Stock-Based Compensation (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 LTIP 2005	Jun. 30, 2013 LTIP 2008	Sep. 30, 2013 LTIP 2013	Dec. 31, 2013 DISH Network Awards Held by DISH Network employees LTIP 2005	Dec. 31, 2013 EchoStar Awards Held by DISH Network employees LTIP 2005
2005 LTIP Terms
Awards vesting period	7 years
Percentage awards vesting per annum during first four years	10.00%
Percentage awards vesting per annum after first four years	20.00%
Share-based expenses
Unrecognized compensation expense relating to long-term performance based incentive awards	$ 43,196			$ 36,840	$ 6,356
Unrecognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense on vested portion	$ 41,977			$ 35,698	$ 6,279
Share-based compensation additional disclosures
Portion meeting vesting condition (as a percent)		100.00%
Percentage of performance goals probable of achievement			20.00%