The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 730
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420194&loc=d3e21568-108373

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 985
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756

Name:	us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Principles of Consolidation and Research and Development (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Research and Development
Research and Development Expense		$ 6	$ 7
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
Sling TV Holding \| EchoStar
Significant accounting policies
Ownership percentage owned by noncontrolling owners	10.00%