Technology

EchoStar Announces Suite of Transformative Transactions to Delever Its Balance Sheet and Improve Its Debt Maturity Profile, Transition Its Strategic Focus and Pave the Road for it to Enhance and Further Deploy its Nationwide 5G Open RAN Wireless Network

Published

2 years ago

September 30, 2024

Agreement to sell DISH DBS to DIRECTV refocuses portfolio on growing wireless and satellite connectivity marketsRaises $5.1 billion of capital from existing stakeholders for investment in nationwide 5G Open RAN network and other general corporate purposes Funds near-term maturity and significantly reduces refinancing needs in the next 24-36 months Provides access to approximately $1.5 billion of DISH Pay-TV cash flow pending closing of DISH DBS sale1Conference call for EchoStar investors at 8:30 am ET Monday Sept 30th

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EchoStar Corporation (“EchoStar”), a global, fully integrated communication and content delivery leader and provider of technology, spectrum, engineering, manufacturing, networking services, television entertainment and connectivity, today announced a suite of transformative transactions, including:

an agreement to sell DISH DBS Corporation (“DBS”) (its Pay-TV business, which includes Sling TV) to DIRECTV creating a combined company that will be better positioned to invest in its services and negotiate with programmers for the content that consumers demand, delivering more choices and better value to its consumers;the receipt of approximately $2.5 billion in new financing from TPG Angelo Gordon and certain co-investors at DBS to address its November 2024 debt maturity and provide interim liquidity;various exchange offers to DBS bondholders providing the opportunity for its stakeholders to support the combination of the DBS and DIRECTV business and roll into the attractive combined credit;a comprehensive financing solution and balance sheet optimization transaction at EchoStar through:a Transaction Support Agreement with certain holders (the “DISH Supporting Investors”) of its subsidiary DISH Network Corporation’s 0% convertible notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) and 3.375% convertible notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes” and, together with the 2025 Notes, the “DISH Convertible Notes”) providing for the exchange of DISH Convertible Notes for new EchoStar secured notes maturing in 2030; anda Commitment Agreement with certain of the DISH Supporting Investors to invest $5.1 billion of new capital in EchoStar through the purchase of EchoStar secured notes maturing in 2029.

Today’s announcements accelerate EchoStar’s mission of deploying a nationwide facilities-based wireless service to compete with dominant incumbent wireless carriers and its ability to further leverage its satellite assets and experience, including developing innovative direct-to-device (D2D) solutions. U.S. consumers will benefit from EchoStar’s ability to focus more clearly on enhancing and further deploying its nationwide 5G Open RAN wireless network, which will provide more choices and better service to consumers under the Boost Mobile brand, while driving innovation at a faster pace.

“Today’s strategic actions will advance our ability to aggressively compete in the U.S. wireless market. Customers of legacy incumbents will be waking up and paying attention to our state-of-the-art network,” said Hamid Akhavan, President and Chief Executive Officer, EchoStar. “With an improved financial profile and a unique approach, we expect to gain share, drive shareholder value, and provide more options for U.S. wireless consumers. Our collaboration with our existing stakeholders to achieve this holistic recapitalization solution at EchoStar is a testament to their continued support of our vision, and we greatly appreciate their partnership and continued investment in our mission.”

DIRECTV Transaction; DBS Exchange Offers and TPG Angelo Gordon Financing

Under the terms of an equity purchase agreement between EchoStar and DIRECTV, DIRECTV will acquire EchoStar’s video distribution businesses, DISH and Sling TV, in exchange for the assumption of DBS debt and certain other consideration, including the release of all DISH Network intercompany obligations to DISH DBS. DBS has commenced exchange offers and consent solicitations for five different series of DBS notes with a total face value of approximately $9.75 billion, including seeking certain consents from the holders of such notes to facilitate the acquisition, including to convert such notes, upon closing of the acquisition, into DIRECTV debt which will have terms that mirror DIRECTV’s existing secured debt.

The transaction, which the boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. The transaction is subject to various closing conditions, including, but not limited to, a requisite amount of the outstanding DBS notes being tendered into the Exchange Offer, completion of a pre-closing reorganization, and receipt of required regulatory approvals.

In addition, TPG Angelo Gordon and certain co-investors have provided $2.5 billion of financing to DBS to fully refinance DBS’ November 2024 debt maturity and provide interim liquidity.

Furthermore, the release of intercompany obligations in connection with the closing of the transaction creates the ability for EchoStar to fully unencumber the 3.45-3.55 GHz spectrum unlocking incremental strategic and operating flexibility.

Comprehensive EchoStar Financing Solution and Balance Sheet Optimization

Under the terms of a Transaction Support Agreement between EchoStar and the DISH Supporting Investors collectively representing over 85% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the DISH Convertible Notes, all holders of DISH Convertible Notes will have the opportunity to exchange their DISH Convertible Notes for new secured notes and secured convertible notes of EchoStar maturing in 2030. The DISH Supporting Investors have committed to participate with all of their DISH Convertible Notes in the exchange. In addition, certain members of the DISH Supporting Investors and a related party of Charles W. Ergen, the Company’s chairman, have entered into a Commitment Agreement pursuant to which EchoStar will issue $5.1 billion of new senior secured notes maturing in 2029 for cash. These new notes will be secured by EchoStar’s AWS-3 and AWS-4 spectrum assets. The commitment of the Ergen related party is for $100 million of such notes and was unanimously approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

The $5.1 billion new money financing from the Supporting Investors will provide EchoStar with significant capital for the buildout of its Boost Mobile nationwide 5G Open RAN network. The commitment from the DISH Convertible Notes will significantly improve EchoStar’s debt maturity profile through the extension of debt maturities from 2025 and 2026 to 2029.

Finally, the Company entered into subscription agreements with certain accredited investors and CONX Corp., a Nevada corporation (“CONX”) indirectly controlled by Charles W. Ergen (the “PIPE Investors” and the subscription agreements, the “Subscription Agreements”), pursuant to which the PIPE Investors have agreed, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase from the Company an aggregate of 14.265 million shares (the “PIPE Shares”) of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a purchase price of $28.04 per share, the closing price for the Company’s Class A common stock on September 27, 2024, for an aggregate cash purchase price of approximately $400 million (such investment, the “PIPE Investment”). The portion of the PIPE Investment represented by the CONX Subscription Agreement represents an agreement to purchase from the Company an aggregate of 1.551 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock for an aggregate cash purchase price of approximately $43.5 million. The CONX Subscription Agreement was unanimously approved by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The PIPE Investment is conditioned on and expected to close concurrently with the closing of the DISH Convertible Notes exchange offers and new senior secured notes, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Subscription Agreements.

Advisors

J.P. Morgan acted as financial advisor to EchoStar for the DIRECTV and TPG Angelo Gordon transactions. Houlihan Lokey, Inc. served as financial advisor for the transactions with the DISH Supporting Investors. White & Case LLP served as legal advisor to EchoStar for both transactions.

Centerview Partners served as exclusive financial advisor and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP served as exclusive legal advisor to the ad hoc group of holders of 2025 DISH Convertible Notes, and Perella Weinberg Partners served as exclusive financial advisor and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP served as exclusive legal counsel to the ad hoc group of holders of 2026 DISH Convertible Notes.

Conference Call

EchoStar will host a conference call on Monday, September 30, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss these transactions. To attend the call, please dial the number below and provide the conference ID when prompted. A presentation to accompany the call will be available on ir.echostar.com at the time of the call.

Participant conference numbers: (877) 484-6065 (U.S.) and (201) 689-8846
Conference ID: 13749306

Please dial in at least 10 minutes before the call to ensure timely participation.

*********

1 Cash flow for period from June 30, 2024 to September 30, 2025.

About EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS)
EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) is a premier provider of technology, networking services, television entertainment and connectivity, offering consumer, enterprise, operator, and government solutions worldwide under its EchoStar®, Boost Mobile®, Sling TV, DISH TV, Hughes®, HughesNet®, HughesON™ and JUPITER™ brands. In Europe, EchoStar operates under its EchoStar Mobile Limited subsidiary and in Australia, the company operates as EchoStar Global Australia. For more information, visit www.echostar.com and follow EchoStar on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.

No Offer

This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell, buy or subscribe for any securities or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In particular, this communication is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Such statements include, in particular, statements about potential exchange offers and financing transactions. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond EchoStar and the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include the factors discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” of EchoStar and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and under the section entitled “Risk Factors” of EchoStar’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC. EchoStar and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

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SOURCE EchoStar Corporation

Technology

CNN to bring its Global Perspectives events series to Bangkok

Published

51 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

Conversations to be led by CNN journalists including Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Richard Quest and Kristie Lu Stout

HONG KONG, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNN will hold the inaugural Asia chapter of its Global Perspectives events franchise in Bangkok, Thailand, on 14 October 2026, reinforcing the network’s commitment to convene global leaders and fostering dialogue on the critical issues shaping international business, policy and economic development.

CNN will bring together dignitaries, visionaries, political and business leaders for Global Perspectives: In Bangkok, to explore big ideas, bold leadership and the dynamic economies at the forefront of global transformation. On-stage conversations will be led by CNN’s esteemed anchors and correspondents, including Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Richard Quest, Kristie Lu Stout, Will Ripley and Hanako Montgomery, with editorial content and news-making interviews from the event featured across CNN platforms.

Expanding the Global Perspectives series with this Bangkok edition underscores CNN’s long-standing engagement in Asia. As a historic economic and cultural crossroads, Bangkok sits at the intersection of global economic dynamism, regional influence and vibrant cultural energy. The event will take place as global leaders, investors and policymakers gather in the city for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Annual Meetings, creating an exclusive platform for CNN to examine a world in transition and the forces reshaping power and influence.

Ellana Lee, Group SVP, GM APAC, & Global Head of Productions at CNN, said: “Global Perspectives: In Bangkok will reflect CNN’s deep commitment to Asia and will aim to foster conversations that matter most on the global stage. At a time of rapid transformation, this event will bring together influential voices to examine the ideas, opportunities and challenges shaping the region and the world.”

James Hunt, SVP, Head of Client Solutions & Business Lead, Global Perspectives, CNN International Commercial said: “Global Perspectives provides a unique platform for leaders and partners to engage in meaningful dialogue and connect with the forces driving global change. Hosting the event in Bangkok creates new opportunities for brand partners and sponsors to be associated with important conversations about collaboration, insight and impact at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic regions.”

Expanding its events franchise by holding Global Perspectives: In Bangkok builds on CNN’s long-standing presence in Asia which includes a network of bureaus and correspondents across Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Taiwan, Seoul, Tokyo, New Delhi and Islamabad.

Global Perspectives is an invitation-only gathering for international decision-makers and influential leaders from across industries, including technology, finance, investment, trade, geopolitics, healthcare, media, entertainment and more. The event will be attended by heads of state, regional and global leaders, and participants can expect to form meaningful connections that will last well beyond the event itself. Global Perspectives will be hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok.

Further details on speakers and programming will be announced in due course. People interested in attending Global Perspectives: In Bangkok can register their interest at: https://cnnicevents.cnn.com/gpbangkok/prl

About CNN Worldwide

CNN Worldwide is the most honored brand in cable news, reaching more individuals through television, streaming and online than any other cable news organization in the United States. Globally, people across the world can watch CNN International, which is widely distributed in over 200 countries and territories. CNN Digital is the #1 online news destination, with more unique visitors than any other news source. HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform, features CNN Max, a 24/7 streaming news offering available to subscribers alongside expanded access to News content and CNN Originals. CNN’s award-winning portfolio includes non-scripted programming from CNN Original Series and CNN Films for broadcast, streaming and distribution across multiple platforms. CNN programming can be found on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español channels, via CNN Max and the CNN Originals hub on discovery+ and via pay TV subscription on CNN.com, CNN apps and cable operator platforms. Additionally, CNN Newsource is the world’s most extensively utilized news service partnering with over 1,000 local and international news organizations around the world. CNN is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery.

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SOURCE CNN International

Technology

Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® Announces Exclusive Partnership with Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP to Accelerate Workforce Development in India’s Huge Pharmaceutical Sector with Virtuosi®

Published

51 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

ATLANTA and BENGALURU, India, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® (QxP), a global leader in pharmaceutical quality, workforce development, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing consulting, today announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP to introduce and scale Virtuosi® across the Indian biopharmaceutical market.

Virtuosi helps biopharmaceutical manufacturers to solve one of their most critical operational challenges—the readiness of the workforce to perform in high-risk, high-complexity GMP environments—by building and sustaining operational capability across the employee lifecycle.

Under this agreement, Vienni will be QxP’s exclusive partner for Virtuosi in India, leading market engagement, client identification, and commercial activities.

Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP: Enabling Scalable Training Excellence Across India

Vi’eNnI® is a recognized leader in pharmaceutical training and capability development in India, with a strong track record in GMP education, regulatory compliance, and industry engagement. Vi’eNnI® through its association with Eduoriens Skill Development LLP and professional bodies such as Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) India, Vienni operates at the center of India’s pharmaceutical training and compliance ecosystem.

With this established network, operational credibility, and relationships across India’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, Vienni is uniquely positioned to drive the adoption of Virtuosi at scale across the Indian market.

“This alliance is intended to deepen, enrich, and embed the field of training. The advantage of this collaboration is expected to make learning stick, with recall much higher when a participant leaves the learning zone,” said Vishal Sharma, Co-Founder Director, Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP

“This marks the beginning of driving innovation and shaping outcomes that matter. Together, we forge a partnership that speaks the language of impact, influence, and enduring progress for teaching-learning & implementation,” said Ivy Louis, Founder Director, Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP

“Vi’eNnI®’s mission is to empower doers to excel in their craft. This association with QxP for Virtuosi marks a pivotal step in advancing workforce capability and highlighting the strategic value of immersive training in India. We are proud to continue driving this mission forward.”

“We are honored to partner with Vi’eNnI® , a highly respected organization with deep roots in the Indian pharmaceutical industry,” said Crystal Mersh, Chief Executive Officer of Quality Executive Partners, Inc. “Together, we are enabling broader access to Virtuosi in a way that allows clients to build and sustain the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to perform under real operating conditions. This embeds compliance and capability into daily execution in order to deliver high quality medicines to patients around the world.”

Virtuosi by QxP: Advancing Workforce Capability in India’s Globally Critical Pharmaceutical Hubs

India is one of the most critical pharmaceutical manufacturing markets globally and is poised for significant growth in the coming years, particularly across biologics, biosimilars, and advanced therapies. As manufacturers expand into more complex product categories and face increasing scrutiny from global regulatory agencies—including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) —the ability to rapidly build, standardize, and sustain a high-performing, inspection-ready workforce has become a strategic priority.

cGMP experts at QxP created Virtuosi to address this exact challenge. Virtuosi is an immersive workforce readiness program accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), aligning with globally recognized standards for continuing education and distinguishing it as the only virtual reality–based training program to achieve such accreditation.

Combining virtual reality interactive experiences with digital course content, Virtuosi enables professionals to practice critical manufacturing and quality processes—such as aseptic operations, microbiology, and advanced therapies—in realistic, risk-free environments. The platform includes over 100 hours of education, 56 technical courses, and 20 immersive VR experiences, and is available in seven languages—English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, and Swedish—to support global workforce standardization. Virtuosi helps organizations reduce human error, accelerate time to competency, and improve compliance and operational performance across global pharmaceutical operations.

By shifting training from passive instruction to experiential learning, Virtuosi helps reduce time to competency and human error, improve inspection readiness, and drive measurable quality outcomes which translates directly to revenue protection and growth. This partnership strengthens not only the competitiveness of individual organizations, but also the long-term resilience, regulatory standing, and global leadership of India’s pharmaceutical sector.

About Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® (QxP)

Quality Executive Partners, Inc. (QxP) is a premium CGMP consulting firm focused on solving complex operational and regulatory challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing. QxP services pharmaceutical manufactures and CDMOs globally across all major modalities – OTC, oral solid dosage, sterile, biologics, ATMPs, clinical-stage manufacturing, and combination products. We support clients throughout the product lifecycle, including clinical operations, commercial readiness, regulatory strategy, quality transformations, and remediation. Through our ‘Teach and Do®’ model, QxP embeds senior GMP experts / former regulators into day-to-day operations to execute alongside client teams and build internal capability. This model ensures solutions are effective in practice, sustainable, and directly reduce operational risk. .

About Vi’eNnI®

Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP is a pharmaceutical training and consulting organization based in Bengaluru, India, focused on advancing workforce capability, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence across the life sciences sector, for the past 16 years. The company delivers targeted training and consulting services across GMP, quality systems, aseptic processing, microbiology, and inspection readiness, competency and culture building initiatives, helping organizations strengthen performance, consolidate efficiency and achieve sustainable compliance. Known for its practical, implementation-focused approach, Vi’eNnI® enables pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to translate training into measurable improvements on the shop floor, supporting continuous improvement and long-term capability development across India’s pharmaceutical industry with a variety of options and tools.

Media Contact (Global)
Robin Mersh
SVP, Virtuosi Sales
Quality Executive Partners, Inc.
Email: RobinMersh@QualityExecutivePartners.com
Phone: (+1) 678-496-7503

Media Contact (India)
Ivy Louis
Founder-Director
Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP
Email: Ivy_louis@vienni.com
Phone: +91 9986821045
WhatsApp: +91 9986821045

Vi’eNnI® & Virtuosi® are registered trademarks for VIENNI & Quality Executive Partners, Inc., respectively.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2790799/5926395/Virtuosi_Logo.jpg

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Technology

Tuniu Corporation Files Its Annual Report on Form 20-F

Published

51 minutes ago

April 21, 2026

NANJING, China, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tuniu Corporation (NASDAQ:TOUR) (“Tuniu” or the “Company”), a leading online leisure travel company in China, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 20, 2026, U.S. Eastern Time. The annual report can be accessed on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.tuniu.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company will provide a copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to the Investor Relations Department at 12th floor, building 6-A, Juhuiyuan, No.108 Xuanwudadao, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210023, The People’s Republic of China.

About Tuniu Corporation

Tuniu (Nasdaq: TOUR) is a leading online leisure travel company in China that offers integrated travel service with a large selection of packaged tours, including organized and self-guided tours, as well as travel-related services for leisure travelers through its website tuniu.com and mobile platform. Tuniu provides one-stop leisure travel solutions and a compelling customer experience through its online platform and offline service network, including a dedicated team of professional customer service representatives, 24/7 call centers, extensive networks of offline retail stores and self-operated local tour operators. For more information, please visit http://ir.tuniu.com.

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SOURCE Tuniu Corporation