Property and Equipment (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Satellites item	Jun. 30, 2013 EchoStar III - fully depreciated item	Dec. 31, 2009 EchoStar III - fully depreciated	Aug. 31, 2012 EchoStar VI - fully depreciated	Jun. 30, 2013 EchoStar XII EchoStar Satellite Services DISH Network	Jun. 30, 2013 EchoStar XII EchoStar Satellite Services Level 3 DISH Network	Jun. 30, 2013 AMC-16	Mar. 31, 2013 AMC-16	Jun. 30, 2013 AMC-16	Dec. 31, 2010 AMC-16
Property and equipment
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator				12
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease				4
Number of DBS transponders, option one					32
Number of transponders available for use					6
Carrying amount	$ 2,525,031,000	$ 2,525,031,000	$ 2,612,284,000			$ 0	$ 0	$ 11,000,000					$ 0
Gain recognized due to decrease in capital lease obligation										5,000,000	7,000,000	5,000,000
Decrease in capital lease obligations										5,000,000	7,000,000	5,000,000
Impairment loss	34,664,000	34,664,000						35,000,000
Estimated fair value									$ 11,000,000
Remaining estimated useful life								18 months