CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 883,781	$ 762,893	$ 815,060
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	864,379	907,687	956,101
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments	(32,509)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	13,037	19,199	34,024
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(84,845)	(108,821)	87,587
Other, net	62,451	(29,835)	40,274
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	110,714	82,229	2,202
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(3,975)	(2,548)	7,539
Inventory	(48,097)	115,570	(11,718)
Other current assets	16,722	14,833	14,373
Trade accounts payable	52,183	45,151	(245,677)
Deferred revenue and other	(93,393)	(21,571)	39,303
Accrued programming and other accrued expenses	41,828	165,881	57,939
Net cash flows from operating activities	1,782,276	1,950,668	1,797,007
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
(Purchases) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities, net	136,014	1,250,791	2,744,000
Purchases of property and equipment	(533,379)	(646,607)	(822,121)
Other, net	12,993	1,952	(4,941)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(384,372)	606,136	1,916,938
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes (Note 7)	2,000,000		2,000,000
Dividend to DISH Orbital Corporation	(1,500,000)	(8,250,000)	(2,150,000)
Redemption and repurchases of senior notes (Note 7)	(1,500,000)	(650,001)	(1,099,999)
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(32,754)	(29,206)	(29,649)
Other, net	(8,276)	30,189	33,368
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,041,030)	(8,899,018)	(1,246,280)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	356,874	(6,342,214)	2,467,665
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	419,926	6,762,140	4,294,475
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 776,800	$ 419,926	$ 6,762,140