CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)	Noncontrolling Interest	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 1,207,681	$ (1,450)	$ (6,091,202)			$ (4,884,971)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Dividends to DISH Orbital Corporation (Note 15)			(915,858)			(915,858)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	38,573					38,573
Income tax (expense) benefit related to stock awards and other	8,560					8,560
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net		8,047				8,047
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		(517)				(517)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS			484,266			484,266
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,254,814	6,080	(6,522,794)			(5,261,900)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	29,647					29,647
Income tax (expense) benefit related to stock awards and other	18,788					18,788
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net		8,781				8,781
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		(3,672)				(3,672)
Capital distribution to EchoStar	(3,148)					(3,148)
Noncontrolling interest recognized with acquisition of a controlling interest in subsidiary				2,882		2,882
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest				(300)		(300)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS			825,022			825,022
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,300,101	11,189	(5,697,772)	2,582		(4,383,900)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Dividends to DISH Orbital Corporation (Note 15)			(2,150,000)			(2,150,000)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	33,969			28	27	33,997
Income tax (expense) benefit related to stock awards and other	23,022			(691)		22,331
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net		27,819				27,819
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		(10,625)				(10,625)
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $31,274	(51,466)					(51,466)
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $3,542	(5,845)			(6,118)		(11,963)
Deemed distribution to EchoStar - initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, net of deferred taxes of $8,489	(14,011)				22,500	(14,011)
Sling TV contribution from parent	(9,569)			12,612		3,043
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest					(2,614)	(9,825)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest excluding redeemable noncontrolling interest				(7,211)		(7,211)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS			824,885			824,885
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,276,201	$ 28,383	$ (7,022,887)	$ 1,202	$ 19,913	$ (5,717,101)