Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 21, 2020	Mar. 17, 2017	Aug. 08, 2016
Net income (loss)	$ 761,297	$ 532,959	$ 480,406	$ 99,274	$ 413,547	$ 377,157	$ 340,566	$ 361,299	$ 1,873,936	$ 1,492,569	$ 1,655,491
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax									111,263	93,057	80,400
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network	$ 732,632	$ 504,599	$ 452,343	$ 73,099	$ 389,404	$ 353,304	$ 317,043	$ 339,761	1,762,673	1,399,512	1,575,091
Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network - Diluted									$ 1,762,673	$ 1,399,512	$ 1,575,091
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock:
Basic (in shares)									524,761	479,657	467,350
Dilutive impact of Convertible Notes (in shares)									59,526	58,192	58,192
Dilutive impact of stock awards outstanding (in shares)									73	115	290
Diluted (in shares)									584,360	537,964	525,832
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 1.39	$ 0.96	$ 0.86	$ 0.14	$ 0.77	$ 0.74	$ 0.68	$ 0.73	$ 3.36	$ 2.92	$ 3.37
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network (in dollars per share)	$ 1.24	$ 0.86	$ 0.78	$ 0.13	$ 0.69	$ 0.66	$ 0.60	$ 0.65	$ 3.02	$ 2.60	$ 3.00
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%								7.75%
3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Interest rate (as a percent)														3.375%
2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.375%								2.375%				2.375%
0% Convertible Notes Due 2025
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Interest rate (as a percent)	0.00%								0.00%			0.00%
Convertible Common Stock [Member] | 0% Convertible Notes Due 2025
Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock:
Common stock, shares issued	48,800								48,800