CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 560,146	$ 528,104
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	691,065	719,488
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	17,714	24,830
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(93,451)	(87,889)
Other, net	3,495	71,441
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	388,483	14,778
Net cash flows from operating activities	1,567,452	1,270,752
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
(Purchases) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities, net	1,344,275	388,035
Purchases of property and equipment	(505,290)	(629,869)
Other, net	2,285	(4,330)
Net cash flows from investing activities	841,270	(246,164)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Dividends to DISH Orbital Corporation	(8,250,000)	(650,000)
Redemption and repurchases of long-term debt	(650,001)	(199,999)
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(21,670)	(22,259)
Other, net	14,920	26,795
Net cash flows from financing activities	(8,906,751)	(845,463)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(6,498,029)	179,125
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	6,762,140	4,294,475
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 264,111	$ 4,473,600