XML 104 R60.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Stock-Based Compensation (Details 8) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2005
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2010
Recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense              
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense recognized $ 29,647us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 38,573us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 31,163us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense        
Long-Term Performance Based Plans              
Recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense              
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense recognized 14,901us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember		 16,496us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember		 19,088us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember		        
LTIP 2005              
2005 LTIP Terms              
Awards vesting period       7 years      
Percentage awards vesting per annum during first four years       10.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageAwardsVestedPerYearDuringFirstFourYears
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member		      
Percentage awards vesting per annum after first four years       20.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageAwardsVestedPerYearAfterFirstFourYears
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member		      
Share-based expense              
Unrecognized compensation expense relating to long-term performance based incentive awards 37,826ddbs_TotalUnrecognizedNonCashStockBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member		            
Unrecognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense on vested portion 36,621ddbs_UnrecognizedNonCashStockBasedCompensationExpenseOnVestedPortion
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member		            
LTIP 2008              
Share-based compensation additional disclosures              
Portion vested (as a percent)           100.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPortionMeetingVestingCondition
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2008Member		  
Recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense              
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense recognized 2,719us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2008Member		 9,025us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2008Member		 18,944us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2008Member		        
2013 LTIP              
Share-based compensation additional disclosures              
Percentage of performance goals probable of achievement         20.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfPerformanceGoalsProbableOfAchievement
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member		    
Recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense              
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense recognized 8,137us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member		            
Other Employee Performance Awards              
Recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense              
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense recognized 4,045us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember		 7,471us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember		 144us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember		        
DISH Network Awards | 2013 LTIP              
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense              
Remaining expense estimated to be recognized during 2014 5,460ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCostForRemainderOfFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Estimated contingent expense subsequent to 2014 52,311ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCostAfterCurrentFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Total estimated remaining expense over the term of plan 57,771ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCost
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
DISH Network Awards | Other Employee Performance Awards              
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense              
Remaining expense estimated to be recognized during 2014 432ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCostForRemainderOfFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Estimated contingent expense subsequent to 2014 38,817ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCostAfterCurrentFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Total estimated remaining expense over the term of plan 39,249ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCost
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH DBS employees | LTIP 2005              
Share-based expense              
Unrecognized compensation expense relating to long-term performance based incentive awards 32,251ddbs_TotalUnrecognizedNonCashStockBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Unrecognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense on vested portion 31,124ddbs_UnrecognizedNonCashStockBasedCompensationExpenseOnVestedPortion
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
EchoStar awards | Held by DISH DBS employees | LTIP 2005              
Share-based expense              
Unrecognized compensation expense relating to long-term performance based incentive awards 5,575ddbs_TotalUnrecognizedNonCashStockBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_EchoStarStockAwardsMember		            
Unrecognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense on vested portion $ 5,497ddbs_UnrecognizedNonCashStockBasedCompensationExpenseOnVestedPortion
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_EchoStarStockAwardsMember		            
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 11,938,090us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 13,018,490us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 17,640,074us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		       18,447,004us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 22.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 $ 18.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 $ 20.38us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		       $ 17.76us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Long-Term Performance Based Plans              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 6,468,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 6,400,700us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 8,022,975us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		        
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 24.92us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 $ 18.71us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 $ 18.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		        
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | LTIP 2005              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 1,878,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 20.83us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | 2013 LTIP              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 1,920,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 36.53us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Other Employee Performance Awards              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 2,670,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 19.46us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH DBS employees              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 11,938,090us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Stock Options | EchoStar awards | Held by DISH DBS employees              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 542,048us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_EchoStarStockAwardsMember		            
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 1,863,165us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 1,076,748us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 1,179,709us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		       1,271,984us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | Long-Term Performance Based Plans              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 1,863,165us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 1,076,748us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 1,179,709us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		        
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | LTIP 2005              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 208,165us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | 2013 LTIP              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 960,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | Other Employee Performance Awards              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 695,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH DBS employees              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 1,863,165us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		            
Restricted Stock Units | EchoStar awards | Held by DISH DBS employees              
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans              
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 41,622us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_EchoStarStockAwardsMember