Earnings Per Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 25,440		$ (20,317)	$ (40,267)	$ (56,022)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	0		2,008	0	46,223
Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar Corporation common stock	$ 25,440		$ (18,309)	$ (40,267)	$ (9,799)
Class A and B common stock:
Basic and diluted (in shares)	98,004	97,455		97,898	96,426
Basic and diluted:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ (0.21)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.58)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0		0.02	0	0.48
Total basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ (0.19)	$ (0.41)	$ (0.10)