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SCHEDULE I - Parent Company Information (Details 3) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:      
Net income $ 211,013 $ 4,274 $ 204,358
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 457,326 385,894 228,911
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates 438 (11,860) 2,813
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments (177,558) (13,666) (2,923)
Gains on investments accounted for at fair value, net   (15,871) (144,473)
Deferred tax benefit (1,075) (8,974) 103,569
Other, net 14,610 2,171 (3,067)
Change in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net (42,302) 2,058 19,715
Net cash flows from operating activities 505,149 447,018 404,015
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:      
Purchases of marketable investment securities (971,154) (2,051,444) (2,300,631)
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 1,248,748 1,981,197 2,253,819
Distribution received from investments in affiliates 7,500    
Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities (4,759) (1,624) 577
Purchase of strategic investment securites (2,608) (73,047) (69,072)
Proceeds from sale of strategic investments   712,935 15,609
Other, net (13,026) (3,177) (46)
Net cash flows from investing activities (346,781) (1,888,045) (238,558)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:      
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan 15,398 28,718 4,014
Other (764) 2,147 (655)
Net cash flows from financing activities (43,976) 1,913,547 (46,973)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 117,579 472,221 118,484
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 614,035 141,814 23,330
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 731,614 614,035 141,814
Echostar Corporation
      
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:      
Net income 211,048 3,639  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 16,965 15,982  
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates 7,224 (3,325)  
Equity in losses (earnings) of consolidated subsidiaries, net (16,033) 2,010  
Realized gains on marketable investment securities and other investments (162,257) (6,518)  
Gains on investments accounted for at fair value, net   (15,871)  
Deferred tax benefit (95,982) (49,353)  
Other, net 16,893 10,173  
Change in noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net 1,912    
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net 101,434 119,472  
Net cash flows from operating activities 81,204 76,209  
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:      
Purchases of marketable investment securities (878,427) (1,746,577)  
Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities 931,317 1,470,904  
Contributions to subsidiaries and affiliates, net (118,049) (135,060)  
Distribution received from investments in affiliates 7,500    
Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities (233) 105  
Purchase of strategic investment securites   (59,475)  
Proceeds from sale of strategic investments   697,498  
Other, net   (1,596)  
Net cash flows from investing activities (57,892) 225,799  
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:      
Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan 15,398 28,718  
Other   1,882  
Net cash flows from financing activities 15,398 30,600  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 38,710 332,608  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 433,110 100,502  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 471,820 $ 433,110