Sling TV, the innovative streaming service from EchoStar, has experienced significant growth, boosting its subscriber count by 11% during the third quarter of 2025. The platform now boasts approximately 1.99 million paid subscribers, an increase from 1.79 million in the same quarter last year.
Sling TV’s Subscriber Growth and Flexible Plans
The third quarter ended on September 30, 2025, marked a notable expansion for Sling TV. This growth can be attributed to the introduction of flexible subscription options, such as single-day, weekend, and weekly plans, starting at just $5. These new tiers align with the launch of major sports seasons, including college, NFL, and NBA games.
Impact on EchoStar’s Overall Subscriber Base
EchoStar’s overall subscriber base, which combines both Sling TV and its Dish satellite service, reached 7.17 million. This figure represents a 1.3% increase from last year’s 7.07 million. However, the Dish satellite service faced challenges, losing 152,000 subscribers, ending the period with 5.2 million.
Financial Performance and Leadership Changes
The combined revenue from both Sling TV and the Dish satellite segments was approximately $2.34 billion for the quarter. High-profile changes also took place within EchoStar’s leadership. Charlie Ergen, co-founder of EchoStar, resumed his role as CEO, while Hamid Akhavan transitioned to lead EchoStar Capital.
Significant Spectrum Transactions
EchoStar also reported substantial transactions in its spectrum business. It completed two significant sell-off transactions: one with AT&T for $22.65 billion and another with SpaceX for $19 billion. These transactions were essential for meeting the FCC’s review standards regarding spectrum utilization.
- AT&T transaction: $22.65 billion
- SpaceX transaction: $19 billion
- Amended agreement with SpaceX for AWS-3 wireless spectrum: $2.6 billion in SpaceX stock
These strategic moves allowed EchoStar to confirm compliance with all 5G network buildout requirements as stipulated by the FCC. Akhavan emphasized the importance of these developments, indicating that they would enable EchoStar to explore new growth opportunities across various sectors.
Conclusion
As Sling TV continues to gain subscribers with its flexible plans, EchoStar is leveraging its spectrum transactions and leadership changes to enhance its competitive edge. This period presents a unique opportunity for the company to expand its market presence and deliver value to shareholders.
