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Stock-Based Compensation (Details 7) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2005
Jun. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Dec. 31, 2011
Recognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense                
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense recognized $ 34,024us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 29,647us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 38,573us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense          
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 10,214,344us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber              
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 25.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice              
Long-Term Performance Based Plans                
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense                
Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense recognized 26,456us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember		 14,901us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember		 16,496us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember		          
LTIP 2005                
2005 LTIP Terms                
Awards vesting period       7 years        
Percentage awards vesting per annum during first four years       10.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageAwardsVestedPerYearDuringFirstFourYears
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member		        
Percentage awards vesting per annum after first four years       20.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageAwardsVestedPerYearAfterFirstFourYears
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member		        
LTIP 2008                
Share-based compensation additional disclosures                
Portion vested (as a percent)             100.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPortionMeetingVestingCondition
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2008Member		  
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense                
Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense recognized   2,719us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2008Member		 9,025us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2008Member		          
2013 LTIP                
Share-based compensation additional disclosures                
Portion vested (as a percent) 20.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPortionMeetingVestingCondition
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member		              
Percentage of performance goals probable of achievement         10.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfPerformanceGoalsProbableOfAchievement
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member		 20.00%ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfPerformanceGoalsProbableOfAchievement
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member		    
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense                
Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense recognized 12,361us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member		 8,137us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member		            
Other Employee Performance Awards                
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense                
Non-cash, stock-based compensation expense recognized 14,095us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember		 4,045us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember		 7,471us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember		          
DISH Network Awards | 2013 LTIP                
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense                
Expense estimated to be recognized during 2015 1,749ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCostInCurrentFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Estimated contingent expense subsequent to 2015 52,928ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCostAfterCurrentFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Total estimated remaining expense over the term of plan 54,677ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCost
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
DISH Network Awards | Other Employee Performance Awards                
Estimated Remaining Non-Cash, Stock-Based Compensation Expense                
Expense estimated to be recognized during 2015 1,694ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCostInCurrentFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Estimated contingent expense subsequent to 2015 36,087ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCostAfterCurrentFiscalYear
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Total estimated remaining expense over the term of plan $ 37,781ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEstimatedRemainingCompensationCost
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 10,214,344us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 11,938,090us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 13,018,490us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		         17,640,074us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 25.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 $ 22.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 $ 18.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		         $ 20.38us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Long-Term Performance Based Plans                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 5,926,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 6,468,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 6,400,700us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		          
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 25.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 $ 24.92us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 $ 18.71us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		          
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | LTIP 2005                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 1,844,500us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 20.82us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | 2013 LTIP                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 1,592,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 40.02us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Other Employee Performance Awards                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 2,490,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 18.85us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH DBS employees                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 10,214,344us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Stock Options | EchoStar awards | Held by DISH DBS employees                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Performance Based Stock Options (in shares) 409,188us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_EchoStarStockAwardsMember		              
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 1,731,332us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 1,863,165us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 1,076,748us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		         1,179,709us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | Long-Term Performance Based Plans                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 1,731,332us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 1,863,165us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		 1,076,748us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermPerformanceBasedPlansMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		          
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | LTIP 2005                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 210,332us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2005Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | 2013 LTIP                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 796,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_LongTermIncentivePlan2013Member
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | Other Employee Performance Awards                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 725,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ddbs_OtherEmployeePerformanceAwardsMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Restricted Stock Units | DISH Network Awards | Held by DISH DBS employees                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 1,731,332us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_DishNetworkStockAwardsMember		              
Restricted Stock Units | EchoStar awards | Held by DISH DBS employees                
Outstanding awards pursuant to performance-based stock incentive plans                
Restricted Performance Units (in shares) 42,056us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
/ ddbs_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardHolderAxis
= ddbs_HeldByEmployeesOfEntityMember
/ ddbs_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentOriginalAwardIssuerAxis
= ddbs_EchoStarStockAwardsMember