Related Party Transactions (Details) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended							9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2017	Feb. 28, 2022	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2018 term	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2013 transponder	May 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2009 transponder	Nov. 30, 2008 transponder
DISH Network | TT&C Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party									12 months
Agreement term			1 month	1 year
DISH Network | TerreStar Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party									21 days
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement									90 days
DISH Network | Hughes Broadband Distribution Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement									180 days
Agreement term								5 years
Automatic renewal period									1 year
DISH Network | DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party									120 days
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement									21 days
Ownership interest acquired by related party																100.00%
DISH Network | RUS Implementation Agreement
Related party transactions
Grants receivable | $																	$ 14.1
DISH Network | Amended and Restated Professional Services Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement									60 days
Automatic renewal period									1 year
Required minimum notice for termination of individual service									30 days
DISH Network | Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements
Related party transactions
Term of renewal option						4 years			3 years
Related Party Transactions Agreement, Termination Notice Required by Reporting Entity									180 days
DISH Network | Subsequent Event | DBSD North America Agreement
Related party transactions
Minimum required notice period for termination of agreement by related party		180 days
Automatic renewal period		5 years
Hughes Retail Group | Hughes Retail Preferred Tracking Stock | DISH Network | Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction
Related party transactions
Percentage of economic interest held	80.00%
Ciel | Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement [Member]
Related party transactions
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract															10 years
Maximum | DISH Network | Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements
Related party transactions
Required notice for renewal of agreement									120 days
Minimum | DISH Network | Collocation and Antenna Space Agreements
Related party transactions
Required notice for renewal of agreement									90 days
EchoStar XVI | DISH Network | Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement [Member]
Related party transactions
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract																		10 years
Lessor, Operating Lease, Renewal Term					1 year							5 years
Agreement term from commencement of service date							4 years
Reduction in term of first renewal option					1 year
Additional term of renewal option									5 years
Nimiq5 [Member] | DISH Network | Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement [Member]
Related party transactions
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services																			32
Nimiq5 [Member] | Telesat Canada | Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement [Member]
Related party transactions
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract																			15 years
Number of DBS transponders available to receive services																			32
QuetzSat-1 [Member] | DISH Network | Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement [Member]
Related party transactions
Number of DBS transponders currently receiving services																				24
Number of DBS transponders currently receiving services subleased back from related party														5
QuetzSat-1 [Member] | SES Latin America | Satellite Capacity Lease Agreement [Member]
Related party transactions
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract																				10 years
Number of DBS transponders expected to receive services																				32
Real Estate Leases to DISH Network | DISH Network | 100 Inverness Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination of agreement									180 days
Required minimum notice for termination or agreement if month-to-month									30 days
Real Estate Leases to DISH Network | DISH Network | Meridian Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract			1 year										1 year
Required minimum notice for termination or agreement if month-to-month									30 days
Real Estate Leases to DISH Network | DISH Network | Santa Fe Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract			1 year										1 year
Required minimum notice for termination or agreement if month-to-month									30 days
Real Estate Leases to DISH Network | DISH Network | Cheyenne Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Required minimum notice for termination or agreement if month-to-month									30 days
Real Estate Leases from DISH Network | DISH Network | Cheyenne Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract										1 year
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term									1 year
Number of successive one year renewal options | term									12
Real Estate Leases from DISH Network | DISH Network | Gilbert Lease Agreement
Related party transactions
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract										1 year
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term									1 year
Number of successive one year renewal options | term									12
Real Estate Leases from DISH Network | DISH Network | American Fork Occupancy License Agreement
Related party transactions
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract											5 years