EchoStar profit increases 6.8%
EchoStar Communications Corp., operator of the Dish satellite-television service, said first-quarter profit rose 6.8% as subscriber growth accelerated.
Net income advanced to $157 million, or 35 cents a share, from $147.3 million, or 33 cents, a year earlier, the Englewood, Colo.-based company said.
Sales increased 15% to $2.64 billion.
EchoStar attracted 310,000 new subscribers. Like larger rival DirecTV Group Inc., the company ramped up spending to lure customers with more high-definition channels, limiting profit growth.
Both companies face increased competition from cable and telephone companies, which are now offering packages of TV, telephone and Internet services.
Shares of EchoStar rose 15 cents to $48.32.
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