CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 821,356	$ 731,614
Marketable investment securities	887,628	815,951
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,806 and $16,894, respectively	165,255	211,373
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	336,164	281,845
Inventory	73,567	84,348
Deferred tax assets	20,583	23,317
Other current assets	70,552	66,201
Total current assets	2,375,105	2,214,649
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities	14,951	29,045
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,410,412 and $2,261,699, respectively	2,529,575	2,612,284
Regulatory authorizations	536,770	562,712
Goodwill	507,924	507,924
Other intangible assets, net	283,403	347,496
Other investments	168,894	183,211
Other noncurrent assets, net	247,837	142,912
Total noncurrent assets	4,289,354	4,385,584
Total assets	6,664,459	6,600,233
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	242,022	284,728
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	32,907	26,960
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	68,662	67,706
Deferred revenue and other	47,279	47,652
Accrued interest	42,500	6,775
Accrued compensation	31,409	29,008
Accrued royalties	20,389	18,034
Accrued expenses and other	93,294	106,462
Total current liabilities	578,462	587,325
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion	2,364,121	2,420,793
Deferred tax liabilities	440,388	373,447
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities	89,697	68,441
Total noncurrent liabilities	2,894,206	2,862,681
Total liabilities	3,472,668	3,450,006
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital	3,473,099	3,394,646
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI")	(15,248)	18,752
Accumulated deficit	(176,420)	(174,439)
Treasury stock, at cost	(98,162)	(98,162)
Total EchoStar stockholders' equity	3,183,365	3,140,890
Noncontrolling interests	8,426	9,337
Total stockholders' equity	3,191,791	3,150,227
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	6,664,459	6,600,233
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	48	45
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	48	48
Class C common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock
Class D common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock