Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investment Securities (Details 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	$ 4,521,549	$ 5,039,382
Debt securities	135,408	133,652
VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	21,870	116,570
ARS and other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	135,000
Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	4,190,657	4,668,532
Equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	388,122	335,651
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash Equivalents (including restricted)	4,539,145	4,387,252
Subtotal	4,736,057	5,254,405
Derivative financial instruments	251,030	292,507
Total	4,987,087	5,546,912
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	21,870	116,570
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| ARS and other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	135,408	133,652
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	4,190,657	4,668,532
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	388,122	335,651
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash Equivalents (including restricted)	73,936	323,638
Subtotal	427,956	346,666
Total	427,956	346,666
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	39,834	11,015
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Equity securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	388,122	335,651
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash Equivalents (including restricted)	4,465,209	4,063,614
Subtotal	4,167,058	4,761,719
Derivative financial instruments	251,030	292,507
Total	4,418,088	5,054,226
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	21,870	116,570
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| ARS and other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	218	678
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	4,144,970	4,644,471
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 3
Fair value of marketable securities
Subtotal	141,043	146,020
Total	141,043	146,020
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 3 \| ARS and other
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	135,190	132,974
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 3 \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	$ 5,853	$ 13,046

Marketable debt and equity securities.

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Represents the fair value of investments in marketable debt and equity securities. It also represents the fair values of all assets resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, net of the effects of master netting arrangements.

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Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

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Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as trading securities nor held-to-maturity securities and intended be sold or mature one year or operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading.

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Fair value portion of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

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Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

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Total debt and equity financial instruments including: (1) securities held-to-maturity and (2) securities available-for-sale that will be held for the long-term.

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