CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 3,498	$ 126,501
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	126,699	114,090
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments	(19,463)	(127,995)
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	3,905	(4,185)
Stock-based compensation	4,984	6,918
Deferred tax benefit	(9,189)	(4,766)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	(64,000)	(34,183)
Change in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net	3,999	(3,681)
Other, net	(249)	6,511
Net cash flows from operating activities	50,184	79,210
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(181,709)	(278,902)
Sales of marketable investment securities	213,577	348,754
Purchases of property and equipment	(72,620)	(114,007)
Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities	7,577	299
Purchase of strategic investments included in marketable and other investment securities	(7,156)	(374)
Other, net	(2,889)	(4,554)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(43,220)	(48,784)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	19,934	1,297
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(21,450)	(17,477)
Other	292	59
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,224)	(16,121)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	56	754
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	5,796	15,059
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	731,614	614,035
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	737,410	629,094
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	14,912	13,737
Capitalized interest	200	11,598
Cash received for interest	5,692	4,993
Cash paid for income taxes	2,286	1,648
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	4,756
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	1,848	28,455
In-orbit incentive obligation for Echostar XVI	18,000
Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-16	6,694
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$ 5,812	$ 7,652