Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash paid for interest	$ 832,654us-gaap_InterestPaid	$ 875,006us-gaap_InterestPaid	$ 537,512us-gaap_InterestPaid
Cash received for interest	34,534us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived	36,242us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived	22,431us-gaap_ProceedsFromInterestReceived
Cash paid for income taxes	18,186us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid	1,351us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid	20,624us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid
Cash paid for income taxes to DISH Network	279,234ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent	433,120ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent	272,599ddbs_CashPaidForIncomeTaxesToParent
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations	3,462us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred	1,070us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred	5,857us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsIncurred
Receipt of marketable investment securities with no cash consideration			13,237us-gaap_TransferToInvestments
Net satellite broadband assets distributed to DISH Network			8,628ddbs_NetAssetsDistributedToParent
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net	1,073,000
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $31,274	51,466
Deferred tax in the capital distribution to EchoStar relating to satellite and tracking stock transaction	31,274
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $3,542	11,963
Deferred tax in capital distribution to EchoStar	3,542
Deemed distribution to EchoStar - initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, net of deferred taxes of $8,489	14,011
Deferred tax in deemed distribution of redeemable noncontrolling interest	8,489
EchoStar
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Investment in EchoStar and HSSC preferred tracking stock - cost method	228,795
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| EchoStar
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net	432,080
Investment in EchoStar and HSSC preferred tracking stock - cost method	316,204
Transfer of liabilities and other	44,540
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $31,274	51,466
Sling TV Exchange Transaction \| EchoStar
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net	8,978
Transfer of investments and intangibles, net	25,097
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $3,542	5,845
Deemed distribution to EchoStar - initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, net of deferred taxes of $8,489	$ 14,011

Amount of decrease in additional paid-in capital (APIC) resulting from capital distribution to the related party.

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Represents the amount of deferred tax impact to the adjustment of additional paid in capital due to capital distribution to a related party.

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Represent adjustments to additional paid in capital due to distribution to related party relating to Satellite and Tracking stock transaction.

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Cash paid for income taxes to parent.

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The fair value of liabilities transferred in noncash investing or financing activities.

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Represents the value of investments and intangibles that were transferred to other companies in a transaction during the period.

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The increase during the period in capital lease obligations due to entering into new capital leases.

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Amount, after adjustment, of cost-method investment. Adjustments include, but are not limited to, dividends received in excess of earnings after date of investment that are considered a return of investment and other than temporary impairments.

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The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income.

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Interest received on loans and other debt instruments during the current period.

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Amount of reclassification, impairment, donation, or other change to long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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Value of investments transferred to the entity's investments in noncash transactions.

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