Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock options
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	16,296,687	16,399,870
Stock options | DISH Network Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	16,296,687
Stock options | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	14,405,832
Stock options | DISH Network Awards | Held by EchoStar employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,890,855
Stock options | EchoStar Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	675,041
Stock options | EchoStar Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	675,041
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,986,830
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,909,831
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards | Held by EchoStar employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	76,999
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