Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Option Activity (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	13,365,489
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	1,705,103
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 41.78
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 40.87
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	8,847,734	7,913,733	6,807,169
Granted (in shares)	7,026,512	3,468,626	1,901,000
Exercised (in shares)	(267,905)	(505,125)	(403,834)
Forfeited and cancelled (in shares)	(2,240,852)	(2,029,500)	(390,602)
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	13,365,489	8,847,734	7,913,733
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	1,705,103	1,772,608	1,883,533
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 43.90	$ 36.22	$ 31.17
Granted (in dollars per share)	38.44	59.66	54.41
Exercised (in dollars per share)	16.43	28.73	23.26
Forfeited and cancelled (in dollars per share)	39.73	44.64	50.28
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	41.78	43.90	36.22
Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 40.87	$ 35.13	$ 29.98
Stock Options | DISH Network Awards | Long-Term Performance Based Plans
Stock option activity
Total options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	5,490,626	4,312,000
Total options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	8,671,886	5,490,626	4,312,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Total options outstanding, beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 42.81	$ 31.39
Total options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 39.95	$ 42.81	$ 31.39