Over the course of a meeting with analysts aimed at discussing 3Q results, Michael Dugan, Echostar CEO and President, stated that the company was looking for “strong partners” in Brazil to replicate in such country the model applied in Mexico with Dish, DTH launched by Echostar jointly with MVS.
The executive did not disclose any further detail in this regard, nor did he offer any figures on the number of subscribers Dish Mexico recorded as of September closing. Last August, Hughes – Echostar’s company – was granted the widely desired satellite 45º West position in Brazil after offering USD 90 million in the bid carried out by the regulating agency of such country, the National Telecommunications Agency. In such process, Hughes defeated Sky (DirecTV Group), which was also longing for such orbit position.
Moreover, Hughes -which operated through its subsidiary HNS Americas Comunicações- was granted another satellite position in the aforementioned bidding process (68,5°West), though less disputed.
Among the big Brazilian market players, TIM (Telecom Italia) is the only operator that does not rely on a Pay-TV offer in spite of having expressed its intentions to enter such market. Embratel (América Móvil), Telefónica and Oi, among others, have already started offering DTH services. Echostar and MVS launched Dish Mexico in 2008, achieving record rates from the very beginning of their operations. In such country, the company holds a commercial alliance with Telmex and competes directly with Sky (Televisa).
