Organization and Business Activities (Details) item in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended	84 Months Ended	120 Months Ended	132 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) segment item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) item
Spectrum Investments
Number of primary operating business units | segment	2
Number of Pay-TV subscribers | item	12,322			12,322
Payment to acquire certain wireless licenses and related assets		$ 11,000	$ 21,000	$ 21,000
Total debt and equity investments in subsidiaries	$ 10,000			$ 10,000
Sling TV Holding L.L.C.
Spectrum Investments
Number of Pay-TV subscribers | item	2,417			2,417
Dish TV
Spectrum Investments
Number of Pay-TV subscribers | item	9,905			9,905
Wireless
Spectrum Investments
Payment to acquire certain wireless licenses and related assets		$ 11,000		$ 11,000
Northstar Spectrum And SNR Holdco
Spectrum Investments
Total debt and equity investments in subsidiaries	$ 10,000			$ 10,000
Northstar Spectrum And SNR Holdco | Wireless
Spectrum Investments
Total debt and equity investments in subsidiaries			$ 10,000