Represents option to renew the lease for an additional term.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents option to renew the lease for an additional term if the company exercises its renewal option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ddbs_
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- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the capitalized costs to acquire rights under a license arrangement (for example, to sell specified products in a specified territory) having an indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- 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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Property and Equipment - Pay TV Satellites (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Property and Equipment
Depreciation and amortization	$ 212,254	$ 223,895
FCC authorizations	$ 635,794		$ 635,794
EchoStar XV
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets	15 years
EchoStar XVIII
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets	15 years
EchoStar XVI
Property and Equipment
Option to renew the lease for an additional period	6 years
Another option to renew the lease if renewal option exercised	5 years