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
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 EchoStar I Minimum	Sep. 30, 2012 EchoStar XI Minimum	Sep. 30, 2012 EchoStar XIV Minimum	Mar. 31, 2012 EchoStar VI item	Sep. 30, 2012 148 degree orbital location
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets					12 years	12 years	15 years
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 212,931	$ 224,507	$ 689,664	$ 686,771					$ 67,776
Loss of Travelling wave tube amplifiers ("TWTAs")								2
Total number of TWTAs lost								5