CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (6,085)	$ 161,951
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	254,843	228,694
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments	(37,430)	(128,227)
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	6,382	(6,032)
Impairment of long-lived asset	34,664
Stock-based compensation	10,052	10,614
Deferred tax benefit	(26,865)	(7,873)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	(43,155)	(74,654)
Changes in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net	(6,023)	(8,021)
Other, net	6,892	8,382
Net cash flows from operating activities	193,275	184,834
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(557,165)	(574,255)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	486,891	731,030
Purchases of property and equipment	(158,272)	(277,723)
Changes in restricted cash and marketable investment securities	7,962	630
Purchase of strategic investments included in marketable and other investment securities	(7,295)	(17,981)
Other, net	(3,911)	(1,036)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(231,790)	(139,335)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	45,721	6,992
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(38,707)	(34,500)
Other	816	88
Net cash flows from financing activities	7,830	(27,420)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(795)	1,271
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(31,480)	19,350
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	731,614	614,035
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	700,134	633,385
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	98,425	97,091
Capitalized interest	711	24,461
Cash received for interest	14,330	15,780
Cash paid for income taxes	5,676	7,940
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	4,761	4,282
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	1,812	28,455
In-orbit incentive obligation for Echostar XVI	18,000
Transfer of regulatory authorization to DISH Network included in accounts receivable	23,000
Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-16	6,694	4,735
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	5,422	(37,404)
Regulatory authorization included in accrued liabilities		$ 64,651