Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Net income (loss)	$ 340,566		$ 460,286		$ 701,865	$ 845,607
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	23,523		21,569		45,061	39,330
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	317,043	$ 339,761	438,717	$ 367,560	656,804	806,277
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network - Diluted	$ 317,043		$ 438,717		$ 656,804	$ 806,277
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	469,655		467,425		468,809	467,036
Dilutive impact of Convertible Notes (in shares)	58,192		58,192		58,192	58,192
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	136		232		106	379
Diluted (in shares)	527,983		525,849		527,107	525,607
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.68		$ 0.94		$ 1.40	$ 1.73
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.60		$ 0.83		$ 1.25	$ 1.53