CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue:
Equipment revenue - DISH Network	$ 360,744	$ 256,935	$ 1,003,612	$ 748,650
Equipment revenue - other	77,084	143,764	270,049	487,097
Services and other revenue - DISH Network	163,067	129,842	457,055	387,479
Services and other revenue - other	248,013	234,180	743,649	712,279
Total revenue	848,908	764,721	2,474,365	2,335,505
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales - equipment	378,665	342,230	1,097,557	1,046,423
Cost of sales - services and other	203,268	175,346	571,892	513,208
Selling, general and administrative expenses	84,071	93,871	268,088	282,357
General and administrative expenses - DISH Network	228	1,168	773	4,406
Research and development expenses	17,030	17,448	50,878	50,416
Depreciation and amortization	124,742	110,778	379,585	339,472
Impairment of long-lived asset			34,664
Total costs and expenses	808,004	740,841	2,403,437	2,236,282
Operating income	40,904	23,880	70,928	99,223
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	2,982	2,697	6,941	8,864
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(47,713)	(33,840)	(145,485)	(109,258)
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments (includes reclassification of realized gains on available-for-sale ("AFS") securities out of AOCI of $1,754, $19,088, $36,252, and $147,093, respectively), net	1,754	21,216	39,184	149,443
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	726	(1,003)	(5,656)	5,029
Other, net	295	8,910	5,423	30,215
Total other income (expense), net	(41,956)	(2,020)	(99,593)	84,293
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,052)	21,860	(28,665)	183,516
Income tax benefit, net	5,689	409	27,217	704
Net income (loss)	4,637	22,269	(1,448)	184,220
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	317	(285)	533	(604)
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	4,320	22,554	(1,981)	184,824
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	89,868	87,279	89,081	87,031
Diluted (in shares)	91,266	87,998	89,081	87,752
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.26	$ (0.02)	$ 2.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.26	$ (0.02)	$ 2.11
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss)	4,637	22,269	(1,448)	184,220
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,232)	2,868	(12,541)	(667)
Unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities and other	(848)	6,536	13,816	42,318
Recognition of previously unrealized gains on AFS securities in net income (loss)	(1,754)	(19,088)	(36,252)	(147,093)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(3,834)	(9,684)	(34,977)	(105,442)
Comprehensive income (loss)	803	12,585	(36,425)	78,778
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(36)	192	(444)	(235)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar	$ 839	$ 12,393	$ (35,981)	$ 79,013