Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Net income (loss)	$ 58,762	$ 438,062	$ 448,837	$ 850,006
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	18,646	13,959	33,006	26,012
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	40,116	424,103	415,831	823,994	$ 1,497,939
Interest on dilutive Convertible Notes, net of tax			30,125
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted, Total	$ 40,116	$ 424,103	$ 445,956	$ 823,994
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	466,019	464,803	465,717	464,589
Dilutive impact of Convertible Notes (in shares)			53,152
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	916	837	992	840
Diluted (in shares)	466,935	465,640	519,861	465,429
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.91	$ 0.89	$ 1.77
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.91	$ 0.86	$ 1.77
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.375%		3.375%		3.375%