Related Party Transactions - Narrative Part 2 (Details) $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 21, 2012	Jan. 02, 2012 item	Jun. 30, 2013	May 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 item	Dec. 31, 2009 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $					$ 168,785	$ 190,662
EchoStar XVIII Satellite
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $					17,000	17,000
EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement Renewal Option Term	5 years
TT&C Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase of renewal of agreement		1 year
Number of automatic renewal period		4
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $					$ 84,000	$ 87,000
EchoStar | EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term from commencement of service date	4 years
Additional term of renewal option	5 years
EchoStar | Telesat Transponder Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term with third party								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 available to receive services									32
Number of DBS transponders currently used									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		12 months