Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Property and equipment
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	$ 204,630	$ 227,566
Satellites
Property and equipment
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	$ 29,012	$ 21,956
EchoStar XV
Property and equipment
Estimated Useful Life	15 years
EchoStar XVI
Property and equipment
Term of renewal option	5 years
Additional term of renewal option	5 years
EchoStar XVIII
Property and equipment
Estimated Useful Life	15 years
EchoStar XVIII, including capitalized interest
Property and equipment
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator	13
Owned Satellites	2
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease	9
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease	2
T1
Property and equipment
Estimated Useful Life	15 years