CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 255,505	$ 183,987
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	212,254	223,895
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments	(32,310)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	4,477	7,709
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(35,853)	(32,217)
Other, net	9,275	13,252
Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net	105,189	233,005
Net cash flows from operating activities	518,537	629,631
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
(Purchases) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities, net	139,938	1,338,073
Purchases of property and equipment	(136,942)	(163,376)
Other, net	13,142	2,949
Net cash flows from investing activities	16,138	1,177,646
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Dividend to DISH Orbital Corporation		(8,250,000)
Redemption and repurchases of senior notes (Note 7)	(1,500,000)
Advances from affiliates	604,950
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(7,506)	(6,586)
Other, net	68	7,967
Net cash flows from financing activities	(902,488)	(8,248,619)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(367,813)	(6,441,342)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	419,926	6,762,140
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 52,113	$ 320,798