CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 737,410	$ 731,614
Marketable investment securities	789,564	815,951
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,051 and $16,894, respectively	197,932	211,373
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	309,927	281,845
Inventory	87,554	84,348
Deferred tax assets	25,824	23,317
Other current assets	71,822	66,201
Total current assets	2,220,033	2,214,649
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities	21,468	29,045
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,361,258 and $2,261,699, respectively	2,586,173	2,612,284
Regulatory authorizations	563,760	562,712
Goodwill	507,924	507,924
Other intangible assets, net	326,132	347,496
Other investment securities	179,571	183,211
Other noncurrent assets, net	144,891	142,912
Total noncurrent assets	4,329,919	4,385,584
Total assets	6,549,952	6,600,233
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	219,055	284,728
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	9,784	26,960
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	65,136	67,706
Deferred revenue and other	48,473	47,652
Accrued interest	42,138	6,775
Accrued royalties	17,231	18,034
Accrued expenses and other	118,676	135,470
Total current liabilities	520,493	587,325
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion	2,397,542	2,420,793
Deferred tax liabilities	366,815	373,447
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities	89,042	68,441
Total noncurrent liabilities	2,853,399	2,862,681
Total liabilities	3,373,892	3,450,006
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital	3,424,498	3,394,646
Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI")	11,679	18,752
Accumulated deficit	(170,981)	(174,439)
Treasury stock, at cost	(98,162)	(98,162)
Total EchoStar stockholders' equity	3,167,128	3,140,890
Noncontrolling interests	8,932	9,337
Total stockholders' equity	3,176,060	3,150,227
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	6,549,952	6,600,233
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	46	45
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	48	48
Class C common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock
Class D common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock