CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 211,013	$ 4,274	$ 204,358
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	457,326	385,894	228,911
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates	438	(11,860)	2,813
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)
Impairments of assets	32,765	32,964
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	14,585	16,064	13,546
Deferred tax (benefit) provision	(1,075)	(8,974)	103,569
Other, net	14,610	2,171	(3,067)
Change in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net	(42,302)	2,058	19,715
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net:
Trade accounts receivable	1,357	(9,139)	40,623
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,590)	10,841	2,039
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network	(56,735)	8,145	32,544
Inventory	(16,109)	21,488	22,581
Other current assets	10,447	35,681	(61,862)
Trade accounts payable	65,577	(12,193)	(33,404)
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	10,597	2,219	(24,192)
Accrued expenses and other	(18,197)	(3,078)	3,237
Net cash flows from operating activities	505,149	447,018	404,015
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(971,154)	(2,051,444)	(2,300,631)
Sales of marketable investment securities	1,248,748	1,981,197	2,253,819
Purchases of property and equipment	(513,005)	(377,172)	(196,736)
Launch service assigned to DISH Network			102,913
Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities	(4,759)	(1,624)	577
Acquisition of Hughes Communications, net of cash acquired of $98,900		(2,075,713)
Acquisition of regulatory authorizations	(98,477)
Purchase of strategic investments included in marketable and other investment securities	(2,608)	(73,047)	(69,072)
Distribution received from investment in affiliates	7,500
Investment in Move Networks			(44,991)
Proceeds from sale of strategic investments		712,935	15,609
Other, net	(13,026)	(3,177)	(46)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(346,781)	(1,888,045)	(238,558)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,641	2,000,000
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(60,022)	(59,493)	(49,727)
Debt issuance costs	(229)	(57,825)
Class A common stock repurchases			(605)
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	15,398	28,718	4,014
Other	(764)	2,147	(655)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(43,976)	1,913,547	(46,973)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	3,187	(299)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	117,579	472,221	118,484
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	614,035	141,814	23,330
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	731,614	614,035	141,814
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	192,611	120,452	41,021
Capitalized interest	45,497	42,743	25,812
Cash received for interest	30,388	13,022	19,028
Cash paid for income taxes	11,176	2,173	15,240
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	4,282	4,046	3,856
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	30,317	198,468	57,397
In-orbit incentive obligation for Echostar XVII	24,950
Reduction of capital lease obligations and associated asset value		20,214	39,442
Reduction of capital lease obligations for AMC-16	12,599	6,616
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	16,812	26,330	7,272
Contribution of assets to Dish Digital	$ 44,712