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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 20, 2014	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2018
Accounting policy disclosures
Costs capitalized under the programs during the period					$ 14,000
Capitalized Contract Cost		$ 183,000
Amortization expense related to the programs		28,000
Total costs capitalized		169,000
Deferred taxes		2,474,907	$ 2,019,538
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets			145,918
Research and Development
Research and development cost		$ 24,000	$ 33,000	$ 41,000
Minimum
Marketable Investment Securities
Length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value would be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if the decline in value is other-than-temporary				6 months
Length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value is considered other-than-temporary				9 months
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life		2 years
Business Combinations
Acquired intangible assets, average finite useful life				1 year
Maximum
Marketable Investment Securities
Length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value is considered as temporary				6 months
Length of time an investment has been in a continuous loss position in which the decline in value would be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if the decline in value is other-than-temporary				9 months
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life		40 years
Business Combinations
Acquired intangible assets, average finite useful life				20 years
Northstar Manager LLC \| Minimum
Variable Interest Entity
Number of years after wireless spectrum license is granted until put right vests		5 years
Northstar Manager LLC \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity
Number of years after wireless spectrum license is granted until put right vests		6 years
SNR Wireless Management LLC \| Minimum
Variable Interest Entity
Number of years after wireless spectrum license is granted until put right vests		5 years
SNR Wireless Management LLC \| Maximum
Variable Interest Entity
Number of years after wireless spectrum license is granted until put right vests		6 years
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| DISH Investors \| EchoStar
Accounting policy disclosures
Preferred tracking stock issued by related party	6,290,499
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction \| DISH Investors \| HSSC
Accounting policy disclosures
Preferred tracking stock issued by related party	81.128
ASU 2014-09
Accounting policy disclosures
Deferred taxes		$ 1,000
Cumulative effect of the change, net		2,319
ASU 2014-09 \| Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
Accounting policy disclosures
Cumulative effect of the change, net		$ 2,319