Related Party Transactions (Details 3) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2016	Feb. 29, 2016	May 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2008	May 31, 2015
Related party transactions
Amount payable to related party				$ 1,520,000		$ 1,520,000		$ 24,682,000
Hughes Systique Corporation
Related party transactions
Repayment of loan	$ 300,000	$ 300,000						1,500,000
Remaining balance of loan				$ 0		$ 0
Ownership interest in related party						43.90%
Ownership percentage by related party						25.80%
NagraStar
Related party transactions
Equity interest in joint venture				50.00%		50.00%
Purchases from related party				$ 2,500,000	$ 4,400,000	$ 10,100,000	$ 13,000,000
Amount payable to related party				$ 900,000		$ 900,000		2,600,000
Dish Mexico
Related party transactions
Equity interest in joint venture				49.00%		49.00%
Digital set-top boxes and related accessories				$ 7,693,000	19,887,000	$ 40,423,000	45,432,000
Satellite services				5,837,000	5,837,000	17,510,000	17,510,000
Uplink services				1,024,000	1,030,000	3,049,000	3,981,000
Receivables from related party				$ 19,300,000		$ 19,300,000		32,900,000
Deluxe/EchoStar LLC
Related party transactions
Equity interest in joint venture				50.00%		50.00%
Revenue recognized from equipment and services provided to related party				$ 700,000	700,000	$ 2,100,000	2,100,000
Receivables from related party				600,000		600,000		100,000
SmarDTV SA
Related party transactions
Equity interest in joint venture										22.50%
Purchases from related party				1,500,000	$ 1,700,000	5,200,000	$ 2,600,000
Amount payable to related party				2,100,000		2,100,000		900,000
Current note receivable from related party				$ 0		$ 0		$ 500,000
Hughes Communications, Inc. | Hughes Systique Corporation
Related party transactions
Amount agreed to be funded under term loan facility									$ 1,500,000
Interest rate			8.00%						6.00%