Property and Equipment - Depreciation and Amortization (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) item	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) item	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	$ 249,619	$ 262,886	$ 483,246	$ 509,098
Equipment leased to customers
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	205,775	217,235	395,597	419,419
Satellites
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	21,957	21,957	43,913	43,913
Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other
Depreciation and amortization expense
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	$ 21,887	$ 23,694	$ 43,736	$ 45,766
EchoStar XVIII, including capitalized interest
Depreciation and amortization expense
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator | item			12
Owned Satellites | item	1		1
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease | item			9
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease | item			2
EchoStar XV
Depreciation and amortization expense
Estimated Useful Life			15 years
EchoStar XVI
Depreciation and amortization expense
Term of renewal option			5 years
Additional term of renewal option			5 years
EchoStar XVIII
Depreciation and amortization expense
Estimated Useful Life			15 years