CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1,152,369	$ (376)	$ (13,194,440)	$ 287	$ (12,042,160)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	11,003				11,003
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net		152			152
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		(38)			(38)
Foreign currency translation		47			47
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests				(124)	(124)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS			177,760		177,760
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	1,163,372	(215)	(13,016,680)	163	(11,853,360)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	1,152,369	(376)	(13,194,440)	287	(12,042,160)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities					(65)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS					363,128
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	1,442,337	(2)	(12,831,312)		(11,388,977)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	1,163,372	(215)	(13,016,680)	163	(11,853,360)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	11,528				11,528
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net		102			102
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit attributable to unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		(27)			(27)
Foreign currency translation		138			138
Satellite and Spectrum Transaction, net of deferred taxes	267,437			$ (163)	267,274
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS			185,368		185,368
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	1,442,337	(2)	(12,831,312)		(11,388,977)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,432,736	(449)	(12,366,909)		(10,934,622)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	6,953				6,953
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net		(11)			(11)
Foreign currency translation		(352)			(352)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS			244,153		244,153
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	1,439,689	(812)	(12,122,756)		(10,683,879)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,432,736	(449)	(12,366,909)		(10,934,622)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS					619,133
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	1,443,022	(771)	(11,747,776)		(10,305,525)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	1,439,689	(812)	(12,122,756)		(10,683,879)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	3,333				3,333
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities, net		11			11
Foreign currency translation		30			30
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH DBS			374,980		374,980
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 1,443,022	$ (771)	$ (11,747,776)		$ (10,305,525)