2.4.0.811090 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Planstruefalsefalse1false falsefalseD2012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001042642duration2012-01-01T00:00:002012-12-31T00:00:001true 1us-gaap_CompensationAndRetirementDisclosureAbstractus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Employee Benefit Plans2false 2us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitsDisclosureTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style='font-size:10.0pt;FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman;'> 9.              Employee Benefit Plans   Employee Stock Purchase Plan   Our employees participate in the DISH Network employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”), in which DISH Network is authorized to issue 1.8 million shares of Class A common stock.  At December 31, 2012, DISH Network had 0.2 million shares of Class A common stock which remain available for issuance under this plan.  Substantially all full-time employees who have been employed by DISH Network for at least one calendar quarter are eligible to participate in the ESPP.  Employee stock purchases are made through payroll deductions.  Under the terms of the ESPP, employees may not deduct an amount which would permit such employee to purchase DISH Network’s capital stock under all of DISH Network’s stock purchase plans at a rate which would exceed $25,000 in fair value of capital stock in any one year.  The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the closing price of DISH Network’s Class A common stock on the last business day of each calendar quarter in which such shares of Class A common stock are deemed sold to an employee under the ESPP.  During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, employee purchases of Class A common stock through the ESPP totaled approximately 0.1 million, 0.1 million and 0.1 million shares, respectively.   401(k) Employee Savings Plan   DISH Network sponsors a 401(k) Employee Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) for eligible employees.  Voluntary employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan may be matched 50% by DISH Network, subject to a maximum annual contribution of $1,500 per employee.  Effective January 1, 2013, the maximum annual contribution will increase to $2,500 per employee.  Forfeitures of unvested participant balances which are retained by the 401(k) Plan may be used to fund matching and discretionary contributions.  DISH Network’s board of directors also may authorize an annual discretionary contribution to the plan with authorization by our Board of Directors, subject to the maximum deductible limit provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  These contributions may be made in cash or in DISH Network’s stock.   The following table summarizes the expense associated with our matching contributions and discretionary contributions:   <table style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; WIDTH: 80%; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="80%" border="0"> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 51.86%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="51%">  </td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 43.8%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid" valign="bottom" width="43%" colspan="8"> For the Years Ended December 31,</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 1.22%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="1%">  </td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 51.86%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid" valign="bottom" width="51%"> Expense Recognized Related to the 401(k) Plan</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 12.5%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid" valign="bottom" width="12%" colspan="2"> 2012</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 12.52%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid" valign="bottom" width="12%" colspan="2"> 2011</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 12.54%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid" valign="bottom" width="12%" colspan="2"> 2010</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 1.22%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="1%">  </td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px"> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 51.86%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" valign="bottom" width="51%">  </td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%">  </td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 43.8%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="43%" colspan="8"> (In thousands)</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 1.22%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="1%">  </td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 51.86%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="51%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> Matching contributions, net of forfeitures</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 1.6%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="1%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> $</td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 10.9%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="10%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> 2,750</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 1.6%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="1%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> $</td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 10.92%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="10%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> 1,521</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 1.6%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="1%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> $</td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 10.94%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="10%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> 1,598</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BACKGROUND: #cceeff; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 1.22%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="1%" bgcolor="#CCEEFF">  </td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px"> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 51.86%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="51%"> Discretionary stock contributions, net of forfeitures</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 1.6%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="1%"> $</td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 10.9%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="10%"> 23,772</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 1.6%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="1%"> $</td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 10.92%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="10%"> 22,331</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.12%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="3%">  </td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 1.6%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="1%"> $</td> <td style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; WIDTH: 10.94%; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double" valign="bottom" width="10%"> 24,954</td> <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 1.22%; PADDING-TOP: 0in" valign="bottom" width="1%">  </td></tr></table></div> falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaThe entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Implementation Guide (Q and A) -Number FAS88 -Paragraph 63 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-2 -Paragraph 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 158 -Paragraph 7, 21, 22 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 87 -Paragraph 264 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 106 -Paragraph 518 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph h -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph q -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS106-2 -Paragraph 20, 21, 22 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 30 -Paragraph 26 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph m -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false0Employee Benefit PlansfalseEmployee Benefit PlansUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.dishnetworkddbs.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlans12