CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,358,668	$ 609,108
Marketable investment securities (Note 5)	1,334,546	1,431,745
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,679 and $12,350, respectively	757,565	778,443
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	19,002	16,374
Inventory	670,008	707,151
Deferred tax assets	73,014	73,014
Other current assets	136,674	131,988
Total current assets	4,349,477	3,747,823
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities (Note 5)	133,872	132,435
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,919,747 and $2,862,626, respectively (Note 7 and 8)	4,313,678	3,169,891
FCC authorizations (Note 7 and 8)	3,340,441	1,391,441
Marketable and other investment securities (Note 5)	121,349	112,132
Investment in DBSD North America (Note 8)		1,297,614
TerreStar Transaction (Note 8)		1,345,000
Other noncurrent assets, net	150,695	273,895
Total noncurrent assets	8,060,035	7,722,408
Total assets	12,409,512	11,470,231
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	239,358	225,556
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	284,407	229,852
Deferred revenue and other	832,676	832,390
Accrued programming	1,112,696	1,067,625
Litigation accrual (Note 11)	70,999	65,580
Other accrued expenses	995,003	763,863
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 9)	35,980	35,645
Total current liabilities	3,571,119	3,220,511
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 9)	7,474,426	7,458,134
Deferred tax liabilities	1,188,206	974,414
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	231,344	236,175
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	8,893,976	8,668,723
Total liabilities	12,465,095	11,889,234
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	2,303,908	2,274,005
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	55,430	82,043
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(851,680)	(1,211,990)
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,569,459)	(1,569,459)
Total DISH Network stockholders' equity (deficit)	(56,766)	(420,370)
Noncontrolling interest	1,183	1,367
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(55,583)	(419,003)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	12,409,512	11,470,231
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,651	2,647
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,384	2,384
Class C common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock