Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (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
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Total revenue	$ 3,778,683	$ 3,733,565	$ 3,832,425	$ 3,724,228	$ 3,681,719	$ 3,679,351	$ 3,688,119	$ 3,594,198	$ 15,068,901	$ 14,643,387	$ 13,904,865
Operating income (loss)	(127,174)	441,720	533,987	483,863	534,900	388,509	454,744	446,298	1,332,396	1,824,451	1,348,179
Net 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)	(118,912)	202,610	332,326	353,252	407,921	143,035	207,129	170,817	769,276	928,902	789,746
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
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 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