Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) (DISH Network Awards, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Long-Term Performance Based Plans
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	6,483,500
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 24.94
Stock Options
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	13,018,490
Granted (in shares)	2,206,500
Exercised (in shares)	(2,806,854)
Forfeited and cancelled (in shares)	(96,400)
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	12,321,736
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	4,042,335
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 18.99
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 36.68
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 14.37
Forfeited and cancelled (in dollars per share)	$ 29.20
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 22.33
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 17.50
Stock Options | Long-Term Performance Based Plans
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	6,483,500
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 24.94