Number of other satellites relocated in event of failure or loss of any satellite.

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- Definition

Represents option to renew the lease for an additional term.

+ References

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Represents option to renew the lease for an additional term if the company exercises its renewal option.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
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-Section 45
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Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the capitalized costs to acquire rights under a license arrangement (for example, to sell specified products in a specified territory) having an indefinite period of benefit.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

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Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

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Property and Equipment - Pay TV Satellites (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Property and Equipment
Number of other satellites to be relocated in the event of failure or loss of any satellite \| item					1
Depreciation and amortization	$ 228,963	$ 237,248	$ 441,217	$ 461,143	$ 907,687	$ 956,101	$ 905,987
FCC authorizations	$ 635,794		$ 635,794		635,794	635,794
DBS Licenses
Property and Equipment
FCC authorizations					611,794	611,794
MVDDS Licenses
Property and Equipment
FCC authorizations					$ 24,000	$ 24,000
Minimum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets					1 year
Maximum
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets					40 years
EchoStar XIV
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets					15 years
EchoStar XV
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets			15 years		15 years
EchoStar XVIII
Property and Equipment
Depreciable life of assets			15 years		15 years
EchoStar XVI
Property and Equipment
Option to renew the lease for an additional period			5 years		6 years
Another option to renew the lease if renewal option exercised			5 years		5 years