Represents the amount of deemed dividends distributed during the period.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the net assets distributed to parent in noncash investing and financing activities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Represents information pertaining to distribution to DOC of the assets and liabilities associated with satellite broadband business.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Costs incurred and are directly related to generating revenues in fulfilling customer subscriptions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 2

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of paid and unpaid common stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash outflow in the form of capital distributions and dividends to common shareholders, preferred shareholders and noncontrolling interests.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Expenses recognized resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Revenue from circulation or sale of subscriptions (for example, but not limited to, subscriptions to a magazine or newspaper).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ddbs_RelatedPartyTransactionPrimaryRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
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- Details

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Period Type:

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2012	Dec. 02, 2012	Oct. 02, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 01, 2011	Aug. 10, 2011	Apr. 19, 2011	Oct. 14, 2014
Related Party Transactions
Net satellite broadband assets distributed to DISH Network						$ 8,628,000ddbs_NetAssetsDistributedToParent
Aggregate dividend declared						915,858,000us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash	3,500,000,000us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
Dividend paid to DOC			650,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends			907,230,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends	3,500,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Subscriber-related revenue	3,553,828,000us-gaap_SubscriptionRevenue	3,408,510,000us-gaap_SubscriptionRevenue	10,582,989,000us-gaap_SubscriptionRevenue	10,131,098,000us-gaap_SubscriptionRevenue	13,559,511,000us-gaap_SubscriptionRevenue	13,038,611,000us-gaap_SubscriptionRevenue	12,959,025,000us-gaap_SubscriptionRevenue
Subscriber-related expenses	2,072,891,000us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSoldSubscription	1,938,142,000us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSoldSubscription	6,131,068,000us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSoldSubscription	5,718,781,000us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSoldSubscription	7,677,111,000us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSoldSubscription	7,246,104,000us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSoldSubscription	6,841,760,000us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSoldSubscription
Expenses associated with services	3,000,000	3,000,000	8,000,000	7,000,000	10,000,000	11,000,000	2,000,000
Dish Network
Related Party Transactions
Distribution to DOC of the assets and liabilities associated with satellite broadband business											66,000,000
Net satellite broadband assets distributed to DISH Network											9,000,000
Deemed dividend											57,000,000
Aggregate dividend declared										453,000,000			893,000,000
Dividend paid to DOC								650,000,000	850,000,000			1,300,000,000		700,000,000	1,500,000,000
Subscriber-related revenue	5,000,000	5,000,000	14,000,000	11,000,000	15,000,000
Dish Network \| Subsequent event
Related Party Transactions
Dividend paid to DOC					650,000,000											1,500,000,000
Dish Network \| Class A common stock
Related Party Transactions
Dividend declared (in dollars per share)										$ 1.00			$ 2.00
Dish Network \| Class B common stock
Related Party Transactions
Dividend declared (in dollars per share)										$ 1.00			$ 2.00
Blockbuster, Inc.
Related Party Transactions
Subscriber-related expenses		$ 3,000,000		$ 11,000,000	$ 11,000,000	$ 21,000,000	$ 4,000,000