CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,431,519	$ 399,072
Marketable investment securities (Note 3)	1,419,066	668,263
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,052 and $11,916, respectively	801,807	771,055
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	16,105	16,296
Inventory	482,688	509,932
Deferred tax assets	78,532	78,532
Other current assets	137,041	117,792
Total current assets	5,366,758	2,560,942
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities	120,906	119,644
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,931,557 and $2,847,863, respectively	3,064,223	3,122,243
FCC authorizations	611,794	679,570
Other noncurrent assets, net	109,842	121,290
Total noncurrent assets	3,906,765	4,042,747
Total assets	9,273,523	6,603,689
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	142,299	131,305
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	247,088	222,917
Deferred revenue and other	817,727	809,559
Accrued programming	1,162,752	1,055,925
Litigation accrual (Note 8)	70,999	65,580
Other accrued expenses	601,233	534,832
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 6)	32,568	34,630
Total current liabilities	3,074,666	2,854,748
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 6)	9,342,242	7,458,134
Deferred tax liabilities	1,046,545	988,371
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	159,788	187,407
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	10,548,575	8,633,912
Total liabilities	13,623,241	11,488,660
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
Stockholder's Equity (Deficit):
Common stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 1,015 shares issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital	1,240,678	1,207,681
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,406	(1,450)
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(5,591,802)	(6,091,202)
Total stockholder's equity (deficit)	(4,349,718)	(4,884,971)
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit)	$ 9,273,523	$ 6,603,689