CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 626,790	$ 258,681
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	663,410	689,664
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments		(1,751)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	25,328	34,936
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	62,826	209,435
Other, net	12,725	6,228
Change in noncurrent assets	(11,057)	(84,570)
Change in long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities	(80,368)	4,090
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	40,513	735,625
Net cash flows from operating activities	1,340,167	1,852,338
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Purchases of marketable investment securities	(4,540,346)	(2,318,530)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities	2,836,263	830,195
Purchases of property and equipment	(688,007)	(580,935)
Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities	38,881	(1,262)
Other	(10,521)	104
Net cash flows from investing activities	(2,363,730)	(2,070,428)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,300,000	2,900,000
Proceeds from issuance of restricted debt	2,600,000
Repurchases of 7% Senior Notes due 2013	(48,552)
Redemption of restricted debt	(2,600,000)
Funding of restricted debt escrow	(2,596,750)
Release of restricted debt escrow	2,596,771
Debt issuance costs	(11,427)	(6,681)
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(27,633)	(26,740)
Other	20,041	7,320
Net cash flows from financing activities	2,232,450	2,873,899
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,208,887	2,655,809
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	3,424,387	399,072
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	4,633,274	3,054,881
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest	662,264	384,525
Cash received for interest	26,771	15,131
Cash paid for income taxes	751	20,582
Cash paid for income taxes to DISH Network	274,894	249,214
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	904
Receipt of marketable investment securities with no cash consideration		$ 13,237