Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	$ 652,793	$ 666,873
Cash received for interest	108,471	120,400
Cash paid for income taxes	161,279	235,917
Capitalized interest	158,582	101,265
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	25,781	24,230
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	3,462	904
Unsettled purchases of marketable investment securities	203,088	8,962
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction | EchoStar
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net	432,080
Investment in EchoStar and HSSC preferred tracking stock - cost method	316,204
Transfer of liabilities and other	44,540
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes	51,466
Deferred tax on capital distribution to EchoStar	31,274
DISH Digital Exchange Transaction | EchoStar
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net	8,978
Transfer of investments and intangibles, net	25,097
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes	5,845
Deferred tax on capital distribution to EchoStar	3,542
Deemed distribution to EchoStar - initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, net of deferred taxes of $8,491	14,009
Deferred tax on deemed distribution to EchoStar	$ 8,491