Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investment Securities (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	$ 5,039,382	$ 3,631,637
Debt securities	133,652	106,172
VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	116,570	130,306
ARS and other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	134,000
Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	4,668,532	3,287,317
Equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	335,651	265,380
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash Equivalents (including restricted)	4,387,252	3,386,929
Subtotal	5,254,405	3,789,175
Derivative financial instruments	292,507
Total	5,546,912	3,789,175
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	116,570	130,306
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| ARS and other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	133,652	106,172
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	4,668,532	3,287,317
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	335,651	265,380
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash Equivalents (including restricted)	323,638	67,833
Subtotal	346,666	276,562
Total	346,666	276,562
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	11,015	11,182
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	335,651	265,380
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash Equivalents (including restricted)	4,063,614	3,319,096
Subtotal	4,761,719	3,407,396
Derivative financial instruments	292,507
Total	5,054,226	3,407,396
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	116,570	130,306
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| ARS and other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	678	955
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	4,644,471	3,276,135
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 3
Fair value of marketable securities
Subtotal	146,020	105,217
Total	146,020	105,217
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 3 \| ARS and other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	132,974	105,217
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 3 \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	$ 13,046

Marketable debt and equity securities.

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Represents the fair value of investments in marketable debt and equity securities. It also represents the fair values of all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements.

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Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

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Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as trading securities nor held-to-maturity securities and intended be sold or mature one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading.

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Fair value portion of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

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Total debt and equity financial instruments including: (1) securities held-to-maturity and (2) securities available-for-sale that will be held for the long-term.

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