Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock options
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	17,725,582	16,399,870
Stock options | DISH Network Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	17,725,582
Stock options | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	15,736,114
Stock options | DISH Network Awards | Held by EchoStar employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,989,468
Stock options | EchoStar Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,199,408
Stock options | EchoStar Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,199,408
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	2,117,580
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	2,027,581
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards | Held by EchoStar employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	89,999
Restricted stock units | EchoStar Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	44,954
Restricted stock units | EchoStar Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	44,954