Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Stock options
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	16,399,870	21,336,159	21,918,500	21,861,691
Stock options | DISH Network Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	16,399,870
Stock options | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	14,209,557
Stock options | DISH Network Awards | Held by EchoStar employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	2,190,313
Stock options | EchoStar Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,109,868
Stock options | EchoStar Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,109,868
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,185,080
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,090,081
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards | Held by EchoStar employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	94,999
Restricted stock units | EchoStar Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	45,620
Restricted stock units | EchoStar Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	45,620