Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Net income (loss)	$ 315,265	$ 332,975	$ 764,102	$ 1,182,981
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	17,890	14,523	50,896	40,535
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	297,375	318,452	713,206	1,142,446	$ 1,497,939
Interest on dilutive Convertible Notes, net of tax		9,392	30,125	9,392
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted, Total	$ 297,375	$ 327,844	$ 743,331	$ 1,151,838
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)	466,240	464,927	465,893	464,703
Dilutive impact of Convertible Notes (in shares)	58,192	27,017	54,850	9,071
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)	814	1,025	896	1,010
Diluted (in shares)	525,246	492,969	521,639	474,784
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.68	$ 1.53	$ 2.46
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ 0.67	$ 1.42	$ 2.43
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.375%		3.375%		3.375%