Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended									1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 DISH Network Awards	Dec. 28, 2012 Class A common stock DISH Network Awards	Dec. 02, 2011 Class A common stock DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2013 Class A common stock DISH Network Awards	Dec. 28, 2012 Class B common stock DISH Network Awards	Dec. 02, 2011 Class B common stock DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2013 Stock Options Maximum	Dec. 31, 2013 Stock Options DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2012 Stock Options DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock Options DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2010 Stock Options DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2013 Stock Options Class A common stock DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2013 Stock Options Long-Term Performance Based Plans DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2012 Stock Options Long-Term Performance Based Plans DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock Options Long-Term Performance Based Plans DISH Network Awards	Jan. 31, 2013 Stock Options 2012 stock option adjustment DISH Network Awards employee	Jan. 31, 2012 Stock Options 2011 stock option adjustment DISH Network Awards employee	Dec. 31, 2013 Restricted Stock Units DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock Units DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock Units DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2010 Restricted Stock Units DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2013 Restricted Stock Units Long-Term Performance Based Plans DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock Units Long-Term Performance Based Plans DISH Network Awards	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock Units Long-Term Performance Based Plans DISH Network Awards
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock Awards Outstanding (in shares)								11,938,090	13,018,490	17,640,074	18,447,004	11,900,000	6,468,500	6,400,700	8,022,975
Restricted stock units outstanding (in shares)																		1,863,165	1,076,748	1,179,709	1,271,984	1,863,165	1,076,748	1,179,709
Expiration term							10 years
Percentage of stock awards vesting per year (as a percent)	20.00%
Shares of common stock available for future grant under stock incentive plans				69,700,000
Dividend in cash per share (in dollars per share)		$ 1.00	$ 2.00		$ 1.00	$ 2.00
Number of stock options subject to an exercise price change in connection with the Stock Option Adjustment (in shares)																12,900,000	17,300,000
Number of employees affected by stock option adjustment																400	400
Reduction in exercise price due to dividend declaration (in dollars per share)																$ 0.77	$ 2.00