Property and Equipment (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 956,101,000	$ 905,987,000	$ 898,682,000
Decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses	40,000,000
Equipment leased to customers
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense	810,945,000	739,266,000	649,394,000
Satellites
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense	68,984,000	108,682,000	123,431,000
Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense	76,172,000	58,039,000	58,081,000
148 degree orbital location
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense			$ 67,776,000
DBS satellites
Depreciation and amortization expense
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator	14
Owned Satellites	1
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease	11
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease	2