Related Party Transactions - Narrative Part 2 (Details) $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 21, 2012	Jan. 02, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	May. 31, 2013	May. 31, 2012	May. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 item	Dec. 31, 2009 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $							$ 173,221	$ 184,680
EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement Renewal Option Term	6 years
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $							$ 164,000	$ 175,000
EchoStar | Certain Sports Related Programming Broadcast Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term						10 years
EchoStar | EchoStar VIII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notice period for termination of agreement				30 days
EchoStar | EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term from commencement of service date	4 years
Agreement Renewal Option Term	6 years
Additional term of renewal option	5 years
EchoStar | Telesat Transponder Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term with third party										15 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services										32
EchoStar | DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term										10 years
Number of DBS transponders currently used										32
EchoStar | QuetzSat-1 Lease Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term with third party											10 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services											32
Number of DBS transponders currently used											24
Number of transponders subleased									5
EchoStar | 103 degree orbital location member
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term					10 years
Agreement term from commencement of service date			10 years
EchoStar | TT&C Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Required notice period for termination by the reporting entity		60 days
EchoStar | 2012 Broadcast Agreement [Member] | Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Required notice period for termination by the reporting entity		60 days