CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,054,881	$ 399,072
Marketable investment securities (Note 3)	2,172,286	668,263
Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $14,200 and $11,916, respectively	787,232	769,491
Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero	9,113	16,296
Advances to affiliates	303,642	1,564
Inventory	461,163	509,932
Deferred tax assets	79,583	78,532
Other current assets	140,155	117,792
Total current assets	7,008,055	2,560,942
Noncurrent Assets:
Restricted cash and marketable investment securities	120,906	119,644
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,946,748 and $2,847,863, respectively	3,038,057	3,122,243
FCC authorizations	611,794	679,570
Other noncurrent assets, net	207,588	121,290
Total noncurrent assets	3,978,345	4,042,747
Total assets	10,986,400	6,603,689
Current Liabilities:
Trade accounts payable - other	152,009	131,305
Trade accounts payable - EchoStar	245,273	222,917
Deferred revenue and other	828,898	809,559
Accrued Programming	1,156,740	1,055,925
Accrued interest	202,885	124,907
Litigation accrual (Note 8)	746,999	65,580
Other accrued expenses	471,684	409,925
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 6)	31,650	34,630
Total current liabilities	3,836,138	2,854,748
Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion:
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 6)	10,334,374	7,458,134
Deferred tax liabilities	1,198,391	988,371
Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	200,952	187,407
Total long-term obligations, net of current portion	11,733,717	8,633,912
Total liabilities	15,569,855	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	1,248,065	1,207,681
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,001	(1,450)
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	(5,832,521)	(6,091,202)
Total stockholder's equity (deficit)	(4,583,455)	(4,884,971)
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit)	$ 10,986,400	$ 6,603,689