Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Property and Equipment (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.8
Property and Equipment (Details Textual) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2013
Satellites
Jun. 30, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]        
Depreciation expense on property and equipment $ 55,070 $ 53,142 $ 109,497 $ 105,333
Disposal of property and equipment     12,862 4,554
(Loss) on disposal of assets     (126) (488)
Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract]        
Number of owned satellites     9  
Boeing Satellite Systems International [Member]
       
Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract]        
Number of owned satellites     4  
Space Systems/Loral [Member]
       
Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract]        
Number of owned satellites     5  
Sirius system [Member]
       
Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract]        
Number of owned satellites     4  
XM system [Member]
       
Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract]        
Number of owned satellites     5  
SIRIUS FM-6 [Member]
       
Property and equipment (Textual) [Abstract]        
Capitalized expenditures, including interest $ 8,210 $ 8,340 $ 16,374 $ 17,005