CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenue:
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	$ 308,875	$ 237,365
Equipment revenue - other	102,090	157,347
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	139,925	126,658
Services and other revenue - other	244,564	243,410
Total revenue	795,454	764,780
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - equipment	353,855	337,166
Cost of sales - services and other	179,294	167,830
Selling, general and administrative expenses	93,908	96,979
General and administrative expenses - DISH Network	268	1,955
Research and development expenses	17,494	17,350
Depreciation and amortization	126,699	114,090
Total costs and expenses	771,518	735,370
Operating income	23,936	29,410
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	1,977	2,879
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(49,100)	(38,621)
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments (includes reclassification of realized gains on available-for-sale ("AFS") securities out of AOCI of $16,530 and $127,995, respectively	19,463	127,995
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	(3,905)	4,185
Other, net	5,481	348
Total other income (expense), net	(26,084)	96,786
Income (loss) before income taxes	(2,148)	126,196
Income tax benefit, net	5,646	305
Net income	3,498	126,501
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	40	(87)
Net income attributable to EchoStar	3,458	126,588
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	88,178	86,684
Diluted (in shares)	89,600	87,326
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 1.46
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 1.45
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income	3,498	126,501
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,950	5,092
Unrealized holding gains on AFS securities and other	7,529	43,429
Recognition of previously unrealized gains on AFS securities in net income	(16,530)	(127,995)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(7,051)	(79,474)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(3,553)	47,027
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	62	171
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	$ (3,615)	$ 46,856