EchoStar Communications Corp. said Wednesday it plans to change its name, a result of the September split of its television and technology businesses.
The Douglas County-based satellite-TV provider said its satellite-TV service, Dish Network, would be called Dish Network Corp. The company’s remaining technology assets — broadcast satellite receiver, antennae and commercial satellite lines of business — will be transferred into a new wholly owned subsidiary initially named EchoStar Holding Co. When the spinoff is complete, that company will be called EchoStar.
EchoStar, second to DirecTV with 13.7 million satellite-TV customers, said it would split the company to realize more value from its technology arm, which develops and makes digital set-top boxes and digital video recorders. Shareholders do not have to vote on the name change, as chairman Charlie Ergen is the majority owner and has approved the move.
