Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%								7.75%
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	$ 342,673	$ 307,426	$ 410,464	$ 389,290	$ (125,295)	$ 196,479	$ 324,423	$ 351,485	1,449,853	747,092	944,693
Interest on dilutive 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026, net of tax									27,515
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted, Total									$ 1,477,368	$ 747,092	$ 944,693
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)									464,807	462,995	460,126
Dilutive impact of 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026									18,361
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)									994	1,702	2,801
Diluted (in shares)									484,162	464,697	462,927
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.66	$ 0.88	$ 0.84	$ (0.27)	$ 0.42	$ 0.70	$ 0.76	$ 3.12	$ 1.61	$ 2.05
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ 0.64	$ 0.88	$ 0.84	$ (0.27)	$ 0.42	$ 0.70	$ 0.76	$ 3.05	$ 1.61	$ 2.04
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.375%								3.375%