Related Party Transactions - Narrative Part 2 (Details) $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 21, 2012	Jan. 02, 2012	Nov. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2013	May 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 item	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $						$ 174,787	$ 183,086		$ 544,508	$ 523,233
EchoStar XVIII Satellite
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $						16,000			50,000
EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement Renewal Option Term	5 years
EchoStar XVIII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $							5,000			5,000
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $						$ 86,000	$ 89,000		$ 261,000	$ 263,000
EchoStar | EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term from commencement of service date	4 years
Additional term of renewal option	5 years
EchoStar | Telesat Transponder Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term with third party											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 available to receive services												32
Number of DBS transponders currently used												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
Agreement term			1 year