Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (EPS Amounts for Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (118,912)	$ 202,610	$ 332,326	$ 353,252	$ 407,921	$ 143,035	$ 207,129	$ 170,817	$ 769,276	$ 928,902	$ 837,089
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests									22,184	(15,791)	(17,746)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network									747,092	944,693	854,835
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax											(47,343)
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ (125,295)	$ 196,479	$ 324,423	$ 351,485	$ 409,930	$ 145,519	$ 213,313	$ 175,931	$ 747,092	$ 944,693	$ 807,492
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)									462,995	460,126	456,044
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)									1,702	2,801	3,122
Diluted (in shares)									464,697	462,927	459,166
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)									$ 1.61	$ 2.05	$ 1.87
Basic net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)											(0.10)
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ (0.27)	$ 0.42	$ 0.70	$ 0.76	$ 0.89	$ 0.32	$ 0.46	$ 0.38	1.61	2.05	1.77
Diluted net income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)									1.61	2.04	1.86
Diluted net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)											(0.10)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ (0.27)	$ 0.42	$ 0.70	$ 0.76	$ 0.88	$ 0.31	$ 0.46	$ 0.38	$ 1.61	$ 2.04	$ 1.76