Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Statement CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 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: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization (Note 6) Depreciation and amortization Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates Gain (Loss) on Investments Unrealized and realized (gains) losses on marketable investment securities and other investments Unrealized and realized gains (losses) on marketable investment securities and other investments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments Unrealized (gains) losses on investments accounted for at fair value, net Unrealized gains (losses) on investments accounted for at fair value, net Asset Impairment Charges Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets Impairments of goodwill, indefinite-lived and long-lived assets Share-based Compensation Non-cash, stock-based compensation Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Change in noncurrent assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Other Receivables Trade accounts receivable - other Increase (Decrease) in Other Receivables Allowance for doubtful accounts Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable, Related Parties Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Trade accounts payable - other Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Related Parties Trade accounts payable - DISH Network Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses and other 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 service assigned to DISH Network (Note 13) Launch service sold to related parties Launch Service Sold To Related Parties Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities Proceeds from insurance settlement 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 marketable and other investment securities Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Investment in Move Networks (Note 14) Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collections of Investments Proceeds from sale of strategic investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash flows from investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations Contribution of cash and cash equivalents from DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off Contribution of cash and cash equivalents in connection with spin off. Contribution Of Cash And Cash Equivalents In Connection With Spin Off Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Class A common stock repurchases (Note 11) Proceeds from Issuance of Shares under Incentive and Share-based Compensation Plans, Including Stock Options Net proceeds from Class A common stock options exercised and issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash flows from financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: Interest Paid Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest) Cash Paid for Capitalized Interest Capitalized interest Proceeds from Interest Received Cash received for interest Income Taxes Paid Cash paid for income taxes Employee Benefits and Share-based Compensation Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock Employee benefits Launch service assigned to DISH Network (Note 19) Launch service sold to related parties noncash Launch Service Sold To Related Parties Non Cash Capital Lease Obligations Incurred Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations Reduction of capital lease obligations and associated asset value for AMC-16 (Note 6) Reduction of Capital Lease Obligations And Associated Asset Value Reduction Of Capital Lease Obligations And Associated Asset Value Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Investments Acquired Non-cash investing activities Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Amount of Consideration Received Non-cash proceeds from the sale of a company which held certain FCC Contribution of Property Net assets contributed in connection with the Spin-off, excluding cash and cash equivalents Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net Common Class C [Member] Class C common stock Common Class D [Member] Class D common stock Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class A common stock Class B common stock Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Available-for-sale Securities, Current Marketable investment securities Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current Trade accounts receivable - DISH Network, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of zero Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade accounts receivable - other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,988 and $7,644, respectively Inventory, Net Inventory Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred tax assets 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 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,807,582 and $1,766,290, respectively Indefinite-Lived License Agreements FCC authorizations Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Intangible assets, net Long-term Investments Marketable and other investment securities 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 Accounts Payable, Related Parties, Current Trade accounts payable - DISH Network Accrued Royalties, Current Accrued royalties Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued expenses and other Deferred Tax Liabilities, Current Deferred tax liabilities Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent [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 Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Total long-term obligations, net of current portion Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and Contingencies. Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock 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 EchoStar stockholders' equity (deficit) Balance Balance Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable from Related Parties Current. Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable From Related Parties Current Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - DISH Network Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable - other Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share) Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred Stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred Stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred Stock, shares outstanding 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 Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total stockholders' equity (deficit) Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation on property and equipment CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Revenues [Abstract] Revenue: Sales Revenue, Goods, Net Equipment revenue - other Services and other revenue - Related Party. Services And Other Revenue, Related Party Services and other revenue - DISH Network Sales Revenue, Services, Net Services and other revenue - other Sales Revenue, Net Total revenue Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Costs and Expenses: Cost of Goods Sold Cost of sales - equipment Cost of Services Cost of sales - services and other (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6) Research and Development Expense Research and development expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6) Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6) General and administrative expenses - DISH Network General and Administrative Expenses, Related Party General and administrative expenses paid to a related party. General and administrative expenses - DISH Network (exclusive of depreciation shown below - Note 6) 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 Interest Expense, Debt Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income (expense) Income (loss) before income taxes Income (loss) before income tax The portion of earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes. Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax (provision) benefit, net Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments 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, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common shareholders Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Class A and B common stock: 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 EchoStar common shareholders (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to EchoStar common shareholders (in dollars per share) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest Document and Entity Information Contribution from related party in connection with the Spin-off Contribution from DISH Network in connection with the Spin-off Contribution from Related Party in connection with spin off. Capital Transaction with Related Party in Connection With Launch Service Capital Transaction with Related Party in Connection With Launch Service Capital transaction with DISH Network in connection with the launch service (Note 19) Capital transactions with Related Party, net of tax Capital Transactions With Related Party', Net Of Tax Capital transactions with DISH Network, net of tax (Note 19) Tax related to the capital transaction with related party in connection with the launch contract. Tax related to the capital transaction with related party in connection with the launch contract Tax related to the capital transaction with DISH Network in connection with the launch contract (Note 19) Issuances of Class A Common Stock [Abstract] Issuances of Class A common stock: Stock based compensation and other, net of tax. Stock-based compensation and other, net of tax Stock-based compensation and other, net of tax Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Class A and B Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Earnings/(Deficit) Net Investment in EchoStar Ownership Interest [Member] Treasury Stock Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Exercise of stock options Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan Employee Stock Purchase Plan Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Class A common stock repurchases, at cost Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition, Value Stock-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation Income tax (expense) benefit related to stock awards and other Other Comprehensive Income, Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net Other Comprehensive Income, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Employee Benefit Plans Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Income Taxes Impairments of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived and Long-Lived Assets Commitments and Contingencies Intangible Assets Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Other Investment Securities Organization and Business Activities Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Other Investment Securities Marketable Investment Securities Restricted Cash And Other Investment Securities Text Block Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Other Investment Securities Impairments of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived and Long-Lived Assets [Text Block] Impairments of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived and Long-Lived Assets [Text Block] Impairments of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived and Long-Lived Assets Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization and Business Activities Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Property and Equipment Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangible Assets Long-term Debt [Text Block] Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Acquisitions Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Benefit Plans Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity (Deficit): Common stock Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Comprehensive Income (Loss): Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income (loss) attributable to EchoStar common shareholders Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax expense (benefit) Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) Equipment revenue - DISH Network Equipment Revenue, Related Party Equipment revenue related party. Amendment Description Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Intangible assets, net Intangible assets, net. Intangible Assets, Net Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Inventory Property and Equipment Stock-Based Compensation Acquisitions Segment Reporting Related Party Transactions Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Other Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents Subsequent Events Schedule of Subsequent Events [Text Block] Subsequent Events