CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,793,453	$ 3,606,140
Marketable investment securities	5,508,737	3,631,637
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $18,725 and $16,945, respectively	895,944	842,905
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	32,907	26,960
Inventory	580,714	623,720
Deferred tax assets	99,222	99,854
Prepaid income taxes	135,514	110,608
Other current assets (Note 2)	292,497	117,329
Total current assets	12,338,988	9,059,153
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities	95,154	134,410
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,183,169 and $3,043,609, respectively	4,055,871	4,402,360
FCC authorizations	3,296,665	3,296,665
Marketable and other investment securities	141,960	119,051
Other noncurrent assets, net	416,602	367,969
Total noncurrent assets	8,006,252	8,320,455
Total assets	20,345,240	17,379,608
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	265,377	298,722
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	336,164	281,875
Deferred revenue and other	862,942	857,280
Accrued programming	1,204,038	1,096,908
Accrued interest	232,400	224,383
Litigation accrual		70,999
Other accrued expenses	535,112	556,599
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	487,039	537,701
Total current liabilities	3,923,072	3,924,467
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion	13,624,285	11,350,399
Deferred tax liabilities	1,801,081	1,662,732
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	270,966	370,382
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	15,696,332	13,383,513
Total liabilities	19,619,404	17,307,980
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Additional paid-in capital	2,569,043	2,440,626
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	205,081	188,803
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(508,739)	(1,028,193)
Treasury stock, at cost	(1,569,459)	(1,569,459)
Total DISH Network stockholders' equity (deficit)	701,064	36,867
Noncontrolling interest	24,772	34,761
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	725,836	71,628
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	20,345,240	17,379,608
Class A common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,754	2,706
Class B common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock	2,384	2,384
Class C common stock
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
Common stock