Investment Securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	$ 887,628	$ 815,951
Restricted marketable investment securities	5,951	7,529
Total	893,579	823,480
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	9,000	21,516
Other investments-noncurrent:
Cost method	25,977	27,711
Equity method	142,917	155,500
Total other investments-noncurrent	168,894	183,211
Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments	1,071,473	1,028,207
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Restricted marketable investment securities	5,951	7,529
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	9,000	21,516
Corporate Bonds
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	765,006	654,096
VRDNs
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	50,770	66,145
Strategic
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	28,435	56,288
Other
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investments
Total marketable investment securities - current	$ 43,417	$ 39,422