Automatic Renewal Period

No definition available.

Name:	dish_AutomaticRenewalPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the broadband equipment purchased from related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_BroadbandEquipmentPurchasedFromRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contribution from related party for initial settlement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_ContributionFromRelatedPartyForInitialSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the income generated from equipment sales and other revenue.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_EquipmentSalesAndOtherRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Extension Of Initial Term

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_ExtensionOfInitialTerm
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Litigation settlement number of annual installments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_LitigationSettlementNumberOfAnnualInstallments
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of litigation settlement amount to be made by related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_LossContingencySettlementAgreementConsiderationPercentageToBeMadeByRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Payments to third party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_PaymentsToThirdParty
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transaction aggregate payments to third party by related parties under extension option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement additional renewal option term.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement automatic renewal period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement maximum number of one year renewal options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement maximum number of three year renewal options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement minimum termination notice required from related party.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement renewal option term.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement term.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_RelatedPartyTransactionsAgreementTerm
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement term from commencement of service date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_RelatedPartyTransactionsAgreementTermFromCommencementOfServiceDate
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions agreement termination notice required by reporting entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_RelatedPartyTransactionsAgreementTerminationNoticeRequiredByReportingEntity
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions number of DBS transponders available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related party transactions number of DBS transponders subleased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions number of DBS transponders used.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related party transactions required minimum notice period for termination of a specific service.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transactions required notice period for termination of agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_RelatedPartyTransactionsRequiredNoticePeriodForTerminationOfAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represent satellite and transmission expenses during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dish_SatelliteAndTransmissionExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of tax credits recorded in additional paid in capital related to tax-sharing agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	dish_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(4))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Costs incurred and are directly related to generating revenues in fulfilling customer subscriptions.

+ References

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 210.5-03.2(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate total of expenses of managing and administering the affairs of an entity, including affiliates of the reporting entity, which are not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line.

+ References

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 210.5-03.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of loss contingency liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow reducing loss contingency liability.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(24))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.31)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_ProfessionalServicesAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_HughesBroadbandDistributionAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=dish_EchoStarMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_ElPasoLeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_InvernessLeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_CheyenneLeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_GilbertLeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_CollocationAndAntennaSpaceAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_EchoStarXVIMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_Nimiq5AgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_DISHNimiq5AgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_QuetzSat1LeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_QuetzSat1TransponderAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_OneHundredThreeDegreeOrbitalLocationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_TelemetryTrackingAndControlAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_MeridianLeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_SantaFeLeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_OneZeroZeroInvernessLeaseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_PatentCrossLicenseAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_RoviLicenseAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=dish_HughesNetworkSystemsLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis=dish_HughesBroadbandSalesAgencyAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=dish_DISHNetworkMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=dish_TiVovsDishNetworkAndEchostarCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands			1 Months Ended									3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Thousands	Aug. 19, 2016	Apr. 29, 2011 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 21, 2012	May 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 item	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009 item	Dec. 31, 2008 item
Related Party Transactions
Trade accounts receivable			$ 704,246		$ 777,908							$ 704,246			$ 777,908
Trade accounts payable			556,319		524,704							556,319			524,704
Equipment sales and other revenue												36,275	$ 51,996
Subscriber-related expenses												2,243,187	2,230,249
Satellite and transmission expenses												176,182	168,581
General and Administrative Expense												131,035	201,001
Noncontrolling interests			(2,440)		(2,226)							$ (2,440)			(2,226)
Maximum
Related Party Transactions
Capital contribution recorded in additional paid-in-capital for tax credits related to tax-sharing agreement															1,000
Professional Services Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Automatic Renewal Period												1 year
Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Automatic renewal period												1 year
Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement \| Minimum
Related Party Transactions
Notice period for termination of agreement												180 days
EchoStar
Related Party Transactions
Trade accounts receivable			2,000		2,000							$ 2,000			2,000
Trade accounts payable			$ 257,000		$ 276,000							257,000			$ 276,000
Equipment sales and other revenue												1,000
Subscriber-related expenses												19,000	24,000
Satellite and transmission expenses												89,000	90,000
General and Administrative Expense												$ 3,000	4,000
EchoStar \| Maximum
Related Party Transactions
Equipment sales and other revenue													1,000
EchoStar \| El Paso Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Number of consecutive three year renewal options \| item												4
Term of renewal option												3 years
EchoStar \| 90 Inverness Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Number of consecutive three year renewal options \| item												4
Term of renewal option												3 years
EchoStar \| Cheyenne Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Number of one year renewal options \| item			13									13
Term of renewal option												1 year
EchoStar \| Gilbert Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Number of one year renewal options \| item			13									13
Term of renewal option												1 year
EchoStar \| Collocation And Antenna Space Agreements
Related Party Transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party												180 days
EchoStar \| EchoStar XVI
Related Party Transactions
Term of renewal option						5 years
Agreement term								4 years
Extension of initial term						1 year
Additional term of renewal option						5 years
EchoStar \| Nimiq 5 Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term																15 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services \| item																32
EchoStar \| DISH Nimiq 5 Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term																10 years
Number of DBS transponders currently used \| item																32
EchoStar \| QuetzSat-1 Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term																	10 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services \| item																	32
EchoStar \| QuetzSat-1 Transponder Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Number of DBS transponders currently used \| item																	24
Number of transponders subleased \| item														5
EchoStar \| 103 degree orbital location member
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term									10 years
Agreement term from commencement of service date							10 years
EchoStar \| 2012 TT&C Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term												1 year
Minimum required notice period for termination by the reporting entity										60 days
EchoStar \| Meridian Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Additional term of renewal option					1 year
EchoStar \| Santa Fe Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Additional term of renewal option					1 year
EchoStar \| 100 Inverness Lease Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Notice period for termination of agreement			180 days
EchoStar \| Professional Services Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term																1 year
Minimum notice period for termination of a specific service																30 days
EchoStar \| Professional Services Agreement \| Minimum
Related Party Transactions
Notice period for termination of agreement																60 days
EchoStar \| Patent Cross-License Agreements \| Maximum
Related Party Transactions
Payments to third party											$ 10,000
Payments to third party by related party under extension option											$ 3,000
EchoStar \| Rovi License Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Agreement term	10 years
HNS
Related Party Transactions
Broadband equipment purchased from related parties				$ 7,000
HNS \| Hughes Broadband Sales Agency Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Notice period for termination of agreement			90 days
Agreement term			5 years
Automatic Renewal Period			1 year
HNS \| Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement
Related Party Transactions
Broadband equipment purchased from related parties												$ 0	$ 3,000
DISH Network \| TiVo vs Dish Network and EchoStar Corporation
Related Party Transactions
Settlement amount		$ 500,000
Initial settlement amount paid		300,000
Aggregate of six annual installment amounts between 2012 and 2017, net of contribution from related party		$ 200,000
Litigation settlement number of annual installments \| item		6
Contribution from related party		$ 10,000
Percentage of litigation settlement amount to be made by related party		95.00%