Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 143,035	$ 343,324	$ 520,981	$ 546,838
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(2,484)	(3,918)	(13,782)	(12,862)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network	145,519	347,242	534,763	559,700
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(32,334)		(40,246)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 145,519	$ 314,908	$ 534,763	$ 519,454
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	460,754	457,377	459,688	455,372
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	2,448	3,338	2,849	3,024
Diluted (in shares)	463,202	460,715	462,537	458,396
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.76	$ 1.16	$ 1.23
Basic net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.07)		$ (0.09)
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.32	$ 0.69	$ 1.16	$ 1.14
Diluted net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.75	$ 1.16	$ 1.22
Diluted net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ (0.07)		$ (0.09)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.68	$ 1.16	$ 1.13