Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement Document Type Document Annual Report Document Period End Date Document Transition Report Entity File Number Entity Registrant Name Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, Postal Zip Code City Area Code Local Phone Number Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Filer Category Entity Small Business Entity Emerging Growth Company ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag] Entity Shell Company Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Auditor Name Auditor Firm ID Auditor Location Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Assets [Abstract] Assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Current Assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents Marketable Securities, Current Marketable investment securities Current marketable investment securities Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $34,884 and $40,642, respectively Advances To Affiliates Advances To Affiliates Inventory, Net Inventory Total inventory Interest Receivable, Current Interest receivable - DISH Network (Note 17) Interest receivable - DISH Network Prepaid Expense, Current Prepaids and other assets Other Assets, Current Other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Noncurrent Assets: Restricted Cash and Investments, Noncurrent Restricted cash, cash equivalents and marketable investment securities Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net Indefinite-Lived License Agreements Regulatory authorizations, net Other Marketable Securities, Noncurrent Other investments, net Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Operating lease assets Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Noncurrent Notes receivable - DISH Network (Note 17) Aggregate principal amount Interest Receivable, Noncurrent Interest receivable - DISH Network (Note 17) Interest receivable - DISH Network - Paid in kind Other Assets, Noncurrent Other noncurrent assets, net Assets, Noncurrent Total noncurrent assets Assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity (Deficit) Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable, Current Trade accounts payable Amounts payable to NagraStar Amount of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration has been received or is receivable, classified as current and other. Contract with Customer, Liability, Current and Other Deferred revenue and other Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of programming. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Accrued Programming Current Accrued programming Interest Payable, Current Accrued interest Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other accrued expenses and liabilities Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations (Note 8) Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-Term Obligations, Net of Current Portion: Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, net of current portion (Note 8) Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Operating lease liabilities Long-term portion of lease obligations Amount of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration has been received or is receivable, classified as noncurrent and other. Contract with Customer, Liability, Noncurrent and Other Long Term Liabilities Long-term deferred revenue 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 12) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholder's Equity (Deficit): Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 1,015 shares issued and outstanding 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) Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total stockholder's equity (deficit) Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for credit losses 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 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Domain] This member stands for subscriber related services. Service revenue Equipment sales and other revenue. Equipment sales and other revenue Revenues [Abstract] Revenue: Revenues Total revenue Total revenue Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Costs and Expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization): Cost of Goods and Services Sold Cost of services Other Cost of Operating Revenue Cost of sales - equipment and other Selling, General and Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expenses Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 6) Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating income (loss) Operating income (loss) Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Other Income (Expense): Investment Income, Net Interest income Interest Expense, Debt Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other, net Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income (expense) Income (Loss) before Income Tax Income (loss) before income taxes Income (loss) before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax (provision) benefit, net Total (benefit) provision Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax Deferred income tax (expense) benefit, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income (loss) Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income (loss) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT) Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated Earnings (Deficit) Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholder's Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance Balance Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Non-cash, stock-based compensation Amount of increase in additional paid in capital due to sale of assets to related party. Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital, Sale OF Assets To Related Party Sale of assets to DISH Network, net of deferred taxes of $2,292 Deferred taxes on sale of assets to DISH Network, net Amount of deferred taxes on asset sold to related party. Tax On Assets Sold To Related Party Deferred taxes on sale of assets to DISH Network CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [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: Gain (Loss) on Investments Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on investments and other Share-based Compensation Non-cash, stock-based compensation Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred tax expense (benefit) Total deferred (benefit) provision Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses Changes in allowance for credit losses Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets and Liabilities, Net Other, net Interest Income, Related Party Non-cash interest income - DISH Network Interest income Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in current assets and current liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Other Receivables Trade accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventory Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets Other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Trade accounts payable The increase (decrease) in deferred revenues and other. Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue and Other Deferred revenue and other Increase (Decrease) in Other Accrued Liabilities Accrued programming and other accrued expenses Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash flows from operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash Flows From Investing Activities: Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from sales and purchases of marketable investment securities. Proceeds from Payments for Marketable Securities (Purchases) Sales and maturities of marketable investment securities, net Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Amount of cash inflow for proceeds from sale of assets to related party. Proceeds From Sale of Assets, Related Party Proceeds from sale of assets to DISH Network, net of tax Origination of Notes Receivable from Related Parties Notes receivable - DISH Network Payments for (Proceeds from) Businesses and Interest in Affiliates Advances to/from affiliates Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash flows from investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash Flows From Financing Activities: Repayment of long-term debt and finance lease obligations Repayment of long-term debt and finance lease obligations Maturities of Senior Debt Redemption and repurchases of senior notes Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt Proceeds from issuance of senior notes Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Debt issuance costs Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash flows from financing activities Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period (Note 4) Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period (Note 4) Organization and Business Activities Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization and Business Activities Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Data - Statements of Cash Flows Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investment Securities Investments in Debt and Equity Instruments, Cash and Cash Equivalents, Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses) [Text Block] Marketable Investment Securities, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Other Investment Securities Inventory Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventory Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets Property, Plant, and Equipment and Intangible Assets [Text Block] Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets Leases The entire disclosure of information about leases. Lease Disclosure [Text Block] Leases Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations The entire disclosure for all or part of the information related to long term debt and finance lease liabilities. Long Term Debt and Finance Lease Liability [Text Block] Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations Income Taxes and Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes and Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Employee Benefit Plans Stock-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors Financial information for subsidiary guarantors. Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors [Text Block] Financial Information for Subsidiary Guarantors No Definition available. Disaggregation of Revenue The entire disclosure of Revenue from contract with customer, disaggregation of revenue text block. Revenue from Contract with Customer, Disaggregation of Revenue [Text Block] Disaggregation of Revenue No Definition available. Revenue Recognition The Entire disclosure of revenue from contract with customer, contract balances text block. Revenue from Contract with Customer, Contract Balances [Text Block] Revenue Recognition Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Related Party Transactions