Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	$ 996,183	$ 775,300	$ 854,147
Cash received for interest	6,925	15,020	21,380
Cash paid for income taxes	40,362	439,570	16,014
Capitalized interest	$ 1,015,901	844,330	369,897
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	$ 23,164	25,146	26,026
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	$ 1,573	7,850	$ 7,931
Vendor Financing		$ 20,000
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.375%
Initial equity component of the Convertible Notes net of deferred taxes	$ 159,869
Deferred taxes	$ 92,512
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Interest rate (as a percent)		3.375%
Initial equity component of the Convertible Notes net of deferred taxes		$ 487,521
Deferred taxes		$ 286,322
DISH DBS Corporation ("DDBS") | 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.375%	2.375%