CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,595,694	$ 609,108
Marketable investment securities (Note 5)	2,243,493	1,431,745
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,633 and $12,350, respectively	814,686	778,443
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	16,140	16,374
Inventory	647,222	707,151
Deferred tax assets	44,417	73,014
Other current assets	135,376	131,988
Total current assets	6,497,028	3,747,823
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities (Note 5)	133,970	132,435
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,964,479 and $2,862,626, respectively (Note 7 and 8)	4,347,672	3,169,891
FCC authorizations (Note 7 and 8)	3,272,665	1,391,441
Marketable and other investment securities (Note 5)	106,518	112,132
Investment in DBSD North America (Note 8)		1,297,614
TerreStar Transaction (Note 8)		1,345,000
Other noncurrent assets, net	163,310	273,895
Total noncurrent assets	8,024,135	7,722,408
Total assets	14,521,163	11,470,231
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	209,429	225,556
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	255,829	229,852
Deferred revenue and other	841,370	832,390
Accrued programming	1,172,777	1,067,625
Litigation accrual (Note 11)	70,999	65,580
Other accrued expenses	930,795	763,863
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 9)	34,498	35,645
Total current liabilities	3,515,697	3,220,511
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 9)	9,364,972	7,458,134
Deferred tax liabilities	1,259,928	974,414
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	208,188	236,175
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	10,833,088	8,668,723
Total liabilities	14,348,785	11,889,234
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	2,380,686	2,274,005
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,063)	82,043
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(625,948)	(1,211,990)
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,569,459)	(1,569,459)
Total DISH Network stockholders' equity (deficit)	171,282	(420,370)
Noncontrolling interest	1,096	1,367
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	172,378	(419,003)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	14,521,163	11,470,231
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,682	2,647
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	$ 2,384	$ 2,384