Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues		$ 3,827,474	$ 15,212,302
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 375,715	399,891	1,497,939
As Previously Reported
Revenues		3,787,235	15,094,562
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network		389,290	1,449,853
Transferred Businesses
Revenues		40,239	117,740
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network		$ 10,601	$ 48,086

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration