Related Party Transactions (Details 3) (EchoStar, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	May 31, 2010	Mar. 02, 2014	Dec. 21, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item	May 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Jan. 02, 2012
Certain Sports Related Programming Broadcast Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term	10 years
EchoStar VIII
Related Party Transactions
Notice period for termination of agreement		30 days
EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term from commencement of service date			4 years		10 years
Notice period to exercise option to extend agreement				6 years
Additional term of renewal option				5 years
Telesat Transponder Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term					15 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services					32
DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term					10 years
Number of DBS transponders currently used					32
QuetzSat-1 Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term with third party							10 years
Number of DBS transponders currently used							32
Number of DBS transponders expected to receive services							24
Number of transponders subleased						5
103 degree orbital location member
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term								10 years
Agreement term from commencement of service date				10 years
Payments to the related party									$ 23
Net book value of asset									20
Capital distribution									$ 3
TT&C Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Required notice period for termination by the reporting entity				60 days
Prior Broadcast Agreement | Minimum
Related Party Transactions
Required notice period for termination by the reporting entity										60 days