Document and Entity Information Accrued Programming Accrued programming Accrued programming. Litigation accrual Litigation Accrual Litigation accrual Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, from Related Parties, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - EchoStar Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable from related parties, current Equipment Sales and Other Revenue Equipment sales and other revenue Equipment sales and other revenue. Equipment Sales Services and Other Revenue Related Party Equipment sales - EchoStar Equipment sales, services and other revenue related party. Equipment sales, services and other revenue - EchoStar Services And Other Revenue Related Party Services and other revenue related party. Equipment Sales Related Party Equipment sales - EchoStar Equipment sales related party. Satellite and Transmission Expenses Related Party EchoStar Satellite and transmission expenses, related party. Satellite and Transmission Expenses Other Other Satellite and transmission expenses, other. Amendment Description Subscriber Acquisition Costs [Abstract] Subscriber acquisition costs: Amendment Flag Subscriber Promotions Subsidies Related Party Cost of sales - subscriber promotion subsidies - EchoStar Subscriber promotions subsidies, related party. Other Subscriber Promotions Subsidies Other subscriber promotion subsidies Other subscriber promotion subsidies. General and Administrative Expenses, Related Party General and administrative expenses - EchoStar General and administrative expenses, related party. Litigation Expense Litigation expense (Note 8) Litigation expense Income (loss) before income taxes Income Loss Before Income Tax Income (loss) before income taxes Capital Distribution to Affiliate Capital distribution to affiliate Represents the capital distribution during the reporting period. Represents the capital transaction with related party in connection with purchases of strategic investments, net of tax, during the reporting period. Capital Transaction with Related Party in Connection with Purchases of Strategic Investments Net of Tax Capital transaction with EchoStar in connection with purchases of strategic investments, net of tax of $2,895 (Note 15) Tax on Capital Distribution to Related Party in Connection Purchase of Strategic Investments Capital transaction with EchoStar in connection with purchases of strategic investments, tax Tax on capital distribution to the related party in connection with the purchases of strategic investments. Change in Long Term Deferred Revenue Distribution and Carriage Payments and Other Long Term Liabilities Change in long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities Change in long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities. Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue and Other Deferred revenue and other The increase (decrease) during the reporting period, for deferred revenues and other deferred liabilities. Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Litigation Liabilities Litigation expense accrual (Note 11) This item represent increase (decrease) in accrued litigation liabilities. Increase (Decrease) in Litigation Settlements Litigation settlement payments (Note 11) The increase (decrease) during the period in the carrying amount of litigation settlement. Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities. Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities. Cash Paid for Income Taxes to Parent Cash paid for income taxes to DISH Network Cash paid for income taxes to parent. Vendor Financing Vendor financing Vendor financing. Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors Current Fiscal Year End Date Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors Financial information for subsidiary guarantors. Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors [Text Block] Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,253 and $11,916, respectively Document Period End Date Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - other Advances to affiliates Due from Affiliate, Current CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Payments of Capital Distribution Capital distribution to affiliate Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Interest Paid Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest) Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Accrued programming and other accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Other Accrued Liabilities Allowance for doubtful accounts Increase (Decrease) in Other Receivables Trade accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net Changes in current assets and current liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Trade accounts payable - EchoStar Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Related Parties Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable, Related Parties Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 1,015 shares issued and outstanding Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Contract Revenue Cost Subscriber acquisition advertising Cost of Goods and Services Sold Total subscriber acquisition costs Other Cost of Operating Revenue Cost of sales - equipment, services and other Cost of Goods Sold, Subscription Subscriber-related expenses Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (Note 7) Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion Interest rate on repurchases of Senior Notes due 2011 (as a percent) Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax expense (benefit) Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred tax assets Deferred Long-term Liability Charges Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization (Note 5) Depreciation and amortization Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates Share-based Compensation Non-cash, stock-based compensation Stock-Based Compensation Gain (Loss) on Investments Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments General and Administrative Expense General and administrative expenses CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Income Taxes and Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Change in noncurrent assets Indefinite-Lived License Agreements FCC authorizations Interest Expense, Debt Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized Proceeds from Interest Received Cash received for interest Inventory, Net Inventory Inventory Marketable Investment Securities and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit) Liabilities and Equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity (Deficit) Available-for-sale Securities, Current Marketable investment securities Net cash flows from operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income (expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other Income (Expense): Assets, Noncurrent Total noncurrent assets Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Noncurrent Assets: Liabilities, Noncurrent Total long-term obligations, net of current portion Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion: Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Operating Income (Loss) Operating income (loss) Revenues [Abstract] Revenue: Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization and Business Activities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of zero, respectively Other Assets, Current Other current assets Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Dividend to DISH Orbital Corporation Payments of Dividends Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,893,380 and $2,847,863, respectively Property and Equipment Purchase of strategic investments included in noncurrent other investment securities Payments to Acquire Investments Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchases of marketable investment securities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Repayments of Senior Debt