Charles "Charlie" Ergen is an American businessman and the co-founder and chairman of DISH Network and EchoStar Communications Corporation.
Born in 1953 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Ergen earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his MBA from Wake Forest University.
In the early 1980s, Ergen, his wife Cantey, and his friend Jim DeFranco founded EchoStar Communications Corporation. They initially sold C-band satellite television dishes from the back of a truck. In 1995, EchoStar launched its first satellite, EchoStar I, marking the beginning of their satellite broadcasting service.
In 1996, EchoStar established the DISH Network brand to market its home satellite TV system. EchoStar and DISH Network were spun off into separate companies in 2008, with EchoStar focusing on technology and infrastructure, while DISH Network focused on programming and broadcasting.
Under Ergen's leadership, DISH Network grew to become one of the leading satellite TV providers in the United States, competing directly with cable television providers and other satellite companies like DirecTV. Ergen was known for his aggressive business tactics, such as engaging in numerous legal battles with networks over carriage fees and other issues.
In addition to his role at DISH Network and EchoStar, Ergen has also been involved in other telecommunications ventures. In the 2010s, he made several significant investments in wireless spectrum, leading to speculation that DISH Network might enter the wireless business.
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Ergen was still serving as the chairman of both DISH Network and EchoStar. He was one of the richest people in the world according to Forbes, with his wealth primarily coming from his ownership stake in DISH Network and EchoStar.
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