Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) item	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) item	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Property and equipment
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	$ 209,324	$ 223,998	$ 625,625	$ 691,149
Satellites
Property and equipment
Depreciation and amortization expense | $	$ 29,414	$ 24,241	$ 87,840	$ 68,154
EchoStar XV
Property and equipment
Estimated Useful Life			15 years
EchoStar XVI
Property and equipment
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			12
Owned Satellites	2		2
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease			8
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease			2
T1
Property and equipment
Estimated Useful Life			15 years