EchoStar names distribution date for separation of businesses

We already knew EchoStar would be going by the entirely more tongue-friendly DISH, but now it has doled out details concerning the actual separation of its businesses. As of 12:01 MST on January 1, 2008, EchoStar will officially retain its pay-TV business while "DISH Network and EchoStar Holding Corporation will hold the technology and certain infrastructure assets of EchoStar Communications Corporation, including its set-top box business and certain satellite assets." After the separation is completed, the actual name change will be green-lit, too. For more on how this affects shareholders, be sure to hit the read link, and be on the lookout for a final information statement early in the new year that lays out more minutiae than you could ever want.