Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 360,310	$ 549,394
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	447,289	443,360
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	2,591	5,490
Diluted (in shares)	449,880	448,850
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.81	$ 1.24
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 1.22