Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Revenues	$ 3,306,829	$ 3,395,141	$ 3,460,845	$ 3,458,487	$ 3,483,928	$ 3,583,454	$ 3,643,632	$ 3,680,361	$ 13,621,302	$ 14,391,375	$ 15,212,302
Operating income (loss)	482,752	562,703	572,660	529,506	259,291	449,051	252,103	607,320	2,147,621	1,567,765	2,319,261
Net income (loss)	357,286	452,598	460,286	385,321	1,401,305	315,265	58,762	390,075	1,655,491	2,165,407	1,550,785	$ 1,550,785
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 337,080	$ 431,734	$ 438,717	$ 367,560	$ 1,385,483	$ 297,375	$ 40,116	$ 375,715	$ 1,575,091	$ 2,098,689	$ 1,497,939	$ 1,497,939
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.92	$ 0.94	$ 0.79	$ 2.97	$ 0.64	$ 0.09	$ 0.81	$ 3.37	$ 4.50	$ 3.22	$ 3.22
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.82	$ 0.83	$ 0.70	$ 2.64	$ 0.57	$ 0.09	$ 0.76	$ 3.00	$ 4.07	$ 3.15	$ 3.15