Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	$ 921,238	$ 996,183	$ 775,300
Cash received for interest	15,037	6,925	15,020
Cash paid for income taxes	31,308	40,362	439,570
Capitalized interest	$ 1,012,177	1,015,901	844,330
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock	$ 27,322	23,164	25,146
Assets financed under capital lease obligations	$ 142	$ 1,573	7,850
Vendor Financing			$ 20,000
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.375%	2.375%
Initial equity component of the Convertible Notes net of deferred taxes		$ 159,869
Deferred taxes		$ 92,512
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Interest rate (as a percent)			3.375%
Initial equity component of the Convertible Notes net of deferred taxes			$ 487,521
Deferred taxes			$ 286,322
DISH DBS Corporation ("DDBS") | 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.375%