Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands  | 
Sep. 30, 2011  | 
|---|---|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | $ 218,120 | 
| 2012 | 668,107 | 
| 2013 | 1,320,215 | 
| 2014 | 950,643 | 
| 2015 | 1,366,932 | 
| Thereafter | 990,991 | 
| Total | 5,515,008 | 
Long-term debt obligations [Member]  | 
|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | 24,363 | 
| 2012 | 1,623 | 
| 2013 | 779,636 | 
| 2014 | 550,178 | 
| 2015 | 1,057,000 | 
| Thereafter | 700,000 | 
| Total | 3,112,800 | 
Cash interest payments [Member]  | 
|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | 81,399 | 
| 2012 | 288,338 | 
| 2013 | 288,208 | 
| 2014 | 186,935 | 
| 2015 | 113,433 | 
| Thereafter | 160,128 | 
| Total | 1,118,441 | 
Satellite and transmission [Member]  | 
|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | 9,760 | 
| 2012 | 55,680 | 
| 2013 | 4,782 | 
| 2014 | 13,250 | 
| 2015 | 13,156 | 
| Thereafter | 22,093 | 
| Total | 118,721 | 
Programming and content [Member]  | 
|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | 47,561 | 
| 2012 | 227,048 | 
| 2013 | 178,953 | 
| 2014 | 151,931 | 
| 2015 | 145,531 | 
| Thereafter | 3,750 | 
| Total | 754,774 | 
Marketing and distribution [Member]  | 
|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | 28,570 | 
| 2012 | 25,070 | 
| 2013 | 17,725 | 
| 2014 | 12,816 | 
| 2015 | 11,644 | 
| Thereafter | 11,809 | 
| Total | 107,634 | 
Satellite incentive payments [Member]  | 
|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | 2,826 | 
| 2012 | 11,608 | 
| 2013 | 12,693 | 
| 2014 | 12,901 | 
| 2015 | 12,049 | 
| Thereafter | 87,601 | 
| Total | 139,678 | 
Operating lease obligations [Member]  | 
|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | 8,522 | 
| 2012 | 32,819 | 
| 2013 | 28,335 | 
| 2014 | 21,973 | 
| 2015 | 13,851 | 
| Thereafter | 5,428 | 
| Total | 110,928 | 
Others [Member]  | 
|
| Expected contractual cash commitments | |
| 2011 | 15,119 | 
| 2012 | 25,921 | 
| 2013 | 9,883 | 
| 2014 | 659 | 
| 2015 | 268 | 
| Thereafter | 182 | 
| Total | $ 52,032 | 
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- Definition The carrying amount of the long-term purchase obligation as of the balance sheet date, which equals the sum of all payments due. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition The aggregate remaining amount of payments due after the fifth year after the balance sheet date to extinguish a recorded unconditional purchase obligation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition The aggregate amount of payments due in the fifth year after the balance sheet date to reduce a recorded unconditional purchase obligation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition The aggregate amount of payments due in the fourth year after the balance sheet date to reduce a recorded unconditional purchase obligation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition The aggregate amount of payments due in the second year after the balance sheet date to reduce a recorded unconditional purchase obligation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition The aggregate amount of payments due in the third year after the balance sheet date to reduce a recorded unconditional purchase obligation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition The aggregate amount of payments due in the first year after the balance sheet date to reduce a recorded unconditional purchase obligation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Details 
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