CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,930,842	$ 3,606,140
Marketable investment securities	4,164,228	3,631,637
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,226 and $16,945, respectively	866,676	842,905
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	9,784	26,960
Inventory	571,383	623,720
Deferred tax assets	99,854	99,854
Prepaid income taxes	19,883	110,608
Other current assets	673,911	117,329
Total current assets	9,336,561	9,059,153
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities	90,977	134,410
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,099,006 and $3,043,609, respectively	4,455,415	4,402,360
FCC authorizations	3,296,665	3,296,665
Marketable and other investment securities	125,353	119,051
Other noncurrent assets, net	349,428	367,969
Total noncurrent assets	8,317,838	8,320,455
Total assets	17,654,399	17,379,608
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	266,999	298,722
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	309,927	281,875
Deferred revenue and other	903,359	857,280
Accrued programming	1,155,324	1,096,908
Accrued interest	197,556	224,383
Litigation accrual		70,999
Other accrued expenses	502,991	556,599
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	536,404	537,701
Total current liabilities	3,872,560	3,924,467
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion	11,343,229	11,350,399
Deferred tax liabilities	1,715,917	1,662,732
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	402,739	370,382
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	13,461,885	13,383,513
Total liabilities	17,334,445	17,307,980
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	2,463,205	2,440,626
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	203,689	188,803
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(812,595)	(1,028,193)
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,569,459)	(1,569,459)
Total DISH Network stockholders' equity (deficit)	289,936	36,867
Noncontrolling interest	30,018	34,761
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	319,954	71,628
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	17,654,399	17,379,608
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,712	2,706
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,384	2,384
Class C common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock