CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 762,893	$ 815,060	$ 824,722
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	907,687	956,101	905,987
Non-cash, stock-based compensation	19,199	34,024	29,647
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(108,821)	87,587	71,405
Other, net	(29,835)	40,274	(82,032)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	82,229	2,202	(69,545)
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(2,548)	7,539	2,147
Inventory	115,570	(11,718)	(18,437)
Other current assets	14,833	14,373	(26,407)
Trade accounts payable	45,151	(245,677)	108,565
Deferred revenue and other	(21,571)	39,303	(8,040)
Accrued programming and other accrued expenses	165,881	57,939	92,309
Net cash flows from operating activities	1,950,668	1,797,007	1,830,321
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
(Purchases) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities, net	1,250,791	2,744,000	(1,838,875)
Purchases of property and equipment	(646,607)	(822,121)	(925,203)
Change in restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities	4,610	(4,204)	38,881
Other, net	(2,658)	(737)	(12,235)
Net cash flows from investing activities	606,136	1,916,938	(2,737,432)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		2,000,000	2,300,000
Proceeds from issuance of restricted debt			2,600,000
Redemption of restricted debt			(2,600,000)
Funding of restricted debt escrow			(2,596,750)
Release of restricted debt escrow			2,596,771
Dividend to DISH Orbital Corporation	(8,250,000)	(2,150,000)
Redemption and repurchases of long-term debt	(650,001)	(1,099,999)	(500,000)
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(29,206)	(29,649)	(35,586)
Other, net	30,189	33,368	12,764
Net cash flows from financing activities	(8,899,018)	(1,246,280)	1,777,199
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(6,342,214)	2,467,665	870,088
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	6,762,140	4,294,475	3,424,387
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 419,926	$ 6,762,140	$ 4,294,475

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from sales and purchases of marketable investment securities.

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Release of restricted debt escrow.

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Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation.

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Amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.

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The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in other amounts due to the reporting entity, which are not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

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The net cash inflow or outflow during the period for the aggregate increase (decrease) associated with funds and investments that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as assets held in escrow or contractually limited as to use or disposition) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities.

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The cash outflow for the settlement of long-term borrowing, with the highest claim on the assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation, as it matures.

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The increase (decrease) in cash associated with the entity's continuing operating, investing, and financing activities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label.

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) of financing activities, excluding discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit.

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) of investing activities, excluding discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets.

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities, excluding discontinued operations. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value not defined as investing or financing activities.

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The net cash outflow or inflow from other investing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

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Cash outflow in the form of capital distributions and dividends to common shareholders, preferred shareholders and noncontrolling interests.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

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The cash inflow from a borrowing with the highest claim on the assets of the entity in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer).

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The net cash inflow or outflow from other financing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

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The cash outflow for a long-term debt where the holder has highest claim on the entity's asset in case of bankruptcy or liquidation during the period.

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

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