Property and Equipment and FCC Authorizations (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013 MSS business	Sep. 30, 2014 Equipment leased to customers	Sep. 30, 2013 Equipment leased to customers	Sep. 30, 2014 Equipment leased to customers	Sep. 30, 2013 Equipment leased to customers	Sep. 30, 2014 Satellites	Sep. 30, 2013 Satellites	Sep. 30, 2014 Satellites	Sep. 30, 2013 Satellites	Sep. 30, 2014 Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Sep. 30, 2013 Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Sep. 30, 2014 Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Sep. 30, 2013 Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Sep. 30, 2014 Pay-TV Satellites item	Sep. 30, 2014 EchoStar XV	Sep. 30, 2014 EchoStar XVIII
Property and equipment
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 269,890	$ 253,036	$ 791,005	$ 787,848			$ 219,978	$ 195,843	$ 639,662	$ 555,653	$ 21,956	$ 33,866	$ 73,809	$ 101,598	$ 27,956	$ 23,327	$ 77,534	$ 130,597
Remaining net book value fully depreciated	$ 3,802,802		$ 3,802,802		$ 4,097,711	$ 53,000
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator																			14
Owned Satellites																			1
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease																			11
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease																			2
Estimated Useful Life																				15 years	15 years