Capital distribution to the related party in connection with purchases of strategic investments, net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	ddbs_CapitalDistributionToRelatedPartyInConnectionPurchaseOfStrategicInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash paid for income taxes to parent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Deemed distribution to the related party in connection with exchange agreement, net of tax.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddbs_DeemedDistributionsToRelatedPartyInConnectionWithExchangeAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Deferred taxes for capital distribution to the related party in connection with purchases of strategic investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddbs_DeferredTaxesForCapitalDistributionToRelatedPartyInConnectionPurchaseOfStrategicInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Deferred taxes for deemed distribution to the related party in connection with exchange agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddbs_DeferredTaxesForDeemedDistributionsToRelatedPartyInConnectionWithExchangeAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Noncash or part noncash acquisition, fixed assets transferred.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddbs_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionFixedAssetsTransferred
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the value of investments and intangibles transferred from the entity's investments in noncash transactions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddbs_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionTransferOfInvestmentsAndIntangibles
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the historical cost of tracking stock.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ddbs_RelatedPartyTransactionsHistoricalCostOfTrackingStock
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ddbs_SatelliteAndTrackingStockTransactionWithRelatedPartyAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ddbs_SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The increase during the period in capital lease obligations due to entering into new capital leases.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (f)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of cash paid for interest during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4297-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fair value of liabilities assumed in noncash investing or financing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesAssumed1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest received on loans and other debt instruments during the current period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=ddbs_ExchangeAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=ddbs_TransactionAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid for interest	$ 652,150us-gaap_InterestPaid	$ 662,264us-gaap_InterestPaid	$ 875,006us-gaap_InterestPaid	$ 537,512us-gaap_InterestPaid	$ 545,406us-gaap_InterestPaid
Cash received for interest	26,242us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived	26,771us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived	36,242us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived	22,431us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived	11,468us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived
Cash paid for income taxes	4,355us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid	751us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid	1,351us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid	20,624us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid	14,661us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid
Cash paid for income taxes to DISH Network	322,632ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent	274,894ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent	433,120ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent	272,599ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent	384,462ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	3,462us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred	904us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred	1,070us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred	5,857us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred	10,548us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| EchoStar
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net	432,080
Investment in EchoStar and HSSC preferred tracking stock - cost method	316,204
Transfer of liabilities and other	44,540
Capital distribution to EchoStar	51,466
Deferred taxes for capital distribution to EchoStar	31,274
DISH Digital Exchange Transaction \| EchoStar
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net	8,978
Transfer of investments and intangibles, net	25,097
Capital distribution to EchoStar	5,845
Deferred taxes for capital distribution to EchoStar	3,542
Deemed distribution to EchoStar- initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, net of deferred taxes of $8,491	14,009
Deferred taxes for deemed distribution to EchoStar- initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	$ 8,491