DISH Network Corp. (DISH - Free Report) is a leading satellite TV operator in the U.S. The company provides video services under the DISH brand. In addition, the company provides satellite broadband services, and wireline voice and broadband services under the dishNET brand.

DISH Network’s top-line growth may remain under pressure as the company’s failure to strike any deal with wireless operators to deploy a nationwide wireless network has been a major headwind. Persistent loss of subscribers remains a potent headwind for DISH Network. Escalating programming and content expenses as well as retransmission fees may also hurt the company’s margins.

We are, however, impressed by DISH Network’s efforts to diversify its business model from being a pure-play satellite-TV operator to an Internet TV operator should help the company counter competitive threat from low-cost video streaming operators.

DISH Network currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The company has generated a positive average earnings surprise of 11.74% in the previous four quarters. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:

Earnings: DISH Network has surpassed Q1 2017 earnings estimate. Our consensus earnings estimate called for an EPS (earnings per share) of 67 cents and the company reported EPS was 76 cents. Investors should note that these figures take out stock option expenses.

Revenue:DISH Network reported total revenue of $3,680.4 million lagging our estimate of $3,749 million.

Key States to Note:  In the reported quarter, DISH Network lost a net 143,000 pay-TV (including satellite TV and Sling TV) customers. At the end of the first quarter of 2017, the company had 13.528 million pay-TV subscribers, down 2.5% year over year. The company also lost 25,000 high-speed broadband subscribers in the reported quarter.

In the first quarter of 2017, Pay-TV churn rate was 1.69% compared with 1.63% in the year-ago quarter. Pay-TV ARPU (average revenue per user) was $86.55 compared with $87.94 in the prior-year quarter. Pay-TV average subscriber acquisition cost was $590 compared with $625 in the prior-year quarter.

DISH Network Corporation Price and EPS Surprise

DISH Network Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | DISH Network Corporation Quote