Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Impact of Adoption of ASU2016-02 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	$ 708,122
Total assets	4,732,587	$ 3,905,544
Other accrued expenses	973,140	756,534
Operating lease liabilities	477,711
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities	200,062	198,840
Total liabilities	16,585,947	15,947,704
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(11,853,360)	(12,042,160)	$ (12,831,108)	$ (13,046,663)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	4,732,587	$ 3,905,544
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | DISH DBS (as would have been reported under previous standards) [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Total assets	4,024,465
Other accrued expenses	739,482
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities	203,309
Total liabilities	15,877,825
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	(11,853,360)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	4,024,465
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Impact of adopting ASU 2016-02
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	708,122
Total assets	708,122
Other accrued expenses	233,658
Operating lease liabilities	477,711
Long-term deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities	(3,247)
Total liabilities	708,122
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$ 708,122