Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Net income (loss)	$ 567,520			$ 532,959			$ 1,890,534	$ 1,112,638
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	10,478			28,360			32,221	82,597
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	557,042	$ 671,047	$ 630,224	504,599	$ 452,343	$ 73,099	1,858,313	1,030,041
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network - Diluted	$ 557,042			$ 504,599			$ 1,858,313	$ 1,030,041
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	528,229			525,532			527,503	524,329
Dilutive impact of Convertible Notes (in shares)	107,016			58,192			107,016	58,192
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	1,195			233			699	74
Diluted (in shares)	636,440			583,957			635,218	582,595
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 1.05			$ 0.96			$ 3.52	$ 1.96
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88			$ 0.86			$ 2.93	$ 1.77
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.375%						2.375%
0% Convertible Notes Due 2025
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Interest rate (as a percent)	0.00%						0.00%