Number of other satellites relocated in event of failure or loss of any satellite.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents option to renew the lease for an additional term.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

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- Definition

Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the capitalized costs to acquire rights under a license arrangement (for example, to sell specified products in a specified territory) having an indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275

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- Definition

The amount of cash paid during the current period for interest that is capitalized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3213-108585

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

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Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

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Property and Equipment - Pay TV Satellites (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Property and Equipment
Number of other satellites to be relocated in the event of failure or loss of any satellite \| item	1
Depreciation and amortization	$ 741,772	$ 832,435	$ 870,996
FCC authorizations	636,275	635,794
Capitalized interest	481
DBS Licenses
Property and Equipment
FCC authorizations	611,794	611,794
MVDDS Licenses
Property and Equipment
FCC authorizations	$ 24,000	$ 24,000
Minimum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets	1 year
Maximum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets	40 years
EchoStar XV
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets	15 years
EchoStar XVI
Property and Equipment
Option to renew the lease for an additional period	5 years