Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Revenues	$ 3,240,865	$ 3,168,363	$ 3,211,312	$ 3,187,144	$ 3,306,829	$ 3,395,141	$ 3,460,845	$ 3,458,487	$ 12,807,684	$ 13,621,302	$ 14,391,375
Operating income (loss)	522,952	468,892	430,732	456,300	482,752	562,703	572,660	529,506	1,878,876	2,147,621	1,567,765
Net income (loss)	413,547	377,157	340,566	361,299	357,286	452,598	460,286	385,321	1,492,569	1,655,491	2,165,407
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 389,404	$ 353,304	$ 317,043	$ 339,761	$ 337,080	$ 431,734	$ 438,717	$ 367,560	$ 1,399,512	$ 1,575,091	$ 2,098,689
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.77	$ 0.74	$ 0.68	$ 0.73	$ 0.72	$ 0.92	$ 0.94	$ 0.79	$ 2.92	$ 3.37	$ 4.50
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.69	$ 0.66	$ 0.60	$ 0.65	$ 0.64	$ 0.82	$ 0.83	$ 0.70	$ 2.60	$ 3.00	$ 4.07