Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	10,214,344
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	3,107,544
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 25.29
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 19.81
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	11,938,090	13,018,490	17,640,074
Granted (in shares)	667,750	2,225,500	589,500
Exercised (in shares)	(2,233,496)	(3,172,900)	(4,406,888)
Forfeited and cancelled (in shares)	(158,000)	(133,000)	(804,196)
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	10,214,344	11,938,090	13,018,490
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	3,107,544	4,061,289	4,310,489
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 22.49	$ 18.99	$ 20.38
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 63.23	$ 36.75	$ 32.25
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 20.49	$ 14.70	$ 18.51
Forfeited and cancelled (in dollars per share)	$ 41.84	$ 30.25	$ 20.34
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 25.29	$ 22.49	$ 18.99
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 19.81	$ 17.88	$ 17.92
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Long-Term Performance Based Plans
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	5,926,500	6,468,500	6,400,700
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 25.15	$ 24.92	$ 18.71