Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (11,412)		$ (30,660)	$ (65,707)	$ (35,705)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	0		24,968	0	44,215
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$ (11,412)		$ (5,692)	$ (65,707)	$ 8,510
Class A and B common stock:
Basic and diluted (in shares)	97,879	96,415		97,845	95,903
Basic and diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)		$ (0.32)	$ (0.67)	$ (0.37)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0		0.26	0	0.46
Total basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.12)		$ (0.06)	$ (0.67)	$ 0.09