Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting
Number of business segments									3
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	$ 786,199	$ 764,721	$ 806,004	$ 764,780	$ 834,209	$ 863,163	$ 584,233	$ 479,826	$ 3,121,704	$ 2,761,431	$ 2,350,369
Capital expenditures									513,005	377,172	196,736
EBITDA									793,898	482,806	517,772
Interest expense, net									(141,853)	(71,772)	(88)
Depreciation and amortization									(457,326)	(385,894)	(228,911)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(35)	635
Income before income taxes									194,684	25,775	288,773
EchoStar Technologies Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									1,660,029	1,780,642	2,070,672
Capital expenditures									69,809	81,420	66,755
EBITDA									110,933	144,753	159,713
Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									1,158,714	676,222
Capital expenditures									292,222	156,768
EBITDA									265,756	167,100
EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									277,985	278,125	262,022
Capital expenditures									118,998	119,004	120,450
EBITDA									212,549	197,848	183,549
All Other and Eliminations
Segment Reporting
Total revenue									24,976	26,442	17,675
Capital expenditures									31,976	19,980	9,531
EBITDA									$ 204,660	$ (26,895)	$ 174,510