Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
	Feb. 12, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 14, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 28, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Dividend paid to DOC				$ 1,500,000	$ 8,250,000	$ 2,150,000
Number of wireless spectrum licenses | item				176
Aggregate dividend declared				$ 1,500,000	8,250,000	2,150,000
Subscriber-related revenue				14,578,414	14,524,510	14,130,607
Trade accounts receivable				715,766	822,505
Trade accounts payable				485,532	433,349
Equipment sales and other revenue				58,629	113,739	146,806
Broadband, Wireless and Other Segments
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses associated with services				63,000	63,000	79,000
Dish Network
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Dividend paid to DOC	$ 8,250,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 650,000
Dish Network | Advertising Sales [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Subscriber-related revenue				2,000	10,000	18,000
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable				4,000	23,000
Trade accounts payable				259,000	263,000
Equipment sales and other revenue				$ 1,000	$ 46,000	$ 62,000
Percentage Of Stake Transfer				100.00%