Related Party Transactions - Narrative Part 2 (Details) $ in Thousands					1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2014	Dec. 21, 2012	Dec. 21, 2012	Jan. 02, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2014 item	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $									$ 740,224	$ 753,853	$ 685,732
EchoStar XVIII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $									22,000
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $									$ 681,000	$ 715,000	$ 646,000
Agreement Renewal Option Term				1 year
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		5 years
Additional term of renewal option		5 years
EchoStar | Telesat Transponder Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term												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 currently used													32
Number of DBS transponders expected to receive services													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