Discontinued Operations - Financial Results of Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 473,502	$ 472,262	$ 1,398,634	$ 1,387,075
Other Income (Expense):
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	2,008	0	46,223
Discontinued Operations | BSS Business
Revenue:
Total revenue		58,809		212,203
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of equipment, services and other		7,315		28,057
Selling, general and administrative expenses		5,369		8,810
Depreciation and amortization		27,048		97,435
Total costs and expenses		39,732		134,302
Operating income		19,077		77,901
Other Income (Expense):
Interest expense		(4,767)		(17,865)
Total other income (expense), net		(4,767)		(17,865)
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes		14,310		60,036
Income tax benefit (provision), net		(12,302)		(13,813)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations		2,008		46,223
Services and other revenue
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 426,532	406,537	$ 1,251,932	1,211,991
Services and other revenue | Discontinued Operations | BSS Business
Revenue:
Total revenue		4,512		16,261
DISH Network | Services and other revenue | Discontinued Operations | BSS Business
Revenue:
Total revenue		$ 54,297		$ 195,942