CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 702,007	$ 634,119
Marketable investment securities	1,006,258	986,533
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,368 and $13,237, respectively	155,718	159,292
Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	379,470	355,135
Inventory	64,622	66,084
Prepaid expenses	60,149	55,400
Deferred tax assets	69,735	69,633
Other current assets	11,277	29,930
Total current assets	2,449,236	2,356,126
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities	19,104	16,137
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,598,240 and $2,499,889, respectively	3,004,534	2,546,377
Regulatory authorizations, net	584,641	583,900
Goodwill	504,173	504,173
Other intangible assets, net	239,879	262,039
Other investments	165,523	169,771
Other receivable - DISH Network	90,083	89,811
Other noncurrent assets, net	181,419	173,629
Total noncurrent assets	4,789,356	4,345,837
Total assets	7,238,592	6,701,963
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	207,339	201,416
Trade accounts payable - DISH Network	83,920	55,743
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	61,404	69,791
Deferred revenue and prepayments	58,252	57,592
Accrued compensation	34,070	30,940
Accrued royalties	22,731	24,010
Accrued interest	44,440	7,838
Accrued expenses and other	122,326	111,115
Total current liabilities	634,482	558,445
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion	2,345,199	2,352,597
Deferred tax liabilities	631,570	488,206
Other noncurrent liabilities	113,202	76,484
Total noncurrent liabilities	3,089,971	2,917,287
Total liabilities	3,724,453	3,475,732
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders' Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	3,685,477	3,502,005
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,662)	(14,655)
Accumulated deficit	(159,859)	(171,914)
Treasury stock, at cost	(98,162)	(98,162)
Total Echo Star stockholders' equity	3,417,897	3,217,370
Noncontrolling interest in HSS Tracking Stock	86,847
Other noncontrolling interests	9,395	8,861
Total stockholders' equity	3,514,139	3,226,231
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	7,238,592	6,701,963
Preferred Stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock
Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock	6
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	49	48
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