Related Party Transactions - Narrative Part 2 (Details) $ in Thousands					1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2014	Dec. 22, 2012	Dec. 21, 2012	Jan. 02, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	May 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2015 item	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $								$ 717,231	$ 725,307	$ 733,494
Net book value of asset | $								22,000
EchoStar XVIII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $								67,000	22,000
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $								$ 346,000	$ 351,000	$ 424,000
EchoStar | EchoStar VIII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Notice period for termination of agreement	30 days
EchoStar | EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term from commencement of service date			4 years
Agreement Renewal Option Term		1 year
Additional term of renewal option		1 year
EchoStar | Telesat Transponder Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term											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 currently used												32
Number of DBS transponders expected to receive services												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