Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	12,321,736	13,018,490
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH DBS employees
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	12,321,736
Stock Options | EchoStar awards | Held by DISH DBS employees
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	547,361
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH DBS employees
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	1,878,998
Restricted Stock Units | EchoStar awards | Held by DISH DBS employees
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)	42,288