Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)		$ 854,147	$ 833,483	$ 880,244
Cash received for interest		21,380	138,529	201,480
Cash paid for income taxes		16,014	160,732	273,597
Capitalized interest	$ 644,000	369,897	223,658	136,508
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock		26,026	25,781	24,230
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations			3,462	$ 1,070
Deemed Distribution Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Deferred Tax			8,489
EchoStar
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Investment in EchoStar and HSSC preferred tracking stock - cost method		228,795	228,795
EchoStar | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Transfer of property and equipment, net			432,080
Investment in EchoStar and HSSC preferred tracking stock - cost method			316,204
Transfer of liabilities and other			44,540
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes			51,466
Deferred tax on capital distribution to EchoStar		31,274
EchoStar | Sling TV Exchange Transaction with EchoStar
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Transfer of property and equipment, net			8,978
Transfer of investments and intangibles, net			25,097
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes			5,845
Deferred tax on capital distribution to EchoStar		3,542
Deemed distribution to EchoStar- initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, net of deferred taxes of $8,489			14,011
Deemed Distribution Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Deferred Tax		8,489
HSSC
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Investment in EchoStar and HSSC preferred tracking stock - cost method		$ 87,409	$ 87,409