Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 215,598	$ 360,310
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	453,242	447,289
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	2,950	2,591
Diluted (in shares)	456,192	449,880
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.81
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.80