Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.6
Stockholders' Equity (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Oct. 31, 2011
Apr. 30, 2009
Jul. 31, 2008
Jan. 31, 2004
Sep. 30, 2009
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2010
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2009
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2009
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Mar. 31, 2009
Liberty Media [Member]
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Sep. 30, 2012
Liberty Media [Member]
Common Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Common Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
Common Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Common Stock [Member]
Dec. 31, 2009
Common Stock [Member]
Additional Stockholder's Equity (Textual) [Abstract]                                                
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.001           $ 0.001 $ 0.001                                
Common stock, shares authorized 9,000,000,000           9,000,000,000 9,000,000,000                                
Shares, issued                   0 0 0 24,808,959 6,250,100 12,500,000 12,500,000 12,500,000       5,262,440,085 3,933,195,112 3,753,201,929 3,882,659,087
Common stock, shares outstanding 5,262,440,085           5,262,440,085 3,753,201,929                                
Common stock reserved for issuance 1,885,629,000           1,885,629,000                                  
Number of common shares exchanged under share lending agreements (in shares)       262,400,000                                        
Exchange fee per common share for loaned shares (in dollars per share)       $ 0.001                                        
Number of share common shares returned on common stock borrowed (in shares)   202,400,000       60,000,000                                    
Amortization of costs related to share-lending arrangement and other issuance costs             $ 12,402 $ 11,189 $ 10,095                              
Unamortized, debt issuance costs 27,652           27,652 40,054                                
Unamortized, debt issuance costs recorded in deferred financing fees, net 27,099           27,099 39,253                                
Unamortized, debt issuance costs recorded in long-term related party assets 553           553 801                                
Service agreement, contract term with sports programming provider         7 years                                      
Common stock delivered under seven agreement with programming provider (in shares)         15,173,070                                      
Value of common stock delivered under agreement with sports programming provider         40,967                                      
Share-based payment expense related to seven year agreement with sports programming provider               1,568 5,852                              
Remaining value of common stock included in other current assets               0                                
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)             $ 0.05                                  
Dividends paid             327,062 0 0                              
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount $ 2,000,000                                              
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.001           $ 0.001 $ 0.001                                
Undesignated preferred stock, shares authorized 50,000,000           50,000,000 50,000,000                                
Preferred stock, shares issued                     0 0   6,250,100 12,500,000       12,500,000          
Preferred stock, shares outstanding                     0 0   6,250,100 12,500,000                  
Number of shares of common stock into which Series B Preferred Stock is convertible (in shares)                   (24,808,959)       (6,249,900)       6,249,900   1,293,467,684 1,293,467,684 24,808,959    
The rate Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our common stock (in shares)                           206.9581409                    
Percentage of shares Liberty Media would own of our common stock after conversion of Series B Preferred Stock                           20.00%                    
Number of outstanding warrants to acquire common stock (in shares) 18,455,000           18,455,000 22,506,000                                
Average exercise price 2.55           2.55 2.63                                
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%