Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Millions					1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 21, 2012	Dec. 21, 2012	Jan. 02, 2012	Jan. 02, 2012 item	May 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item
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
Notice period for termination of agreement				12 months
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $							$ 1	$ 55		$ 2	$ 198
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			5 years	1 year
EchoStar | Telesat Transponder Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement Renewal Option Term										1 year
Agreement term with third party												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 available to receive services													32
Number of DBS transponders currently used													24
Number of transponders subleased									5
EchoStar | TT&C Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Required notice period for termination by the reporting entity			12 months
Dish Network
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses | $							$ 56	$ 12		$ 168	$ 37