DISH Just Filed Bankruptcy; What Does This Mean for DISH TV and Sling TV?

DISH files Chapter 11

Last year, satellite TV company DISH DBS Corporation decided to give up on its plans to become a wireless carrier and tried to sell its 5G spectrum to AT&T. That deal was supposed to be a financial boon to DISH’s parent company, EchoStar, but “unforseen delays” are preventing it from going through, putting the company in some hot water.

In an effort to “pay off debt early with no penalty,” DISH has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This will allow the company to stay afloat for a little while longer while continuing to offload its failed wireless business.

Bankruptcy is a confusing thing, so keep reading to learn how this may impact you.

What happens next?

One of the main headers in Echostar’s press release was the importance of “Maintaining Business as Usual.” According to EchoStar, “the filing and prosecution of the Cases will not impact DISH TV, Sling TV, or their active operations and employees.”

So it seems like you shouldn’t plan on cancelling your DISH or Sling TV subscription just yet. (Although if you’re interested, we’ve got the scoop on every one of the best TV providers on the market.) If things go according to plan (or “the Plan,” as EchoStar’s legalese puts it), DISH DBS will emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the end of Q3 (September) 2026.

Hopefully this will only be a blip in the company’s history; it’d be a shame to see one of our editors’ favorite TV providers go the way of JoAnn Fabrics.

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