Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures [Abstract]
Net income from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 8,509	$ 44,320
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures [Abstract]
Equipment, services and other revenue - DISH Network		143,118	1,127,610
Equipment, services and other revenue - other		10,344	118,654
Total revenue		153,462	1,246,264
Cost of equipment, services and other		121,967	1,010,421
Selling, general and administrative expenses		5,439	60,590
Research and development expenses		4,635	44,854
Depreciation and amortization		11,659	62,164
Total costs and expenses		143,700	1,178,029
Operating income		9,762	68,235
Interest expense		(15)	(144)
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates, net		(1,159)	2,508
Other, net		(57)	(381)
Total income (expense), net		(1,231)	1,983
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		8,531	70,218
Income tax provision		(22)	(25,898)
Net income from discontinued operations		8,509	44,320
Discontinued Operation, Alternative Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Discontinued operations capital expenditures		12,000	$ 70,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Classified Balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]
Total assets of discontinued operations		100
Total liabilities of discontinued operations		$ 1,000
EchoStar Technologies segment | DISH Network | Share Exchange Agreement
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Ownership interest acquired by related party (as a percent)				100.00%