DISH Network Corp (DISH)

[OTC_hub]

These guys are ahead of the game, imo

[zigzagman]

Form 8-K for DISH NETWORK CORP

31-Mar-2009

Change in Directors or Principal Officers

http://biz.yahoo.com/e/090331/dish8-k.html

[zigzagman]

Google TV: Still a Tough Sell

As Google pulls out of the newspaper and radio ad business, it seems loyal to its TV efforts, but several shortcomings are holding it back.

In the past two months, Google (GOOG) has abandoned its efforts to sell newspaper and radio advertising. Will it pull the plug on its initiative to sell TV ads, too?

Given the coming convergence of TV and the Internet as well as advertisers' hunger for Web-style measurements for their TV commercials, chances are good that Google will stay the course. But it faces a tough slog. A range of companies are also developing technologies that do a better job of allowing advertisers to target TV viewers. Then there is traditional media's deep-rooted suspicion of Google. "They're the pretty new girl in high school," says a senior ad sales executive. "We hate them for that."

When Google announced its television venture—dubbed Google TV—nearly two years ago, it sounded promising. The search giant is trying to replicate its Web model for TV, offering a self-service, auction-based system for advertisers. Advertisers can choose shows that best fit what they are selling. For example, a travel agency can visit a special Web site, type in, say, "cruises," and Google finds programs through guide information that might mention cruises, like an episode of King of Queens in which the characters Doug and Carrie go on a cruise. Advertisers bid on the ads available for that program, decide what they are willing to pay, and upload their commercial, which is delivered directly to the TV network. Companies pay only for those TV sets tuned in to their ad for five seconds or more, data Google gets from set-top boxes. "We're about speed and flexibility," says Mike Steib, a former NBC Universal (GE) executive who runs Google TV.
More Effective Targeting

Some advertisers see the merits of Google's system. After all, the $60 billion TV advertising business seems increasingly archaic in the Web Age. Companies still buy ads way ahead of time, months even, often in bulk, and TV outlets collect their money before commercials hit the air. It can be a hit-or-miss affair, with program ratings uncertain. While audience data have improved in recent years, advertisers tend to make educated guesses about who is watching what and when. Being able to target more effectively and buy on the spot is what attracted Chinese PC maker Lenovo, one of the first big advertisers to buy commercials through Google. "We needed to be super-efficient," says Deepak Advani, Lenovo's chief global marketing officer. "With Google, we were not forced to buy a package of ads at the same time. We could buy one ad at a time, and bid on the spot we wanted, and see it air two days later."

Lenovo, however, is one of only a handful of big advertisers to use Google TV; others include Jenny Craig, Priceline (PCLN), Buy.com, and some Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) brands like Lifescan and Centocor. Because the Big Four broadcast networks have shut Google out, the company has partnerships with relative small fry, including Dish Network (DISH), Hallmark Channel, Bloomberg TV, and NBCU cable channels such as CNBC, Sleuth, and Thriller. These outlets don't provide the number of viewers and reach that national advertisers require. Dish Network, for instance, is in only 13 million of America's 112 million TV households.

Some advertisers also say the slots Google is trying to sell are often at the most undesirable times of day—the middle of the night, say, when self-help guru Tony Robbins rules the airwaves. "The challenge for [Google] is scale," says Russ Klein, chief marketing officer at Burger King (BKC), which buys Web search ads through Google but zero TV time. "We don't see anything seismic here right now."

Another shortcoming of Google's automated system, say marketers, is that its technology, while impressive, usurps relationships that still mean a lot among Madison Avenue, advertisers, and TV companies. "There are important relationships and discussions that go on about how to develop programming and how to present your message on TV," says Klein.

Google TV's Steib insists the company is committed to TV, noting that as television becomes more interactive, viewer data and targeting will become all the more important to advertisers. The challenge for Steib is to strike more partnerships quickly with TV providers (he says more will be announced soon) before traditional media buyers, cable operators, and even Microsoft (MSFT) get entrenched in the business. Google will play a role in the future of TV advertising, says Curt Hecht, a top executive for the ad conglomerate Publicis, but it will not dominate the way it does on the Web. For now, says Hecht, "Google TV is a healthy experiment."

Lowry is a senior writer for BusinessWeek in New York.

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2009/tc20090213_506671.htm?campaign_id=yhoo

[zigzagman]

Coverage initiated on DISH Network by Wunderlich

At HOLD

Briefing.com
http://finance.yahoo.com/q/ud?s=DISH

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CSG extends Dish deal:

Denver Business Journal
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/01/05/daily12.html?ana=yfcpc

Satellite broadcaster Dish Network extended its contract with billing and customer service outsourcing company CSG Systems International Inc. to cover 2009.

The 4-year-old contract between the two Englewood-based companies had been scheduled to expire at the end of 2008, but Dish decided to extend it for another year, the companies announced Monday.

CSG Systems (NASDAQ: CSGS) handles monthly billing, customer care logistics and related technology systems for several paid television companies. It manages more than 70 million billing statements sent each month to customers in the United States.

Dish Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH) is the country’s second-largest satellite TV broadcaster with more than 13.5 million subscribers.

[zigzagman]

Bernstein Cuts DISH to “Underperform”~

Cash Flow in Jeopardy:

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2008/08/20/echostar-bernstein-cuts-to-underperform-cash-flow-in-jeopardy/?mod=yahoobarrons

[zigzagman]

Dish Network cut to equal-weight by Morgan Stanley:

By Steve Goldstein
Last update: 9:02 a.m. EST Nov. 11, 2008

DISH 11.28, -1.96, -14.8%) was downgraded to equal-weight from overweight by Morgan Stanley, which said the firm's results have been too weak for too long. The broker cited insufficient evidence of improving fundamentals, poor visibility into underlying churn issues and the near-term investments in customer service and technology that may eliminate free cash flow growth in 2009.

http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?guid={61E53EDE-F2D4-4F3C-8F20-B282280E15B2}&siteid=yhoof2

[zigzagman]

DISH Network Corporation Announces Conference Call for Third Quarter 2008 Financial Results:

Monday October 27, 6:05 am ET

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH - News) will host its third quarter 2008 financial results conference call on Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at noon ET. The dial-in number is [phone].

DISH Network's press release about its financial results will be distributed prior to the conference call. The press release will be available on the DISH Network Web site, http://www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus.

About DISH Network Corporation

DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH - News), the nation's third largest pay-TV provider and the leader in digital television, provides approximately 13.79 million satellite TV customers as of June 30, 2008 with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable TV providers for eight consecutive years. DISH Network also provides customers with award-winning HD and DVR technology including the ViP®722 HD DVR, which received the Editors' Choice awards from both CNET and PC Magazine. In addition, subscribers enjoy access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit http://www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.


Source: DISH Network Corporation
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/081027/lam068.html?.v=101


.....Smoke 'em!.....

[zigzagman]

TiVo Statement on United States Supreme Court Decision to Deny EchoStar's Appeal:

Monday October 6, 11:04 am ET

ALVISO, Calif., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TiVo Inc. (Nasdaq: TIVO - News), the creator of and leader in television products and services for digital video recorders (DVR), offered the following statement today on the ruling by the United States Supreme Court to deny an appeal by EchoStar Communications Corporation:

"We are extremely pleased that the United States Supreme Court has denied EchoStar's petition to review the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit unanimous ruling that upheld the District Court judgment of willful patent infringement, full award of damages, and a permanent injunction against EchoStar's infringing DVR products. We look forward to the expeditious receipt of damages awarded by the District Court covering the period through September 8, 2006 and remain confident that the District Court will enforce the injunction and award further damages from EchoStar's continued infringement of our Time Warp patent."

About TiVo Inc.

Founded in 1997, TiVo (Nasdaq: TIVO - News) pioneered a brand new category of products with the development of the first commercially available digital video recorder (DVR). Sold through leading consumer electronic retailers and our website, TiVo has developed a brand which resonates boldly with consumers as providing a superior television experience. Through agreements with leading satellite and cable providers, TiVo also integrates its DVR service features into the set-top boxes of mass distributors. TiVo's DVR functionality and ease of use, with such features as Season Pass(TM) recordings and WishList® searches and TiVo KidZone, have elevated its popularity among consumers and have created a whole new way for viewers to watch television. With a continued investment in its patented technologies, TiVo is revolutionizing the way consumers watch and access home entertainment. Rapidly becoming the focal point of the digital living room, TiVo's DVR is at the center of experiencing new forms of content on the TV, such as broadband delivered video, music and photos. With innovative features, such as TiVoToGo(TM) transfers and online scheduling, TiVo is expanding the notion of consumers experiencing "TiVo, TV your way. ®" The TiVo® service is also at the forefront of providing innovative marketing solutions for the television industry, including a unique platform for advertisers and audience research measurement.

TiVo, 'TiVo, TV your way.', Season Pass, WishList, TiVoToGo, Stop||Watch, Power||Watch, and the TiVo Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. or its subsidiaries worldwide. © 2008 TiVo Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT NOTICE

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to, among other things, the future display of television recommendations on the TiVo service from Entertainment Weekly. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "intend," "estimate," "continue," or similar expressions. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include delays in development, competitive service offerings and lack of market acceptance, as well as the other potential factors described under "Risk Factors" in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008 and subsequent filings. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect an analysis only and speak only as of the date hereof. TiVo disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/081006/aqm080.html?.v=58
Source: TiVo Inc.

[zigzagman]

It looks like the upgrade didn't help DISH today~

It closed at $ 19.43 DOWN -$1.26 (-6.09%)

[zigzagman]

Analyst upgrades Dish Network

Thursday October 2, 9:11 am ET
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081002/dish_network_ahead_of_the_bell.html?.v=1

Analyst upgrades satellite TV operator Dish Network due to its appealing stock price.

NEW YORK (AP) -- An analyst upgraded Dish Network Corp. Thursday due to the company's attractive stock price.

Gregory Lundberg of Soleil Securities Group Inc. boosted the satellite TV operator to "Equalweight" from "Underweight," saying the company might be able to retire all of its net debt with free cash flow in five years.

"Dish has performed over 25 percentage points worse than the S&P 500 since mid-June 2008, but we believe that our projections capture the downside inherent in Dish's business, including the loss of AT&T," Lundberg wrote in a client note.

Earlier this week AT&T Inc. picked DirecTV Group Inc. as its satellite TV partner, starting next year. Englewood, Colo.-based Dish had been hoping to renew its distribution deal with the phone company.

Dish shares were unchanged in premarket trading from Wednesday's closing price of $20.69.

[zigzagman]

TiVo Shrs Plunge; No Ruling In DISH Infringement Case

Posted by Eric Savitz
http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2008/09/04/tivo-shrs-plunge-no-ruling-in-dish-infringement-case/?mod=yahoobarrons

TiVo (TIVO) shares are down sharply late this afternoon, apparently on investor disappointment that the judge overseeing the company’s patent infringement case against Dish Network (DISH) did not issue a ruling today in a dispute over whether DISH had violated an injunction issued earlier this year after DISH had been found to be in violation of two TiVo patents.

Dow Jones Newswires reports that the two companies were in court today for a hearing on the issue. The wire service story notes that there was no decision today; ergo, DISH can (at least for now) continue to distribute the DVRs that are at the heart of the patent suit. TiVo has been asserting that the workaround for the patents in question that DISH has developed does not cure the patent infringement.

Citigroup’s Tony Wible pointed out in a research note this afternoon that the sell off in TiVo shares “is likely driven by event-driven investors interpreting the absence of a decision as incrementally more favorable for DISH.” He says a decision could come later this month, but that “timing is still uncertain, leading to more frustration and selling pressure.”

Alan Gould, an analyst with Natixis Bleichroeder, in his own note on the situation, wrote that the bottom line is that “it could take a while before the judge issues his decision, and his decision could be that he wants to look at the [DISH] workaround, which would delay the decision even further.” Gould notes that TiVo asked for $220 million in damages. Gould adds that he does not anticipate an out-of-court settlement in the case.

Both analysts maintain Buy ratings on the stock.

TIVO today is down $1.40, or 16%, to $7.35.

[zigzagman]

Parsing TiVo's Latest Conference Call:

by: Dave Zatz posted on: August 29, 2008
http://seekingalpha.com/article/93215-parsing-tivo-s-latest-conference-call?source=yahoo

TiVo (TIVO) held its quarterly call Wednesday and, while I don’t pretend to be a financial analyst, I’ll share my uninformed observations.

As TiVo sometimes does, the Investor Relations group began their earnings day by releasing a bit of fluff news to the press - I don’t know if this is designed to distract the market to soften the blow, juice the stock price, or what. Regardless, I didn’t bite.

The quarterly results seem generally positive… TiVo was guided to just their third profitable quarter (!), though this is largely due to a continued reduction in marketing expenditures - perhaps accounting for the net loss in subscribers. While the majority of these folks retired from the obsolete DirecTiVo platform, stand-alone TiVo unit subscriptions were also in decline. (Fully amortized Lifetimed units also push the subscriber number down, but they didn’t volunteer exactly how many that is.) However, TiVo has no debt, plenty of cash on hand, and I get the sense they feel like they’ll be coming into even more related to EchoStar’s patent infringement. Going forward, TiVo expects to pick up additional customers via newer channels consisting of the MSO dealios (Comcast (CMCSA), Cox) and their Australian offering.

Related to the tech itself, I didn’t come across many interesting nuggets. It’s expected that Cox will begin offering their custom TiVo solution this fall in New England. Related, Comcast is expected to increase both their marketing and market presence beyond New England beginning next month. Specific regions weren’t disclosed, but I heard something somewhere a long while ago that Denver was to be one of the initial sites. We shall see.

In regards to a Series4 Tru2way TiVo unit, it doesn’t look we’ll be seeing anything soon. Surely not in 2008. According to CEO Tom Rogers:

The retail Tru2way issue, we have agreed with the cable industry that we would look to provide a OCAP or Tru2way retail device. It is something that we would like to do, meaning something that a consumer could go into any retailer and purchase and plug it into any cable system anywhere in the country and it would just work. There are a number of CEs that are focused on Tru2way devices. Our view is that that whole regime is going to take more time to be clarified and to get the ability for players such as ourselves to build on a national uniform homogeneous basis. We are not alone among the consumer electronics players seeing that that is going to be a slower process than the cable industry may have liked, and certainly issues that we see along the way we bring to CableLabs’ attention, although there isn’t any one at this point that I would necessarily say conflicts with our objectives.

I can’t say I’m surprised with TiVo’s conservative approach given recent industry reports. I’m not even sure this needs to be a priority. However, an interim solution of a TiVo HD with integrated SDV tuning adapter would go a long way towards maximizing TiVo compatibility within the shifting cable landscape. In other cable marketplace news, TiVo doesn’t seem overly concerned with Cablevision’s network DVR. According to Rogers, “a lot of legal issues that still need to be resolved on that front” and there’s an “inadequate capacity at this point for broad scale deployment of a network DVR solution.”


.....Smoke 'em!.....

[zigzagman]

TiVo makes profit but sees loss
Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:28pm EDT

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINN2749153420080827?rpc=44&sp=true

LOS ANGELES, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Digital video recorder maker TiVo Inc (TIVO) forecast a wider-than-expected third-quarter loss, citing legal costs, and shares fell more than 3 percent, erasing most of the day's gains.

The company, which helped revolutionize the way many people watch TV, said on Wednesday net income for the quarter ended July 31 was $2.9 million, or 3 cents per share, compared with a loss of $17.7 million, or 18 cents per share, in the second quarter a year earlier.

Adjusted earnings of 2 cents a share beat analysts' average estimate of a loss of 2 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates.

Revenues rose to $65.2 million from $62.7 million.

For the third quarter, TiVo anticipates service and technology revenues in the range of $49 million to $51 million, as well as a net loss in the range of $7 million to $9 million. Wall Street on average expected a loss of $4.2 million.

Tom Rogers, president and CEO of TiVo, said the anticipated loss was due to seasonal increases in expenditure for inventory and marketing costs, in advance of the holiday shopping season.

Spokesman Derek Newman said additional legal costs in TiVo's patent suit against satellite TV operator EchoStar (DISH) also would drive the loss.

Mark Harding, an analyst with Maxim Group, said TiVo's anticipated loss in the third quarter is not as bad as the company's share price loss on Wednesday reflected.

"It's not good but I think at this point management is being somewhat conservative on the guidance," Harding said. "They have been conservative in the past."

He said the upcoming court battle between TiVo and Echostar is more significant than the anticipated third-quarter loss, because the court case could "push Echostar into a licensing agreement with TiVo".

The company also announced on Wednesday a partnership with Entertainment Weekly that will allow TiVo subscribers to automatically record the magazine's "What to Watch" TV recommendations.

Shares fell 27 cents, or 3.4 percent, to $7.69 in after-hours trading. The stock had gained 43 cents, or 5.7 percent, to close at $7.96 in regular Nasdaq trade. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis, Gary Hill)

© Thomson Reuters 2008 All rights reserved



.....Smoke 'em!.....

[zigzagman]

Ten Thriving Colorado Stocks

by: Stockerblog posted on: August 24, 2008
http://seekingalpha.com/article/92286-ten-thriving-colorado-stocks?source=yahoo

Colorado is a state of thriving companies. The state’s industries are many and varied; from aerospace & satellite, to agriculture, bioscience, mining and natural resources, financial services, manufacturing and telecommunication. Some great key facts to know about Colorado are:

1. There are over 100 companies in the aerospace industry in Colorado.
2. The aerospace and satellite industry provide the state with around 130,000 jobs.
3. The agricultural industry generates over 105,000 jobs in the state.
4. Colorado’s top ranch and commodity products are cattle and diary products.
5. There are 380 bioscience companies in the state, employing over 16,000 people.
6. Colorado’s nanotechnology industry is sixth in the country with 75 companies in 20 cities around the state.
7. Colorado ranks eleventh in the country for oil production.
8. Legislation passed requires that Colorado produce 10% of its energy from renewable sources by the year 2015.
9. The state is eleventh in the country in the production of wind power.
10. It is the second most educated state in the country with 35.5% of the population holding a bachelor’s degree.

The following are 10 companies headquartered in the State of Colorado with market caps over $1 billion.

* Western Union Co. (WU) facilitates money transfers worldwide and other services. The stock has a P/E of 22.68 and a PEG of 1.47. It pays a yield of 0.10%.

* Newmont Mining Co. (NEM) is engaged in the production of gold. The company owns many properties around the world. The stock has a P/E of 25.26 and a PEG of 1.27. It pays a yield of 0.90%.

* Dish Network Corporation (DISH) delivers satellite television to customers throughout the United States. The stock has a P/E of 14.12, a PEG of 1.43.

* Liberty Entertainment Corp. (LMDIA) has as Its main subsidiary DiecTV. The company is engaged in the delivery of satellite television. The stock has a P/E of 2.41 and a PEG of 0.38.

* Prologis (PLD) is a real estate investment trust. The company operates in North America, Europe and Asia. The stock has a P/E of 16.29, a PEG of 2.17, and it pays a yield of 4.20%.
* Liberty Global Inc. (LBTYA) the company engages in high speed internet, voice and video services. The stock has a P/E of 250.27 and a PEG of 10.44.

* Molson Coors Co. (TAP) makes and sells beers, and other beverages. The stock has a P/E of 21.4 and a PEG of 1.37. It pays a yield of 1.60%.

* Liberty Media Interactive (LINTA) makes and markets different consumer products. The stock has a P/E of 16, and a PEG of 1.31.

* Quest Communication International Inc. (Q) operating three different segments provides voice, data and Internet services in America. The stock has a P/E of 2.62, a PEG of 2.94, and it pays a yield of 8.40%.

* Discovery Holding (DISCA) supplies network services to industries around the world. The stock has a PEG of 3.06.

[analogdog]

apparently.. the companies have "no comment", the blog guy backpeddles (likely in it deep), and no news service reports anything other than possible buyout... tomorrow wil be interesting IMO.

Happy trading.

[analogdog]

Just out PR...

AP
EchoStar Rises With Upgrade to "Buy"
Monday November 19, 6:44 pm ET
EchoStar Shares Rise After Analyst Upgrades to "Buy" on Valuation, Chances of AT&T Buyout

NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of EchoStar Communications Corp. rose Monday after an analyst upgraded the stock to "Buy" on its valuation and speculation that AT&T Inc. will purchase the satellite television operator within a year.

ADVERTISEMENT
EchoStar shares rose $7.66, or 19.2 percent, to $47.49 Monday. In the past year, the stock has traded between $35.16 and $52.54.

In a note to clients Monday, Citi Investment Research analyst Jason Bazinet raised his EchoStar rating from "Hold" and kept his $52 price target.

Bazinet said EchoStar's shares are poised to rise in the wake of a recent sell-off and he believes there is a 65 percent chance AT&T will buy the company in the next 12 months.

The analyst believes EchoStar's shares may have been affected by its churn rate, which rose to 1.9 percent during the third quarter. The churn rate refers to the number or percentage of customers who stopped service in the previous period.

Bazinet thinks subprime mortgage woes are impacting EchoStar's churn rate.

"We think the market has more than priced in the higher churn concerns, but is not factoring in the likelihood of AT&T buying EchoStar," he wrote.

[analogdog]

Check all the details.... now he recants, and the blogs remove him from author.. LOL. Woops... better get a lawyer.

November 19, 2007, 12:28 pm
Update: Report AT&T Deal For EchoStar Possible This Week; Price Seen At $64-$68 A Share
Posted by Eric Savitz

EchoStar (DISH) shares have extended their morning rally, on a report from TheStreet.com asserting that a deal for AT&T to buy the company could be announced this week. The story said the deal would come between $64 and $68 a share.

As noted earlier, Barron’s asserted over the weekend that a deal could be in the works. Also, as I reported previously, Citigroup today upped its rating on the stock to a Buy from Hold, and repeated its belief that there is a 65% chance AT&T buys EchoStar within 12 months.

EchoStar is now up $8.76, or 22%, at $48.59.


then....

November 19, 2007, 3:59 pm
AT&T and EchoStar: Reasons to be Skeptical
Posted by Dana Cimilluca

In spite of market speculation that has driven up EchoStar shares more than 20% today, no deal between AT&T and EchoStar is imminent, people familiar with the matter tell us.

One person close to AT&T says the two sides aren’t even talking about an M&A deal at the moment. What is more, it still isn’t clear that any bankers have been hired to arrange the long-anticipated deal or that AT&T has decided to go after EchoStar and not DirecTV.

Of course, these conditions can always change at a moment’s notice. But from what we can divine so far, enthusiasts of an EchoStar acquisition may not feel much gratitude this Thanksgiving.

One stumbling block to a purchase of EchoStar is the dismal earnings report the company turned in the week before last. The resulting plunge in the stock will make Charlie Ergen, EchoStar’s chairman and controlling shareholder, an even more reluctant seller than he has been in the past, says one person familiar with his thinking.

Of course, that drop was erased by today’s stock move, but don’t expect the stock to hold up for too long at that level in the absence of a deal soon.

Representatives for the companies declined to comment.


... the orignal author was Eric Savitz... then author replaced a few minutes ago...

[analogdog]

EchoStar Jumps; Barron’s Triggers Revived Rumors Of AT& T Deal; Citigroup Upgrades To Buy From Hold
Posted by Eric Savitz
November 19, 2007, 10:16 am

EchoStar (DISH) shares are sharply higher this morning on renewed hopes that the company could be acquired by AT&T (T). Triggering the renewed speculation: a bullish item in this weekend’s Trader column in Barron’s, which said “AT&T reportedly is scrambling to put together a bid before year end that will entice EchoStar’s CEO, Charles Ergen.” According to the story, AT&T has offered $65 a share, but EchoStar is asking $75.

EchoStar, of course, has announced a plan to split the company in two pieces, with spare satellites, its set-top box production arm, newly acquired Sling Media and other assets in one company, and the Dish Network in the other. I would presume AT&T would want the broadcasting piece; at the time DISH announced the planned split, there was speculation that part of the reason for cutting the company in two would be to make it easier for AT&T to buy the piece it wanted, but not the rest.

EchoStar’s shares, which had jumped on takeover rumors in recent weeks, hit the skids after reporting a big jump in customer churn in its latest quarter.

This morning, Citigroup’s Jason Bazinet upped his rating on the company to Buy from Hold, while maintaining his $52 price target. Bazinet repeated his opinion this morning that there is a 65% chance AT&T buys DISH within 12 months. He had cut his rating to Hold from Buy on November 12. He notes that the stock had dropped 23% in the last five trading days. “We think the market has more than priced in the higher churn and related sub-prime, but not factoring in the likelihood of AT&T buying DISH,” he writes.

JRPG’s Gerard Hallaren this morning writes that EchoStar “is an extremely undervalued stock,” although he contends that “EchoStar’s management is not particularly interested in selling the company right now.”

Hallaren sees three choices for the company, which he thinks have an equal probability of playing out - and each of which adds value to current holders:

* Sell to AT&T for $65-$70 a share plus the value of the technology business.
* Do a partial spinoiff of the Dish Network; he thinks that approach would create $60 a share in value for holders.
* Remain independent; he thinks the Dish Network can be worth $90 a share in three years - not including the value of the technology company.

Hallaren says that “Goldman Sachs [banker for AT&T] is all over EchoStar,” but that Ergen refuses to meet with them. “Bankers, in general, annoy Charlie,” he writes. “Those close to Charlie says AT&T is wasting its time unless the bid goes a lot higher or its management team will go directly to Charlie. We see Charlie Ergen as the primary risk to any proposed deal. Owning more than 40% of the company, Ergen’s motivations and time horizons are likely different from other shareholders.”

EchoStar today is up $3.73, or 9.4%, at $43.56.

[Trade Ideas]

Dangerously below the 200 day average
Long-Term Sentiment: Sell

From the technicals I would not be getting long this and would look to minimize losses if long.

http://www.trade-ideas.com/StockInfo/DISH/EchoStar_CommunicationsA.html

[dragon52]

is qbid hooking up with dish?

Transcript of new Qtelevision message:

This is Frank.
Things are wonderful, and I wish that I could tell you all the great news, but I can't. Ahh! Except that I am loosing my voice. Um, for specific questions, you can email me at [e-mail] The hard launch will be tomorrow, and that means that we will be running 8 hours of programming, 3 times.It will be for any carrier that wants to take it, and that has been liscenced, but, we will not be announcing carriers until all contracts have been put togetherand have been signed, unless we have permission from a specific carrier. This will happen soon. I know you're awfully impatient and would like to get this information out. But, I cannot give it out any sooner than I am allowed to. I made that mistake once before and lost the agreement about three years ago. I'm not going to make that mistake twice. So bear with us, and, uh, your network is going to be strong, viable, and a moneymaker. I GAURANTEE IT!! Have a great 4th of July weekend, and remember - that is [e-mail]
Go ahead and email us, I will get back to you.
Thank you once again!

They are hard launching tomorrow.