Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets - Pay TV Satellites (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 item
Property and Equipment
Number of other satellites to be relocated in the event of failure or loss of any satellite	1
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