Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%								7.75%
Net income (loss)	$ 1,401,305	$ 315,265	$ 58,762	$ 390,075	$ 367,804	$ 332,975	$ 438,062	$ 411,944	$ 2,165,407	$ 1,550,785	$ 842,026
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax									66,718	52,846	39,652
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 1,385,483	$ 297,375	$ 40,116	$ 375,715	$ 355,493	$ 318,452	$ 424,103	$ 399,891	2,098,689	1,497,939	802,374
Interest on dilutive Convertible Notes, net of tax									30,028	27,515
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted, Total									$ 2,128,717	$ 1,525,454	$ 802,374
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)									466,021	464,807	462,995
Dilutive impact of Convertible Notes (in shares)									55,692	18,361
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)									883	994	1,702
Diluted (in shares)									522,596	484,162	464,697
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 2.97	$ 0.64	$ 0.09	$ 0.81	$ 0.76	$ 0.68	$ 0.91	$ 0.86	$ 4.50	$ 3.22	$ 1.73
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 2.64	$ 0.57	$ 0.09	$ 0.76	$ 0.73	$ 0.67	$ 0.91	$ 0.86	$ 4.07	$ 3.15	$ 1.73
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.375%								2.375%