Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 08, 2016
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	$ 775,300	$ 854,147	$ 833,483
Cash received for interest	15,020	21,380	138,529
Cash paid for income taxes	439,570	16,014	160,732
Capitalized interest	$ 844,330	369,897	223,658
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	$ 25,146	$ 26,026	25,781
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	1,328		3,462
Vendor Financing	$ 20,000
Deemed Distribution Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Deferred Tax			8,489
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.375%
Initial equity component of the 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026, net of deferred taxes of $286,322	$ 487,521
Deferred taxes	$ 286,322
DISH DBS Corporation ("DDBS") | 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.375%	3.375%		3.375%
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 | 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 Related Party Net Of Tax			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
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 Related Party Net Of Tax			$ 51,466
Deferred tax on capital distribution to EchoStar	31,274
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