Related Party Transactions - Narrative Part 1 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 576,978		$ 576,978		$ 568,679
Trade accounts payable	438,194		438,194		266,417
Broadband, Wireless and Other Segments
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses associated with services	16,000	$ 14,000	55,000	$ 40,000
Office Space from DISH Network
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses associated with services	2,000	1,000	6,000	1,000
EchoStar
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Satellite and transmission expenses	1,000	55,000	2,000	198,000
Trade accounts receivable	3,000		3,000		1,000
Trade accounts payable	4,000		4,000		$ 3,000
Equipment sales and other revenue	$ 1,000	$ 2,000	$ 3,000	$ 5,000