v2.4.0.8

Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets (Details 3) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2013 Canadian regulatory authorization DISH Network | Dec. 31, 2013 Customer relationships | Dec. 31, 2012 Customer relationships | Dec. 31, 2013 Contract-based | Dec. 31, 2012 Contract-based | Dec. 31, 2013 Technology-based | Dec. 31, 2012 Technology-based | Dec. 31, 2013 Trademark portfolio | Dec. 31, 2012 Trademark portfolio | Dec. 31, 2013 Favorable leases | Dec. 31, 2012 Favorable leases
Other intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amount received from exchange of spectrum rights |  |  |  | $ 23,100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cost | 709,977,000 | 710,092,000 |  |  | 293,932,000 | 293,932,000 | 255,366,000 | 255,366,000 | 126,272,000 | 126,387,000 | 29,700,000 | 29,700,000 | 4,707,000 | 4,707,000
Accumulated Amortization | (447,938,000) | (362,596,000) |  |  | (152,647,000) | (113,906,000) | (204,835,000) | (178,138,000) | (83,580,000) | (66,338,000) | (3,836,000) | (2,351,000) | (3,040,000) | (1,863,000)
Carrying amount | 262,039,000 | 347,496,000 |  |  | 141,285,000 | 180,026,000 | 50,531,000 | 77,228,000 | 42,692,000 | 60,049,000 | 25,864,000 | 27,349,000 | 1,667,000 | 2,844,000
Weighted Average Useful life |  |  |  |  | 8 years |  | 10 years |  | 7 years |  | 20 years |  | 4 years |
Amortization expense | $ 88,400,000 | $ 91,700,000 | $ 107,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash inflow from disposal of asset without physical form usually arising from contractual or other legal rights, excluding goodwill. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration