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 Loss	Accumulated Earnings	Treasury Stock	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	4,045		4,045
Employee benefits	7,605		7,605
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	4,886		4,886
Stock-based compensation	5,110		5,110
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(1,798)		(1,798)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(34,882)			(34,083)			(799)
Net income (loss)	56,513				55,671		842
Other, net	263		(129)	(241)	633
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018	4,244,252	102	3,689,180	(154,011)	792,278	(98,162)	14,865
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2018	4,205,515	102	3,685,577	(111,413)	714,423	(98,162)	14,988
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options	589		589
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,250		2,250
Stock-based compensation	2,345		2,345
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(1,580)		(1,580)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(43,042)			(42,457)			(585)
Net income (loss)	77,684				77,222		462
Other, net	491		(1)	(141)	633
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018	4,244,252	102	3,689,180	(154,011)	792,278	(98,162)	14,865
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	61,503	2	61,501
Employee benefits	6,654		6,654
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	5,074		5,074
Stock-based compensation	4,833		4,833
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(419)		(419)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(7,313)		(2,666)				(4,647)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,600			5,600
Net income (loss)	9,948				8,510		1,438
Other, net	1,597				1,597
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	4,242,951	104	3,777,499	(119,500)	704,236	(131,454)	12,066
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019	4,179,536	102	3,713,777	(124,251)	709,928	(131,454)	11,434
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options	59,457	2	59,455
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,325		2,325
Stock-based compensation	2,205		2,205
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(263)		(263)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,751			4,751			0
Net income (loss)	(5,060)				(5,692)		632
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 4,242,951	$ 104	$ 3,777,499	$ (119,500)	$ 704,236	$ (131,454)	$ 12,066