CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (1,448)	$ 184,220
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	379,585	339,472
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments, net	(39,184)	(149,443)
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates, net	5,656	(5,029)
Impairment of long-lived asset	34,664
Stock-based compensation	13,988	14,361
Deferred tax benefit	(32,823)	(3,153)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	19,972	(32,948)
Changes in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net	(11,866)	(7,079)
Other, net	22,800	9,940
Net cash flows from operating activities	391,344	350,341
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(745,822)	(698,738)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	680,789	929,179
Purchases of property and equipment	(264,843)	(371,385)
Changes in restricted cash and marketable investment securities	14,094	(2,582)
Acquisition of regulatory authorizations		(82,477)
Transfer of regulatory authorization to DISH Network	23,148
Purchase of strategic investments included in other investment securities	(7,357)	(954)
Other, net	(9,245)	(3,215)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(309,236)	(230,172)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	59,375	10,022
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(56,413)	(49,654)
Other	1,339	(545)
Net cash flows from financing activities	4,301	(40,177)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	3,333	437
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	89,742	80,429
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	731,614	614,035
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	821,356	694,464
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	110,456	110,131
Capitalized interest	1,727	39,637
Cash received for interest	20,922	22,551
Cash paid for income taxes	9,747	12,602
Cash received for income taxes	24,108	3,848
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	4,761	4,282
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	5,219	30,263
Capitalized in-orbit incentive obligations	18,000	24,950
Reduction of capital lease obligation for AMC-16	6,694	12,599
Changes in capital expenditures included in accounts payable	10,947	(30,767)
Regulatory authorization included in accrued liabilities		$ 16,000