Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stock options
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	14,058,574	16,399,870	21,336,159	21,918,500
Stock options | DISH Network Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	14,058,574
Stock options | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	12,821,290
Stock options | DISH Network Awards | Held by EchoStar employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,237,284
Stock options | EchoStar Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	602,048
Stock options | EchoStar Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	602,048
Restricted stock units
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,943,497	1,185,080	1,284,708	1,564,332
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,943,497
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,876,498
Restricted stock units | DISH Network Awards | Held by EchoStar employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	66,999
Restricted stock units | EchoStar Awards
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	44,288
Restricted stock units | EchoStar Awards | Held by DISH Network employees
Share-based compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	44,288