EchoStar adds 500,000 subs

EchoStar Communications added around 495,000 new subscribers to its DISH Network DTH television service during the fourth quarter of 2000, a 16 per cent increase on Q4 1999. It ended the year with around 5.26 million subscribers. The company reported total revenues of $2.7 billion (E2.9bn) compared to $1.6 bn for the previous period in 1999, whilst EBITDA and operating losses increased due to up-front acquisition costs. EBITDA losses for the year to December 31, 2000, increased to $187m, compared to $173m in 1999. EchoStar’s operating loss totalled $424m, against $347m last year, while its net losses narrowed to $621m from $793m.