CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Statement [Table] Class of Stock [Domain] Class A common stock Class B common stock Represents the classification of common stock that may be accompanied by more or less the voting rights than Class A or Class B shares. Class C common stock Statement Statement [Line Items] Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Available-for-sale Securities, Current Marketable investment securities (Note 4) Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,418 and $29,650, respectively Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current Trade accounts receivable - EchoStar, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero Inventory, Net Inventory Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred tax assets Income Taxes Receivable, Current Prepaid income taxes Other Assets, Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Noncurrent Assets: Restricted Cash and Investments, Noncurrent Restricted cash and marketable investment securities (Note 4) Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net (Note 7) Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,725,748 and $2,684,521, respectively Indefinite-Lived License Agreements FCC authorizations Long-term Investments Marketable and other investment securities (Note 4) Other Assets, Noncurrent Other noncurrent assets, net Assets, Noncurrent Total noncurrent assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Trade accounts payable - other Deferred Revenue and Credits, Current Deferred revenue and other Accrued Programming Accrued programming Accrued programming. Litigation Accrual Litigation accrual (Note 11) Tivo, Retailer Class Action and ESPN litigation accrual. Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other accrued expenses Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current [Abstract] Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion: Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Long-term Liability Charges Long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Total long-term obligations, net of current portion Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9) Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity (Deficit): Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated earnings (deficit) Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, at cost Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total DISH Network stockholders' equity (deficit) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total stockholders' equity (deficit) Balance Balance Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current Trade accounts payable - EchoStar Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - other Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, from Related Parties, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - EchoStar Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable from related parties, current Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Revenues [Abstract] Revenue: Subscription Revenue Subscriber-related revenue Equipment sales and other revenue. Equipment Sales and Other Revenue Equipment sales and other revenue Equipment sales related party. Equipment Sales Related Party Equipment sales - EchoStar Transitional services and other revenue - Echostar. Transitional Services and Other Revenue Related Party Services and other revenue - EchoStar Sales Revenue, Net Total revenue Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Costs and Expenses: Cost of Goods Sold, Subscription Subscriber-related expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6) Cost of Transmission [Abstract] Satellite and transmission expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6): Satellite and transmission expenses, related party. Satellite and Transmission Expenses Related Party EchoStar Satellite and transmission expenses, other. Satellite and Transmission Expenses Other Other Other Cost of Operating Revenue Equipment, services and other cost of sales Subscriber Acquisition Costs [Abstract] Subscriber acquisition costs: Subscriber promotions subsidies, related party. Subscriber Promotions Subsidies Related Party Cost of sales - subscriber promotion subsidies - EchoStar (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6) Includes the net costs related to promotional incentives and certain costs related to installation. Other Subscriber Promotions Subsidies Other subscriber promotion subsidies Contract Revenue Cost Subscriber acquisition advertising Cost of Goods and Services Sold Total subscriber acquisition costs General and Administrative Expense General and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6) Tivo litigation expense. Litigation Expense Litigation expense (Note 11) Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization (Note 6) Depreciation and amortization Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating income (loss) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other Income (Expense): Investment Income, Interest Interest income Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income (expense) Income (loss) before income taxes The portion of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes. Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax (provision) benefit, net Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network common shareholders Net income (loss) attributable to DISH Network common shareholders Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Comprehensive Income (Loss): Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss), Net Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities included in net income (loss) Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DISH Network common shareholders Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted (in shares) Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share Earnings per share - Class A and B common stock: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network common shareholders (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to DISH Network common shareholders (in dollars per share) General and administrative expenses, related party. General and Administrative Expenses Related Party General and administrative expenses - EchoStar (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6) Interest Expense, Debt Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities: Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates Gain (Loss) on Investments Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments Share-based Compensation Non-cash, stock-based compensation Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax expense (benefit) Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Change in noncurrent assets Change in long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities. Change in Long Term Deferred Revenue Distribution and Carriage Payments and Other Long Term Liabilities Change in long-term deferred revenue, distribution and carriage payments and other long-term liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash flows from operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Purchases of marketable investment securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Launch contract purchased from related parties. Launch Contract Purchased from Related Parties Launch service assigned from EchoStar (Note 10) Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities. Change in Restricted Cash and Marketable Investment Securities Change in restricted cash and marketable investment securities Payments to Acquire Investments Purchase of strategic investments included in noncurrent marketable and other investment securities