Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information.  Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required for complete financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.  In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  Our results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.  For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

We consolidate all majority owned subsidiaries, investments in entities in which we have controlling interest and variable interest entities where we are the primary beneficiary.  For entities we control but do not wholly-own, we record a noncontrolling interest within stockholders’ equity for the portion of the entity’s equity attributed to the noncontrolling ownership interests.  For the noncontrolling interest in the HSS Tracking Stock, we periodically attribute a portion of HSS net income or loss to the noncontrolling interest in HSS Tracking Stock with such portion equal to the economic interest (currently 28.11%) in the Hughes Retail Group represented by the HSS Tracking Stock, as determined in accordance with the Policy Statements and other documents governing the Tracking Stock. Investments in entities that we do not control but have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee we account for using the equity method.  When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee, the cost method is used.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the balance sheets, the reported amounts of revenue and expense for each reporting period, and certain information disclosed in the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, amortization periods of deferred revenue and deferred subscriber acquisition costs, percentage-of-completion related to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, allowances for sales returns and rebates, warranty obligations, self-insurance obligations, deferred taxes and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, loss contingencies, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of our stock-based compensation plans, fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, lease classifications, asset impairments, useful lives and amortization methods of property, equipment and intangible assets, royalty obligations, and allocations to HRG that affect the periodic determination of net income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest in the HSS Tracking Stock.  We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be relevant under the circumstances. Weakened economic conditions may increase the inherent uncertainty in the estimates and assumptions indicated above.  Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period they occur or prospectively if the revised estimate affects future periods.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

We determine fair value based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  Market or observable inputs are the preferred source of values, followed by unobservable inputs or assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs.  We utilize the highest level of inputs available according to the following hierarchy in determining fair value:

· Level 1, defined as observable inputs being quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;

· Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

· Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other participants, therefore requiring assumptions based on the best information available.

Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are considered to occur at the beginning of the quarterly accounting period.  There were no transfers between levels for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying amount of our cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, accounts payable and accrued liabilities were equal to or approximated fair value due to their short-term nature or proximity to current market rates.

Fair values of our current marketable investment securities are based on a variety of observable market inputs.  For our investments in publicly traded equity securities, fair value ordinarily is determined based on a Level 1 measurement that reflects quoted prices for identical securities in active markets.  Fair values of our investments in marketable debt securities generally are based on Level 2 measurements, as the markets for debt securities are less active.  Trades of identical debt securities on or near the measurement date are considered a strong indication of fair value.  Matrix pricing techniques that consider par value, coupon rate, credit quality, maturity and other relevant features also may be used to determine fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities.

Fair values for our publicly traded long-term debt are based on quoted market prices in less active markets and are categorized as Level 2 measurements.  The fair values of our privately held debt are Level 2 measurements and are estimated to approximate their carrying amounts based on the proximity of their interest rates to current market rates.  See Note 11 for the fair value of our long-term debt.  As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair values of our orbital incentive obligations, based on measurements categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, approximated their carrying amounts of $91.5 million and $48.4 million, respectively.  We use fair value measurements from time-to-time in connection with impairment testing and the assignment of purchase consideration to assets and liabilities of acquired companies that typically include significant unobservable inputs and are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.