Property and Equipment (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013 item satellite	Oct. 31, 2013 Dish Network EchoStar XVIII Launch Service	Sep. 30, 2013 EchoStar XII
Property and Equipment
Number of other satellites to be relocated in the event of failure or loss of any satellite	1
Useful life			18 months
Number of asset groups considered for impairment of DISH branded pay-TV DBS satellite fleet	1
Amount payable for launch contract		$ 120

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration