CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 725,445	$ 965,112	$ 835,643
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	741,772	832,435	870,996
Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments	(85,550)	(32,509)	(14,449)
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	29,941	13,037	19,199
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(297,012)	(84,970)	(86,770)
Other, net	(3,431)	67,366	(11,967)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	114,962	104,869	59,994
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(2,384)	(4,329)	(3,645)
Inventory	37,028	(41,694)	95,385
Other current assets	(76,735)	12,323	16,824
Trade accounts payable	(142,803)	50,497	55,546
Deferred revenue and other	(57,802)	(94,584)	(22,565)
Accrued programming and other accrued expenses	303,901	46,815	159,522
Net cash flows from operating activities	1,287,332	1,834,368	1,973,713
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
(Purchases) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities, net	(88,346)	136,014	1,250,791
Purchases of property and equipment	(419,445)	(544,413)	(619,911)
Purchases of strategic investments	(90,381)
Other, net	20,284	15,034	(12,679)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(577,888)	(393,365)	618,201
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes		2,000,000
Dividend to DISH Orbital Corporation		(1,500,000)	(8,250,000)
Redemption and repurchases of senior notes	(1,074,139)	(1,500,000)	(650,001)
Payments made to parent of transferred businesses	(7,098)	(34,446)	(31,610)
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(39,118)	(41,449)	(34,527)
Debt issuance costs		(7,676)
Other, net	(1,994)	(606)	32,189
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,122,349)	(1,084,177)	(8,933,949)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(412,905)	356,826	(6,342,035)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	777,578	420,752	6,762,787
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 364,673	$ 777,578	$ 420,752