Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	$ 3,155,531	$ 3,041,646
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,612,644)	(1,469,724)
Property and equipment, net	1,542,887	1,571,922
Satellite system [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	1,943,537	1,943,537
Terrestrial repeater network [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	112,516	112,482
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	46,070	44,938
Broadcast studio equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	57,717	55,823
Capitalized software and hardware [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	257,419	232,753
Satellite telemetry, tracking and control facilities [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	63,790	62,734
Furniture, fixtures, equipment and other [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	66,345	76,028
Land [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	38,411	38,411
Building [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	58,011	57,816
Construction in progress [Member]
Property and equipment, net
Total property and equipment	$ 511,715	$ 417,124