Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets - FCC Authorizations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Capitalized interest	$ 440	$ 1,071	$ 481
FCC authorizations	611,794	637,346
FCC Authorizations
Capitalized interest		1,552
FCC authorizations	611,794	637,346
DBS Licenses \| FCC Authorizations
FCC authorizations	$ 611,794	611,794
MVDDS Licenses \| FCC Authorizations
FCC authorizations		$ 24,000

Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the capitalized costs to acquire rights under a license arrangement (for example, to sell specified products in a specified territory) having an indefinite period of benefit.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275

Name:	us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedLicenseAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant