CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Class A and B Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ (1,133,443)	$ 4,993	$ 2,171,799	$ 93,357	$ (1,834,619)	$ (1,569,459)	$ 486
Issuance of Class A common stock:
Exercise of stock options	36,916	24	36,892
Employee benefits	24,804	13	24,791
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	3,079	1	3,078
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	31,521		31,511				10
Income tax (expense) benefit related to stock awards and other	5,934		5,934
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net	(2,175)			(2,175)
Foreign currency translation	(9,139)			(9,139)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock ($1.00 and $2.00 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	(893,278)				(893,278)
Noncontrolling interest recognized with acquisition of a controlling interest in a subsidiary	1,200						1,200
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(329)						(329)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	1,515,907				1,515,907
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	(419,003)	5,031	2,274,005	82,043	(1,211,990)	(1,569,459)	1,367
Issuance of Class A common stock:
Exercise of stock options	91,242	50	91,146				46
Employee benefits	22,280	8	22,272
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	3,610	1	3,609
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	40,970		40,719				251
Income tax (expense) benefit related to stock awards and other	8,875		8,875
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net	115,546			115,546
Foreign currency translation	4,106			4,106
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	(12,892)			(12,892)
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock ($1.00 and $2.00 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	(452,890)				(452,890)
Disposition of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	(668)						(668)
Assets contributed by EchoStar to DISH Digital Holding L.L.C	44,712						44,712
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(10,947)						(10,947)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	636,687				636,687
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	71,628	5,090	2,440,626	188,803	(1,028,193)	(1,569,459)	34,761
Issuance of Class A common stock:
Exercise of stock options	72,043	46	71,997
Employee benefits	24,230	7	24,223
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	4,469	1	4,468
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	30,655		30,628				27
Income tax (expense) benefit related to stock awards and other	19,431		19,430				1
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net	(25,370)			(25,370)
Foreign currency translation	1,155			1,155
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	9,284			9,284
Capital distribution to EchoStar	(3,148)		(3,148)
Noncontrolling interest recognized with acquisition of a controlling interest in a subsidiary	2,882						2,882
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(17,746)						(17,746)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	807,492				807,492
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 997,005	$ 5,144	$ 2,588,224	$ 173,872	$ (220,701)	$ (1,569,459)	$ 19,925