Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 20, 2014	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting policy disclosures
Capitalized Contract Cost			$ 207,000	$ 183,000
Amortization expense related to the programs			76,000	28,000
Total costs capitalized			$ 300,000	169,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets					$ 145,918
Long-Term Deferred Revenue, Distribution and Carriage Payments
Deferred upfront payment, amortization period			10 years
Research and Development
Research and development cost			$ 21,000	24,000	33,000
Leases
Option to extend - Operating			true
Option to extend - Finance			true
Option to terminate period - Operating			1 year
Option to terminate period - Finance			1 year
Option to terminate - Operating			true
Option to terminate - Finance			true
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			5 years
Leases
Option to extend period - Operating			1 year
Option to extend period - Finance			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
Leases
Option to extend period - Operating			8 years
Option to extend period - Finance			8 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
Nonvoting Interest Prior To Share Exchange		10.00%
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
T1
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful life			14 years 3 months
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets			$ 146,000		$ 146,000
ASU 2014-09
Accounting policy disclosures
Retained earnings cumulative effect of change			2,000
Cumulative effect of the change, net			$ 1,000	2,319
ASU 2014-09 | Accumulated Earnings (Deficit)
Accounting policy disclosures
Cumulative effect of the change, net				$ 2,319