Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Feb. 28, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Other Investment Securities:
Trading	$ 47,856	$ 47,856
Other	54,506	54,506		$ 3,833
Total current marketable investment securities	102,362	102,362		3,833
Restricted marketable investment securities(1)	71,919	71,919		81,679
Total marketable investment securities	174,281	174,281		85,512
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)	403	403		681
Other investment securities - equity method	112,381	112,381		25,098
Other investment securities - cost method				8,150
Total other investment securities	112,381	112,381		33,248
Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities	287,065	287,065		$ 119,441
Marketable investment securities - unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities	$ 39,706	$ 39,706
Maximum maturities of commercial paper		365 days
Maximum maturities of corporate securities		18 months
NagraStar L.L.C
Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Other Investment Securities:
Interest on equity method investment			50.00%