Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%								7.75%
Net income (loss)	$ 357,286	$ 452,598	$ 460,286	$ 385,321	$ 1,401,305	$ 315,265	$ 58,762	$ 390,075	$ 1,655,491	$ 2,165,407	$ 1,550,785	$ 1,550,785
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax									80,400	66,718	52,846	52,846
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 337,080	$ 431,734	$ 438,717	$ 367,560	$ 1,385,483	$ 297,375	$ 40,116	$ 375,715	1,575,091	2,098,689	$ 1,497,939	1,497,939
Interest on dilutive Convertible Notes, net of tax										30,028		27,515
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network - Diluted									$ 1,575,091	$ 2,128,717		$ 1,525,454
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)									467,350	466,021	464,807	464,807
Dilutive impact of Convertible Notes (in shares)									58,192	55,692		18,361
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)									290	883		994
Diluted (in shares)									525,832	522,596	484,162	484,162
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.92	$ 0.94	$ 0.79	$ 2.97	$ 0.64	$ 0.09	$ 0.81	$ 3.37	$ 4.50	$ 3.22	$ 3.22
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.82	$ 0.83	$ 0.70	$ 2.64	$ 0.57	$ 0.09	$ 0.76	$ 3.00	$ 4.07	$ 3.15	$ 3.15
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.375%				2.375%				2.375%	2.375%