CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 360,126	$ 549,326
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	208,698	229,697
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments	(110,062)	(11,618)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	23,182	15,177
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	3,597	221,798
Other, net	6,273	3,826
Change in noncurrent assets	15,567	(4,175)
Change in long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	(6,014)	(8,738)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	357,183	(150,998)
Net cash flows from operating activities	858,550	844,295
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(289,168)	(1,214,236)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	428,300	1,284,087
Purchases of property and equipment	(168,928)	(232,952)
Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities	(1,581)	(42,000)
DBSD North America Transaction, less of cash acquired of $5,230 (Note 8)	(40,015)	(85,125)
TerreStar Transaction (Note 8)	(36,942)
Purchase of other strategic investments		(37,675)
Proceeds from sale of strategic investments		11,327
Other	(903)	(291)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(109,237)	(316,865)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(8,458)	(8,498)
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and stock issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	5,751	3,596
Other	1,045	322
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,662)	(4,580)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	1,909
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	749,560	522,850
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	609,108	640,672
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,358,668	1,163,522
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	114,226	114,752
Cash received for interest	10,108	7,363
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 13,788	$ 7,440