Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stockholders' Equity (Details)

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Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2011
Feb. 28, 2011
Jul. 31, 2008
Jan. 31, 2004
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2010
Sep. 30, 2009
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2010
Dec. 31, 2010
Jun. 30, 2011
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Dec. 31, 2010
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Jun. 30, 2011
Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B-1
Dec. 31, 2010
Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B-1
Jun. 30, 2011
Preferred Stock, Series C Junior
Dec. 31, 2010
Preferred Stock, Series C Junior
Dec. 31, 2009
Preferred Stock, Series C Junior
Stockholder's Equity (Textuals) [Abstract]                                  
Issuance of Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock                     0 0 12,500,000 12,500,000 0 0  
Preferred stock, shares outstanding                     0 0 12,500,000 12,500,000 0 0  
The rate Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our common stock                         206.9581409        
Percentage of shares Liberty Media would own of our common stock after conversion of Series B Preferred Stock                         40.00%        
Preferred Stock Reserved For Issuance In Accordance With Rights Plan                                 9,000
Additional Stockholder's Equity (Textuals) [Abstract]                                  
Common stock, shares authorized         9,000,000,000     9,000,000,000   9,000,000,000              
Common stock, shares issued         3,948,913,078     3,948,913,078   3,933,195,112              
Common stock, shares outstanding         3,948,913,078     3,948,913,078   3,933,195,112              
Common stock reserved for issuance         3,287,210,000     3,287,210,000                  
Number of common shares exchanged under share lending agreements     262,400,000                            
Exchange fee per common share for loaned shares     $ 0.001                            
Number of share common shares returned on common stock borrowed             60,000,000                    
Shares of common stock loaned under share lending agreements         202,400,000     202,400,000   202,400,000              
Amortization of costs related to share-lending arrangement and other issuance costs         $ 2,760,000 $ 2,491,000   $ 5,450,000 $ 4,918,000                
Maximum number of business days upto which a share borrower can delay the return of borrowed shares               30 days                  
Maximum number of business days upto which a share borrower can delay the return of borrowed shares under certain circumstances               60 days                  
Unamortized, debt issuance costs         45,793,000     45,793,000   51,243,000              
Unamortized, debt issuance costs recorded in deferred financing fees, net         44,877,000     44,877,000   50,218              
Unamortized, debt issuance costs recorded in long-term related party assets         916,000     916,000   1,025,000              
Estimated fair value of remaining loaned shares         443,256,000     443,256,000   329,912,000              
Common stock delivered under seven agreement with programming provider       15,173,070                          
Value of common stock delivered under agreement with sports programming provider       40,967,000                          
Share-based payment expense related to seven year agreement with sports programming provider         0 219,000   1,568,000 1,860,000                
Preferred stock, par value         $ 0.001     $ 0.001   $ 0.001              
Remaining value of common stock included in other current assets related to the seven year agreement with sports provider         $ 0     $ 0   $ 1,568,000              
Undesignated preferred stock, shares authorized         50,000,000     50,000,000   50,000,000              
Number of outstanding warrants to acquire common stock         24,346,000     24,346,000                  
Average exercise price of warrant         $ 2.96     $ 2.96                  
Warrants exercised to purchase common stock   16,500,000                              
Issuance of shares of common stock resulting from the exercise of warrants based on the exercise price   7,122,951                              
The Rights Plan is intended to act as a deterrent to any person or group acquiring this percentage or more of our outstanding common stock 4.90%                                
Warrants expired         525,000     1,575,000