The number of wireless spectrum licenses acquired by the winning bidder.

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- Definition

Portion of equity (net assets) in a variable interest entity (VIE) not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the parent entity. That is, this is the portion of equity in a VIE that is attributable to the noncontrolling interest (previously referred to as minority interest).

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Cash outflow in the form of capital distributions and dividends to common shareholders, preferred shareholders and noncontrolling interests.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3291-108585

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- Definition

The cash outflow to acquire asset without physical form usually arising from contractual or other legal rights, excluding goodwill.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 15A
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Unrecognized Tax Benefit
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6527854

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details 3) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended		96 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Details 3) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)
Spectrum Investments
Number of wireless spectrum licenses \| item	176		176
Dividend paid to DOC	$ 8,250,000	$ 2,150,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	202,400	$ 207,675	$ 202,400	$ 145,884	$ 185,669
Dish Network [Member] \| Northstar Wireless or Northstar Spectrum
Spectrum Investments
Total debt and equity investments in subsidiaries	$ 10,000,000		10,000,000
Dish Network
Spectrum Investments
Payment to acquire certain wireless licenses			$ 5,000,000