Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ 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
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Total revenue	$ 3,483,928	$ 3,583,454	$ 3,643,632	$ 3,680,361	$ 3,752,765	$ 3,767,472	$ 3,864,591	$ 3,827,474	$ 14,391,375	$ 15,212,302	$ 15,225,493
Operating income (loss)	259,291	449,051	252,103	607,320	572,899	522,662	640,282	583,418	1,567,765	2,319,261	1,428,372
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
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
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