Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 02, 2014 Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction Echostar Corporation Hughes Retail Group	Mar. 02, 2014 DISH Network Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction Hughes Retail Group Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock	Mar. 02, 2014 DISH Network Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction Echostar Corporation Hughes Retail Group	Mar. 02, 2014 DISH Network Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction Hughes Satellite Systems Corporation ("HSSC") Hughes Retail Group
Earnings per Share
Allocation of net loss	$ (598)			$ 600
Percentage of economic interest held		20.00%	80.00%	51.89%	28.11%

Represents the amount of net income (loss) attributable to preferred tracking stock noncontrolling interest.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	sats_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration