Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 290,250	$ 343,325	$ (8,720)	$ 212,234	$ 228,318	$ (154,430)	$ 236,865	$ 352,166	$ 837,089	$ 662,919	$ 1,522,374
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									17,746	10,947	329
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network									854,835	673,866	1,522,703
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(7,097)	(32,334)	(6,354)	(1,558)	(24,970)	(8,899)	(11,269)	7,959	(47,343)	(37,179)	(6,796)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 288,038	$ 314,907	$ (11,051)	$ 215,598	$ 209,106	$ (158,461)	$ 225,732	$ 360,310	$ 807,492	$ 636,687	$ 1,515,907
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)									456,044	450,264	445,434
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)									3,122	2,635	1,431
Diluted (in shares)									459,166	452,899	446,865
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.76	$ (0.01)	$ 0.48	$ 0.52	$ (0.33)	$ 0.52	$ 0.79	$ 1.87	$ 1.49	$ 3.41
Basic net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.01)		$ (0.06)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.02	$ (0.10)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.01)
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.69	$ (0.02)	$ 0.48	$ 0.46	$ (0.35)	$ 0.50	$ 0.81	$ 1.77	$ 1.41	$ 3.40
Diluted net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.75	$ (0.01)	$ 0.48	$ 0.52	$ (0.33)	$ 0.52	$ 0.78	$ 1.86	$ 1.49	$ 3.41
Diluted net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.02	$ (0.10)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.02)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.68	$ (0.02)	$ 0.47	$ 0.46	$ (0.35)	$ 0.50	$ 0.80	$ 1.76	$ 1.41	$ 3.39