CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 399,072	$ 507,266
Marketable investment securities (Note 4)	668,263	1,592,911
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,916 and $29,650, respectively	771,055	771,383
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	16,296	14,155
Inventory	509,932	487,046
Deferred tax assets (Note 8)	78,532	281,957
Other current assets	117,792	70,515
Total current assets	2,560,942	3,725,233
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities (Note 4)	119,644	132,395
Property and equipment, net (Note 6)	3,122,243	3,230,849
FCC authorizations	679,570	679,570
Other noncurrent assets, net	121,290	67,586
Total noncurrent assets	4,042,747	4,110,400
Total assets	6,603,689	7,835,633
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	131,305	161,413
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	222,917	238,629
Deferred revenue and other	809,559	803,737
Accrued programming	1,055,925	1,089,976
Litigation accrual (Note 11)	65,580	619,022
Other accrued expenses	534,832	512,705
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 7)	34,630	1,030,895
Total current liabilities	2,854,748	4,456,377
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 7)	7,458,134	5,484,041
Deferred tax liabilities	988,371	621,943
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	187,407	215,832
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	8,633,912	6,321,816
Total liabilities	11,488,660	10,778,193
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholder's Equity (Deficit):
Common stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 1,015 shares issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital	1,207,681	1,170,560
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,450)	3,765
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(6,091,202)	(4,116,885)
Total stockholder's equity (deficit)	(4,884,971)	(2,942,560)
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit)	$ 6,603,689	$ 7,835,633