Amendment to DISH Network, L.L.C. ("DISH") Agreement (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012 DISH SARs	Sep. 30, 2012 DISH SARs Installment	Aug. 08, 2012 DISH SARs	Mar. 31, 2012 DISH SARs	Mar. 31, 2013 Selling and administrative expenses		Mar. 31, 2012 Selling and administrative expenses		Mar. 31, 2011 Selling and administrative expenses		Mar. 31, 2013 Selling and administrative expenses DISH SARs	Mar. 31, 2012 Selling and administrative expenses DISH SARs	Mar. 31, 2011 Selling and administrative expenses DISH SARs
Amendment to Agreement [Line Items]
Strike price of canceled SAR (per SAR)			$ 15.48
Number of annual installments of cancelled SAR			3
SARs granted per installment of cancelled SAR			200,000
Cash payment for cancelled SAR and past services				$ 5,800,000
Shares issued for cancelled SAR and past services		700,000
Value of shares issued for cancelled SAR and past services	13,237,000	13,200,000
Fair value accrued for canceled DISH award					3,200,000
Stock-based compensation recognized in results of operations						$ 21,792,000	[1]	$ 5,118,000	[1]	$ 6,714,000	[1]	$ 15,900,000	$ 500,000	$ 2,400,000

[1] For the years ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized $15.9 million, $0.5 million, and $2.4 million, respectively, in expense related to our stock-based compensation agreement with DISH. See Note 18.