Name:	dish_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsCompensationCostsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award estimated future forfeiture rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedFutureForfeitureRate
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 8) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Details 8) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock-Based Compensation
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	$ 30,655,000	$ 40,970,000	$ 31,521,000
Continuing operations
Stock-Based Compensation
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	29,730,000	39,327,000	31,213,000
Discontinued operations
Stock-Based Compensation
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	925,000	1,643,000	308,000
Subscriber-related
Stock-Based Compensation
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	1,947,000	1,607,000	1,914,000
General and administrative
Stock-Based Compensation
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	27,783,000	37,720,000	29,299,000
Non-Performance Based Stock Awards
Share-based expenses
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 12,000,000
Share-based compensation additional disclosures
Future forfeiture rate (as a percent)	3.70%
Weighted average period for recognition of compensation cost	2 years