Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Total revenue	$ 3,538,540	$ 3,505,021	$ 3,485,774	$ 3,375,530	$ 3,320,824	$ 3,293,609	$ 3,318,924	$ 3,247,977	$ 13,904,865	$ 13,181,334	$ 13,074,063
Operating income (loss)	450,957	420,394	25,212	451,616	478,275	(260,183)	481,932	558,334	1,348,179	1,258,358	2,928,983
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	290,250	343,325	(8,720)	212,234	228,318	(154,430)	236,865	352,166	837,089	662,919	1,522,374
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(7,097)	(32,334)	(6,354)	(1,558)	(24,970)	(8,899)	(11,269)	7,959	(47,343)	(37,179)	(6,796)
Net income (loss)	283,153	310,991	(15,074)	210,676	203,348	(163,329)	225,596	360,125	789,746	625,740	1,515,578
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 288,038	$ 314,907	$ (11,051)	$ 215,598	$ 209,106	$ (158,461)	$ 225,732	$ 360,310	$ 807,492	$ 636,687	$ 1,515,907
Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.76	$ (0.01)	$ 0.48	$ 0.52	$ (0.33)	$ 0.52	$ 0.79	$ 1.87	$ 1.49	$ 3.41
Basic net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.01)		$ (0.06)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.02	$ (0.10)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.01)
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.69	$ (0.02)	$ 0.48	$ 0.46	$ (0.35)	$ 0.50	$ 0.81	$ 1.77	$ 1.41	$ 3.40
Diluted net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.75	$ (0.01)	$ 0.48	$ 0.52	$ (0.33)	$ 0.52	$ 0.78	$ 1.86	$ 1.49	$ 3.41
Diluted net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.02	$ (0.10)	$ (0.08)	$ (0.02)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.68	$ (0.02)	$ 0.47	$ 0.46	$ (0.35)	$ 0.50	$ 0.80	$ 1.76	$ 1.41	$ 3.39