Property and Equipment (Details 2) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) item	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) item	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 262,886	$ 271,895	$ 509,098	$ 521,115
Equipment leased to customers
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense	217,235	224,470	419,419	419,684
Satellites
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense	21,957	21,957	43,913	51,853
Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 23,694	$ 25,468	$ 45,766	$ 49,578
EchoStar XVIII, including capitalized interest
Depreciation and amortization expense
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator | item			14
Owned Satellites | item	1		1
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease | item			11
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease | item			2
EchoStar XV
Depreciation and amortization expense
Estimated Useful Life			15 years
EchoStar XVI
Depreciation and amortization expense
Term of renewal option			6 years
Additional term of renewal option			5 years
EchoStar XVIII
Depreciation and amortization expense
Estimated Useful Life			15 years