SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 10, 2002
ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
NEVADA 0-26176 88-0336997
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
5701 S. SANTA FE DRIVE
LITTLETON, COLORADO 80120
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 723-1000
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
Effective September 27, 2001, EchoStar Communications Corporation
("EchoStar" or "the Company") invested an additional $50 million in StarBand
Communications, Inc. ("StarBand"), increasing its equity interest from
approximately 19% to approximately 32%. EchoStar originally invested $50 million
in StarBand in April 2000. As a result of the increased equity stake, this
investment is now accounted for using the equity method of accounting. As
required by APB Opinion No. 18, the equity method accounting has been
retroactively applied back to April 2000, the date of EchoStar's original
investment in StarBand.
The attached financial information is a retroactive adjustment of the
Company's financial results for the periods from EchoStar's original investment
in April 2000 to June 30, 2001 to give effect to the equity method accounting
adjustments resulting from the increase in EchoStar's equity interest.
The Consolidated Financial Statements as retroactively adjusted may not
be indicative of future financial performance of the Company. The accompanying
notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits
A list of exhibits filed as part of this report is set forth in the
Index to Exhibits, which immediately precedes such exhibits and is incorporated
herein by reference.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ECHOSTAR COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
Dated: January 10, 2002 By: /s/ Michael R. McDonnell
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Michael R. McDonnell,
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NUMBER EXHIBIT
------- -------
23.1 Consent of Independent Public Accountants
99.1 Retroactively adjusted Consolidated Financial Statements and
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended
December 31, 2000
99.2 Retroactively adjusted Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2001
99.3 Retroactively adjusted Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2001
99.4 Retroactively adjusted Financial Information for the Year
Ended December 31, 2000
99.5 Retroactively adjusted Financial Information for the Three
Months Ended March 31, 2001
99.6 Retroactively adjusted Financial Information for the Three and
Six Months Ended June 30, 2001