Related Party Transactions - Narrative Part 2 (Details) $ in Thousands				1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 21, 2012	Jan. 21, 2012	Jan. 02, 2012 item	Jul. 31, 2016	May 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 item	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $							$ 637,160	$ 717,231	$ 725,307
Net book value of asset | $							14,862
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 XVIII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $							67,000	67,000	22,000
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $							$ 309,000	$ 346,000	$ 351,000
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	5 years			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
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement term					10 years
EchoStar | TT&C Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Required notice period for termination by the reporting entity			12 months