CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,606,140	$ 609,108
Marketable investment securities (Note 6)	3,631,637	1,431,745
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,945 and $15,773, respectively	842,905	778,443
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	26,960	16,374
Inventory	623,720	707,151
Deferred tax assets (Note 12)	99,854	73,014
Prepaid income taxes	110,608
Other current assets	117,329	131,988
Total current assets	9,059,153	3,747,823
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities (Note 6)	134,410	132,435
Property and equipment, net (Note 8)	4,402,360	3,169,891
FCC authorizations	3,296,665	1,391,441
Marketable and other investment securities (Note 6)	119,051	112,132
Investment in DBSD North America (Note 10)		1,297,614
TerreStar Transaction (Note 10)		1,345,000
Other noncurrent assets, net	367,969	273,895
Total noncurrent assets	8,320,455	7,722,408
Total assets	17,379,608	11,470,231
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	298,722	225,556
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	281,875	229,852
Deferred revenue and other	857,280	832,390
Accrued programming	1,096,908	1,067,625
Accrued interest	224,383	124,907
Litigation accrual (Note 16)	70,999	65,580
Other accrued expenses	556,599	638,956
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 11)	537,701	35,645
Total current liabilities	3,924,467	3,220,511
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 11)	11,350,399	7,458,134
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 12)	1,662,732	974,414
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	370,382	236,175
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	13,383,513	8,668,723
Total liabilities	17,307,980	11,889,234
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	2,440,626	2,274,005
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	188,803	82,043
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(1,028,193)	(1,211,990)
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,569,459)	(1,569,459)
Total DISH Network stockholders' equity (deficit)	36,867	(420,370)
Noncontrolling interest	34,761	1,367
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	71,628	(419,003)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	17,379,608	11,470,231
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,706	2,647
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,384	2,384
Class C common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock