CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 528,104ddbs_ProfitLoss1	$ 626,790ddbs_ProfitLoss1
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	719,488	663,410
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	24,830us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	25,328us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(87,889)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	62,826us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Other, net	71,441	(78,700)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	14,778	40,513
Net cash flows from operating activities	1,270,752	1,340,167
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
(Purchases) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities, net	388,035	(1,704,083)
Purchases of property and equipment	(629,869)	(688,007)
Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities	2,096	38,881
Other, net	(6,426)	(10,521)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(246,164)	(2,363,730)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		2,300,000
Proceeds from issuance of restricted debt		2,600,000
Redemption of restricted debt		(2,600,000)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt
Funding of restricted debt escrow		(2,596,750)ddbs_FundingOfRestrictedDebtEscrow
Release of restricted debt escrow		2,596,771ddbs_ReleaseOfRestrictedDebtEscrow
Repurchases of long-term debt	(199,999)us-gaap_EarlyRepaymentOfSeniorDebt	(48,552)us-gaap_EarlyRepaymentOfSeniorDebt
Dividend to DISH Orbital Corporation	(650,000)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(22,259)	(27,633)
Other	26,795	8,614
Net cash flows from financing activities	(845,463)	2,232,450
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	179,125	1,208,887
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	4,294,475	3,424,387
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 4,473,600	$ 4,633,274

Funding of restricted debt escrow.

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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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The cash inflow from a borrowing with the highest claim on the assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer).

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The net cash inflow or outflow from other financing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

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