New Dish CEO Seen as 'Housekeping' Move; Ergen to Focus on Wireless

Charlie Ergen stepping down as Dish Network CEO is "more housekeeping" than a reflection of any strategic change in business, Wells Fargo analyst Marci Ryvicker wrote investors Tuesday. Dish said Ergen, while remaining chairman, was promoting President Erik Carlson to CEO so Ergen could dedicate more attention to its wireless business. The company Tuesday said it's moving to a group structure; among those reporting to Carlson are Dish TV Group President Brian Neylon; Sling TV Group President Warren Schlichting; John Swieringa, who succeeds Carlson as chief operating officer; and Chief Technology Officer Vivek Khemka. Ergen previously gave up the CEO role in 2011 to Joe Clayton, resuming it in March 2015 when Clayton left (see 1502230038). Dish has committed to rolling out a 5G-centric NarrowBand IoT network by spring 2020 (see 1703080026).