Dish Network 2008 Annual Report Download - page 8

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DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We make “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
throughout this report. Whenever you read a statement that is not simply a statement of historical fact (such as when
we describe what we “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect” or “anticipate” will occur and other similar
statements), you must remember that our expectations may not be achieved, even though we believe they are
reasonable. We do not guarantee that any future transactions or events described herein will happen as described or
that they will happen at all. You should read this report completely and with the understanding that actual future
results may be materially different from what we expect. Whether actual events or results will conform with our
expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.
For further discussion see Item 1A. Risk Factors. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
following:
x Weakening economic conditions, including the recent downturn in financial markets and reduced consumer
spending, may adversely affect our ability to grow or maintain our business.
x If we do not improve our operational performance and customer satisfaction, our gross subscriber additions
may decrease and our subscriber churn may increase.
x If declines in DISH Network gross subscriber additions, increases in subscriber churn and higher subscriber
acquisition and retention costs continue, our financial performance will be further adversely affected.
x We face intense and increasing competition from satellite television providers, cable television providers,
telecommunications companies, and companies that provide/facilitate the delivery of video content via the
internet.
x We may be required to make substantial additional investments in order to maintain competitive high
definition, or HD, programming offerings.
x Technology in our industry changes rapidly and could cause our services and products to become obsolete.
x We may need additional capital, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, in order to
continue investing in our business and to finance acquisitions and other strategic transactions.
x A portion of our investment portfolio is invested in securities that have experienced limited or no liquidity
in recent months and may not be immediately accessible to support our financing needs.
x AT&T Inc’s, or AT&T, termination of its distribution agreement with us may reduce subscriber additions
and increase churn if we are not able to develop alternative distribution channels.
x As technology changes, and in order to remain competitive, we may have to upgrade or replace subscriber
equipment and make substantial investments in our infrastructure.
x We rely on EchoStar Corporation, or EchoStar, to design and develop all of our new set-top boxes and
certain related components, and to provide transponder capacity, digital broadcast operations and other
services for us. Our business would be adversely affected if EchoStar ceases to provide these services to us
and we are unable to obtain suitable replacement services from third parties.
x We rely on one or a limited number of vendors, and the inability of these key vendors to meet our needs
could have a material adverse effect on our business.
x Our programming signals are subject to theft, and we are vulnerable to other forms of fraud that could
require us to make significant expenditures to remedy.