CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Class A and B Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 2,664,850	$ 91	$ 3,278,680	$ 77,120	$ (593,484)	$ (97,557)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Capital transactions with DISH Network, net of tax	11,309		11,309
Exercise of stock options	1,577		1,577
Employee benefits	3,856		3,856
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,437		2,437
Class A common stock repurchases, at cost	(605)					(605)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	13,546		13,546
Net income	204,358				204,358
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net and other	110,935			110,935
Foreign currency translation adjustment	927			927
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2010	3,013,190	91	3,311,405	188,982	(389,126)	(98,162)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	25,611	2	25,609
Employee benefits	4,046		4,046
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	3,177		3,177
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	16,064		16,064
Net income	4,274				3,639		635
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net and other	(7,913)			(7,913)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(16,501)			(15,298)			(1,203)
Acquisition of Hughes Communications	9,678						9,678
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	3,051,626	93	3,360,301	165,771	(385,487)	(98,162)	9,110
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	11,469		11,469
Employee benefits	4,282		4,282
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	3,929		3,929
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	14,585		14,585
Other	248		80				168
Net income	211,013				211,048		(35)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net and other	(144,424)			(144,424)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,501)			(2,595)			94
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 3,150,227	$ 93	$ 3,394,646	$ 18,752	$ (174,439)	$ (98,162)	$ 9,337