Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting
Number of business segments			3
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	$ 848,908	$ 764,721	$ 2,474,365	$ 2,335,505
Capital expenditures	106,571	93,662	264,843	371,385
EBITDA	168,104	164,066	488,931	623,986
Interest expense, net	(44,731)	(31,143)	(138,544)	(100,394)
Depreciation and amortization	(124,742)	(110,778)	(379,585)	(339,472)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	317	(285)	533	(604)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,052)	21,860	(28,665)	183,516
Operating segments \| EchoStar Technologies Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	456,129	416,120	1,308,670	1,270,415
Capital expenditures	16,246	22,161	43,898	51,946
EBITDA	42,975	25,211	104,947	88,648
Operating segments \| Hughes Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	302,217	285,974	906,564	843,017
Capital expenditures	49,443	53,955	139,276	230,350
EBITDA	65,620	75,634	202,995	215,060
Operating segments \| EchoStar Satellite Services Business
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	85,945	65,682	245,019	210,703
Capital expenditures	71	12,806	12,403	70,758
EBITDA	68,808	57,065	167,281	162,737
All Other and Eliminations \| All Other and Eliminations
Segment Reporting
Total revenue	4,617	(3,055)	14,112	11,370
Capital expenditures	40,811	4,740	69,266	18,331
EBITDA	$ (9,299)	$ 6,156	$ 13,708	$ 157,541

Represents the amount of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.

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The net amount of operating interest income (expense).

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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