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Commitments and Contingencies (Details 3) (USD $)
 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 84 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 28, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
item
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2008
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 17, 2013
Mar. 09, 2012
Mar. 02, 2015
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2011
Feb. 27, 2014
Spectrum Investments                      
Number of wireless spectrum licenses   176ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicenses     176ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicenses            
Dividend paid to DOC $ 8,250,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends $ 2,150,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends $ 907,230,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends                
Unrecognized tax benefits   207,675,000us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits 185,669,000us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits   207,675,000us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits       145,884,000us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits 190,935,000us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits  
Northstar Wireless or Northstar Spectrum                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Bidding credit   25.00%ddbs_PercentageOfBiddingCredit
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
SNR Wireless or SNR Wireless Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Bidding credit   25.00%ddbs_PercentageOfBiddingCredit
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Northstar Manager LLC | Northstar Wireless or Northstar Spectrum                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Controlling interest owned by other companies   15.00%ddbs_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentageByOtherParty
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarManagerLLCMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
SNR Wireless Management LLC | SNR Wireless or SNR Wireless Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Controlling interest owned by other companies   15.00%ddbs_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentageByOtherParty
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ddbs_SnrWirelessManagementLLCMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Wireless                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Aggregate bid price                     1,564,000,000ddbs_AggregateBidPrice
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember
AWS 3 Auction | Northstar Spectrum And SNR Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Number of days for objections to applications filed   10 days                  
AWS 3 Auction | Northstar Wireless or Northstar Spectrum                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Bidding credit   25.00%ddbs_PercentageOfBiddingCredit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
Gross winning bids   7,845,000,000ddbs_GrossWinningBids
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
Net winning bid   5,884,000,000ddbs_CombinedNetWinningBids
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
AWS 3 Auction | SNR Wireless or SNR Wireless Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Bidding credit   25.00%ddbs_PercentageOfBiddingCredit
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Gross winning bids   5,482,000,000ddbs_GrossWinningBids
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Net winning bid   4,112,000,000ddbs_CombinedNetWinningBids
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Bid withdrawal payment   8,000,000ddbs_BidWithdrawalPayment
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
AWS 3 Auction | Northstar Manager LLC | Northstar Wireless or Northstar Spectrum                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Equity contributions as percentage of purchase price   15.00%ddbs_CommitmentEquityContributionsPercentageOfPurchasePrice
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarManagerLLCMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
AWS 3 Auction | SNR Wireless Management LLC | SNR Wireless or SNR Wireless Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Equity contributions as percentage of purchase price   15.00%ddbs_CommitmentEquityContributionsPercentageOfPurchasePrice
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= ddbs_SnrWirelessManagementLLCMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
DBSD North America and TerreStar Transactions | Wireless                      
Spectrum Investments                      
AWS-4 Interim Build-Out Requirement (as a percent)   40.00%ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicensesMinimumInterimBuildOutRequirementPopulationPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ddbs_DBSDNorthAmericaIncAndAssetPurchaseAgreementTerreStarMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		                  
AWS-4 Final Build-Out Requirement (as a percent)   70.00%ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicensesMinimumFinalBuildOutRequirementPopulationPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ddbs_DBSDNorthAmericaIncAndAssetPurchaseAgreementTerreStarMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		                  
Dish Network                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Payment to acquire certain wireless licenses       712,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember		 5,000,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireIntangibleAssets
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember		            
700 MHz Interim Build-Out Requirement (as a percent)   35.00%ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicensesMinimumInterimBuildOutRequirementGeographicAreaPercentage
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember		                  
700 MHz Final Build-Out Requirement (as a percent)   70.00%ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicensesMinimumFinalBuildOutRequirementGeographicAreaPercentage
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember		                  
Dish Network | Wireless                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Payment to meet H Block auction requirements           328,000,000us-gaap_PaymentsForDeposits
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		          
Remaining balance amount due of H Block spectrum licenses           1,236,000,000ddbs_WirelessSpectrumRemainingBalanceAmountDueForSpectrum
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		          
H Block Interim Build-Out Requirement (as a percent)   40.00%ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicensesMinimumInterimBuildOutRequirementPopulationPercentageCoveredByHBlockSpectrumLicenses
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		                  
H Block Final Build-Out Requirement (as a percent)   75.00%ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicensesMinimumFinalBuildOutRequirementPopulationPercentageCoveredByHBlockSpectrumLicenses
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		                  
Accelerated period to meet Build-Out Requirement on failure   2 years                  
Dish Network | Wireless | UTAM, Inc.                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Payment for clearance costs associated with the lower H Block spectrum   13,000,000ddbs_PaymentsForClearanceCostsAssociatedWithLowerHBlockSpectrum
/ us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis
= ddbs_UTAMIncMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		                  
Dish Network | Wireless | Sprint                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Payment for clearance costs associated with the upper H Block spectrum   95,000,000ddbs_PaymentsForClearanceCostsAssociatedWithUpperHBlockSpectrum
/ us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis
= ddbs_SprintCorporationMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		                  
Dish Network | AWS 3 Auction | Northstar Spectrum And SNR Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Total investments   9,778,000,000ddbs_VariableInterestEntityInvestmentTotal
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		     9,778,000,000ddbs_VariableInterestEntityInvestmentTotal
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember		            
Dish Network | DBSD North America and TerreStar Transactions | Wireless                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Percentage of equity acquired             100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ddbs_DBSDNorthAmericaIncAndAssetPurchaseAgreementTerreStarMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		        
Purchase price             2,860,000,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ddbs_DBSDNorthAmericaIncAndAssetPurchaseAgreementTerreStarMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		        
AWS-4 Interim Build-Out Requirement (as a percent)   40.00%ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicensesMinimumInterimBuildOutRequirementPopulationPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ddbs_DBSDNorthAmericaIncAndAssetPurchaseAgreementTerreStarMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		                  
AWS-4 Final Build-Out Requirement (as a percent)   70.00%ddbs_WirelessSpectrumLicensesMinimumFinalBuildOutRequirementPopulationPercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ddbs_DBSDNorthAmericaIncAndAssetPurchaseAgreementTerreStarMember
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= us-gaap_MajorityShareholderMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_WirelessSpectrumMember		                  
Accelerated period to meet Final Build-Out Requirement on failure to meet Interim Build-Out Requirement   1 year                  
American II | Northstar Wireless or Northstar Spectrum                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Ownership percentage   85.00%us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
American II | AWS 3 Auction | Northstar Wireless or Northstar Spectrum                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Equity contributions as percentage of purchase price   15.00%ddbs_CommitmentEquityContributionsPercentageOfPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
Commitment to make loan as percentage of purchase price   85.00%ddbs_CommitmentToMakeLoanPercentageOfPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
Equity contribution   633,000,000ddbs_EquityContribution
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
Loan made   432,000,000us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRelatedPartiesPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
Equity contribution commitment   117,000,000ddbs_CommitmentEquityContributions
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
Commitment to make loan   4,569,000,000ddbs_CommitmentToMakeLoan
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		                  
American II | AWS 3 Auction | Subsequent event | Northstar Wireless or Northstar Spectrum                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Equity contribution               750,000,000ddbs_EquityContribution
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		      
Loan receivable               5,001,000,000us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRelatedParties
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_NorthstarWirelessOrNorthstarSpectrumMember		      
American III | SNR Wireless or SNR Wireless Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Ownership percentage   85.00%us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
American III | AWS 3 Auction | SNR Wireless or SNR Wireless Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Equity contributions as percentage of purchase price   15.00%ddbs_CommitmentEquityContributionsPercentageOfPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Commitment to make loan as percentage of purchase price   85.00%ddbs_CommitmentToMakeLoanPercentageOfPurchasePrice
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Equity contribution   408,000,000ddbs_EquityContribution
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Loan made   350,000,000us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRelatedPartiesPeriodIncreaseDecrease
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Equity contribution commitment   116,000,000ddbs_CommitmentEquityContributions
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
Commitment to make loan   3,153,000,000ddbs_CommitmentToMakeLoan
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		                  
American III | AWS 3 Auction | Subsequent event | SNR Wireless or SNR Wireless Holdco                      
Spectrum Investments                      
Equity contribution               524,000,000ddbs_EquityContribution
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember		      
Loan receivable               $ 3,503,000,000us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRelatedParties
/ us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis
= ddbs_AmericanIIIMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ddbs_Aws3AuctionMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ddbs_SNRWirelessOrSNRWirelessHoldcoMember