CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue:
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	$ 1,028,588	$ 1,158,293	$ 1,470,173
Equipment revenue - other	621,495	513,504	347,765
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	515,176	496,636	468,399
Services and other revenue - other	956,445	592,998	64,032
Total revenue	3,121,704	2,761,431	2,350,369
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - equipment	1,397,512	1,414,791	1,553,129
Cost of sales - services and other	691,922	492,702	236,356
Selling, general and administrative expenses	367,816	288,575	128,366
General and administrative expenses - DISH Network	4,828	14,701	15,189
Research and development expenses	69,649	50,966	46,093
Depreciation and amortization	457,326	385,894	228,911
Impairments of assets	32,765	32,964
Total costs and expenses	3,021,818	2,680,593	2,208,044
Operating income	99,886	80,838	142,325
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	11,176	10,821	14,472
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(153,029)	(82,593)	(14,560)
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments	177,558	13,666	2,923
Gains on investments accounted for at fair value, net		15,871	144,473
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	(438)	11,860	(2,813)
Other, net	59,531	(24,688)	1,953
Total other income (expense), net	94,798	(55,063)	146,448
Income before income taxes	194,684	25,775	288,773
Income tax benefit (provision), net	16,329	(21,501)	(84,415)
Net income	211,013	4,274	204,358
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(35)	635
Net income attributable to EchoStar	211,048	3,639	204,358
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	87,150	86,223	85,084
Diluted (in shares)	87,959	87,089	85,203
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.42	$ 0.04	$ 2.40
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.40	$ 0.04	$ 2.40
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income	211,013	4,274	204,358
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,501)	(15,298)	927
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and other	30,799	(1,276)	141,161
Recognition of previously unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities in net income	(175,223)	(6,637)	(30,226)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(146,925)	(23,211)	111,862
Comprehensive income (loss)	64,088	(18,937)	316,220
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	59	(568)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	$ 64,029	$ (18,369)	$ 316,220