Investment Securities (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	$ 772,473	$ 788,117
Unrealized Gains	26,568	35,670
Unrealized Losses	(224)	(307)
Total	798,817	823,480
Estimated Fair Value	663,000
Corporate Bonds
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	641,886	653,812
Unrealized Gains	530	591
Unrealized Losses	(107)	(307)
Estimated Fair Value	642,309	654,096
VRDNs
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	65,010	66,145
Estimated Fair Value	65,010	66,145
Other (including restricted)
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	45,263	46,946
Unrealized Gains	5	5
Unrealized Losses	(1)
Estimated Fair Value	45,267	46,951
Equity securities - Strategic
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Marketable Investment Securities
Amortized cost	20,314	21,214
Unrealized Gains	26,033	35,074
Unrealized Losses	(116)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 46,231	$ 56,288

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

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+ Details

- Definition

This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Total of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading which are intended be sold or mature within one year from the balance sheet date or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

Equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading which are intended be sold within one year from the balance sheet date or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 13, 17

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+ Details

- Definition

This item represents the gross unrealized gains for securities, at a point in time, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References+ Details