Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investment Securities - Narrative (Details) - shares		3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Commercial paper | Maximum
Other investment securities:
Debt term of Maturity		365 days
Unsecured Debt Term Of Maturity		365 days
Corporate securities | Maximum
Other investment securities:
Debt term of Maturity		18 months
Unsecured Debt Term Of Maturity		18 months
EchoStar | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction | DISH Investors
Other investment securities:
Preferred tracking stock issued by related party	6,290,499
HSSC | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction | DISH Investors
Other investment securities:
Preferred tracking stock issued by related party	81.128
NagraStar
Other investment securities:
Ownership interest (as a percent)	50.00%
SmarDTV
Other investment securities:
Ownership interest (as a percent)	22.50%