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	4,405		4,405
Employee benefits	7,605		7,605
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	7,428		7,428
Stock-based compensation	7,771		7,771
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(1,859)		(1,859)
Other comprehensive loss	(42,649)			(41,260)			(1,389)
Net income (loss)	73,015				71,723		1,292
Other, net	504		(129)		633
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	4,258,730	102	3,694,682	(160,947)	808,330	(98,162)	14,725
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2018	4,244,252	102	3,689,180	(154,011)	792,278	(98,162)	14,865
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options	360		360
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,542		2,542
Stock-based compensation	2,661		2,661
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(61)		(61)
Other comprehensive loss	(7,526)			(6,936)			(590)
Net income (loss)	16,502				16,052		450
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	4,258,730	102	3,694,682	(160,947)	808,330	(98,162)	14,725
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	64,143	2	64,141
Employee benefits	6,654		6,654
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	7,724		7,724
Stock-based compensation	7,120		7,120
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(432)		(432)
BSS Transaction (Note 5)	(535,103)		(535,103)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(7,313)		(833)				(6,480)
Other comprehensive loss	(6,564)			(6,564)
Net income (loss)	(11,158)				(9,799)		(1,359)
Other, net	3,370		15		1,597
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	3,683,915	104	3,251,808	(131,664)	685,927	(131,454)	9,194
Beginning balance at Jun. 30, 2019	4,242,951	104	3,777,499	(119,500)	704,236	(131,454)	12,066
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Exercise of stock options	2,640		2,640
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	2,650		2,650
Stock-based compensation	2,287		2,287
R&D tax credits utilized by DISH Network	(13)		(13)
BSS Transaction (Note 5)	(535,103)		(535,103)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0		1,833				(1,833)
Other comprehensive loss	(12,164)			(12,164)
Net income (loss)	(21,106)				(18,309)		(2,797)
Other, net	1,773		15				1,758
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 3,683,915	$ 104	$ 3,251,808	$ (131,664)	$ 685,927	$ (131,454)	$ 9,194