Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On May 19, 2019, DISH Network Corporation (“DNC”) and BSS Merger Sub Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of DNC (“Merger Sub” and, together with DNC, the “DISH Parties”), entered into a Master Transaction Agreement (the “Master Transaction Agreement”) with EchoStar Corporation (“EC”) and EchoStar BSS Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EC (“Newco” and, together with EC, the “EchoStar Parties”). A copy of the Master Transaction Agreement will be filed by DNC as an exhibit to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2019.

Pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement, among other things: (i) EC will carry out an internal reorganization in which certain assets and liabilities of the EchoStar Satellite Services segment, the business segment of EC that provides broadcast satellite operations and satellite services, as well as certain related licenses, real estate properties and employees (together, the “BSS Business”) will be transferred to Newco (the “Pre-Closing Restructuring”); (ii) EC will distribute all outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Newco (such stock, “Newco Common Stock”) on a pro rata basis (the “Distribution”), to the holders of record of Class A common stock, par value $.001 per share, of EC and Class B common stock, par value $.001 per share, of EC; and (iii) upon the consummation of the Pre-Closing Restructuring and the Distribution, Merger Sub will merge with and into Newco (the “Merger”) such that, upon consummation of the Merger, Merger Sub will cease to exist and Newco will continue as a wholly owned subsidiary of DNC. As consideration for the Merger, shares of Newco Common Stock issued and outstanding will be converted into and exchangeable for newly-issued shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of DNC (such stock, “DNC Common Stock”).  As a result, DNC will be issuing an approximate additional 4.9% of its current outstanding shares to Newco’s stockholders as consideration for the BSS Business with each share of Newco Common Stock outstanding as of the Closing Date receiving a number of shares of DNC Common Stock equal to the quotient of (1) 22,937,188 divided by (2) the total number of shares of EC common stock issued and outstanding as of the record date set for the Distribution.  The transaction is intended to be structured as a tax-free spin-off and merger.

The Master Transaction Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of both the DISH Parties and the EchoStar Parties regarding their respective businesses.  Between signing and closing, EC, or as applicable, Newco, agrees to conduct the BSS Business in the ordinary course of business and not to undertake certain actions prior to the Merger without the written consent of DNC.  The closing of the Merger is subject to certain conditions, including, among others, receipt of necessary government approvals pertaining to certain assets being transferred, including the Federal Communications Commission and Anatel, as well as the registration and listing of the DNC Common Stock being issued to Newco stockholders and the receipt of tax opinions from DNC’s and EC’s respective counsel regarding the tax treatment of the Merger.

The Merger is expected to be consummated three business days after the satisfaction or waiver of all of the closing conditions to the transaction (other than conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions at such time) (the “Closing Date”).

Pursuant to the Master Transaction Agreement, EC will indemnify DNC against losses suffered as a result of (i) a breach of certain representations and warranties, (ii) a breach or non-performance of any covenant that is to be performed by EC after the effective time of the Merger and (iii) the excluded liabilities.  DNC will similarly indemnify EC against losses suffered as a result of (i) a breach of its fundamental representations, (ii) a breach or non-performance of any covenant that is to be performed by DNC after the effective time of the Merger and (iii) the assumed liabilities.

The Master Transaction Agreement provides for certain termination rights of DNC and EC, including the right of either party to terminate the Master Transaction Agreement if (i) the Merger has not closed within nine (9) months after the signing of the Master Transaction Agreement or (ii) any of the mutual conditions to closing have become incapable of being satisfied, provided that such right to terminate will not be available to any party who has breached the Master Transaction Agreement resulting in the failure of any condition to the Merger being satisfied.  In addition, DNC may terminate the Master Transaction Agreement for an incurable breach of the agreement by the EchoStar Parties.  Similarly, EC may terminate the Master Transaction Agreement for an incurable breach of the agreement by the DISH Parties.

In addition, the Master Transaction Agreement contemplates that at closing of the Merger, DNC, EC and, as relevant, certain of their respective subsidiaries, will enter into ancillary agreements involving tax, employment and intellectual property matters, which are anticipated to set forth certain rights and obligations of DNC and EC and their respective subsidiaries related to the Merger with respect to, among other things: (i) the payment of tax liabilities refunds, and filing of tax returns related Newco; (ii) the allocation of employment-related assets and liabilities; (iii) certain employee compensation, equity awards, benefit plans, programs and arrangements relating to employees who are expected to be transferred to DNC pursuant to the Merger; (iv) a cross-license between DNC and EC for certain intellectual property either transferred to DNC as part of the Merger or retained by EC that is also used in the BSS Business; and (v) the provision of certain telemetry, tracking and control services by DNC and its subsidiaries to EC and its subsidiaries.