CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Subscriber-related revenue	$ 15,033,939	$ 14,953,559	$ 14,495,091
Equipment sales and other revenue	60,623	115,342	148,296
Total revenue	15,094,562	15,068,901	14,643,387
Costs and Expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below - Note 8):
Subscriber-related expenses	8,887,437	8,783,009	8,313,046
Satellite and transmission expenses:
Satellite and transmission expenses	726,791	762,832	693,114
Cost of sales - equipment and other	61,915	91,654	107,777
Subscriber acquisition costs:
Cost of sales - subscriber promotion subsidies	157,955	194,305	255,913
Other subscriber acquisition costs	709,772	908,983	988,718
Subscriber acquisition advertising	603,213	579,260	566,687
Total subscriber acquisition costs	1,470,940	1,682,548	1,811,318
General and administrative expenses	783,224	777,507	815,745
FCC auction expense (Note 14)		515,555
Depreciation and amortization (Note 8)	953,146	1,000,048	1,077,936
Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 8)		123,352
Total costs and expenses	12,883,453	13,736,505	12,818,936
Operating income (loss)	2,211,109	1,332,396	1,824,451
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	31,164	19,523	61,841
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized	(52,992)	(494,010)	(611,209)
Other, net	117,182	278,043	(69,341)
Total other income (expense)	95,354	(196,444)	(618,709)
Income (loss) before income taxes	2,306,463	1,135,952	1,205,742
Income tax (provision) benefit, net	(837,009)	(366,676)	(276,840)
Net income (loss)	1,469,454	769,276	928,902
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	19,601	22,184	(15,791)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network - Basic	$ 1,449,853	$ 747,092	$ 944,693
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	464,807	462,995	460,126
Diluted (in shares)	484,162	464,697	462,927
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 3.12	$ 1.61	$ 2.05
Basic net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	3.05	1.61	2.04
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	3.12	1.61	2.05
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 3.05	$ 1.61	$ 2.04
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net income (loss)	$ 1,469,454	$ 769,276	$ 928,902
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments			3,878
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	3,050	20,205	(11,729)
Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss)	(99,312)	(99,361)	7,050
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit, net	35,062	(33,370)	1,436
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(61,200)	(112,526)	635
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,408,254	656,750	929,537
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	19,601	22,184	(15,791)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 1,388,653	$ 634,566	$ 945,328