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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Significant accounting policies
Maturity period of cash equivalents		90 days
Research and Development
Research and Development Expense		$ 33,000	$ 41,000	$ 46,000
Dish DBS
Significant accounting policies
Total revenue			14,755,939	14,796,028
Net income (loss) attributable to Dish DBS			964,614	835,417
Previously reported \| Dish DBS
Significant accounting policies
Total revenue			14,637,043	14,638,249
Net income (loss) attributable to Dish DBS			916,528	780,135
Adjustment \| Dish DBS
Significant accounting policies
Total revenue			118,896	157,779
Net income (loss) attributable to Dish DBS			$ 48,086	$ 55,282
EchoStar \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Significant accounting policies
Preferred tracking stock issued by related party	6,290,499
HSSC \| Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Significant accounting policies
Preferred tracking stock issued by related party	81.128
Minimum
Marketable Investment Securities
The length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value would be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if the decline in value is other-than-temporary		6 months
Length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value is considered other-than-temporary		9 months
Property and Equipment
Useful life of property and equipment		1 year
Revenue Recognition
Period of deferral for the portion of subscriber fees that are deferred		4 years
Maximum
Marketable Investment Securities
Length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value is considered as temporary		6 months
The length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value would be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if the decline in value is other-than-temporary		9 months
Property and Equipment
Useful life of property and equipment		40 years
Long-Term Deferred Revenue, Distribution and Carriage Payments
Deferred upfront payment, amortization period		10 years
Revenue Recognition
Period of deferral for the portion of subscriber fees that are deferred		5 years
Sling TV Holding \| EchoStar
Significant accounting policies
Ownership percentage owned by noncontrolling owners	10.00%
Nonvoting Interest Prior To Share Exchange		10.00%