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Property and Equipment (Details 4) (USD $)
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3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2013
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
Dec. 31, 2011
|
May 31, 2013
DISH Network
EchoStar XV capacity leased from Dish Network
|
Mar. 02, 2014
DISH Network
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Subsequent event
|
Mar. 02, 2014
DISH Network
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
EchoStar and HSSC
Subsequent event
item
|
Dec. 31, 2013
Satellites
item
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Dec. 31, 2013
SPACEWAY 3
|
Dec. 31, 2013
EchoStar XVII
|
Dec. 31, 2013
EchoStar III - fully depreciated
item
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Dec. 31, 2009
EchoStar III - fully depreciated
|
Mar. 31, 2012
EchoStar VI - fully depreciated
item
|
Dec. 31, 2013
EchoStar VI - fully depreciated
item
|
Aug. 31, 2012
EchoStar VI - fully depreciated
|
Dec. 31, 2013
EchoStar VIII
item
|
May 31, 2013
EchoStar VIII
DISH Network
|
Dec. 31, 2013
EchoStar IX
|
Jun. 30, 2013
EchoStar XII
|
Dec. 31, 2013
EchoStar XII
item
|
Jun. 30, 2013
EchoStar XII
EchoStar Satellite Services
DISH Network
|
Dec. 31, 2013
EchoStar XII
EchoStar Satellite Services
DISH Network
|
Jul. 31, 2013
EchoStar XII
EchoStar Satellite Services
DISH Network
|
Jun. 30, 2013
EchoStar XII
EchoStar Satellite Services
Level 3
DISH Network
|
Dec. 31, 2013
EchoStar XVI
|
Dec. 31, 2012
EchoStar XVI
|
Dec. 31, 2013
AMC-15
|
Dec. 31, 2013
AMC-16
item
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Dec. 31, 2012
AMC-16
|
Dec. 31, 2010
AMC-16
|
Dec. 31, 2013
AMC-16
Other, net
|
Dec. 31, 2012
AMC-16
Other, net
|
Dec. 31, 2013
Nimiq 5
|
Dec. 31, 2013
QuetzSat-1
item
|
Dec. 31, 2011
CMBStar
|
|
| Property and equipment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of satellites utilized under capital lease | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciable Life | 12 years | 15 years | 12 years | 12 years | 12 years | 12 years | 1 year 6 months | 18 months | 15 years | 10 years | 10 years | 15 years | 10 years | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of owned satellites transferred | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities Assumed | $ 18,000,000 | $ 24,950,000 | $ 58,900,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for property, plant and equipment | 391,873,000 | 513,005,000 | 377,172,000 | 11,400,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss of TWTAs | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of TWTAs lost on the satellite | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of traveling wave tube amplifiers | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Watts per channel, option three | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of transponders, option one | 32 | 32 | 32 | 13 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Ku-band FSS transponders | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of transponders available for use | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Watts per channel, option one | 120 | 270 | 120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of transponders available, option two | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Watts per channel, option two | 240 | 135 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying amount | 2,612,284,000 | 2,546,377,000 | 2,612,284,000 | 0 | 0 | 7,500,000 | 11,300,000 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Decrease in capital lease obligations | 6,700,000 | 12,600,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain recognized due to decrease in capital lease obligation | 6,700,000 | 12,600,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment charge | 32,800,000 | 38,415,000 | 32,765,000 | 32,964,000 | 34,700,000 | 34,700,000 | 33,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction in progress | 455,186,000 | 210,051,000 | 455,186,000 | 345,090,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of spot beams | 22 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated fair value | $ 11,300,000 | $ 19,200,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party | 30 days | 30 days | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Required minimum notice period for termination of agreement by the reporting entity | 30 days | 30 days | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||