Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended									12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 Minimum	Dec. 31, 2013 Maximum	Dec. 31, 2013 Wireless spectrum capitalized interest	Dec. 31, 2012 Wireless spectrum capitalized interest	Dec. 31, 2011 Wireless spectrum capitalized interest	Dec. 31, 2013 Equipment leased to customers	Dec. 31, 2012 Equipment leased to customers	Dec. 31, 2013 Equipment leased to customers Minimum	Dec. 31, 2013 Equipment leased to customers Maximum	Dec. 31, 2013 EchoStar I	Dec. 31, 2012 EchoStar I	Dec. 31, 2012 EchoStar VII	Sep. 30, 2012 EchoStar VII	Dec. 31, 2013 EchoStar VII	Dec. 31, 2012 EchoStar X	Sep. 30, 2012 EchoStar X	Dec. 31, 2013 EchoStar X	Dec. 31, 2012 EchoStar XI	Sep. 30, 2012 EchoStar XI	Dec. 31, 2013 EchoStar XI	Dec. 31, 2013 EchoStar XIV	Dec. 31, 2012 EchoStar XIV	Dec. 31, 2013 EchoStar XV	Dec. 31, 2012 EchoStar XV	Dec. 31, 2013 D1	Dec. 31, 2012 D1	Dec. 31, 2013 T1	Dec. 31, 2012 T1	Dec. 31, 2013 Satellites acquired under capital lease agreements	Dec. 31, 2012 Satellites acquired under capital lease agreements	Dec. 31, 2013 Satellites acquired under capital lease agreements Minimum	Dec. 31, 2013 Satellites acquired under capital lease agreements Maximum	Dec. 31, 2013 Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Dec. 31, 2012 Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Dec. 31, 2013 Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other Minimum	Dec. 31, 2013 Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other Maximum	Dec. 31, 2013 Buildings and improvements	Dec. 31, 2012 Buildings and improvements	Dec. 31, 2013 Buildings and improvements Minimum	Dec. 31, 2013 Buildings and improvements Maximum	Dec. 31, 2013 Land	Dec. 31, 2012 Land	Dec. 31, 2013 Construction in progress	Dec. 31, 2012 Construction in progress	Dec. 31, 2013 Construction in progress DBS Satellites	Dec. 31, 2012 Construction in progress DBS Satellites	Dec. 31, 2013 Construction in progress T2	Dec. 31, 2012 Construction in progress T2	Dec. 31, 2013 Construction in progress Wireless ground equipment, including capitalized interest	Dec. 31, 2012 Construction in progress Wireless ground equipment, including capitalized interest	Dec. 31, 2013 Construction in progress Software related projects	Dec. 31, 2012 Construction in progress Software related projects	Dec. 31, 2013 Construction in progress Other	Dec. 31, 2012 Construction in progress Other
Property and equipment
Amount of interest capitalized	$ 136,508	$ 106,323			$ 137,000	$ 106,000	$ 0
Total property and equipment	7,323,286	7,391,145						3,596,310	3,467,037			201,607	201,607	177,000		177,000	177,192		177,192	200,198		200,198	316,541	316,541	277,658	277,658	150,000	358,141	401,721	401,721	499,819	499,819			720,570	714,734			83,531	79,868			5,692	5,395	515,447	514,234	143,839	37,263	40,000	269,434	284,902	184,663	15,049	6,332	31,657	16,542
Accumulated depreciation	(3,225,575)	(3,024,516)
Property and equipment, net	$ 4,097,711	$ 4,366,629
Depreciable life of assets			1 year	40 years						2 years	5 years	12 years		15 years	12 years	15 years	15 years	12 years	15 years	15 years	12 years	15 years	15 years		15 years		15 years		15 years				10 years	15 years			1 year	10 years			1 year	40 years