v2.4.0.8
Segment Reporting (Details 3) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
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Dec. 31, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Segment Reporting                      
Number of major customers                 2 2 2
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue $ 808,087 $ 848,908 $ 830,003 $ 795,454 $ 786,199 $ 764,721 $ 806,004 $ 764,780 $ 3,282,452 $ 3,121,704 $ 2,761,431
EchoStar Technologies Business
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 1,715,579 1,658,203 1,780,491
EchoStar Technologies Business | Operating segments
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 1,715,991 1,660,029 1,780,642
Hughes Business
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 1,215,783 1,156,590 675,586
Hughes Business | Operating segments
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 1,218,126 1,158,714 676,222
EchoStar Satellite Services Business
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 326,828 275,280 277,707
EchoStar Satellite Services Business | Operating segments
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 330,177 277,985 278,125
DISH Network
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 1,931,635 1,543,764 1,654,929
DISH Network | Revenue
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Percentage of total revenue                 58.80% 49.50% 59.90%
DISH Network | All Other and Eliminations
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 24,541 31,409 23,394
DISH Network | EchoStar Technologies Business | Operating segments
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 1,546,051 1,277,038 1,413,940
DISH Network | Hughes Business | Operating segments
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 113,869 34,017 1,854
DISH Network | EchoStar Satellite Services Business | Operating segments
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 247,174 201,300 215,741
Bell TV | Revenue
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Percentage of total revenue                 2.40% 7.10% 7.90%
Bell TV | EchoStar Technologies Business
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 77,475 222,038 218,329
All other
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Revenue                 $ 1,273,342 $ 13,555,902 $ 888,173
All other | Revenue
                     
Sales to each customer and its percentage of total revenue                      
Percentage of total revenue                 38.80% 43.40% 32.20%