Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Total revenue	$ 3,724,180	$ 3,746,111	$ 3,837,036	$ 3,787,235	$ 3,778,683	$ 3,733,565	$ 3,832,425	$ 3,724,228	$ 15,094,562	$ 15,068,901	$ 14,643,387
Operating income (loss)	540,822	496,320	613,825	560,142	(127,174)	441,720	533,987	483,863	2,211,109	1,332,396	1,824,451
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	343,981	312,207	418,306	394,960	(118,912)	202,610	332,326	353,252	1,469,454	769,276	928,902
Net income (loss)									1,469,454	769,276	928,902
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 342,673	$ 307,426	$ 410,464	$ 389,290	$ (125,295)	$ 196,479	$ 324,423	$ 351,485	$ 1,449,853	$ 747,092	$ 944,693
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
FCC auction expense (Note 14)										$ 515,555
Impairment of long-lived assets										$ 123,352