Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Net income (loss)	$ 418,306	$ 332,326	$ 813,266	$ 685,578
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	7,842	7,903	13,512	9,670
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 410,464	$ 324,423	$ 799,754	$ 675,908
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	464,803	462,929	464,589	462,512
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	837	1,706	840	1,888
Diluted (in shares)	465,640	464,635	465,429	464,400
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.70	$ 1.72	$ 1.46
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.70	$ 1.72	$ 1.46