Represents the amount of deferred tax in the deemed distribution of redeemable noncontrolling interest.

No definition available.

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Represents the information pertaining to the deferred tax expense on revaluation of redemption value

No definition available.

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Deferred tax related to capital contribution from related party.

No definition available.

Name:	dish_DeferredTaxExpenseRelatedToCapitalContributionFromRelatedParty
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of deferred tax related to convertible note hedges.

No definition available.

Name:	dish_DeferredTaxRelatedToConvertibleNoteHedges
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of deferred tax related to intial equity component of convertible notes.

No definition available.

Name:	dish_DeferredTaxRelatedToInitialEquityComponentOfConvertibleNotes
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Tax on capital distribution to the related party in connection with the purchases of strategic investments.

No definition available.

Name:	dish_TaxOnCapitalDistributionToRelatedPartyInConnectionPurchaseOfStrategicInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Deferred tax in deemed distribution of redeemable noncontrolling interest			$ 8,489
Deferred tax related to capital contribution			5,554
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Deferred tax related to equity component of convertible notes	$ 286,322
Convertible note hedges
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Deferred tax related to convertible note hedges	234,987
EchoStar
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Net of Deferred Taxes	9,824	$ 5,820
EchoStar \| Sling TV Exchange Transaction with EchoStar
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Deferred tax on capital distribution to EchoStar			3,542
Deferred tax in deemed distribution of redeemable noncontrolling interest	$ 8,489
EchoStar \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Deferred tax on capital distribution to EchoStar			$ 31,274