Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2) $ in Thousands					1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jul. 21, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 08, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 23, 2013 USD ($)	May. 24, 2012	Jul. 31, 2009 item	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) item	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Loss contingencies
General and administrative expenses						$ 176,066		$ 189,660		$ 375,474	$ 392,773
Satellite transponder guarantees
Loss contingencies
Guarantees for payments						280,000				280,000
Litigation accrual						$ 0				$ 0
Technology Development Licensing
Loss contingency terms
Number of reexamination petitions pending before patent and trademark office | item					2
The Hopper Litigation | Maximum
Loss contingencies
Number of days to store HD primetime programs recordings				8 days
Lightsquared Harbinger Capital Partners LLC
Loss contingency terms
Business days allowed to terminate existing agreements										3 days
Lightsquared Harbinger Capital Partners LLC | Minimum
Loss contingencies
Claim amount	$ 1,500,000	$ 500,000
LightSquared transaction shareholder derivative actions
Loss contingencies
Number of shareholders who filed lawsuits | item										5
Do Not Call Litigation
Loss contingencies
Period of injunctive relief sought from placing any outbound telemarketing calls to market or promote its goods or services										5 years
Do Not Call Litigation | DISH Network L.L.C.
Loss contingencies
Claim amount			$ 270,000
Claim amount from state plaintiff										$ 23,500,000
Do Not Call Litigation | Maximum | DISH Network L.L.C.
Loss contingencies
Claim amount from federal plaintiff										$ 900,000
Personalized Media Communications Inc Member | Maximum
Loss contingencies
Claim amount							$ 450,000		$ 650,000
Personalized Media Communications Inc Member | Minimum
Loss contingencies
Claim amount							$ 150,000		$ 500,000