CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Class A and B Common Stock	Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Other Noncontrolling Interests	Noncontrolling Interests in HSS Tracking Stock
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 3,150,227	$ 93		$ 3,394,646	$ 18,752	$ (174,439)	$ (98,162)	$ 9,337
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	17,959	1		17,958
Employee benefits	4,756			4,756
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	1,975			1,975
Stock-based compensation	4,984			4,984
Other, net	(288)			179				(467)
Net income (loss)	3,498					3,458		40
Unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities, net and other	(9,001)				(9,001)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,950				1,928			22
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2013	3,176,060	94		3,424,498	11,679	(170,981)	(98,162)	8,932
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	3,226,231	96		3,502,005	(14,655)	(171,914)	(98,162)	8,861
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Exercise of stock options	2,778	1		2,777
Employee benefits	10,310			10,310
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,810			2,810
Stock-based compensation	3,557			3,557
Issuance of Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock (Note 2)	250,687		6	163,510					87,171
Other, net	508			508
Net income (loss)	12,030					12,055		299	(324)
Unrealized gains (losses) on AFS securities, net and other	721				721
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,507				4,272			235
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$ 3,514,139	$ 97	$ 6	$ 3,685,477	$ (9,662)	$ (159,859)	$ (98,162)	$ 9,395	$ 86,847