CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Class A and B Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Earnings	Treasury Stock	Other Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 4,177,385	$ 102	$ 3,669,461	$ (130,154)	$ 721,316	$ (98,162)	$ 14,822
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options	3,456		3,456
Employee benefits	7,605		7,605
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,636		2,636
Stock-based compensation	2,765		2,765
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(218)		(218)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,160			8,374			(214)
Net income (loss)	(21,171)				(21,551)		380
Other	(228)		(128)	(100)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018	4,205,515	102	3,685,577	(111,413)	714,423	(98,162)	14,988
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	4,155,474	102	3,702,522	(125,100)	694,129	(131,454)	15,275
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options	2,046		2,046
Employee benefits	6,654		6,654
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,749		2,749
Stock-based compensation	2,628		2,628
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(156)		(156)
Noncontrolling interest purchase	(7,313)		(2,666)				(4,647)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	849			849
Net income (loss)	15,008				14,202		806
Other	1,597				1,597
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 4,179,536	$ 102	$ 3,713,777	$ (124,251)	$ 709,928	$ (131,454)	$ 11,434