Other income (expense): Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Subscriber Acquisition Costs Hardware subsidies paid to radio manufacturers, distributors and automakers, including subsidies paid to automakers who include a radio and a prepaid subscription to our service in the sale or lease price of a new vehicle; subsidies paid for chip sets and certain other components used in manufacturing radios; commissions paid to retailers and automakers as incentives to purchase, install and activate radios; product warranty obligations; provisions for inventory allowance; and compensation costs associated with stock-based awards granted in connection with certain distribution agreements. Subscriber acquisition costs Programming and Content Costs to acquire, create and produce content and on-air talent costs. Programming and content Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income (loss) available to common stockholders Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Total income tax expense Total other expense Other income Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt Loss on extinguishment of debt and credit facilities, net Aggregate loss on extinguishment of notes Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total Loss on extinguishment of debt and credit facilities, net Interest Expense Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized Interest expense associated with debt Interest Expense, Total Interest costs charged to expense Operating Income (Loss) Income from operations Income from operations Income from operations Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Depreciation and amortization Engineering, design and development Technology Services Costs Sales and marketing Selling and Marketing Expense, Total Selling and Marketing Expense Other Sales Revenue, Net Other revenue Total subscriber revenue Revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Consolidated Statement of Operations [Abstract] Statement of Operations Total assets Assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Other long-term assets Related party long-term assets Due from Related Parties, Noncurrent Deferred financing costs with Liberty Media to Related party long-term assets Due from Related Parties, Noncurrent, Total Goodwill Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Total intangible assets, Net carrying value Total intangible assets, Net carrying value Intangible assets, net Deferred financing fees, net Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net, Total Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net Restricted Investments, Noncurrent Restricted investments Long-term restricted investments Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net Assets, Current Total current assets Other Assets, Current Other current assets Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense, Current, Total Prepaid Expense, Current Inventory, Net Total inventory, net Inventory, net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Total accounts receivable, net Total accounts receivable, net Accounts receivable, net Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Preferred stock, par value $0.001; 50,000,000 authorized at December 31, 2011 and 2010 Series A convertible preferred stock ; no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 Series A Preferred Stock [Member] Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Series B Preferred Stock [Member] Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B-1 Series C Preferred Stock [Member] Preferred Stock, Series C Junior Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Class A Shares received Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, par value $0.001; 9,000,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2011 and 2010; 3,753,201,929 and 3,933,195,112 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Total Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Accumulated deficit Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholder's equity Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Current portion of deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Deferred Revenue, Current Due to Related Parties, Current Related party current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Carrying value of deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent, Total Deferred revenue Deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Related party long-term liabilities Due to Related Parties, Noncurrent, Total Due to Related Parties, Noncurrent Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Issuance of Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance Series-A convertible preferred stock outstanding Preferred stock, shares outstanding Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangible Assets Property and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block] Estimated useful lives of Property and Equipment Property and equipment, net Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Subscriber Revenue [Abstract] Subscriber Revenue. Benefits Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Supplemental Disclosure of Cash and Non-Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Other Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract] Non-cash investing and financing activities: Interest, net of amounts capitalized Interest Paid, Net, Total Interest Paid, Net Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other long-term assets Other long-term assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total deferred taxes Deferred income taxes Provision for doubtful accounts Provision for Doubtful Accounts Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Additions to property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Additions to property and equipment Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayment of long-term borrowings Outstanding notes purchased Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Repayment of long-term borrowings Proceeds from Related Party Debt Related party long-term borrowings, net of costs Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from issuance of debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Long-term borrowings, net of costs Accumulated Deficit [Member] Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Deficit. Beginning Balance, shares Ending Balance, shares Shares, Issued Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive loss: Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Balance Sheets Engineering, design and development Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase cash and cash equivalents Long-term Related Party Debt Related party long-term debt Long-term related party debt Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all related party long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date. Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information. Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Preferred Stock Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share Preferred stock Series B, liquidation preference Preferred stock, liquidation preference Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) Receivables from Distributors Total Total Receivables from distributors Amounts due from OEMs and other distributors. Interest Payable, Current Accrued interest with Liberty Media to related party current liabilities Accrued interest Current portion of deferred credit on executory contracts Other Deferred Credits, Current Deferred credit on executory contracts Other Deferred Credits, Noncurrent Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Equipment Revenue Revenue and royalties from the sale of radios, components and accessories. Equipment revenue Sales Revenue, Net Total revenue Total revenue Cost of services: Cost of Goods and Services Sold [Abstract] Cost of equipment Cost of Goods Sold, Total Cost of Goods Sold General and administrative General and Administrative Expense, Total General and Administrative Expense Costs and Expenses Total operating expenses Total operating expenses Total operating expenses Share-based Compensation Total share-based payment expense Share-based payment expense Paid-in-Kind Interest Non cash interest expense included in interest costs Non-cash interest expense, net of amortization of premium Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions Restructuring, impairments and related costs Recognition of Deferred Revenue Amortization of deferred income related to equity method investment Amortization of deferred income related to equity method investment Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Loss on disposal of assets Loss on disposal of assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Receivables Receivables from distributors Receivables from distributors Accrued interest Increase (Decrease) in Interest Payable, Net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Other long-term liabilities Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collections of Investments Sale of restricted and other investments Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $110, $63 & $11 during 2009, 2010 & 2011, respectively Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $63 Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $63 Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation Issuance of common stock to employees and employee benefit plans, net of forfeitures Share-based payment expense Exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units Nature of Operations [Text Block] Business Earnings per Share [Abstract] Net income per common share Net income (loss) per common share: Weighted average common shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Earnings Per Share, Basic Net income (loss) per common share- basic Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Average common shares outstanding-basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net income (loss) per common share- diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Diluted Satellite and Transmission Satellite and transmission Costs associated with the operation and maintenance of our satellites; satellite telemetry, tracking and control system; terrestrial repeater network; satellite uplink facility; and broadcast studios. Revenue Share and Royalties Distribution and content provider revenue share, residuals and broadcast and web streaming royalties. Revenue share and royalties Customer Service and Billing Customer service and billing Customer service and billing expenses include costs associated with the operation of our customer service centers and subscriber management systems as well as bad debt expense. Income Loss before Income Taxes Income (loss) before income taxes Income before income taxes Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income taxes. Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Long-term Debt, Current Maturities, Total Current maturities of long-term debt Restricted Cash and Investments Disclosure [Text Block] Investments This item includes equity method investments, convertible unsecured subordinated debentures, auction rate certificates, and restricted cash and investments (deposits placed into escrow for the benefit of third parties) held by the Company. Interest Costs Disclosure [Text Block] Interest Costs Description of interest costs incurred. Subscriber Revenue Disclosure [Text Block] Subscriber Revenue Description of subscription fees, revenue derived from our agreements with daily rental fleet operators, non-refundable activation and other fees and the effect of rebates. Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income (loss) Issuance of Common Stock to Employees and Employee Benefit Plans Net of Forfeitures Issuance of common stock to employees and employee benefit plans, net of forfeitures Issuance of common stock to employees and employee benefit plans, net of forfeitures Issuance of common stock to employees and employee benefit plans, net of forfeitures. Issuance of Common Stock to Employees and Employee Benefit Plans, Net of Forfeitures, Shares Issuance of common stock to employees and employee benefit plans, net of forfeitures, shares Issuance of common stock to employees and employee benefit plans, net of forfeitures, Shares. Proceeds from (Repayments of) Other Long-term Debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Other Long-term Debt, Total Payment of premiums on redemption of debt Loss on equity investments Loss on unconsolidated entity investments, net Loss on equity investments. Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred Tax Asset, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Asset, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Asset, Net, Current, Total Deferred tax asset Sale leaseback of equipment Sale-leaseback of equipment Sale-leaseback of equipment. Exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units, shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation Stock Issued During Period Warrant Exercised Common stock issuance upon exercise of warrants Stock issued during period warrant exercised. Stock Issued During Period Warrant Exercised Shares Common stock issuance upon exercise of warrants, shares Stock Issued During Period Warrant Exercised Shares. Common Stock Issuance upon Exercise of Warrants Common stock issuance upon exercise of warrants Common stock issuance upon exercise of warrants. Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract] Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current Gross accounts receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for doubtful accounts Inventory, Net [Abstract] Inventory, net Inventory, Raw Materials Inventory, Raw Materials, Total Raw materials Inventory, Finished Goods Inventory, Finished Goods, Total Finished goods Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract] Summary of significant accounting policies. Subscription Fees Subscription fees Subscription fees. Activation Fees Activation fees Activation fees. Interest costs capitalized Interest Costs, Capitalized During Period Interest Costs (Textual) [Abstract] Interest Costs (Textual) [Abstract] Interest costs. Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Text Block] Accounts Receivable, net Receivables from Distributors [Abstract] Receivables from distributors Receivables from distributors. Inventory Valuation Reserves Allowance for obsolescence Inventory Valuation Reserves, Ending Balance Inventory Valuation Reserves, Beginning Balance Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Common stock equivalents