities................................................................ 1,345,823 1,392,823 Commitments and Contingencies (Note 4) Stockholder's Equity (Deficit): Common Stock, $.01 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding...... - - Additional paid-in capital......................................................... 125,162 125,162 Accumulated deficit................................................................ (428,082) (476,288) -------------------------- Total stockholder's equity (deficit)................................................. (302,920) (351,126) -------------------------- Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit)............................. $1,042,903 $1,041,697 -------------------------- -------------------------- See accompanying Notes to Condensed Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements. 1 ECHO SATELLITE (A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1) CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands) (Unaudited) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------------ 1997 1998 ------------------------------ REVENUE: DISH Network: Subscription television services...................... $ 48,050 $128,541 Other................................................. 8,206 6,184 ---------------------------- Total DISH Network...................................... 56,256 134,725 DTH equipment sales and integration services............ 1,958 66,816 Satellite services...................................... 2,165 4,595 C-band and other........................................ 8,588 7,888 ---------------------------- Total revenue............................................. 68,967 214,024 COSTS AND EXPENSES: DISH Network Operating Expenses: Subscriber-related expenses........................... 23,040 63,809 Customer service center and other..................... 6,445 11,733 Satellite and transmission............................ 2,785 5,252 ---------------------------- Total DISH Network operating expenses................... 32,270 80,794 Cost of sales - DTH equipment and integration services.. 2,228 47,251 Cost of sales - C-band and other........................ 6,008 5,942 Marketing: Subscriber promotion subsidies........................ 12,777 44,835 Advertising and other................................. 3,276 8,250 ---------------------------- Total marketing expenses................................ 16,053 53,085 General and administrative.............................. 15,031 19,289 Amortization of subscriber acquisition costs............ 28,062 10,971 Depreciation and amortization........................... 12,643 15,419 ---------------------------- Total costs and expenses.................................. 112,295 232,751 ---------------------------- Operating loss............................................ (43,328) (18,727) Other Income (Expense): Interest income......................................... 1,649 773 Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized............ (21,199) (29,988) Other................................................... (60) (93) ---------------------------- Total other income (expense).............................. (19,610) (29,308) ---------------------------- Loss before income taxes.................................. (62,938) (48,035) Income tax provision, net................................. (19) (171) ---------------------------- Net loss.................................................. $ (62,957) $(48,206) ---------------------------- ---------------------------- See accompanying Notes to Condensed Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements. 2 ECHO SATELLITE (A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1) CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------------------- 1997 1998 ----------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss.................................................................................. $(62,957) $(48,206) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities: Depreciation and amortization........................................................... 12,643 15,419 Amortization of subscriber acquisition costs............................................ 28,062 10,971 Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs.............................. 18,542 27,183 Interest on notes payable to ECC added to principal..................................... 1,337 1,286 Change in reserve for excess and obsolete inventory..................................... (2,302) (33) Change in long-term deferred satellite services revenue and other long-term liabilities....................................................... 3,090 3,015 Other, net.............................................................................. (125) (51) Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net.................................. (29,560) (20,096) ---------------------------- Net cash flows from operating activities.................................................. (31,270) (10,512) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of marketable investment securities Sales of marketable investment securities................................................. 15,279 - Purchases of restricted marketable investment securities.................................. (1,995) - Funds released from escrow and restricted cash and marketable investment securities....... 30,000 - Investment earnings placed in escrow...................................................... (416) - Purchases of property and equipment....................................................... (16,365) (17,000) Other..................................................................................... (453) (792) ---------------------------- Net cash flows from investing activities.................................................. 26,050 (17,792) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repayments of mortgage indebtedness and notes payable..................................... (3,130) (4,025) ---------------------------- Net cash flows from financing activities.................................................. (3,130) (4,025) ---------------------------- Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents................................................. (8,350) (32,329) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period............................................ 38,429 45,653 ---------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period.................................................. $ 30,079 $ 13,324 ---------------------------- ---------------------------- SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized........................................ $ 612 $ 1,409 Cash paid for income taxes................................................................ - 171 Capitalized interest, including amounts due to affiliates................................. 8,013 4,351 Accrued capital expenditures.............................................................. - 4,653 The purchase price of DBSC was pushed-down by EchoStar Communications Corporation to DBSC as follows in the related purchase accounting: Satellite construction costs.......................................................... 51,241 - FCC authorization..................................................................... 16,651 - Notes payable to EchoStar, including accrued interest of $3,382....................... (49,382) - Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses........................................... (1,687) - Other notes payable................................................................... (500) - Additional paid in capital............................................................ (16,323) - See accompanying Notes to Condensed Combined and Consolidated Financial Statements. 3 ECHO SATELLITE (A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1) NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS ACTIVITIES PRINCIPAL BUSINESS The following represents Echo Satellite, a combination of EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corporation ("ESBC") and Direct Broadcasting Satellite Corporation, a Colorado corporation ("DBSC"). Both ESBC and DBSC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of EchoStar Communications Corporation ("ECC," and together with its subsidiaries, "EchoStar"), a publicly-traded company on the Nasdaq National Market. ESBC was formed in January 1996 for the initial purpose of completing an offering of $580 million principal amount at maturity of 13 1/8% Senior Secured Discount Notes (the "1996 Notes") due 2002 (the "1996 Notes Offering"). On January 8, 1997, Direct Broadcasting Satellite Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Old DBSC"), was merged (the "Merger") with DBSC. This transaction was accounted for as a purchase and the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of Old DBSC's assets was allocated to FCC authorizations in the related purchase accounting. Upon consummation of the Merger, Old DBSC, which was incorporated January 23, 1981 in the State of Delaware, ceased to exist and DBSC became a guarantor of the 1996 Notes. DBSC is the FCC licensee for a satellite permit and orbital slot assignments and the owner of EchoStar III, a satellite built to become an integral part of the DISH Network, but has no operations as a stand-alone entity. DBSC is dependent on ECC and ECC's other subsidiaries for all necessary funding and all management and administrative functions. The accompanying financial statements represent the combined and consolidated financial statements of ESBC and DBSC ("Echo Satellite" or the "Company"). Readers of this Quarterly Report should refer to EchoStar's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1998. Substantially all of EchoStar's operations are conducted by subsidiaries of ESBC. EchoStar's operations include three interrelated business units: - THE DISH NETWORK - a DBS subscription television service in the United States. As of March 31, 1998, EchoStar had approximately 1.2 million DISH Network subscribers. - TECHNOLOGY - the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of DBS set-top boxes, antennae and other digital equipment for the DISH Network ("EchoStar Receiver Systems"), and the design, manufacture and distribution of similar equipment for direct-to-home ("DTH") projects of others internationally, together with the provision of uplink center design, construction oversight and other project integration services for international DTH ventures. - SATELLITE SERVICES - the turn-key delivery of video, audio and data services to business television customers and other satellite users. These services include satellite uplink services, satellite transponder space usage, and other services. Since 1994, EchoStar has deployed substantial resources to develop the "EchoStar DBS System." The EchoStar DBS System consists of EchoStar's FCC-allocated DBS spectrum, DBS satellites ("EchoStar I," "EchoStar II," "EchoStar III," and "EchoStar IV"), digital satellite receivers, digital broadcast operations center, customer service facilities, and other assets utilized in its operations. EchoStar's principal business strategy is to continue developing its subscription television service in the U.S. to provide consumers with a fully competitive alternative to cable television service. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS EchoStar IV was launched on May 8, 1998 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. While initial data indicates the launch was successful, the ultimate success of the launch and in-orbit operation of EchoStar IV will not be 4 ECHO SATELLITE (A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1) NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED (Unaudited) established for approximately 60 days. Subject to final agreement between the United States and Mexican administration, EchoStar IV will be tested at the 127DEG. West Longitude ("WL") orbital location for approximately two months, and will then be moved to its operational orbital location at 119.2DEG. WL. Together with EchoStar II, it will provide video, audio and data services throughout the continental United States. EchoStar IV also will provide video, audio and data services to Alaska and Hawaii. Provided EchoStar IV is successfully deployed at 119.2DEG. WL, EchoStar plans to relocate EchoStar I, a 16 transponder DBS satellite, from 119DEG. WL to 148DEG. WL. EchoStar has a permit, issued by the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"), for the use of 24 frequencies at the 148DEG. WL orbital slot. The FCC conditionally approved the relocation of EchoStar I to 148DEG. WL in April 1998. To retain its remaining eight frequencies at 148DEG. WL, EchoStar must, in accordance with its FCC license, complete construction of an additional DBS satellite by December 20, 2000, and that satellite must be operational by December 20, 2002. Once EchoStar I is operational at the 148DEG. WL orbital location, EchoStar plans to expand its local programming initiative to include certain of the largest television markets in the Mountain and Pacific time zones, and to provide expanded international, niche, educational, business television and data services. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 1998. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report filed as Exhibit 99.4 to EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. PURPOSE OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Echo Satellite currently is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). However, pursuant to the terms of an indenture between ESBC and First Trust National Association dated March 25, 1996 (the "Indenture"), Echo Satellite is required to provide quarterly and annual reports comparable to that which would have been required if Echo Satellite were subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Since Echo Satellite does not have a separate Commission File Number with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Echo Satellite has made these financial statements, complete with Management's Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations, publicly available. These financial statements were prepared solely to comply with the reporting requirements under the Indenture. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in EchoStar's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 1997. 5 ECHO SATELLITE (A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1) NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED (Unaudited) USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 3. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following (in thousands): DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, 1997 1998 ------------------------ (Unaudited) DBS receiver components...................... $12,506 $13,565 EchoStar Receiver Systems.................... 7,649 17,917 Consigned DBS receiver components............ 3,122 4,073 Finished goods - analog DTH equipment........ 2,116 1,614 Spare parts and other........................ 1,440 1,281 Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory.... (3,840) (3,807) ------------------------ $22,993 $34,643 ------------------------ ------------------------ 4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES During February 1997, EchoStar and The News Corporation Limited ("News") announced an agreement (the "News Agreement") pursuant to which, among other things, News agreed to acquire approximately 50% of the outstanding capital stock of EchoStar. News also agreed to make available for use by EchoStar the DBS permit for 28 frequencies at 110DEG. West Longitude purchased by MCI Communications Corporation for over $682 million following a 1996 FCC auction. During late April 1997, substantial disagreements arose between the parties regarding their obligations under the News Agreement. In May 1997, EchoStar filed a Complaint requesting that the Court confirm EchoStar's position and declare that News is obligated pursuant to the News Agreement to lend $200 million to EchoStar without interest and upon such other terms as the Court orders. EchoStar also filed a First Amended Complaint significantly expanding the scope of the litigation, to include breach of contract, failure to act in good faith, and other causes of action. EchoStar seeks specific performance of the News Agreement and damages, including lost profits based on, among other things, a jointly prepared ten-year business plan showing expected profits for EchoStar in excess of $10 billion based on consummation of the transactions contemplated by the News Agreement. In June 1997, News filed an answer and counterclaims seeking unspecified damages. News' answer denies all of the material allegations in the First Amended Complaint and asserts numerous defenses, including bad faith, misconduct and failure to disclose material information on the part of EchoStar and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Charles W. Ergen. The counterclaims, in which News is joined by its subsidiary American Sky Broadcasting, L.L.C., assert that EchoStar and Ergen breached their agreements with News and failed to act and negotiate with News in good faith. EchoStar has responded to News' answer and denied the allegations in their counterclaims. EchoStar also has asserted various affirmative defenses. EchoStar intends to vigorously defend against the counterclaims. Discovery commenced on July 3, 1997 and depositions are currently being taken. The case has been set for trial commencing November 1998, but that date could be postponed. While EchoStar is confident of its position and believes it will ultimately prevail, the litigation process could continue for many years and there can be no assurance concerning the outcome of the litigation. 6 ECHO SATELLITE (A COMBINATION OF CERTAIN WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, AS DEFINED IN NOTE 1) NOTES TO CONDENSED COMBINED AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--CONTINUED (Unaudited) EchoStar is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to those actions will not materially affect the financial position or results of operations of EchoStar. In November 1998 and 1999, certain meteoroid events will occur as the earth's orbit passes through the particulate trail of Comet 55P (Tempel-Tuttle). These meteoroid events pose a potential threat to all in-orbit geosynchronous satellites, including EchoStar's DBS satellites. EchoStar is presently evaluating the potential effects that these meteoroid events may have on its DBS satellites. At this time, it is not possible to determine what impact, if any, these meteoroid events could have on EchoStar's DBS satellites. 7 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ALL STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN, AS WELL AS STATEMENTS MADE IN PRESS RELEASES AND ORAL STATEMENTS THAT MAY BE MADE BY THE COMPANY OR BY OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY ACTING ON ITS BEHALF, THAT ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF HISTORICAL FACT CONSTITUTE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS OF THE COMPANY TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM HISTORICAL RESULTS OR FROM ANY FUTURE RESULTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. AMONG THE FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY ARE THE FOLLOWING: THE UNAVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT CAPITAL ON SATISFACTORY TERMS TO FINANCE THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS PLAN; INCREASED COMPETITION FROM CABLE, DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE ("DBS"), OTHER SATELLITE SYSTEM OPERATORS AND OTHER PROVIDERS OF SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICES; THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND COMPETITORS INTO THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION BUSINESS; INCREASED SUBSCRIBER ACQUISITION COSTS AND SUBSCRIBER PROMOTION SUBSIDIES; THE INABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO OBTAIN NECESSARY SHAREHOLDER AND BONDHOLDER APPROVAL OF ANY STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS; THE INABILITY OF THE COMPANY TO OBTAIN AND RETAIN NECESSARY AUTHORIZATIONS FROM THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION ("FCC"); THE OUTCOME OF ANY LITIGATION IN WHICH THE COMPANY MAY BE INVOLVED; GENERAL BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS; AND OTHER RISK FACTORS DESCRIBED FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE COMPANY'S REPORTS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ("SEC"). IN ADDITION TO STATEMENTS THAT EXPLICITLY DESCRIBE SUCH RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, READERS ARE URGED TO CONSIDER STATEMENTS THAT INCLUDE THE TERMS "BELIEVES," "BELIEF," "EXPECTS," "PLANS," "ANTICIPATES," "INTENDS" OR THE LIKE TO BE UNCERTAIN AND FORWARD-LOOKING. ALL CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS MADE HEREIN SHOULD BE READ AS BEING APPLICABLE TO ALL FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WHEREVER THEY APPEAR. IN THIS CONNECTION, INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER THE RISKS DESCRIBED HEREIN. THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997. REVENUE. Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1998 was $214 million, an increase of $145 million or 210%, as compared to total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1997 of $69 million. The increase in total revenue was primarily attributable to DISH Network subscriber growth combined with increased revenue from the Company's Technology business unit. The number of DISH Network subscribers increased from 1,040,000 at December 31, 1997 to 1.2 million subscribers at March 31, 1998. Comparatively, the number of DISH Network subscribers increased from 350,000 at December 31, 1996 to 479,600 at March 31, 1997. The Company expects that its revenues will continue to increase as the number of DISH Network subscribers increases. Consistent with the increases in total revenue and the number of DISH Network subscribers during the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company experienced a corresponding increase in trade accounts receivable at March 31, 1998. During the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company's subscriber churn (which represents the number of subscriber disconnects during the period divided by the weighted-average number of subscribers during the period) approximated 1% per month. DISH Network subscription television services revenue totaled $129 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $81 million compared to the same period in 1997. This increase was directly attributable to the increase in the number of DISH Network subscribers. Monthly revenue per subscriber approximated $38 during each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997. DISH Network subscription television services revenue principally consists of revenue from basic, premium and pay-per-view subscription television services. DISH Network subscription television services revenue will continue to increase as the Company adds DISH Network subscribers. For the three months ended March 31, 1998, DTH equipment sales and integration services totaled $67 million, an increase of $65 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 1997. DTH equipment sales consist of sales of digital set-top boxes and other digital satellite broadcasting equipment by the Company to international DTH service operators. EchoStar currently has agreements to provide equipment to DTH service operators in Spain and Canada. Sales pursuant to these agreements totaled $59 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998. DBS accessory and other sales totaled $8 million during the three months ended March 31, 1998, a $6 million increase compared to the same period in 1997. While EchoStar continues to actively pursue other distribution and integration service opportunities, no assurance can be given that any such additional negotiations will be successful. EchoStar's future revenue from the 8 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--CONTINUED sale of DTH equipment and integration services in international markets depends largely on the success of the DTH operator in that country, which, in turn, depends on other factors, such as the level of consumer acceptance of DBS products and the intensity of competition for international subscription television subscribers. No assurance can be given regarding the level of expected future revenues that may be generated from EchoStar's alliances with foreign DTH operators. Satellite services revenue totaled $5 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $3 million as compared to the same period in 1997. These revenues include, among other things, fees charged to content providers for signal carriage and revenues earned from business television (BTV) customers for the broadcast of organizationally specific programming. The increase in satellite services revenue was primarily attributable to increased usage by the Company's BTV customers. DISH NETWORK OPERATING EXPENSES. DISH Network operating expenses totaled $81 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $49 million as compared to the same period in 1997. The increase in DISH Network operating expenses was primarily attributable to the increase in the number of DISH Network subscribers. For the three months ended March 31, 1998, DISH Network operating expenses represented 63% of subscription television services revenue compared to 67% of subscription television revenue during the corresponding period in 1997. Subscriber-related expenses totaled $64 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $41 million compared to the same period in 1997. Such expenses, which include programming expenses, copyright royalties, residuals payable to retailers and distributors, and billing, lockbox and other variable subscriber expenses, totaled 50% of subscription television services revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1998, compared to 48% of subscription television services revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1997. The increase in subscriber-related expenses as a percentage of subscription television services revenue resulted primarily from an increase in copyright royalties payable by satellite providers for the transmission of distant broadcast network and superstation signals. This increase in copyright royalties accounted for approximately $3 million of the increase in subscriber-related expenses. Customer service center and other expenses principally consist of costs incurred in the operation of the Company's DISH Network customer service center, such as personnel and telephone expenses, as well as subscriber equipment installation and other operating expenses. Customer service center and other expenses totaled $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $6 million as compared to the three months ended March 31, 1997. Customer service center and other expenses totaled 9% of subscription television services revenue during the three months ended March 31, 1998, compared to 13% of subscription television services revenue during the same period of the prior year. The increase in customer service center and other expenses resulted from increased personnel expenses to support the growth of the DISH Network. While there can be no assurance that customer service center and other expenses as a percentage of subscription television services revenue will not increase, the Company expects this expense to revenue ratio to remain near first quarter levels for the remainder of 1998. Satellite and transmission expenses include expenses associated with the operation of EchoStar's digital broadcast center, contracted satellite tracking, telemetry and control ("TT&C") services, and in-orbit insurance on EchoStar's DBS satellites. Satellite and transmission expenses increased $2 million during the three months ended March 31, 1998, as compared to the same period during 1997. This increase resulted from an increase in the number of EchoStar's operational DBS satellites. The Company expects DISH Network operating expenses to continue to increase in the future as subscribers are added. However, as its DISH Network subscriber base continues to expand, the Company expects that such costs as a percentage of DISH Network revenue may decline. COST OF SALES - DTH EQUIPMENT AND INTEGRATION SERVICES. Cost of sales - - DTH equipment and integration services totaled $47 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $45 million, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 1997. This increase is consistent with the increase in DTH equipment revenue. During the three months ended March 31, 1998, cost of sales - DTH equipment and integration services principally included costs associated with digital set-top boxes and related components sold to international DTH operators. For 9 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S NARRATIVE ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--CONTINUED the three months ended March 31, 1997, cost of sales - DTH equipment and integration services totaled $2 million and consisted almost entirely of costs of DBS accessories sold. MARKETING EXPENSES. Marketing expenses totaled $53 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $37 million as compared to the same period in 1997. The increase in marketing expenses was primarily attributable to the increase in subscriber promotion subsidies. Subscriber promotion subsidies include the excess of transaction costs over transaction proceeds at the time of sale of EchoStar Receiver Systems, activation allowances paid to retailers, and other promotional incentives. The Company recognizes subscriber promotion subsidies as incurred. These expenses totaled $45 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $32 million over the same period in 1997. This increase principally resulted from the immediate recognition of all subscriber promotion subsidies incurred in 1998, whereas during the three-month period ended March 31, 1997, a portion of such expenses were initially deferred and amortized over the related prepaid subscription term (generally one year). This accelerated expense recognition resulted from the introduction of the "1997 Promotion" in June 1997. The 1997 Promotion maintained the suggested retail price for a standard EchoStar Receiver System at $199, but eliminated the requirement for the coincident purchase of an extended subscription commitment. For the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company's subscriber acquisition costs, inclusive of acquisition marketing expenses, totaled $51 million (approximately $250 per new subscriber activation). Comparatively, the Company's subscriber acquisition costs, inclusive of acquisition marketing expenses and deferred subscriber acquisition costs, totaled $58 million (in excess of $400 per new subscriber activation) during the same period in 1997. The decrease in the Company's subscriber acquisition costs, on a per new subscriber activation basis, principally resulted from decreases in the manufactured cost of EchoStar Receiver Systems. Advertising and other expenses totaled $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $5 million over the same period in 1997, as a result of increased marketing activity. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. General and administrative ("G&A") expenses totaled $19 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $4 million as compared to the same period in 1997. The increase in G&A expenses was principally attributable to increased personnel expenses to support the growth of the DISH Network. G&A expenses as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 9% for the three months ended March 31, 1998 compared to 22% for the corresponding period in 1997. While there can be no assurance that G&A expenses as a percentage of total revenue will not increase, the Company expects this expense to revenue ratio to remain near first quarter levels for the remainder of 1998. EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION ("EBITDA"). EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 1998 improved to $8 million compared to negative EBITDA of $3 million for the same period in 1997. This improvement in EBITDA principally resulted from increases in DISH Network and Technology revenues. The Company believes that its EBITDA results may continue to improve in future periods as the number of DISH Network subscribers increases. However, in the event that new subscriber activations exceed expectations or subscriber acquisition costs materially increase, the Company's EBITDA results may be negatively impacted in the near-term because subscriber acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the three months ended March 31, 1998 (including amortization of subscriber acquisition costs of $11 million) aggregated $26 million, a decrease of $15 million as compared to the corresponding period in 1997. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses principally resulted from the decrease in amortization of subscriber acquisition costs, partially offset by an increase in depreciation related to the addition of EchoStar III. Beginning in October 1997, net subscriber acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. Consequently, no additional subscriber acquisition costs are being deferred. The unamortized balance of such costs is expected to be fully amortized by September 1998. OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE. Other expense, net totaled $29 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998, an increase of $9 million as compared to the same period in 1997. The increase in other expense resulted primarily from increases in interest expense associated with increased accreted balances on the Company's 12 7/8% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2004 and the Company's 13 1/8% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2004, combined with a decrease in the amount of interest capitalized during the three months ended March 31, 1998. 10 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS During February 1997, EchoStar and The News Corporation Limited ("News") announced an agreement (the "News Agreement") pursuant to which, among other things, News agreed to acquire approximately 50% of the outstanding capital stock of EchoStar. News also agreed to make available for use by EchoStar the DBS permit for 28 frequencies at 110DEG. West Longitude purchased by MCI Communications Corporation for over $682 million following a 1996 FCC auction. During late April 1997, substantial disagreements arose between the parties regarding their obligations under the News Agreement. In May 1997, EchoStar filed a Complaint requesting that the Court confirm EchoStar's position and declare that News is obligated pursuant to the News Agreement to lend $200 million to EchoStar without interest and upon such other terms as the Court orders. EchoStar also filed a First Amended Complaint significantly expanding the scope of the litigation, to include breach of contract, failure to act in good faith, and other causes of action. EchoStar seeks specific performance of the News Agreement and damages, including lost profits based on, among other things, a jointly prepared ten-year business plan showing expected profits for EchoStar in excess of $10 billion based on consummation of the transactions contemplated by the News Agreement. In June 1997, News filed an answer and counterclaims seeking unspecified damages. News' answer denies all of the material allegations in the First Amended Complaint and asserts numerous defenses, including bad faith, misconduct and failure to disclose material information on the part of EchoStar and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Charles W. Ergen. The counterclaims, in which News is joined by its subsidiary American Sky Broadcasting, L.L.C., assert that EchoStar and Ergen breached their agreements with News and failed to act and negotiate with News in good faith. EchoStar has responded to News' answer and denied the allegations in their counterclaims. EchoStar also has asserted various affirmative defenses. EchoStar intends to vigorously defend against the counterclaims. Discovery commenced on July 3, 1997 and depositions are currently being taken. The case has been set for trial commencing November 1998, but that date could be postponed. While EchoStar is confident of its position and believes it will ultimately prevail, the litigation process could continue for many years and there can be no assurance concerning the outcome of the litigation. EchoStar is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to those actions will not materially affect the financial position or results of operations of EchoStar. 11